Woman fights off attacker in apartment complex gym

Hillsborough County, Fla.

A Florida woman shares how she fought off an attacker in an apartment complex’s gym.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at the Inwood Park Apartment Complex on Jan. 22.

Deputies said they were called to investigate an assault and when they arrived 24-year-old Nashali Alma told them she escaped a man who attacked her in the gym.

Alma said she was exercising alone before letting the suspect into the gym. She explained that she opened the door for him because he was someone she’d seen previously there.

However, as she continued her workout, the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Xavier Thomas-Jones, approached her and attempted to grab her waist.

Alma said she yelled at Thomas-Jones and demanded he gets away from her, but he continued to chase her around the gym.

Authorities said the suspect then grabbed Alma and pinned her on the floor.

According to Alma, she continued to fight him off while attempting to call 911 and he eventually released his grip.

Alma said she then immediately ran out of the gym to a nearby apartment.

The sheriff’s office reports that deputies were able to track Thomas-Jones down and arrest him in less than 24 hours.

After the ordeal, Alma said she wanted to speak out about her experience and encourage other women who’ve dealt with similar incidents to not stay quiet.

“I would tell every woman always to keep fighting, never give up,” she said. “As long as you fight back and show him that you’re strong and you’re not giving up, I believe it’s possible to escape.”

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister called Alma’s actions inspiring.

“I was disgusted by the suspect’s actions, how he preyed on this young woman,” Chronister said. “This woman’s strength, courage, and determination are inspiring. I know that her bravery to share this story will impact the lives of many other women.”

The sheriff’s office said Thomas-Jones is facing charges that include sexual battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping.

“It’s better to reach out to law enforcement sooner than later. The sooner they have the information, the sooner they can catch that person,” Alma said.

Celebrate love not just on Valentine’s Day for a healthier heart, experts say

Valentine’s Day and hearts go hand in hand, and medical experts say it’s good to keep love in the air throughout the year.

Dr. Thomas Rutledge, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, shared research in Psychology Today on heart health and love. He stated that the greatest gift love has to offer isn’t candy, flowers, or even diamonds; it is better health.

Rutledge reports that the health-boosting benefits of love enable people to be the best and most exciting version of themselves.

According to Rutledge, appreciating the many physical and emotional health changes produced by love begins with the heart.

The professor reports that the heart’s function, flow, and output dramatically alter when we experience love, with important health consequences.

Rutledge said research shows that a greater experience of love is associated with improved health and longevity. Love is communicated from the brain to the heart with the rush of energy improving cardiac rhythm.

Studies have found that the chemical and functional changes occurring with a love-empowered heart can make people more resilient to pain and stress, reduce the risk of and promote improved recovery from cardiovascular events, and help fight off infections, according to Rutledge.

The professor states that we can benefit by celebrating Valentine’s Day as a reminder of the vital importance of love in life with a commitment to creating deeper sources of love throughout the year.

Employee uses Heimlich to save elementary school student from choking

Springboro, Ohio

School officials in Ohio say a school employee saved a student from choking this week.

According to Springboro Schools, Siara Akers, a building aide at Five Points Elementary, noticed a student choking in the cafeteria during lunch.

Officials said Akers rushed over and immediately administered the Heimlich maneuver and successfully dislodged the food item.

Springboro Schools said the student’s family thanked Akers for her amazing effort and delivered a bouquet of flowers to her.

Officials also thanked Akers who said she was the first person to react in the situation.

Driver accidentally shoots himself during road rage incident, authorities say

Paulding County, Ga.

Authorities in Georgia are investigating a road rage incident where an aggressive driver ended up shooting themselves.

According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported shooting Thursday morning on Buchanan Highway.

Authorities said one of the 911 callers told them that he accidentally shot himself during a confrontation.

The sheriff’s office said the road rage incident started when workers were making a lumber delivery on Buchanan Highway.

Two of the workers were wearing reflective vests directing traffic so the truck could deliver the lumber. However, an impatient driver got out of his vehicle and threatened the men by pointing a gun at them.

As the man was getting back into his vehicle, deputies said he accidentally shot himself in the hand as he was putting his gun back into its holster.

According to authorities, the man told the workers that he shot himself and to call 911 before he left the scene to get medical attention at a nearby fire station.

Deputies said they collected evidence that was consistent with what witnesses and workers had told them what happened.

The sheriff’s office did not immediately identify the man involved but said its team will speak to him when he is released from the hospital to determine whether any charges would be filed.

Sheriff honors 4-year-old for saving mother’s life during emergency

Sherburne County, Minn.

Authorities in Minnesota are honoring a child who helped save his mother during a medical emergency.

On Tuesday, Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott presented a Life Saving Award to 4-year-old Asher Milless.

Authorities said Asher is the youngest recipient of the award from the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.

The 4-year-old was honored for his heroic actions in helping save his mother’s life after she suddenly collapsed in the kitchen on Nov. 20, 2022.

According to the sheriff’s office, Asher phoned his grandmother after his mother, Rachel Milless, collapsed. The grandmother then called Asher’s father, Tyler, who was out of town for work.

Authorities said the boy’s father called 911 and told Asher to unlock the front door so paramedics could get in.

But that wasn’t all Asher would do. The sheriff’s office said the boy was able to hook up his mother’s nebulizer and get it working. He also ushered his two siblings, a 2-year-old and a 10-month-old, out of the kitchen so they wouldn’t see their mother in distress,

Additionally, Sheriff Brott said Asher cleared the kitchen before paramedics arrived for them to work.

Paramedics were able to stabilize the mother and took her to the hospital.

Medical workers said the woman was in septic shock after a bad case of pneumonia and influenza.

According to doctors, if Asher hadn’t done what he did, Rachel Milless likely wouldn’t be alive today.

The mother fully recovered and was able to attend Monday’s ceremony with the rest of the family to honor Asher.