ReportWire

Tag: APP Public Safety

  • Search for missing kayaker continues in Mountain Island Lake

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    The search for a kayaker, who went missing Sunday evening on Mountain Island Lake, has restarted after a pause due to weather, the Huntersville Fire Department said.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A kayaker went missing on Mountain Island Lake Sunday evening 

    •  The search was suspended Sunday night due to high winds

    •  The Huntersville and East Lincoln fire departments resumed their search Monday morning 

    • No announcement has been made yet if the kayaker has been found 


    Mountain Island Lake is 15 miles northwest of Charlotte.

    The Huntersville Fire Department announced on X at 6:40 p.m. Sunday that it was using its fire boat to assist East Lincoln Fire Department with the search for the unidentified missing person. It said the departments were looking in the water near the near the Hwy 73 bridge that crosses over the left side of the lake.

    Two hours later, the department posted they were suspending the search for the evening.

    “The weather hit us fairly hard,” the post reads.

    Wind gusts reached more than 22 miles per hour Sunday night in the Charlotte area.

    Monday morning, Huntersville Fire Department officials said it was back out on the water, continuing the search.

    The department asked that traffic passing through the area use caution and yield to emergency response vehicles.


     

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    Caroline King

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  • 4 killed in 24 hours: Charlotte-Mecklenburg police investigating

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    Four people were killed in separate homicides across Charlotte over the weekend, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

    The killings all took place within 24 hours Saturday into Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • CMPD is investigating four separate homicides that took place within 24 hours over the weekend

    • The incidents happened on Wembley Drive, North Graham Street, Park Fairfax Drive and Wilkinson Boulevard

    • Out of the four incidents, police have identified two of the victims

    • One suspect has been charged in connection to one of the killings, police said


    The first incident happened at about 2 a.m. Saturday in the 1300 block of Wembley Drive. Police said the victim, identified as 50-year-old Ernesto Toledo, was found dead from “some sort of blunt force trauma” that happened during an altercation.

    No additional details were released.

    Around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, a man was found with multiple gunshot wounds, police said, in the 5600 block of North Graham Street. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

    His name has not yet been released.

    About 15 minutes later, CMPD responded to a man being shot and killed in the 100 block of Park Fairfax Drive. He has not yet been identified.

    On Sunday, police then responded to a shots fired call in a parking lot of Coyote Joe’s on the 4600 block of Wilkinson Boulevard around 1:25 a.m. Officers said they found a man, later identified as 41-year-old Jason Neal, dead from gunshot wounds when they arrived.

    Of the four killings, detectives have only arrested one suspect.

    Andre Walker, 44, has been arrested in connection to the Sunday killing of Neal. Walker has been charged with murder, police said.

    Police have not released any information on possible suspects in the other three cases. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) to speak with a Homicide Unit detective or Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

    The outbreak of violence comes as many residents are voicing concerns about safety across the city.

    After the August killing of Iryna Zarutska on a city light rail, groups and families of victims killed by violence have called upon city and state leaders to address court systems they say have failed to protect the public and keep defendants in jail while awaiting trials, as well as staffing shortages within local police departments.

     

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Pasco County mother, school employee accused of killing her son

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — A Land O’ Lakes mother is facing murder charges in the death of her child.

    The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Justine Mroz on Sunday night in connection to the death of her 6-year-old son.

    It all began when the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office got a call shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday.

    Deputies say the call came from Mroz herself.

    Mroz is employed by Pasco County Schools to provide ESE services, helping students with disabilities.

    The school district provided the following statement:

    “On behalf of the entire Pasco County Schools family, we extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving. We are deploying crisis teams to provide care and support to those affected by this heartbreaking event.”

    Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office has not released how the child died, saying it’s still being investigated.

    A few neighbors who did not want to appear on camera said they were shocked by the news of what happened, saying this is a quiet neighborhood and that their neighbor seemed nice.

    They also said they were sad to hear what happened.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Calvin Lewis

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  • Shooting at an Oklahoma State University residence hall wounds at least 3 people

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    STILLWATER, Okla. — A shooting at an Oklahoma State University residence hall wounded at least three people early Sunday morning, according to a university spokesperson.

    Police said there was “no ongoing threat to campus.”

    Initial reports indicate the shooting happened when people arrived at the residence hall after attending a large private party off-campus, university police said. Officers responded at about 3:40 a.m.

    University police Chief Michael Beckner said in a statement posted online that there were multiple victims, one of whom was known to be a student at the school. A university spokesperson said at least three people were shot. All were being treated at hospitals.

    Police became aware of the shooting at Carreker East residence hall “after shooting victims arrived at off-campus locations and reported the incident.”

    The university is located in the city of Stillwater, about 50 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

    This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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    Associated Press

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  • OSHP kicks off National Teen Driver Safety Week, urges safety talks from parents

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    OHIO — Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off Sunday, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding parents to have conversations about road safety with their children. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The week, which focuses on teenage drivers, runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25

    • OSHP said parents can help their teen drivers by practicing with them and giving feedback while exposing them to a variety of driving environments

    • In 2024, there were more than 37,000 teenage drivers involved in crashes

    “Just like mastering a sport or a musical instrument, safe driving takes practice,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “I encourage parents and guardians to actively coach their teens on safe driving skills and have open and consistent conversations with their kids about the importance of being a responsible driver.”

    The week, which focuses on teenage drivers, runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25.

    OSHP said parents can help their teen drivers by practicing with them and giving feedback while exposing them to a variety of driving environments.

    In 2024, there were more than 37,000 teenage drivers involved in crashes. In the same year, a teen driver was at fault in 64 fatal crashes and over 6,700 injury crashes.

    OSHP said a majority of the incidents were connected to preventable behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and not wearing a safety belt. 

    The department said that of the 44 teen drivers killed in crashes last year, 81% were not wearing a seat belt.

    “The Patrol is committed to giving young drivers the tools they need to make safe choices,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Through education, we are working to build a strong foundation of safety that will benefit Ohio’s newest drivers for years to come.”

    Teenage drivers under 18-years-old may not have more than one non-family member passenger per Ohio law during the first year of a probationary license, unless a parent or guardian is present.

    OSHP’s Drive to Live program is also available for schools to bring in and educate their students. The presentation brings troopers in to share real-world experiences and help educate live drivers. 

    Other steps Ohio has taken include the new state-supported app called RoadReady Ohio, which helps parents log the required 50 hours of driving and TeachYourTeentoDrive.ohio.gov which provides support for parents as they coach their children through the three phases of licensure under Ohio’s Graduated Driver’s License law.

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Experts, lawmakers debate the lack of A/C in most Florida prisons

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A former Tampa Bay lawmaker calls it a “moral collapse” that a majority of Florida prisons do not have air conditioning. 

    While federal prisons are required to have air conditioning, state prisons are not. A 2023 report suggested about 75% of the facilities in Florida do not cool the air.

    What You Need To Know

    • A 2023 report found that around 75% of Florida prisons don’t have air conditioning  

    • Officials say it would cost around $582 million to install A/C at all state prisons
       
    • Some consider not having air conditioning at prisons to be cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment 

    • Others think the money should be used on continuing education and job training for inmates 


    “That isn’t just logistics,” said former State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican who represented Tampa Bay in the Florida Legislature from 2010 to 2022. “That’s morally saying, ‘We’re doing something wrong.’”

    The Florida Department of Management Services commissioned KPMG in 2022 to develop a 20-year master plan for the Florida Department of Corrections. The plan, released in 2023, found that more than a third of state prisons were in “critical” or “poor” condition, and work for “immediate needs” — basic life, health and safety modifications needed to make Florida prisons inhabitable — would cost $2.2 billion.

    According to the plan, adding air conditioning to Florida prisons that currently lack HVAC systems would cost $582 million.

    Brandes suggested that all state lawmakers should tour prisons to understand what inmates are dealing with. He said his experience touring facilities — he described the heat by saying it  “felt like 105 (degrees)” — convinced him the money should be spent to outfit facilities with air conditioning.

    “Going to prison is supposed to be the deterrent,” said Brandes, who is currently the president of the Florida Policy Project. “That is the punishment. You are in prison. Prison is not supposed to be additional punishment while you’re there.”

    State Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) said he disagrees with Brandes. He has argued the $582 million would be better spent on job training and continuing education for inmates, saying they have told him that’s what they prefer.

    “There’s a finite amount of resources,” Martin said. “Could we do more if we moved these resources somewhere else?”

    Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) argued that not having air conditioning during Florida’s hot summers is a violation of the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, which outlaws cruel-and-usual punishment.

    “It’s not meant to be a luxury hotel. We all get that,” he said. “But the punishment is time away from their families and society and their loved ones. The punishment is not cruel and inhumane conditions.”

    Martin, though, pointed to Florida statute 921.002 (“The Criminal Punishment Code”) which specifically states: “The primary purpose of sentencing is to punish the offender. Rehabilitation is a desired goal of the criminal justice system but is subordinate to the goal of punishment.”

    He went on to argue that the Eighth Amendment was ratified in 1791, before modern air conditioning existed.

    “To say somehow that not having air conditioning is a violation of your constitutional rights flies in the face of everybody over the age of 30 in the state of Florida who rode a school bus to school without air conditioning,” Martin said.

    Attorneys representing the state during a lawsuit over hot conditions at a prison in Miami-Dade County recently argued “the lack of air conditioning does not pose a substantial risk of serious harm.” They contended that, to violate the Eighth Amendment, conditions must be “objectively extreme enough to deny an inmate the minimal civilized measure of life’s necessities.”

    Brandes said he believes the state was arguing the conditions were cruel, just not “cruel enough.”

    “What is cruel? Is it 110 degrees? 115? If you could fry and egg on the floor, would that make it cruel and unusual?” Brandes asked.

    Connie Baroth Edson, an inmate advocate in Central Florida, has fought for years to bring air conditioning to prisons.

    She said adding air conditioning would decrease turnover among correctional officers (which is a significant issue in Florida) and offer basic humanity to inmates.

    “Why are you made to feel like you’re not worthy of anything by not having air conditioning?” Baroth Edson asked.

    While she did not think the state would ever pay the $582 million necessary to put air conditioning into all the Florida prisons, Baroth Edson said she was encouraged when the Florida Legislature agreed in 2025 to spend $300,000 on a pilot program to add wall units to some institutions.

    The expenditure was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    When Spectrum News requested an interview with the secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections, the department provided a statement that said: “FDC has air-conditioning housing units serving the most vulnerable inmate populations, including the infirmed, mentally ill, pregnant and geriatric.”

    The statement said all new institutions are designed to include air conditioning, but noted many existing facilities were built before air conditioning was commonplace.

    The Florida Department of Corrections uses “various climate control measures” to reduce heat, according to the statement.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • Mecklenburg sheriff and ICE meet to air frustrations and address new law

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met face to face Friday to discuss tensions over a new state law that requires sheriff’s offices to hold detainees for an additional 48 hours to allow ICE to take custody.

    What You Need To Know

    • For the first time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met to address tensions

    • The hourlong meeting also discussed a new state law that requires sheriff’s offices to hold detainees for an additional 48 hours to allow ICE to take custody

    • Both agencies say the meeting was productive

    • The sheriff said there are no plans for another meeting with ICE


    In February, Spectrum News 1 reported that McFadden had released a detainee without ICE’s knowledge, one in a string of disputed incidents that have fueled conflict between local and federal authorities.

    McFadden and ICE officials say Friday’s meeting has helped clarify procedures.

    From McFadden’s perspective, the conversation was productive.

    In a statement, ICE agreed.

    “ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations met with Sheriff McFadden and his staff today and engaged in a very productive meeting. We greatly value the opportunity to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to achieve our shared goals of safety and security of our communities and our officers,” the agency said.

    During the hourlong meeting, McFadden presented ICE with a letter outlining plans for pickup, direct contacts and expectations for arrests — issues both sides say they’ve struggled to coordinate in the past.

    The meeting was the result of a letter sent on behalf of the sheriff Oct. 1, asking ICE for clearer collaboration under the new state law, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, which requires sheriffs to hold detainees for an extra 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so ICE can take them into custody.

    In recent months, McFadden has said ICE failed to respond to pickup requests, forcing his office to release detainees. ICE, however, has accused McFadden’s office of refusing to cooperate with detainer requests.

    The two agencies agreed on points of contact for coordinating courthouse arrests and pickups.

    “So we gave them a safe process and procedures,” McFadden said. “If they have to operate inside the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds, because they do have that jurisdiction to do that. We just want them to do it in a safe manner for both them and the general public.”

    McFadden said both sides needed to “air out frustrations” and work toward a more transparent system.

    “We have the facility that they will have to come to,” he said. “We have the facility they have to remove these people from. So we want to make that safe and secure and also without problems. And so today in having that discussion, hopefully they understand us and we understand their needs.”

    The sheriff said there are no plans at this time for another meeting with ICE.

    National pressure, local tension

    The meeting comes amid growing pressure from the Trump administration to expand deportation operations and enlist local law enforcement agencies as partners. ICE has recently proposed loosening detention standards so more county jails can hold immigrants awaiting removal.

    At the same time, Congress approved a funding package that includes billions for ICE to expand detention capacity and deportation efforts.

    Across the country, sheriffs have become central players in the debate over cooperation with ICE. While immigration detainers are nonbinding requests under federal law, North Carolina’s new legislation now mandates local compliance for up to 48 hours. Supporters say the law prevents the release of potentially dangerous individuals, while critics say it blurs the line between local policing and federal enforcement.

    In Mecklenburg County, McFadden has accused ICE of ignoring communication attempts and failing to pick up detainees, while ICE maintains that his office continues to disregard lawful detainer requests. The sheriff has argued that only detainers supported by a judge’s order are legally valid.

    As state, local and federal agencies continue to navigate overlapping authority, Mecklenburg County remains at the center of the debate over immigration enforcement in North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Dublin named one of Ohio’s safest small cities

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    DUBLIN, Ohio — World Atlas released its rankings for some of the safest small communities across the Buckeye State, and the city of Dublin is celebrating.

    Dublin joined eight other cities that stood out for low crime rates, strong community engagement and commitment to public safety.

    “It is a tremendous honor for Dublin to be recognized as one of the nine safest small communities in Ohio,” said Dublin Police Chief Justin Páez. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the professionalism of our Dublin Police Department members, their unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the City of Dublin and the strong partnership we share with our engaged and supportive community.”

    Dublin’s attractions were also highlighted, including Historic Dublin, the Dublin History Museum and the city’s most iconic landmark — the Dublin Link pedestrian bridge.

    Other cities that made the list included Olmsted Falls, Upper Arlington, Perrysburg, Powell, New Albany, Hudson and Chester Township.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tampa fire crews contain blaze at former Pups Pub location

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Fire crews in Tampa contained a structure fire late Wednesday at West Kennedy Blvd and South Westland Avenue, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

    The building that caught fire appeared to be the now-closed Pups Pubs location, which can be seen in images released by officials.

    Officials report no injuries at this time.

    The cause of the fire is under investigation by Tampa Fire Marshal Office investigators.


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • AG Yost announces $280,000 to go toward peace officer training

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    OHIO — Attorney General Dave Yost, R-Ohio, announced Tuesday that a nearly $280,000 grant has been awarded from the Ohio Department of Public Safety to support training for peace officers. 

    The money will allow the Ohio Department of Public Safety to pay for seven advanced courses offered through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, Yost explained.

    “Specialized training equals better policing and safer streets,” Yost said. “This is a winning investment for Ohio.”

    Eligible courses for the grant include:

    • SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing) Instructor
    • ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement)
    • Traffic Crash Level 1 – Collision Investigation
    • Advanced Traffic Collision Investigation Level 2
    • Vehicle Dynamics
    • RADAR and LIDAR ESMD Operator
    • RADAR and LIDAR ESMD Instructor – NHTSA-approved certification

    Registration for the free courses can be accessed here. There are no upfront costs with the training, Yost said.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • How to get around as traffic swamps Billie Eilish concerts and N.C. State Fair

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    Traffic is major concern heading into the weekend as North Carolina’s State Fair opens its gates as a nearby arena hosts big concert events.

    Thousands of people will pour into the fairgrounds and also head to Lenovo Center to see pop singer Billie Eilish perform. She is set to hold sold-out concerts, both Thursday and Friday nights, which are not affiliated with the fair event. 

    On Tuesday night, traffic backed up and snarled for hours around the Carter-Finley Stadium where Chris Brown was performing. The stadium is near the fairgrounds and highlighted the traffic trouble yet to come over the weekend when two popular events will collide. 

    Raleigh Police said they have measures in place to direct people and help save time.

    “If the fair is not going on, and I plan on going to an event at Lenovo, and it starts at 7, I’m going to be there at 6. OK, so now you add the fair to that,” Lt. David Davis with Raleigh Police Department said. “I’m going to probably be there at 5. You know, unfortunately that’s a couple hours before an event, but you know what? I’m not going to be stressed out trying to figure out where I’m going to park and just completely ruin the actual environment.”

    Heavily impacted roads include:

    • Hillsborough Street
    • Blue Ridge Road
    • Trinity Road
    • Edwards Mill Road
    • Wade Avenue
    • Western Boulevard
    • I-40

    Travel and parking tips from RPD: 

    • Allow extra travel time
    • Expect significantly increased traffic volumes near the fairgrounds
    • Use Park-and-Ride options
    • Consider alternative transportation to ease congestion: 
    • Bandwidth parking with shuttle: Dogwood Lot
    • N.C. 54 parking with shuttle: Cardinal Lot
    • N.C. by train (Amtrak Service)
    • GoRaleigh Park and Ride Services
    • GoDurham Bus Service

    Safety Reminders:

    • Have a plan: Know your parking, transportation and entry points before you leave home
    • Limit what you bring: Only carry essential items into the fair
    • Secure your vehicle: Do not leave valuables in your car, especially guns
    • Remember: There is no truly secure hiding spot in a vehicle
    • Do not park on highway shoulders: It creates safety hazards for you and others. It obstructs emergency vehicles that rely on shoulder access for rapid response  

     

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    Elizabeth Townsend

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  • Investigation underway for fatal Columbus police involved shooting

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened early Sunday morning in Columbus. 

    What You Need To Know

    • According to Columbus police, officers were investigating a robbery that had occurred near N. High St. and E. 9th Avenue around 3:36 a.m. 

    • One officer was flagged down by two people who reported that a male subject had pointed a gun at them

    • Officials said within seconds of receiving the information, the officer spotted a man matching the description of the armed individual
    • Columbus police said the officer told the subject to stop and put his hands up; the man did not comply and ran

    According to Columbus police, officers were investigating a robbery that had occurred near N. High St. and E. 9th Avenue around 3:36 a.m. One officer was flagged down by two people who reported that a male subject had pointed a gun at them.

    The description of the male subject matched the description of the robbery-involved suspect communicated by radio dispatchers. Officials said within seconds of receiving the information, the officer spotted a man matching the description of the armed individual.

    Columbus police said the officer told the subject to stop and put his hands up; the man did not comply and ran. The officer said over his radio that the subject was armed and chased the man on foot. During the chase, the officer discharged their firearm, striking the subject. 

    The subject was taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered from the scene. Officers performed medical aid until paramedics arrived, and the man was transported to Grant Hospital in critical condition. 

    Despite the aid, the subject did not survive his injuries. The officer involved was not injured, and investigators are still working to identify the subject’s identity.

    “BCI was requested by the Columbus PD to investigate a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred early this morning,” the Bureau of Criminal Investigations confirmed in a statement.

     

     

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Community steps in after alleged Riverview restaurant burglary

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    RIVERVIEW, Fla. — About a month after a Riverview restaurant was allegedly burglarized, the community is helping the business owner get back to normal.

    Eggs Up Grill lost thousands of dollars in cash and equipment during the Labor Day weekend. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Eggs Up Grill said it was burglarized over Labor Day weekend

    • Owner Priscilla Conyers said it lost its safe with a couple thousand dollars, and thousands of dollars in equipment 

    • Conyers said the incident took morale out of her staff

    • On Friday, her alma mater hosted an event to drum up support and business 


    When the owner’s alma mater, Florida A&M University, heard about the incident, they knew they wanted to help.

    On Friday night, it hosted a mixer to help drum up business and bring morale back to the restaurant. 

    Along with a healthy portion of eggs, the restaurant is serving up positivity.

    “We want to be your happy place. We want us to make you smile. So that’s a part of our DNA. That’s our mantra,” said Priscilla Conyers, owner of Eggs Up Grill Riverview.

    Conyers said some of that positivity was lost. In her surveillance video, a person can be seen taking a safe from the office, and then equipment from the dining room. 

    “We were devastated. We felt like it was definitely an invasion of our privacy,” Conyers said.

    She said two server handheld devices — worth $2,000 each — are now gone, and there was a couple thousand dollars in the safe. 

    “My front of the house staff, my back of the house staff, we all worked extremely hard to be here to provide for the community. So, for something like that to happen to us, it just kind of took us out,” she said.

    Friday night’s mixer helped to promote the restaurant and bring back some positivity to the staff.

    “We’re hoping to basically patronize, drum up business to help fill the gap where the burglary may have caused some hardship from a financial standpoint,” said Laketra Claiborne, president of Florida A&M University Alumni Association’s Tampa Chapter.

    Conyers said the community support has turned an unfortunate situation into a positive one. 

    “The community has really had our back. We absolutely love being in the Tampa Bay community, and we are here to stay. That situation will not hurt us anymore,” Conyers said.

    The dining room was filled with FAMU’s colors and smiles once again.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • There are no survivors in blast at Tennessee explosives factory, sheriff says

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    McEWEN, Tenn. — The blast in rural Tennessee that leveled an explosives plant and was felt for miles around left no survivors, authorities said Saturday.

    What You Need To Know

    • The blast that leveled an explosives plant and was felt for miles around in rural Tennessee left no survivors, authorities said Saturday

    • Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference that officials were working on the assumption that all of the people at the site were dead

    • The total number of people who died was unclear, as was the cause of the blast

    • Davis had said earlier there were 18 people missing

    The total number of dead was unclear, as was the cause of the Friday blast. By the weekend the devastation came into focus, with officials saying they had found no survivors. A total of 16 people were missing, officials said.

    “There’s a gauntlet of emotions there,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference, pausing to clear his throat before he asked for prayers for the families of the victims in a shaky voice.

    “We’ve recovered no survivors,” he added.

    During a vigil at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, senior pastor Tim Farris noted that many in attendance know each other and the victims and their families.

    “There’s a lot of people hurting. A lot of people who are crying a lot of tears,” he said. “We are sad that our community is going through this, but it’s a tremendous opportunity for the church to minister to a lot of those people today.”

    State officials brought in a “rapid DNA” team to help identify the remains of people recovered at the site.

    The explosion left a smoldering wreck of twisted metal and burned-out vehicles at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, which supplies and researches explosives for the military.

    Davis said about 300 responders are working in a “slow, methodical method” as they deal with explosive material that has been damaged and remains volatile. An ambulance and a helicopter used for air evacuations were brought in, for the safety of first responders.

    “It’s not like working an accident. It’s not like working a tornado. We’re dealing with explosions. And I would say at this time, we’re dealing with remains,” he said.

    Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said explosive specialists and bomb technicians are trying to make the area safe before national ATF investigators arrive. He said the nature of the scene can change because of the heat and pressure caused by the explosion.

    Davis said it could be days, weeks or even months before foul play is ruled out.

    The site is located in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee, between the economically vital Tennessee River to the west and the bustling metropolis of Nashville to the east. Modest homes dot the wooded landscape, residences belonging to “good old country people,” as local man Terry Bagsby put it.

    Residents attend a vigil honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Accurate Energetic Systems, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Centerville Tenn. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)

    ‘A lot of grief’

    Bagsby, 68, is retired but he helps out working the register at a gas station near the site. He said people in the close-knit community are “very, very sad.”

    He said he knows people who worked at the site and are missing.

    “I don’t know how to explain it. … Just a lot of grief.”

    Earlier Saturday afternoon at the church in McEwen, about 30 people prayed together with a pastor for the victims of the explosions and their families. As they prayed, music played and mourners bowed their heads and closed their eyes. Some knelt at an altar, placing their hands on each others’ shoulders. Some wept softly, among the whispered prayers.

    The company’s website says it processes explosives and ammunition at an eight-building facility that sprawls across wooded hills in the Bucksnort area, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. It is not immediately known how many people work at the plant or how many were there when the explosion happened.

    Accurate Energetic Systems, based in nearby McEwen, said in a post on social media on Friday that their “thoughts and prayers” are with the families and community impacted.

    “We extend our gratitude to all first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult conditions,” the post said.

    Smoke fills the air as debris covers the ground and vehicles after a powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County, Tenn., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (WTVF-TV via AP)

    Smoke fills the air as debris covers the ground and vehicles after a powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County, Tenn., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (WTVF-TV via AP)

    Explosion jolts residents from sleep

    The company has been awarded numerous military contracts, largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, to supply different types of munitions and explosives, according to public records. The products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C4.

    When the explosion occurred, residents in Lobelville, a 20-minute drive from the scene, said they felt their homes shake, and some people captured the loud boom of the explosion on their home cameras.

    The blast rattled Gentry Stover from his sleep.

    “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” he told The Associated Press. “I live very close to Accurate, and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.”

    Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee posted on the social platform X that he is monitoring the situation and asked “Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident.”

    A small group gathered for a vigil Friday night at a nearby park, clutching candles as they prayed for the missing and their families and sang “Amazing Grace.”

    The U.S. has a long history of deadly accidents at workplaces, including the Monongah coal mine explosion that killed 362 men and boys in West Virginia in 1907. Several high-profile industrial accidents in the 1960s helped lead President Richard Nixon to sign a law creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the next year.

    In 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems faced several small fines from the U.S. Department of Labor for violations of policies meant to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation and other irritants, according to citations from OSHA.

    In 2014, an explosion occurred at another ammunition facility in the same small community, killing one person and injuring at least three others.

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    Associated Press

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  • Ohio man arrested for allegedly making threats against a sheriff

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    OHIO — A 30-year-old Zanesville man was arrested Thursday for allegedly making threats against Noble County Sheriff Jason Mackie, according to Attorney General Dave Yost, R-Ohio.

    Tyler Eschman has been arraigned and held on a $100,000 bond. 

    Yost said Eschman was arrested on an outstanding warrant for an unrelated matter, adding that he was initiatilly charged with intimidation and menacing by stalking. 

    The investigation was conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and it remains ongoing. Yost is asking anyone with information about the alleged crimes to contact BCI at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446).

    The Noble County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case.

     

     

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Radio club supports federal legislation to help expand radio access into HOA’s

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    SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. — Introduced earlier this year, federal legislation known as the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act would, if passed, eliminate HOA prohibitions on amateur radio antennas.

    The National Association for Amateur Radio has created a petition to help pass this legislation.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kings Point Amateur Radio Club is working to shine a light on federal legislation that would make it easier for operators to install an antenna on their properties
    • The legislation would prevent restrictive HOA rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas


    What started off as a love for radio has turned into a hobby with a purpose for Joseph Flack.

    He’s the president of the Kings Point Amateur Radio Club in Sun City Center.

    “Most of the radio users, they like to log in, it gives them something to do and they feel safer,” he said.

    The club connects members who share a love of radios, but another big part of their mission is assisting the community through its disaster radio service program — which steps in to help fill communication gaps during natural disasters.

    “We have a lot of people that are elderly, including myself,” Flack said. “And this is a way for them to reach out when the internet is down, the cell phones are down.”

    The club currently has about 850 members. But many of them live in HOAs, like club Vice President Eric Nisenfeld, who said it’s harder to set up listening stations to communicate with others.

    Pending legislation could change that: A bipartisan bill would prevent restrictive HOA rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when antennas are hidden in trees, attics or other discreet locations.

    “It’s there to create parity,” Flack said. “It’s there to support the amateur radio community in their support of the communities they work with.”

    The National Association of Amateur Radio has created a petition so that more amateur radio operators can show their support of the legislation.

    Flack said that during Hurricane Milton last year, his radio club took about 10 emergency calls. They also take courses through FEMA to ensure they are prepared to assist.

    “It’s about giving us the ability to give us the proper tools to continue to support the country,” he said.

    There has been pushback for the proposed bill from the community associations institute — an advocacy group for HOAs, condos and co-ops. They’ve argued that associations should be able to enforce reasonable rules for placement, size and aesthetics to protect safety and property values. 

    The legislation was first introduced in 2016 but ultimately failed. It is currently being considered in the U.S. Senate.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Here’s what happened when a fire truck caught fire inside the fire station

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    Fire crews sprang into action when a blaze broke out in their own Morganton station Friday, quickly putting out a burning old fire engine. 

    The engine caught fire inside the station outside of Morganton Friday afternoon, according to a statement posted by the fire department.  

    What You Need To Know

    •  A fire truck caught fire inside the Drexel Fire Station in Burke County

    •  The station is connected to Drexel’s town hall building 

    •  No injuries were reported 

    • Nearby fire stations helped put out the blaze 


    At about 1 p.m., the Drexel Fire Department Chief Jonathan Wilkie first heard a pop and then saw smoke coming from one of the older fire engines parked in the station.


    The crew was close by and responded quickly, containing the blaze before anything else burned. The fire station is connected to Drexel’s town hall building. All town staff working inside had to evacuate, and there were no injuries reported.

    Other nearby departments came to help put out the fire, including Valdese Fire Department, Triple Community Fire Department, Chesterfield Fire Department, Salem Fire Department, Burke County Fire Marshal, and Burke County EMS.

    “We are thankful there were no injuries and no damage to the building as a result of this fire,” Drexel Mayor Dennis Anthony said in the statement from the department. “A huge thanks to the responding mutual aid agencies for quickly assisting us in knocking the fire down.”

    The investigation is ongoing, but the statement said that early reports suggest the fire began in the engine compartment of the older fire truck.

    The Drexel Fire Department is still operational, and further updates will be posted on its Facebook page.

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    Caroline King

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  • $1 million bond for longtime N.C. legislator charged with child sex crimes

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    A longtime state legislator from Guilford County facing multiple charges related to indecent liberties with a minor has allegedly attempted to contact and locate the victim using his political status, according to court documents.

    A judge set a $1 million bond for Rep. Cecil Brockman Friday.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Court records show Rep. Cecil Brockman, a six-term Democratic lawmaker from Guilford County, was arrested on charges of statutory sexual offense and taking indecent liberties with a child

    • Court documents say he attempted to contact and locate the victim 

    • A judge set a $1 million bond for Rep. Cecil Brockman Friday

    • The alleged crimes involved a 15-year-old


    Brockman, a Democrat representing part of Guilford County, has served six terms in the North Carolina House. He is charged with two counts each of taking indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office said.

    He was jailed without bond.

    A magistrate’s order says Brockman is accused of engaging in a sexual act with a 15-year-old twice and is twice alleged to have committed “a lewd and lascivious act” upon the juvenile. The alleged victim in each felony count was identified by the same initials.

    Court documents say he made attempts to locate the juvenile in the hospital and tried to use his state legislator title to get access to information about the victim’s whereabouts.

    After Brockman’s arrest was announced on Wednesday, several other state legislators, including North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton who was speaking on behalf of the state’s Democratic Party, called for his resignation.


     

    State Republicans leaders also have called for Brockman to immediately step down.

    “If true, there is no place in public service now or in the future for someone accused of these heinous crimes,” the N.C. GOP stated in a tweet. 

    The leader of the state House, Republican Rep. Destin Hall, urged Brockman to resign so the charges would not be a distraction for his chamber. 


     

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    Justin Pryor, Caroline King, Associated Press

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  • Tips for making Halloween safer for trick-or-treaters, drivers

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    OHIO — Halloween can bring an immense amount of joy to communities, but it can also be dangerous if safety isn’t kept in mind. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Halloween can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for child pedestrians, AAA states

    • The risk of pedestrian fatalities is 43% higher on Halloween compared to other nights the rest of the year

    • AAA has tips to ensure a fun, sweet treat-filled holiday

    Halloween can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for child pedestrians, AAA states. The American Red Cross also states the risk of pedestrian fatalities is 43% higher on Halloween compared to other nights the rest of the year, as found by research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

    “Trick-or-treaters running from house to house with friends may not be cautious on Halloween,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “As drivers, we must be vigilant and prepared for children who might suddenly run into the street.”

    To keep children, adults and motorists safe this Halloween, AAA has tips to ensure a fun, sweet treat-filled holiday. 

    For parents and guardians: 

    • Pin a piece of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside your child’s pocket in case you get separated
    • Make sure to talk over the trick-or-treat route with children and tell them to only travel on the established route
    • Ensure your child knows to only stop at well-lit houses, and to never enter a home or garage
    • Instruct children to not eat the candy until they are home
    • For costumes, ensure they are flame-retardant and visible

    For trick-or-treaters:

    • Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries
    • Place the flashlight face down in the treat bucket and never point it at drivers
    • Always stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets
    • Stay with a group of people and don’t wander off on your own
    • Tell your parents/guardians where you are going and make sure to get home by a pre-established time

    For drivers:

    • Slow down in neighborhoods and obey traffic laws
    • Drive at least 5 mph below the speed limit 
    • Scan the road for children

    Additionally, the Westlake Police Department gave these tips for costume safety: 

    • Avoid toy weapons, and if wanted, make sure they are flexible and not hard enough to cause injury
    • Don’t wear hats or wigs that cover eyes
    • Avoid long, baggy or loose costumes that could cause tripping
    • Make sure children can see through masks or use makeup instead
    • Avoid frightening pets, as children are in costumes and could scare them
    • Wear comfortable shoes

     

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Swannanoa to see new EMS station

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    Buncombe County’s Board of Commissioners accepted a construction bid for a new Emergency Medical Services station in Swannanoa. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Buncombe County is building a new EMS station in Swannanoa

    •  It is set to open in early 2027 

    •  The total project cost is estimated at more than $9.99 million 

    • The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.


    The county says once open in early 2027, it will reduce emergency service response times, potentially saving more lives.

    Carolina Specialties Construction will build the EMS East facility in front of the Owen Pool at 750 Old U.S. 70 Highway, 15 minutes from Asheville. The construction contract allows for about 14 months and expects it to be finished by December of next year. It will be the first standalone EMS station ever built by the county.

    EMS East will be 12,214 square feet and hold six emergency vehicles. It will also have bedrooms, a kitchen and a dining area for staff, which will include two paramedics and one EMS supervisor. The center will be staffed and operational 24/7.

    The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $9.99 million, according to the county.

    There will be two information sessions where people can meet with EMS to learn more about the facility:

    • Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. – Q&A session with EMS at the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance meeting at United Methodist Church, 216 Whitson Ave.
    • Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m. – Meet EMS leadership at the Community Engagement Market at Asheville Christian Academy, 74 Riverwood Road

    The groundbreaking ceremony for EMS East is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.

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    Caroline King

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