NJ Murder Victim April Duncza Remembered As Professional With 'Creative Brilliance' NJ Murder Victim April Duncza Remembered As Professional With 'Creative Brilliance'
NJ Murder Victim April Duncza Remembered As Professional With 'Creative Brilliance' April Duncza, the 39-year-old New Jersey woman believed killed by her ex-boyfriend is being remembered for her creative brilliance and professional success. Duncza, a Nebraska native, was found during a welfare check at a home on Paul Street in the Fords section of Woodbridge with serious head trauma around 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. She was later pronounced dead and her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Bacon, 46, of Keanesburg, has been charged with murder, Ciccone previously announced. Duncza's obituary on the Higgins Home for Funerals website says…
NJ's Blake McGuire Dies At 27: 'Free Spirit' NJ's Blake McGuire Dies At 27: 'Free Spirit'
NJ's Blake McGuire Dies At 27: 'Free Spirit' Blake Kyle McGuire, of Bethlehem Township, died at his home on Friday, Nov. 17, his obituary says. He was 27 years old. Born in Edison, Blake graduated from North Hunterdon High School in 2014 before attending Raritan Valley Community College. He is being remembered as a “free spirit” with a passion for art and music, who loved to make others laugh with his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, his obit reads. "I had Blake as a student and always enjoyed him," a former teacher wrote on Facebook. "He always made me smile." Blake is survived by his parents, William and Susan McGuire; sisters, Kelly…
Josue Gutierrez Of Chantilly Dies Suddenly, 18: 'Our Worlds Are Forever Changed' Josue Gutierrez Of Chantilly Dies Suddenly, 18: 'Our Worlds Are Forever Changed'
Josue Gutierrez Of Chantilly Dies Suddenly, 18: 'Our Worlds Are Forever Changed' A northern Virginia community is mourning the sudden loss of 18-year-old Josue Gutierrez. A high school senior in Chantilly, Josue died on Oct. 16 after battling depression, according to his obituary. Born in Honduras, Josue came to the U.S. at 14 years old. He was being remembered as a gifted artist who "could do amazing things with a pencil and a piece of paper," his obituary reads. He was also a talented watercolor artist. Josue loved to rollerblade and enjoyed going on hikes and roller coasters, loved ones say. A GoFundMe launched for his family had raised $1,200 as of Thursday, Oct. …
Small Central Jersey Town Among '50 Most Charming Small Towns In America': HGTV Small Central Jersey Town Among '50 Most Charming Small Towns In America': HGTV
Small Central Jersey Town Among '50 Most Charming Small Towns In America': HGTV A small city in Hunterdon County, recently was named one of America's 50 most charming towns by HGTV. Founded in 1705, Lambertville is known for its picturesque views of the Delaware River, antiques and art galleries. The television network released a slideshow with the ranking, describing the city of 4,100 residents as “The Antiques Capital of New Jersey.” Lambertville also made HGTV's list of most charming towns last year. Its top attractions, according to Tripadvisor, include:  The People's Store Antiques and Design Center with more than 40 dealers, Music Mountain Theater,…
Top Honors: This Stamford School Recipient Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award Top Honors: This Stamford School Recipient Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
Top Honors: This Stamford School Recipient Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award When it comes to overall excellence, these Connecticut schools are at the top of the class, and they have the hardware to prove it. Four schools in the Constitution State are among just 353 across the country to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award from the US Department of Education. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools, as well as those making strides in closing “achievement gaps” among student groups. “Their leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, they stay close to the real action of teac…
‘Truly Beautiful, Inside And Out:’ Alexa Brown Of Phillipsburg Dies At 16 ‘Truly Beautiful, Inside And Out:’ Alexa Brown Of Phillipsburg Dies At 16
‘Truly Beautiful, Inside And Out:’ Alexa Brown Of Phillipsburg Dies At 16 Phillipsburg is mourning the loss of a lifelong resident and beloved teen. Alexa Marie Brown, “Alexita,” died Thursday, August 24 at age 16. Born in Phillipsburg, Alexa was known for her wide range of hobbies, including cheerleading, softball, and basketball, in which she became “a competitor on and off the court” with the help of her father, her obituary says. She played on several basketball teams, including the Steele Hill Bulldogs, Steele Hill Warriors and Team Jenkins. “She was feisty, tenacious and quickly recognized as a tough defender,” reads her memorial, adding that the talented …
New Eatery Combines Coffee, Art In Hawthorne New Eatery Combines Coffee, Art In Hawthorne
New Eatery Combines Coffee, Art In Hawthorne A new cafe in Northern Westchester is combining Filipino-inspired pastries, coffee, and art into a fresh experience for those who stop by.  Likha Art Cafe, located in Hawthorne at 363 Elwood Ave., celebrated its soft opening on Friday, July 14, the owners announced on social media.  The new eatery offers a focus on art while serving coffee and a selection of Filipino-inspired sweets. Some of these pastries include mini ube flan cakes, pan de coco, ube pandesal with cheese, and mini sans rival dessert cakes.  It’s our SOFT OPENING 💕Swing by! Posted by Likha Art Cafe on Friday, July 14,…
Popular Artist, Business Owner From Milford Dies Suddenly At Age 63 Popular Artist, Business Owner From Milford Dies Suddenly At Age 63
Popular Artist, Business Owner From Milford Dies Suddenly At Age 63 A much beloved Connecticut artist known throughout her community died suddenly at the age of 63. New Haven County resident Sharon Rutledge, of Milford, died on Friday, June 2, after collapsing at her home on Wednesday, May 31. At the time of her death, Sharon was encircled by her family and friends, said her daughter Sara Agee Kaminski. Besides owning a business -- Blue Point Designs -- featuring her artwork and more, Sharon was known throughout the community for her Facebook page "You know you live in Milford CT if....,” with almost 30,000 members. She could also be found at almost all c…
'Local Legend' Dies Suddenly, Remembered For Spreading Joy Through Merrimack Valley 'Local Legend' Dies Suddenly, Remembered For Spreading Joy Through Merrimack Valley
'Local Legend' Dies Suddenly, Remembered For Spreading Joy Through Merrimack Valley A beloved artist who spread joy through markers and paper died at age 43, sparking an outpouring of love and support.  Tomaso Schena, a local artist with a big following, died suddenly on Friday, May 5 in Newton, according to the City of Haverhill Mayor's Office.  Images of Schena's art, all made in his signature, colorful style, spread across Facebook in the days after his passing.  "Tomaso Schena seemed to illustrate everyone within a 50+ mile radius of Haverhill during his very short life," said one Facebook post memorializing the artist.  Schena had connections throughout Haverhill, N…
Victim Killed In Center City Crash, 31, Embraced Life, Loved Ones Say Victim Killed In Center City Crash, 31, Embraced Life, Loved Ones Say
Victim Killed In Center City Crash, 31, Embraced Life, Loved Ones Say Ariana Bird, a Philadelphia-based artist, dancer, and performer, died from injuries sustained in a car accident in Center City on Sunday, April 2, their loved ones say. They were 31.  Known to friends as simply Bird, the west coast native pursued dance from a young age and attended the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy in Beaverton, Oregon, according to their obituary.  They went on to receive a dance scholarship to study at the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, and earned a bachelor's degree there, loved ones said.  After graduating college,…
Housemate Admits Killing NJ-Born Sculptor In Maryland Housemate Admits Killing NJ-Born Sculptor In Maryland
Housemate Admits Killing Nj-born Sculptor In Maryland A Maryland woman has admitted to killing her 92-year-old sculptor roommate, a New Jersey native, and attempting to make it seem like a natural death, authorities said. Julie Birch, 27, has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of East Orange native Nancy Ann Frankel, whom she first attempted to suffocate, then strangled to death during an incident in July 2021, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a Spruell Drive home on July 28, 2021, in Kensington, to conduct a death inve…
Housemate Admits Killing Prominent DC Sculptor In Montgomery County: State's Attorney Housemate Admits Killing Prominent DC Sculptor In Montgomery County: State's Attorney
Housemate Admits Killing Prominent DC Sculptor In Montgomery County: State's Attorney A Kensington woman has admitted to murdering her 92-year-old sculptor roommate and trying to make it look like a natural death, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy announced. Julie Birch, 27, has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Nancy Ann Frankel, who she first attempted to suffocate, then strangled to death during an incident in July 2021. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a Spruell Drive home on July 28, 2021, in Kensington, to conduct a death investigation after Frankel was killed. Upon arrival, Birch, then 2…