Category: CNN Regional

By Joe Ripley

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    CUMMING, Georgia (WXIA) — Sonu Kumar suits up and hits the ice with purpose. She just started skating last summer after watching her boys, Sachin Sivadas and Nikhil Sivadas, play hockey for years.

“Skating has been my boys’ passion for the past 12 years,” Kumar said. “They’ve been in the metro Atlanta hockey community for all those years, developed lifelong friendships. I’ve been their biggest cheerleader, along with my husband.”

From cheerleading to getting off the sidelines, Kumar joined the Lady Thrashers. The community hockey team is comprised of all females, and in the last few months, Kumar has been able to get her ice legs under her and adjust to the game.

“I wanted to try it, so I got out there, very nervous at first,” Kumar said. “It’s a physical game. From the bleachers, you can feel the tension, the anxiety, the fun. You can feel the camaraderie on the ice.”

Kumar’s oldest son, 17-year-old Sachin, played roller hockey for ten years before switching over to ice hockey five years ago.

“I was really shocked she wanted to try it, but I totally support it,” Sachin said. “She’s been watching all the time, so I wanted to get a chance to watch her. Thanks to the Lady Thrashers, they’re hosting their co-ed clinics, so we got to be on the same ice together, play, pass, do all the fun stuff.”

Sachin’s younger brother, Nikhil, just turned 15 and said his favorite part about playing hockey was the teamwork and making memories with family and friends.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Nikhil said. “We can finally skate as a family and we can help teach her and help her learn. Just try. I know everyone says it, but it’s true. It doesn’t matter what age you are, how good you are at skating. As long as you try and have fun with it, you’ll keep growing, and you’ll learn to love it.”

Not even a year into her hockey journey, Sonu Kumar’s still trying to soak it all in. She still feels challenged by mastering skating. But she relishes the reward of improving with each practice. Fortunately, she has her family, both on and off the ice, to find her way.

“It’s been a great bonding experience,” Kumar said. “I love it when they pass me on the ice and give me a little fist bump. I can tell they’re proud of me, and I’m glad to inspire them as well and let them know you can do anything at any age.”

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 A.J. Nwoko

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    HENRICO COUNTY, Virginia (WTVR) — A Central Virginia family facing the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to their beloved golden retriever found unexpected kindness from Perry’s Steakhouse, which opened its doors to give the terminally ill dog a special final meal.

Kelly Blumenthal said the family’s beloved golden retriever, Emmie, received the terminal diagnosis last August.

“We were told [Emmie], who had been perfectly healthy, had blood cancer which is very aggressive and that the time was two to six months,” Blumenthal said.

In January, scans revealed the cancer had spread to Emmie’s lungs aggressively.

Facing the difficult decision to say goodbye, Blumenthal wanted to give Emmie one last special experience.

“The first thing that came to mind was, ‘She loves to eat… What would she want her last meal to be?’ And then I thought, ‘What dog doesn’t want a steak?'” Blumenthal said.

By coincidence, Perry’s Steakhouse was located directly across from Emmie’s oncologist office.

When Blumenthal reached out to the restaurant, General Manager Jesus Martinez immediately stepped up to help.

“When it came to Kelly’s request, obviously being a dog owner myself, I wanted to ensure that, A, it’s special, and B, this is a lasting memory that she can take home,” Martinez said.

The restaurant went above and beyond expectations.

Staff organized an honor walk through the dining room, leading Emmie to her final meal.

“They gave her the steak bone, they made a special dog cake for her, they brought out a huge chocolate cake and flambéed it in front of her,” Blumenthal said.

But the most meaningful part wasn’t the food. It was the overwhelming affection from Perry’s staff, who showered Emmie with pets, hugs and love during her final hours.

“Hospitality means that we take care of people, not because we’re forced to, but because we want to. It was a beautiful day,” Martinez said. “Whether you have two legs or four legs we definitely want to help create that experience for you when you walk through the doors.”

To show her gratitude, Blumenthal surprised Martinez with a permanent keepsake, Emmie’s paw print.

“That’s literally her… and you were able to meet her,” Blumenthal told Martinez during the surprise presentation.

The past few weeks have been challenging for the Blumenthal household, but memories like these help keep Emmie’s joyful spirit alive.

Blumenthal, a mother of two who often promotes heart health with her son Finn, remembers Emmie as the energetic heart of their family who brought happiness and joy to everyone she met.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR 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.

By Scott Wise

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    RICHMOND, Virginia (WTVR) — When Maria Martin first saw social media posts about the Venerable Monks Walk for Peace passing through Virginia, she simply wanted to witness “something so meaningful and intentional” moving through her community.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would actually have the opportunity to cook for them,” she said. “Once that possibility became real, there was no hesitation. Feeding people is how I show respect, gratitude, and care.”

Martin, who owns Juan More Taco in Richmond, spent Feb. 4 and 5 preparing what she called culturally appropriate, protein‑rich meals for the monks as they continued their trek from Texas to Washington, D.C.

Her menu included vegetarian and non‑vegetarian curries, salads, steamed vegetables and fresh fruit, each dish made “with intention and care,” she said.

“It took a lot of coordination, flexibility, and heart,” Martin told CBS 6. “We shopped, prepped, cooked, packed, delivered, and set up the table. It was a collective effort, rooted in respect for the monks and the meaning of their walk.”

The monks’ Virginia stop unfolded with quiet ritual. They arrived silently, drank hot tea in a designated room where shoes were not allowed, and blessed the food before moving slowly in a line to fill their alms bowls, she said.

“There was complete silence,” Martin said. “They moved slowly and deliberately, taking just a tiny bit of whatever caught their eye, sweet, savory, liquids, everything went into their alms bowl together. Once they finished serving themselves, they stood and waited quietly until everyone was done. After that, they chanted together and returned to the designated room, where they ate while sitting on the floor… witnessing all of this so closely felt like a gift, an intimate glimpse into a life rooted in mindfulness, respect, and gratitude.”

Friend and fellow volunteer Jaimie Ashton called being part of the event “a life‑changing experience.”

“Just being around the monks and their entire team was such a blessing,” Ashton said. “I only wish we could be so carefree in our daily lives.”

Ashton helped ensure local deputies, volunteers, and the monks’ team had hot meals at their stops in Spotsylvania and Caroline counties. She knew Martin would be the perfect person for the job based on her commitment to service which has long extended beyond her restaurant’s walls.

Born and raised in Honduras, Martin says her immigrant experience shapes the way she gives back.

“I know what it feels like to begin again, to carry your life in your hands, and to step into unfamiliar places hoping for kindness. That experience never leaves you, it becomes part of how you move through the world,” she said. “In Honduras, community isn’t a concept; it’s survival. You share what you have because tomorrow it might be you who needs help. You learn early that dignity comes from looking out for one another, even when resources are scarce. That lesson stayed with me. Giving back isn’t something I set aside time to do, it’s how I live, how I cook, how I serve, and how I connect.”

During the pandemic, Martin served more than 65,000 free meals to elderly residents, hospital workers, and first responders.

“I was raised with the belief that food is never just food. It’s connection, dignity, and love,” she said. “During COVID, when so many elderly residents were isolated, it felt impossible to turn away from that need. Serving my community has always felt like a responsibility, not a choice. When you are able to help, you help. That principle has guided me through every chapter of my life.”

Ashton, who helped deliver food during COVID, said working with Martin taught her that service is both practical and deeply emotional.

“Maria feeds people’s physical and emotional needs with her act‑of‑love cooking,” Ashton said. “She’s one of those people everyone should meet. Even when she’s facing something challenging herself, she’ll ask you how you’re doing and find out what she can do for you.”

Martin shared that feeding the monks was a reminder that peace can be practiced daily in small acts.

“Peace is not loud or forceful; it is steady, disciplined, and intentional,” she said. “It begins in how we speak to one another, how we care for our neighbors, and how we choose compassion even when it would be easier not to.”

Juan More Taco marked the occasion on social media, calling the experience “nothing short of sacred” and noting that Feb. 4, Martin’s birthday, had been spent doing exactly what she loves, “hands in the work, heart in the food, serving her community with love.”

“This country, and the world, is hungry for kindness,” Martin said. “The monks walk, bow their heads, smile, wave, chant, and speak about kindness, and through those simple acts they have touched countless hearts around the world. We are deeply grateful to have experienced this firsthand, and in a much more intimate way than most. To watch them up close, to receive their blessing on our hands and feet for the work we did, and to see them take a piece of the food we carefully prepared, those moments are an honor I will carry forever.”

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 Beverly Kidd

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    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — Army veteran Desh Nendze saw firsthand the mental health issues service members face. She watched fellow soldiers struggle with deployments, staying connected to friends and marriages dissolving — including her own.

“I’d never had anybody in my family who was in the military. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know the signs,” she said.

She didn’t know the signs of PTSD; her husband had been silently suffering for years.

After her divorce, she set out on a mission to help others. She earned her Ph.D. in mental health counseling and started the nonprofit Forward March.

“Helping with relationships — helping that family unit,” she said. “I want to help them and give them some tools. If they need a higher level of care, I refer them.”

She is a member of the American Legion, where she teaches classes on mental wellness.

She says one underserved population she sees is military fathers whose spouses are deployed.

She also reaches the military community at OV Church in Norfolk, where she holds mental-wellness classes for service members.

“It’s really awesome that someone came into our space who already had the heart and the credentials and was willing. We didn’t have to ask her; she came to us and said, ‘I want to do this,'” Pastor Jordan Brown said.

He says the need is large — at least half of his congregation are current or former service members.

“When their spouse is on deployment, they need people — a community that can surround them and make sure there are resources, that they’re supported and loved,” he said.

Forward March helps military service members in our neighborhoods feel loved and supported. Founder Desh Nendze is ‘Positively Hampton Roads.’

If you’d like to donate to Forward March: forward-march-inc.org

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 Raven Payne

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    BALTIMORE COUNTY, Maryland (WMAR) — As soon as Perry Hall Elementary crossing guard Helen Mills walked through the school doors on Tuesday, she was bombarded with hugs from students.

PTA President Krista Klausmeier said it’s a normal reaction as the entire community loves her.

“She is their angel. She is our best friend. A complete stranger could drive by, but she is still waving and giving you that beautiful smile that she has,” Klausmeier said.

The feeling is more than mutual, Helen saying the kids mean everything to her.

“Their safety, just being able to encourage them as I come in to contact with them,” Mills said, “They have blessed me so, my babies have blessed me so with different types of gifts like bringing flowers.”

Tuesday, Perry Hall Elementary came together for its third annual kindness night to show her how much she means to them.

In honor of a friend and former employee who passed away, the PTA gave a sunflower award to a student and to Miss Helen.

But not before playing a heartfelt video from students, teachers, and staff.

“I love you, Miss Helen. Thank you for being so kind,” one student said.

“I love y’all too, and as I always tell my family and friends, but Jesus loves you more,” Helen said as she accepted the award.

Principal Ronesha Thompson was proud to see the kindness her students showed.

“The feeling that we all matter and that we all should contribute is something that at school we practice, and of course, our marvelous PTA supports,” Thompson said.

For Miss Helen, there’s nothing else she’d rather do.

“It means so much to be able to not know what somebody’s going through through the course of their day but just being able to stand there and just wave at them and just be able to give them a smile.”

The PTA will continue to award a student and a community member with the Sunflower Award every year.

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 Ja Nai Wright

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    TOWSON, Maryland (WMAR) — After surviving stage three throat cancer in 2012, Steve Navaroli thought his battle was over. But six years later, he faced an unexpected complication that would lead to another life-altering decision.

Navaroli had endured 33 radiation treatments, weekly chemotherapy, and surgery to transfer his salivary gland during his initial cancer fight.

“And that salivary gland transfer was, I mean it literally allowed me to get back to almost normal,” Navaroli said.

After being declared cancer-free, he returned to his normal routine. However, about six years ago, he noticed something troubling during his daily walks.

“I said you know when I walk, I love to walk, man do I get winded,” Navaroli said.

The radiation treatments that saved his life had left damaging scarring on his vocal cords. Dr. Bushra Lohrasbi, a head and neck specialized speech language pathologist at GBMC, explained the delayed effects of radiation therapy.

“His situation was unique of course because his cancer was years ago, his vocal cord cancer was at least 10 years ago and what we say radiation although it saved his life, its the gift that keeps on giving and years later he is faced with a poor grade in either one two or three of the categories I listed that the voice box is responsible for,” Lohrasbi said.

Those three categories are speaking, breathing, and swallowing.

Navaroli faced a difficult choice: undergo tracheotomy surgery to keep his voice box, or have a laryngectomy to remove it entirely. After careful consideration, he chose the laryngectomy, a decision that proved to be lifesaving.

“By the way when we took out your vocal cords, there were spots on it and they were spots that we would have never found,” Navaroli said, recounting what his doctors told him.

Now, seven months after surgery, Navaroli speaks through a stoma in his neck using a device that allows him to sound nearly like his former self. He can breathe better than he has in years.

“The advancement in research and science in our field let alone in biomechanical engineering and medical devices, in AI have skyrocketed and we are lucky enough at the dan center to be a part of the initiatives for clinical trials for new devices for AI products so our patients always have new things to try,” Lohrasbi said.

Navaroli credits the team at the Milton J. Dance Center at Greater Baltimore Medical Center for restoring his quality of life.

“Just because we are removing some ones voice box doesn’t mean were taking away their voice,” Lohrasbi said.

The Dance Center at GBMC continues testing new voice prosthesis technology, including hands-free devices, to improve patient care and help patients maintain as normal a life as possible.

“This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR 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.