Category: CNN Regional

By Leigh Searcy

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    LINCOLN COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — Cindy Mullins, a Lincoln County quadruple amputee continues to inspire her community as she relearns everyday tasks and works toward regaining her independence behind the wheel.

The wife and mother of two has adapted to many daily activities since her amputations, mastering household tasks like operating the microwave and applying makeup. But what she misses most is the freedom of driving.

“Everywhere I go, I have to depend on someone to take me somewhere — my children or, you know, those type of things,” Mullins said.

Unknown to Mullins, her friend Heather Bashears started a GoFundMe page to help offset costs for a specially equipped vehicle.

Recently, the determined mother took her first drive in more than two years, navigating through Lexington in a specially equipped van while her husband recorded the milestone moment.

“I was in a van that was fully accessible, and my arm — what is left of my residual limbs — is what I drive with. It fits almost like a cup on the steering wheel so I can steer. The gas and the brake are on a lever right here, and I just push forward for the gas and pull back for the brake,” Mullins explained.

“We went through school zones and everything, and, you know, I hadn’t driven in over two years. It was a pretty amazing feeling, and I just can’t wait to get back to that,” she said.

Mullins learned about the fundraising effort when Bashears called to confess her surprise initiative.

“My friend Heather called me and said, ‘Hey, I hope you’re not mad. I did something on Facebook.’ She also messaged my husband, and when I got on Facebook, there it was — our GoFundMe,” Mullins said.

This community support isn’t new for the Mullins family. In fall 2024, friends and volunteers built her handicap-accessible home in just 10 days.

Mullins said she’s humbled by the outpouring of support from both friends and strangers, many of whom say her positive attitude has inspired them.

“I had to decide pretty early on that I was either going to be happy and live through this, or I was going to be angry and sad. Like I’ve said from the very beginning, God is wrapped all around this. If it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Mullins said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Victoria Quevedo

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    LEHIGH ACRES, Florida (WFTX) — A Lehigh Acres neighbor became the victim of a car burglary not once, but twice. In the most recent case, the victim had their car stolen.

Surveillance video showed a man dressed all in black approaching the victim’s locked Hyundai on the morning of Feb. 13. The suspect spent several minutes using a screwdriver to pry at the door handle and rear window before eventually shattering the window to get inside, according to the police report.

The report said the suspect then hot-wired the car and drove away on Jaguar Boulevard.

“This feels a little more targeted specifically, because the victim was victimized twice within a period of just over a month,” Trish Routte with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers said.

The stolen car was found over the weekend just two miles away, according to the report.

Routte said burglaries normally happen between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., making this 6:30 a.m. incident unusual.

“You got a lot of people that are out and about. They’re leaving for work. They’re walking the dog before they go out. So there’s a lot of people that could have seen this,” Routte said.

The suspect could face multiple felony charges including grand theft auto and burglary, Routte said.

Crime Stoppers is asking neighbors to reach out if they see or hear any information about the case.

“We would rather you call us and let us know and it turned out to be nothing, than for you not my business, not my house, not my property, and then you find out that your neighbor was victimized,” Routte said.

As a reminder to everyone, Routte emphasized the importance of vehicle security.

“Lock your doors every time,” Routte said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WFTX verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By CBS 58 Newsroom

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    WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wisconsin (WDJT) — A Wisconsin man is accused of stealing an ambulance with a patient in the back and leading police on a 40-minute chase.

It happened Tuesday evening, Feb. 17.

According to the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, just after 5:30 p.m. the ambulance was parked on 22nd Avenue while fire department personnel were providing medical care to a patient nearby.

Police say two paramedics were inside the back of the ambulance with one patient secured in a gurney when an individual — later identified as Benjamin Feltz — entered the driver’s seat.

Officials say both paramedics attempted to stop Feltz from driving off; one reported exited the ambulance while the second attempted to prevent the vehicle from being moved but was forced to get out once their safety was compromised.

According to police, Feltz took off in the ambulance with the patient still in the back.

Officials say the Feltz led police on a 40-minute chase spanning 18.2 miles.

In Pittsville, police successfully deployed tire-deflation devices but the suspect then drove the ambulance into a muddy field where it became stuck — bringing the chase to an end.

Both Feltz and the patient in the ambulance were uninjured.

Feltz was taken into custody and booked into the Wood County Jail. The following charges are being presented to the district attorney’s office:

– Disorderly conduct

– Lewd and lascivious behavior

– Operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Veronica Ortega

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    FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WWJ) — More than 60 animals living in what police are calling “deplorable” conditions were rescued on Tuesday from a home in Flint Township, Michigan.

Genesee County Animal Control officers were called to a home on North Elms Road for a report of loose dogs running around on the property. What they found was something far worse.

Through the home’s windows, animal control says it observed dozens of dogs barking.

“It wasn’t totally clear, but they could see some of the dogs in the house, and, you know, seemed to be pretty unsanitary inside the house,” said Jay Parker, director of Genesee County Animal Control.

After the discovery, Flint Township police were called. Bodycam video shows the moment police walked through the door. Some officers rushed back out to get a mask.

“We all worked together with code enforcement in reference to getting a warrant for this place so we could go into force, entry into the place,” Parker said.

“I could taste the ammonia in the back of my throat. The ammonia level was pretty high. It’s definitely in a danger range, especially for animals.”

The animals lived in a home covered in trash, rotting furniture, and mounds of feces.

A total of 64 animals were rescued. Twenty-seven animals were found dead in trash bags by the front door.

“There was not a single inch of that home that was clean, you know, there were, there were no areas where the dogs could run to kind of get a break from the filth,” said Hannah Peterson, social media specialist at Genesee County Animal Control.

The room they’re housed in now at the shelter is quiet. The dogs shake in fear and cling to the wall or each other inside their kennels.

“Our shelter is full, so we need to be able to keep intaking animals that do need help within our community, whether that be strays or an emergency situation,” Peterson said.

Animal control is looking for rescue partners to take in the 61 dogs and 3 cats that were saved. An “emergency pop up” event will take place Saturday to encourage potential pet owners to take in animals that were already in the agency’s care and cleared for placement into homes.

“Getting them out of here as soon as possible, getting them into homes where they can start to heal, and you know, physically or, you know, emotionally heal, build confidence and get healthy, and then they’ll be moving on to find their forever homes,” Peterson said.

Two people are registered as homeowners. The director of Genesee Animal Control does not believe they lived inside the home.

“As an owner of an animal, you have the responsibility to take care of that animal,” Parker said.

“I think at one time there was, it looked like they were using the bathroom in the house, maybe at one point, but the rest of the house, I could not imagine that they were living in there. I think it kind of turned into a big dog house,” Parker said.

No arrests have been made as of Wednesday, as the investigation is ongoing. Officials say a report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office to determine charges.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WWJ

By Veronica Ortega

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    FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WWJ) — More than 60 animals living in what police are calling “deplorable” conditions were rescued on Tuesday from a home in Flint Township, Michigan.

Genesee County Animal Control officers were called to a home on North Elms Road for a report of loose dogs running around on the property. What they found was something far worse.

Through the home’s windows, animal control says it observed dozens of dogs barking.

“It wasn’t totally clear, but they could see some of the dogs in the house, and, you know, seemed to be pretty unsanitary inside the house,” said Jay Parker, director of Genesee County Animal Control.

After the discovery, Flint Township police were called. Bodycam video shows the moment police walked through the door. Some officers rushed back out to get a mask.

“We all worked together with code enforcement in reference to getting a warrant for this place so we could go into force, entry into the place,” Parker said.

“I could taste the ammonia in the back of my throat. The ammonia level was pretty high. It’s definitely in a danger range, especially for animals.”

The animals lived in a home covered in trash, rotting furniture, and mounds of feces.

A total of 64 animals were rescued. Twenty-seven animals were found dead in trash bags by the front door.

“There was not a single inch of that home that was clean, you know, there were, there were no areas where the dogs could run to kind of get a break from the filth,” said Hannah Peterson, social media specialist at Genesee County Animal Control.

The room they’re housed in now at the shelter is quiet. The dogs shake in fear and cling to the wall or each other inside their kennels.

“Our shelter is full, so we need to be able to keep intaking animals that do need help within our community, whether that be strays or an emergency situation,” Peterson said.

Animal control is looking for rescue partners to take in the 61 dogs and 3 cats that were saved. An “emergency pop up” event will take place Saturday to encourage potential pet owners to take in animals that were already in the agency’s care and cleared for placement into homes.

“Getting them out of here as soon as possible, getting them into homes where they can start to heal, and you know, physically or, you know, emotionally heal, build confidence and get healthy, and then they’ll be moving on to find their forever homes,” Peterson said.

Two people are registered as homeowners. The director of Genesee Animal Control does not believe they lived inside the home.

“As an owner of an animal, you have the responsibility to take care of that animal,” Parker said.

“I think at one time there was, it looked like they were using the bathroom in the house, maybe at one point, but the rest of the house, I could not imagine that they were living in there. I think it kind of turned into a big dog house,” Parker said.

No arrests have been made as of Wednesday, as the investigation is ongoing. Officials say a report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office to determine charges.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Megan Matthews

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    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — More than 20 students, staff and community members packed St. Bernard Church and School on Tuesday, not for a service, but for a show of solidarity.

Participants shaved their heads as part of a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event supporting children battling cancer, an effort that hit home for some families.

In November, Liam Clements’ sister, Kaitlyn, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Liam said he’d planned to shave his head earlier, but waited for the event.

“No, it was not a question. I was going to do it earlier, but I said I wanted to wait until this event,” Liam said. Asked how he felt afterward, Liam said: “Different. But I feel like I did a good thing, so I feel good.”

The group’s fundraising brought in $20,000 for childhood cancer research.

For Liam’s father, Chris Clements, the moment was emotional as he watched the community rally around families facing the disease.

“I try to hold back my tears and not get too emotional, but it just it I think the community, the world needs this,” Chris said. “I mean, it needs people coming together, unison and helping each other out. The energy, the kids clapping, happy, exciting and cheering everyone on for what is a wonderful, much-needed cause.”

Father Chuck Walker, who has been involved with the foundation for 20 years, said the event reflects the kind of support families need when they first receive devastating news.

“That is one of the hardest things I have to do, is go into a hospital room where a child and the family just found out that they have a cancer diagnosis,” Walker said. “Not knowing what that’s going to be like or if there’s going to be a recovery or whatever. So, I hate seeing that.”

Walker said seeing students and community members step up is what makes the event meaningful year after year.

“I’m very proud that they, they want to do something too, because they know all the friends, they’ve got, you know, family members that suffer from the same thing,” Walker said. “So they’re trying to do their part to help.”

The Clements family also shared a hopeful update: they learned last week that Kaitlyn is now in remission.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Lydia Blackstone

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    Pedro Lopez (WJCL) — WJCL 22 News spoke with the wife of a Guatemalan man accused of killing an educator while fleeing federal authorities in Savannah.

Oscar Vasquez-Lopez’s wife told WJCL that he left early Monday morning to pick up supplies for his construction business.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say Vasquez-Lopez fled a traffic stop, made a U-turn and struck a vehicle being driven by Dr. Linda Davis, who worked at Hesse K-8 School.

He now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide.

Vasquez-Lopez’s wife described him as hardworking and said she does not believe he intended to hurt anyone.

“He’s a good person, loving, very affectionate, hardworking,” she said. “Yesterday he just went out to work, but what happened … happened, and all the blame is being put on him.”

She said she has not spoken with him since before the crash and is unsure what will happen next, including whether he will be deported.

“I just want him to get a hold of me,” she said. “I want to know what’s going to happen to him, if they are going to deport him.”

“If he gets deported, what will you do?” asked WJCL Photojournalist Pedro Lopez.

“I’ll leave too,” she replied.

DHS said it is unclear when Vasquez-Lopez entered the country, but a federal immigration judge issued a final order of removal in 2024. His wife said the couple had lived in Savannah for about a month, and records show he previously lived in Bluffton.

It was not immediately clear whether the ICE operation was targeted or a random stop. Local law enforcement officials said they were not aware of any ICE operations in the area.

Some residents in Savannah’s Hispanic community expressed uncertainty in the aftermath of the crash, Vasquez-Lopez’s wife said.

Vasquez-Lopez remained in the Chatham County jail Tuesday, facing charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving without a license, authorities said. ICE officials have not responded to questions about any deportation plans.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.