Beloved CT Officer, Father Dies Following Medical Event: 'Spirit Shined In Small Moments' Beloved CT Officer, Father Dies Following Medical Event: 'Spirit Shined In Small Moments'
Beloved CT Officer, Father Dies Following Medical Event: 'Spirit Shined In Small Moments' A popular and well-respected officer and father is being remembered for his compassion, diligence, and support he showed everyone.  Yale Public Safety Officer Gregory Swiantek died suddenly on Wednesday, March 12, following a "fatal medical event," the department said. He leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter Remy and many friends and family members.  The Yale Public Safety Department said he served as a member of the Honor Guard and was a field-training officer.  Always the first to offer a helping hand, his kindness, compassion, and unwavering support touched countless live…
Freak Sledding Accident Kills Young Mother Freak Sledding Accident Kills Young Mother
Freak Sledding Accident Kills Young Mother A fun day in the snow turned into tragedy for a young Virginia family when a 26-year-old mother was killed in a freak sledding accident, leaving behind her husband and infant daughter, just as they were set to begin a new life, loved ones said. Madelyn Nancy Lowe-Perdue, 26, of Chesapeake, suffered severe injuries in the accident on Thursday, Feb. 20, and was rushed to the hospital, where she later died, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized to support her family. "As many have heard or seen by now, there was a sledding accident," they said. "Many of our loved ones were hurt or in…
ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting
ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting A 19-year-old nurse was shot in both legs, brutally beaten, and forced to restrain a coworker during the UPMC York shooting—and now, she’s facing a grueling recovery with no clear financial support. A GoFundMe has been launched to help Jackxtyn Yank, whose injuries left her unable to walk. “Please Don’t Kill Me” Jackxtyn Yank had just returned to work after celebrating her 19th birthday when the gunman stormed her ICU floor. Peeking out to see the commotion, she was spotted, dragged into the hall, and beaten with a gun before being forced to zip-tie a coworker’s hands together. “I begged hi…
'I Just Want My Jess Back' ICU Nurse Held Hostage In UPMC Memorial Shooting Fights To Heal 'I Just Want My Jess Back' ICU Nurse Held Hostage In UPMC Memorial Shooting Fights To Heal
'I Just Want My Jess Back' ICU Nurse Held Hostage In Upmc Memorial Shooting Fights To Heal The York County community is rallying behind Jessica Huff, an ICU nurse who survived the UPMC Memorial shooting after being zip-tied, dragged by her hair, and used as a human shield. Her fiancé, Jason Huff, shared her harrowing ordeal in an emotional Facebook post, revealing that the gunman forced her to the ground, stood on her back, and pulled the trigger against her head three times—only to hear an empty click. “She broke her zip ties and ran,” Jason wrote. “I just want my Jess back.” Related: Final Farewell: Funeral, Memorial Fund Set For Slain Officer Andrew Duarte "No One S…
Rib Fracture, Head Injury: Friends Recover After Serious Pomfret Weekend Crash, Campaign Says Rib Fracture, Head Injury: Friends Recover After Serious Pomfret Weekend Crash, Campaign Says
Rib Fracture, Head Injury: Friends Recover After Serious Pomfret Weekend Crash, Campaign Says Support is on the rise for two friends who loved ones say suffered a litany of broken bones in a Connecticut crash this weekend. According to Connecticut State Police, the crash happened at the intersection of Route 169 and Route 101 in Pomfret late Friday night, Feb. 8.  A GoFundMe campaign launched by Tharun Vadlamudi identified the victims as Vamsi Krishna and Prathap,  Krishna suffered multiple rib fractures and a head injury, requiring immediate and ongoing medical attention, the campaign says. Prathap sustained a broken left arm, minor bone fractures, cuts, a…
Philadelphia Plane Crash Leaves Resident Homeless, GoFundMe Launched Philadelphia Plane Crash Leaves Resident Homeless, GoFundMe Launched
Philadelphia Plane Crash Leaves Resident Homeless, GoFundMe Launched The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash in Northeast Philadelphia displaced countless residents, including Cornelius “CJ” Fannin, who lost his home and all of his belongings in the tragedy. CJ’s Story: Starting Over After Losing Everything CJ had just finished work when he learned the devastating news—his home had been destroyed in the fiery plane crash that claimed multiple lives and impacted 343 homes in the neighborhood. “As a single male with no family or support in the area, I find myself completely lost and homeless,” CJ shared on his GoFundMe campaign. “Everything I built over the years…
Mom Of Three ID'd As Second Patient In Critical Condition After Philadelphia Plane Crash Mom Of Three ID'd As Second Patient In Critical Condition After Philadelphia Plane Crash
Mom Of Three ID'd As Second Patient In Critical Condition After Philadelphia Plane Crash UPDATE: Dominique Goods-Burke has since passed from her injuries, click here to read our updated report.  A mother of three critically injured in the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash in Northeast Philadelphia has been identified as Dominique Goods-Burke, her family said. Dominique, a Day Bake Supervisor at High Point Cafe, was with her family at Macy’s in Roosevelt Mall on Friday, Jan. 31, when the medical jet crashed into the area, causing her car to catch fire. Fighting To Recover Dominique remains in critical condition but is responding well to treatment, her family said. Her …
9-Year-Old Burned On 90% Of His Body After Philadelphia Plane Crash 9-Year-Old Burned On 90% Of His Body After Philadelphia Plane Crash
9-Year-Old Burned On 90% Of His Body After Philadelphia Plane Crash Ramesses Dreuitt, the 9-year-old son of Steven Dreuitt, who was killed in the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash in Northeast Philadelphia, is fighting for his life after suffering burns on 90% of his body, family members said. Critical Injuries And Coma Ramesses was in the car with his father on the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue when the medical jet crashed and exploded on Friday, Jan. 31. While Steven was tragically killed, Ramesses survived but sustained severe burns across his body. Facebook/Steven Dreuitt He remains in a medically induced coma and faces a long and painful road to recovery…
Philadelphia Plane Crash Impacted 343 Homes With 20 Damaged, Destroyed Philadelphia Plane Crash Impacted 343 Homes With 20 Damaged, Destroyed
Philadelphia Plane Crash Impacted 343 Homes With 20 Damaged, Destroyed The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash in Northeast Philadelphia caused extensive damage to the surrounding neighborhood, displacing families and leaving a trail of destruction. Extent Of Damage Officials confirmed that the crash on Friday, Jan. 31 had a wide-reaching impact on the Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard area: 4 homes were destroyed 6 homes sustained major damage 11 homes suffered minor damage 343 homes were impacted In addition to the structural damage, numerous vehicles were destroyed, and debris scattered throughout the area caused further property loss. NTSBgov…
CT Dad Of 3, Youth Soccer Coach Killed In DC Crash Remembered For His Faith, Compassion CT Dad Of 3, Youth Soccer Coach Killed In DC Crash Remembered For His Faith, Compassion
CT Dad Of 3, Youth Soccer Coach Killed In DC Crash Remembered For His Faith, Compassion By all accounts, Casey Crafton was a devoted husband and father who served his Connecticut community with conviction and grace. The Salem dad of three young boys was one of 67 people killed when American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed into a Blackhawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 29. It is the deadliest aviation disaster in the US in more than 15 years. He was returning home from Witchita, Kansas, and had a scheduled layover at Reagan National Airport.  Related: Ex-Head Of International Skating Center Of Connecticut, Olympian Wife Killed In DC Plane Crash Cas…
CT Mom, Former School Librarian Erica Alterio Dies Suddenly, 33: Her 'Presence Was Magnetic' CT Mom, Former School Librarian Erica Alterio Dies Suddenly, 33: Her 'Presence Was Magnetic'
CT Mom, Former School Librarian Erica Alterio Dies Suddenly, 33: Her 'Presence Was Magnetic' A beloved former teacher, librarian, and cancer survivor who was a devoted mother has died at 33, leaving behind her husband and young daughter. Now, friends are rallying to support her grieving family. Erica Leigh Alterio, of Newtown, died on Jan. 14 after a brief illness. She would have turned 34 on Feb. 7. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University and Fairfield University, Erica worked as a librarian at the Western Connecticut Academy of International Studies in Danbury, her obituary said. She also spent several years as a computer teacher at St. Mark School in Stratford. Dozen…
CT's Newest Jersey Mike's Supporting High School With Special Fundraiser CT's Newest Jersey Mike's Supporting High School With Special Fundraiser
CT's Newest Jersey Mike's Supporting High School With Special Fundraiser A new sandwich shop in Vernon will use its grand opening to help out the town's high school. Jersey Mike’s Subs will open its new location on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the company said in a news release. The restaurant will be at 35 Talcottville Road in the Tri-City Plaza shopping center. Vernon native Cody Martins said he's "beyond excited" to own and operate the shop. "I started at Jersey Mike's ten years ago as a crew member and, with the incredible support of our CEO Peter Cancro, I have worked my way up to opening my own business," said Martins. "I look forward to not only se…