Local News

Authorities in Wood County are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old boy who disappeared on May 31, 2025. The teen, identified only as Ethan, was last seen around 2:30 p.m. on Friday in the city of Pittsville, a small community in central Wisconsin. The Wood County Sheriff’s Department has launched an active investigation and search to locate the teenager, who has not been heard from since his disappearance. His family and local officials are deeply concerned for his safety. Description of Missing Teen According to the sheriff’s department, Ethan is described as: Age: 16 years old Height: Approximately 5 feet 3 inches Weight: About 120 pounds Hair: Blonde At the time he went missing, Ethan was reportedly wearing a black polo shirt and tan ...

More than a decade has passed since a fatal shooting at a Racine bar shocked the local community—but justice has yet to be served. Lewis Hinojosa, the man accused of killing 19-year-old Giovani Tirado in July 2010, remains on the run. Authorities believe he may be armed, dangerous, and hiding under a new identity. The United States Marshals Service and local law enforcement are renewing their efforts to find Hinojosa, now one of Wisconsin’s most wanted fugitives. The case remains active, with investigators urging the public to come forward with any information. Deadly Shooting at Warning Track Bar The incident unfolded in the early hours at the now-closed Warning Track Bar on Racine’s east side. Witnesses reported a verbal argument that quickly escalated between Lewis Hinojosa, th...

Residents of Wisconsin were recently caught in a rare atmospheric spectacle, where the glowing colors of the northern lights clashed dramatically with thick smoke drifting down from wildfires burning in Canada. The result was a surreal sky that blended beauty with concern, offering a memorable but sobering experience for skywatchers across the state. A Rare Northern Lights Display On the night of June 1, 2025, a powerful G4 geomagnetic storm, among the strongest of its kind, made the aurora borealis visible much farther south than usual. Normally limited to regions near the Arctic Circle, the dancing lights appeared over large parts of the continental United States, including Kansas, Missouri, and much of Wisconsin. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had ea...

A 24-year-old man from Somers Point, New Jersey, who set fire to the home of a family that once considered him a trusted friend, has been sentenced to three years in state prison. The incident, which took place in March 2022, could have ended in tragedy but the sleeping family of three managed to escape just in time. Deshaun Howard pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated arson earlier this year. His sentencing was carried out under the No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires violent offenders to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. That means Howard will serve nearly two years and seven months before he can even be considered for early release. The Night of the Fire The fire occurred during the early morning hours while the victims—a mother...

A Port Richmond teenager has reportedly died after jumping from the Staten Island Ferry — just moments after posting a haunting message to Instagram. The teen, whose name has not yet been officially released, is believed to have posted the chilling words “My last day on Earth” before the incident occurred, according to a statement shared by the teen’s sister on Facebook. The event unfolded on a routine ferry trip between Staten Island and Manhattan, a service operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The Staten Island Ferry, which carries nearly 70,000 passengers daily, is typically a site of scenic commutes — not of despair and heartbreak. On that fateful day, however, the routine was shattered by tragedy. The teen's family, friends, and members of the community ha...

Authorities in Hudson County are actively searching for 28-year-old Gerard Rosario, a fugitive wanted in connection with a deadly shooting that left a man dead in Jersey City on May 3, 2025. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that Rosario has been charged with murder following a broad daylight incident that ended with a fatal crash. Police say Rosario is armed and dangerous, and they are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings immediately. What Happened? At around 4 p.m. on May 3, Jersey City police officers were called to the scene of a single-car crash near the intersection of Old Bergen Road and Merritt Street. When officers arrived, they discovered 39-year-old Devon Reid, a resident of Elizabeth, NJ, unresponsive in the driver’s seat of t...

Paige Bozosi, a 23-year-old elementary school teacher in St. Augustine, Florida, recently received an unimaginable diagnosis that has shaken her young life and career. Shortly after celebrating her wedding, Paige discovered a lump in her breast during spring break, leading to a swift diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer. Paige’s diagnosis forced her to pause her promising teaching career as she prepares for intensive treatment, including a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. The sudden health crisis has not only impacted her personal life but has also created financial uncertainty for her and her husband, Davey, who is currently studying to become an occupational therapist. The Diagnosis and Impact Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in...

A Maryland woman has been formally charged with felony child abuse after an incident on an Allegiant Airlines flight departing from Orlando Sanford International Airport. The woman, identified as 46-year-old Kristy Crampton of Hagerstown, Maryland, allegedly struck a child multiple times during the flight, prompting an investigation and arrest. Incident on Memorial Day Flight The incident occurred on May 26, 2025, Memorial Day, during a flight returning from Orlando to Hagerstown. According to police reports, tensions between Crampton and a child on the plane escalated after the child reportedly called her derogatory names, including "fat" and "Miss Piggy." The child also allegedly told her she could not fit into her airplane seat. Witnesses on the flight described the situation a...

In May 2025, health inspections across Alachua County, Florida, revealed concerning findings at several local restaurants. A total of 13 eateries were flagged for high-priority health violations, raising important questions about food safety and sanitation standards in the region. Food safety inspections are conducted regularly by Alachua County Environmental Protection Department to ensure that restaurants comply with hygiene and safety regulations designed to protect public health. These inspections focus on critical issues such as proper food storage, temperature control, cleanliness of food preparation areas, and pest control measures. High-Priority Violations Raise Concerns High-priority violations are the most serious types of infractions and typically involve practices that...

On May 29, 2025, La Plata High School proudly celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025 in a memorable commencement ceremony that beautifully balanced reflections on the past, thoughtful insights on the present, and hopeful visions for the future. This year’s graduation stood out not only for the academic achievements but also for the inspiring collaborative valedictory speeches delivered by three outstanding seniors, alongside a student-produced video that highlighted the journey of the graduates. A Ceremony Marked by Reflection and Inspiration The graduation event was hosted at the school’s auditorium, drawing together students, families, faculty, and community members eager to witness the milestone moment. Central to the ceremony were the speeches by three valedictorians: Jam...