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91°
Tuesday, jun 30
Tag:
Swimming
Police & Fire
Body Of Missing Swimmer, 31, Recovered In South Jersey
The body of a missing New York City man was recovered from the Delaware River days after a late-night emergency call prompted an extensive search, New Jersey State Police said. Troopers responded to reports of a man's body that had washed ashore along the river line in Palmyra Township at 12:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, NJSP Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. The man matched the description of a swimmer reported missing on June 5 near Hawk Island in Delanco Township, and identified as Carlos Gil-Reyes, a 31-year-old from New York City, Lebron said. The discovery came three days after Coast Guard…
Weather
Swimming Banned At These NJ Beaches As Hurricane Erin Approaches
Hurricane Erin is churning up the Atlantic, prompting dangerous surf conditions and widespread swimming restrictions at New Jersey beaches this week. Hurricane Erin's projected path. National Weather Service The National Weather Service said Tuesday, Aug. 19, that breaking waves will significantly increase along the Jersey Shore through Thursday, with life-threatening rip currents and swells of 6 to 11 feet expected. “Life threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers. Stay out of the water,” the agency warned. A High Rip Current R…
News
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 …
News
Cosby Breaks Silence On Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Death:'It Felt Like Losing Ennis All Over Again'
The death of Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner continues to send shockwaves through fans, colleagues, and family — including Bill Cosby, who has publicly mourned the loss of the actor he called “my son.” Warner, 54, drowned while swimming during a family vacation in Costa Rica on Sunday, July 20, authorities and multiple outlets confirmed. He was best known for playing Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff and Clair on the iconic NBC sitcom. “It felt the same way,” said Cosby’s longtime spokesperson Andrew Wyatt, comparing the news to the 1997 murder of Cosby’s real-life son, Ennis, in st…
News
Sergio Ayala-Vilchis, Drowns In PA Creek While With Woman He Met At Nightclub: State Police
A man who drowned in Brandywine Creek has been identified as Sergio Ayala-Vilchis, 21, who had gone swimming with a woman he met at a nightclub the night before, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Monday, July 21. The pair met at a Delaware club on Saturday, July 19, and went to the Brandywine Creek in Chadds Ford, Delaware County on Sunday morning to swim, according to Trooper Paul Holdefer. Around 11:11 a.m., both entered the water near State Route 1 west of Mill Road and swam toward the center of the creek, police said. That’s when Ayala-Vilchis, a citizen of Mexico, began to panic i…
News
Poop Problem: Half Of East Coast Beaches Tested Unsafe In 2024, New Study Says
More than half of all East Coast beaches had potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination at least once in 2024, according to researchers. The advocacy group Environment America released its new study about the water quality at US beaches on Monday, July 7. The nonprofit compiled bacteria testing data from states bordering oceans and the Great Lakes, along with Puerto Rico. From 3,187 beaches nationwide, Environment America found that more than three out of five (61%) had at least one day of potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination in 2024. On those days, that indicator exceeded…
News
Swimmer Injured In Possible Needlefish Encounter At NJ Shore, Police Say
Beachgoers, beware: A rare ocean creature may be behind a swimmer's painful encounter at the Jersey Shore, officials said. A swimmer suffered a leg injury while in the water off Barnegat Light on Saturday morning, June 21, according to the Long Beach Township Police Department. The incident happened around 11:39 a.m. near the 9th Street beach, police said. The man was brought to the 19th Street area by Barnegat Light Beach Patrol, where he was treated by first responders from Barnegat Light First Aid and transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center. Initial indications suggest the injury m…
Lifestyle
Survey Reveals How Often Americans Grill Outdoors During Summer
Grill season is heating up, and for most Americans, cookouts are the crown jewel of an array of summer activities. Whether it’s smoky ribs, a bubbling tray of mac and cheese, or a rousing round of cornhole, Americans know what makes a great summer. A new survey finds cookouts at the center of it all. According to the study, Americans plan to attend five barbecues and host four over the summer months. The poll of 2,000 adults — conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SpartanNash — explored the recipe for a perfect summer, from grill favorites to party roles and top-ranked sides. Two-thir…
News
Trump Admin Freezes $175M In Federal Funding To UPenn Over Transgender Athlete Policy
The Trump administration has paused $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, citing the school’s controversial policies regarding transgender athletes, the president confirmed. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on universities that violate an executive order signed last month, which bans transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports. The order refers to transgender women as males. A Penn spokesperson told Fox News that the funding freeze is just a "taste" of what’s to come, warning that the school is at risk of losing all federal funding,…
News
Shark Attack: 2 American Women Seriously Injured At Bahamas Resort
Two American women suffered injuries in a rare Bahamas shark attack. The tourists were swimming in Bimini Bay, a popular resort, when the incident happened early Friday evening, Feb. 7, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. After receiving initial treatment, they were airlifted to a hospital. One of the women, both of whom are from Florida, suffered severe injuries and underwent three surgeries, ABC News reports. The incident is under investigation. Bimini, a chain of islands, is the westernmost district of the Bahamas located about 50 miles east of Miami. Ch…
News
Funeral Details Released For Cheltenham Middle Schooler Who Drowned
Funeral details have been released for a Pennsylvania middle school student who died more than two weeks after an incident while swimming with friends. Emilio Tarr died on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 1:13 p.m., according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his mom, Elaina Tarr. He was a sixth grader at Elkins Park School in Cheltenham. Emilio was swimming with friends on Sunday, Sept. 1 when he suffered "a tragic drowning accident," his mother previously wrote. Emilio was hospitalized and later died. "Our shooting star was sent to heaven," Elaina Tarr wrote in an update. "As a family, we are fa…
Obituaries
Sydney Ritter, Norristown Area HS Grad Dies, 18
Family and friends are mourning the loss of 18-year-old Sydney Ritter of Montgomery County who died on Tuesday, Sept. 3, according to an obituary published by Boyd-Horrox-Givnish Funeral Home. A photo on her Instagram page shows her holding degrees from Norristown Area High School and Central Montco Tech. "Joy is happiness that does not depend on what happens. If you are lucky enough to be blessed with a child, your heart is full of JOY," the obituary reads. She loved makeup, finding just the right outfit and "blinging out her car," her obituary reads. "She just shined. She loved sw…
News
Several Shark Sightings Reported Near Cape May's Coast
Several sharks have been spotted off the coast of Cape May in recent weeks, according to reports. A shark was spotted near the beach in Cape May Point at around 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 6abc Action News reported. One beachgoer said the shark was about six feet long. The sighting caused swimmers to run onto the shore and lifeguards kept people out of the water for about a half hour, according to Wildwood Video Archive. "Sharks are always out here," Cape May Point Beach Patrol Chief Ben Swan told 6abc. "We swim with sharks every day. Most of the time you just don't see them." The beac…
News
Easton Man Dies Swimming In Delaware River: Coroner
A 60-year-old Easton resident died while swimming in the Delaware River on Wednesday, July 24, according to the Northampton County Coroner's Office. Louis A. Cosenza's body was recovered from the river in Williams Township, officials said in a release. He was "using a floatation device" when he went into the water for an unknown reason and didn't resurface, the Coroner's Office said. Cosenza was not wearing a life preserver and his cause and manner of death are pending further investigation, they added. Cosenza is the second person to drown in the Delaware in Northampton …
Sports
Cheer For These 35 Pennsylvania Athletes Representing Team USA At Paris Olympics
We're days away from the Paris Olympics, and several of Pennsylvania fittest and most athletic residents will be there. A whopping 35 athletes from Pennsylvania have qualified for the Olympics and are ready to make their run at the gold when events kick off Friday, July 26. They are: David Abrahams, of Havertown: Para Swimming Justin Best, of Kennett Square: Rowing Kahleah Copper, of Philadelphia: Basketball Emma Deberdine, of Millersville: Field Hockey Brooke Debredine, of Millersville: Field Hockey Casey Eichfeld, of Drums: Canoe/Kayak Phia Gladieux, of Oley: Field Hockey Michael G…
News
Swimmer Drowns In Schuylkill River In Reading, Officials Say
One person died while swimming near Reading's Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 29, according to city officials. Reading firefighters said the male victim was seen going into the water near "Penske Beach" and never came back out. Dive crews recovered his body and he was pronounced dead at this scene, first responders said. Authorities did not report his name. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends during this difficult time," City Hall said in a statement on Monday, July 1. "The reality is that accidents occur, and sometimes, even under the best of circumsta…
News
Surfing Teacher Rescues Jersey Shore Swimmer While Filming Promo Video For Boogie Board
A teacher saved a Jersey Shore swimmer in distress while surfing over the weekend, and he just so happened to capture it on video. US Marine Steve Houser, of Toms River, went to LBI Sunday, Sept. 3, to film a promo video for one of Tandm Surf's boards Oh, what a video they got. Houser — who works as a special education history teacher in the PATHS program at Piscataway High School — was surfing out teaching his daughter how to surf when he spotted the struggling swimmers. "I could see five to seven people in distress," said Houser, a Downingtown, PA native. "As a surfer, I can spot a ri…
Obituaries
100+ People To Receive Organ Tissue From Late Teen Lifeguard From PA, Loved Ones Say
Ethan Joner, a Delaware County high school sophomore, died suddenly on Thursday, July 13, loved ones said in his obituary. He was 15. Born to Peter and Leigh (Daly) Joner, Ethan had attended the Delcroft School and more recently was a rising sophomore at Academy Park High School, family members wrote. He was a "lifelong swimmer" who dreamed of becoming a lifeguard and accomplished as much earlier this year, according to his obit. "Ethan’s goal in life was to help people," said GoFundMe organizer Erica Goodwin. "He always wanted to be the hero in every situation.…
Police & Fire
Body Pulled From Blue Marsh Lake Identified: Report
A body pulled from Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County over the weekend has been identified, WFMZ reports. Crews were called to the Dry Brooks Day Use Area, where the body of Ernesto Feliz, 27, of New York City, was recovered from the water Sunday, July 24, the outlet says. Officials told WFMZ the man was going after a ball in the lake when he swam too far out and never made it back to shore. The news comes nearly two months after 20-year-old Albert Castro Beato drowned after going for a swim in Blue Marsh Lake, authorities said. Click here for more from WFMZ.
News
'Slap In The Face To Women' UPenn Transgender Swimmer Nominated As NCAA 'Woman Of The Year'
Many top female athletes feel "slapped in the face" as the NCAA's "Woman Of The Year" nomination list includes recent University of Pennsylvania graduate transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Lia Thomas, 22, who previously competed as William on the men's swim team, made history as the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA championship on Mar. 17, the school and dozens of media outlets announced immediately following the event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESPN (@espn) Fellow NCAA "Woman Of The Year" Riley Gaines who previously …
Police & Fire
Search Launched For Missing PA Swimmer In Delaware River
National and local police agencies were searching for a 23-year-old Pennsylvania man who went missing while swimming in the Delaware River Tuesday, June 21, WFMZ reports. Christopher Schofield, of Stroudsburg, was swimming with two others in a section of the river with strong currents when he began to struggle and submerged near the Interstate 80 toll bridge around 8 p.m., the outlet says citing the National Park Service. Two swimmers made it to the New Jersey shore, where rescue crews confirmed none of the three swimmers were wearing life vests, according to the outlet. More from WFMZ can…
Police & Fire
Pennsylvania Man, 53, Drowns On Jersey Shore: Police
A 53-year-old man from Pennsylvania drowned while swimming at a Wildwood Crest beach, authorities said. Joel Green of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was found unresponsice by other swimmers who pulled him from the water about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, Tuesday Wildwood Crest police said. When police arrived, a beachgoer was performing CPR, police said. An officer continued giving CPR until Wildwood Crest Rescue and the City of Wildwood Fire/Water Rescue arrived to assume life-saving measures on the man, police said. Green was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced d…
Lifestyle
NJ Beach Named Among 25 Best In America
You don't have to go to Hawaii to find a great beach. Well, you can — or you can stay right here in New Jersey. Not only is Asbury Park a good beach, it's among the 25 best in America, TravelAndLeisure.com says. Privacy, accessible parking, boardwalk and public transportation are just some of the factors the website looked at in choosing the best beaches in the country. "Stretching about a mile along New Jersey's Atlantic coast, Asbury Park Beach is a lively, clean, white-sand beach. Sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and people-watching are favorite activities here," the website said…
News
2X Pennsylvania Olympian Earns First Medal In Tokyo
Spring Grove’s Hali Flickinger won the bronze medal in swimming for her 400 meter Individual Medley on Saturday. The 27-year-old was in fourth place as she headed into the final 100 meters of the race, but her freestyle kick, kicked her into the third spot with a 4:34.90 time-- earning her the bronze medal. Prior to this event she had placed in the World's Aquatic Championship earning silver in 2019 for her 200 meter butterfly and Gold in 2017 for her 4x200 meter freestyle relay, but at the 2016 Olympics in Rio she placed 7th for the 200 meter butterfly, according to her biography. Her fam…
News
Man, 24, Drowns In Lake At Central PA State Park
A 24-year-old man drowned in a lake located in a Pennsylvania State Park Saturday, York County officials said. The unidentified male was out with family on a pontoon rental when they all decided to swim close to the shore around 7 p.m. in Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park, York County Coroner Pamela Gay said. The victim was reportedly a good swimmer and was using a camera under water. His family realized he hadn't resurfaced, and so all went back in the waters to find him, Gay said. Two Good Samaritans who they flagged down for help also aided in the search. The man's body was eventually…
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