Inspiring Coach Sees Community Support After Shooting Inspiring Coach Sees Community Support After Shooting
Inspiring Coach Sees Community Support After Shooting The Montclair community wants to help Coach Butter. Khalid Branch a.ka. Coach Butter was shot in the foot over Mother's Day weekend. A fundraiser has been set up to assist him while he recovers. As of Friday, June 9, almost $4,500 has been raised. "Can't we give him a boost and ease his burden while he's out of commission?" Ashley Few, who organized the fundraiser, said. "I can't think of a more deserving person." Coach Butter, who has special needs and earned his associates degree from Essex County College, works at the Geyer YMCA, where he is known for having the kindest and gentlest sou…
Community Rallies Around Ailing Essex County Police Officer Community Rallies Around Ailing Essex County Police Officer
Community Rallies Around Ailing Essex County Police Officer Johnnie Rodriguez is in for the fight of his life.  Rodriguez, a police officer with the Essex County Department Of Corrections was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome and myeloma cancer in Oct. 2022. POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that damages nerves and affects other parts of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.  The police officer has recently begun infusion treatments and chemotherapy, along with stem cell transplant, that will put him out of action for six months. A fundraiser has been set up to assist him and his family, which include his wife and three children. As of…
Baseball Coach Nearly Loses Legs In Central Mass Crash, Community Rallies For Recovery Baseball Coach Nearly Loses Legs In Central Mass Crash, Community Rallies For Recovery
Baseball Coach Nearly Loses Legs In Central Mass Crash, Community Rallies For Recovery A baseball coach from Central Massachusetts is recovering after he nearly lost both of his legs in a car crash on Memorial Day, according to an online fundraiser.  Joe Pascucci, a coach at Energy Baseball in Worcester, was involved in a serious car accident on Monday, May 29, a GoFundMe campaign reads.  While Pascucci survived the crash, he broke his femur and ankle and nearly lost both of his legs after being trapped for over an hour.  Definitely hope anyone can help my guy out. Amazing young coach who cares so much about his team and kids... Literally... Posted by Ryan Petrone on We…
Jersey City Mom Killed In Five-Car Crash Left Behind Young Twins, Teens Jersey City Mom Killed In Five-Car Crash Left Behind Young Twins, Teens
Jersey City Mom Killed In Five-Car Crash Left Behind Young Twins, Teens The family of Desiree Milow, the driver who was killed when her vehicle overturned and struck five others in Jersey City on Memorial Day Weekend, is seeing support from the community. A fundraiser has been created to assist with funeral expenses and to help Milow's children in the aftermath of her death. She was the mother of a 15-year-old, a 14-year-old and two 17-month-old twins. "Desiree was beloved by her family, friends, church family and members of the community," Tamala Young, who organized the fundraiser said. "Desiree was generous, loving and quick witted. She will be sorely m…
Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba
Retired Medway Firefighter, Marine Hospitalized While Vacationing In Aruba A retired first responder from Massachusetts needs help getting home after he was hospitalized during his tropical vacation, according to an online fundraiser.  Former Assistant Chief with the Medway Fire Department Harry Lynch was brought to the hospital with an infection while vacationing in Aruba last month, according to a GoFundMe campaign.  "For those of you that don't know Harry, let me tell you he is a former Marine, and firefighter - husband, father, grandfather and brother," the campaign reads. "The reason they are in Aruba, is that it is the one trip they have taken yearly to the…
Western Mass Community Plants New Life For 'Cherished' Gardener, Cancer Victim Western Mass Community Plants New Life For 'Cherished' Gardener, Cancer Victim
Western Mass Community Plants New Life For 'Cherished' Gardener, Cancer Victim A community in Western Massachusetts is looking to plant a new life for a "cherished" gardener who tragically lost hers earlier this month.  Jori Ross died after battling Multiple Myeloma cancer for more than two years on Thursday, May 25, according to her obituary. She was 69 years old.  Despite this crippling disease, Jori took full advantage of her life and "never stopped moving forward in her craft."   "She was hopelessly addicted to human connection, something that was shown through her numerous groups," her obituary reads. "Jori’s connections were never static or passively lived. Sh…
Family Of Five Injured In Bucks Crash Was Leaving Birthday Celebration, Loved Ones Say Family Of Five Injured In Bucks Crash Was Leaving Birthday Celebration, Loved Ones Say
Family Of Five Injured In Bucks Crash Was Leaving Birthday Celebration, Loved Ones Say More than a week after a major accident injured a family of five in Lower Makefield, new details are emerging on the victims' road to recovery.  Township police told Daily Voice last week that five people in a BMW SUV were driving along Stony Hill Road around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 22 when a driver pulled out of an office complex and struck their car.  The BMW "spun and rolled over," police said. Two people were ejected from the SUV while three others had to be extricated by first responders, authorities reported.  Four people in the BMW were taken to area hospitals, and a…
Community Rallies Around Passaic County Man Battling Brain Injuries Community Rallies Around Passaic County Man Battling Brain Injuries
Community Rallies Around Passaic County Man Battling Brain Injuries Steve Hinkle, a 28-year-old Woodland Park resident, has been courageously battling since he was diagnosed with having an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in his brain. Last December, Hinkle suffered a stroke and a brain bleed, which sent him to intensive care and rendered him immobile, facing a lengthy recovery. When he was 15, a cluster of blood vessels in his brain burst, forcing him into a coma and causing him to suffer memory less. Hinkle had to relearn how to breathe without medical aid, walk and talk. Despite the injury, Hinkle was able to graduate high school on time.  In c…
Couple Killed In Carbon County Motorcycle Wreck Leave Behind Children, Grandchildren Couple Killed In Carbon County Motorcycle Wreck Leave Behind Children, Grandchildren
Couple Killed In Carbon County Motorcycle Wreck Leave Behind Children, Grandchildren The motorcyclists who died in a Carbon County accident over the weekend leave behind two families, their loved ones say.  Amy Hollenbach, 44, and Michael Brunell, 42, were heading north on Forest Inn Road in Towmensing Township when an oncoming vehicle veered from its lane and struck their bike around 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, Daily Voice reported.  They died from their injuries.  On a pair of GoFundMe campaigns launched Monday, May 22, their loved ones say the pair were engaged to be married.  Now, their children are seeking donations to assist with funeral expenses and other end-of-…
Donations Flood For 14-Year-Old Franklin Basketball Player Fighting Cancer Donations Flood For 14-Year-Old Franklin Basketball Player Fighting Cancer
Donations Flood For 14-Year-Old Franklin Basketball Player Fighting Cancer Nicholas "Nick" Gaspar is one of those kids that once you get to know him, you love him. "To some he may appear quiet, but he’s quick with his wit and one liners," a GoFundMe campaign organized on his behalf reads. "He really is just one of those kids that you want to know! The type of kid you want your kids to be friends with. The type that you just can’t help but LOVE." Unfortunately, the 14-year-old basketball player from Franklin was diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this month. While Nick did undergo a successful surgery to biopsy the tumor, he still has a long way to go in his reco…
After Fire, Neighbors Pitch In To Rebuild Philly Bar After Fire, Neighbors Pitch In To Rebuild Philly Bar
After Fire, Neighbors Pitch In To Rebuild Philly Bar After a fire left the Shipyard Bar in Philadelphia badly damaged and closed for business, its Port Richmond neighbors have stepped up to ease the burden.  It was after midnight on Monday, May 15 when the exterior of the bar, 2537 East Ontario St., suddenly caught fire, said neighbor Lexi Ellis.  Firefighters were on the scene within seconds and were able to keep the flames from spreading to other buildings, but the bar is now in need of serious repairs, according to Ellis.  "While the fire could have been much, much worse, there is substantial fire damage to the outside of the bar, as wel…
'Our Hearts Are Broken': Support Surges For Elderly Couple Killed In Montco Fire 'Our Hearts Are Broken': Support Surges For Elderly Couple Killed In Montco Fire
'Our Hearts Are Broken': Support Surges For Elderly Couple Killed In Montco Fire Just days after a fire killed a Hatfield couple in their home, well-wishers and loved ones have raised thousands for the family members they left behind.  Firefighters were called to the Washington Lane home of Ghanshyam Patel, 78, and Leenabahen Patel, 63, around 4:30 a.m. on Friday, May 12 for a reported structure fire.  By the time crews left the scene, both victims were pronounced dead.  Now, friends of the couple's family are raising funds on GoFundMe to assist loved ones handle funeral expenses and other end-of-life costs. In just three days after going live, the effort has garnered…