Midwest
Missing mom found alive in forest as officials investigate ‘suspicious’ house fire
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An Indiana mother who vanished more than a week ago has been found alive in a nearby forest, just days after flames broke out in her home in what authorities are calling a “suspicious” fire.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, dispatchers received a 911 call from 46-year-old Britney Gard, who said she was lost in the Hall Woods Nature Preserve, east of Bainbridge, Indiana. The location was about 2½ miles from her residence, officials said.
“Britney was quickly found by Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies with the assistance of Indiana Conservation Officers, an Indiana State Police detective, Bainbridge Fire Department personnel and excellent directions from our 911 dispatchers,” Sheriff Jerrod E. Baugh said in a statement.
Gard was evaluated by medical personnel before being taken to a hospital for further treatment. Authorities have not disclosed her current condition.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS FIND MISSING HIKER WANDERING WILDERNESS IN UNDERWEAR
Search crews found a missing mother alive in Hall Woods Nature Preserve days after a fire at her home. (Putnamparks.org; Find Britney Gard/Facebook)
“The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is not currently looking for any individuals of interest in this missing person investigation of Britney Gard,” the statement continued. “There is no current threat to the general public in this case.”
Baugh expressed gratitude for the coordinated search effort.
“It is with great relief that we were able to find Ms. Gard last evening and bring this missing person case to a close,” Baugh said. “We would like to thank her family and all of the organizations that worked with us around the clock.”
YOUTUBE SURVIVAL SHOW CONTESTANT RESCUED IN DENSELY WOODED MICHIGAN AREA
Authorities say Britney Gard was located in the wooded preserve more than a week after a “suspicious” house fire. (Find Britney Gard/Facebook)
Baugh added that detectives and staff “continued to work tirelessly with Ms. Gard’s family to bring her home” and emphasized that the case remains under investigation.
“We will not be releasing any further details in this case at this time,” he said.
Gard was reported missing after a fire broke out at her Putnam County home Oct. 1. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, which was contained to one portion of the residence, but could not locate Gard inside, according to the sheriff’s office.
CALIFORNIA WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN NATIONAL FOREST, HUSBAND SEEN DRAGGING SOMETHING IN LARGE TARP
Authorities are investigating a “suspicious” fire after rescuers found the missing mother alive nearby. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Indiana)
Investigators said the fire appeared “suspicious in nature.” Family members and authorities were unable to reach Gard after the fire, prompting days of searches through fields, wooded areas and ponds near her home.
Gard’s daughter, who had been at a volleyball game that evening, returned home to find emergency crews and was told her mother was missing, according to WRTV.
The outlet also reported that Gard’s purse and ID were left behind.
Family members — including Gard’s four sisters — traveled from across the country to help with search efforts during the week she was missing, WRTV reported.
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Authorities have not released further details about how Gard ended up in the wooded preserve or the cause of the fire.
“Please continue to keep Ms. Gard’s family, our investigators and emergency personnel in your prayers,” Baugh said.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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Detroit, MI
Wenceel Pérez returns home, but when will he return to Detroit Tigers?
Tarik Skubal injury: Detroit Tigers ace discusses left elbow surgery
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal talks to reporters May 4, 2026, at Comerica Park about needing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow.
Wenceel Pérez is home.
But when will he return to the Detroit Tigers?
The 26-year-old outfielder returned to Detroit on Friday, June 19, after spending a couple extra days in Houston awaiting clearance to fly. He suffered an orbital fracture June 16 when a plyometric band struck him below his left eye during his postgame workout routine.
Don’t expect to see him in MLB games anytime soon.
“It’s not injured, from what I understand, where it’s going to be something long term,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park, “but it doesn’t mean it heals itself fast. He’s feeling better and better and reporting progress.”
The fracture doesn’t require surgery.
“We’ve got to pay attention to the bone healing,” Hinch said. “The eye part of it is, the swelling is the main issue. There were a couple of days there where your eye swells shut and the vision is not there.”
Pérez hasn’t played for the Tigers since June 16.
Before the injury, he hit .180 with seven home runs, 14 walks and 29 strikeouts in 53 games.
Parker Meadows injury update
Center fielder Parker Meadows hasn’t played for the Tigers since April 9.
The 26-year-old has been on the injured list with a left radius fracture, a concussion and a right mouth laceration, with the left radius fracture requiring surgery. There isn’t a timetable for his return to the Tigers.
“The bone shattered, so it’s not as simple as healing a simple break,” Hinch said. “I say shattered as a non-doctor, so I’m not sure if that’s the actual term, but I know it’s been a work in progress to continue his ability to do everything with that hand and arm and wrist. It’s been slow, and there’s not much we can do.”
Before the injury, he hit .250 with two walks and 10 strikeouts in 12 games while serving as the everyday center fielder.
“He’s not hitting and doing all those things that would lead you to start to wonder when he’s coming back, but it’s progressing,” Hinch said. “The nature of the injury, as we are learning, has been the slowest a bone heals. It’s by no setback or no issue.”
‘Slow ramp’ for Gleyber Torres
Second baseman Gleyber Torres, who has one of the best on-base percentages in baseball, remains sidelined with a left oblique strain. The 29-year-old received a cortisone shot Friday, but he still hasn’t resumed baseball activities.
It’s his second left oblique strain over the past two months.
Last time, Torres missed one month while recovering on the injured list.
It could be an even longer process this time.
“He’s doing his normal rehab therapy,” Hinch said. “It’ll be a slow ramp for him.”
Before the latest injury, he hit .280 with four home runs, 29 walks and 33 strikeouts in 43 games while serving as the everyday second baseman.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Milwaukee, WI
Racine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture
RACINE — Members of Racine’s Greek community are processing the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks — and the timing hits especially hard, just days before Greek Fest at Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church.
Tents are going up in the parking lot, rides are being assembled, and the kitchen is already busy with preparations for the annual celebration of Greek culture in Racine. But amid the excitement, the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks is on the minds of some church members.
Joyce Muffoletto, secretary at Kimissis tid Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, said the news took some of the joy out of her Tuesday.
Watch: Racine’s Greek community discusses what Giannis meant to them:
Racine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture
“Yeah, that puts a damper on everything,” Muffoletto said.
Giannis, who was born and raised in Athens, Greece, earned the nickname “the Greek Freak” during his time with the Bucks. For Muffoletto, his Greek heritage made her a fan.
“Oh, of course,” she said with a laugh.
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“I’m a pretty reserved, quiet person, but my husband had to go to a different level in the house because I’d be screaming at the TV when he was playing, you know, I’d be like, ‘Giannis! Giannis!’” Muffoletto said.
While Muffoletto made it to multiple Greek night games with the Bucks, she said what she will miss most goes beyond Giannis’s performance on the court.
“It’ll be hard to replace him. And more than him the player, kind of, him the person,” said Muffoletto, referring to the impact Giannis had on the Milwaukee community.
Church member Mary Luccas said she is not a big basketball fan, but she holds Giannis in high regard for the values he represents.
“We will be sad to lose that, but he set a really good foundation going forward,” Luccas said. “And he will be doing the same thing wherever he goes, because it’s just the quality of person that he is.”
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Luccas said Giannis and his family have embodied Greek values throughout his time in Wisconsin.
“Family centered. Philoxenia. The friendship, the love. The doors are open. They welcome everybody,” Luccas said.
“He embraces the Greek culture, like we embrace the Greek culture. And he celebrates Greece and his Greek culture,” Luccas said. “So wherever he is, it will be a celebration of his Greek heritage.”
And while the loyalty to the Bucks remains, Muffoletto acknowledged the bittersweet reality.
“I’ll be loyal, but it’s a bit of a loss,” Muffoletto said.
Racine’s Greek Fest runs Friday through Sunday at 1335 S. Green Bay Road.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Minneapolis, MN
Mayor Frey outlines timeline for selecting next Minneapolis police chief
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has released his timeline for selecting the city’s next police chief following the sudden resignation of former chief Brian O’Hara last month.
Timeline announced
What we know:
Mayor Frey announced a 16-week timeline on Tuesday for a national search for the next chief that will take place in six phases.
The mayor says the search will begin immediately and will start by gathering feedback from community stakeholders.
Phase 1
- Gather feedback from police department employees and hold council focus group.
- Develop police chief position profile and recruit materials.
- Community engagement
- Finalize recruitment strategy
Phase 2
- Launch recruitment campaign
- Post listings
- Accept and review applications
Phase 3: Screening interviews
- Conduct candidate evaluations
- Complete initial screening interviews
- Prepare search report and presentation of candidates
Phase 4: First-round interviews
- First-round interviews held
- The interview panel may include: Officer of Community Safety leaders, Minneapolis Police Department leadership, and police labor leadership.
Phase 5: Second-round interviews
- Second-round interviews held
- The interview panel may include: Officer of Community Safety leadership and city council members.
Phase 6: Final interviews and selection
- Final interviews with Mayor Frey, Office of Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, and other city leaders held.
- Finalist selected
Nomination process
What’s next:
The mayor anticipates submitting his nominee to the council sometime in October or November. From there, the council will review the nominee and vote on the selection.
What they’re saying:
“Selecting a police chief is one of the most important decisions a mayor can make,” said Frey. “We’ve made significant progress to make Minneapolis safer over the last several years, but we still have work to do. This position demands someone who can lead a complex department, support officers, build trust with residents, and continue delivering results – both fighting crime and making reforms. Filling this role is a priority, so we’re going to conduct a thorough search and get this right.”
The backstory:
Former Chief O’Hara resigned last month after an investigation into allegations of him carrying on relationships with department employees. While the investigation never substantiated any of the allegations against O’Hara, investigations found O’Hara deleted a contact of one of the employees from his work phone. Investigators also say O’Hara violated requested confidentiality during the investigation process.
Bill Peterson was named interim police chief earlier this month. Peterson told media members that he isn’t interested in seeking the full-time gig.
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