WOKV Care-A-Thon 2018 Recap

A UPS driver made an Oklahoma woman’s Memorial Day weekend when he delivered a package to her home in Mayes County. Video from Chelsie Ashley’s front door in Adair shows the driver deliver her a package and notice her American flag, displayed on the front of her home, had rolled up in the wind. The driver stopped on his way off her porch to unravel it, leaving it flowing right through the breeze again. Ashley said she was getting ready for the day and checked the app on her phone to see who was at her door as he was leaving. “He didn’t know anyone was watching him, but he just did it just to do it,' Ashley told KOKI-TV. “I thought it was so cool what he was doing when no one was looking.' Ashley told KOKI it was important to have something uplifting and positive right now, and shared the video on her Facebook page.

The annual Memorial Day observance at the Jacksonville National Cemetery gives families the chance to pay tribute to their fallen heroes. The ceremony looked a lot different this year because of COVID-19.  Valerie Burks was among hundreds who came to the cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  “This is a special day for us just to thank them,” said Burks.  The day holds a special meaning for her family. Her son Samuel L. Banks who served in the U.S. Army died in 2006.  “It’s been over six years; my son was 29 when he died of leukemia and he had done two tours in Iraq,” Burks added.  For many who served this holiday is personal.  “Sometimes the masks are getting wet because of tears so a lot of emotions being showed,” said U.S. Army veteran Roosevelt Knight Jr.  “This is something that we all should get out and support and continue to support,” explained Navy veteran Ace Wright.  Burks says military service is what her son wanted to do  “He was a very dedicated father and loved the military,” Burks said.  Now in the years after his death, she still carries his picture in her phone.  “He was tall and a very big guy. He loved momma’s cooking,” said Burks.  The flyover that was supposed to happen Monday afternoon got canceled because of the weather.

An appointment to get stimulus money from the City of Jacksonville, but no one to help. That’s what several people ran into Monday when they were scheduled to pick up their money, but did not know they had to reschedule because of the Memorial Day holiday.  To get the stimulus money, there is a process people have to go through. The preloaded card can be picked up by appointment only.  People like Cher Jamison are frustrated they were allowed to make an appointment on a holiday when everything is closed.  “I’m in line with about eight other people, nobody is here. Call the library, but nobody is answering because it’s a holiday,” Jamison said while standing in the rain.  Bernando Santana, who waited Monday morning, discovered an email from Sunday to reschedule when it was too late.  “An email the day before, and on a Sunday. I don’t check my emails on the weekend,” Santana said.  Santana and Jamison made their appointments weeks ago. They were given a confirmation to show up at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day.  They were instructed to go to the Ed Ball Building, but there was a sign on that door instructing people to go to the library.  Action News Jax reached out to the city to ask why these appointments were made in the first place and to ask if any emails were sent before the 24th.  “The city expects you to do your part, but they didn’t really go out of their way as far as I’m concerned,” Jamison said.

Two people were killed early Monday after a car crashed into a Houston motel and caught fire, authorities said. The vehicle slammed into the Super 8 Motel in northern Harris County near the North Freeway around 1:45 a.m., KTRK reported. The crash left a large hole and extensive damage in the front office of the motel, police said. “The guy went off the road and crashed right into the hotel,” Chris Young, who witnessed the crash, told KRPC. Harris County Precinct 4 investigators said it appeared the car flipped onto its side before hitting the building, according to KHOU. It was not clear if both victims were in the car or staying at the motel, the television station reported. However, some witnesses told KRPC the victims were in the sedan. The motel manager also said the people in the car had been killed, KTRK reported. The motel manager told KTRK that no employees were injured, although a clerk was standing behind the counter when the crash occurred. The manager said the motel’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading, the television station reported. “Once they actually got (the fire) put out, we could see the back portion of the vehicle that was actually in the lobby,” Young told KPRC.

An Iowa woman is accused of trying to stab a cat with a kitchen knife and then trying to drown it, authorities said. Rosemary Kay Buelow, 21, of Des Moines, was charged with animal torture in connection with the Sunday morning incident, the Des Moines Register reported. Police officers responded to a call at 2 a.m. Sunday, the newspaper reported. Buelow told police her “aggressive” cat had bitten her while she was showering and she stabbed the animal in self-defense. Des Moines Police Department Sgt. Paul Parizek told the Register. “Officers discovered serious inconsistencies and, upon further investigation, learned that Buelow had stabbed the cat, and then attempted to drown it because she didn’t want to care for it anymore and she did not believe that any shelter would take the cat,” Parizek told the newspaper. According to a criminal complaint, Buelow allegedly stabbed the cat three times in the back before attempting to drown the animal in a bathtub. The condition of the cat was unknown. Buelow was being held at the Polk County Jail on a $2,000 bond, the Register reported.

Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh tracks rain.

Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh with the First Alert 7-Day Forecast where the weekend is always in view.

Meteorologist Corey Simma has the latest forecast

Local veteran cleans military tombstones

Veterans honor fallen comrades