Firefighters throw a surprise party for a boy whose house burned down on his 6th birthday
Erick Hill was supposed to spend his 6th birthday celebrating at a cookout with family and friends. Instead, tragedy struck as a fire ripped through his Buffalo home.
While everyone got out safely, Erick’s family lost almost everything, including all of his birthday presents.
Erick’s mother, Jamia Jones, was out buying balloons and decorations for the party when her cousin called alerting her to the fire. By the time she returned, the flames had gutted their home.
Knowing that Erick spent his birthday watching his house burn down, the local firefighters decided to make sure he had some happy memories of turning 6. They wasted little time throwing him the celebration that the fire took away.
Songs and gifts
Just two days later, they opened the doors of Engine 33 to surprise Erick with dozens of firefighters singing to him and trucks full of gifts.
When they found out that Erick’s favorite superhero is Batman, they made that a theme of the party and even welcomed the Caped Crusader along with some of his “super” friends.
Firefighter Brian Madison went above and beyond, building Erick a brand new custom toy box to keep his gifts. Madison put so much work into it that he was late to the party, waiting for the paint to dry.
The whole community came together for Erick. Buffalo’s Birthday Squad along with The Buffalo Peacemakers showed up to celebrate and bring gifts.
… and dance battles
Jones told CNN that Erick was shocked and a little overwhelmed at the surprise. With the party coming just two days after the fire, he was unsure whether he should be happy or sad. But as the party went on, Erick opened up and had plenty of fun. He even challenged some of the firefighters to dance battles.
“The fact that they took time out of their busy schedules shows that they love what they do,” Jones said.
John Otto, the vice president of Buffalo Fire Fighters Local 282, helped organize the party.
“if we can take his mind off the stress for an afternoon, then it was a job well done. Mission Accomplished,” he told CNN.
The Buffalo community is also helping Erick’s family get back on their feet. They are donating money through a Go Fund Me fundraiser.
Photo Credit: Jamia Jones
Woman hunts down thief who stole her car, steals it back
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) — Danielle Reno isn’t an investigator, and she doesn’t work for the police department, but she used her best sleuthing skills to bring her car back home.
“Did I park somewhere else? No. I know I parked here. Somebody stole my car! And it was all downhill from there,” Reno, car theft victim, said.
It was a full investigation for Reno. She filed a police report for her missing 4Runner, then took things into her own hands.
“I got out of my car, grabbed my daughter, and my car was gone,” Reno said.
The non-stop hunt for her car started at a QuickTrip close to her house.
“We stalked this lady for 48 hours. She had no idea what we were doing,” Reno said.
Reno tracked purchases on her debit and credit cards, as well as the activity of her phone, which had been taken. An attendant at a gas station told Reno the car thieves said they were headed to Applebee’s. Reno decided it was time for dinner too.
“Got our waters and she walked in the door. I about had a heart attack,” Reno said.
Reno took the opportunity to slip out the front door and take back what was hers.
“Oh my gosh, before I call the cops, I wanted to show you all what we just found, by doing our own stalking. At Applebee’s, my heart’s racing,” Reno said on video. “She has my wallet in her hand and my keys in her hand.”
Getting her car back isn’t the end of this crazy story.
“Look at my back seat. Beer in my back seat,” Reno said on the video.
The thieves trashed her car to the point she won’t drive it.
“There’s stuff on the car seat. There’s stuff on the seat. It’s just gross,” Reno said.
Not to mention the smell that hits you when you open the doors.
Now, the people arrested in the video are in the hands of Clay County deputies.
Reno said the car is practically a loss with the damage to the interior. So, she’s shutting the door on this part of her life to begin a new chapter.
KCTV5 News wanted to know how police felt about Reno’s detective work. They said they don’t recommend citizens do this, but added Reno never put herself in harm’s way.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/07/14/woman-hunts-down-thief-who-stole-her-car-steals-it-back/
Photo Credit: pix11.com
Immigrant Families Hold Amazon to the Fire for Ties with ICE
Article via InsiderNJ
Immigrant Families Hold Amazon to the Fire for Ties with ICE
Ahead of Prime Day, New Jersey communities condemn the corporation’s ties to Trump’s deportation machine
ELIZABETH, NJ — On the eve of the corporation’s two-day Prime Day event, hundreds of immigrant families rallied outside of Amazon’s warehouse in a show of power condemning the corporation’s ties to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Immigrant workers and families delivered a petition with more than 200,000 signatures to Amazon demanding the company cut ties with ICE.
“In a moment when the federal government is caging children in horrendous conditions, Amazon provides key technology and data infrastructure to fuel the Trump administration’s deportation machine and bolstering the work of ICE,” said Sara Cullinane, Director of Make the Road New Jersey.
Immigrant members of Make the Road New Jersey – including families who have been detained by ICE – called for Amazon to end its partnership with ICE and close any federal contracts that support the administration’s anti-immigrant agenda.
“Last year my daughters were detained by ICE. Family separation is destructive and devastating. Amazon must cut its ties with ICE immediately.” said Mario, a member of Make the Road New Jersey.
The rally also made its way across the street to the Elizabeth Detention Center, where more than 300 individuals continue to be held as they face deportation.
“New Jersey’s undocumented immigrants pay nearly $600 million in state and local taxes each year, according to the non-partisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. That’s $600 million more than Amazon – owned by the world’s richest man – paid in federal taxes. It’s time for the Garden State to put its values first and say no to Amazon,” said Ana Ramirez, Make the Road NJ.
The group also called out Amazon for its increasingly alarming workers’ rights violations, standing in solidarity with warehouse and tech workers across the country who continue to strike.
“As the Trump administration escalates its campaign against undocumented families in New Jersey and across the nation, it’s time for Amazon to start acting like a responsible corporate citizen. Amazon must stop providing the critical tech infrastructure that supports the Trump administration’s inhumane deportation machine. And as one of the largest and fastest growing employers in the state, Amazon must start treating its warehouse workers with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Albert Arroyo, Co-Manager of the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU.
The rally paused for a moment to raise fists in solidarity with Amazon workers at a fulfillment center in Shakopee, Minnesota who plan to strike during Prime Day to protest dangerous productivity quotas and the corporations refusal to convert more temporary workers into employees. The workers, many of them Muslim immigrants from East Africa, previously have protested to call attention to their working conditions.
The rally is one of several coordinated actions taking place across the New York tri-state area this weekend, building on a collective grassroots energy working to hold the corporation accountable.
This effort sets the tone looking forward, as the FTC’s starts its investigation of Amazon. Progressive groups are prepared to mobilize around antitrust efforts against the all-too-powerful monopolies and corporations that undermine US democracy, starting with the House Antitrust Subcommittee who will hold a hearing next Tuesday, July 16 on the impact of market power of online platforms.
Man says DoorDash delivery driver ate half his food before delivering it
The convenience of ordering food to your doorstep with the tap of a finger can be tempting — but it can also come with issues.
Chris Payton of York County says he ordered food from Dickey’s Barbecue in West Manchester Township using DoorDash — a food delivery app that sends its own drivers to pick up orders from restaurants, delivering it right to your door.
After the driver dropped off his food, he says he opened up the box and discovered half of it had been eaten.
Two of the six ribs he ordered were gone and what appeared to be bite marks were left behind.
“I was just dumbfounded I was really shocked that something like that would happen,” said Chris Payton of York County.
Payton says he he believes the DoorDash delivery driver is to blame.
“I guess she just pulls over to the side of the road and just decides to have herself a little snack before she delivers,” said Payton.
We spoke to the employee at Dickey’s Barbecue that handled the order and while they were not allowed to speak on camera with us — they did confirm Payton’s story and said they have had previous issues with the same DoorDash driver.
“It’s just crazy I don’t understand people why they would do something like that,” said Payton. “It’s somebody’s food you pay for that you expect to get it, you pay for a service,” he added.
Online, dozens of similar complaints from other DoorDash customers across the country can be found.
FOX43 reached out to DoorDash for comment, but we did not hear back.
Payton says even though DoorDash refunded him his money, he hopes the driver is reprimanded for their actions.
“Treat your customers with respect, treat somebody’s like you would like to be treated yourself,” said Payton.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Husband mistakes wife for intruder, fatally shoots her
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an overnight fatal shooting in Ypsilanti Township.
Investigators told WXYZ a 30-year-old man mistook his 31-year-old wife for an intruder and shot her.
It happened Thursday morning around 2:30 inside the couple’s shared home.
The couple’s two young children, ages two and four, were inside the home at the time according to police.
According to investigators, the couple suspected an attempted home invasion earlier in the day.
“So he’s a little bit on edge, goes to sleep, thinks his wife is next to him. When wakes up again, sees what he thinks is someone who is in his home, grabs his weapon and pulls the trigger,” said Derrick Jackson with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Jackson, the couple’s 4-year-old first spoke to a 911 operator, explaining their mother couldn’t breath. Then the husband took the phone, indicating he had shot his wife in the chest.
The 31-year-old woman died from her injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies believe this was a tragic accident, one that’s shaken the small neighborhood where it happened.
“I was so shocked,” said Alexandria Fullbright, who lives down the the street. “There was police cars all down the street. There’s tape, detectives.”
The man was taken into custody following the shooting. Jackson said he was released Friday afternoon. At this time no charges have been filed.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office sent the report back to the Sheriff’s Office to get more information on the case.
via: https://fox2now.com/2019/07/13/police-husband-mistakes-wife-for-intruder-fatally-shoots-her/
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Parents charged with child abuse for missing follow-up appointments after baby had liver transplant
Santa Fe, NM (KOAT) — A child who had a liver transplant missed several doctors’ appointments and didn’t get his medication, and now his parents are charged with child abuse.
According to court documents, Kyla and Jason Witterman were arrested Monday for failing to take their 1-year-old son to his medical appointments after he had a liver transplant in April 2018. Court documents said the boy’s parents also didn’t give their son his medications, which transplant experts say is critical after the surgery. The Wittermans are both charged with child abuse.
“They are basically sentencing themselves to death,” said Maria Sanders, an educator with New Mexico Donor Services. “They need to continue taking anti-rejection medication, and the anti-rejection medications keeps your body, the person who receives the transplant, from rejecting that valuable organ that was transplanted to them.”
Documents show that the boy’s doctor reported the family to authorities for missing appointments. It wasn’t until police went to check on the family at their San Juan County home that the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department was notified of the situation. While Sanders isn’t directly connected to this case, she said situations such as this are drastic.
“It’s very disheartening to hear about situations where a person who receives a transplant isn’t taking care of that organ,” Sanders said. “It is an extremely precious gift.”
A spokesperson with the San Juan District Attorney’s Office told KOAT that the 1-year-old and his 13-year-old brother are in state custody and currently staying with a family member. The toddler is reportedly in good health.
Currently, there are about 48 infants in the country waiting for a liver transplant.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Kylie Jenner Says Jordyn Woods Scandal Needed To Happen
And the Kardashian/Jordan saga continues…
Serial drunk driver spared jail because she’s a woman
A serial drink driver who smashed into three cars after downing a bottle of wine has been spared jail – because she’s a woman.
Victoria Parry was told by a female judge if she was a man “it would be straight down the stairs” to prison but was instead handed a suspended sentence and a driving ban.
The 30-year-old hit the vehicles and crashed into a ditch before her Fiat Stilo burst into flames.
She was pulled from the wreck just off the A46 near Stratford-upon-Avon, on May 23 last year.
She was handed an 18-month suspended sentence and banned from driving for 24 months at Birmingham Crown Court.
A breathalyzer test showed she had 102 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath – almost three times the legal limit of 35mcg.
The shop manager has two previous convictions for drunk driving and admitted dangerous driving at Warwick Crown Court in April.
She was given a chance to avoid prison time by Judge Sarah Buckingham, who said: “if Miss Parry was a man, there is no question it would have been straight down the stairs”.
She did not elaborate or give any further reasoning as to why she might be spared for being female.
“This is a shocking case of dangerous driving against a background of two previous convictions for excess alcohol,” the judge added.
“But this offense was committed in May 2018 and she has not been in trouble since.
“She has clearly got an alcohol problem. She is, whether she admits it or not, an alcoholic.”‘
“I SHOULDN’T BE DRIVING”
“You richly deserve an immediate custodial sentence of 18 months. I want to see whether you can really address the issues rather than paying lip service,” Addressing Parry, she added.
“If you succeed, I will not make the custody immediate. If you don’t comply, I will conclude that you are not worthy of the chance.”
The court heard Parry almost caused a major crash when she overtook into oncoming traffic before plowing into three vehicles.
“Her driving was such that she caught the rear bumper of a van, and she next hit the wing mirror of a Vauxhall Insignia, and then the side of a BMW very heavily. She hit it with such force that the BMW’s rear wheel was knocked off and the car was written off,” prosecutor Tim Sapwell said.
“It caused her Fiat to spin in the road and go down the embankment into a wooded area where it caught fire.”
Other drivers rushed to her aid, including an off-duty police inspector who released her from her seat belt and pulled her out of the burning car.
He noticed she smelled of alcohol, and Parry told him that she had had a bottle of wine, telling him: “I shouldn’t be driving.”
The court heard Parry had been banned from driving for three years in July 2015 for her second excess alcohol offense.
Lucy Tapper, defending, said Parry started drinking up to two bottles of wine a day after being in an abusive relationship.
“There is deep and genuine regret on her part. Having a crash presents its own consequences in terms of what you’ve done, and to have your car burst into flames is quite terrifying,” she said. “She says she thought she was going to die. This has been a very salutary lesson to her.”
via: https://nypost.com/2019/07/08/serial-drunk-driver-spared-jail-because-shes-a-woman/
Photo Credit: Paul Beard / SWNS