Category: CNN Regional

By Claire Graham

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — July is Disability Pride Month, but for one local family, a recent incident left them feeling more frustrated than proud.

Adiba Nelson and her 17-year-old daughter Emory Webster are a well oiled machine. But what should have been a quick errand for them, exposed a bigger community problem. They brought Adiba’s car to an auto-repair shop for what should have been a one-hour fix. Instead, they suddenly learned the work was going to take four hours, and it left them stranded.

“They offered to call us an Uber,” Adiba explained. “Which I thought was wonderful. And I said, ‘Well, but I have my daughter with me, we need a wheelchair-accessible Uber.’ They said ‘No, it’s fine, they have those available.'”

But when the driver showed up, his idea of “wheelchair accessible” was to fold up Emory’s wheelchair and put it in the trunk.

“I said, ‘Sir, this is not a wheelchair accessible vehicle,'” Adiba said. “He said people put their wheelchairs back here all the time. I said, ‘A foldable wheelchair, sure, a manual wheelchair, sure, but this is a 300 pound electric wheelchair. I can’t fold that and put it in your vehicle.'”

With that, the driver left, leaving them both feeling helpless.

“You were sad, mad, and frustrated,” Adiba said about her daughter, as Emory spoke through her tablet.

Claire Graham reached out to Uber to ask about the incident, but without the driver’s specific information (which wasn’t readily available) the company wasn’t able to comment on that particular ride.

Sitting at the auto shop that day, Adiba posted on Facebook, looking for a ride to get them home. Claire also saw her post, and they both started looking for options online.

It turns out Uber’s fully accessible rides aren’t available to request in Tucson. Claire spoke with VIP Taxi, when a friend saw a wheelchair-accessible van driving through Tucson, but the company said the van is only available from the airport.

“There were a lot of medical transport companies, but you have to book those in advance. There were non-medical transport companies, but you have to book those in advance,” Adiba explained.

Those companies also tend to charge a flat rate that costs a lot more than a quick taxi ride. Several did tell Claire they were willing to help out if they could – but there might be a wait for their services, and they weren’t guaranteed if you don’t schedule ahead.

The Sun Tran was also an option, but Adiba and Emory didn’t want to turn what should have been a seven minute drive home… into an hour and 15 minute bus ride in the summer heat. There was also Sun Van, which is the city’s mobility service.

“Sun Van is a viable option in the situation where you can make a reservation in advance, or you can wait an hour, that is a viable option,” Adiba said. “That is not the viable option for the person whose friends call them and say like, ‘Hey, we’re going out, you want to meet us out tonight?'”

Sun Tran says all of their buses and vans accommodate motorized wheelchairs. But between Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride, Sun On Demand and their other services, it’s complicated. So they recommend calling customer service to help you plan a trip — again, ahead of time.

Thankfully Adiba and Emory got a ride home from a friend who had a car specially fitted for a motorized wheelchair. They didn’t have to wait too long, but they know they got lucky. It comes down to the fact that it’s just not fair.

“A convenience should not be limited to ability,” Adiba said. “If there’s an option available for a person without a disability, the same option should be available for a person with a disability. That is a truly accessible community.”

As an author who writes children’s books about inclusivity, especially with two of her books now in the Obama Presidential Center and Library, Adiba sees the irony in what happened. But she says this whole incident also feels like a reason to keep going.

“It was also kind of like confirmation for me that I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing now,” she 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 Carter Williams

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    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — Since leaping out of a roundabout for the first time in 2022, residents and visitors alike have left all sorts of trinkets next to Salt Lake City’s beloved whale.

People have left Swedish Fish, cans of tuna and a photo of Jimmy Carter over the years for a variety of reasons. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall once even left a Utah Jazz shirt at the base of the 23-foot sculpture in hopes that the whale could help the team win the NBA lottery.

However, a miniature version of the official “Out of the Blue” sculpture may have sparked the most online fervor out of anything left behind over the past four years.

Many posted photos online about the tiny version that appeared out of the blue sometime last week. One person came to the 9th & 9th neighborhood to write a small message in chalk, calling it a “miracle.”

“It’s the baby we didn’t know we needed, but somehow will bring us closer together,” another person wrote online.

Michael Claflin, of Salt Lake City’s Sugar House neighborhood, is more mystified by how his little creation sparked such a wide response.

“To be honest, I’m just as shocked as everyone else is. … I just made it on a whim,” he told KSL on Monday. “I just thought it would be funny to make a miniature whale.”

Claflin has an appreciation of art, having taken art classes in high school and worked at an art gallery before. He had also dabbled in making it himself, making little sculptures that he’d post on his TikTok account as a hobby.

When Stephen Kesler’s whale was unveiled, featuring “Point of Reference,” Mike Murdock’s mural design, Claflin was mesmerized. It rekindled his love of whales, which he has always found fascinating, as well.

So, one day two years ago, he decided to build his own whale replica for the fun of it, paying homage to the original. He still doesn’t know why he decided to do it, referring to a theme in Rick Rubin’s “The Creative Act,” where someone may not know why they’re creating something.

“I really don’t know what possessed me to do it, to be honest,” Claflin said, with a chuckle.

It sat around in his home for a while, almost ending up in the garbage a few times. When he lost his job last month, he decided to top it off with a close enough paint job to Murdock’s original design, with paint lying around his home.

Claflin imagined it would be a humorous decoration for his front yard at the beginning, but he paraded it around at one of the latest “999” rides instead, where others weren’t amused or at least as amused as he had hoped.

Dejected, he placed it somewhere on the outskirts of the city, hoping that it could delight anyone who came across it in an even more surprising place to find a whale within a desert. Then, something mysterious — or miraculous — happened.

His whale replica ended up at the base of “Out of the Blue,” appearing as if Salt Lake City’s whale had given birth to an equally colorful calf. He was out of town and scrolling through Facebook on Friday when he came across a KSL post about the whales standing side by side.

It’s unclear who came across the whale replica or why they decided to leave it by the mother whale, but Claflin was delighted by the reaction. He’s thrilled that many found it entertaining, even if others didn’t, and that it unintentionally added a new chapter in the whale’s mythology.

“If anything, I’m glad people have had a good reaction to it,” he said. “I feel like just to be a part (of the lore) is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, honestly, because I love Salt Lake City. It’s such a cool place, and that whale is so iconic, so building some of that lore is pretty cool.”

Renato Olmedo-González, public art program manager for the Salt Lake City Arts Council, which commissioned the whale, said it’s heartwarming to see the many ways people have adopted the sculpture over time.

The baby whale joins other unique homages, like “The Whaleathon” challenge or a whale-themed Red Bull soapbox car, that have emerged in recent years.

“I think it just speaks about the impact of the piece and how much people really relate to it,” he told KSL.

The mini whale was still next to “Out of the Blue” on Monday, though it’s unclear how long it will be there. All the little trinkets and offerings, including the Jazz shirt, eventually end up being removed in the roundabout during regular cleanups led by the city’s public lands department.

The whale itself is slated to receive a new mural design this summer. The arts council has selected an artist, whom it plans to announce alongside a new design in the coming weeks.

While Claflin is sad to see Murdock’s design go, he knows the whale’s design will continue to do what drew him to “Out of the Blue” in the first place — and what he hopes his amateur design invokes.

“Whoever paints it will bring a whole new meaning to it,” he said. “I’m excited to see what that is and the conversation it sparks. That’s kind of the point of art, in my opinion.”

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 Cate Cauguiran, WLS Digital Team

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    CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) — Family members of Dalewayne Turner say they are struggling with grief and unanswered questions as Turner’s wife and half-brother face charges in connection with his death.

Illinois State Police were back at the Plainfield home where Dalewayne Turner, 38, lived with his wife, Robin Turner, 62, and half-brother, James Adams, 26, according to court records.

Authorities say additional remains were found there after boaters discovered parts of Turner’s body more than 160 miles away in Lake Mattoon. Investigators later identified the remains as those of Dalewayne Turner.

Robin Turner and Adams appeared in court Monday. Both are charged with dismembering a human body and concealment of a homicidal death. Court records show the two are co-defendants on those charges.

During Monday’s detention hearing, prosecutors asked that Robin Turner remain in custody pending trial, arguing she poses a danger to the community and citing what they described as an extensive effort to conceal Dalewayne Turner’s death.

According to prosecutors, investigators recovered multiple bags containing dismembered human remains from Lake Mattoon after recreational boaters spotted part of a human arm in the water. Authorities said the remains were found in black trash bags that also contained weights and concrete and were secured with tape. The remains were later identified as Dalewayne Turner through tattoos and other identifying features.

Prosecutors told the court that surveillance footage, license plate reader data and store records helped investigators connect Adams and Robin Turner to the case. Court records allege Adams purchased weights and duct tape at a Mattoon Walmart, while investigators also recovered evidence showing Adams and Robin Turner purchased concrete days earlier.

The hearing also focused on statements made by Steven Turner, Dalewayne Turner’s brother. According to court filings, Steven Turner told investigators that Adams said he “grabbed a knife and stabbed Dalewayne several times.” Court records further state that “James and Robin both recounted that Dalewayne was stabbed several times, bled out, and succumbed to his injuries.”

Steven Turner told investigators he left the residence after hearing the alleged admissions and called 911. Police later detained Robin Turner and Adams.

Court records further state that Adams declined to give a full statement after being advised of his rights but allegedly made a spontaneous statement to investigators, saying, “The one thing I will say is that I did it, but I did it out of self-defense. I will tell you guys that.”

According to prosecutors, Robin Turner gave investigators a different account. Court filings state, “Robin stated that on Sunday, June 21, 2026, sometime in the morning, James and Dalewayne had a verbal argument about sports cards.” Prosecutors said Robin Turner told investigators that Adams later admitted to stabbing Dalewayne Turner multiple times after the argument and placing his body in a freezer.

Investigators executing a search warrant at the Plainfield home said they found a locked freezer in the basement covered by a blanket and topped with cinder blocks. According to court records, officers found Dalewayne Turner’s head, neck and torso inside the freezer. Prosecutors also alleged investigators observed signs of recent remodeling, including freshly painted walls and stairs, a painted front door, replacement carpeting and removed wood paneling.

Court documents also detail text messages between Robin Turner and Adams discussing carpet cleaner, bleach, a dolly and moving heavy objects. Prosecutors highlighted one message from Robin Turner that said, “Be sure to fully delete everything.”

Chrystal Mann, Dalewayne Turner’s cousin, said the allegations have left the family devastated.

“Literally made me sick to my stomach,” Mann said.

Mann said she spoke with Robin Turner shortly before her arrest.

“I was on the phone with her 10 minutes before she was arrested. And I said, ‘Robin, what’s going on? Why am I hearing all this crazy stuff? I’m hearing rumors going.’ She says, ‘well, he’s still in treatment. And she said, Let me call you right back.’ I never talked to her again,” Mann said.

Mann described Turner as a devoted family member, and a Chicago sports fan who was always willing to help others.

“I remember Dalewayne always being there. If I needed help with anything around my yard, anything, he would be there to help,” she said.

According to Mann, Turner and his wife took custody of Adams when he was 13 after Adams’ father killed the boys’ mother.

Mann said she has struggled with the realization that her cousin was gone while family members believed he was safe.

“My heart breaks because I never reached out to him. I feel bad because I go he telling lies that she told our family and we thought he was safe in a place where he should have been safe, but he wasn’t even in his own home he wasn’t safe,” Mann said.

Mann said the family is now focused on planning Turner’s funeral and seeking justice.

Robin Turner and James Adams are scheduled to return to court later this week.

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 Tim Fang

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    SAN MATEO COUNTY, California (KPIX) — Attempted murder charges were dismissed against a doctor who drove himself and his family off a cliff along the California coast, prosecutors said.

According to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, the case against 45-year-old Dharvish Arvin Patel of Pasadena was dropped at a mental health court hearing on Monday. Prosecutors said Patel completed a two-year mental health diversion program, which entitled him to a complete dismissal of the charges.

At Monday’s hearing, Judge Sharon Cho dismissed all charges, lifted the no harassment order for his family and ordered his passport to be released to him, prosecutors said.

Patel was charged with three counts of attempted murder following the Jan. 2, 2023 incident. According to authorities, Patel was behind the wheel of his Tesla with his wife and two young children along Highway 1.

After leaving the Tom Lantos Tunnel south of Pacifica, authorities said Patel drove up a hill at Devil’s Slide and turned over the cliff, plunging 250 feet to the rocks below.

All four occupants survived, with one of Patel’s children suffering minor injuries. The family had spent time visiting relatives in the San Francisco Bay Area before the incident.

In 2024, Judge Susan M. Jakubowski found Patel was “eligible and suitable” for mental health diversion.

“Judge Jakubowski made a lengthy statement concluding the defendant was suitable for mental health diversion. She stated that after review of all the evidence, she had concluded the proper diagnosis for the defendant’s mental illness was major depressive disorder which is a qualifying mental disorder under the statute,” the DA’s office said after the 2024 ruling.

Following his release from jail, Patel was monitored by GPS and ordered to live at his parents’ home in Belmont. He was also ordered to undergo drug testing, abstain from alcohol and drugs and to surrender his driver’s license and passport.

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 Kate Devine

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    GOESSEL, Kan. (KAKE) — As cleanup continues following Saturday morning’s powerful storm, Goessel city leaders are asking residents to help document the damage as emergency officials work to determine whether the community qualifies for potential state disaster assistance.

Residents are being asked to submit photos of damaged property, descriptions of the damage, volunteer cleanup hours and the amount of time equipment such as chainsaws and skid steers were used. The information will be included in a damage report being prepared for the state.

Crystal Burton said she first realized something was wrong after her home security system alerted her Saturday morning.

“I have a security system, and it went off a little before 9 o’clock in the morning. I’m wondering, ‘Okay, it’ll come back on.’ I got off work at 12:30, and it still wasn’t on,” Burton said.

When Burton returned home, she found a large tree on her property that had been struck by lightning.

“It could have been worse. I could have actually come home to no house or half the tree inside my window,” Burton said.

Denise Nickel was outside with her grandchildren when the storm rolled through.

“Saturday morning, we were out in the back of our yard playing with two grandchildren and two of their friends. All of a sudden, we saw it get really dark, and it wasn’t long before the wind was just more incredible than you’ve ever seen,” Nickel said. “The kids all went to the basement, and I think the scariest thing for me was that I looked out my kitchen window and above the tree line there was just debris everywhere in the sky.”

Nickel said the community quickly came together after the storm passed.

“There was a tree down here completely across the road and branches everywhere. Everybody was just incredible helping. There were chainsaws. The fire department was out right away getting the streets cleared so people could get out of their yards and down the street,” she said.

According to the City of Goessel, residents should submit:

The address where the damage occurred.

A description of the damage.

Photos of the damage.

Volunteer cleanup hours.

Equipment used and the number of hours it was operated.

Residents can send the information through the Get Goessel Facebook page or by emailing cityclerk@goesselks.com.

The city is also asking residents to place tree branches and limbs along the curb for scheduled debris pickup beginning Monday, with a second pickup planned later in the week if needed. Officials are encouraging residents not to haul debris to the burn site because muddy conditions could cause vehicles to become stuck.

Officials also remind residents to report low or downed power lines directly to Evergy and to stay away from the lines.

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 Steve Maugeri

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    FLORIDA (WFOR) — Studies suggest that PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals” have been linked to cancer and other diseases, and it’s even found in fire stations.

Florida is now taking on this possible health hazard to firefighters in a new law.

Hialeah Fire Rescue trainer Eric Johnson said firefighters are ordinary people that signed up for extraordinary situations.

But.

“I didn’t sign up to suffer from cancer,” he said.

Johnson said he was diagnosed with colon cancer during his firefighting career. He said his cancer is in remission, but it came at a cost.

He said he can no longer go out on calls.

“That is my life. That is my dream. To get back on a fire truck,” he said. “I will keep working hard until I’m able to.”

Johnson said part of that process is removing any cancer hazards in the firehouse. He isn’t sure what caused his cancer, but he does know that a chemical in firefighting foam called PFAS has been linked to several types of cancer.

The National Institutes of Health found that PFAS is linked to types of cancers such as thyroid, kidney breast and prostate cancer.

Johnson said his department replaced the PFAS with safer chemicals years ago.

“To get ahead of the game we stopped using the PFAS foam,” Johnson said.

This is one reason why a new state law limits when fire departments can use PFAS, and the law will eventually ban it.

Johnson says the chemical is still found in firehouses.

Johnson says the toxic chemicals found in PFAS can even end up in their turnout gear. And he says not even high pressure washers like these can’t get them out.

Johnson says most turnout gear has PFAS chemicals built into the fabric.

“I believe every gear in the Steve of Florida throughout the country has PFAS chemicals right now,” Johnson said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last year that requires municipalities with fire departments to only buy gear that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals.

Next July, the law will ban the sale or purchase of PFAS. And starting July of 2029, it will be illegal to possess or use PFAS, except for specific emergencies.

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.