Loved Ones Mourn CT Dad Killed In Fiery Middlefield Crash: ‘We Will Always Remember That Smile' Loved Ones Mourn CT Dad Killed In Fiery Middlefield Crash: ‘We Will Always Remember That Smile'
Loved Ones Mourn CT Dad Killed In Fiery Middlefield Crash: ‘We Will Always Remember That Smile' A Connecticut community is rallying around a family who lost their father in a fiery head-on collision as he drove home from work last week.  Venancio Papalotzi-George, 46, was on Route 66 in Middlefield when his Honda collided head-on with a Jeep around midnight Friday, Aug. 29. The Wrangler flipped on its roof and burst into flames. Bystanders pulled the driver of the Jeep from the burning vehicle, and paramedics rushed them to a hospital, where they were recovering. But rescuers could not reach Papalotzi-George in time. Authorities said he suffered catastrophic injuries and died bef…
Lodi Firefighter, Dad Critical After Being Struck By Car, Campaign Says Lodi Firefighter, Dad Critical After Being Struck By Car, Campaign Says
Lodi Firefighter, Dad Critical After Being Struck By Car, Campaign Says A beloved Lodi volunteer firefighter is fighting for his life after being struck by a car just weeks after welcoming his newborn daughter, loved ones said. Pedro Jimenez, a proud “girl dad” to two daughters, a devoted husband, cherished son, and caring brother, remains in critical condition, facing what family members say will be a "long and uncertain road ahead," according to a GoFundMe campaign by Amber Demico and Gina Volpe.  Known for putting others first, Pedro has spent years serving his community through countless hours with the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department, the campaign …
CT Teachers Turn To GoFundMe As Classroom Costs Soar CT Teachers Turn To GoFundMe As Classroom Costs Soar
CT Teachers Turn To GoFundMe As Classroom Costs Soar School is in session for nearly every student in Connecticut.  While families have seen increased prices while back-to-school shopping, local teachers are also facing a big challenge — covering classroom expenses that keep rising. With budgets stretched thin, more educators are leaning on their own wallets and, increasingly, on community support. According to the Learning Policy Institute, 95 percent of teachers report spending their own money on supplies. The strain has pushed many to seek help online. Many have turned to fundraising sites like GoFundMe to help keep their classrooms s…
Virginia Homeowner Left Picking Up Pieces After Fairfax County House Fire (PHOTOS) Virginia Homeowner Left Picking Up Pieces After Fairfax County House Fire (PHOTOS)
Virginia Homeowner Left Picking Up Pieces After Fairfax County House Fire (Photos) A Virginia homeowner is picking up the pieces after a Fairfax County house fire tore through a Centreville home over the holiday weekend. First responders were called early on Sunday, Aug. 31 to a two-alarm fire that was reported at around 6 a.m. in the 15400 block of Meherrin Court, where they were met by flames showing from a home and smoke billowing through the air. Crews were able to knock down the flames and control the fire, staying through the morning to hit hot spots and begin clearing out the home. #FairfaxsBravest are on the scene of a 2-alarm house fire in the 15400 blk of Me…
Fort Lee Native Dies In Washington Climbing Accident, Family Confirms Fort Lee Native Dies In Washington Climbing Accident, Family Confirms
Fort Lee Native Dies In Washington Climbing Accident, Family Confirms A New Jersey man died in a climbing accident in Washington last week, his family said. Alex Cheon was identified by his older brother, Mark, in a GoFundMe campaign that had raised nearly $25,000 as of press time. Mark did not share details of the incident. The only fatal climbing accident reported by multiple Washington-based outlets — including NBC affiliate King5 — during the same timeframe involved a man in his 20s who died after a 200-foot fall in Index, WA, on Thursday, Aug. 28. Citing Sky Valley Fire, King5 said the climber was transitioning from one anchor to another when he was una…
PA Dad Charged In DUI Crash That Killed Wife, Injured Son: Police (UPDATE) PA Dad Charged In DUI Crash That Killed Wife, Injured Son: Police (UPDATE)
PA Dad Charged In DUI Crash That Killed Wife, Injured Son: Police (Update) An Exton man is facing serious charges after a DUI crash killed his wife and injured their 3-year-old son in Chester County, authorities announced on Tuesday, Sept. 2.  Anukul Damodaran, 38, was allegedly behind the wheel when his car veered off North Ship Road, overturned, and landed about 10 feet into the woods on Saturday, Aug. 23, West Whiteland Township police said. His wife, Uthra Manivannan, also known as Priyadharshni, was killed in the crash. Their 3-year-old son, Mayon, survived but suffered a fractured shoulder that will require surgery, according to family. GoFundMe Launch…
USPS Mail Carrier Diagnosed With Stage 4 Brain Cancer, Supporters Rally In PA USPS Mail Carrier Diagnosed With Stage 4 Brain Cancer, Supporters Rally In PA
USPS Mail Carrier Diagnosed With Stage 4 Brain Cancer, Supporters Rally In PA A longtime United States Postal Service mail carrier is fighting for his life, and the Pennsylvania community he served for nearly two decades is stepping up to help. Doug Kilgore, who has worked for the USPS for 18 years, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma — an aggressive form of brain cancer — on Tuesday, July 23, according to a GoFundMe started by his friend and colleague Don Marconi. The campaign, launched just two days ago, has already raised over $5,600 from nearly 50 donors, including two anonymous $1,000 contributions. The goal is set at $25,000. “Doug has always deli…
'Lost Everything': 1-Year-Old Dies In NY House Fire After Mom, Siblings Escape 'Lost Everything': 1-Year-Old Dies In NY House Fire After Mom, Siblings Escape
'Lost Everything': 1-Year-Old Dies In NY House Fire After Mom, Siblings Escape A 1-year-old boy pulled from a burning home in upstate New York has died from his injuries. The Broome County fire broke out around 12:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at a residence on Broad Street in Chenango, according to New York State Police. A 26-year-old woman escaped the blaze with two of her children, ages 5 and 2, but heavy smoke kept her from reaching her youngest child, police said. Working together, New York State Police and Broome County Sheriff’s deputies entered the home through a window and removed the 1-year-old. He was taken to Upstate Medical Center, where he later died. Inve…
Fire During Solar Panel Installation Destroys Northampton Family’s Home Fire During Solar Panel Installation Destroys Northampton Family’s Home
Fire During Solar Panel Installation Destroys Northampton Family’s Home A Pennsylvania family lost nearly everything in a devastating house fire sparked during a solar panel installation, according to a GoFundMe created on Tuesday, Aug. 27.  Jennifer Rossini, her partner Carlos, and their daughters Zinaya and Ariana escaped the blaze at their Northampton home, along with their pets, but the family’s belongings were largely destroyed when a worker accidentally drilled into their electrical panel, the fundraiser says. Rossini’s close friend Jillian Derr organized the GoFundMe to help the family rebuild, writing that “what started as a great day turned i…
Support Swells For Port Ewen Man Severely Burned In Fire, Family Who’s 'Starting Over' Support Swells For Port Ewen Man Severely Burned In Fire, Family Who’s 'Starting Over'
Support Swells For Port Ewen Man Severely Burned In Fire, Family Who’s 'Starting Over' Neighbors are rallying to support an Ulster County man recovering from severe burns after he and his family lost everything in a massive apartment fire. The blaze broke out at Lakeshore Villas in Port Ewen at around 6:15 p.m. on Friday, July 25, injuring 13 people and leaving Liam Underhill hospitalized, according to a GoFundMe campaign. He suffered third-degree burns after flames engulfed his building. Underhill was home alone when the flames spread. With no safe way out, he jumped from a second-story window, sustaining burns to his hands and body before being rushed first to HealthAllianc…
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Brandie McCoy is being remembered as a "shining light" who shone a bright light on her family, friends, and students before her unexpected passing in Maryland. The first-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School died without warning on Tuesday, Aug. 12, her family says. Now her loved ones are rallying to give her a proper beachside sendoff. "She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished friend, and a phenomenal (first)-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School," Brittany Brown-Brooks said about her former friend. "Brandie’s captivating personality, radiant smile, and j…
College Student Killed In Newtown Mustang Crash Mourned College Student Killed In Newtown Mustang Crash Mourned
College Student Killed In Newtown Mustang Crash Mourned By all accounts, Mary Cordero’s future was full of promise.  That future was tragically cut short when the 19-year-old Western Connecticut State University junior died in a car crash over the weekend. Now, the Newtown community is rallying to support her grieving family. Cordero, a Danbury native, was sitting in the center back seat of a red 2017 Ford Mustang GT as it sped along Berkshire Road in Newtown, just west of Zoar Road, around 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, police said. Original Report: Teen Killed In Newtown Wreck That Sent Several To Hospital Investigators believe the driver…