FRANKLIN, Tenn — Gas prices continue to rise and it's having an impact on those who use their car to help those in need.

The Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels in Tennessee is experiencing this firsthand. Staff say they already had a volunteer quit because of the rising costs.

Around 10 a.m., volunteers start trickling in to grab the food orders for their routes in Franklin.

Many volunteers like Gail Stark help serve over 300,000 meals annually from 17 meal sites in the region.

"I retired probably 12 years ago, and I thought 'you know I really need to do something to help other people, I feel so blessed with what I have been, how can I give back?' and so I signed up."

Starck has been helping for two years now and calls it one of the most rewarding things that she has ever done in her life.

She helps serve more than 11 million meals to seniors in Middle Tennessee.

Staff say not only is it important these seniors get a nutritious meal but meet people as well.

"It’s very important to our clients here in the area to get a meal because sometimes it is the only interaction that they have with a volunteer or with someone throughout the day," said site manager, Lindsey Burbank.

But with the gas prices climbing, it's driving away the help this organization says it desperately needs.

"I’ve recently just lost a volunteer that can’t deliver right now. She said she’s going to come back as soon as the gas prices go down," Burbank said. "All of our counties especially the ones that go out and the rural areas really do have a hard time when you’re delivering meals miles apart from each other. It’s the first thing that goes, it’s not in their budget."

Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels is hoping the prices at pump don't continue to turn good help away.

"Gas prices haven't really affected me, I come from Thompson station. So it probably is only a gallon of gas that I use. I know out in some of the rural areas, you know, the folks have to drive a little bit further and use a little bit more but even if gas went up to $20 a gallon, I would still do this because that's how rewarding it is to me," said Starck.

The staff is hopeful they can find more volunteers like Starck.

This story was first reported by Kelsey Gibbs at WTVF in Nashville, Tenn.

CHEVIOT, Ohio —

A night out in Cheviot ended with one woman being briefly pinned between two vehicles and taken to the hospital and another woman, 25-year-old Jashayla Headed, was arrested and transported to the Hamilton County Justice Center.

Headen is charged with felonious assault.

After the bars along Harrison Avenue closed Sunday morning, groups of people are seen on surveillance footage hanging out on the sidewalk.

A few women had words with each other, and as the argument starts to escalate, a man can be seen walking over and separating them. That only lasted so long before punches were thrown.

Eventually, a woman later identified as Headen crossed the street to get her boyfriend's car.

Cheviot police said she then returned at a high rate of speed, almost striking the group standing in the street.

The arguing continued, and the women were separated again.

Then, nearly seven minutes later, Headen hopped in the driver's seat again. Police said she put the car in reverse and slowly backed up toward the small crowd of people.

They can be heard screaming and banging on the car as one of the women in the group was briefly pinned.

She was taken to Mercy West to be checked out.

Headen's bond was set at $25,000.

DAYTON, Ohio —

More than four years after a family from Mason was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 75, the woman accused of killing them is on trial.

Abby Michaels, 25, of Xenia, faces six counts of murder and three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. Last Friday, three additional counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and an OVI charge were dismissed.

On March 17, 2019, prosecutors said Michaels intentionally drove the wrong way on the interstate and crashed into another car killing Timmy Thompson, 51, his wife Karen Thompson, 50 and their 10-year-old daughter Tessa.

The Thompsons were on their way home to Mason after visiting family when they were hit head-on.

"By nightfall, that living family was no longer alive," assistant Montgomery County prosecutor Bryan Moore said in his opening statement.

Prosecutors said other drivers saw Michaels' car drive through an emergency turn-around and head north in the southbound lanes.

"And they watch in horror as that vehicle collides with the Thompson vehicle. That vehicle is being driven, controlled by Abby Michaels," Moore said.

Defense attorney Jay Adams called what happened tragic but said there is more to the story.

"This issue is whether or not Abby Michaels acted knowingly. That's the whole case," Adams said.

Adams said Michaels had suffered for years from a seizure disorder.

"At the end of this, Abby Michaels was involved in a tragic event with the Thompson family. That is very sad, but she didn't murder anybody. She suffered from a medical condition," Adams said.

One of the first people to testify Monday was Michaels' husband at the time of the crash, Kyle Pastorelle. He had filed for divorce two days prior and was not with Michaels that night.

Prosecutors showed surveillance footage of Michaels wearing a festive, green and white St. Patrick's Day hat at Ron's Pizza in Miamisburg.

Prosecutors pointed her out in the video leaving the restaurant at 7:43 p.m. that night.

Eleven minutes later, Pastorelle said Michaels called him asking to come over.

"I was pretty adamant on 'No, we're not doing this. It's not going to happen,' and that's when she told me that — she was driving at the time — and that's when she told me she was going to drive backwards on 75," Pastorelle said.

Pastorelle said Michaels sent him a text message a few minutes later and said, "Goodbye. I love you. I'm dying now."

By 8:10 p.m., Moraine police were dispatched to the deadly crash.

During cross-examination, Pastorelle testified to Michaels' medical issues.

"You were asked about seizures and whether you've actually seen any in the seven years. You know she's had them, correct?" Adams asked.

Pastorelle said, "Yeah."

Adams asked, "You know she's been hospitalized for them, correct?"

"Yes," Pastorelle answered.

The bench trial is expected to last most of the week.

A mother and veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan said she had to do something she never dreamed of.

While stuck in traffic on Interstate 10 in New Orleans, she said someone tried to get in her car.

So, her training kicked in and she pulled out a gun.

Charise Taylor said the incident happened while her 2-year-old son was in the car.

"You shouldn't have to navigate your own city like a war zone. It's un-American,” Taylor said. “The crime is out of control and it's terrifying. At this point, having to use the same tactics in an American city that you use in Iraq and Afghanistan simply to navigate through the city it's scary and I'm not the only mom feeling this way."

Taylor said she was headed to pick up her husband on Friday.

She said she was stuck in gridlock traffic when a group in a truck motioned to her to get over.

So, she let them. Next thing she knows a man comes up to her passenger door.

"So, as he comes up he's close and he's pretty aggressive trying to get the car door open makes eye contact with me he's still trying to get it open a couple times," Taylor said.

Taylor said she picked up her gun.

“It’s locked and loaded," she recalled saying.

Watch the video above for the full story.

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. —

Along the railroad tracks in Jensen Beach, Florida, you may find pieces of a black Honda Fit.

The vehicle, which belongs to Joe William Ceballos, was stolen early Saturday morning, struck by a train and ended up resting on the side of a house.

"I thought it was a movie," Ceballos said.

Ceballos said he moved to Florida from Georgia to start a cleaning service business called Casey's Cleaning, and that car was a work vehicle.

He said when he got a call from his business partner and the homeowner letting him know the car had been stolen. He couldn't believe it.

"They are saying someone stole the car, and I said, 'That's impossible because it's at the business,'" Ceballos said. "Then when she sends me the picture of the car flipped at the owner's house, I'm like, 'Oh my God!'"

He also couldn't believe how it happened.

"He says he took the car," Ceballos said. "In good faith to find his car."

According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, Bradford Weitzel of Port St. Lucie told detectives he couldn't find his car after leaving a bar, so he stole one in an effort to locate his own.

The car somehow suddenly stopped on the train tracks and David Deoliveira, who was at home in bed at the time, heard the commotion and went outside to help.

"How does a guy get from the crossing to the actual tracks?" Deoliveira said. "I went over there to try to help the guy to see if he needed help, but unfortunately, I can't really help do much."

Soon after, a train started heading their way and they left the car. No one was injured.

Officials report that Weitzel continued on to a nearby fruit stand, where he vandalized the business. They say he also attempted to steal a forklift.

Weitzel eventually flagged down authorities to inform them he was in search of his car.

Deputies arrested and charged Weitzel with grand theft and criminal mischief. Additional charges are expected.

Ceballos said the Honda was a total loss, and the supplies inside the car are gone, but he still plans to move forward with his cleaning business.

CLEVELAND — The snowy weather often means extra work for car owners, but there’s one shortcut that could cost you in the long run.

You may notice in the winter, many drivers put their windshield wipers straight up into the air to keep them from freezing to the windshield, but it also means you’re putting stress on the spring that holds the wiper arms against the windshield.

“I guess that would definitely assist you in scraping your windshield off if the wiper blades were frozen to the windshield, but it can be a very costly mistake in high winds,” said William Robinson, general manager of Terry’s North Coast Auto.

Robinson said leaving the wipers up exposes the plastic gears and other mechanical components that could be weakened or damaged by forceful wind gusts.

The exposure to the elements could also cause the rubber blade to be blown off.

“If the winds catch that or somebody bumps your car, and that wiper blade will slam against that cold windshield and crack your glass,” Robinson said.

An alternative way to save time is to cover the entire windshield with a blanket, tarp, or even a piece of cardboard to prevent show and ice buildup: another essential winter addition—winter wiper blades.

“The winter blades are referred to now as profile blades, and they don't have the little plastic junctions and pieces that can move,” Robinson said. “It's all one-piece wiper blade, and it doesn't have any pieces on it that can freeze and stop it from working properly.”

Another big mistake Robinson’s shop sees the most in the winter is driving with old or worn-down tires. You can use the coin trick to inspect your tires.

If you insert a penny or quarter into the tread and see either George Washington or Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

“Having good traction in the front and the rear is very important regardless of the drive type of your vehicle, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive,” Robinson said. “It’s important to have good tires, not the rear of your vehicle, so your vehicle doesn’t lose control while at higher speeds and taking corners.”

Jon Rudder at WEWS first reported this story.

SPRINGDALE, Ohio —

Springdale police asked for the public's help Tuesday. They're seeking leads in a two-year-old homicide.

Josue Lopez-Ramirez was a Guatemalan immigrant who police said came to the United States with his family for a better life.

His life came to an end when he was just 18 years old.

"When you stand there and see a mother who just watched her son be taken from her, you never forget that," said Springdale police Chief Tom Wells.

Wells was at this scene that night. It was the day before Thanksgiving, 2019.

Lopez-Ramirez had just picked up his mother from work and had returned to their apartment on Chesterdale Road.

"They pulled in to their parking stall in front of their apartment building, and before they were even able to get out of the car, a suspect car pulled in behind them, kind of blocking them in," said Springdale police officer Keenan Riordan.

A group of men got out of the car. Police said they first attempted to rob Lopez-Ramirez's mother and then him.

"And one of the suspect's shot him. He was shot one time, however, multiple shots were fired," Riordan said.

The suspects took off. Police collected evidence and followed several leads, but nothing has led investigators to the suspects.

Tuesday, police urged the public to help them get answers.

"Maybe the suspects spoke about the accident. Maybe they acted suspiciously," Riordan said. "Maybe they'll talk about it at Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe they talked about it at Thanksgiving dinner two years ago, and I'm hoping that will jar a memory or something like that now that the holidays are upon us again."

The hope is to bring closure to a family who is still suffering.

"It is our interest to see justice for people who are victimized in this community, and it's also our experience, people talk about crimes. They just do," Wells said.

Police said they don't know why Lopez-Ramirez and his mother were targeted. They said it was possibly a crime of opportunity. Another theory is that they were followed home.

The only description police have of the suspects is what Lopez-Ramirez's mother gave them. She said it was a group of either three or four black men wearing dark clothes and in a dark-colored car.

Anyone with information is asked to call Springdale police or Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.

BATON ROUGE, La. —

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries personnel removed a deer from Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge Monday afternoon after it entered the hospital and made it to the second floor.

According to LDWF officials, the deer had to be euthanized after sustaining traumatic injuries before entering the hospital. Officials believe the deer had been hit by a vehicle near the Essen Lane hospital.

LDWF officials anesthetized the animal before removing it and taking it to LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge, but after an examination by LDWF State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour revealed the traumatic injuries, the deer was euthanized.

“The deer was apparently injured in traffic,” LaCour said. “Hospital officials did a great job of subduing the animal then getting in touch with us."

BOONE COUNTY, Ky. —

A Boone County sheriff's deputy injured in the line of duty continues to recover at home and is sharing his story for the first time.

Lt. Chris Hall, who has served on the sheriff's department for almost 20 years, said he continues reliving the moment he believes he nearly lost his life.

He was laying out stop sticks at U.S. 42 and I-71/75 on a rainy Friday night in October when he was hit by the car he was trying to stop.

"I know in reality it only took a second or two," he said. "I know it happened so fast, but I could probably sit here and talk to you for hours about it."

Hall said the next several seconds seemed to move in slow motion. His body camera footage captured a car coming straight at him and Hall being hit only a few seconds later.

"Not mentally prepared to watch it yet. It's in my head. I can't stop thinking of it," Hall said.

Deputies say four teenagers were in the stolen car, leading police on a chase. They eventually abandoned the car and were arrested hours later.

Hall is bruised and has healing brush burns on his arm. His most serious injury is his knee. He said has several fractures and may need surgery.

"I could easily ride this out, retire in five months and go away, and I don't think anybody would question why," he said. "But this just makes me and motivates me to want to come back even harder ... If I do retire, the bad guys win, and I'm not going to let it happen."

Hall believes the teenager who was driving the stolen vehicle hit him intentionally.

"He had an alley and a lane he could have gone... He would run over the stop sticks," he said. "The only other choice he had was to avoid them and intentionally strike me, which I firmly believe he did."

He was thrown onto the hood of the car and then to the ground.

"First thought is your family. I have my wife, I have a 20-year-old son, a 17-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. They're the first thing you think of. You immediately start thinking 'Are they gonna have to go to a law enforcement officer's funeral'?" he said.

While lying in the road receiving medical treatment, he said he asked someone to bring him his phone. He called his wife.

"I needed my family to hear first. I did not need them to have somebody knocking at my door, somebody making a phone call or worse, the kids finding out on social media," he said.

It is not the first time he's had to make an emergency call like that to his wife.

In 2003, Hall was rear-ended on duty while working a traffic crash on I-75 in the pouring rain. He sustained minor injuries.

In 2001, he was working for the United States Secret Service at the White House on Sept. 11. His wife was pregnant.

"After the Pentagon was struck, I made a quick phone call to her just saying, 'hey, I love you. Tell our son I love him' and I hung up on her," he said.

Hall said his wife gave birth two days later to their first child.

He said the community's support following his recent injury has been tremendous. He has received dozens of letters, cards and thank you notes, including from school children.

While he said the positive outweighs the negative, he has lingering questions about the teenagers who put him in the hospital and could have cost him his life.

"I want to know why," he said. "We all know these are kids that had stolen multiple cars, firearms, running from police and now here we are running over people, running over police officers. I just want to know what got you to this point in your life."

Hall said he knows he may never get an answer.

"Fortunately, I'm still here today. Probably shouldn't be. But it could have been bad. Instead of an attempted murder charge, it could have been a murder charge," he said.

Hall plans to return to duty as soon as he is medically cleared.

CINCINNATI — Both directions of Gilbert Avenue are closed between Walter Avenue and Blair Avenue Thursday evening due to a two-vehicle crash in the 3000 block.

Fire officials said four people were injured in the crash, including an adult who was trapped inside a vehicle and a child who was transported to Cincinnati Children's Hospital in critical condition.

Three others hurt in the crash were transported to UC Medical Center for further evaluation.

The Cincinnati Police Department recommends using alternate routes to avoid delays as they continue their investigation.

It is unclear how long the road will be closed.

CINCINNATI —

A 20-year-old woman is dead after she lost control of her car and crashed into another driver on Friday night.

The crash happened just before 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Winton and North Bend Roads.

Cincinnati police said the woman lost control of her 2007 Honda Accord, crossed the centerline and struck a 2021 Buick Encore driven by 46-year-old Marcus Howard. The woman was ejected from her car after she traveled off the road and struck a guardrail. Officials said she was not wearing a seatbelt.

The woman, who has not been identified, was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where she later died. Howard was also injured and treated at the scene of the crash.

Officials believe speeding contributed to the crash. They are still investigating if impairment was also a factor.

Cincinnati police ask any witnesses to contact the traffic unit at 513-352-2514.

HEBRON, Ky. — Sometimes the race doesn’t last as long as it could, and the finish line seems to come too soon.

Avid car fan Gavin Ward, 16, of Hebron, Kentucky died Friday morning. He was diagnosed with DIPG, a rare form of inoperable brain cancer that gained recognition in the Cincinnati area through the fundraising efforts of Lauren Hill, in 2019

"That's the hardest part. Two days ago he was revving cars. Bombing Mustangs. Having a good time," Cars and Candy Foundation founder David Whitman said.

On Wednesday, Hamilton businesses in conjunction with The Cars and Candy Foundation held a fundraiser for Ward to raise money to finish rebuilding and putting a wrap on a Mitsubishi Eclipse he had started working on before the diagnosis.

"I want them to have something physical to treasure of him for as long as they can," Whitman said. "The great thing about a car if you take care of it, you can pass it down from family member to family member. You can take it to events. We can go, oh my god, that's Gavin's car."

A memorial drive was held in Ward’s honor Friday night in Hebron. A line of cars revved their engines as they passed his home.

"I told the family, even though he's not here we still are," Whitman said. "I know he'd be happy with that. I hope if he's up there hanging out I hope he hears some cool noises tonight."

Jennifer Ward, Gavin's mom, said she's hoping to use her Instagram platform 'Prayers for Gavin Ward' to continue raising awareness for DIPG.

CINCINNATI —

The Hamilton County sheriff's cruiser and gun were stolen right out of her driveway.

Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the car was locked and the alarm was set.

According to a spokeswoman for the sheriff, the car was not damaged.

How this even happened is still leaving a lot of people scratching their heads.

The sheriff said she cannot explain it, and said the car is brand-new and uses a key fob.

For community leaders, this is a prime example that crime can come knocking at anyone's door.

"If it could happen to the sheriff, it could happen to anybody. Let's be real," State Sen. Cecil Thomas said.

Thomas has been pushing a strong message for people to stop leaving guns in their cars, making them easy to grab and go.

Now, McGuffey is trying to figure out who stole her 9-millimeter service weapon and her county-issued vehicle Saturday morning.

We talked with McGuffey by phone as she is in Arizona at a sheriff's convention this weekend.

"I had gone out to a barricaded individual out in Symmes Township. So, you know, when I got home, I locked up the car because it was just, yeah, I secured it in the vehicle and locked the car in my own driveway and got busy with something else I had to put my attention to," McGuffey said. "The next morning is when I discovered the vehicle had been stolen right out of my driveway."

She said the cruiser was stolen in Columbia Tusculum and found in the Winton Terrace area on Saturday afternoon.

The gun was gone, according to officials.

McGuffey would not specify where the gun was stored in the car.

"I don't think by far, I'm the first police officer to have secured their weapon in their car, in their driveway. We have deputies that have shotguns and various things like that secured in their vehicles because they are subject to call-outs and things like that. So, I do not find that unusual. No, I don't," she said.

Investigators are examining whether this may have been a key fob hacking situation, like we've reported on in the past, which allows crooks to get into cars.

"I hope the person who did this, whoever it was or whoever they are, will come to realize that this is not the way you should live and it's certainly not what you should do to your fellow people," McGuffey said.

Now, another gun is on the streets.

Thomas hopes it is found before it can be used to hurt someone.

"Guns are getting out here and one of the ways it's getting it, is these, breaking in cars," he said.

The sheriff said a few of her personal items were stolen.

McGuffey expects there will be protocol changes after this incident.

She said this entire encounter makes her a human being and a victim of crime.

Officials said the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section is handling the investigation.

Thomas said when out in public places where you need to store your gun, you should put it in the trunk of your car and in a locked compartment, if possible.

He also said trigger guard locks can make it difficult for anyone to use a gun they steal.

HOUSTON (Video: KTRK via CNN) —

The staff at a Texas Papa John's Pizza recently delivered a big surprise to one of its drivers.

Isaac Sanchez's car went up in flames last week after thieves tried to steal the vehicle's catalytic converter, KTRK reports.

The loss of his car came at a bad time. Earlier this year, Sanchez broke his knee cap, became homeless when his hospital bills piled up and started living in his car.

Not only did his coworkers set up a GoFundMe page that raised more than $7,000, but the president of Papa John's Pizza also visited the Houston store to replace Sanchez's car with his own.

"I think you need it more than I do, I'd like to give you my car," company president Keith Sullins told Sanchez. "All I ask is that you let me keep the Eagles CD that's in it."

Sanchez couldn't believe it.

"President of the company just came out here and gave me his car," Sanchez said. "That is awesome. I'm overwhelmed really. I'm very thankful for everything that's happened."

Now, Sanchez is back on the road delivering pizzas.

"He's such a great employee I just like to say thank you for staying with Papa John's, thank you for all you do," Sullins said.

CINCINNATI —

It happened in a flash.

A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after he ran out into the path of an oncoming car and was struck in Westwood Tuesday afternoon.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of Montana Avenue outside of a crosswalk.

He ran right into the path of a white Chrysler 200.

"The car saw him at the last minute and tried to stop real fast," the woman said.

She said she called 911 as the boy's brother carried him out of the street.

Investigators said the boy was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.

Neighbors are hoping for the best.

Some were nearby as the boy ran into the path of a car outside of a crosswalk. They said there was nothing they could do.

"I was crying, screaming Jesus name. His mom was crying," a woman who did not want to be identified said.

That woman did not want to share her name or show her face in an interview, but the pain of the situation could be heard in her voice as she recounted a horrific crash steps from her porch.

"Quick as you can blink your eye, it happened fast. I had close my eyes because I knew he wasn't making it across that street, you know, I saw it and I just did like this and I heard it, 'boom' and then I opened my eyes and he was laying on the ground," she said.

The driver was visibly upset and police said he cooperated completely. Cincinnati police said he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and wasn't injured.

Excessive speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the crash.

Neighbors said the area is packed with cars and kids.

"It's a rarity that kids run out in the street, but it's always busy. It's constantly with kids," neighbor Holly Kenerly said.

They said this scene is a reminder of the danger anytime anyone steps off of one of these curbs.

"Just be mindful. Be mindful of your surroundings. Kids, adults, drivers," Kenerly said.

We were unable to talk with any of the boy's family about how he is doing.

Neighbors said they are praying for all involved.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department's Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

A man pulled two people from a fiery crash on Interstate 80 Tuesday morning in Iowa.

Those people are recovering in the hospital.

Runk Wood says he's not a hero, but just did what he had to do.

"You can't be scared to help people," Wood said.

He proved that, during his drive to work from Avoca, Iowa to Lincoln.

"As I got closer to it, I could tell that the car was burning. The fire got pretty big," Wood said.

He saw the horrific scene near Interstate 80 and McPherson Avenue in Council Bluffs.

Council Bluffs Police say the car was stopped in the middle of the interstate when a truck hit it. The car hit a barricade and caught fire.

"A lot of people were driving by. I didn't see a whole lot of brake lights, which kind of touches my heart, where we live in a society where you see a car burning in the median, you don't stop," Wood said.

But Wood did stop.

"I could hear the girl screaming and nobody was getting near the car and it was just a reaction of I'm not going to stand here and listen to somebody burn up in the car so I just went for it," he said.

He says he pulled the driver to safety first.

"Got her about 20 feet away from the car. Then she was talking to me, I couldn't understand what she was saying. But she kept pointing at the car," Wood said.

That's when he realized there was someone else in the car, so he rescued that person too.

"My hands are a little red. The right side of my face is a little tender from the heat, from the fire," Wood said.

Wood is happy he was there to help but he insists: "I don't want the hero title. I'm just a simple man that was headed to work and chose to stop and help somebody."

TAMPA, Fla. — As of Monday, more than 350,000 people have subscribed to the "Lionel B Show" on YouTube. The success has come after quite a climb for the star, who was living in his car with his teenage son just three years ago.

“There was one day I think we shared a Wawa cookie the entire day, just me and him, it was the hardest thing I ever went through,” Lionel Barnes said.

Barnes began posting videos documenting his daily struggles. What he lacked in money, he made up for in enthusiasm for the music industry. So he started his own show, talking about it.

“Let me do something I’ve never done, what do I mainly watch, I watch celebrity news, breaking news, trending news,” Barnes said.

He never imagined his opinion on a scuffle between rappers Jay-Z and Offsett would lead to thousands of fans. The views and comments started rolling in, which have now surpassed eight million.

“My heart was racing, it was unbelievable," Barnes said. "Every time I would refresh the screen it would go up another 10,000.”

Barnes soon started receiving checks from YouTube as "The Lionel B Show" became a hit.

“I heard of YouTubers making money, but I never dreamed this would happen to me,” Barnes said. “I knew at that point I could take care of my family.”

Barnes now has a roof over his head for himself and his two sons. His total views have grown to over 90 million. He said there is one fan particular fan that he could never thank enough.

“Unfortunately my mom did pass away in July 2020 of COVID-19,” Barnes said. “She was super proud of me because she saw me pick myself up and even gave me the nickname, 'Self-Made,' because I’m a self-made person. I didn’t ask anybody for anything. I just pulled myself up on my boot-straps and put it together.”

You can follow Lionel Barnes on most social media platforms @thelionelbshow.

This story was originally published by Robert Boyd on Scripps station WFTS in Tampa, Florida.