Category: CNN Regional

By Spencer Tracy

Click here for updates on this story

    OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — Months after a promised groundbreaking, the Osceola County Pulse Memorial remains an empty field, leaving survivors and the community frustrated.

The memorial, Wings of the Rainbow, was supposed to break ground at Brownie Wise Park in Kissimmee, but there is still no sign of construction amid pushback and postponements.

The memorial is planned to feature 49 angel wings, one for each life lost in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. More than 20% of the victims called Osceola County home.

“We still have nothing, no memorial, no nothing. It’s been nine years, and we’re still on the same page,” Jorshua Hernandez Carrion, a Pulse survivor, said.

After years of planning and two postponed dates, county officials have not set a new groundbreaking date. Leaders initially promised a June 12, 2025, start, then postponed it to October, coinciding with LGBTQ+ History Month, saying the timing would allow families and survivors to celebrate “community-led efforts coming into view.”

“We don’t have answers from Osceola County, so how long is it going to take?” Carrion said.

Some residents have raised environmental concerns about the site along Lake Toho’s shoreline. County officials said a new fundraising committee is now managing the project.

“I hope they make the memorial. That’s the important thing at this time. I’m tired of being in the news repeating the same thing,” Carrion said.

Carrion said the wait has been long and painful for a memorial meant to honor both loss and love.

“They keep promising to make a memorial, and we don’t see anything,” Carrion said.

WESH 2 reached out to Osceola County on the project’s timeline and possible groundbreaking date, but have not heard back.

Please note: 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 David Collins

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — The mayors of Baltimore and Chicago met Monday morning to discuss their cities’ holistic approaches to combating the roots of crime.

The two big-city mayors discussed similar crime-fighting philosophies and touted their success.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Baltimore on a fact-finding mission, getting a public briefing about Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s five-year plan to reduce violence.

Baltimore’s violence reduction plan, unveiled in 2021, is based on three pillars: A public health approach, community engagement and interagency coordination.

“We have to have a complete and comprehensive approach to dealing with public safety and gun violence in particular because there is no one solution to dealing with that disease,” Scott said. “The hope is that as this work continues to drive our approach to community safety in Baltimore and Chicago, that others see it the way we are experiencing it.”

Chicago has had several variations of violence interrupter programs. The current form has only been in operation for a couple of years, and Chicago is now doing something similar to Baltimore with a goal of reducing poverty.

Johnson said Baltimore’s model confirms he’s on the right track.

“What we are demonstrating is there is an approach to public safety that doesn’t involve armed, masked men sticking long guns in the faces of poor people and sending Black Hawk helicopters into the night to terrorize communities,” Johnson said. “The big difference is not amongst us. It’s, unfortunately, the lack of support we are getting from the federal government.”

“We see the advantage of investing in people and taking a more comprehensive, holistic approach.”

Both cities are seeing dramatic reductions in violent crime. Scott is currently working on the next phase of his crime-fighting plan.

“Just this past summer, we had the fewest number of homicides since 1965. (It was) the safest summer in 60 years,” Johnson said. “And, at the same time, we saw the greatest number of young people hired for summer positions. So, we see the advantage of investing in people and taking a more comprehensive, holistic approach towards community safety.”

According to Baltimore police, there are 30.6% fewer homicides so far this year than the same time period last year. The number of non-fatal shootings are also down by 22.9%, according to BPD.

The Baltimore mayor’s panel provided insight into how the city establishes community credibility and gets young people to listen.

Sheldon Smith, with the Peace Team, recalled getting shot but that Roca never gave up on him.

“I had to realize that I actually value my life, I value my family, I value my friends. I just value everything around me versus me acting on my emotions,” Smith said.

“I just value everything around me versus me acting on my emotions.”

“(We are) a bridge for them to get from where they are to that (point in which) they want to work,” said Steven Caldwell, the director of the Peace Team.

Johnson told the panel he purposely lives in a disadvantaged neighborhood and has experienced bullets tearing through his house.

“The data is not simply about violence reduction. It is about making sure that these young people and these individuals have the opportunity to fulfill their purpose,” Johnson said.

“The ultimate goal is to eliminate poverty,” Scott said.

Please note: 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 Meghan Daniels

Click here for updates on this story

    ROCHESTER, Michigan (WXYZ) — When you think of Halloween, you might picture kids in costumes, candy and school parades. But these days, more adults are taking back the night, taking part in what they call ‘Adultoween’ and bringing back the magic of Halloween in their own way.

“Halloween has been important to me most of my life,” said Camille Tucci. “I’ve been giving parties for over 30 years.”

For Tucci, the celebration has always been about connections.

“I wanted a holiday that was my own, where people were available because on Christmas and the other holidays, it’s a family thing,” Tucci said. “So this has become a way to keep friends together.”

And she’s not alone. A recent survey by Ferrero North America found that more than half of Americans believe Halloween is as much for adults as it is for kids, and 47 percent say it’s their favorite holiday of the year.

“You see from my Jack Skellington back there, I am a huge Halloween fan,” said Dr. David Schwartz. “It’s probably my favorite holiday, not probably, it definitely is.”

Dr. Schwartz, a Psychologist from Oakland University, said that’s no surprise, with adults rekindling the joy they once felt as kids, and having an excuse to step outside of their comfort zone.

“The stigma of kind of connecting with those childhood experiences and being able to have that sense of joy that we used to have as children has become more acceptable,” Dr. Schwartz said. “I think it’s a combination of a big dose of uh nostalgia, because a lot of us have had a lot of fun experiences with Halloween growing up. I think combined with a chance to really kind of engage with our creative side.”

“Getting to express yourself, you know, artistically dress up as different things, be, you know, whoever you wanna be,” said Sean Casey, the Special Events Director of Eloise Asylum.

And they can express themselves in multiple ways, not just through creativity.

“It’s a chance where we actually get to face some of our fears, face some of our anxieties in a very controlled and yet fun atmosphere and fun environment. So makes it less threatening to us,” Dr. Schwartz said.

For many, Halloween is no longer just about trick-or-treating: it’s about tapping back into that child-like wonder, and maybe a little spooky self-expression too.

“I’ve always liked scary movies and the horror genre,” Camille said. “It’s a chance to be something other than yourself, it’s a chance for pretend.”

Please note: 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 Evan Sery

Click here for updates on this story

    CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WXYZ) — An 8-year-old Clinton Township student is grateful to be alive after her school principal performed the Heimlich maneuver to save her from choking on a water bottle cap.

Earlier this month, Piper Irwin was in her second-grade classroom at Miami Elementary School when she went to take a sip from her water bottle. Without realizing the cap was still on, the tiny cap shot into the back of her throat when she tried to drink.

“It was really painful, in my mouth, really hard to get it out,” Piper said. “I couldn’t get it out, and then the principal helped me.”

Dr. Katie Shellabarger, the school’s principal who students call “Dr. S,” was in a meeting when she heard an emergency call over her walkie-talkie. She immediately sprinted to Piper’s classroom and found the student struggling to breathe.

“Her breathing was very gaspy, so we knew something was blocking her from being able to breathe,” Shellabarger said.

Dr. S performed the Heimlich maneuver for about 30 seconds before the bottle cap finally came out, allowing Piper to breathe normally again.

“It felt good, but felt like the bottle cap was still in there,” Piper said about the moment the cap was dislodged.

Since the incident, the principal and student have formed a special bond. Every time they see each other in the hallways, they exchange big smiles and greetings. Sometimes Piper even seeks out Dr. S in her office.

Shellabarger is part of the school’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), which trains staff in CPR, first aid, AED operation, and the Heimlich maneuver. She noted that water bottle caps seem to be getting smaller and their threads are so slim that they can pop off easily if not properly secured.

When asked if she feels like a hero, Shellabarger was modest about her life-saving actions.

“No,” she said. “I would have done it for anybody, and that’s what we’re trained to do in our profession.”

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

Please note: 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 Christiana Ford

Click here for updates on this story

    TAYLOR, Michigan (WXYZ) — Dozens of seniors are displaced after a massive fire destroyed the American House Senior Living Community in Southgate Friday night.

Everyone made it out alive with only minor injuries, but the residents had nowhere to return as their home was completely destroyed.

Now, the community is coming together to support the displaced seniors. The owner of Salute Taverna in Taylor wants food to be the last thing the seniors impacted by this fire have to worry about, offering free meals for the next two weeks.

Donna Ficaj, owner of Salute Taverna, said the comfort of a warm meal is exactly what she hopes to bring to this dark situation.

“Hopefully, it’ll give them a little bit of comfort and sense of being, a sense of normalcy,” Ficaj said.

Her restaurant is just 10 minutes away from the massive fire that displaced dozens of seniors like 80-year-old Joyce Richardson.

“Everything I owned — everything — that Rick (my nephew) brought in, it’s gone,” Richardson said.

While everyone got out alive, the seniors once living at American House Southgate now have the tall task of putting the pieces back together.

“‘Cause right now, their whole world, I can’t even imagine, their whole world is probably turned upside down, at that age to lose your home and all your belongings,” Ficaj said.

She hopes her restaurant can help alleviate a little bit of the burden, one free plate of spaghetti at a time.

“We started it yesterday. We’ve gone from brunch to actually dinner, so we’ve probably served about 30 meals so far,” Ficaj said.

The free meals are available Sunday through Wednesday for the next two weeks.

“If we have to extend it, we will,” Ficaj said. “The community has been so wonderful to us and I want to give back. I want to make that difference.”

Officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation as crews work to see if the building is salvageable.

As the work to rebuild continues, community members are rallying support by donating items to the Southgate Senior Center. The city is also collecting monetary donations.

This Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., county and state officials will be at the senior center helping residents with retrieving important documentation. American House representatives will also help with relocation services and permanent housing.

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

Please note: 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 Remi Murrey

Click here for updates on this story

    AKRON, Ohio (WEWS) — A local man is using scavenger hunts to spread peace and positivity throughout some communities in Northeast Ohio.

“I’m from a place where we don’t get a good light shined on us,” said Tray Wooden. “I wanted to show people a good side of us as well.”

Wooden told News 5 he started organizing scavenger hunts about two months ago.

Since then, Wooden has been showing up in random places to drop off goodie bags and baskets full of gifts, toys and sometimes cash for kids and even adults.

Wooden has also been generous in spreading his gift-giving throughout Akron, Canton, Massillon, Lakemore, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton and Portage Lakes, among others.

“Someone asked, ‘why are you doing this?’ and I was like I love seeing people smile. I love seeing people happy,” said Wooden.

After the prizes are hidden, Wooden takes pictures and records videos to send as smoke signals for people to find.

“I’ll say if I post it like this some people will know, but I got people from Canton coming down here. They may not know this park, so to make it a little bit easier I’ll let them know like I’m at Hardesty Park,” said Wooden.

In a matter of minutes, we saw people running all over Hardesty Park on Monday evening to collect the hidden treasures.

“I want to push peace and positivity,” said Wooden.

While Wooden is glad people are having fun, he said it feels good to give back too, and thanks his brother for inspiring him.

“I just feel like Christ is working through me. I just feel like he’s working through me, and I feel like I have my calling,” said Wooden.

Now, Wooden hopes to inspire others like Crystal Groden and her daughter, Jill.

“I just want to teach her the way you know like when she gets older and let her see the joy that it brings other people,” said Groden.

Please note: 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 Erin Miller

Click here for updates on this story

    VIRGINIA BEACH (WTKR) — Cancer takes so much from people — physically and emotionally. But patients at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital are making appointments for something beyond medical care: they’re visiting volunteers who offer hope and healing in an unexpected place.

The “Unique Boutique,” as it’s called, sits just past the gift shop in the hospital lobby.

Volunteers say the workshop of wigs feels more like your best friend’s closet than a medical facility, and that’s exactly the point.

“I tell them, don’t hold back, we can be here all day,” said Kristy Kain, a member of the Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital Auxiliary, who first discovered the boutique when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kain had struggled to find well-made wigs she could try on before her treatment began.

“I had been looking and just could not find anywhere that had wigs, especially that I could try on ahead of time,” Kain said. “I had gone in for my first round of chemo. My hair was [starting to fall] out, and I had gone from long hair — I had cut it short just to prepare myself.”

When Kain first visited the boutique, she found more than just wigs — she found understanding.

“Most people bring a daughter, friend, or husband, but I came by myself and sat here and cried on [Linda Baker’s] shoulder,” Kain said. “The thing that was the most meaningful to me was – here’s somebody who had been through it.”

That connection drives volunteers like Patricia Phelan-Young, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. “We’ve come a long way in the medical field. Cancer is so much more treatable than it was years ago. So, there’s hope,” Phelan-Young said.

Phelan-Young is a board member of the Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital Auxiliary. Their mission is simple: to help the hospital deliver the best care. They raise money to support nurses and fund programs like the Unique Boutique.

“Everything is free [and when they hear that] they just tear up. It’s just so amazing to see what a relief that is for people who are going through so much,” Phelan-Young said.

The boutique offers more than wigs. There are port pillows, scarves, and hats — all made by hand and donated.

“[When I looked at the handmade items,] I see love and caring about people that are having a difficult time because it saves you emotionally and financially,” Phelan-Young said.

The financial relief is significant. Kain said a well-made wig can cost between $300 and $600. When that’s free, the ripple effects are profound.

“I had three kids at home, and if I wanted it to be about them to wear a wig. Now I blend in with everybody else,” Kain said. “Now it can be about their high school graduation or their first day of eighth grade, or whatever. You know it’s not like ‘what’s going on with your mom?’”

Each wig tells a story of compassion — a reminder that a small act of kindness can help someone feel seen and supported.

The boutique serves anyone with medical-related hair loss from any city, not just breast cancer patients. The appointments are private, and patients get the whole boutique to themselves during their visit.

To schedule an appointment call (757) 395-8731. You can also message volunteers on Facebook or Instagram for more information.

Please note: 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.