Category: CNN Regional

By Wakisha Bailey

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    DELAWARE COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KYW) — At Neumann University in Delaware County, two beloved Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia are turning faith, friendship and a little creativity into real support for students.

Sister Linda DeCero, a proud South Philadelphia native, is full of energy and Philly sports pride. Many first met her during the Phillies’ 2022 World Series run, when she showed us her decorated altar.

Right by her side is Sister Marguerite O’Beirne, originally from Ireland, who admits she’s not much of a sports fan.

“I’m really not a sports fan,” O’Beirne said. “I’m a Knights fan,” referring to Neumann’s teams.

While students cheer from the stands, Sister Marguerite is often found doing something else: praying. And that quiet presence has made a powerful impact.

That impact sparked an unexpected idea: a bobblehead.

Created in Sister Marguerite’s likeness, it is now being sold to raise money for Neumann Athletics, inspired by the viral success of Sister Jean’s bobblehead at Loyola University Chicago.

Each one includes details that reflect her daily life, from her cross to her teacup. They’re $60 in honor of Neumann’s 60th anniversary, Deputy Athletic Director Gina McLaughlin said.

Demand has been strong.

For students, Sister Marguerite’s presence goes far beyond a symbol.

“She always motivates us, tells us we’re going to be good,” student-athlete Donte Dupriest said. “Just pray, you’ll be OK.”

Others say she’s helped them stay eligible to play, even improving their grades.

The bobblehead may be the headline, but the real story is the connection.

Before the bobbleheads, there was a friendship.

Sisters Linda and Marguerite have lived and worked together since 1986. They first met at a high school in Trenton, New Jersey.

Despite different personalities and backgrounds, their shared mission has never changed: supporting students, especially student-athletes.

“They’re extending a legacy of the sisters,” Sister Linda said.

Their influence stretches far beyond Neumann, from ice rinks and baseball fields to international trips with students.

And yes, even a connection to Phillies legend Tug McGraw, whom they once babysat for.

As for the bobblehead?

Sister Marguerite is still humble about it.

“If it raises money for the student-athletes and helps them to get the equipment and the resources that they need, I’ll do it,” she said.

Neumann Athletics says a student discount for the bobbleheads is coming soon after overwhelming interest.

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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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Robots are helping with dental surgeries in some South Florida dental offices, and a company based in Miami created a new robotic dental assistant that’s taking much of the guesswork out of those dental implants.

Jorge Curebelo was expecting to get two dental implants, but he didn’t know that robots would be doing the heavy lifting.

“It’s the newest technology,” he said in an interview translated from Spanish to English. “I’m excited about that.”

“What’s she’s doing right now is she’s putting on this link to attach the patient to the robot, so the robot knows where the patient is,” Dr. Reinol Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez’s office is using Yomi, which is more than a steady hand.

It’s a robot that can map out a treatment plan in minutes with some basic X-rays. The company behind it is Neocis, and it’s based in Miami.

The company says Yomi robots are the only of its kind to have FDA approval.

Gonzalez says it’s more precise and takes less time to do implants this way.

“The healing time is a lot less and really there’s no pain involved,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t have to open him up and cut the gums the way I would normally do.”

He uploads the X-rays in Yomi, and it helps him line up where the implants will go.

“I’m gonna move this X-ray over here,” Gonzalez said.

So when the patient is numb and it’s time to bore a hole, the machine knows where to go. And it knows how deep to drill.

Like any good assistant, it’s ready when it hears its name.

“The depth that I planned,” Gonzalez said. “It doesn’t let me go any further. It stops me right there.”

Curebelo got a little nervous once he saw the robot with a drill. But he said that fear went away quickly.

“I was a bit nervous because it’s my first experience,” he said. “I felt nothing I felt great. The doctor’s hands were really good and the equipment for the job was wonderful.”

Gonzalez said this Yomi robot is just for implants for now, but he said it could be used for other services like crowns and fillings in the future.

Right now, Neocis said 25 doctors in Florida use the Yomi robot and 16 of them are here in South Florida.

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 Andrew Adeolu

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    MARYLAND (WJZ) — A 32-year-old man residing in Maryland is recovering in the hospital following an incident in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were accused of driving into his vehicle on Thursday.

His lawyers identified him as Ever Alvarenga Rios, and said he had been seeking citizenship for the past eight years after immigrating from Honduras.

One of his attorneys said that he was released from the hospital on Sunday and taken to Enforcement and Removal Operations.

The Baltimore Banner, quoted an attorney who alleged ICE agents had intentionally rammed into Alvarenga Rios’ van.

“I’m not aware of any law enforcement protocol in any scenario or setting across the country” that allows for federal agents to use their vehicle in that way to enforce immigration laws,” immigration attorney Adam Crandell told the Banner.

According to Baltimore Police, the incident took place at 7:36 a.m. Police said patrol officers responded to the 200 block of South Haven Street to investigate a car crash involving two vehicles. Homeland Security said that Alvarenga Rios “drove recklessly through the streets of Baltimore” before allegedly slamming the brakes, “causing a multi-car pileup.” ICE said that Alvarenga Rios then ran away before he was arrested.

Police confirmed that one of the vehicles was driven by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official and that the crash left both drivers with minor injuries.

“This illegal alien broke our laws, resisted arrest, sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital, and endangered the general public. Thankfully, both our officers are expected to make a full recovery,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Saturday.

Both individuals were transported to the hospital for evaluation, where the man remained on Friday with “significant injuries to his head, chest, back, and hands,” according to a statement from his lawyers.

Attorneys for Alvarenga Rios said they were denied visiting their client multiple times at the hospital. They also said that a pastor was not allowed to see Alvarenga Rios.

“We are deeply disturbed by the conduct of the ICE agents involved – not only for their actions that caused our client’s injuries and endangered the general public safety – but for the continued denial of his access to counsel and due process under the law. This incident underscores growing concerns nationwide about how immigration enforcement actions are being executed in our country,” said Eldridge Crandell, LLC.

On Thursday morning, Lurbin Vasquez said her husband’s employee called her saying ICE arrested Alvarenga Rios.

“In that moment, I started crying,” Vasquez said. “I got nervous without knowing what to do.”

Vasquez said she and her husband love the Lord, and he walks a fine line and obeys all laws.

“My husband doesn’t have a criminal record, not even in our origin country that’s Honduras,” she said.

Family and friends like Eyni Mancia saw him at the hospital and took pictures and videos of his injuries.

“I was able to see him for five minutes,” Mancia said.

Mancia said not long after the short visit, they were asked to leave the hospital. Meanwhile, Alvarenga Rios’ lawyers are still fighting to talk with their client.

“I’m just waiting for the moment for him to walk through the door. There’s family waiting for him to come back home,” Vasquez said.

Clarissa Lindsey, Alvarenga Rios’ attorney, said she had a brief conversation with Alvarenga Rios while third-party ICE agents were in the room.

“ICE has informed PPS, which is that third-party contractor, that the client is not able to have access to any legal counsel while he is in the hospital,” Lindsey said.

“At this point, because I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with him, I am unclear as to which injuries are a result of the rear-ending and the accident itself or are a result of the actual physical interaction with ICE agents,” she said.

Lindsey said Alvarenga Rios operates his own flooring business. She said he has no prior convictions or charges.

Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote on X, “Ever Alvarenga, an asylum seeker, was driving to work Thursday morning when he was rear-ended by an ICE vehicle. He is still in the hospital after suffering significant injuries to his head, chest, back, & hands. After the accident, he was detained & ICE now refuses to allow his attorneys to meet with him privately, a clear denial of the due process rights afforded to all under our Constitution. ICE tactics are endangering our communities & violating the Constitution.”

Lindsey confirmed with WJZ that Alvarenga Rios is expected to be released from the hospital on Sunday.

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 Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — At least a third of older adults in the U.S. experience loneliness, which is linked to a 50% higher dementia risk. With that in mind, two Minnesota high schoolers are launching a nonprofit called Blossom of Blessings.

There’s a lot going on at Indulge & Bloom at Maple Grove Floral. It’s time for a special delivery and a special announcement to two special customers, Andrew Heiden and Hayden Sterling.

“Our floral supplier, Len Busch Roses, has offered to give us some of their stuff so that we can help make most bouquets to give back to the community,” said Indulge & Bloom’s Raed Kakish. “Keep doing it. I’m supplying you now, move forward.”

And Kakish was surprised, in a good way, to hear about their mission to deliver fresh flowers to seniors for free.

“When I was in church one day, it was a message about love and kind of spreading love to others,” Heiden said. “It kind of just came up in my head one day and I decided to commit to it, and I called Hayden later that night.”

“I really like working with him so it’s perfect, and I like helping people out, too,” Sterling said.

“I was thinking like some of these people may not get a lot of visitors,” Heiden said.

And it’s just the beginning for the Wayzata and Armstrong high school students.

“I do want to turn it into like a registered nonprofit,” Heiden said. “That’s probably a goal probably sometime this year.”

They started making bouquets a year ago, and support is blossoming. WCCO tagged along during a visit to SilverCreek on Main, a senior living complex in Maple Grove.

“It’s so wonderful to see young men of their age be so kind and considerate to us elderly people, I think it’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” said one of the residents.

Both Heiden and Sterling plan to attend the University of Minnesota.

You can find more information on Blossom of Blessing on Instagram. Heiden and Sterling have also launched a GoFundMe account to help with their endeavor.

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 Jack Springgate

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    INDIANAPOLIS (WWJ) — The Michigan Wolverines are one game away from winning their second-ever men’s basketball national championship.

The team came up short the last two times they made it to the title game — in 2013 and 2018 — but fans are feeling like this year will be a different story.

CBS News Detroit found out exactly why there’s so much confidence as fans left the stadium in Indianapolis following Saturday night’s game against Arizona.

The Wolverines have now won seven straight national semifinals dating back to the 1960s, if you include the Fab Five years. Even though six of those past teams failed to win it all, fans are throwing the history books out the window after witnessing the Bear Down beatdown Saturday night.

“Best Michigan team I’ve ever seen,” said one Michigan fan who went to the game, Justin Zemanski.

And they proved it, a performance that left Michigan fans in disbelief as they poured out of Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Those guys played like I’ve never seen them play before. They were together. Their effort as a team was united. It was just absolutely spectacular,” said Michigan alum Andreae Wanders.

The Wolverines’ Yaxel Lendeborg, Big Ten player of the year, logged only 14 minutes in the game.

“You know that Yaxel is the best, but everyone else is so good, too. Just an incredible team. We’re going to finish it Monday,” said Zemanski.

“There’s so many guys on that team. If Cadeau plays well, you can’t beat Michigan,” said Michigan fan Jim Ruzicki.

Among the maize and blue faithful were Arizona fans who got a firsthand lesson in what this Michigan team is all about.

“Y’all are dogs,” said an Arizona fan.

“I mean, Michigan was built like this all year,” said another Wildcat fan.

“We didn’t expect this to be a runaway. We definitely didn’t expect it to be a blowout in the other direction,” said Arizona fan Steve Craig.

The game turned some Wildcat fans into Wolverine fans, at least for one night.

“They would have beaten anybody tonight. Beat UConn, please,” said an Arizona fan.

For the Wolverine fans that were in Lucas Oil Stadium, they get to extend their stay in Indy and they’ll soon be joined by a whole bunch more coming to the Circle City for the national championship.

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 Denzen Cortez

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — Scott and Ethan Pesch, a father and son, are cycling across the United States to visit 30 Major League Baseball ballparks, raising awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The journey began March 26 in Seattle and is set to end Sept. 26 in Miami, spanning more than 9,500 miles over six months.

“You have these things in life that you want to do, but you really never do them,” Scott said.

Scott Pesch first attempted a similar trip in 1994 with a group of track and field teammates, biking across the country to visit Major League stadiums. Now, more than three decades later, he is taking on the challenge again, this time alongside his son.

The journey carries a deeper purpose.

Pesch said he was inspired in part by the death of the daughter of a former professor at Cal Poly Humboldt, an experience that left a lasting impact. The loss of a family member, Rigo Sanchez, last year, also motivated the father and son to take on the ride together.

The pair is riding to support St. Jude, with all proceeds from their effort going toward research and treatment for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Along the way, Scott and Ethan have already experienced unforgettable moments, including stepping onto big league fields, receiving a game ball and having it signed by players.

“This is all going to St. Jude, man,” Scott said.

A player responded, “We appreciate you guys.”

Their journey is also about connection, inviting others to join them for segments of the ride as they travel from city to city.

Those interested in supporting their journey and contributing to childhood cancer research can find more information and donate through their website.

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 Jason McNabb

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    ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch in rural Santa Fe County has attracted attention from all over the world, with some even trespassing to explore the property despite it being illegal.

Three young men from Colorado admitted to illegally entering San Rafael Ranch, as it is now known by the new owners, to gather content for a YouTube video. They said they are lucky to be alive after claiming they were shot at by the ranch’s manager.

Zorro Ranch has caused quite a stir recently following the release of over a million files and the Department of Justice’s new investigation into Epstein’s activities there. This piqued the curiosity of three YouTubers from the Denver area.

Ali Atfi, Mercius Louis, and David Nguyen made the drive to Stanley last week. They admitted to jumping the fence of the property, which had clear “No Trespassing” signs posted, to take a look around. They sent cellphone video clips they took while approaching the infamous 13,000-square-foot mansion located on private property.

“We were just taking videos of everything outside from the windows,” one of the men said.

Shortly after, they said trucks drove up, and they ran.

“We’re, like, trying to go down the hill at this point. They’re like, come back up here,” said another.

Mercius became separated from the rest of the group and said he saw someone behind him.

“Next moment, I see his hand raised, I turn my head. Bam,” he said, motioning a gun being drawn.

He said a man fired a gun at him.

“I just kept running,” he said.

Eventually, all three were detained by staff and turned over to Santa Fe County sheriff deputies.

“We were just glad to make it out alive. And it, just like, we just rode home, went back home,” they said.

In the police report, the property manager admitted to shooting and killing a rattlesnake that morning.

However, when an investigator asked him if he fired a gun when the men were caught, he said he would “lawyer up” and not answer any more questions.

KOAT’s legal expert John Day said it is illegal to shoot someone for trespassing unless deadly force is being threatened. The police report said the three men had no weapons. Deputies looked into aggravated assault charges against the property manager, but the district attorney’s office found there wasn’t enough probable cause to pursue charges.

“Would you say your experience is a cautionary tale for other YouTubers who might have similar ideas to go out there?” they were asked.

“One-hundred-percent. I don’t want anyone stepping near that ranch,” they replied.

Entering private property is illegal. The three men were hit with petty misdemeanor trespassing charges, and potential penalties include fines of $500 and even jail time.

KOAT is still waiting for a comment from both the property manager and attorney for San Rafael Ranch.

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 Felix Cortez

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    SEASIDE, California (KSBW) — A missing person case out of Seaside involving a San Francisco man is now being considered suspicious.

“His disappearance is extremely unusual. He’s never done this before,” said Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges.

Thirty-four-year-old Dewayne Williams of San Francisco has been missing since early Monday morning, when he left and never returned.

“He’s healthy. He doesn’t suffer from any type of mental condition. There have been no reports of any substance abuse and no reports of him being suicidal,” Borges said.

Williams and his wife were in town last weekend to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was their first time in the area, and now the husband is missing. Williams was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans and orange Nikes. His wife spoke to KSBW by phone from San Francisco.

“If anyone has seen him, please just give me a call or let me know something. We just want to know if he’s OK. His mom, his uncles, his son — everyone is worried. We have a lot of people out looking for him, even in San Francisco,” said Patrice Williams, the missing man’s wife.

His wife told detectives her husband went to the beach early Monday morning while it was still dark, then returned around 3:30 a.m., saying he was going to a bus stop where he had left his jacket. Surveillance video shows him walking north on Fremont Boulevard near Playa Avenue, close to the Gateway Lodge, where the couple was staying. Police said Williams does not own a cellphone.

“If that’s all true, that makes this extremely suspicious that a grown adult wanders off in the middle of the night and does not return home or to his hotel. It’s concerning,” Borges said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Dewayne Williams is asked to call 911 or Seaside police.

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 Christiana Ford

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    LIVONIA, Michigan (WXYZ) — Sweet 220, a Livonia bakery, is seeing massive lines and selling out of thousands of cupcakes after a viral influencer review changed everything for the struggling business.

Owner Hassan Makki says ever since the viral video by social media influencer Chow Down Detroit, the bakery has had a line and sold out almost every day.

“Today we made 2,000 cupcakes, so I’m not trying to be out today,” Makki said.

The Arab American Muslim pastry chef started the business in 2008 with his wife, opening their current location in 2011, where everything is made from scratch. Makki said things were a lot different just one month ago, describing business as slow and quiet.

“Like every other small business, food or bakery establishment, it was tough. We were dealing with high inflation. We were dealing with all our prices going up on all our products. Our pastry products, our plastic products, our cupcake containers, our chocolate is crazy, our dairy is inflated. Everything has gone up, so for us, our profit margins, completely, just depleted, so, for us, we couldn’t just up our prices on everyday consumers because we’re everyday consumers serving everyday consumers,” Makki said.

Then Chow Down Detroit visited.

“He got a six-pack of cupcakes, and in his own words, his words ring in my head because I watch the video so much, he said, ‘these might be the best cupcakes in metro Detroit,” Makki said.

It has been four weeks since that visit, and the bakery has sold out almost every day and hired more help. Last Saturday, the bakery sold out of 1,800 cupcakes. Makki says he’s so grateful.

“I’d just like to just give this man his recognition because what he does for small businesses. It’s unbelievable, and he’s truly just a kind, humble human being,” Makki said.

The line is a sight that still makes Makki emotional.

“Wow,” Makki said. “Thankful, blessed, happy, proud, humbled.”

Customers lined up early, before doors opened at eleven, to get their hands on the popular treats.

“I been here since a quarter to ten this morning,” Alicia Crafter said.

Crafter was determined to pick up the perfect cupcakes for her husband, Michael’s, retirement party.

“We tried to order some two weeks ago, and he was not taking pre-orders. He said he was swamped,” Crafter said.

Crafter, a long-time customer, did not mind the wait and is happy to support the family behind the sweets they have grown to love.

“And it’s a blessing, now it’s all coming back,” Crafter said as she hugged Makki

Other customers are visiting for the first time after seeing the viral video.

“I came here to get some dessert for Easter. I follow Chow Down Detroit on TikTok,” Miranda Johnson said.

“I’m here because I want to try to banana pudding cupcake and my mom wants to try the lemon cheesecake and the pumpkin cheesecake,” Synedy Lawrence said.

Makki is relying on his faith to continue growing his business. He is proud to have cultivated a positive environment where kindness and community are their biggest values.

This story was reported on air by a journalist and has been converted for this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ 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.