ReportWire

Tag: APP Public Safety

  • Ohio reports increase in domestic violence deaths

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    OHIO — The Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s 10th report shows there’s been a stark increase in domestic violence-related deaths compared to last year, and it’s the highest number of deaths recorded in the past decade.

    What You Need To Know

    • Between July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, there’s been 157 deaths

    • In the same time period last year, there were 108 deaths reported in 85 cases

    • The report also found that more than half of the primary victims were people of color

    Between July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, there’s been 157 deaths — 95 being victims and 62 being perpetrators. 

    Among the deaths, 75 were women and 82 were male. 

    Deaths have greatly increased from the same time period last year, when there were 108 deaths reported in 85 cases. 

    The Ohio Domestic Violence Network said 84% of all deaths were caused by gun violence — eight victims used a gun against perpetrators to save their own life, according to the data. 

    The report also found that more than half of the primary victims were people of color, and more than 160 children lost a parent or grandparent to domestic violence. 

    Other findings include:

    • Nearly one in eight cases had a history of strangulation, and roughly one in six cases had a history of stalking
    • Over half of the perpetrators had a criminal history, and about one in three had felony convictions
    • Among the victims were at least three teen girls who were killed by their teen boyfriends
    • There were 11 youth and children killed, and four of them were murdered by their own parent

    “These numbers are not abstract; they represent people who should still be here, and children who should have been safe in their own homes,” the Ohio Domestic Violence Network wrote in a social media post.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Polk County Fire Rescue unit involved in fatal crash

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. —  A Polk County Fire Rescue ambulance was involved in a three-vehicle crash that resulted in one fatality, the county said Tuesday.

    The crash happened at about 10 a.m. on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven when the ambulance was responding to an emergency call.

    Its lights and sirens were activated, officials said.  

    When other fire rescue crews arrived on scene, they noted that the driver of the second vehicle had been killed. The driver of the third vehicle was not injured.

    Two PCFR crew members were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

    Spirit Lake Road was closed for several hours after the crash. It has since reopened.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Supreme Court rejects appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell

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    WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned ex-girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein

    • The justices Monday declined to take up a case that would’ve renewed attention on the Epstein sexual-abuse saga after President Donald Trump’s administration sought to tamp down criticism over its refusal to publicly release more investigative files

    • Trump’s Republican administration had urged the high court to stay out of the case

    • Lawyers for Maxwell argued she never should’ve been tried or convicted for a role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Maxwell is serving 20 years and recently was transferred from a Florida prison to a Texas prison camp

    On the first day of their new term, the justices declined to take up a case that would have drawn renewed attention to the sordid sexual-abuse saga after President Donald Trump’s administration sought to tamp down criticism over its refusal to publicly release more investigative files from Epstein’s case.

    Lawyers for Maxwell, a British socialite, argued that she never should have been tried or convicted for her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, a New York financier. She is serving a 20-year prison term, though she was moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after she was interviewed in July by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

    As is their custom, the justices did not explain why they turned away the appeal.

    Trump’s Republican administration had urged the high court to stay out of the case.

    Maxwell’s lawyers contended that a non-prosecution agreement reached in 2007 by federal prosecutors in Miami and Epstein’s lawyers also protected his “potential co-conspirators” from federal charges anywhere in the country.

    Maxwell was prosecuted in Manhattan, and the federal appeals court there ruled that the prosecution was proper. A jury found her guilty of sex trafficking a teenage girl, among other charges.

    Maxwell’s trial featured accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14 told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein’s homes.

    Neither Maxwell’s lawyers nor the federal Bureau of Prisons has explained the reason for her transfer, but one of her lawyers, David Oscar Markus, has said she is “innocent and never should have been tried, much less convicted.” Markus also was the lead lawyer on her Supreme Court case.

    Maxwell was interviewed by Blanche at a Florida courthouse. She was given limited immunity, allowing her to speak freely without fear of prosecution for anything she said except for in the event of a false statement. She repeatedly denied witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions involving Trump, according to records released in August meant to distance the president from the disgraced financer.

    Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges and was accused of sexually abusing dozens of teenage girls. A month later, he was found dead in a New York jail cell in what investigators described as a suicide.

    The Epstein case had consumed Trump’s administration following an announcement from the FBI and the Justice Department in July that Epstein had killed himself despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, that a “client list” that Attorney General Pam Bondi had intimated was on her desk did not actually exist, and that no additional documents from the high-profile investigation were suitable to be released.

    The announcement produced outrage from conspiracy theorists and Trump supporters who had been hoping to see proof of a government coverup. That expectation was driven in part by comments from officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who on podcasts before taking their current positions had repeatedly promoted the idea that damaging details about prominent people were being withheld.

    Patel, for instance, said in at least one podcast interview before becoming FBI director that Epstein’s “black book” was under the “direct control of the director of the FBI.”

    But the Justice Department said its review of evidence in the government’s possession determined that no “further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” The department noted that much of the material was placed under seal by a court to protect victims and “only a fraction” of it “would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial.”

    Faced with fury from his base, Trump sought to quickly turn the page, shutting down questioning of Bondi about Epstein at a White House Cabinet meeting and deriding as “weaklings” supporters he said were falling for the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”

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    Associated Press

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  • Bradenton’s new police chief leads department forward

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — The Bradenton Police Department has a new police chief.

    Josh Cramer was sworn in over the summer, and since then has already made an impact on the community.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bradenton Police Department has a new Chief of Police, Josh Cramer 

    • Cramer first started in 1995 as a patrol officer 

    • Cramer says he is the first internal chief to be sworn in since 1995

    “I want to say how proud I am to be the chief of police here in Bradenton,” he said.

    The new police chief brings a new kind of vision to the area, and on this day it begins with fifth-grade students.

    Cramer handed out safety patrol badges to students who’ve earned them. “It really gives them a sense of duty, responsibility, and leadership,” he said.

    These are qualities Cramer strives for himself.

    He first started his career as a patrol officer in 1995 with the Bradenton Police Department. Cramer worked his way up, taking over as police chief in July.

    “I think we all, anybody who gets into any type of first response, first responder job, wants to help people. And ultimately, that’s what led me to it. I’ve always had a respect for the law,” Cramer said.

    Cramer said he is the first internal chief to be sworn in since 1995. One of his key priorities is setting goals.

    “Do your job the right way and be kind. And if you can do that, use common sense,” he said.

    Transparency is also valuable to Cramer.

    “I will tell people how it is. They may like it. They may not like it. But I’m not going to sugarcoat things for people. We have a hard job to do,” he said.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • 11-year-old arrested in Volusia for online threats, sheriff’s office says

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    VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An 11-year-old was arrested in Volusia County on Sunday for making online threats against his school.

    The sheriff’s office says the FBI notified them about a comment the boy wrote on TikTok, which stated he was going to shoot up Campbell Middle School in Daytona Beach, and mentioned staff members.

    Deputies say he did not have access to any weapons at home.

    Spectrum News reached out to the Volusia County School District, but officials had no comment to share.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lawmakers seek federal assistance for ‘dangerous’ railroad bridge conditions

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    CLEVELAND — State senators and representatives are sounding the alarm on “dangerous” railroad bridge conditions within the City of Cleveland, and they are asking for immediate federal assistance.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some Ohio lawmakers are reaching out for immediate federal assistance regarding “dangerous” railroad bridge conditions in Cleveland

    • They highlight falling concrete, structural deterioration and other issues of concern

    • They sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted as well as Deputy Administrator Drew Feeley at the Federal Railroad Administration

    According to a press release from the office of state Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan, D-District 14, a bipartisan letter was sent by members of the Cuyahoga County Delegation in the Ohio General Assembly to Ohio’s two U.S. senators, Republicans Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted.

    A letter was also sent to Deputy Administrator Drew Feeley, acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

    In the letter, they noted that Cleveland “has issued 99 first-degree misdemeanor violations for the deteriorating condition of these railroad bridges, which have raised significant safety concerns for our constituents.”

    These were issued against CSX Transportation, Inc. and the Norfolk Southern Corporation, which own these bridges.

    According to the release, some violations include:

    • Structural deterioration
    • Graffiti
    • Overgrown vegetation
    • Falling concrete

    “Our constituents deserve safe infrastructure and accountable corporate partners,” Brennan said in the release. “These violations are not just cosmetic—they are safety hazards that demand immediate attention.”

    The lawmakers also called out the railroad bridge that spans Broadway Avenue near Harvard specifically, saying it could be hazardous to pedestrians and drivers.

    Here are the lawmakers’ four requests to federal officials:

    1. “Prioritize inspections of all your railroad bridges in Cleveland to ensure compliance with federal standards and safety regulations
    2. Coordinate actions between the Federal Government and the city and initiate prompt repairs and improvements to address violations issued by the city
    3. Maintain transparent communication between city officials and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding your progress in resolving these issues
    4. Collaborate with the city to establish a long-term maintenance plan for these railroad bridges”

    You can view the letter here:

    “The people of Cleveland should not have to wonder if the bridges they drive under or walk near are structurally sound,” said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-District 23, in the release. “Rail companies must take responsibility, and the federal government must hold them accountable.”

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Ex-NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez arrested while hospitalized after stabbing

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    INDIANAPOLIS — Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was arrested while in the hospital for his alleged role in an overnight altercation in downtown Indianapolis that left him injured, Indianapolis police said in a statement released Saturday afternoon.

    Police said Sanchez arrested for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a vehicle and public intoxication –– all misdemeanors.

    The former NFL quarterback remained in the hospital and had not been booked into the Adult Detention Center, Indianapolis authorities said Saturday afternoon. Police said that the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision.

    What You Need To Know

    • Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was arrested while in the hospital for his alleged role in an overnight altercation in downtown Indianapolis that left him injured, Indianapolis police said in a statement released Saturday afternoon

    • Police said Sanchez arrested for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a vehicle and public intoxication

    • The former NFL quarterback remained in the hospital and had not been booked into the Adult Detention Center, Indianapolis authorities said Saturday afternoon

    • Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game, was in stable condition, Fox Sports said on social media

    Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game, was in stable condition, Fox Sports said on social media.

    Indianapolis police initially released a statement that didn’t identify Sanchez but said they were investigating a confrontation that occurred around 12:30 a.m. Saturday between two men, one of whom was hospitalized with stab wounds.

    The other man received treatment for lacerations, police said. Detectives had reviewed video footage of the confrontation, which police said occurred in the popular downtown nightlife Wholesale District next to the Indiana statehouse.

    Police said earlier Saturday that the case would be given to the Marion County prosecutor’s office to decide on charges. That office didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry from The Associated Press.

    Police said neither man was a local resident and called it an “isolated incident between the two men and not a random act of violence.”

    Few other details were available.

    “We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time,” Fox Sports said.

    Sanchez, 38, had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.

    The Long Beach, California, native, starred at Southern California before he was selected by the New York Jets with the fifth pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

    USC football also issued a statement on social media.

    He passed for 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading the Trojans to a 12-1 record during his junior year, which included a victory over Penn State in the 2009 Rose Bowl.

    He spent four seasons with the Jets, starting each of his 62 games while throwing for 12,092 yards and 68 touchdowns with 69 interceptions. The Jets lost in the AFC championship in each of Sanchez’s first two years in the league.

    Sanchez also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington. He finished his playing career with 15,357 yards passing, 86 TD passes and 89 interceptions.

    The Jets and several of Sanchez’s former teammates posted message of support on social media on Saturday.

    “Sending our thoughts and love to Mark Sanchez and his family. Hoping for a speedy recovery, 6,” the Jets said, using Sanchez’s former jersey number.

    “Send prayers up for my former teammate mark.. sucks so much to see this,” Kerry Rhodes wrote.

    “So sad. Pray for his recovery,” Nick Mangold wrote.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Florida’s “Trenton’s Law” brings tougher DUI/BUI manslaughter penalties

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    BELLE ISLE, Fla. — A new law is now in effect across Florida — one that could change the way people think about getting behind the wheel or the throttle after drinking. Belle Isle Police hope “Trenton’s Law” will save lives, both on the road and out on the water.

    What You Need To Know

    • “Trenton’s Law” took effect in Florida on October 1, increasing penalties for DUI and BUI manslaughter and doubling prison sentences for repeat offenders from 15 to 30 years

    • The law is named after 18-year-old Trenton Stewart, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2023

    • Belle Isle Police say the law won’t change how they patrol but hope stiffer penalties will deter impaired driving and boating


    On Lake Conway, the water is peaceful. But for Belle Isle Police, it’s very busy.

    “Our primary months of operation on the water, we start in May and we’re out here every weekend until from May until October. We just got through our busy season, if you will,” said Sgt. Allen Wasmund, with Belle Isle’s Traffic Marine Patrol Unit.

    Days spent under the sun, music in the air, and families making memories, but one bad decision can turn paradise into tragedy.

    “We try to stop that as soon as possible. We don’t need anyone getting hurt out on the lake,” Wasmund said.

    On Oct. 1, “Trenton’s Law” took effect, named after 18-year-old Trenton Stewart, who was killed in 2023 by a drunk driver.

    The new law delivers tougher penalties for DUI and BUI manslaughter, doubling prison sentences from 15 to 30 years for repeat offenders.

    And it goes even further making it a misdemeanor, in some cases, to refuse a breath or urine test on scene.

    “We’re hoping that with the penalties stiffer, people will think twice about actually committing these crimes,” Wasmund said.

    Wasmund says last year they handled about 15 DUI cases.

    While this new law won’t change how they enforce the rules on the water, they’ve already noticed a difference, more law enforcement agencies are out patrolling.

    “Our hope is that our presence deters the crimes that are occurring. We’ve been ramping up patrols,” Wasmund added.

    Along with Belle Isle’s marine unit, Florida Fish and Wildlife and Orange County deputies also keep watch on the lake.

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    Ashley Engle

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  • Community leader denouncing calls for troops in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police is calling attention to violent crime in the city, pointing to what it says is a nearly 200% spike in Uptown homicides compared to last year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police are calling on support from the National Guard to combat violence in Charlotte

    • This comes as the presidential administration is deploying troops into cities led by Democratic leaders 

    • Charlotte’s mayor said the National Guard is not needed in the city

    • A North Carolina community leader shares his perspective on how organizations are a viable solution with addressing crime in the neighborhoods they serve


    The labor union released a formal request for federal law enforcement assistance, including the National Guard.

    The FOP cited the August 22 killing of Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed while riding Charlotte’s light rail.

    Since her death, the union stated at least 15 more people have died due to violence, suggesting federal troops could help curb the trend, a strategy President Donald Trump is using in other Democratic-led cities.

     “As we seek relief through federal and National Guard support, I urge Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and the rest of the council to back our request. I remain open to a serious, solution-driven dialogue with each of you. However, if silence and inaction persist, and staffing does not significantly improve quickly, CMPD officers will continue to seek employment with agencies that recognize and respect their service, dedication, and well-being, further worsening the staffing crisis,” said the FOP in a formal request.

    Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles pushed back on the proposal, saying Charlotte has the resources to manage its own challenges.

    “Given the time we have to work with the White House and other federal offices, we will not need the Guard to come to Charlotte,” Lyles said.

    City Council member Edwin Peacock said he isn’t convinced federal troops are necessary right now but doesn’t want to take the option off the table.

    “I don’t see how you could possibly say with a straight face we don’t want to keep the option of having federal help if we needed it. We haven’t been to that point, and I don’t believe we’re there, but I think we have to consider it,” Peacock said.

    Peacock said the last time the National Guard was needed in Charlotte was during the 2016 protests over the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott.

    “Public resources were not able to keep up with seven days of protesting and they needed to have the National Guard. I think if you’re comparing that to murder situation, it’s kind of an apple and an orange,” Peacock said.

    A community leader working to combat violence says bringing in troops isn’t the answer.

    Greg Jackson is the executive director of Heal Charlotte, a place-based organization revitalizing neighborhoods through holistic approaches.

    His team supports over 1,000 families annually through housing stability programs, Stop the Violence CLT and after school programming and events.

    “Making sure there’s equality and justice for all people inside of the city,” Jackson said.

    Jackson says crime in Charlotte is real like in many cities nationwide, but believes the response should come from within neighborhoods, not from federal forces.

    “I completely disagree [with deploying troops]. We are already dealing with our own internal issues inside of the city that we need to get together and manage like the public safety plans of CATS. We do not need more attention from the National Guard, we need more presence of the community,” Jackson said.

    “There needs to be more presence of community leaders,” Jackson said. “Community partners, grassroots organizations, everywhere inside of the city, partnering with CATS as they form their plan to have better safety inside their public transportation, there needs to be more presence of community leaders. There are a lot of community partners and organizations doing a lot of things to make sure gun violence is prevented in the city.”

    CMPD’s midyear report shows homicides are trending downward compared to last year, but work remains.

    “Compared to last year I would say we’re still on the same frequency, a little bit below that,” Jackson said. “But we always want to eradicate all crime and violence inside of the city. We want to make sure all community partners are working with private institutions and the city to make sure crime is low and decreased.”

    Jackson said viable solutions should come from the ground up.

    “Community leaders out here doing the work and that can be funded through private institutions and other businesses that are coming to this city to keep it more of a safer city. If you are doing business with this city, you should be putting dollars into the organizations that prevent violence in this city,” Jackson said.

    Our news team reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police for comment but had not heard back at the time of this report.

    CMPD also declined to comment on the request for federal troops.

    Spectrum News 1 was able to independently confirm through CMPD data, the agency is investigating 15 homicides since August 22.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • CATS adds new bike and UTV patrols following deadly stabbing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Security officers on bikes and utility terrain vehicles will patrol transit areas in Charlotte moving forward.

    What You Need To Know

    • Charlotte Area Transit System added utility terrain vehicles and bike patrols to transit areas, including the light rail

    • The announcement comes after the deadly stabbing on the light rail that killed Iryna Zarutska in August

    • The state auditor released a preliminary special report earlier this week about the CATS contracts, highlighting a decrease in armed security guards over the years

    • CATS and city officials say they plan to focus on ways to reduce and eliminate fare evasion


    The Charlotte Area Transit System Interim CEO Brent Cagle, Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and Metropolitan Transit Commission Chair and Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox made the announcement Friday. 

    The new measure comes after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was killed on the light rail in August. Decarlos Brown Jr. is accused of stabbing her to death. 

    “We owe that, not just to those of us who are here today but we owe this to Iryna’s family and to every person whoever thought about we should ride the bus or the train for whatever reason. I’m committed to this work, and I won’t stop until it’s as safe as it can possibly be,” Lyles said. 

    Professional Security Services is the transit security provider for CATS. Cagle said bike and UTV patrols in addition to the expanded jurisdiction the security officers now have will make a difference. 

    “Especially in areas like Uptown and South End, where it is very difficult to reach some of these platforms by vehicle, this extends their reach, and it also gives them the ability to respond much more quickly,” Cagle said.

    “This extends their reach, and it also gives them the ability to respond much more quickly,” Cagle said. 

    Light rail rider Yashas Reddy welcomes more patrols in the transit system he rides twice a week.

    “I think that’s definitely a good measure. That definitely adds especially during off-peak hours, maybe like late in the night or early mornings,” Reddy said. 

    The news conference also comes after the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released a preliminary special report on the security contracts for CATS earlier this week. It reveals the number of armed guards decreased from between 68 and 88 in 2018 to 39 last month. 

    It makes an emphasis that while the current contract provides 219 security officers, having only 39 armed doesn’t allow the transit system to have one armed guard at all of its 48 train cars. 

    “We don’t believe that that is feasible. We also don’t believe it creates a force that can stay mobile to respond throughout the system. If there are significant numbers of security on every vehicle, if those trains need to be stopped for some reason, that means those security are stationary with that train,” Cagle said. “It’s not about are there personnel on every vehicle every day, all day long. It’s are there personnel visibly present throughout the entire system throughout the day.”

    Cagle added they have more than 200 security officers, including over 40 armed and both are backed by off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers. 

    “All of the personnel receive extensive training, including unarmed personnel, before they go out to serve the community and transit. And all of the unarmed personnel are fully supported by armed personnel with and by CMPD,” Cagle said. 

    Reddy, who overall feels safe when riding, said he wants to see priority placed on checking if riders paid for a ticket.

    “Especially at certain specific railway stations. If there’s an entry and exit checkpoint so that not anyone or everyone can come in, maybe that would probably help out,” Reddy said. 

    Brown didn’t have a ticket at the time of the murder. 

    Cagle said CATS will focus on reducing and eliminating fare evasion as they move forward. Lyles said she plans to work with members of the MTC to move forward a resolution about fare evasion. 

    “We have to approach this process and this plan for fare evasion, because fare evasion is often a symptom of different challenges. We can’t ignore that so we will have to work out how to best do it,” Lyles said. 

    CATS reminds riders there are ways to report an emergency from a train car. Cagle said there are call buttons on every train car that go directly to the operation. Even if the passenger doesn’t feel comfortable saying something, the call opens the communication with the operator for them to hear what’s going on in the train behind them and notify CMPD. They can also report an issue on the CATS app. 

     

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Tailgating safely, legally through football season

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    OHIO — Football season is well underway, and whether Ohioans are celebrating the Ohio State Buckeyes, or praying for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, fans are constantly gathering at their ritual tailgates. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Ohio Department of Commerce is reminding fans to celebrate responsibly and pay attention to laws regarding tailgates

    • Officials said tailgaters should always comply with Ohio’s underage drinking and open container laws

    • The use of non-medical cannabis in public spaces is also a minor misdemeanor in Ohio

    The Ohio Department of Commerce is reminding fans to celebrate responsibly and pay attention to laws regarding tailgates related to the consumption of alcohol and cannabis. 

    “We want every Ohioan enjoying a tailgate to do so responsibly and with safety in mind,” Division of Liquor Control Superintendent Jackie DeGenova said. “We also remind our permit holders to uphold their responsibility to protect their customers and communities.”

    Officials said tailgaters should always comply with Ohio’s underage drinking and open container laws, meaning those under 21-years-old are prohibited from consuming alcohol and reminding that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces unless you are within the boundaries of a liquor permit holder’s premises or an active Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Those who are convicted of selling or providing alcohol to those under 21-years-old can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each offense.

    The use of non-medical cannabis in public spaces is also a minor misdemeanor in Ohio, with state law prohibiting smoking or vaping in public indoor vaping also applying to cannabis. Similar to alcohol laws, the use of non-medical cannabis by those under 21-years old is prohibited. Anyone who provides cannabis to minors can face fines and possible jail time.

    “We encourage individuals who choose to use non-medical cannabis to do so with safety in mind, both for themselves and those around them,” said Division of Cannabis Control Superintendent Jim Canepa. “Before someone uses a cannabis product, it’s critical they understand state law as it relates to public cannabis use and follow any policies that may be in place depending on where they’re tailgating. It is also important to remember that federal law prohibits crossing state lines with marijuana. Your respect and adherence to these laws and policies will help to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.”

    It is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis or alcohol, and tailgaters are encouraged to review policies regarding the substances that may affect their tailgate location. Tailgaters who consume alcohol are also encouraged to drink plenty of water, eat beforehand and plan an alternative ride home after the game via a designated driver, using a rideshare service or public transportation. 

    “Tailgating is a time-honored tradition in Ohio, and the Department of Commerce wants to ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone,” the department said in a news release. “By following these guidelines, fans can focus on what matters most: cheering on their team.”

    For more information, click here.

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • DeWine signs EO, helping expanding access to overdose preventative tools

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he has signed an executive order that will allow for “the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to adopt a rule allowing expanded access to tools to prevent drug overdoses.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Mike DeWine has signed an executive order that is expanding access to overdose preventative tools

    • Tests for various compounds will be exempted from drug paraphernalia definitions

    • According to DeWine’s office, these tools can be used to reduce harm and allow people to perform tests for substances associated with overdose deaths

    This executive order suspends the normal rulemaking process, the governor’s office said. Tests for Xylazine, Medetomidine, Benzimidazole-opioids and Benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-related compounds will be exempted from drug paraphernalia definitions.

    They said this is in addition to fentanyl test strips and reagent kits.

    “Items such as test strips have been shown to reduce the risk of overdose, and these items are important in Ohio’s overall strategy to lower overdose deaths,” DeWine said in a news release Thursday. “We are removing barriers for communities to access tools that prevent overdose and save lives.”

    The governor’s office states these tools can be used to reduce harm and allow people to perform tests for substances associated with overdose deaths.

    “Test strips and reagent kits are important components to reducing harm caused by illicit drugs,” Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Steven Schierholt said in the release. “By decriminalizing these public health tools, we can help people who use drugs stay alive with the ultimate goal of recovery.”

    View the executive order here:

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    Cody Thompson

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  • British police say deadly rampage at U.K. synagogue was a terrorist attack

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    MANCHESTER, England — An assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue Thursday in northern England and then began stabbing them, killing two and seriously wounding three in a terrorist attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year, police said.

    What You Need To Know

    • British police have declared that a deadly rampage at a synagogue that killed two people on the holiest day of the Jewish year was a terrorist attack

    • Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Laurence Taylor in Manchester said the assailant was killed by officers and two other suspects were arrested

    • He provided no further information on the arrests. Authorities said the suspect rammed his car into pedestrians and began stabbing people

    • It took police some time to confirm he was dead because of concerns he had an explosive on him

    Officers shot and killed the suspect, Greater Manchester Police said, though it took authorities some time to confirm he was dead because of concerns he had an explosive on him.

    The Metropolitan Police in London, who lead counter-terror policing operations, declared the assault a terrorist attack.

    Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said two other suspects were arrested, though he provided no further information on the arrests.

    The attack took place as people gathered at an Orthodox synagogue in suburban neighborhood of Manchester on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.

    Antisemitic incidents in the U.K. have soared following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel’s ensuing military campaign in Gaza, according to Community Security Trust, an advocacy group for British Jews that works to eliminate antisemitism.

    More than 1,500 incidents were reported in the first half of the year, the second-highest reported since the record set a year earlier.

    “This is every rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare,” said Rabbi Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead Synagogue and head of the Rabbinic Court of Great Britain. “Not only is this a sacred day, the most sacred in the Jewish calendar, but it’s also a time of mass gathering.”

    Witnesses describe a car driving toward the synagogue and then a stabbing attack

    In a series of posts on X, Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue shortly after 9:30 a.m. — shortly after services were set to begin. The caller said he saw a car being driven toward members of the public and that one man had been stabbed.

    Chava Lewin, who lives next to the synagogue, said she heard a bang and thought it might be a firework until her husband ran inside their house and said there had been a “terrorist attack.”

    A witness told her that she saw a car driving erratically crash into the gates of the house of worship.

    “She thought maybe he had a heart attack,” Lewin said. “The second he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”

    Minutes later, police fired shots, saying they believed they had hit the assailant.

    Video on social media showed police with guns pointed at a person lying on the ground beneath a blue Star of David on the brick wall of the synagogue.

    A bystander could be heard on the video saying the man had a bomb and was trying to detonate it. When the man tried to stand up, a gunshot rang out and he fell to the ground.

    Police later detonated an explosion to get into the suspect’s car.

    Manchester was the site of Britain’s deadliest attack in recent years, the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.

    Authorities declare an emergency

    Immediately after the attack, police declared “Plato,” the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack.”

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attack and additional police officers would be deployed at synagogues across the U.K.

    He flew home early from a summit of European leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee.

    “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific,” Starmer said on the X platform.

    King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” to learn of the attack “on such a significant day for the Jewish community.”

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services,” he said on his social media feed.

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    Associated Press

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  • Winter Springs Citizen’s Police Academy gives residents behind-the-scenes look

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    WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — The Winter Springs Police Department hosts a Citizen’s Police Academy every other year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Winter Springs Police hosts a Citizen’s Police Academy every other year

    • Participants, like resident Art Gallo, get hands-on experience in policing — from K-9 demos to forensics

    • Lt. Lynn Saccente says the academy builds understanding and trust between police and the community

    • The program has been held six times, with the next scheduled for 2027

    For Winter Springs resident Art Gallo, the experience was so impactful that he did it twice.

    “It’s a demo of how they train the dog. I remember he really pulled me. It was hard. He was a really strong dog,” Gallo recalled, remembering his turn in a K-9 demonstration.

    It’s not every day you get to step into the boots of a police officer. But that’s exactly what the Winter Springs Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy offers.

    “This one I attended in 2023. It’s ten weeks,” Gallo said.

    Art isn’t a police officer, but after attending the academy, he talks about the department like he’s part of the team.

    “This is a great way to learn about your police department and meet the officers who are protecting you every day,” Gallo said.

    For him, the academy wasn’t about the thrill — it was about understanding.

    The program is hosted every other year. Participants learn about the K-9 unit, forensics, the emergency operations center, and more.

    “I feel that it is very beneficial for citizens to know that there’s different roles and different responsibilities in each police department,” said Lt. Lynn Saccente with Winter Springs Police.

    Saccente says the academy always fills up fast, and it serves a bigger purpose than many realize.

    “It helps educate them that we’re not just cops out there writing tickets. We’re actually doing our job, and part of that is teaching and educating and hands-on,” Saccente said.

    She added that the academy also gives police a chance to hear citizen comments and questions, which helps them serve the community better.

    “These might be policemen and women, but they are members of your community,” Gallo said.

    The Winter Springs Police Department has hosted the Citizens Police Academy six times. The next one is scheduled for 2027.

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    Ashley Engle

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  • Family says a Mexican man shot at a Dallas ICE facility has died

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    DALLAS (AP) — A second detainee shot in an attack on a Dallas immigration field office last week has died, his family said Tuesday.

    In a statement shared by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the family confirmed that Miguel Ángel García-Hernández, 32, succumbed to his injuries after being removed from life support.

    The Mexican man was one of three detainees shot in the Sept. 24 attack on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas. That attack left one other man dead and two other detainees critically wounded. Officials previously identified the man who was killed in the attack as Norlan Guzman-Fuentes.

    Authorities have said the gunman, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, fired indiscriminately from a nearby rooftop. They said he hated the U.S. government and wanted to incite terror by killing federal agents. No ICE personnel were hurt in the shooting, and Jahn fatally shot himself following the assault.

    The attack happened as heightened immigration enforcement has generated a backlash against ICE agents and stirred fear in immigrant communities across the country.

    “My husband Miguel was a good man, a loving father, and the provider for our family,” Stephany Gauffeny said in the statement. “We had just bought our first home together, and he worked hard every single day to make sure our children had what they needed. His death is a senseless tragedy that has left our family shattered. I do not know how to explain to our children that their father is gone.”

    Gauffeny is expecting their fifth child, LULAC said.

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    Associated Press

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  • Lakeland barbershop prohibits open carry in wake of law change

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — After a recent court ruling struck down the ban on open carry in Florida, gun owners can now carry their weapons openly in Florida. 

    What You Need To Know

    • While a recent court ruling struck down Florida’s ban on carrying weapons openly, some private business owners say they still plan to prohibit firearms on their property

    • Lakeland barbershop owner Kenneth Davis posted a “No Guns” sign, saying his decision is about protecting customers and setting a safe example for children

    • Davis isn’t alone — other barbershop owners in Lakeland say they also plan to restrict open carry by putting up signs


    However, there are places residents still are not allowed to bring a firearm, such as schools, government buildings, and sporting events. Privately owned businesses also have the right to ban guns on their property.

    At Second 2 None Barbershop in Lakeland, owner Kenneth Davis is letting customers know where he stands before they walk through the door. He wasted no time putting up a sign in his front window that reads, “Caution No Guns.” It’s a first for him since taking over the shop seven years ago.

    “Some people look at it like it’s their right to be able to do what they want to do, and at some point, I have to be the stance between that,” he said.

    Davis said his decision is about the safety of his customers — he believes a barbershop should be a place where people can freely express themselves without worrying about firearms.

    “If you’re having a heated discussion and you know you have access to something like that, you might make a reference to that and by doing so, you make other people feel uncomfortable and unsafe,” he said. “And as a business owner, it’s my job to make everyone in here feel safe at home.”

    He said it’s also his responsibility to set a good example for children in the community.

    “If I’m a young man who has a gun on my hip, and if a little boy might be sitting next to me, he might get curious,” he said.

    Davis said he plans to explain his decision to anyone who comes into his shop with questions. He also encourages everyone to be informed about how to carry themselves outside of his four walls.

    “Make sure you’re on the right side of the law, because unfortunately, when you get the handcuffs put on you, you find out the hard way if you’re wrong, and it’s too late then,” he said.

    Davis isn’t the only barbershop owner in Lakeland who isn’t allowing customers to open carry. Spectrum Bay News 9 spoke with a few others who said they plan to put up signs as well.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Community honors those killed, injured after Southport restaurant shooting

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A community on North Carolina’s coast is mourning and seeking answers after a shooting took the lives of three people over the weekend and injured five others.

    What You Need To Know

    • The shooting happened Saturday night at the American Fish Company

    • Authorities said three people were killed, and five others were injured. Their names have not yet been released

    • The suspect, Nigel Edge, was arrested shortly after the shooting and is facing multiple charges

    • Officials say Edge is a former combat veteran who was injured in the line of duty and is believed to suffer from PTSD


    Flowers, cards and more placed outside the American Fish Company Monday morning in honor of those killed and wounded by a gunman Saturday night. (Spectrum News 1/Patrick Thomas)

    The community has been placing flowers, signs and letters outside of the American Fish Company on Yacht Basin Drive in Southport, North Carolina, since the shooting Saturday night.

    Members of the tight-knit coastal community say this type of violence is not normal for the area. They describe the town as quiet, with little to no violence, and say this type of thing is almost unbelievable.

    “In the face of such darkness, we will not let hate or despair win. We will come together to support one another. We will not let this define Southport,” the city’s police chief, Todd Coring, said in a statement.

    The community held a vigil Sunday night. Whitney Johnson was in attendance and said she was in the restaurant roughly 30 minutes before the shooting happened.

    “We’re so thankful that we got out OK, but just devastated for the people that were injured and their families and people that were killed. It’s just, you know, a senseless act and just terrible and heartbreaking for such a small coastal town,” Johnson said.


     

    Authorities said the shooting was a “highly premeditated” attack carried out by 40-year-old Nigel Edge, of Oak Island. Edge piloted a small boat close to shore, which was lined with bars and restaurants, investigators said, and fired into a crowd at the American Fish Company.

    Coring said in a press conference Sunday that the location was “targeted,” but did not elaborate.

    After the shooting, Edge sped away in his boat, officials said, but was spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard crew trying to pull his boat from the water at an Oak Island public ramp and taken into custody.

    Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, officials said. Coring said additional charges could be added.

    The weapon used was an assault rifle, although Coring didn’t specify what kind.

    “We understand this suspect identifies as a combat veteran. He self-identifies. Injured in the line of duty is what he’s saying, he suffers from PTSD,” Coring said, referring to post-traumatic stress disorder.


     

    Edge is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, District Attorney Jon David said. He is being held without bond.

    Among the five people hospitalized with injuries, at least one “is now clinging for their life,” David said. Some of the victims were vacationers from out of town.

    Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris said the suspect was known to police as someone “who frequently hung out on our pier,” and that he had filed lawsuits against the town and police department over the last few years. He did not elaborate.

    The district attorney said Edge had had “minor contacts” with police in the past “but nothing significant in his past which would give us any indication that he was capable of such horror.”

    It was not immediately known whether Edge has an attorney to speak on his behalf. No attorney was listed on court documents. A call to Legal Aid services in Brunswick County went unanswered Sunday.

    Investigators from multiple agencies — including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard — remained on the water and at the scene Sunday collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

    Officials did not immediately release the names of the victims.

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    Jordan Kudisch, Justin Pryor, Associated Press

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  • Statewide human trafficking operation yields 135 arrests

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    OHIO — Attorney General Dave Yost, R-Ohio, announced Monday that a statewide human trafficking operation last week led to the arrest of 135 people.

    What You Need To Know

    • Many of those who were arrested face felony charges

    • More than 100 state, local and federal agencies took part in the operation

    • 67 human trafficking survivors were referred to resources

    “Operation Next Door was named to highlight the proximity and prevalence of human trafficking,” Yost said. “Too often, we are lulled into the false narrative that these crimes happen only in the shadows. This is simply not true – human trafficking occurs in plain sight and, unfortunately, may even be fueled by your co-workers or neighbors.”

    Yost said more than 100 law enforcement agencies took part in the operation. 

    Of the people arrested, 32 face felony charges, including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, seeking sex with a minor and drug possession and/or trafficking.

    Additionally, 103 of the people who were seeking to buy sex were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution or solicitation. Yost said nine search warrants were also initiated, which included raids on massage parlors in Toledo, Cleveland and Akron areas. Over $62,000 was seized during the operation, along with evidence for long-term investigations, Yost said. 

    Yost said 67 human trafficking survivors were referred by law enforcement to health-care and social-services organizations.

    For more information about the arrests, click here.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Southport shooter’s hearing reveals disturbing details

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — For the first time, the man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting in Southport appeared before a judge Monday.

    Authorities say Nigel Max Edge confessed to killing three people and injuring five others during a weekend attack. Investigators also revealed in court that the shooting was premeditated.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nigel Edge, the man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting in Southport, appeared before a judge Monday

    • According to prosecutors, Edge initially planned the assault for Friday

    • Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill

    • Edge is being held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for October 13


    According to prosecutors, Edge initially planned the assault for Friday. They said he anchored his boat in the area and camped out for hours, but left after another boater spotted him. He returned the next day, waiting in the same location before opening fire.

    On Monday, Edge appeared virtually in court dressed in a blue jumpsuit and sitting in a wheelchair. Cameras were not allowed inside the hearing, but family members, media and community members filled the room. Some shed tears as charges were read, while Edge showed no visible reaction.

    David Canup, who has lived in Southport for more than two decades, said the violence left him shaken.

    “About 24 years of living here I’ve never seen that happen. Never heard of it happening and honestly, never expected to happen,” Canup said.

    He said seeing Edge in person was difficult.

    “It makes me sick to my stomach, you know, just seeing him in the courtroom, you know, face to face like that, it really made me sick to my stomach,” Canup said.

    Canup recalled hearing the gunfire Saturday night and realizing something was terribly wrong.

    “I was sitting there at Oliver’s [on the Cape Fear restaurant], and I heard this loud commotion and I see people, you know, panicking. And I’m like, what in the world was that? And then I see all the first responders showing up, and I’m like, something just happened down there. It was definitely a lot of emotions going on,” he said.

    Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Prosecutors said the state is considering seeking the death penalty if he is convicted.

    “I know it’s a touchy thing and a lot of people don’t want to talk about that. But all I can say about that is I hope justice is served for the families, for the friends and for the co-workers. But I do got to say, you know, whatever the outcome is, justice needs to be served,” Canup said.

    Prosecutors also revealed investigators found several firearms on Edge’s boat, suggesting the violence could have been worse had law enforcement not intervened.

    Edge is being held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for October 13. The names of the victims have not been released.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Death toll in mass shooting, arson fire at Michigan church rises to 4

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    GRAND BLANC, Mich. — Police say four people are dead and eight injured following a shooting and arson fire Sunday morning at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Two of the victims were fatally shot, and the remains of two others were found in the wreckage of the church.

    What You Need To Know

    • Four people are dead and eight injured following a shooting and fire at a church in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday morning 

    • Police said the suspect, a 40-year-old man from neighboring Burton, Mich., drove his vehicle into the front of the church, exited, and opened fire

    • At some point, the suspect set the church on fire. Police killed the suspect in the parking lot at 10:33 a.m. 

    • As of 5 p.m. Sunday, seven victims had been stabilized and one remained in critical condition 

    Police said it appears the suspect drove his vehicle into the church during service and opened fire. At some point, the church was set on fire. There were hundreds of people inside the church at the time. Investigators say it appears the suspect used an accelerant, likely gasoline, to start the blaze. 

    Two police officers engaged with the suspect, shooting and killing him. The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Thomas Sanford, of Burton, Mich. Police said he was armed with a rifle. Police said the suspect’s home and cellphone records will be searched. The FBI is speaking to victims and witnesses. 

    The injured victims were treated at nearby Henry Ford Genesys.

    Speaking at a news conference Sunday night, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye praised the bravery and quick action of first responders and members of the church. 

    “I’d also like to acknowledge the heroism of not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church at the time. They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety,” he said. 

    Police received a call about the shooting at 10:25 a.m. Police were at the scene within a minute, and the suspect was killed in the church’s parking lot at 10:33 a.m.  

    Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of FBI Detroit field office, said the bureau is investigating the shooting and fire as an “act of targeted violence.”

    “This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country. The FBI is committed to continue finding out the facts, circumstances and motives behind this tragedy,” he said. 

    Authorities said they also investigated a series of bomb threats made to other locations, some of them churches. Those locations were cleared. 

    The church is located at 4285 McCandlish Road. Grand Blanc is located near Flint.

    An offsite reunification was set up at NCG Cinema — Grand Blanck Trillium, located at 9220 Trillium Circle Ave. 

    Grand Blanc Community schools canceled classes for Monday. 

    Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying her heart is breaking over the shooting. 

    Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., released the following statement: 

    “This is horrifying. I will continue to monitor as more information is available and am prepared to support the community however possible. Grateful for the courage and quick actions of the first responders.”

    Vice President JD Vance asked for prayers for the victims and first responders. 

    President Donald Trump issued the following statement:

    “I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THE EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” 

    Henry Ford Health released the following statement: 

    “Henry Ford Genesys Hospital is caring for patients injured in the tragic shooting and fire at a nearby church. Our hearts go out to our patients, their families, and the community—including the people worshiping when the tragic act of violence occurred. 

    “Our team has cared for 9 people injured in the shooting and fire so far.  Our hospital is fully staffed with experienced caregivers, and we are grateful to our team members who continue to care for all our patients at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital. Counselors and spiritual care are available to provide confidential support and counseling services for our patients and team members.” 

    Stay with Spectrum News for updates on the breaking story.

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    Craig Huber

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