Category: Uncategorized

FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Fruitport community is mourning the loss of Rylen Yager, a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at Fruitport Middle School who died following a shooting incident Saturday night. His death has sent waves of grief through classmates, educators, and families across the district.

Fruitport Community Schools (FCS) confirmed Yager’s passing in a statement released Sunday evening by Superintendent Jason Kennedy, who described Rylen as a student whose presence brought joy, warmth, and connection to those around him. The statement, which was reviewed and approved by Yager’s family prior to release, reflected both the school’s sorrow and its desire to honor the young life lost.

“Known for a huge smile and a wonderful sense of humor, Rylen had a way of making others feel welcome and valued,” Kennedy said. “With many friends and a heart of gold, Rylen was kind, compassionate, and always willing to connect with those around him.”

According to the district, Rylen was artistic and creative, while also athletic — a combination that allowed him to connect with a wide range of peers. School officials said he carried a positive energy and a genuine love for life that left a lasting impression on students and staff alike.

“He brought light and joy to many,” Kennedy said, adding that Rylen will be remembered fondly and missed deeply throughout the school community.

A Community in Mourning

In the wake of the tragedy, Fruitport Community Schools has focused on supporting students and staff as they process the loss. Counselors and support services have been made available, and the district has encouraged families to speak openly with students about grief and emotional well-being during this difficult time.

For many at Fruitport Middle School, Rylen was more than a classmate — he was a friend, a teammate, and a familiar face whose kindness made a difference in everyday moments. His death has left an undeniable absence in classrooms and hallways where his laughter and creativity were once present.

Community members throughout Fruitport Township have expressed condolences and shared memories, uniting in grief for a life taken far too soon. The tragedy has prompted reflection on the fragility of life and the importance of compassion, connection, and care for one another.

Remembering Rylen Yager

As the Fruitport community continues to mourn, Rylen Yager is being remembered for the joy he shared, the friendships he built, and the kindness he showed to others. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and in the memories held by those who knew and loved him.

School officials said Rylen’s impact will not be forgotten, and his name will remain a part of the Fruitport Community Schools family.

GREENACRES, Fla. — A quiet condominium community in Greenacres was shaken early Monday morning by a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of two women and left residents reeling. The incident unfolded shortly after 7 a.m. near the 500 block of Shady Pine Way at the Pine Ridge North 1 condominiums, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO).

When deputies responded to the scene, they discovered one woman already deceased and another suffering from gunshot wounds. The second woman was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately died from her injuries, authorities confirmed.

Law enforcement sources indicated that a suspect was located inside a residence near the shooting scene. After initial contact attempts, a PBSO SWAT team responded, and officials later stated that the individual was “no longer a threat.” It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was taken into custody, and authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or provided details about a possible motive as the investigation remains active.

Impact on the Community

The deadly shooting has deeply affected residents of Pine Ridge North and the wider Greenacres community. Neighbors described the area as typically peaceful, and the sudden violence has left many grappling with grief and disbelief. Local community members expressed shock that such a violent act could take place in a residential setting early on a Monday morning.

As law enforcement works to piece together what led to the shooting, detectives are executing search warrants and continuing to gather evidence. PBSO officials have asked anyone with information to contact their office as they pursue leads and attempt to fully reconstruct the events that led to the deaths of the two women.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigators have stressed that the case is ongoing, and public updates may be limited until more information can be confirmed. Detectives are expected to conduct interviews with potential witnesses, review surveillance footage from the area, and coordinate with forensic teams to better understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of ongoing concerns over gun violence and community safety. Residents of Greenacres and Palm Beach County continue to watch closely for developments while mourning the loss of life resulting from this morning’s events.

The Wakeland High School community is mourning following a tragic sledding accident in Frisco that has left students, families, educators, and neighbors grappling with profound loss. The incident has deeply affected the school, as the names of Gracie Brito and Elizabeth Angle are held close in remembrance during this difficult time.

News of the accident spread quietly at first, then rippled through classrooms, hallways, and homes, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Counselors, teachers, and administrators moved quickly to support students as they processed the heartbreak of losing one of their own. For many, the loss is not just of a student, but of a friend, a classmate, and a familiar presence whose absence is now deeply felt.

Gracie Brito and Elizabeth Angle are remembered for the light they brought into the lives around them. Friends recall their kindness, their laughter, and the way they made others feel seen and included. Whether through shared classes, extracurricular activities, or everyday moments between bells, their impact on the Wakeland High School community was meaningful and lasting.

In the days following the tragedy, the school has emphasized unity, compassion, and remembrance. Students have gathered to support one another, leaving notes, flowers, and messages of love, while faculty have encouraged open conversations about grief and healing. The sense of togetherness reflects the close-knit nature of the Wakeland community and its commitment to caring for its students beyond academics.

Parents and community members throughout Frisco have also expressed their condolences, offering prayers and support to the families affected. Vigils, moments of silence, and shared remembrances have become ways for the community to honor a life lost far too soon and to acknowledge the pain carried by those left behind.

Tragic accidents such as this serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change. In honoring Gracie Brito and Elizabeth Angle, the Wakeland High School community is choosing to remember joy alongside sorrow — the smiles, the friendships, and the promise of youth that will not be forgotten.

As the school continues to navigate this loss, students and staff are encouraged to lean on one another and to seek support as needed. The memory of those impacted by this tragedy will remain a part of Wakeland High School’s story, carried forward in acts of kindness, remembrance, and care.

Gracie Brito and Elizabeth Angle will be remembered with love, and their names will continue to echo in the hearts of those who knew them and those who mourn alongside them.

Hunter M. Foley, 27, of Watertown, NY, died Jan. 22, 2026, at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse following a workplace accident.

He was born Aug. 26, 1998, in Carthage, New York, to Michael J. and Jennifer P. (Morgan) Foley. Foley was a 2016 graduate of General Brown High School, where he participated in hockey and lacrosse. He went on to attend Jefferson Community College, earning a degree in Criminal Justice in 2018, and also played lacrosse during his college years.

Foley was deeply involved in hockey from a young age. He played with the Watertown Hockey Association before transitioning into officiating. Over the years, he became a well-known and respected hockey official throughout the region, officiating youth hockey, high school games, Jefferson Community College contests, and adult league games.

He worked various jobs locally and was most recently employed by Heller’s Gas, where he began working on Feb. 5, 2025.

Outside of work and athletics, Foley enjoyed outdoor recreation, including golfing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and four-wheeling, particularly in the Tug Hill region.

Foley is survived by his parents, Michael J. and Jennifer P. Foley of Watertown; his brother, Riley C. Foley; and his dog, Remington. He is also survived by his maternal grandfather, Daren L. Morgan of Theresa; several aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Beverly Morgan; his paternal grandparents, William and Marion Foley; his paternal uncle, Rick Gossiaux; his cousin, Chad Lawrence; and his aunt, Sharon Langridge.

Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear casual attire in Foley’s honor.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 4 p.m. at Spook Hill Bar & Restaurant in Adams.

Donations in Foley’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association. At age 12, Foley underwent successful open-heart surgery to repair an atrial septal defect.