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The Zika outbreak is officially an international health emergency

Feb 02, 2016 01:59 AM EDT

The explosive spread of the Zika virus, and the fear that it might be causing birth defects, is now the World Health Organization's fourth-ever international public health emergency.

>> Read more trending stories

The decision comes after outbreaks in South America were linked to a rise in microcephaly, a condition that can mean babies' brains don't develop normally. The fear is that the virus is causing the condition, most likely when infected mosquitoes bite pregnant women, but that's still not conclusive.

The WHO isn't waiting around for a final verdict. It's been criticized for taking too long to declare 2014's Ebola outbreak an international public health emergency. Director-General Margaret Chan has said she doesn't want people to say it failed to take action this time.

Declaring something an emergency can be a big deal: The organization's decision can kick-start new research into fighting diseases and lead to travel and trade restrictions.

At this point, the WHO says the Zika virus doesn't merit those kinds of restrictions. For now, most of its efforts will go into mosquito control.


How Team Rubio turned a loss into a win

Feb 02, 2016 01:45 AM EDT

Marco Rubio did not win the Iowa caucuses. He didn't even do much better than expected. But due to a master class in political spin by his campaign, you wouldn't know it.

"So this is the moment they said would never happen," Rubio said at a rally.

>> Read more trending stories

"I'm hearing that Rubio is having a strong night based on the crowds and based on things happening in the room," MSNBC reported.

"Marco Rubio an impressive third so far with 18 percent," CNN reported.

"We heard quite a bit about the Rubio 3-2-1 strategy: third in Iowa, second in New Hampshire," Brian Williams said on MSNBC.

The expectations game is important in politics, and Team Rubio played it perfectly Monday by setting the bar low, hitting that low bar, then basically using cable news as their mouthpiece.

"Top Rubio aide tells Fox News they are expecting a very good night."

There aren't any tangible benefits to Rubio's finish in Iowa, but he could see good word of mouth heading into New Hampshire and in South Carolina, where Sen. Tim Scott's new endorsement could also come in handy.


Martin O'Malley drops out of presidential race

Feb 02, 2016 01:35 AM EDT

Former Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley announced he's dropping out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

It was just the day before that -- the Sunday before the Iowa caucuses -- that he posted a plea to voters to YouTube.

>> Read more trending stories

"Iowa I challenge you to do what you've always done best," he said in the video. "I need your help. I want your vote."

O'Malley failed to gain traction in the polls in a field that was dominated by Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

He had trouble with fundraising, too. The Washington Post reported earlier Monday that the campaign took out a loan late in 2015 to keep the campaign afloat. O'Malley ended the fourth quarter with less than $200,000 cash on hand.


Mike Huckabee drops out of presidential race

Feb 02, 2016 01:19 AM EDT

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has dropped out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/694361208607133696

Huckabee's campaign never really gained much traction, and in November he slipped from the main debate stage to the so-called undercard debates.

This was Huckabee's second run for president; his first was in 2008.


Ted Cruz Is the Republican winner at the Iowa caucuses

Feb 01, 2016 11:47 PM EDT

Ted Cruz has been declared the Republican winner at the Iowa caucuses.

The Texas Senator garnered about 28 percent of the vote and narrowly beat the front runner in the polls, Donald Trump, who had 24 percent of the vote. Marco Rubio came close as well with 23 percent. (Video via Ted Cruz)

Cruz was boosted by winning the coveted evangelical vote, securing 33 percent of voters who identified themselves as evangelical, according to The Washington Post.

This video contains images from Getty Images.


Iowa gives first hint at how reliable Trump polling is

Feb 01, 2016 11:34 PM EDT

Donald Trump just came in second in Iowa.

Clearly, that’s interesting because it wasn’t in line with the months of predictions on how he would do.

RealClearPolitics’ average of Iowa polls since August showed Trump in the lead, besides brief leads from Ben Carson and Ted Cruz.

And leading up to the caucuses, trusted pollsters had Trump ahead in Iowa with 28 percent, with Cruz in 2nd with 23 percent.

All along, pundits said the polls might not be showing reality, his campaign might not have the actual organization to turn out caucus-goers, voters might change their minds when it came down to it.

Now, with results from the first state in the nation, we have the beginnings of an answer to whether or not that’s true.

At least in Iowa, those polls were wrong. For the first time in the 2016 race, conventional wisdom may have actually held true.

This video includes Getty Images.


Residents say sign outside St. Cloud business is too bright

Feb 01, 2016 10:54 PM EDT

A St. Cloud business said it has toned it down after residents complained the company’s sign was too bright and shone into their homes.

Code Enforcement authorities said they had no issue with the sign for HOMS Realty Group, which stands in a commercial zone.

The general manager, Richard Torres, said he has set the sign’s resolution to be dinner at night.

“We are here to do business. We start this company here. We have agents that they actually live in St. Cloud,” said Torres. “Absolutely it is important for us to have happy neighbors.”

Torres offered to purchase blackout curtains for a resident who complained on social media.


This couple got married as soon as they met

Feb 01, 2016 10:50 PM EDT

A couple that dated for a year on Instagram met for the first time Friday.

And got married during that same meeting, according to KCAL.

Erica Harris waited anxiously to meet Arte Vann at Ontario International Airport in California.

“You don’t drag your feet with real love," Harris said. "You leap into that like there’s no tomorrow, and that’s what we’re doing."

>> Read more trending stories

Vann is from New York and Harris lives in Murrieta, California.

He was so committed that he bought a one-way plane ticket and proposed to Harris after the two met in person, and Harris immediately said yes.

"Don’t listen to your thoughts," Vann said as a word of advice. "Don’t listen to your head. Follow your heart. Follow your soul."

Harris says to believe in fairy tales. "It can happen to you too."

Video of the couple's engagement can be seen below.


University requires freshmen to wear Fitbit fitness trackers

Feb 01, 2016 10:09 PM EDT

Oral Roberts University now requires all incoming freshmen to wear a Fitbit to monitor their physical activity.

Physical education has been a big part of the university’s curriculum for a long time

“It’s helped a lot of people even though they don’t like it sometimes when they have to work out,” said Christian Monsolve.

The university used to have students manually enter their “aerobic points” but now every step, heartbeat per minute and calorie burned is recorded straight into ORU’s system.

“I’ve gotten mixed reviews. I’ve had some people say it looks like an anklet and others say that they are tracking you,” Monsolve said.

Freshmen are required to take 10,000 steps per day and meet a heart-beats-per-minute standard throughout the week.

This year’s class is the first to use the devices. Professors have access to the information.


Kindergartner dies while playing on school playground

Feb 01, 2016 10:01 PM EDT

A Newton County, Georgia, school is mourning the death of a kindergarten student who died while playing on the school playground Monday.

The school system says the Newton County Theme School student had a medical emergency.

Newton County emergency personnel were called immediately and the student was taken to the hospital, but she died a short time later.

“Faculty and staff at the school are grieving right now and we know that some students may also have difficulty coping with this terrible tragedy,” the district said. “As a result, Newton County School System will have counselors in place at the school tomorrow and for as long as needed to provide support to anyone emotionally affected and in need of assistance.”

The student’s name is not being released out of respect for the family’s privacy.


Money to promote Poinciana Parkway goes to wife of county employee

Feb 01, 2016 09:59 PM EDT

Osceola County commissioners are spending nearly $18,000 to help promote the opening of the Poinciana Parkway this spring, but 9 Investigates found out there could be a conflict of interest in the deal.

Residents have been waiting more than 20 years for the 10-mile Poinciana Parkway to be built. The road connects US 17/92 to Cypress Parkway.

Channel 9 learned a county employee and his family may be benefitting from a costly promotion that’s supposed let people know about the road’s opening.

Osceola County’s Public Information Office has a staff of four employees, who are trained to write press releases to let the media and the public know when things are happening in the county, like the opening of Poinciana Parkway.

Commissioners pay them a combined $336,000 a year.

Recently, county commissioners approved a contract with B&B Promotions, of St. Cloud, to do what the information officers are already paid to do.

The county paid B&B Promotions, which specializes in media relations and crisis management, $17,500 to promote Poinciana Parkway.

The company will do the advertising and all the public relations work for the project, including handling the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will include a 5K race.

B&B Promotions will also coordinate and provide the materials needed for Commissioner Brandon Arrington to praise the success of the project, which is in his district.

The company is owned by Wendi Jeannin, whose husband, John Jeannin, is the assistant director of Osceola County’s Road and Bridge Department.

John Jeannin is listed as co-manager of B&B Promotions, according to the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations.

County commissioners did not bid out the contract with the company.

B&B Promotions and county commissioners did not return Channel 9’s calls on the matter.

Related Story: Poinciana Parkway to give relief to drivers in Osceola County


Attorney for students in Orange County deputy’s excessive force case speaks out

Feb 01, 2016 09:35 PM EDT

An internal investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Office determined no excessive force was used in the July 2015 arrests of two Valencia College students.

The Sheriff’s Office determined Deidra Reid and Reginald Lane didn’t comply with commands and were resisting arrest, so the tactics used by deputies to handcuff them were within protocol.

Reid said Deputy Richard Nye crossed the line and twisted her shoulder out of place.

“They pushed me into a fence and dropped me on the floor,” Reid said.

The other two deputies in the complaint are Sgt. Brett Parnell and Kristine Helms.

Raw: Cellphone video in Orange County excessive force case

Raw: Orange County sheriff on excessive force complaint

Related Story: Sheriff: Pair who claims excessive force by deputies was bullying child before arrest

Parnell is the courtesy officer at the Retreat Apartments and arrived after Reid’s demands to get inside were ignored. Parnell confronted Reid and Nye, and Helms arrived as backup.

The internal investigation said investigators tried interviewing Reid and Lane in person, but neither showed. Instead, written statements were made.

Reid and Lane never spoke to detectives and never gave them additional video of their arrests, according to investigators.

Channel 9 reporter Ty Russell asked the students’ attorney, Natalie Jackson, why she never came forward on her client’s behalf.

“I had given many statements to them. That’s exactly what I had done, but they want the statement of my client,” said Jackson.

Jackson gave a press conference when the allegations were first made.

She said law enforcement officers are usually found in the clear in these cases, and that Reid is going to file a civil right lawsuit.

Investigators said the interviews with Jackson’s clients would have helped explain the students' side of the story.

Witnesses backed the deputies’ claims that Reid and Lane didn’t comply with orders.
The report said Reid’s injuries were a result of resisting, not because Nye went too far.

The six-month investigation found there was no excessive force used.

Charges against Reid and Lane were dropped



Woman killed after 8-foot diameter tree crushes car

Feb 01, 2016 09:04 PM EDT

A woman was killed Sunday afternoon when a tree fell and crushed her car.

Nicki Carano was a musician and dance instructor in San Diego.

>> Read more trending stories

A wind storm knocked an 8-foot diameter tree down, blocking the entire four-lane street.

KFMB reported that the tree crushed four cars, including Carano's small Honda.

The three other cars were unoccupied.

http://twitter.com/BrandonCBS8/status/693963528399560704


Why did Donald Trump lose in Iowa?

Feb 01, 2016 08:23 PM EDT

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz notched a win in Iowa Monday when he outlasted business mogul turned presidential candidate Donald Trump in the state’s caucuses.

After months of dominating media cycles, Trump came in second to Cruz -- and was nearly bested by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio -- in a contest that saw the first votes cast in the 2016 presidential election season.

Cruz, came from behind early, then never looked back as he beat Trump 28 to 24 percent. A surprising showing, and perhaps the key to Trump’s loss, was Rubio, who ended up only one point below Trump with 23 percent of the vote.

As the day began, pundits and pollsters alike questioned whether Trump could turn the large crowds that showed up at his rallies into votes on Monday night. That question was answered early on when Trump’s numbers hit 25 percent of the vote and didn't budge, proving at least in Iowa, he could not turn media attention into an electoral win.

Iowa voters said “shared values” was one of the most important qualities they wanted in a candidate, and Trump brought up the rear among Republican candidates in that category. Thirty-six percent of Iowa voters polled said they felt Cruz was the candidate whose values they most identified with. Only 6 percent of the voters saw Trump as someone they could relate to.

Not surprisingly, Trump gained much of his support from those to whom immigration was the most important campaign issue. Throughout the race, Trump has hammered the issue, first insulting Mexican immigrants when he announced his intentions of running for president, then saying he would build a wall to keep people from crossing the country’s southern border. His most controversial statement on the issue came when he suggested potential Muslim immigrants should be barred from entering the country.

A record number of voters poured into local caucus sites despite a looming winter storm. Long lines began forming up to an hour ahead of caucus time, and many took that as a good sign for Trump’s campaign. But, that was not to be the case.

When it came time to choose their candidate, exit polls indicated that while voters supported Trump at rallies, it was Rubio they saw as being more electable and threw their support behind the Florida senator.

A poll released hours prior to the caucus showed Trump in the lead with voters who were new to the process. The Quinnipiac University poll had Trump leading by seven points over Cruz. However, 28 percent of the people in the Quinnipiac poll who named a candidate they would support also said they might change their mind by Monday night.

Trump’s loss came as polling showed his support was deep, but narrow. He had little wiggle room Monday as polls showed that he was almost no one’s second choice when it came to the candidate voters would caucus for.

Early Monday, Trump told ABC’s “Good Morning America,” "You have to be a little bit nervous. This is actually my first election night. I've gone through many election nights but it was always for somebody else. This is a little bit different for me."

On Monday night, Trump told his supporters he did better than most thought he would do and pledged to head to New Hampshire to continue the fight there.


Huge turnout for Iowa caucuses

Feb 01, 2016 08:09 PM EDT

The Iowa caucuses began Monday night after heavy campaigning by presidential candidates and the turnout is much higher than expected.

Lines were out the door at many sites.

>> Read more trending stories

High turnouts were reported for Democratic and Republican caucuses.


Until you can go to the moon, these photos are the next best thing

Feb 01, 2016 07:02 PM EDT

Hundreds of photos of the moon have been released by China's National Space Administration.

The photos were taken during China's unmanned Chang'e 3 exploration mission, launched in 2013.

>> Read more trending stories

They show the country's Chang'e 3 lander, the lunar rover Yutu, high-resolution shots of the moon's surface and a few new photos of planet Earth.

You can view and download all the photos on the Science and Application Center For Moon and Deepspace Exploration website.

This video includes images from the China National Space Administration and NASA.


Two arrested after illegal driver's licenses distributed

Feb 01, 2016 05:42 PM EDT

Two Palm Bay Tag Office workers are accused of giving valid driver’s licenses to people who hadn’t earned them.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said it looked into this when the Hillsborough County Tax Collector Office tipped them off.

Investigators said 11 people from Hillsborough County received licenses with discrepancies.

Investigators arrested Misty Ziminsky, a tag office worker, and Ahmad Alhayajneh, an interpreter, on Friday.

Each person who received a fraudulent license was found to have used the Ziminsky and Alhayajneh, according to investigators.

Investigators said Alhayajneh gave answers to applicants on test and licenses were handed out without applicants taking the required physical driving test.

Investigators found nearly two dozen cases.

The Tax Collector’s Office said Ziminsky was fired. Alhayajneh has bonded out of jail.


Drunken drivers could face tougher fines

Feb 01, 2016 05:32 PM EDT

Suspected drunken drivers could face tougher fines.

Ryan Mauldin said he lost a friend a few years ago who was driving intoxicated behind the wheel.

"I guess he was a 'live on the edge' kind of person. I'm not really that kind of person anymore, but I miss him," said Mauldin.

Lawmakers are considering requiring ignition interlocks, which stop drunken drivers from starting a vehicle, for a first time offense for at least six months. A second conviction would require the device for at least a year.

"Six months of sitting in a cell, you're not going to get that six months of your life back," he said.

The Orlando Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving said in an email that expanding the ignition interlock system protects the public and that more needs to be done to hold drunken drivers accountable.


Former NYPD officer forced to wait outside St. Cloud hospital for treatment

Feb 01, 2016 04:58 PM EDT

A former New York Police Department sergeant, who thought he might have tuberculosis, was forced to stay outside while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Patrick Smith said he started having trouble with his lungs six months after the 9/11 attacks. He has something similar to black lung from the debris and dust from the Twin Towers.

Doctors wanted him to take a blood test and some miscommunication told him he might have tuberculosis and would need to get tested.

After Smith went to two blood centers, that were closed, he went to St. Cloud Regional Medical Center.

Smith said a nurse walked him outside and he thought it was until they got a room ready for him.

“I’m thinking you are keeping me outside until you get a room ready, because hospitals are ready for this,” Smith said.

Smith waited outside with his mask and a nurse and doctor came outside to check on him before he was asked for his blood to be drawn outside.

“I’m standing up against the soda machine with a mask on going, “Why am I out here?” Smith said.

He decided to leave the hospital unaware of if he had tuberculosis or if he was infecting his family. The doctor would call two days later to say he didn’t have tuberculosis.

Smith called the state, the Centers for Disease Control and the risk managers at the hospital to file a complaint.


Email scam robs the city of Titusville in thousands of taxpayer dollars

Feb 01, 2016 04:39 PM EDT

The city of Titusville was hit by scammers through email and is out thousands of dollars in public money.

Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, Titusville leaders couldn’t get into specifics about immediate action taken to prevent additional thefts. They did say there is a heightened awareness, and all procedures are being reviewed by the bank and criminal investigators.

The city is still adding up its losses but believes that thousands were stolen in what it’s calling a sophisticated wire fraud scheme carried out by email.

City leaders said they believe several attempts were made.

“I hope they catch the people, and then they better reprogram the people inside, figure out what's going on,” an unidentified Titusville resident said.

The city said in a statement: "The city is investigating this theft with our bank, state (and) federal authorities, as well as reviewing administrative procedures to prevent future occurrences."

“That's not something you hear about happening to a city ever. I mean, you hear lots and lots of things happening to individuals about getting money from them, but never have I heard from a city,” resident Erica Geimer said.

City officials are still checking records to determine the exact dollar figure of the theft. The city does have liability insurance, which should cover the losses sustained after a deductible is met, minimizing the loss to taxpayers.

“I'd like them to get to the bottom of it and find out what was going on,” an unnamed resident said.

Officials said the deductible is roughly $2,500.


Anaconda found in Melbourne neighborhood captured

Feb 01, 2016 04:23 PM EDT

Investigators are working to figure out how an anaconda got loose in a Melbourne neighborhood.

They said they’re not sure how long the snake was slithering on the streets, but neighbors told Channel 9 the thought of an anaconda in their neighborhood creeps them out.

Brevard County Animal Services captured the snake at about 10:30 a.m. Monday.

They said the 9-foot-long snake was caught on Woodbury Circle, near Croton Road.

“It’s a big snake, so I guess I got to look around and watch where I step, but her, that’s one of the things about living in Florida,” said resident Joshua Milam.

Some residents said the situation has made them feel uneasy.

“Who brought it in and how? How does somebody lose track of a 9-foot anaconda?” said resident John Galt.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has turned the case over to Florida Fish and Wildlife to investigate.

Authorities did not say what will happen to the snake.


Day care director caught on video throwing child, police said

Feb 01, 2016 03:50 PM EDT

A director of the Children's Palace in Clermont, Florida, was arrested Monday after police said they received cellphone video of her abusing a child at the day care.

Investigators said one of Kimberly Reid's co-workers recorded her hitting a 4-year-old with stuffed animals and throwing the boy to the ground.

The child is doing fine.

"Oh, my God. I'd kill her, as a mom, I'm sorry," said Tricha Ramos.

Reid, 41, was arrested on child abuse charges. Reid is accused of abusing the child over the course of three weeks.

Raw: Day care director caught on camera throwing child (via WFTV)

The co-worker who recorded the video turned it in to the Department of Children and Families, which then contacted police.

"It's ridiculous. That's crazy. I'm upset," said Ramos.

"She basically chalked it up to she was doing 'rough play,'" said Officer Erin Razo, of the Clermont Police Department.

DCF said the owner of the facility, who lives in Chicago, sent an email, saying she plans to give up the day care license.

There was a sign placed on the door that read, "Temporarily closed due to ownership change."

"Change of ownership? They should just close it down. It's ridiculous," said Ramos.

Since the owner is relinquishing her license, anyone opening up would have to apply for a new license.

Channel 9 found out that Reid had been in trouble with the law before.

Reid was already on probation for a welfare fraud case out of Orange County. She is being held in lieu of bail for the probation violation.


Police: Clermont day care director caught on camera throwing child

Feb 01, 2016 03:50 PM EDT

A director of the Children's Palace on Highway 50 in Clermont was arrested Monday after police said they received cellphone video of her abusing a child at the day care.

Investigators said one of Kimberly Reid's co-workers recorded her hitting a 4-year-old with stuffed animals and throwing the boy to the ground.

The child is doing fine.

"Oh, my God. I'd kill her, as a mom, I'm sorry, "said Tricha Ramos.

Reid, 41, was arrested on child abuse charges. Reid is accused of abusing the child over the course of three weeks.

Raw: Day care director caught on camera throwing child

The co-worker who recorded the video turned it in to The Department of Children and Families, which then contacted police.

"It's ridiculous. That's crazy. I'm upset," said Ramos.

"She basically chalked it up to she was doing 'rough play,'" said Officer Erin Razo-Clermont Police Department.

DCF said the owner of the facility, who lives in Chicago, sent an email saying she plans to give up the day care license.

There was a sign placed on the door that read, "Temporarily closed due to ownership change."

"Change of ownership? They should just close it down. It's ridiculous," said Ramos.

Since the owner is relinquishing her license, anyone opening up would have to apply for a new license.

Channel 9 found out that Reid had been in trouble with the law before.

Reid was already on probation for a welfare fraud case out of Orange County. She is being held in lieu of bail for the probation violation.


Purse snatcher in Ocala hits witnesses who were helping victim

Feb 01, 2016 03:48 PM EDT

A good Samaritan is being credited for trying to stop a thief who was seen on surveillance video snatching an elderly woman’s purse in a Walmart parking lot.

It happened at the store on South Highway 200 in Ocala on Saturday.

The suspect nearly ran down two people as she tried to speed away, deputies said.

Antonette Florido snatched a 79-year-old woman’s purse and then smashed into numerous bystanders who were trying to stop her in her tracks, according to deputies.

In the video, Florido is seen walking toward the victim, grabbing her purse and running away, deputies said.

Witness Lori Burns was getting out of her car when she heard the commotion and the victim’s screams for help.

“I can see this little lady running and she is hollering, ‘Help’ and she’s hollering, ‘My purse,'” said Burns.

Burns and her daughter’s boyfriend sprang into action and ran after Florido, who was getting into a car.

Burns told deputie that as she tried to get Florido out of the car, but Florido drove off, hitting the man who was helping Burns.

“With the door open, she put it in reverse and flew back as far as she could, hit Cole with the side of the door, and the side of the door knocked me down,” Burns said.

Deputies said other witnesses were hit as the suspect was trying to get away.

Burns, who was knocked to the ground, ran back to the car and got the license plate number before calling deputies.

Deputies said they tracked down Florido and got the victim’s purse back.


Northrup Grumman employees rescue injured hawk

Feb 01, 2016 03:44 PM EDT

Employees at Northrup Grumman in Beavercreek, Ohio, rescued an injured red-tailed hawk that was loitering near the business on Monday.

The 1-year-old male raptor was seen hanging out on the ground despite umans nearby, and the workers didn’t know what to do.

They got some direction when they called the Glen Helen Raptor Center and spoke to Director Rebecca Jaramillo.

Jaramillo told the group that if they could capture the bird and take it to the center, workers there could care for it and try to get it back in the air.

The workers followed Jaramillo’s instructions and corralled the bird, put a blanket over it and put it in a box before taking it to the raptor center in Yellow Springs.

Sharon Bond, one of several employees who helped capture the animal, said it took about five minutes.

“It wasn’t difficult, but it was like, ‘Can we actually catch it?’ because they’re fast,” Bond said.

The bird’s left wing was swollen from an injury and it was put in the raptor center’s critical care clinic, which is off limits to the public.

“It probably has a broken wing, most likely from a car collision,” director Jaramillo said.

Red-tailed hawks have an 80 percent mortality rate, and Jaramillo said it’s not unusual to see young red-tails become distressed in their first year of life.

While it was an extraordinary day for the employees at Northrup Grumman, it was just a routine day at the center.

Jaramillo said the center sees 150 to 200 birds brought in every year.

The center does not have the staff to respond and pick up distressed birds.

“We rely on people to step out of their comfort zone and bring birds in,” Jaramillo said. “It’s absolutely wonderful that they went out of their way and got this bird contained and brought it in to us.”

The hawk will likely be in the critical care clinic for a while before it can be moved to a recovery flight cage, where it can regain its strength. The goal will be to release it back into the wild.

For Bond and her co-workers, it will be one of their more memorable Mondays.

“We are superheroes,” Bond said with a laugh. “Everyone just joined in to help.”