Category: CNN Regional

By Naja Woods

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    HOWARD COUNTY, Indiana (WRTV) — A Howard County father is turning personal tragedy into a warning for others after his teenage son died from carbon monoxide poisoning last year.

Steve Ford lost his 16-year-old son, Joe, in January while Joe was ice fishing in Russiaville. Now, Ford is sharing his story in hopes it will save someone else’s life.

“There’s a lot to miss there. He was a great kid,” Ford said.

Ford said Joe always had a way of uplifting people.

“If there was a bad day, you could count on Joe to make you laugh,” he said.

Ford clings to photos and videos of his son, especially those showing Joe doing what he loved most.

“Joe was a huge outdoorsman, loved to fish and hunt,” Ford said. “All kinds of pictures of him holding salmon, holding bass and duck hunting,” Ford said.

That love for the outdoors is what led Joe to ice fishing last winter, and to the moment Ford says changed his life forever.

“Just finding out that your child’s gone…it makes you sick to your stomach. You think about all these things that could happen, you know, he was 16, did he get in a car accident?…the last thing on my mind was carbon monoxide,” Ford said.

Howard County officials determined Joe died from carbon monoxide poisoning while using a propane heater inside a tent.

“It didn’t have any type of sensor or anything on it for the CO and, at some point, the levels just rose too high…,” Ford told WRTV.

Fire officials say monoxide deaths tend to increase during colder months due to the increased use of heating sources such as propane heaters, improper use of gas stoves, blocked vents, or warming vehicles in garages, even when garage doors are open.

“It’s produced when we have incomplete burning of any type of fuel,” said Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief of Public Safety Brian McPherson. “CDC data, which we know is correct, from 2023, you had over 100,000 people visit the emergency department for CO. There were over 430 deaths,” officials said.

Battalion Chief Brian McPherson said carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is impossible to detect without an alarm.

The gas is tasteless, odorless, and colorless and does not always come with immediate warning signs.

“You’ll have that headache, you’ll have that nausea, you’ll have that feeling of tiredness,” McPherson said.

“They call it the silent killer,” Ford added.

Now, Ford is working to spread awareness on the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors, not just in homes and businesses, but also during outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

“We’re just hoping that that can help one person,” Ford said.

Ford’s mission has grown into a community effort to honor his son’s legacy.

He is raising money to purchase and distribute at least 1,000 free portable carbon monoxide detectors throughout the Kokomo area.

“If one person is saved or changes their mindset about when they’re hunting or when they’re fishing or when they’re working in their shop, about their heat source and how the ventilation is able to save one person, it’d be worth it all,” Ford said.

Ford has already received several donations, including from Erik’s Chevrolet.

The Joe Ford Legacy Fund is still in need of donations to help meet its goal.

Ford plans to distribute the free carbon monoxide detectors in Kokomo on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The detectors will include flyers sharing Joe’s story and information about carbon monoxide safety.

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 Casey Zanowic

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    NOBLESVILLE, Indiana (WRTV) — Pickleballing for a good cause. That was the theme at The Picklr in Noblesville this weekend as hundreds of players from across central Indiana came to play their favorite game and support shelter animals in need.

“When you can bring pickleball and a great cause together, it just makes it all worthwhile!” Lisa Martin, a participant in the tournament, exclaimed.

Whether they were playing, watching or making the rules, the Picklr was filled to the brim with pickleball fanatics on Sunday, and all weekend long.

All to celebrate the fifth annual Furry Fracas.

“It’s a really big event,” Kevin Huff, President of the Victory Pickleball Series, said. “It runs four days, and 672 people signed up to play in this tournament.”

It started as a way to save the lives of some of our furry friends.

“Five years ago, I started the idea of us having a pickleball tournament to raise funds for the Hamilton County Humane Society,” Steve Cage, who helped create the tournament, explained. “[To help with] everyday expenses, everyday help for the volunteers.”

Now, they have raised over $150,000 for the cause.

“When you give them [the humane society] the check, you see the tears,” Huff said. “They’re just so grateful, and it’s hard to pass up that joy.”

“To see the amount of people that come out and play pickleball and support their friends, their families… and just knowing it’s for a great cause – for the Hamilton County Humane Society – just makes it all the more worthwhile,” Martin said.

This year’s event had more participants than ever, but tournament leaders said they hope to grow it even more.

“We want to always expand what we’re doing here, so next year we’ll hopefully have 1,000 people versus 675,” Cage said with a laugh.

“It’s our biggest tournament ever, and, not only that, it’s the state’s largest tournament ever, so we’re pretty stoked about where we’re at,” Huff exclaimed. “And now targeting even a thousand-person tournament coming up in October.”

As well as continuing to support causes in need.

“I think it engages the community more, and we want that. We want as many people as engaged as possible,” Huff said with a smile.

During this year’s tournament, Huff said they raised over $30,000 for the Humane Society for Hamilton County. All of that will go towards helping the shelter and saving animals in need.

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 Sean DeLancey

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    ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCPO) — A specialized rescue team helped save a dog who’d fallen nearly 30 feet into a well Sunday, according to social media posts from the Butler County Emergency Management Agency and St. Clair Township Fire Department.

In a video, you can see Rescue Specialist Cody Helmuth dangling from the cable crews are using to hoist him and the dog, Blue, from the well located in a crawl space under the family’s floorboards.

We talked with Butler County Technical Rescue Team Commander Jason Knollman about the rescue and asked what his first thought was when Helmuth and Blue were brought to the surface.

“My first thought is all my guys are out, and they’re safe. The risky part of this is over,” he said.

He also thought about the family who had been searching for Blue since Thursday. He said they’d even brought in a drone company to fly their property looking for him before they heard him under the home Sunday morning.

“Obviously, they’re elated to have their dog back. This has been such an event for them,” Knollman said.

While Knollman and Helmuth both work for Liberty Township Fire, Knollman said the team is comprised of specially trained firefighters from across Butler County, supported by every department in the county, and assisted by the Butler County Emergency Management Agency.

He said most of the team that responded to Maple St. in Overpeck for Blue’s rescue did so on their days off.

“It’s invaluable to us,” Knollman said. “The level of commitment that these guys have to the team, and to their training, is phenomenal, and it’s what makes events like these just go seamlessly.”

Officials said Blue was taken to the vet for evaluation and is expected to be okay, and units at the scene secured the well to prevent another fall.

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 Jeremy Fredricks

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Kitchen Table, located in downtown Omaha, is collecting Valentine’s Day cards for students at a Minnesota elementary school where ICE agents detained multiple students, according to the district superintendent.

Jessica Duggan, co-owner of Kitchen Table, said she’s thinking about the emotional toll on both the detained students and their classmates.

“Those are all really big emotions that if a little Valentine — and we can all make a big box — can help, we’re happy to do it,” Duggan said.

The restaurant already has dozens of brightly colored cards from community members. Some people are bringing in homemade cards, while others are coming to Kitchen Table to create their cards on-site using donated supplies.

Kitchen Table will collect Valentine’s Day cards through Feb. 8 and then send them to the Minnesota school.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMTV 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 Megan Knight

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    LAUREL, Maryland (WMAR) — You can find just about any type of book at The Novel Refuge, from new to the classics, fiction and non-fiction. Every book, puzzle and game in the bookstore is donated and every purchase is donated to charity.

“Our mission is to provide funding for local refugee and immigrant services, also to keep books out of landfills, also focus on education and literacy,” said Kathy Bittinger, the executive director of The Novel Refuge.

Bittinger is a former educator and said her volunteer work with refugee settlements inspired her to start the charity-centric bookstore. It opened in October of 2024.

“I tried to come up with a way to increase the amount of revenue that [families] would receive every month for things like rent and food assistance and all of those things that families coming to this country need but aren’t in a position to do for themselves yet.,” she said. “They will be, but they’re not there yet.”

The bookstore is run entirely off volunteers, like Dorice Wang, who wanted a place where she and her kids could volunteer together.

“The fact that there was a store that could give back all of the profits to help the community was such a wonderful way for us as a family to be fully involved in that way,” Wang said.

Other volunteers echoed that sentiment, saying they enjoy spending time in the store, talking to customers and supporting the mission.

“I think this is a time when we look out for our neighbors and this is a good way to do it,” said volunteer Katherine Leonard.

“Working in a bookstore doesn’t get any better than that but also non profits are just so critical,” said Pearl Seidman, a volunteer.

When Bittinger opened the bookstore in 2024, she had no idea immigration would be the lightning rod issue it has become.

“I think that has increased our customers in some ways because they care and they want to help other people,” she said. “All walks of people walk through our front door and we really consider this a safe space for people.”

Bittinger said it’s been a challenge to get the bookstore up and running. In the tough times, she thinks of the positive moments, like the time a boy came in with his family to shop.

“They actually had just moved here to this country so he didn’t have a home library yet. He was very excited that he was going to get to take a book home and keep it and put it on his shelf and read it as many times as he wants,” she said.

“It has been a labor of love and a lot of work but it has also been extremely rewarding and I never feel badly when I’m in this store.”

The Novel Refuge rotates the nonprofit it supports every quarter. It is donating proceeds to the New Neighbors Interfaith Alliance now through March.

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 Richard Butler

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    DENVER (KMGH) — Every Monday morning, one Meals on Wheels volunteer and his sons do much needed work in their community. For some homebound seniors, it’s not just a hot meal, it’s a familiar face, a conversation, and a reminder that someone cares. Mel Faes is a 100-year-old World War II veteran who has volunteered with Meals on Wheels for more than four decades.

“To have these services and to have people who care about you lets you live your life out in dignity,” said Cathy Law, a project manager with Volunteers of America Colorado’s retired and senior volunteer program.

Faes was born in 1925 and raised in north Denver. He joined the Army Air Force at 19 and served during World War II before returning home to work for the U.S. Postal Service for 34 years. But for the last 40 years, Mondays have been reserved for delivering meals to neighbors who need them.

“You can donate money here and there, but donating your time is more valuable,” Faes said.

On his route, Faes is now joined by his sons, John and Jim, who began helping with deliveries about five years ago when their father stopped driving.

“My dad, he’s a wonderful man,” John Faes said. “We can see how unselfish he’s always been his whole life, always wanting to do for the other.”

While his sons handle the driving, Mel still insists on taking meals to the door whenever he can.

“Doing the meals, sometimes you’re the only person they see all day,” Mel Faes said.

That personal connection is what makes the program so important, according to Volunteers of America.

“It’s nourishment for the body, but it’s also nourishment for their soul,” Law said. “Without volunteers, we couldn’t run our program.”

Volunteers of America Colorado produces and serves nearly 3,000 meals a day across seven counties, relying on hundreds of volunteers to deliver meals to seniors who might otherwise go without.

For the Faes family, volunteering has become a shared experience.

“It means a lot to them, and it means a lot to us,” John Faes said. “It’s a humbling experience. It’s good for both parties.”

At 100 years old, Mel Faes shows no signs of slowing down.

“If people ask him what his secret to a long life is, he says, ‘Keep moving,’” his son John said.

That lifetime of service is celebrated with Denver7 and Levine Law recognizing Mel as a Denver7 Everyday Hero.

“We nominated Mel because of his giving, humble, amazing spirit,” Law said. “Not just for his military service, but for the way he continues to give back to the community over and over again.”

For Faes, the recognition is appreciated but it’s never been the reason he shows up.

“It’s not really work,” he said. “It’s something you love to do.”

Volunteers of America Colorado says there is always a need for more Meals on Wheels volunteers. Those interested in delivering meals or supporting other programs can learn more and sign up on their website, where information about volunteer opportunities across the state are available.

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 Max Goldwasser

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    SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A San Diego sailor is preparing for what could be the first-ever solo, non-stop voyage across the Pacific Ocean by a blind person, planning to sail from San Diego to Japan in spring 2027.

Hiro Iwamoto, who lost his sight completely at age 16, has already completed the journey once before in 2019 with the help of a sighted navigator during a 55-day voyage covering thousands of miles. Now, he wants to attempt the crossing entirely alone.

“If you are in despair, please try to find the meaning and act on it! Your life will be much better,” Iwamoto said.

For Iwamoto, finding that meaning took time. He began losing his eyesight at 13 and went completely blind three years later.

“My life got very, very into darkness,” Iwamoto said. “So I tried to commit suicide, jump off from the bridge to the beautiful ocean it used to be, but at the time it sounded very dark and scary.”

The ocean, where Iwamoto once contemplated ending his life, has now become the place where he feels most alive.

“Sailboat — can you imagine? Just go, just with wind,” Iwamoto said.

His first attempt to cross the Pacific in 2013 ended after just six days when a whale struck his boat.

“I heard 3 big crashing sounds — Boom! Boom! Boom!” Iwamoto said.

That setback sent him back into despair, questioning his ambitious challenge.

“Why as a totally blind you had such a dumb dream? As a totally blind, the safest place is staying home. Never go out,” Iwamoto said.

During his darkest moments, Iwamoto remembered a message from his late uncle: “There is meaning in your blindness! Through your challenges, you will give courage and hope to others.”

For his upcoming solo attempt, Iwamoto will rely on new technology that can observe critical, real-time sailing data and speak it aloud, even in the middle of the ocean.

“Like wind angle, wind direction, boat speed, boat direction and where the obstacles are coming,” Iwamoto said.

This week, the Challenged Athletes Foundation and sailing legend Malin Burnham surprised Iwamoto with a $5,000 grant to support his journey.

“This is an opportunity to change the world. This is an opportunity to change what people perceive someone’s limits are who is visually impaired. And he has no limits,” said Bob Babbitt, co-founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Iwamoto hopes his journey will inspire others to push beyond perceived limitations.

“Don’t limit yourself. Let’s make impossible, possible together,” Iwamoto said.

“This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV 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 Wakisha Bailey

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    MILLVILLE, New Jersey (KYW) — On days when temperatures are bitter cold, there’s a place in South Jersey where kindness is always in season.

At the Child Family Center in Millville, the moment you walk through the doors, the chill disappears — replaced by warmth, laughter, and a lesson that goes far beyond ABCs and 123s.

Inside the teachers’ lounge, a hot chocolate bar is set up, part of a monthly tradition designed to pour kindness into the people who pour so much into their students.

“It’s been so cold — this is definitely a happy surprise,” one teacher shared.

For longtime educators Robin Dick and Cindy Ciocco, each with more than 20 years in education, the goal is simple: lead with kindness and let it trickle down.

“Every year, teaching gets harder and harder,” Dick said. “But if teachers are showing kindness, it trickles all the way down to the children.”

That philosophy led them to spearhead the school’s Kindness Committee, a major reason the preschool was recently recognized as a National School of Character.

A walk through the building tells the story. Hallways are named Caring Street and Fairness Boulevard, while children chant reminders like, “We use kind words.”

And kindness doesn’t stop at the classroom door.

Students spend time with elderly neighbors next door, organize coat drives during the holidays, and make a point to recognize custodians, nurses, and staff members who help keep the school running.

“You have to form committees and do things within the community,” Ciocco said.

The school’s mascot is a cub — and here, cubs roar with kindness.

Five-year-old Myla proudly showed off her kindness calendar, complete with checkmarks for daily good deeds.

“Clean up after yourself,” she read aloud. “I do that all the time,” she added, “at my house.”

Another standout student, Riley, was recently named Cub of the Month for showing citizenship.

“You follow the rules and you help your friends follow the rules,” Riley explained.

At the Child Family Center, kindness comes first, with reminders around every corner that being respectful, open, and kind matters just as much as learning the alphabet.

As the children sing it best themselves: “Respectful, open and kind.”

The Child Family Center proving you’re never too young to be kind.

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.