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Remembering June 28, 2016: A Day That Changed Panhandle Forever 🚂💔

Today marks nine years since the tragic train collision that occurred just outside Panhandle, Texas—a moment in time that shook our community to its core and left an indelible scar on our hearts.

On the morning of June 28, 2016, two BNSF freight trains collided head-on in a catastrophic accident that claimed the lives of three dedicated crew members. In an instant, families were shattered, lives were lost, and our town was forever changed. Today, we pause to honor those who perished in that devastating event, to reflect on the fragility of life, and to stand together in remembrance.

To the families and friends of those we lost: We hold you close in our thoughts and prayers. Though words will never be enough, we want you to know that your loved ones are not forgotten. Their memory continues to live on in the hearts of this community—etched in both sorrow and reverence.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to the many first responders who ran toward danger on that difficult day. From local EMS teams and volunteer fire departments to law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and emergency crews, your bravery and quick action in the face of chaos made a profound difference. In the midst of darkness, your compassion and courage brought a glimmer of light.

The anniversary of this tragedy is a solemn reminder of how fleeting life can be, and how important it is to cherish every moment, to care for one another, and to come together in times of need. It is also a testament to the resilience of our town—a small but mighty community that continues to support, uplift, and heal.

As we look back on this heartbreaking day, let us also look forward with hope. Let us continue to tell the stories of those we lost, to thank the heroes who stood tall, and to find strength in our shared journey toward healing.

So Sad for Those Affected by This Horrific Accident 😔🙏🏻

Our hearts are heavy as we come to terms with the devastating news of the recent accident. Tragedies like this shake us to our core, reminding us of how fragile life truly is and how, in a single moment, everything can change. Words often fall short in times like these, but we still reach for them—to grieve, to support, to show that we care.

To those directly affected—the victims, their families, their friends—please know that you are not alone. Across communities, cities, and countries, people are holding space for your pain. We may not know your names or the full extent of your sorrow, but we feel it. We ache with you.

The images and stories that emerge from such tragedies are haunting. They remind us of the deep vulnerability we all share as human beings. And yet, amid the pain, there is often a flicker of hope—in the first responders who act with courage and compassion, in the strangers who step up to help, in the collective outpouring of love and solidarity that follows.

Let us also take a moment to acknowledge the quiet heroes—the medical teams working tirelessly to save lives, the families who are trying to stay strong, and the friends and communities rallying around them. Their strength in the face of heartbreak is humbling.

In the days ahead, healing will be slow, and the road to recovery may feel overwhelming. But please know that countless hearts are with you. We grieve with you. We stand with you. And we hope that, somehow, love and support will find you in this dark time.

To everyone reading this: Let’s be kind. Let’s hold our loved ones a little closer. And let’s never forget how deeply our actions, our compassion, and our humanity can impact the lives of others—especially in their moments of greatest need.

🙏🏻💔

Please pray for Heather Arendall and her family.

This morning brought news that no one should ever have to hear—news that leaves you breathless, heartbroken, and struggling to understand how something so devastating could happen so suddenly.

Heather and her husband Jacob were simply being the kind, generous people they are—taking some friends to the Atlanta airport early this morning. On their way back home, tragedy struck. A car lost control and hit their truck.

Jacob passed away in the wreck. Heather survived with only minor physical injuries, but her heart—her life—has been changed forever. They had only been married for about a year and a half. Just beginning their journey together. Building a life, a future, filled with love, dreams, and all the simple everyday moments that now feel so fragile.

I can’t stop thinking about the weight of this loss. About Heather waking up today with a husband, and now… without him. No words can truly carry the depth of that grief. No expression can make sense of a loss so sudden and cruel.

Please lift Heather and her family up in prayer. Pray for her healing, for strength to face the days ahead, for comfort that somehow reaches into the darkest places of her pain. Pray for Jacob’s family as well, as they grieve the loss of a beloved son, brother, friend, and husband.

Hold your people close. Tell them you love them. And if you believe in the power of prayer, now is the time to pour it out for this family.

Heather, we love you. You are not alone.

My oldest and best friend is going through the unimaginable.

There are moments in life when words fail us—when pain is too deep, and heartbreak too real to describe. This is one of those moments. My oldest and dearest friend, someone who has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, is enduring something no one should ever have to face. And my heart is shattered for her and for her beautiful family.

She is more than just a friend—she is chosen family. We’ve laughed until we cried, grown up side by side, shared secrets, dreams, and all the messy, beautiful layers of life. And now, in this cruel and devastating moment, all I want to do is take her pain away, hold her through it, and remind her she is not alone.

There is a unique kind of helplessness that comes from watching someone you love suffer so deeply. It’s a feeling of wanting to do everything and knowing there’s so little you actually can. But I can stand by her. I can show up, hold space, and offer whatever love, strength, and comfort I have to give.

To my friend—my soul sister—if love could fix this, if prayers could turn back time, if there were anything in my power to ease your burden, I would do it a thousand times over. I know no words can reach the depth of your pain, but please know that I am holding you in my heart every second of every day. You are wrapped in so much love—mine, and the love of all who care about you. We are here. We will not let you go through this alone.

Grief is a long road, and it never looks the same for any two people. But I promise to walk beside you through every step—whether in silence, in tears, or in the quiet strength of just being present.

I love you beyond measure. Always have, always will.

Holding the Edgell Smith Family in Our Hearts

We are absolutely heartbroken for this family.

Jill Edgell Smith is one of the kindest, most selfless souls you could ever meet—and a truly incredible mother. I’ve been blessed beyond words to have her and her daughter as part of our barn family. The love, warmth, and light they bring with them every time they walk in is something that leaves a mark on your heart.

Now, in the wake of an unimaginable loss, we are grieving with them and lifting them up in prayer and love.

My heart is especially with Layton, whose story has shaken us all. This precious life, gone far too soon, deserves to be remembered not just with tears, but with purpose. We ask everyone who reads this to please take a moment and share Layton’s story—not just to mourn, but to spread awareness, to spark a conversation, and hopefully, one day, to save another life.

If even one person is helped, if even one life is changed, Layton’s light continues to shine.

Jill, we love you. We are praying fiercely for your strength and healing, and we are here for you—now and always. 💗

In Loving Memory of Aryele — A Mother, A Niece, A Beautiful Soul Gone Too Soon

Our hearts are shattered as we mourn the sudden and devastating loss of Aryele, a beloved mother, daughter, niece, and friend. Her passing has left an unimaginable void in our lives—and in the hearts of her six beautiful children, who now face a world without their mother’s love and presence.

💐 A Life Cut Short, A Legacy of Love

Aryele was more than family—she was light, laughter, and strength wrapped in one. Whether it was the way she lit up a room with her smile, stood fiercely for her kids, or selflessly gave her time to others, her life was one of deep love and unwavering dedication. As a mother of six, she worked tirelessly to give her children a life filled with care and comfort. Her devotion to them was unmatched.

This tragedy has struck us all with no warning, and our family is still trying to understand how someone so vibrant and full of life could be taken so soon. The pain we feel is sharp and deep. But in our sorrow, we are holding tight to memories of her love, her laugh, and the legacy she leaves behind—especially in the six young lives she nurtured with everything she had.

💗 How You Can Help

In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the family is rallying to ensure Aryele’s children have the care and stability they need going forward. As you can imagine, supporting six children in the absence of their mother brings emotional and financial challenges.

A GoFundMe has been created to help with:

• Funeral and memorial expenses

• Immediate needs for her children (clothing, food, schooling)

• Longer-term support and guardianship planning

🔗 Click here to support Aryele’s children on GoFundMe (insert the actual link)

No amount is too small. Every donation, every share, every prayer means the world to the family during this incredibly difficult time.

🕯️ Final Thoughts

We are broken, but we are not alone. Our family is surrounded by love, by friends and extended family who have reached out with kind words and support. We are so grateful.

Please continue to hold Aryele’s children and all of us in your thoughts. Let her life remind us to love harder, hold our kids tighter, and never take a moment for granted.

Rest peacefully, sweet Aryele. You will never be forgotten.

Why Verification Is Crucial

When reporting on serious incidents—especially those involving injury or death—it’s essential to rely on authoritative and verifiable sources such as:

• Official statements or press releases from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office or relevant emergency responders

• Coverage from established local news outlets (e.g., WIBX, Observer‑Dispatch, local TV stations)

• Confirmation via public records—for example, a coroner’s report or ambulance service logs

Without such validation, there’s a risk of spreading unverified or inaccurate information, which can inadvertently cause harm to those involved.

📌 Suggested Next Steps

If you’d like, I can:

1. Search broader — look into local news sites, community bulletins, or Facebook pages from the Town of Western or nearby hamlets (Westernville, Lee Center, etc.).

2. Check official channels — see if the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office website or social media profiles have posted a press release or public alert.

3. Monitor updates — track local news over the next day or two in case the incident is recognized publicly later.

4. Request additional details — even small updates like the name of the fire department, ambulance crew, or funeral home involved can help verify the event.

📝 Moving Forward

For a respectful and responsible write-up—especially one that commemorates the individual involved—it’s important to confirm key facts such as:

• Exact date, time, and location of the incident

• Identity and age of the victim

• Confirmation of the cause of death and type of accident

• Statements from law enforcement, medical services, or family representatives

Why Verification Matters

Reporting tragic events demands accurate and respectful confirmation from reliable sources such as:

• Local newspapers or TV stations (e.g. The Courier-Journal, local Indiana outlets)

• Official statements from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office or Indiana State Police

• Obituaries published by funeral homes

Without such verification, reiterating unconfirmed information may unintentionally spread misinformation or cause distress.

🕯️ Suggested Next Steps

1. Search local news archives: Floyd County or southern Indiana outlets may have details or crash reports.

2. Check law enforcement bulletins: The Indiana State Police Troop or Floyd County Sheriff often lists fatal accidents.

3. Look for obituaries: Funeral homes in Palmyra or Floyd County may have posted official notices or services.

Leesburg, Florida Mourns Following Fatal Shooting of 20-Year-Old

Leesburg, FL – A tragic act of gun violence rattled the tight-knit community of Leesburg on Friday evening, as 20-year-old Dontae D. Copeland was fatally shot around 7:00 p.m. on Tuskegee Street.
Police responded promptly to reports of gunfire in the area and discovered Copeland suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite emergency efforts and being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival apnews.com+9wftv.com+9insidelake.com+9.

🕵️‍♂️ Developments in Investigation

In a swift turn of events, investigators received a major breakthrough in the case. Kameryn Pickard, also 20 and from nearby Mount Dora, voluntarily came forward to law enforcement. He was brought in by his own father to the Leesburg Police Department, where he was arrested in relation to Copeland’s homicide wftv.com.

The Leesburg Police are actively collaborating with the State Attorney’s Office to determine the precise charges against Pickard. Official statements indicate that detectives are continuing to collect evidence, including surveillance footage, and are appealing to the public for any witnesses to come forward wftv.com.

😢 Community Response & Call for Justice

The sudden loss of Copeland, a young man with his whole life ahead of him, has brought a wave of heartbreak across Leesburg. Family members, classmates, and local residents have shared their grief, reflecting on his bright presence within the community.

Law enforcement is urging anyone who might have seen anything around Tuskegee Street last Friday evening—whether suspicious activity, vehicles, or individuals—to reach out. Calls can be made to the Leesburg Police Department at 352‑787‑2121, or anonymously through CrimeLine at 1‑800‑423‑TIPS (8477), with a potential cash reward available for tips aiding the investigation gunmemorial.org+4wftv.com+4insidelake.com+4.

📌 Next Steps & Community Healing

As investigators analyze forensic evidence and review available video footage, the community is left grieving and wanting answers. The coming days are expected to clarify the motive behind this senseless act and shed light on what led to Copeland’s untimely death.

In the aftermath, local leaders and grassroots organizations are making plans for vigils, memorial services, and outreach activities aimed at supporting Copeland’s grieving family and healing deeper wounds in Leesburg.

🔍 Ways You Can Help or Learn More

• Provide information: Anyone with relevant knowledge—be it eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, or suspicious behavior—should contact LPD or CrimeLine.

• Attend community gatherings: Memorials and vigils are likely being organized by churches, nonprofits, or neighborhood groups.

• Support healing efforts: Reach out to Leesburg-based community organizations working toward youth safety and gun violence prevention.

Suggested Next Steps

• Verify the source: If this is a family-run page, checking for an obituary in local newspapers or funeral home notices might provide more reliable confirmation.

• Check local newspape rs: The Observer–Reporter (Washington County) or The Herald Standard (Greene County) often cover traffic fatalities—these could have relevant obituaries or crash reports.

• Check official records: Local police or the Pennsylvania State Police typically release crash details the next day. Their traffic incident logs or press releases would be authoritative.

Why This Matters

Reporting on tragic events like this demands accuracy and respect for the affected family. Before sharing or publishing anything, it’s vital to confirm key details—name, age, location, date—with reliable evidence such as:

• A published obituary or memorial from a funeral home

• Press release or police report citing the crash

• Coverage in a recognized news outlet