Category: CNN Regional

By Stephanie Moore

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    JASPER COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — A South Carolina man, who was breeding snakes at the business where he worked, is accused of abandoning the animals when he was fired.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said on Nov. 19 a deputy seized 52 nonvenomous snakes of various species from a property on Sisters Ferry Road.

The investigation shows that a man had been breeding the snakes at his place of employment.

Deputies say when the man was fired the snakes were abandoned and left confined in boxes with no means of escape.

The individual responsible will be charged with animal abandonment.

The snakes will be safely relocated to a sanctuary pending further investigation.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Jon Schoenheider

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    MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — A Nottingham family is finally resting easy after their 4-year-old dog, Comet, was found nearly a month after going missing.

Jenna Jordan and her husband adopted Comet in December 2020 from Pope Memorial Humane Society in Dover. The Shar Pei mix was part of a litter named after Santa’s reindeer, given their birth month.

“He put his head right in my hands, and we were like, ‘Oh, he’s so sweet!'” Jordan recalled from the first time meeting him.

Comet not only became an important part of the family, but also joined just six months before the birth of their daughter.

The role Comet would play became even greater when their little girl was diagnosed with leukemia in her early years. Now in remission, the two bonded during her time in recovery.

“Our dogs are our family. He’s obviously especially important to us because we’re so bonded to him with everything we’ve been through,” Jordan said.

Close to five years later, on Oct. 20, 2025, Jordan went out to get the mail. Comet followed her outside, but soon went missing from the yard. After a two-hour search, the family notified Granite State Dog Recovery, which began to issue notices for the missing dog.

“It was something that seemed just like a typical moment that isn’t anything that was too crazy, until he didn’t come back,” Jordan said.

The family immediately launched a search, making a concerted effort to spread the word about Comet.

“We wanted everyone in the state to know who he was, and I think we got pretty close,” Jordan said.

Word of Comet’s disappearance spread across New Hampshire, as Jordan posted on community message boards, went door to door to ask neighbors, and spread fliers across communities. It was then that Jordan started to get dozens of tips, word of sightings, and support from people she had never even met.

On Nov. 17, after nearly a month, the family got a call from Granite State Dog Recovery, saying they were able to capture Comet in a dog-friendly cage after following one of the community sighting tips.

“You kind of have that moment where you’re like, ‘Is it actually our dog that’s in the trap?’ asked Jordan. “So when we had that moment when we pulled in and saw him in there, it was just so much relief and happiness.”

Comet was rushed to the hospital, weighing just 32 pounds, less than half his original weight. He also had porcupine quills in his shoulder, causing him to limp.

Veterinarians later discovered damage to his lungs, which is proving to be detrimental to his breathing.

After the long search, everyone is now waiting for word about Comet’s recovery. Much like there was while he was gone, there are already fundraisers underway to cover his medical bills.

“They were in it just as much as we are, and they’re in love with him as much as we are now, too,” said Jordan, reflecting on all the Granite Staters who have come to their family’s aid. “I know everyone’s anxiously awaiting updates, and they want to see him come home.”

Comet remains in the hospital, but the family hopes to bring him back this week.

For other pet owners, Jordan recommends using a GPS tracking collar to prevent similar situations from happening.

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By Caitlyn Scott

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    ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Police officers are being hailed as heroes after stopping a “green-furred suspect” who attempted to “end” Christmas and “steal” an ambulance in Allegheny County.

Verona Borough police said the department received several 911 calls reporting a “green-furred male wearing a Santa-style outfit” removing holiday decorations and gifts from residents along Center Avenue and Wildwood Avenue.

Officials said callers reported the suspect dragging a large red sack while mumbling about “ending Christmas.”

When officials arrived on the scene, they said unplugged Christmas lights and overturned yard decorations were found. Missing wreaths were also said to have been reported.

Police also said large footprints resembling oversized slippers were found in the fresh snow that was on the ground at the time.

At 3:15 a.m., officials said, while patrolling the 700 block of Allegheny River Boulevard, the green-furred suspect was seen attempting to load a large red sack onto a makeshift sleigh.

The sleigh was being pulled by a small dog wearing antlers. The dog, later identified by the name “Max,” appeared cooperative but extremely tired.

Upon police arrival, the suspect yelled, “You’ll never stop me from canceling Christmas in Verona!” and attempted to run from officers.

The suspect was later identified as “The Grinch.”

The sleigh, however, did not move, and the Grinch attempted to climb a decorated lamppost and became caught in Borough-issued garlands.

He was taken into custody without further incident.

Officials later searched the sack on the sleigh, which recovered multiple stolen items, including wrapped presents, stockings, cookies, and one deflated inflatable snowman.

According to a release, the Grinch admitted that his motivation was that Verona’s “holiday cheer was too much noise,” but later expressed emotional conflict hearing residents’ caroling.

In addition, a separate post on Facebook by Lower Valley Ambulance EMS said the Grinch stole an ambulance and took a tour of the town. Video from the emergency service showed the Grinch riding around in the ambulance, along with him later being taken into custody for that incident.

The Verona Borough Police Department charged the Grinch with theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.

The Grinch was later released and offered to help keep the holiday peace.

(Disclaimer: No real arrests were made in this incident; all was posted in good holiday fun/spirit)

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By Da Lin

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    SEBASTOPOL, California (KPIX) — The city of Sebastopol recently made a surprising administrative mistake: it approved the opening of a Little Caesars pizza restaurant in the downtown core, an area where chain businesses have been banned since 2018, with a few exceptions.

Francesca Malerba-Locke, who owns Attico, a local consignment furniture store, said the error goes beyond pizza. She values Sebastopol for its small shops, local flavors, and a downtown that feels unique.

“Disappointing that a big mistake like this would go through,” Malerba-Locke said. “It doesn’t add to the charm of the [town].”

She added that it could take away the commercial space from a restaurant that would have provided a better food option for locals.

City leaders discovered the mistake only after Little Caesars had already begun building out the space. By that point, officials said they couldn’t legally stop the project.

“It’s an error. The city of Sebastopol has taken ownership and admitted we’ve made an error, an administrative error on approval. But Little Caesars, I guess, took that approval and ran with it and started making improvements. And so they had a vested interest by the time we realized our error. And we had to let them move forward,” said Councilmember Neysa Hinton.

Not all residents are upset. Some younger Sebastopol residents said they welcome the fast, inexpensive option.

“For me specifically, I do like it. Because I’m a big fan of it,” said AJ Mercado, a local worker. “I mainly just like it because it’s cheap. It’s not really the best food, but it’s cheap enough for me.”

Hinton said that ultimately, the decision is up to the customers.

“The consumer now will decide whether they like it or not with their pocketbook. I point out we don’t have a Burger King and we don’t have a McDonald’s in Sebastopol. They both went out of business,” she said.

Others said they will continue supporting local businesses.

“What do I think about Little Caesars? I don’t think it’s necessarily a part of our community here in Sebastopol. There’s a lot better pizza to be had in Sebastopol. So that’s where I’ll be going,” said resident Rick Rocklewitz.

Steve DeCosse, who runs Acre Pizza — the only pizzeria in the downtown core — said the new chain won’t impact his business.

“We’re just building a resilient community, one pizza at a time. It won’t impact us because of the quality of what we do, and we’re really supported by our community, and they understand this,” he said.

For Malerba-Locke, the main takeaway is ensuring that future applications don’t slip through the cracks.

“Original as possible so that people coming to town and they see stores that are unique,” she said.

The city said it has added safeguards to prevent a similar mistake in the future. Little Caesars plans to open to the public sometime in the next week.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Taylor Hess

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    SHREWSBURY, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — Sidney Wilcox was at a red light when she noticed her car starting to smoke, prompting her to drive to a nearby parking lot to get herself and her 11-month-old son to safety, where a police officer’s act of kindness left a lasting impression.

“Just pure, just terror, not knowing what was going to happen, not knowing if he was going to get out safely or not,” Wilcox said. “You know what? If the door was locked.”

After pulling into the parking lot, Wilcox said everything went wrong at once.

“Yeah, I lost my brakes and I lost my steering. Right. As soon as I pulled in and I couldn’t pull into a spot or anything,” she said.

Not long after, the community jumped into action, with a few bystanders trying to put out the fire using fire extinguishers they had on hand. The police department and fire crews soon arrived to assist.

Officer Hanson from the Southern Regional Police Department was among those who helped the family.

“I was sitting in his car. He asked me and Henry to sit in his car because it was chilly out. You know, get warm,” Wilcox said. “So he came over and he said, ‘Whoever’s picking you up, do they have a car seat?’ And I’m like, ‘My parents are coming. I don’t know, I don’t think so.'”

In the midst of the chaos, Hanson offered a moment of pure kindness that Wilcox will never forget.

“I’m going to go ahead and I’m going to go get you a car seat. We can go up to Walmart, and we can go grab you one just so he has to take me home,” Wilcox said.

The kindness extended beyond putting out the fire.

“He said, ‘Pick out anyone you want.’ I said, ‘What’s my budget?’ And he goes, ‘Pick any one you want.’ So yeah, he was awesome,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox expressed her gratitude for the stranger who became the support her family needed in that moment.

“Thank you for being a genuine human. Because in my time of need, you were there,” she said.

Thankfully, Wilcox and her son escaped unharmed.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Barry Simms

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and one Baltimore police officer shared his story of dedication to himself, his family and his job.

In March 2024, Stephen Diggs began working in the city’s Western District, an assignment he requested after graduating from the police academy. It’s a place he could not wait to get back to after battling a devastating illness.

Still, to most people’s surprise, Diggs says he’s blessed — blessed that he had Stage 3 lung cancer and not Stage 4.

Now, he is back on duty after doctors removed his left lung. He has had an extremely tough but remarkable journey. Diggs said it all started with a persistent and troubling cough. Soon after, tests showed he had a grapefruit-sized tumor in his left lung.

“I freaked out initially, the first nine days, I would say. I was having a moment with myself,” Diggs said.

Doctors performed surgery and needed to remove the whole lung.

“He took my left lung, and post-surgery, everything seemed fine for the first 12 hours. After that, I rapidly declined,” Diggs said.

Diggs was put on a ventilator for 22 days.

“I was in a coma-like state on the ventilator. There were two times I was no longer living. The doctors were great. I’m back, you know,” Diggs said.

Diggs’ recovery included learning how to walk again. He fulfilled his goal of coming back to full duty with the Baltimore police.

Now, he is again serving in the Western District, including the Penn North area — the scene of recent mass drug overdoses. He goes after guns and drugs.

“The drug aspect hits personally. My mom was an addict,” Diggs said. “She was a drug prostitute. My brother and I didn’t have a father growing up. I relate to a lot of the kids here. I think that’s why my heart is here,” Diggs said.

An African American officer intervened in Diggs’ life, and it inspired him.

“Just growing up in instability, I tell the young people here, ‘You don’t have to be a product of the environment you are in. You can overcome this,'” Diggs said.

Diggs believes he is a testament to that, and shares his experiences about life, love, caring and support with others.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Jasmine Franklin

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — Moments after tying the knot on her wedding day, a bride who works at Ochsner Hospital stepped in to save a life, while she was still wearing her wedding dress.

The same night Heather Schubert walked down the aisle celebrating her new union, she ended up at a crash scene.

“We saw a man laying across the road, and his car, all the airbags were deployed,” Heather Ramsey Schubert said.

As newlyweds, Heather and her husband were driving home on I-10 Saturday night, the off-duty nurse saw a call to action.

“When you’re a nurse and you always put other people first, that’s always my first instinct,” Schubert said.

She wasted no time, rushing to help a man critically injured in a crash, before EMS arrived.

“I assisted in the manner of seeing what his pupils were like if we had any trauma responses, which he, in fact, did have trauma. His pupils were not reactive to light,” Schubert said.

Schubert works to save lives each day at Ochsner Hospital as a nurse. She says it’s just in her blood to protect.

“There’s never a question or a hesitation, I will probably always be the person to run into the accident and see if I can help,” Schubert said.

Critical care paramedic Steven Tafoya said emergency teams are trained on how to respond to situations like this.

“Just because we’re off the clock doesn’t mean that instinct stops,” Tafoya said. “So what this lady did on her wedding day was remarkable and shows her commitment to health care in general.”

Although it was not the ending Heather expected for her wedding day, she said she would not change a thing.

“I would hope that anybody, whether they’re a nurse or not, anybody if they see someone in trouble would run and do the same thing,” Schubert said.

The victim’s condition is unclear, but everyone involved hopes for a full recovery.

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