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USA Today
13-07-2025
- USA Today
Beautiful or fatal? Picturesque dams hide a deadly legacy
It was the day after the anniversary of his son's death when Jim Gentile heard a park ranger had gone missing near a low-head dam in Tyler State Park in Pennsylvania over Memorial Day Weekend. Two days later, when the body of Alec Campbell had been recovered — his death a result of his kayak capsizing in fast moving water near by the Weir Dam on the Neshaminy Creek in Bucks County — Jim couldn't help but relive his own family's tragic loss. His son Jonathan, who had been in town visiting from the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon, drowned in the unforgiving currents of the nearby New Hope wing dam in 2022. There were too many parallels to ignore. The two men were both 38 years old when they died. Each one, a husband and a father. Alec and Jonathan were both known for their involvement in their communities — Alec as a passionate educator who enjoyed connecting with visitors and students throughout his time as a park ranger, and Jonathan as a vibrant teacher, mentor and coach. Both deaths, Jim said, were preventable. 'My son died, somebody else's son has died. In three years, nothing has been done,' said Jim, a nurse who has since devoted much of his time advocating for the remediation and removal of low-head dams. The dangers of New Hope Dam Looking downstream toward the New Hope Dam on a recent Monday afternoon, the Delaware River gave off an air of tranquility, its glassy surface reflecting the tree-lined hills and clear blue sky above before cascading off the V-shaped stone structure below. The conditions weren't much different the day Jim and Jonathan set out on their kayaks three years earlier. 'When approaching it, it looked just like the edge of an infinity pool. The water flowing over it looked so peaceful and calm,' Jim recalled. The scene gave little indication of the dangers that waited for them on the other side. Trailing a few yards behind, Jim watched Jonathan confidently paddle over the edge of the dam before falling just out of his line of sight for what should've just been a moment until he could catch up with his son. But by the time he guided his boat over the same drop off, a mere 30 seconds later, Jonathan had completely vanished. 'I swam under the waterfalls, I saw his kayak lodged up under there, and all I kept thinking is, 'He's under the water,'' Jim said. He desperately screamed his son's name over and over as he searched the river, knowing any chance of survival dwindled with each passing second. He spotted a lifejacket breaking the surface of the water several minutes later, and quickly made his way over and to find his unconscious son floating in it. In the moments that followed, Jim did all he could in an attempt to save Jonathan's life, fighting against a strong current that threatened to rip his son away as he attempted to rescue him out of the water and onto the precarious rocky shore. 'I pulled him up and held him tight with his back on my chest," Jim said. "He started to turn purple. And I tried to blow air into his lungs, but I can't because there's too much water, and I tried to do CPR and couldn't because we were stuck on the rocks." 'I couldn't save him.' Thanks to a 911 call from one of the bystanders watching from a nearby condominium balcony, members of a marine rescue crew eventually made their way to the two men. They brought Jonathan to a flatter surface further down shore, where they could properly administer CPR and employ the use of an AED and other emergency medical interventions to get his heart beating again. Jonathan survived two days in the hospital, hooked up to a ventilator, giving his family a chance to donate his organs and say their final goodbyes. Low-head dams have killed more than 600 people In the years that followed, Jim has turned his grief into action. He's advocated for adequate signage explicitly warning people of the dangers, and ultimately, the complete elimination of the more than 13,000 low-head dams that remain in the U.S. Currently, the one in New Hope is considered a wing dam, but he believes the structure should be reclassified as a low-head dam, given its size and shape that creates the dangerous underwater hydraulic effect that his son had fallen victim to. Low-head dams typically span the entire width of the waterway, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. They're usually between 1- to 15-feet in height, allowing water to flow over their tops, resulting in a powerful 'washing machine effect' that essentially traps people under water with little chance of escaping. 'The hydraulics of these things are generally not known by the public,' Mike Parker, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, told the Bucks County Courier Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. "There's a low-head dam in the Susquehanna (River) in Harrisburg that's killed around 30 people over the last few decades.' In Pennsylvania alone, more than 100 deaths have occurred at three dozen dams across the commonwealth, according to a study conducted by a team of researchers at Brigham Young University. According to the report, the database that was compiled as a part of the project continues to be updated. While based on an extensive search of public records, it's not all-inclusive. 'As long as dangerous low-head dams exist, there will be more tragic cases and the database is destined to grow,' the report concluded, asking lawmakers and engineers to use the information to determine remediation measures to improve public safety. There are more than 600 names listed in the database. Alec and Jonathan are among them. As difficult as it is to relive the events of that day, Jim is determined to keep telling his son's story. He carries the hope that something will change on the local, state and federal levels to prevent low-head dams from claiming more lives. 'It's hard coming here,' he said, standing just yards away the dam that took his firstborn. 'But if it saves someone's son, someone's father, someone's husband, then I don't care how hard it is. ... These are preventable deaths, and they are turning a blind eye to public safety. It's irresponsible, and it's reckless. But nothing is being done.' Michele Haddon can be reached at MHaddon@ JD Mullane can be reached at jmullane@
New York Post
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Beautiful inside and out: Air Force vet who donated two organs poses for pin-up calendar
She's got a heart — and other organs — of gold. Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez, aka Miss March in the 2026 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar, went from the military to modeling — and in between, became a double organ donor, a title only 280 people in the US can claim. The 42-year-old Oklahoma native spent six years in the military, was deployed to Qatar and Djibouti, earned an Air Force Achievement Medal and was crowned Miss Veteran America in 2017. Advertisement After being honorably discharged, she saw an ad for the nonprofit Donor Outreach for Veterans and decided to continue her service. In 2022 she gave a kidney to a fellow vet at Mount Sinai Hospital on Memorial Day Weekend. 'They allowed me the opportunity to choose the date that I wanted to donate. And because I was donating to a veteran, I wanted it to be around a memorable holiday,' Gutierrez, now a social worker at the Department of Defense, told The Post. 5 Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is featured as Miss March in the 2026 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar. Shane Karns Photography/ Pin-Ups For Vets Advertisement 'Funny enough, I kind of selfishly got on the Yankees' schedule just to see whenever they had a home game and it happened to be around the same time as Memorial Day weekend and I was like, 'Well, that's perfect.'' A week after the surgery, she met her kidney's recipient, Army vet Reggie Robinson, and his wife. 5 The Oklahoma native said it was 'so inspiring and empowering to be around other women veterans.' Pin-Ups For Vets 'I gained a new family. It's just been a fantastic reunion once we were able to finally meet each other,' said Gutierrez, who lives in Maryland while pursuing a doctorate in social work. Advertisement Last year, she donated 40% of her liver to an anonymous recipient, who recently surprised her by sending a thank you letter. 5 Gutierrez met the recipient of her kidney, Reggie Robinson. Courtesy of Lindsay Gutierrez 'It's the very first communication we've had in 15 months. I'm writing her back and I hope one day we can meet,' she said. Gutierrez, who hiked Mount Kilimanjaro in 2023, less than a year after her kidney donation, said she is 'completely healthy' after her double donation. Advertisement 'I'm 100 percent back to normal. There's nothing that I can't do. There's no medicine I have to take. I really just watch what I eat and stay hydrated more,' she said. 5 In 2024, she donated 40% of her liver, and has a 10-inch scar from the surgery. Courtesy of Lindsay Gutierrez The brunette beauty felt this year was the right time to pose for the nonprofit Pin-Ups For Vets, whose '40s pin-up calendar, which raises money for veteran and troop initiatives, features 13 vets with a combined 118 years of serving the country. 'It felt like I have a great platform and story to be able to share about why I should be a part of this,' she said. She was also thrilled to meet the other calendar girls at the photoshoot, which was held at Galleano Winery in Mira Loma, CA. 'It's just so inspiring and empowering to be around other women veterans.' 5 Gutierrez met her husband, Anthony, when they were both stationed in England. Courtesy of Lindsay Gutierrez Advertisement Gutierrez, who met her husband, Anthony, who is on active duty in the Air Force, through her service, said her other half approved of her pin-up pics. 'He loves it. He was so supportive. He was so excited when I told him what I was I doing.'
Gulf Today
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Hometown hero Kyle Larson looks to defend his Sonoma title
If you enjoy racing at NASCAR's snaking road courses, you have come to the right place over the past five races. For the third time in that quintet, drivers will mix in plenty of right-hand turns to go along with the usual left-handers when the Cup Series travels to its lone stop in California for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, the 110-lap race at Sonoma Raceway. Kyle Larson is surely thrilled to be back in the Golden State's wine country -- and not just because he hails from Elk Grove, just 90 minutes away from the 12-turn track. The race's defending winner beat Martin Truex Jr. and Chris Buescher over the final 51 caution-free laps a year ago. However, the 2021 Cup champ has not had much go his way since his history-making efforts in running at Indianapolis and Charlotte on the same Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. The hometown hero at the 1.99-mile track has run poorly since doing the "Double," wrecking in both the Indy 500 and Coke 600. In the seven races starting in Charlotte, his average finish is 17.6 with his best showing being fifth at Michigan. But the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver is safely in the playoffs, of course. His three wins tie him with Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell for the most, and he is a two-time winner in Napa Valley's vineyard region. Kyle Larson However, it was Shane van Gisbergen who sipped sweet success Sunday for the second time in the three Cup races held on the Chicago Street Course. In the first one there in 2023, the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing driver recorded career win No. 1. He was victorious in last year's Xfinity race but finished last in the Cup event following a crash. Last weekend, the New Zealander earned the pole in both races and scored two victories. He became the first driver to win from the pole on both Saturday and Sunday since Kyle Busch did it in 2016 at Indianapolis. "This joint, it changed my life," said SVG, whose three wins in 33 races make for a fine start in Cup racing and puts him with the most wins by any foreign- born driver. With Chicago's future in real question -- the three-race agreement is over -- SVG is one of many drivers who would relish a fourth in the Second City, though San Diego may be the next stop on the streets. In the playoff chase, SVG's win slots him fourth in the postseason lineup with seven races remaining, but with 12 winners locked into the playoffs, three of the final four positions have tightened up. The first winless driver, 13th-place Tyler Reddick, holds a vast 104-point lead over Alex Bowman in 14th. And while a victory might be expected of Reddick in his No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, none of his eight wins have come at any of the next seven venues. Bowman leads Buescher by just four points, while Bubba Wallace, who finished 28th Sunday after being spun twice, holds the final playoff spot in 16th by only two points over Ryan Preece. It is then a 41-point drop-off to 18th-place AJ Allmendinger with 400 points. Larson (2024, 2021), Busch (2015, 2008) and lame duck Trackhouse driver Daniel Suarez (2022) will be the only active competitors in Sunday's field who have taken home Sonoma's checkered flag. Reuters
Black America Web
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Cardi B Deletes Photos Of Stefon Diggs From IG, Fan Speculation Is High
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs made headlines after the pair began popping out at events, and their sultry Instagram photos added more of that same sizzle to their relationship rumors. However, it appears that Cardi B is moving on from Stefon Diggs after deleting images featuring the New England Patriots star. Cardi B and Stefon Diggs looked to be Hip-Hop's latest it couple, especially after the tumultuous relationship the 'Outside' star endured with her ex, Offset. With several soft launch images featuring Cardi and Diggs, more images of their romance made their way to social media and basically signaled the end of her previous relationship. Eagle-eyed fans noted that the pair just made things Instagram official with a photo of Cardi curled up on Diggs during a yacht ride and other images of the pair in public. However, it came out around Memorial Day Weekend that a video featuring Diggs talking with a group of young women on that same cruise surfaced. Further, fans also began bringing up Diggs' dating past and how some of his teammates wouldn't let their sister date him due to his ways and actions. Cardi B is currently gearing up to drop her sophomore project, Am I The Drama? , which drops on September 19. She is also still battling Offset in court over their bitter divorce matter. Cardi's ex also had a little something to say about the rumored split. As captured online, Offset went on Instagram Live and made a cryptic statement, saying, 'You can't get rid of me. I'm like cancer,' but it isn't known if he was referencing Cardi or another matter. Keep scrolling to see comments from X regarding the Stefon Diggs delete spree. — Photo: Getty Cardi B Deletes Photos Of Stefon Diggs From IG, Fan Speculation Is High was originally published on
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Praised for What She Did During Oilers-Panthers Game
Taylor Swift Praised for What She Did During Oilers-Panthers Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After lying low for several months, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, are slowly stepping back into the spotlight. The 10-time Pro Bowler and Swift, who've spent the bulk of the offseason in Florida, were spotted at Harry's Bar & Restaurant in West Palm Beach over Memorial Day Weekend before dining at Buccan restaurant in Palm Beach last week. The famous couple appeared to have a blast while attending the 10-time Pro Bowler's cousin's wedding in Knoxville, Tennessee, happily posing with family members and fellow guests. On Thursday night, the 14-time Grammy winner and Kelce were back in the Sunshine State to catch before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. The couple received a warm welcome from the TNT Sports crew with analyst Jackie Redmond dropping Swift-related comments throughout the broadcast. After the Oilers came back from a three-point deficit to tie the game, the Amerant Bank Arena started playing "Shake It Off." NHL great Wayne Gretzky, who joined Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, on their "New Heights" podcast as a guest last week, also visited the couple in their suite. Just before the third period started, Swift walked down to a crowd that formed by her suite and started to take selfies with fans. Fans gushed over Swift taking the time out of her date night to take photos with fans. One person wrote, "Oh Taygenerous." An Oilers fan joked, "oh tayprincess being generous and taking pictures with the peasants (panthers fans)." One special fan who happened to wear a "Midnights" cardigan to the game got to take multiple photos with the singer. One X user wrote, "Imagine Taylor walking over to sit next to you and using your phone to take a selfie 🥹😭🥺 ahhhhhhh." Another person commented, "Notice how nobody booed her? That's why hockey is better." One Swiftie simply wrote, "i love her."This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
