South Jersey track coach, aide arrested for inappropriate relationship with student, prosecutor says

CNN Newsource on August 7, 2026

By Laura Fay, Madeleine Wright

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    SICKLERVILLE, New Jersey (KYW) — A track and football coach in South Jersey was arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student, Camden County officials said Thursday.

Joel Deanley Jr., of Gloucester Township, is charged with sexual assault and endangering a child, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

Detectives determined that Deanley and the victim — a female high school student — engaged in sexual activity from June through August. The victim told investigators she had sexual contact with Deanley three times this summer, and he admitted to some of the acts, according to a criminal complaint.

The 26-year-old was an aide at Timber Creek High Regional School in Sicklerville. He was also head coach for boys and girls winter track, an assistant football coach, and an assistant for girls spring track, the prosecutor’s office said.

In a statement on its website, the school district said it is aware of the charges and officials have removed Deanley from all positions and barred him from district property. The school district is cooperating with law enforcement.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain the District’s highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe learning environment and will continue to take all appropriate actions consistent with our legal obligations and District policies,” the website says.

No other victims have been identified at this time, the prosecutor said.

“It’s kind of crazy considering I was on the track team and everything like that. It’s just, it’s unfortunate,” said Chace Pearson, who graduated from Timber Creek four years ago.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Todd Jarrell of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 856-225-8479 and Detective Daniel Szovati of the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500, ext. 3215, or share information via CAMDEN.TIPS.

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Woman suing Yankees for $10 million after getting hit by bat at game

CNN Newsource on August 7, 2026

By Katie Houlis

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A woman is suing the New York Yankees for $10 million after she was hit by a flying bat during a game.

It happened during the fifth inning of a game on June 2 as the Yankees were playing the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium.

Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez had just hit a ball when his bat flew out of his hands mid-swing and went into the stands behind home plate.

The plaintiff, a 37-year-old New Jersey woman, says she was hit in the head and knocked out of her seat to the ground.

According to the lawsuit, she suffered a traumatic brain injury, concussion and neck injury. The lawsuit says she continues to suffer from symptoms related to her injuries, including headaches and light sensitivity, and has not been able to return to work since the incident.

In the lawsuit, she says the protective netting in front of the section where she was sitting is significantly lower than in other parts of the stadium.

The plaintiff is suing for compensatory damages for her injuries, medical expenses, lost job wages and more.

CBS News New York reached out to the Yankees for comment and is waiting to hear back.

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Homicide in Orange County, N.Y. prompts manhunt by state police

CNN Newsource on August 7, 2026

By Alexa Herrera

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    ORANGE COUNTY, New York (WCBS) — New York State Police are looking for a man they say is connected to a homicide that happened Thursday in Greenville, Orange County.

Police are investigating a death at the home of Thomas David Ryan, where firefighters appear to have put out a fire that left the home gutted.

Ryan, 32, is believed to be driving a 2016 gray Toyota Prius with a New York license plate HNH-7671.

He was last seen in the area of Greenville Turnpike wearing black sweatpants and a black T-shirt.

Ryan is believed to be “armed and dangerous,” police said. Anyone who comes into contact with him is urged to be careful.

Anyone who sees him should contact SP Middletown BCI at 845-344-5300 or dial 911.

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Newly renovated Bucky Dent Water Park closed indefinitely over permit issues, Hialeah city officials announce

CNN Newsource on August 7, 2026

By Larry Seward

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    HIALEAH, Florida (WFOR) — The newly renovated Bucky Dent Water Park has been forced to close indefinitely after Florida Department of Health officials discovered the facility was operating without a valid permit.

The closure comes just five days after Mayor Bryan Calvo and city leaders celebrated the park’s reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The issue was uncovered following an unrelated medical emergency at the site. Lifeguards pulled a man from the water and administered CPR before he was transported to a hospital, where he is currently recovering. City official Julio Ligorria praised the lifeguards’ actions, noting the man’s life was saved before first responders arrived.

Following that incident, inspectors discovered that the water park lacked the necessary health department permit.

Residents expressed frustration regarding the timeline of the closure.

“I don’t understand,” said Hialeah resident Yised Casanella, who brought her sons to the park Thursday morning. “How are they even (allowed) to open? Don’t they need the permit to be actually open?”.

In a statement, the City of Hialeah attributed the situation to an administrative error.

“The city conducted rigorous inspection of the pools prior to opening and all required city permits were issued,” Ligorria said. “Due to an oversight in filling out a form, the health department permit is still pending approval. We are moving swiftly to reopen the pool once it is issued.”

The city issued an apology to residents, acknowledging that the community had been anticipating the opening of the facility following a seven-year wait.

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Phi Delta Theta at UM under investigation after video appears to show man pushed into pool with pants on fire

CNN Newsource on August 7, 2026

By Abby Dodge

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    CORAL GABLES, Florida (WFOR) — The University of Miami is investigating the Phi Delta Theta fraternity after videos circulated online showing activities that some students say could be hazing.

The university said it became aware of the videos on July 29 and is working with Phi Delta Theta’s national organization to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

One video, first shared with The Miami Hurricane by a person who wants to remain anonymous, appears to show a man being pushed into a pool while his pants are on fire.

The footage has sparked debate among students and alumni.

“I would call that hazing,” said University of Miami student Evan Patterson.

Others viewed the incident differently.

“It’s just a fun activity. Kind of reckless but fun,” said University of Miami alumna Natalie Colegrove.

Some students and alumni said they have heard accounts of more serious fraternity practices in the past.

“So that’s really not that bad compared to what I’ve heard,” Colegrove said.

A second video shows a large group of men dancing in cheetah-print swimwear in front of a crowd.

For some observers, the public nature of the event raised concerns.

“It’s really embarrassing, and it’s on the internet forever,” Colegrove said.

Patterson agreed.

“It definitely seems like a humiliation ritual thing in front of other fraternities and sororities as well,” he said.

The University of Miami issued the following statement:

“The University of Miami received a video from a news media outlet on July 29 allegedly portraying members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity imitating a dangerous social media challenge. The Dean of Students Office has partnered with the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters, and we are actively investigating the video and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Any students or student organizations determined to have violated the University of Miami code of conduct will be held accountable.”

Phi Delta Theta’s national organization also responded to our request for comment:

“Phi Delta Theta is reviewing alleged policy violations at the Florida Delta chapter at the University of Miami. Phi Delta Theta is working with the university, chapter, and alumni to review the matter. Any individuals found responsible for violating policy will be held accountable. Phi Delta Theta prioritizes the safety of every member and the communities they are part of. The organization does not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the Fraternity and holds strict rulings against members and chapters that violate Fraternity expectations and the law.”

CBS News Miami has also reached out to Coral Gables Police to determine whether the agency is investigating the videos but had not received a response by publication of this article.

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Troy Church of Christ significantly damaged after early morning fire

CNN Newsource on August 6, 2026

By Hannah McIlree, Paula Wethington

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    Detroit (WWJ) — A longtime Troy church is facing an uncertain future after a fire heavily damaged the building early Thursday morning. Despite the loss, church leaders say their faith community remains strong and plans to continue gathering while working toward recovery.

Firefighters spent hours battling flames at Troy Church of Christ, a congregation that has been part of the community since the 1950s. Nobody was inside the building at the time, and no firefighters or civilians were injured.

“It’s kind of a second home, so there are a lot of memories that are packed into that building of the life of this congregation,” said Minister Manuel Florescu. “So seeing those kind of go up in smoke, it’s a little bit heartbreaking.”

According to Florescu, the church was established before many of the surrounding homes were built and has long served as a neighborhood gathering place.

Still, he says the focus now is on the congregation rather than the building itself.

“The church is not the building, the church is the people,” Florescu said. “The building is beautiful, but they can rebuild one. So the church is gonna go on. We are gonna worship this Sunday just like any other Sunday, but another location.”

The Troy Fire Department was called to the church at approximately 3:14 a.m. Thursday. The first crews on scene saw smoke coming from a corner of the building, according to a fire department report. Firefighters say the situation quickly became more challenging when part of the roof collapsed. At that point, the command officer ordered all firefighters to get out of the building and work to deal with the fire from outside. They remained in the area until about 9 a.m.

Lt. Keith Young said crews initially believed the fire may have started near the rear of the building, but the collapse made it difficult to determine the origin.

“When we arrived, we initially thought it was maybe on the rear side of the building,” Young said. “But once we made entry, we already had the roof collapse. And so it’s hard for us to get exactly where it started until investigators can get inside.”

The fire ultimately escalated to a fourth-alarm response, bringing roughly 60 personnel to the scene.

As church leaders begin planning for the future, Bible study has been canceled for the remainder of the week while they determine where Sunday services will be held.

Star EMS and Troy Police also assisted on scene.

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North Texas data center clears key hurdle despite strong opposition from neighboring residents

CNN Newsource on August 6, 2026

By Steven Rosenbaum

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — A Tarrant County town is one step closer to hosting a large data center. The planning and zoning committee in the town of Westlake, north of Fort Worth, voted this week to approve the site plan, which is located on nearly 88 acres of land near Highway 377.

On Tuesday, at the end of a meeting that was crowded with concerned neighbors, the committee approved the project, setting up a vote on final approval in the town council.

“After reviewing the application, Town staff concluded that the site plan satisfied every applicable approval requirement and, in several areas, including architecture, setbacks, buffering, and landscaping, exceeded the Town’s minimum standards,” the town said in a statement. “Given the site plan’s compliance with the applicable approval criteria, there was no available basis on which the Commission could deny the site plan.”

According to a presentation by the developer, the campus will contain four buildings including a private electrical substation and backup generators. The plans also include new trees, landscaping and other features to keep the center largely hidden from view.

Neighbors raise concerns over noise, traffic and water use Among the opponents of the data center are residents of the Marshall Ridge neighborhood in Keller, which borders the data center site. The nearest homes would be 506 feet from the building line, which Westlake says far exceeds the 150-foot minimum.

The other concerns voiced about the project include traffic, noise, electricity use and water consumption.

An FAQ on Westlake’s website says the data center will use less water than an average golf course and will not impact water or electricity bills. The town also says the impact on traffic will be minimal once the center is operational, with about 75 employees at the site at any given time.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the developer also agreed to add more sound mitigation than was already planned to help make it less bothersome for neighbors.

In a statement, Keller Mayor Ross McMullin said the city remains in full support of its residents.

“We also expect our neighbor to the north to treat our residents with the same courtesy and respect as they have over the longstanding history of our towns,” McMullin said. “In that spirit, we will continue to fully review the processes and procedures related to Westlake’s project, and will continue to work with our residents to best support them.”

Westlake’s next town council meeting is on Aug. 18, but an agenda has not yet been published.

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Couple retire as resource parents for foster youth after 30 years

CNN Newsource on August 6, 2026

By Sharon Chin

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    SAN MATEO COUNTY, California (KPIX) — A Bay area couple is retiring this fall after serving as resource parents, traditionally known as foster parents, for 30 years.

Paul and Betsy Rose Franklin had already raised three adult children between them. But they had more love to give. Betsy wanted them to become foster parents, and Paul agreed.

Since then, the name has changed to resource parents – an umbrella term now used by many state agencies to describe foster care, kinship care, or adoptive parents – but the critical roles they played have not.

“There’re kids out there that needed love and a steady home,” said Betsy Franklin.

“My father died before I was born, so I always said, ‘If I have kids, I want to be the best I could be'” added Paul Franklin.

Betsy and Paul raised 12 San Mateo County foster children as their own until the kids turned 18 or went to a permanent home. The couple also adopted three children.

“I didn’t want them hurt, in trouble, in jail, on drugs so we made sure we gave them the love that they required,” Paul said.

Many kids arrived with anger and trauma from living in broken homes. The Franklins lovingly brought structure and discipline, requiring kids to go to church and summer camps, volunteer, and participate in sports.

“I just embrace them. And we take every nationality because everybody needs love,” Betsy said.

Betsy and Paul are proud that all of the children earned their high school diploma. Two have also graduated from college.

Leilani Gonzalez lived with the Franklins for a year at age ten before returning to the care of her biological father. She still considers the couple her Mom and Dad.

“They changed me from being a very angry and disturbed child to a loving, open person,” Gonzalez said. “Without them, I don’t know where I would be.”        Michael, who declined to use his last name, knows where he’d be.

“I’d probably be in jail or on the street,” he said.

Michael admits his behavioral problems were a big challenge, but Paul and Betsy taught him personal responsibility. Today, he holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“Every time I got into trouble, he’d say, ‘Son, you put yourself in that predicament,'” Michael said. So now, I try to put myself in the best stuff that I can.”

The County of San Mateo has honored the Franklins for providing love, safety and stability as resource parents.

“They’ve got so much love for the kids,” said Gloria Castillo-Steinman, a county human services clinician explained. “Even though there might be challenging moments, they don’t give up.”

The county hopes that the Franklins’ story will inspire others to become resource parents. The San Mateo County Human Services Agency welcomes potential applicants at resourcefamily@smgov.org or 650-802-7636.

The Franklins say they don’t regret becoming resource parents to children in need.

“I tried to make sure they were always cared for and loved,” Paul said.

Betsy added, “We don’t use the word ‘foster;’ we don’t use none of that stuff. They are my children.”

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Alameda County to pay $12M to settle lawsuit in death of 8-year-old Sophia Mason

CNN Newsource on August 6, 2026

By Tim Fang, Maddie White

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    ALAMEDA COUNTY, California (KPIX) — Alameda County officials announced a settlement in the civil lawsuit over the death of Sophia Mason, a young girl from Hayward whose killing in 2022 exposed failures in the county’s child welfare system.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $12 million to Sylvia Johnson, Sophia’s grandmother and the only heir to her estate. The settlement also includes the release of a county-ordered independent investigation, along with a public memorial bench to be in a Hayward park.

“Sophia Mason was an 8-year-old girl who deserved protection and a full life. We mourn with her grandmother and extended family for what could have been,” said Supervisor Lena Tam, who chairs the board’s Social Services Committee.

In March 2022, Sophia was found dead in a Merced home, where investigators said she was deceased for more than a month. Evidence showed she was the victim of continuous physical abuse.

Sophia’s mother, Samantha Johnson and her boyfriend, Dhante Jackson, faced murder charges in the girl’s death.

In March, Johnson was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and child abuse. The murder charge against Jackson was later dropped.

The Board of Supervisors also ordered the release of the independent investigation, which they said outlined deficiencies in the county’s handling of Mason’s case and included 25 recommendations for policy and procedural reform. Officials said the report, with limited redactions, would be posted on the county’s website.

Last week, the State of California ordered formal intervention and monitoring of the county’s child welfare system. The California Department of Social Services ordered the formal investigation after a review this spring found multiple problems.

Investigators said they found abuse hotline callers waited more than an hour for help, 72% of screened-out referrals were missing key information, and 59% of emergency cases were downgraded without documentation.

The review also found the county failed to begin roughly half of its investigations on time. This, despite receiving nearly 57,000 abuse and neglect reports over the past five years.

On Tuesday, the county said it had made progress on a 2025 California State Auditor review, which found seven of 15 reform recommendations were fully implemented. Officials said staff vacancies at the Department of Children and Family Services had fallen from 32.8% to 21.2% and that the backlog in cases has dropped from 3,900 to about 1,500.

The county said it implemented changes including new protocols for identifying and assessing physical abuse and expanding use of search warrants to secure medical exams in suspected abuse cases, along with new staff training and documentation standards.

“The Board is holding leadership accountable, providing support, monitoring and technical assistance that protects our children and lead to system improvements. Critical work remains but the momentum heartens us,” Tam added.

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Colorado’s new 50-year time capsule to be buried soon, submissions being accepted

CNN Newsource on August 6, 2026

By Dillon Thomas

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    LOVELAND, Colorado (KCNC) — A new time capsule is giving Coloradans the chance to decide how future generations will remember life in 2026.

The project, led by Visit Loveland, will replace a much smaller capsule buried 50 years ago during Colorado’s centennial celebration. That original capsule was recently opened, prompting plans for a larger, community-driven collection that will remain sealed until the state’s 200th anniversary in 2076.

“We’re basically trying to get assets and stories from across the state of Colorado to be able to preserve our legacy to share with residents of Colorado in 2076,” said Charles Lammers, destination marketing manager for Visit Loveland.

The new capsule is designed to reflect the voices of people across Colorado rather than a handful of organizers.

“This project is important because we want to be able to share the legacy and the things that we were proud of in 2026 with the folks that are going to be opening the capsule in 50 years,” Lammers said.

Lammers told CBS Colorado the effort differs from many traditional time capsules because submissions are open to the public instead of being chosen by a few.

“It’s different because those time capsules were basically smaller time capsules with a predetermined set of items by a very select few diplomats. So, not exactly the same thing as a community time capsule,” Lammers explained.

The capsule is traveling across Colorado to collect contributions from residents. While people can submit a variety of items, many have chosen to write about their lives today.

“A lot of times, it’s just been letters. So people are sharing stories about what life is like,” Lammers said.

Organizers hope those personal messages will help create a connection between today’s residents and the people who open the capsule decades from now.

“We hope in 50 years people will kind of track these folks down,” Lammers said.

Coloradans have until Sept. 10 to submit items to the Visit Loveland team. Organizers plan to document every submission before burying the capsule at the end of September, where it will remain until it is opened in 2076.

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