Author: Colton Hayes

I’m Colton Hayes, a reporter who follows the stories happening in everyday American communities. From crime and weather updates to unusual events, I write with one goal: keeping readers informed and connected.

Weather News

Maryland Sees Rare Thundersnow in Baltimore as Heavy Snow, Fog, and Lightning Hit BWI Area Early Morning
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — A rare and intense winter weather event unfolded early Sunday morning as thundersnow was officially confirmed in Baltimore, with observations recorded near Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) around 4:25 a.m. The event combined thunder, lightning, heavy snowfall, and dense fog, creating dangerous travel and visibility conditions across parts of central Maryland….

Read More Maryland Sees Rare Thundersnow in Baltimore as Heavy Snow, Fog, and Lightning Hit BWI Area Early Morning
Weather News

Maryland and Virginia Schools Announce Widespread Two-Hour Delays as Refreezing Threat Looms Overnight
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

DMV REGION — School districts across Maryland and Virginia have announced widespread two-hour delays as of 8:40 p.m., citing the risk of overnight refreezing and dangerously cold temperatures expected across the region. The delays are intended to give road crews and families additional time to navigate potentially icy morning conditions. Most Maryland and Virginia Districts…

Read More Maryland and Virginia Schools Announce Widespread Two-Hour Delays as Refreezing Threat Looms Overnight
Weather News

Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia Face Dangerous Cold Tonight as Wind Chills Drop Below Zero and Roads Turn Icy
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

MID-ATLANTIC — Some of the coldest air of the season is settling across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia tonight, bringing bitter wind chills, single-digit “feels-like” temperatures, and hazardous icy road conditions, according to weather alerts shared by local forecasters. Residents across the region are being urged to limit time outdoors and use extreme…

Read More Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia Face Dangerous Cold Tonight as Wind Chills Drop Below Zero and Roads Turn Icy
Crime News

Colorado Jury Convicts Man Who Strangled Girlfriend to Death on Amtrak Train as She Tried to Escape Abusive Relationship
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

DENVER, COLORADO — A Colorado jury has convicted a man who prosecutors say strangled his girlfriend to death aboard an Amtrak train while their children slept nearby, ending a years-long effort to evade justice after the killing went unsolved for nearly seven years. Murder Aboard Cross-Country Train Angelo Valentino Mantych, 43, was found guilty Friday…

Read More Colorado Jury Convicts Man Who Strangled Girlfriend to Death on Amtrak Train as She Tried to Escape Abusive Relationship
Crime News

North Carolina Man With HIV Sentenced After Admitting He Sprayed His Blood Into Hospital Workers’ Eyes Using IV as Weapon
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — A North Carolina man has been sentenced after admitting he ripped an IV from his arm and intentionally sprayed his blood into the eyes of hospital workers while being treated at a Raleigh medical facility, according to court records. Defendant Pleads Guilty to Assault With a Deadly Weapon Kameron Gilchrist, who…

Read More North Carolina Man With HIV Sentenced After Admitting He Sprayed His Blood Into Hospital Workers’ Eyes Using IV as Weapon
Crime News

Georgia Man Charged After Stabbing and Beating Pregnant Girlfriend to Death, Leaving Her Body Covered in Blankets
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

ROME, GEORGIA — A Georgia man is facing multiple murder charges after police say he stabbed and beat his pregnant girlfriend to death with a baseball bat, covered her body with blankets outside an apartment complex, and then fled the area with another woman he had met online. Body Found Near Apartment Complex Officers with…

Read More Georgia Man Charged After Stabbing and Beating Pregnant Girlfriend to Death, Leaving Her Body Covered in Blankets
Crime News

Ohio Mother Sentenced to Up to 23½ Years After Allowing Abuse That Severed Her 6-Year-Old Daughter’s Liver and Led to Her Death
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

COLUMBUS, OHIO — An Ohio mother who stood by while her boyfriend repeatedly beat and strangled her 6-year-old daughter, allowing abuse so severe it severed the child’s liver, has been sentenced to up to 23½ years in prison, court records show. Mother Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Charges Ashley Fagan, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to…

Read More Ohio Mother Sentenced to Up to 23½ Years After Allowing Abuse That Severed Her 6-Year-Old Daughter’s Liver and Led to Her Death
Crime News

Georgia Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole After Beating, Strangling Girlfriend and Hiding Her Body in a Suitcase
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

THOMASTON, GEORGIA — A Georgia man will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole after prosecutors proved he brutally beat and strangled his girlfriend to death, then wrapped her body in a comforter, stuffed her into a suitcase, and casually went about his day, including buying lottery tickets and…

Read More Georgia Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole After Beating, Strangling Girlfriend and Hiding Her Body in a Suitcase
Crime News

Kentucky Mother Sentenced to Nine Years After Infant Son Drowned in Motel 6 Bathtub During Drug-Fueled New Year’s Night
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — A Kentucky woman has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after authorities say she fell asleep in a bathtub with her 3-month-old son while under the influence of drugs, causing the infant to drown inside a Motel 6 on New Year’s Day. Mother Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter Amber Winstead, 36,…

Read More Kentucky Mother Sentenced to Nine Years After Infant Son Drowned in Motel 6 Bathtub During Drug-Fueled New Year’s Night
Crime News

Florida Man Sentenced to Life for Luring Robbery Victim to Fake Sex Meetup Before Killing Him and Dumping His Body
ByColton Hayes December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Florida man will spend the rest of his life in prison after prosecutors proved he lured a robbery victim to a secluded location under the guise of a sexual rendezvous, then shot him dead and left his body discarded along a rural roadway, authorities announced. Jury Convicts Defendant on Murder…

Read More Florida Man Sentenced to Life for Luring Robbery Victim to Fake Sex Meetup Before Killing Him and Dumping His Body