Hundreds Rally To Help CT Family After Deadly House Fire: 'They Lost Everything' Hundreds Rally To Help CT Family After Deadly House Fire: 'They Lost Everything'
Hundreds Rally To Help CT Family After Deadly House Fire: 'They Lost Everything' A devastating fire that destroyed a Connecticut home and claimed the life of a heroic firefighter has ignited an outpouring of support as the family attempts to rebuild.  Valerie Cancellieri was lying in bed on the morning of Sunday, July 27, at her childhood home at 45 Maria Road in Plainville when she heard a noise. She got up to investigate and was met by a wall of flames, according to a GoFundMe page. She rushed to wake her mother, Cathy, whom she cares for, and called 911 as they ran outside. The home, where the family had lived for more than 30 years, was engulfed in flames. …
Girl Who Died In Hersheypark Wave Pool Identified As 9-Year-Old Sophia Subedi Girl Who Died In Hersheypark Wave Pool Identified As 9-Year-Old Sophia Subedi
Girl Who Died In Hersheypark Wave Pool Identified As 9-Year-Old Sophia Subedi The 9-year-old girl who died after being rescued from Hersheypark’s wave pool last week has been identified as Sophia Subedi, a resident of Harrisburg’s Bhutanese community. Sophia, born in 2016 in Mount Carmel, Columbus, Ohio, had lived in Harrisburg since 2022. She had just completed 3rd grade at North Side Elementary School in the Central Dauphin School District and was preparing to begin 4th grade this fall, according to a statement from the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg (BCH) released on Monday, July 28. “A bright, kind, and loving young girl, Sophia, brought joy and light to every…
Bhutanese Community Mourns 9-Year-Old Girl Killed At Hersheypark Bhutanese Community Mourns 9-Year-Old Girl Killed At Hersheypark
Bhutanese Community Mourns 9-Year-Old Girl Killed At Hersheypark The Bhutanese community in Harrisburg is grieving the loss of a 9-year-old girl who died after being pulled from the wave pool at Hersheypark on Thursday, July 24. Tilak Niroula, chairman of the Board for the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, confirmed the girl was a member of their close-knit community. In a heartfelt statement, he said the girl was “full of promise, innocence, and joy — a light in the lives of all who knew her. “Her sudden and tragic departure has left a deep void in our hearts and in the community she was so warmly a part of,” Niroula said. “Our entire community is grie…
Pastor Detained by ICE Forced to Sleep on Concrete Floor With No Bed, Family Says Pastor Detained by ICE Forced to Sleep on Concrete Floor With No Bed, Family Says
Pastor Detained by ICE Forced to Sleep on Concrete Floor With No Bed, Family Says A beloved, longtime Maryland pastor is reportedly living in troubling conditions after being detained by ICE and shipped to a detention center in Baltimore. Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal, of Easton, the head of Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama (Church of the Nazarene Jesus Loves You), was picked up while shopping at a local Lowe's, according to his loved ones. Fuentes Espinal — who has been in the country for 24 years, has no criminal record, and leads a congregation of dozens in Easton — was taken into custody by ICE agents, and transported to a detention center in Baltimore, wh…
Community Rallies After Father Of 2 Young Children Dies In Car Crash: 'An Unimaginable Loss' Community Rallies After Father Of 2 Young Children Dies In Car Crash: 'An Unimaginable Loss'
Community Rallies After Father Of 2 Young Children Dies In Car Crash: 'An Unimaginable Loss' A grassroots effort to support a mother left to raise two young children after her husband was tragically killed in a car crash has raised thousands of dollars—and continues to gain momentum. Simon Stopka, 29, died recently in a car wreck. Details surrounding the crash remain scarce, and requests for additional information have not been returned. Stopka leaves behind his wife, Natalia, and their daughters, Lea, age 3, and Jolie, age 2. A GoFundMe campaign was created to support the family as they navigate life without their beloved husband and father and grieve this “unimaginable loss.” As…
Triathlete, 37, Dies During Swim At NJ Lake, Authorities Say Triathlete, 37, Dies During Swim At NJ Lake, Authorities Say
Triathlete, 37, Dies During Swim At NJ Lake, Authorities Say A 37-year-old teacher and mother of four died while competing in the swimming portion of a triathlon at a North Jersey lake over the weekend, Daily Voice has learned. The incident involving 37-year-old Hannah Merlucci, of Kinnelon, happened on the morning of Saturday, July 19 at Fayson Lakes, according to Meghan Kbab, a spokeswoman for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Lifeguards spotted a female swimmer unresponsive in the water, swam out to her, and brought her back to shore, Knab said. CPR was immediately initiated. Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after and transported …
‘He Died A Hero’: Former MLB Prospect Drowns Saving Strangers As Family Watches ‘He Died A Hero’: Former MLB Prospect Drowns Saving Strangers As Family Watches
‘He Died A Hero’: Former MLB Prospect Drowns Saving Strangers As Family Watches Chase Childers, a former Baltimore Orioles minor league prospect, died a hero in South Carolina after rushing into floodwaters to save a group of swimmers — sacrificing his life to protect theirs. According to Pawleys Island Police, officers received a 911 call at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, reporting “multiple swimmers in distress near Shell Road Ocean.”  One man — later identified as Childers — was missing, and a search was immediately launched by police, Midway Fire Rescue, and the US Coast Guard. At approximately 6:15 p.m., rescue teams recovered Childers' body fro…
Mom Paralyzed In NY Boat Crash Faces Setbacks As Support Grows: 'Will Continue To Fight' Mom Paralyzed In NY Boat Crash Faces Setbacks As Support Grows: 'Will Continue To Fight'
Mom Paralyzed In NY Boat Crash Faces Setbacks As Support Grows: 'Will Continue To Fight' The Long Island mother paralyzed in a Memorial Day weekend boat crash is now facing new challenges in her recovery — but her family is staying hopeful as community support pours in. Brooke Skrocki, the 28-year-old fiancée of Edward Hillkewicz, was left with life-altering spinal injuries after he piloted a speeding boat while drunk, slamming into a jetty in Hampton Bays with her, two other adults, and their two young daughters aboard, the Suffolk County DA’s Office said. While her children, ages 2 and 6, were not physically injured, Skrocki was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital an…
'He Was A Beautiful Soul': Family Of 24-Year-Old CT Dad Killed In Crash Ask For Help 'He Was A Beautiful Soul': Family Of 24-Year-Old CT Dad Killed In Crash Ask For Help
'He Was A Beautiful Soul': Family Of 24-Year-Old CT Dad Killed In Crash Ask For Help A Connecticut community is rallying around a family after a young father was killed in a motorcycle crash this week.  Robert David Connolly Jr., 24, of Wallingford, was found shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, off Guntown Road in Oxford, according to Connecticut State Police. His motorcycle had veered off the road and down an embankment, where he was thrown from the bike and died at the scene. He had been reported missing before police found the crash site. Loved ones have created two GoFundMe campaigns to help cover funeral expenses and support his son. His mother, Colleen Co…
CT Teen Who Drowned On July 4th Had Big Dreams; Community Rallies Around Family CT Teen Who Drowned On July 4th Had Big Dreams; Community Rallies Around Family
CT Teen Who Drowned On July 4th Had Big Dreams; Community Rallies Around Family The community is rallying around the family of an 18-year-old who drowned while swimming in a Connecticut reservoir on the Fourth of July. Ángel Chumpi Rios was reported missing around 3 p.m. after entering the water at Mountain Pond, police said. Danbury firefighters found him around 5:30 p.m. and took him to an area hospital, but doctors could not save his life.  A memorial service for the Danbury teen was held Wednesday, July 9, from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Ecuadorian Civic Center at 20 West St. in Danbury. Rios' mother will return his body to Ecuador, where his father and brothers …
'We Lost Everything': Community Rallies After Fireworks Send CT Family Home Up In Flames 'We Lost Everything': Community Rallies After Fireworks Send CT Family Home Up In Flames
'We Lost Everything': Community Rallies After Fireworks Send CT Family Home Up In Flames An East Hartford family of 10 was left homeless after an errant firework sparked a fire that engulfed their home on July Fourth. But their tight-knit community is coming together to help them rebuild their lives.  Victorya Cauley, a 17-year-old preparing for college, said she was getting ready for bed around 11 p.m. when her older sister, Zaniah Cauley, rushed into her bedroom and told her their Park Avenue home was on fire. Victorya grabbed her younger brother, and they ran outside. None of them was wearing shoes, and they were dressed for bed. "All I had was my phone," Victorya…
Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Navy Vet, Father Of 4 Killed In Tragic Crash Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Navy Vet, Father Of 4 Killed In Tragic Crash
Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Navy Vet, Father Of 4 Killed In Tragic Crash Robert Jones was a man of quiet dignity and big heart, his loved ones said. Someone who was always ready with a joke, a smile, or a helping hand. Now, after the 63-year-old father of four was tragically killed in a head-on crash earlier this month in Westbrook, his family needs the same support he freely gave. “Bob was an amazing man,” said family member Shannon Smith. “He was quiet, lighthearted, and unassuming. He served his country in the Navy. He earned his master's degree without fanfare so that he could provide for his family. He was a very hard worker. Above all, he was a family man.…