Category: CNN Regional

By Kate Devine

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    MCPHERSON, Kansas (KAKE) — A semi-truck hauling thousands of pounds of hydrochloric acid overturned Tuesday morning in McPherson, prompting evacuations, road closures and a large hazmat response. Officials later confirmed that only about 20 gallons of the chemical actually leaked, far less than originally feared.

The rollover happened just after 9 a.m. at the intersection of Kansas Avenue and the Old 81 Bypass. McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said the semi was carrying 34,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid inside large storage totes.

“When crews arrived on scene, they found a semi trailer that was attempting to turn west onto US 56,” Mayberry said. “The product was in storage totes, and when the trailer laid over, the acid started leaking.”

Residents at a nearby motel said they woke up to flashing lights and officers blocking the area.

“This morning, I was sleeping,” said Jennifer Brandon, who lives next to the intersection. “When I woke up, I had seen all the police cars outside trying to get out.”

Her friend, Alexis Ortiz, said neighbors first warned them that the truck was hauling chemicals.

“My girlfriend was walking her dogs, and the neighbor over there was talking about how there was like acid or something inside the truck,” Ortiz said. “No idea how the truck even got to that position. There wouldn’t be anything for it to hit.”

Hazmat crews placed booms around a storm drain to prevent the acid from entering the sewer system. The driver of the semi made it out safely and refused treatment at the scene.

For much of the day, crews believed thousands of gallons may have leaked, with cleanup expected to continue into the overnight hours.

“We were talking minus what has leaked originally, approximately 3,200 gallons,” Mayberry said earlier Tuesday. “It’ll definitely extend well into this evening, possibly into the overnight hours.”

Around 4 p.m., environmental contractors were able to access the back of the trailer and found a far better situation than expected.

“They determined that one tote narrowly missed hitting a pole and rupturing it by just a few inches,” Mayberry said. “They did locate one tote that had leaked about 20 gallons of hydrochloric acid.”

Mayberry called it “very good news” and said crews were able to upright the intact totes and move them to another truck, drastically reducing the cleanup time.

“There’s no ongoing danger,” he said. “We are actually in the process of reducing the area to a couple hundred feet.”

Brandon said she’s simply grateful the spill wasn’t worse.

“I’m just thankful everybody’s okay. There’s not major injuries.”

A warming and evacuation shelter was opened at The Cedars Conference Center for anyone displaced.

In an update late Tuesday night, McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said roadways were reopened at 11:30 p.m.

“The remediation contractor will return on Wednesday morning to complete the removal of contaminated soil adjacent to the intersection,” he said. “One lane will be closed to make room for the work to be completed. The intersection will be open while the work is being done.”

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By Zachary Bynum

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — A cross-country road trip in a stolen car ended in arrests Monday afternoon after Brookhaven police say their AI-powered license plate readers picked up a vehicle stolen nearly 700 miles away.

According to the department, patrol officers were alerted after the vehicle — reported stolen out of Akron, Ohio — entered the city.

Officers quickly stopped the car and discovered five people inside.

During the search, police say they also recovered a stolen handgun and illegal drugs from inside the vehicle.

All five occupants were taken into custody and booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

Brookhaven police noted the unusual nature of the stop — not because the car was stolen, but because it had traveled hundreds of miles before being detected.

The department also used the moment to deliver a message with humor, posting that the group had taken a “wrong turn,” and that if they had asked an AI travel planner, “it would’ve warned them this outcome was inevitable as soon as they crossed the Brookhaven city limits.”

Charges for the suspects have not yet been released. The investigation is ongoing.

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By Alexis Scott

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    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KRIS) — A San Marcos man has been reunited with his stolen dog after a stressful three-day search in Corpus Christi, a reunion he said he didn’t expect would ever happen.

Albert Soto and his girlfriend were staying at the Motel 6 off SPID and Nile Road during a weekend trip to the Coastal Bend. Soto said they left their three dogs inside their room while they went downtown. But when they returned later that evening, their door was open, the lights were on, and only three of their four dogs were there.

The couple immediately noticed that their small dog, Chiquita, was missing.

Soto said a maintenance worker at the motel told him someone had used a key to enter his room about two hours after he left. However, Soto said he never received a clear explanation about who accessed the room or why.

“It was terrifying,” Sotos, said. “We knew instantly that she didn’t just run away. Someone had taken her.”

With no leads, Soto turned to social media, posting photos of Chiquita and asking for help. After hours of sharing, a message came in —someone claimed they purchased the dog online for about $20.

Soto says he didn’t ask questions. He only cared about getting her back.

On Tuesday, Soto drove back to Corpus Christi to meet the buyer and were finally reunited with Chiquita.

“It was the happiest moment,” Soto said. “I really didn’t think I’d see her again.”

Soto plans to file a police report and said he wants answers from Motel 6 about how someone was able to access his room.

KRIS 6 News reached out to Motel 6 for comment, but did not receive a response.

For now, Soto said he’s grateful to the good samaritan who came forward and relieved to have Chiquita back home safe.

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By Stephanie Wade

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    CLARENDON HILLS, Illinois (WLS) — A family in Clarendon Hills had all of their holiday packages stolen right from their front porch in broad daylight.

This brazen porch pirate stole about $500 worth of items.

“It just stinks, you lose everything,” Sarah Depasquale said.

It was just before 4 p.m. Monday. a man seen in Ring doorbell video walked right up to Sarah Depasquale’s home, carrying a red DoorDash bag, posing as a delivery driver and began stuffing it with gifts from her front porch.

“It’s just violating and disappointing,” Depasquale said.

The thief was interrupted, when the family arrived home about 30 seconds into the theft. He scurried off when they pulled in the driveway.

“He started sprinting the minute he saw us pull in and I thought that’s an odd reaction for a DoorDash driver,” Depasquale said.

With Christmas right around the corner, Depasquale said, “Like kids winter snow boots. I got snow boots for me to walk the dog. Some silly things like that. I had a couple ornaments that were made for my tree of my mom. My mom passed away a year ago and why would you want them? So that was disappointing too.”

What’s more video shows the suspect in the red SUV had driven by their home several times, canvassing whether they were home or not.

“He had driven by our house three or four times yesterday, so we could see the car slowly drive by and checking out our front porch. And throughout the day we obviously accrued more packages and then surprise, he stole them,” Depasquale said.

A new Insurify survey finds, nearly half of Cyber Monday shoppers say they’ve had a package stolen.

To protect your packages:

-Have items sent to a secure locker or your workplace, use tracking alerts and signature requirements, and install a video doorbell or camera.

-and if you’re traveling, ask a neighbor to grab your deliveries for you.

“You just feel like your property has been encroached upon and your safety, it’s terrifying,” Depasquale said.

The homeowner did file a police report. She said the officer told her this happens frequently, but none of her other neighbors were hit Monday.

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By JT Moodee Lockman

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    FREDERICK, Maryland (WJZ) — A man who died in 2010 was recently identified as the person responsible for a 1988 cold case homicide in Frederick, Maryland, according to the city’s police department.

Twenty-three-year-old Delores Marie “Mooda” Thompson was found dead in her apartment in the 100 block of South Market Street on Feb. 1, 1988. There were no signs of forced entry, according to police.

Calvin Ziegler, who police said knew Thompson and frequently visited her apartment, was among several suspects interviewed during the initial investigation. However, due to limits in DNA testing, he was not determined to be a suspect at the time.

It wasn’t until this year that Thompson’s family received answers and news of a development in the case.

“Thanks to recent advancements in department forensic equipment, our crime scene unit was able to revisit the evidence with fresh eyes,” Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said.

Police said they examined the initial investigation and found that Thompson’s manner of death was strangulation. They also determined that the case included evidence of sexual assault. A viable DNA profile of the murder suspect could not be developed with the technology available in 1988.

This year, detectives went over the evidence again using updated forensic techniques and equipment. They identified a small piece of bedding that had not been previously tested.

Investigators were able to produce a DNA profile and compare it to national records. It returned a match to Ziegler, who died in 2010, according to police.

Despite criminal charges not being possible, the Frederick County State’s Attorney issued a formal letter confirming that the evidence supports the identification of Ziegler as the person responsible for Thompson’s death and the case was listed as closed.

“To the family of Dolores Thompson, we know this announcement does not take away your pain, but we hope it offers the peace of finally knowing the truth,” Chief Lando said.

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By Neal Riley

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    FITCHBURG, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Veterinarians say a bald eagle found injured and bloodied in Fitchburg, Massachusetts over the weekend was likely hurt in a fight with another eagle and not shot by a human as authorities first suspected.

The Leominster Fitchburg Animal Control Facebook page shared pictures of the wounded bird of prey on Saturday. Two wildlife rehabilitation experts used gloves and a towel to wrangle the eagle and transport it to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic.

“This poor guy appears to have been shot (which is a federal offense),” animal control wrote.

The post attracted hundreds of social media comments and shares, with many calling for justice.

“Hoping they catch whoever did this,” one person commented.

But as The Worcester Telegram & Gazette first reported, it turns out that the eagle’s injuries were probably the result of a bird-on-bird brawl.

“Veterinarians at Tufts Wildlife Clinic performed a physical examination of the eagle, which revealed multiple puncture wounds that are suspected to have been sustained during a fight with another eagle,” Tufts Wildlife Clinic director Dr. Maureen Murray said in a statement.

No other injuries were detected, and veterinarians will continue to monitor the eagle’s condition in the coming days.

Bald eagles can be very territorial, especially during breeding season. Last month in Chicago, two eagles got stuck together while fighting and crashed into a house.

The bald eagle population continues to rebound in Massachusetts. They are listed as a species of “special concern,” and as of 2023 there were more than 80 territorial pairs of bald eagles identified in the state.

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By Christina Mondragon

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    LAFAYETTE, Louisiana (KATC) — A simple act of kindness from a Lafayette mechanic has reminded one Acadiana woman that her late grandmother’s lessons about human goodness still ring true.

Laken Disotell spent Saturday afternoon with her children at Sky Zone, but what should have been a fun family outing nearly turned into a stressful situation when she accidentally left her wallet on the roof of her car.

“We were leaving and I had my wallet in my hand and I placed my wallet on top of my car and in my head I said don’t forget to grab it. That didn’t work well. I just drove off,” Disotell said.

Her wallet stayed on the roof as she drove down Ambassador Caffery Parkway, eventually falling off more than a mile away from the trampoline park.

“I told my husband ‘We are not going to find, it are we?’ And he said ‘Stay positive,'” Disotell said.

The next day, Disotell turned to social media, posting a plea for anyone who might spot her missing wallet.

“So I made my post,” she said.

Shortly after, she received a message that brought her to tears.

“I get a notification that someone is trying to send me a message request. I opened it and I just saw the picture of my wallet and before I can even read the message I just cried,” Disotell said.

Chase Wilson, a local mechanic, had taken time out of his day to search for the missing wallet after seeing Disotell’s social media post.

“I was like, alright I’m going to look for it. I got to the red light at Ambassador and Johnston and I just so happen to look out the window and there the wallet was,” Wilson said.

While the wallet contained debit cards and her driver’s license, something else inside mattered far more to Disotell. She had kept a letter from her late grandmother in the wallet, looking at it whenever she needed comfort. Unfortunately, the letter didn’t survive the ordeal due to the rain.

“The note was a no go. When I opened the zipper the letter was gone and you can see little pieces of the paper,” Disotell said.

Despite losing the physical letter, Wilson’s act of kindness helped Disotell feel connected to her grandmother’s memory and the values she instilled.

“Mr. Chase proved her point. And if she would be here she would say, ‘See, I told you. I told you to have faith. See, I told you there’s kindness always,'” Disotell said.

For Wilson, returning the wallet was simply the right thing to do.

“I mean, if it would happen to me, I would like someone to do the same,” Wilson said.

As the year draws to a close, Wilson hopes his actions inspire others to help their community.

“Keep doing the next right thing. That’s really it,” Wilson said.

Disotell tells KATC that this experience has reinforced her belief in human kindness.

“I just want to say like always have faith. Never give up on hope of the kindness that can be bestowed upon you from others,” she said.

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

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By Peter Maxwell

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    HAZEL PARK, Michigan (WXYZ) — A Hazel Park home built with over 20,000 bottles is up for sale. The house located on West Elza Avenue was built in 1937 and is affectionately known in the community as the “bottle house” and has been catching the eyes of many over the years.

Carl Schiller, the homeowner, appreciates the historical significance of each bottle.

“What I love the most are these bottles all represent a moment in time,” Schiller said.

The Hazel Park bottle house was originally built in 1937 by Omar Reese, who worked at Dodge Main in Hamtramck. Every brick is covered in glass bottles from all over the world including Germany, Scotland and the United States.

Schiller explained why Reese decided to build the way he did.

“There was a timber worker strike in the Upper Peninsula. There was a UAW strike in 1937, so he landed on concrete block as his building material and then got the idea to have light reflecting off glass, which he took a fancy to,” Schiller said.

Schiller bought the bottle house in 2021, but behind the bottle-studded exterior, the house needed to be stripped down to its studs.

“It was just sort of a lost child. Maintenance deferred, the roof had leaked, which caused a lot of internal problems,” Schiller said.

Since then, the 1,225-square-foot house has been fully renovated and rebuilt with modern finishes like new floors, updated wiring, a redesigned kitchen and bath and an updated bonus room.

All renovations were completed while preserving touches of the original character and charm, especially in the basement.

“It was a labor of love for him and it was a labor of love for us to take it to the next level and to bring it into the next 90 years,” Schiller said.

The bottle house is on the market for $350,000 and Schiller hopes the new owners love it as much as he has.

“It’s a great story and no one will miss it driving down the street,” Schiller said.

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.

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

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By Brett Kast

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    BRIGHTON, Michigan (WXYZ) — An 88-year-old veteran working as a cashier at a Michigan Meijer store has become an unlikely internet sensation after his story touched millions of people worldwide, leading to a fundraising campaign to help him retire for good.

Ed Bambas works at the Meijer in Brighton, a job he took after being retired for more than a decade to help pay his bills. His story caught the attention of social media influencers who are now helping spread awareness about his situation.

“It came out of the clear blue — I really truly mean that,” Bambas said about the sudden attention.

A video of Bambas working at his job has been viewed by nearly 4 million people on TikTok, though he hasn’t seen it on the platform himself.

“I’ve never been on those programs (TikTok and Instagram). I don’t own one of those fancy cellphones. In fact, I still have a flip phone just to talk to people,” Bambas said.

His charm contributed to the video going viral, but his story is what truly resonated with viewers. Bambas retired from General Motors in 1999 and expected to live in comfort together with his wife Joan.

“I felt comfortable. I felt I had a stable financial footing. I owned my house,” Bambas explained. “We didn’t have any major worries.”

But as a former salaried employee at GM, Bambas says he lost his pension in 2012 when the company went bankrupt. Then his wife became ill and Bambas became her full-time caretaker. She died 7 years ago, but the long illness accumulated significant medical bills.

“Once my wife died, I didn’t have enough income to pay for this place or all the other bills I had accumulated because of my wife’s illness,” Bambas said.

With debt to pay and his pension gone, Bambas knew he had no other option but returning to work, first at an Ace Hardware then as a cashier at Meijer.

“It wasn’t hard for me to do it because I knew I had to do it,” Bamabs said. “I’m fortunate God gave me a good enough body to be strong enough to stand there for eight, eight and a half hours a day.”

Samuel Weidenhofer, a positivity influencer on social media in Australia, heard about Bambas’ story from a comment on one of his videos.

“She said hey, I just want to let you know there’s a guy called Ed, I think she may have even said Bob, and he’s 82 years old — that’s all I knew,” Weidenhofer said. “No 88-year-old in America should work because they need to, and that breaks my heart.”

Weidenhofer booked a flight to Michigan and teamed up with Metro Detroit-based influencer Mike McKinstry to find Bambas.

“We walked around Meijer for about two hours and we were looking for this friendly, jolly older man and we ran into Ed at the checkout and knew it was him right away,” McKinstry said.

The video has led to the creation of an online fundraiser, with donations pouring in from around the world. The goal is to help Bambas retire for good. He and his wife Joan were married for over 50 years and had two children. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with those he loves.

“I just wanted to give him a chance to retire, you know? At least have some comfort. At first, I thought maybe there would be a little bit of support, but to see how much? It’s record breaking,” Weidenhofer said.

For Bambas, this has all come as a surprise. He doesn’t know the total amount raised so far but says throughout his life, his wife has always been by his side.

“I just try to be myself, with one exception. I think my wife sits on my shoulder and helps me do the right thing,” Bambas said. “I try very hard to go to her gravesite every day and say hi… It helps me get through my day — it really does,” Bambas said.

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.

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

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.