Category: CNN Regional

By Ben Winslow

Click here for updates on this story

    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Utah’s contributions to a national time capsule to be opened 250 years from now were laid out on a table.

“It’s a collection of things representing events and individuals that helped shape Utah,” said historian Ron Fox, who helped gather some of the items.

The items were briefly on display Wednesday at the Utah State Capitol before they were packed up to be shipped off to the nation’s capital for events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. On the table were cards of numerous Utah historical figures and their biographies. Those will be printed on cotton so they can withstand the ravages of time.

“We have silver dollars from 1896, the year of our statehood,” Fox pointed out. “The silver from many of these coins came from Utah’s mountains. Park City, specifically.”

There were old tickets from the early days of Lagoon, Liberty Park and Saltair; collectible pins from the 2002 Winter Olympics and the upcoming 2034 Games; coins from executive branch offices and legislative branches of government; a collection of signatures of lawmakers, the Utah Supreme Court and congressional representatives.

Fox’s personal favorite?

“A gold medal that was actually presented to people at the wedding of the rails, May 10th, 1869 in Promontory, Utah,” he said.

Utah’s tribes will also be contributing items. They will all be packed into a small box that will be Utah’s part of the national time capsule. Every state and territory in the United States is contributing something.

Some 4-H students who stopped by the Capitol on Wednesday got a glimpse at the items and were fascinated.

“I thought it was amazing,” said Ethan Barton, a Box Elder County student. “I love to see all the things they could see in 250 years from now. I was just trying to imagine what that would be like, what the world would be like.”

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 Jorge Torres

Click here for updates on this story

    PHOENIX (KNXV) — Kahaone Kelau, or Kaha to the people who love him, grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii. Sandy beaches. Open water. A kid his family called “Mr. Aloha.”

“He just had the biggest heart,” his mother, Laura Kelau, said. “He would help anyone and everyone. He was friends with everybody. He kind of floated and had several friend groups.”

Kaha came to Arizona to become a diesel mechanic. He went to school while working at Sanderson Ford. He graduated. He went home to Hawaii last April.

By July, he had a headache.

By August, he’d had a stroke.

The stroke was the only warning. The diagnosis took weeks because no doctor in Hawaii was looking for Valley Fever.

Valley Fever is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil of the American Southwest. When dust gets kicked into the air, the spores can be breathed in. They’re invisible. Most people who are exposed never know it. Some get flu-like symptoms. A small number get much sicker.

And a smaller number still get what Kaha got.

“It’s fortunately less than five percent of people who have this fungal infection spread outside of the lungs to involve the nervous system,” said Dr. Marie Grill, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic. “But once the nervous system is involved, it can be especially challenging to treat, and it’s associated with significant complications.”

Kaha’s infection had spread to his brain.

Laura Kelau has not left her son’s side since August.

Her husband is back in Hawaii, working and raising their other children. She sees them every two months — if she’s lucky.

When the diagnosis finally came, Laura started searching everywhere she could. Forums. Websites. Anything that might point to help. And then she found a video. A man in the Valley. A story that looked like Kaha’s.

“It was a video that was posted of another Valley Fever survivor who was getting treated here at Mayo hospital,” Laura said.

That survivor is Chris Sams.

Before Valley Fever, Chris Sams was a cyclist. He rode 150 miles a week in the East Valley.

Then, in 2017, he developed a cough that would not stop. It was Valley Fever. It spread to his brain, too.

Nearly ten years later, Chris is still being treated at Mayo Clinic in north Phoenix.

“I don’t know to this day where exactly it happened,” Chris said. “It just happened. I was out there… riding, walking my dogs.”

He posted his story online, not knowing who might find it. Laura did, nearly 3,000 miles away.

“Chris’ story definitely did save Kaha’s life,” Laura said. “If it wasn’t for Chris posting that video, we never would have found Dr. Grill. We never would have found Mayo Clinic.”

It cost $96,000 to medevac Kaha from Hawaii to Phoenix.

Today, he cannot speak with his own voice. But he has found one. A device that tracks his eyes, letting him build sentences word by word.

“I’ve been working really hard. I’m getting better every day.”

Those are Kaha’s words. Chosen by his eyes.

Last month, Mayo staff threw him a luau-themed birthday party. He turned 21 in a hospital room.

“He’s become like Mayo’s baby boy,” Laura said. “Everybody hears him cough weird. Everybody comes running. It’s hard not to fall in love with him.”

Laura does not know when Kaha is coming home, or if he ever can.

“The reality of our situation is Kaha may never be able to return back to Hawaii,” she said. “Hawaii does not have the medical capabilities to treat him. He needs to be close to his team here, at least for the next year. Maybe even longer.”

Chris has one message for anyone who breathes Arizona air and doesn’t think twice about it.

“You’re not invincible. We think we are. But we’re not.”

Arizona leads the nation in new Valley Fever cases, according to Mayo Clinic. Doctors and researchers are working on a rapid test that could be ready as early as this summer.

If you experience a persistent dry cough, fever, or joint pain after dust exposure, get tested.

The Kelau family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical and living expenses.

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 Amy Fleury, Hannah Hilyard

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Milwaukee police are right now investigating a home invasion that happened at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday near 50th and Burleigh streets, right across the street from St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Police said an intruder entered the home, sexually assaulted one of the homeowners and stole property. They are still trying to track down the person responsible.

One of the victims, an 81-year-old man, told 12 News Wednesday that the intruder, a stranger, was inside the home he shares with his longtime girlfriend for roughly 15 minutes.

The victim understandably did not want to be identified and did not want to disclose much information, as he said he and his partner are working closely with investigators to try and track down the intruder still on the run.

But he did give some insight into the home invasion. He said it was so dark at the time and the intruder was camouflaged, making it “difficult for anyone to identify anything.

When asked how they’re holding up, he responded, “We’re surviving.”

The victim is trying to find the positive, saying he’s grateful for the support of his tight-knit neighborhood.

“We kind of do what we do to protect each other over here,” his neighbor Dianne Parker said.

The victim told 12 News that DNA evidence will be crucial in this case.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call Milwaukee police at 414-935-7401 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or the P3 Tips app.

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 Lillian Donahue

Click here for updates on this story

    YAVAPAI COUNTY, Arizona (KNXV) — After a harrowing rescue from deep in the Yavapai County mountains, a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran and his family want to thank the many men and women who helped save his life.

Mark Eric Young said he went camping in the Verde Valley area on Thursday. After his GPS lost signal and he took some wrong turns, his one-day excursion turned into five.

He said he lit a fire at night to stay warm, killed a rattlesnake when it tried to bite him, fought dehydration and kept his faith to stay strong.

“Each mountain that I climbed, there was another one,” Young said. “I said God, I need your help…I recited scriptures that I remembered. ‘Don’t be discouraged, be of good cheer. Consider it pure joy when you’re facing trials of many times.’”

Monday afternoon, Young’s sons heard his cries and rescue crews were able to airlift him from the mountains.

“My gratitude is inexpressible. I could never pay them back,” Young said. “Thank you. Your love, your faith, your hard work will be remembered as long as I live.”

Monday afternoon, Young’s sons heard his cries and rescue crews were able to airlift him from the mountains.

“My gratitude is inexpressible. I could never pay them back,” Young said. “Thank you. Your love, your faith, your hard work will be remembered as long as I live.”

Thank you to everyone who prayed, supported, and stood with us. We are forever grateful.

On behalf of my siblings,

Emily”

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 Rachel Whelan

Click here for updates on this story

    SOUTH LEBANON, Ohio (WLWT) — A man accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl inside a South Lebanon store has been found competent to stand trial.

A Warren County judge made that determination this week in the case against Robert Deweese, 37. A trial has been scheduled for Aug. 10-12.

Investigators say Deweese followed the girl and her mother into a Five Below store in South Lebanon just three days after being released from prison for a previous sex-related offense.

According to prosecutors, the girl’s mother briefly left her in a locked family restroom to get clean clothes after an accident, instructing her to only open the door after hearing a specific knock.

Investigators say Deweese overheard that conversation, mimicked the knock and entered the restroom, where he allegedly assaulted the child.

But deputies say the girl was able to scare him off by screaming — using a technique known as the “Lion’s Roar,” something she learned through Scouts.

What is the “Lion’s Roar”? Local Scout leaders say the “Lion’s Roar” is part of a broader personal safety program designed to help children recognize danger and respond quickly.

“It helps them develop the confidence to say no or to speak up when something feels wrong, building confidence, not fear,” said Tara Noem, a Tiger Cub Scout den leader with Pack 367.

Noem says even the youngest Scouts are taught simple, actionable steps: “Yell, run away, and tell a trusted adult.”

“We actually practice that,” she said. “So they’re not doing it for the first time when something is happening.”

The training also focuses on helping children understand boundaries and identify unsafe situations.

Conversations that continue at home Noem says the lessons aren’t just for kids; they’re meant to spark conversations with parents.

“It can be a good way for families to open that dialogue and take something scary and turn it into something empowering. You have the ability to do this,” she said.

Case background Deweese was arrested about a mile away from the store shortly after the incident.

Court records show his criminal history spans nearly two decades, including multiple sex offense convictions across several Ohio counties.

He has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, and his attorney has requested a second evaluation of his mental state at the time of the alleged assault.

If the court determines he was not legally insane, the case will move forward to trial as scheduled.

Deweese faces multiple felony charges, including rape — the most serious charge he has ever faced.

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 Emily Sanderson

Click here for updates on this story

    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Teresa Theetge is out as Cincinnati’s police chief.

City Manager Sheryl Long made the announcement Thursday that she has dismissed Police Chief Teresa Theetge from City service, effective immediately.

City manager announces dismissal The decision came weeks after an independent firm’s monthslong review found Theetge to be “not to be an effective leader.”

“I recognize Chief Theetge’s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this City. At the same time, after completing this review, it’s become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward,” said Long.

Theetge’s attorney responds Theetge’s attorney Stephen Imm released a statement following the dismissal announcement, calling today a “sad day for the City of Cincinnati.”

“Its leaders have taken the shameful step of dismissing one of its most accomplished and beloved public servants for no legitimate reason. They know their phony excuses for this disgraceful action are entirely false, but still chose to put this black mark on our great city. We will get justice for Terri Theetge, and those responsible for this disgusting act will be held accountable,” Imm said.

Dismissal comes after review findings The nine page review released at the beginning of the month from the firm FBT Gibbons summarizes the findings of the independent investigation, categorizing it by the chief’s effectiveness as a leader, communication style, ability to work with larger city government, culture of retaliation, ability to communicate, ability to take accountability and effectiveness in driving positive culture.

Theetge was at city hall earlier this month for a pre-disciplinary hearing with Long, following the release of the review. It was her first visit since she was placed on administrative leave nearly six months ago.

Long said after the review, she concluded that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward.

“The decision was a hard decision to make,” Long said.

City manager answers questions from media When asked why she made the decision after the independent review when Theetge hadn’t had a prior review for years before that.

“This is not about 7 years. Different concerns rose at different times. Once there was enough information to warrant a formal review, the city acted. My focus today is on the decision for us, and what we need on the department moving forward,” Long said.

Theetge is the city’s first female police chief, sworn in on Jan. 9, 2023.

Long did not speak on rumors a settlement being offered, but said she gave Theetge a chance to step down before she was placed on leave.

Following the release of the review, Theetge’s attorney, Stephen Imm, said the review is filled with falsehoods.

“We didn’t start this fight, but by God we’re going to finish it,” Theetge said following the review.

Theetge had been on leave since October.

Cincinnati mayor answers questions Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval says he “fully supports” the city manager’s decision to terminate police chief Teresa Theetge.

“Not collaborative, not proactive, did not put in place the procedures and strategies to be an effective leader,” Pureval said of Theetge.

Pureval answered questions from the media on Theetge’s dismissal, saying a lack of communication and collaboration over the past year led to the decision.

“I was eager, desperate, for support last year, particularly around our public safety plan,” Pureval said, saying Theetge would say she supported the plan in public, but in private would “refuse to fulfill these details…or she was dragging her feet.”

Pureval said since Theetge was placed on leave and an interim chief, Adam Hennie, has been in charge, the relationships with the sheriff’s department, state police and Cincinnati Public Schools are much stronger.

“I have been frustrated without the summer of last year, that I communicated to her and the administration that we had to deal with the perception of crime. The best way to do that was walking patrols, bike patrols, more visibility in general. I was willing to double the amount of overtime. In my opinion, she disagreed that that perception should be a priority, and she never fully staffed those kinds of details and those kind of patrols,” Pureval said

In what was perhaps the most surprising thing to come out of the presser, Pureval shared that the chief communicated on several occasions that she was willing to step down in a process where she’d resign, but then said she changed her mind and demanded $7.5 million.

“The answer was no. That’s a non-starter,” Pureval said.

Search for new chief The city named Adam Hennie as interim police chief after Theetge was placed on leave.

On Thursday, Long said Hennie remains in command as the city will provide an update on permanent leadership of the department in the coming weeks.

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 Addison Kliewer

Click here for updates on this story

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — A Thunder fan battling lung cancer got the chance of a lifetime during the NBA Playoffs.

Seth Viher, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was sitting courtside as the Oklahoma City Thunder played the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at the Paycom Center. But this trip was extra special for Viher. It was his wish.

He came to Oklahoma City, attending his first ever NBA game, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Viher is battling synovial sarcoma in his lung.

As he sat with a basketball in his lap, one by one, the Thunder players came to sign it and take pictures with Viher.

“It’s my first time in Oklahoma City. It’s my first NBA game. So, a really good one to be at,” he said.

The Thunder are looking to move 2-0 against the Suns. The Thunder had a blowout win over Phoenix in Game 1.

When asked if he had a favorite player, the answer was obvious.

“Shai, obviously, because he’s Canadian, and I’m from Canada,” Viher said. “And then Chet. Followed him during his rookie year and just haven’t really stopped following since.”

Wearing his orange No. 2 jersey for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Viher sat front and center, ready to see his dream of watching his favorite players become a reality.

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 KCCI Web Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Rescue crews were called Wednesday to a scene in downtown Des Moines where a man fell multiple stories from a window-washing platform.

Des Moines police say police and fire crews responded to a scene in the 400 block of Walnut Street shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a person falling approximately three floors.

First responders found a man with serious injuries and a second man trapped on a collapsed window-washing platform.

“This building that we’re on top of had a lot of tie-off systems, which we’re able to use for anchors, which is a huge obstacle we have to overcome at times,” said Lt. Tyler Mark. “There are a lot of times these buildings don’t have tie-offs, and we have to create our own anchor system. Today, with the system in the building that was in place, we’re able to install our ropes very quickly and get the ropes down to the rescuers.”

The man was successfully rescued at around 1:35 p.m. through the collaborative efforts of the Des Moines Police, Des Moines Fire, and the Des Moines Fire Special Operations team.

“The second victim was holding himself up on the scaffolding and did have a harness on,” said Lt. Tyler Mark, with the Des Moines Fire special operations team. “I’m not sure if he was restrained in the system or not. I know we removed his harness and put our harness on to rescue him.”

Walnut Street from 4th Sreet and 5th Street reopened once crews cleared the scene.

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.