Author: Admin

Tragic Candlewood Lake Drowning: Anand Baghel Identified

State authorities have officially identified the man who drowned in Candlewood Lake:

• The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) confirmed the deceased as Anand Baghel, age 55, of Hamden, Connecticut NBC ConnecticutConnecticut Post.

• The incident occurred on Friday (August 15, 2025), when Baghel entered the water from an anchored motorboat and failed to resurface NBC ConnecticutCT Insider.

• Due to low visibility and team fatigue, the search was paused on Friday night, then resumed early Saturday (August 16) at 9 a.m., when rescuers recovered his body CT InsiderNBC ConnecticutConnecticut Post.

Incident Details

• Date & Time: Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to a home on Walnut Street in Ellsworth Borough (Washington County) around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday night (exact date not specified, but details are current) CBS News.

• Victim: A 21-year-old man, Elijah Johnson from Carnegie, was discovered inside the residence. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene CBS News.

• Arrest Made: Authorities arrested 18-year-old Christopher Harper, a student from Bentworth High School, in New Castle. Harper is alleged to have known the victim and the altercation stemmed from a dispute involving a woman CBS News.

• Charges: Harper faces multiple charges, including homicide, burglary, recklessly endangering another person, and a firearms violation CBS News.

• Several obituaries for individuals named “Kaitlyn” appeared in search results, but none were connected to Fort Wayne or carried the surname Howard:

  • Kaitlyn Whitmer Dula (1991–2024) Flora Funeral Service

  • Others with names like Kaitlyn Amber Hughey, Kaitlyn Lori Kochheiser, etc., but none located in Fort Wayne or matching the name Kaitlyn Howard Snyder Funeral Homes+1Brown Funeral HomesSteen Funeral HomeCope Memorial ChapelO’Brien Funeral HomeJohn A. Gentleman Mortuaries.

Would you like help with any of the following next steps?

• Double-checking local Fort Wayne news outlets (like The Journal Gazette or News-Sentinel)

• Searching regional funeral home websites or their social pages

• Looking into community platforms or social networks where local memorials might be shared

Incident Overview

• Date & Time of Crash: Aurora Police Department responded around 6:15 p.m. on August 9, 2025 to a crash at the intersection of Dayton Street and East 12th Avenue. The collision involved a vehicle and a motorcycle. https://www.kktv.comDenver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)

• Victim: The motorcyclist was identified as 65‑year‑old Harvey Davis, a resident of Aurora. He was taken to the hospital and sadly passed away three days later. https://www.kktv.comDenver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)

• Suspect Vehicle: Police determined the crash was caused by a 2003 Subaru Forester that failed to stop at a stop sign while traveling eastbound on East 12th Avenue, colliding with Davis who was heading north on Dayton Street. The driver did not render aid and fled from the scene. https://www.kktv.comDenver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)

• Current Status: The vehicle was later found abandoned near the crash site and has been impounded by the authorities. So far, there is no information on the suspect’s identity, and the investigation remains active. https://www.kktv.comDenver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)

Police responded around 7:11 p.m. on Saturday night (August 16, 2025) to the 1600 block of Washington Boulevard following reports of gunfire. At the scene, they found three individuals with gunshot wounds—two adult men and one adult woman. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the second died after being taken to the hospital. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. KMBC

The victims have been identified as:

• Tyler Wheeler, 26, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas

• Victor Loza, 23, from Bonner Springs, Kansas
  Additionally, a 19-year-old woman survived the shooting. Authorities say the suspect fled before officers arrived, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 816‑474‑TIPS. KMBC

In Loving Memory of Jessica Sclafani

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we share the passing of Jessica Sclafani, a beloved daughter, sister, friend, and cherished member of her community.

Jessica touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, strength, and unwavering compassion. Her bright spirit, infectious laughter, and deep love for those around her will be remembered always. Whether through her work, her friendships, or her quiet acts of generosity, Jessica made the world a better place simply by being in it.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and connection—a reminder to all of us to live with purpose and care for one another.

Jessica will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and her memory will forever live on in our hearts.

Summary of Events

1. Multiple Shootings Across the Weekend

• Friday, around 11 p.m.
  A man was shot on N. LaPorte Avenue after police responded to a ShotSpotter alert. His injuries are reported as non–life-threatening. https://www.wndu.com

• Early Saturday (~2 a.m.)
  A 12-year-old boy was shot near Howard and Lawrence streets. His condition is also non–life-threatening. https://www.wndu.com

• Sunday night (~10:15 p.m.)
  An 8-year-old girl and an adult woman were shot on Lindenwood Drive, near Birchwood Lane. The girl is in critical condition; the adult woman suffered injuries that are not life-threatening. https://www.wndu.com+1Yahoo

2. Welfare Check and Death Investigation

On Sunday afternoon (~1 p.m.), South Bend Police assisted Elkhart County law enforcement with a welfare check at the intersection of Pulaski Street and Indiana Avenue. They discovered a man and a woman deceased inside a vehicle—both had been shot. Officials believe the man’s injury was self-inflicted. Authorities are treating it as a death investigation. https://www.wndu.com+1WSBT

Context & Community Reaction

• The South Bend Police Department described the violence as especially troubling given that two juveniles were among those shot this weekend. The emotional toll on the community is palpable, especially the fear it instills in parents and neighborhoods. WSBT

• Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow emphasized the importance of not only rallies and press conferences, but also long-term solutions—such as addressing poverty, supporting families, and offering youth programming—to tackle the underlying causes. https://www.wndu.com

Overview at a Glance

What This Means

This string of violence—including four shootings within three days and two deaths during a welfare check—has cut right through the heart of the community. Children have been victims, and the frequency and severity of these incidents underscore deep rooted challenges facing South Bend, from community safety to social support systems.

With Heavy Hearts, We Share the Passing of Don

It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of Don’s passing. Earlier today, just before 4:00 PM, Don took his last breath. His passing was sudden and unexpected, and our family is now navigating a level of grief that words simply can’t express.

We know how deeply Don was loved by so many, and we wanted to ensure that his friends and extended community were reached during this incredibly difficult time.

At the moment, we kindly ask for space as we process this loss privately. We are not yet ready to speak, but your thoughts, prayers, and messages of support mean the world to us.

Please keep Don’s family and loved ones in your hearts in the days to come. We will share more information when we are able.

With love and sorrow,
—The Family