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Maryland Pastor Detained By ICE Reunited With Family After Harrowing Journey (PHOTOS) Maryland Pastor Detained By ICE Reunited With Family After Harrowing Journey (PHOTOS)
Maryland Pastor Detained By ICE Reunited With Family After Harrowing Journey (Photos) The longtime Maryland pastor who was detained by ICE and shipped to several detention centers — despite living in the state legally for decades — has been reunited with his family after a heartbreaking months-long journey. 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 last month. 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 tr…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Beloved Dogs Barely Survive Lightning-Sparked Blaze That Gutted DMV Home Beloved Dogs Barely Survive Lightning-Sparked Blaze That Gutted DMV Home
Beloved Dogs Barely Survive Lightning-Sparked Blaze That Gutted DMV Home A pair of beloved dogs who were trapped inside a burning home that was gutted by a fire sparked by a lightning strike are fighting for their lives, and a Maryland family is picking up the pieces after losing everything. Crews in Baltimore County were called to the 1800 block of Rambling Ridge Lane in Pikesville for a reported fire that broke out inside an area home following a reported strike report from CoreLogic. The incident occurred shortly after the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Baltimore County at 3:33 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14. The scene of…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
‘A True Product Of His Community’: Man Dies In Virginia Police Custody, Loved Ones Speak Out ‘A True Product Of His Community’: Man Dies In Virginia Police Custody, Loved Ones Speak Out
‘A True Product Of His Community’: Man Dies In Virginia Police Custody, Loved Ones Speak Out The 32-year-old man who died after being taken into police custody in Virginia is being remembered as a "light for so many" — and his family has vowed to seek justice. Shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, officers from the Alexandria Police Department were called to the 2800 block of North Beauregard Street, for reports of "unknown trouble," police said. When they arrived, they ultimately found Allan Tucker and took him into custody after de-escalating the situation in the area. He was taken to the Alexandria Adult Detention Center, where he later required medical assistance. Despite l…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Virginia Deputy Faces 18 Months Of Recovery After Head-On Motorcycle Crash Virginia Deputy Faces 18 Months Of Recovery After Head-On Motorcycle Crash
Virginia Deputy Faces 18 Months Of Recovery After Head-On Motorcycle Crash What started as a routine day on the job for Loudoun County Sheriff's deputy Louis Custodio ended with a life-altering motorcycle crash while he was on patrol, his family says. At approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Custodio was on patrol when he struck another motorcycle head-on between Hyatt Lane and Morrisonville Road, sending both riders to the hospital with critical injuries. According to loved ones, Custodio was left with "devastating injuries" that will require at least 15 surgeries and a recovery time of at least 18 months, leaving him out of work. Following the crash, the …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
From Tragedy To Togetherness: Town Unites After Six Die In DMV Fire From Tragedy To Togetherness: Town Unites After Six Die In DMV Fire
From Tragedy To Togetherness: Town Unites After Six Die In DMV Fire A Maryland family reeling from a fire that killed six loved ones — including four children — is seeing an outpouring of support from neighbors, local businesses, and strangers across the region as they attempt to recover. The Sunday, Aug. 10 blaze on North Declarations Court in Waldorf displaced all nine people who lived in the home, destroyed nearly everything they owned, and left only three survivors, officials said.  Investigators say the victims are believed to include the wife and three children of the homeowner, along with the wife and child of another resident.  The…

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by Zak Failla
News
‘Catastrophic’ Injury Leaves Maryland Lacrosse Player Hayden Pancake Partially Paralyzed ‘Catastrophic’ Injury Leaves Maryland Lacrosse Player Hayden Pancake Partially Paralyzed
‘Catastrophic’ Injury Leaves Maryland Lacrosse Player Hayden Pancake Partially Paralyzed A young standout lacrosse player in Maryland suffered a "catastrophic injury in a terrible accident" that has left him partially paralyzed. Now, the community is coming together to rally behind Hayden Pancake and his family in Baltimore County. Pancake's sister Madelyn said that on Tuesday, April 5, he was critically injured and is now paralyzed from the waist down.  Remembered as a "person who lights up any room — the funniest, most charming, easygoing guy around," Pancake's sister said that typically, "he's the one cracking jokes, making friends out of strangers, and making lif…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Virginia Teacher, Family Lose Nearly Everything In Fast-Moving Fire Days Before School Starts Virginia Teacher, Family Lose Nearly Everything In Fast-Moving Fire Days Before School Starts
Virginia Teacher, Family Lose Nearly Everything In Fast-Moving Fire Days Before School Starts A Virginia teacher and her young family is starting the new school year in survival mode after a fast-moving fire tore through their apartment building, destroying nearly everything they own just days before classes begin. Around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, Heather Bordelon Harbin was forced to evacuate with other residents in her building when lanscaping outside caught fire, likely due to a cigarette butt discarded into the bushes. The flames rapidly spread to the rest of the home, working its way through the side of the building, to the ceiling, roof, and into the attic. Harbin, who work…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
'Stayed By His Side Til The End': Dog Remained Loyal To Owner During Fatal Fire 'Stayed By His Side Til The End': Dog Remained Loyal To Owner During Fatal Fire
'Stayed By His Side Til The End': Dog Remained Loyal To Owner During Fatal Fire A Connecticut family who lost a 32-year-old man and two dogs in a devastating house fire is taking solace in the fact that one of his beloved pets never left his side. Now, the community is rallying to help them rebuild. Firefighters sped to the 100 block of Brookside Place in Cheshire around 3 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, after reports of a raging house fire. Inside, Zachary Naoumides was with his father, veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Naoumides, when flames quickly spread through the home. His father escaped by jumping from the roof, suffering severe smoke inhalation. Zachary, however, did not survi…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Ice Cream Shop Reopens After Vicious Vandal Attacks In DMV: 'They Didn't Break Our Spirit' Ice Cream Shop Reopens After Vicious Vandal Attacks In DMV: 'They Didn't Break Our Spirit'
Ice Cream Shop Reopens After Vicious Vandal Attacks In DMV: 'They Didn't Break Our Spirit' Shattered glass. Smashed cases. Two attacks in seven days. But the scoops at Moo Moo Cows are back in Maryland. Moo Moo Cows is back up and running, serving "cow-to-cone ice cream," hot dogs, brats, snowballs, and other Baltimore favorites after vandals smashed the storefront.  "They broke our windows (twice), but they didn't break our spirit!" the owners posted on Facebook. "Moo Moo Cows is open all week Wed. thru Sun. (1 p.m. to 9 p.m.)  Come by and share in sweet success and celebration."  The second attack was reported early on Aug. 8 when three people smashed through th…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
‘Amazing And So Strong’: Maryland Girl, 2, Battling Cancer At CHOP Inspires Community Support ‘Amazing And So Strong’: Maryland Girl, 2, Battling Cancer At CHOP Inspires Community Support
‘Amazing And So Strong’: Maryland Girl, 2, Battling Cancer At Chop Inspires Community Support A 2-year-old Maryland girl is in the fight of her life at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — and an entire community is stepping up to help. Gracie has spent her entire life battling unexplained symptoms and enduring countless doctor visits before a recent cancer diagnosis stunned the family. Specialists at CHOP have worked “tirelessly to uncover a diagnosis after many failed treatments," according to a family friend, but her condition remains tricky. “This journey has been emotionally and financially overwhelming for her family,” organizers of a fundraiser set up for the fam…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Disabled Smoke Alarm Found In Maryland House Fire That Killed Six, Including Four Kids In DMV Disabled Smoke Alarm Found In Maryland House Fire That Killed Six, Including Four Kids In DMV
Disabled Smoke Alarm Found In Maryland House Fire That Killed Six, Including Four Kids In DMV Investigators say a disconnected smoke alarm with no battery was found in the basement of a Maryland home where six people — including four children — were killed in a weekend fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal said the deadly blaze broke out Sunday morning, Aug. 10, in Waldorf, killing victims believed to be the wife and three children of the homeowner, along with the wife and child of another surviving resident of the home.  While no evidence of arson has been found, the cause is still under investigation, officials said. All smoke alarms on the first and second floors were …

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids ‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids
‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids Jen Smith was the "heart of her family" — now her family is picking up the pieces after her unexpected death in Maryland. Smith died on Thursday, Aug. 7, according to loved ones, leaving behind her husband, Prince George's County Police Cpl. Donald Smith and their two children.  “Jen was the heart of her family — a devoted wife to Donnie and a loving mother to Katelinn and Makenzie,” organizers of a fundraiser set up for the family wrote. “She was known for her warmth, kindness, and the way she made everyone feel valued and loved.” The fundraiser says Jen’s passing “has left an unfill…

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by Zak Failla