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It is with profound sorrow and a heart full of gratitude that I reflect on the life and legacy of Andrew Schwartz. His passing leaves behind a silence that words can scarcely touch, yet the echoes of his influence continue to resound powerfully across the lives he touched, the institutions he shaped, and the professional community he helped define.

Andrew was more than a colleague or mentor — he was a cornerstone. His unwavering integrity, tireless dedication, and uncommon vision left a mark that will endure for generations. Whether guiding a complex initiative, offering sage counsel, or simply sharing a kind word in passing, Andrew led with both intellect and heart.

To know him was to witness a rare balance of brilliance and humility. He elevated those around him, not by demanding greatness, but by inspiring it through his own example. His legacy is etched not only in the accomplishments he championed, but in the people he empowered, the values he upheld, and the quiet strength with which he carried himself.

While his absence is deeply felt, Andrew’s impact is far from gone. It lives on in the culture he helped build, the relationships he nurtured, and the many lives he helped shape for the better. We are all beneficiaries of his life’s work — and stewards of the example he left behind.

May we honor Andrew not only in our memories, but in our actions, continuing to lead, serve, and uplift others in the spirit he so graciously embodied.

Rockwall, TX – A wave of sorrow has swept through the Rockwall community following a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed the life of two-year-old Baby Essence on July 9. The Rockwall Police Department has confirmed that the toddler drowned, and while an investigation is currently underway, officials have not yet released further details surrounding the incident.

Baby Essence was known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and the joy she brought to everyone who met her. Her presence was a beacon of innocence and laughter, and her sudden loss has left her family—and the broader community—devastated.

Her young parents, who are still in the early stages of building their lives, are now faced with an unimaginable grief. Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike have begun rallying around them, offering emotional support and practical help during this deeply painful time.

In an outpouring of compassion, community members have launched fundraising efforts to help cover the costs of Baby Essence’s burial. The goal is to provide her with the dignified farewell she so deeply deserves—one that honors the love and light she brought into the world in her short time here.

As Rockwall mourns, prayers continue to rise for peace, strength, and healing for Baby Essence’s family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

ROCKFORD, AL — A tragic single-vehicle crash on the evening of Wednesday, July 16, 2025, has claimed the life of Edward  Gilbert, a 62-year-old resident of Equality, Alabama.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Alabama Highway 22, near the 99-mile marker—just three miles east of Rockford in Coosa County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Gilbert was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Impala when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.

Authorities confirmed that Gilbert was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division, and no further details have been released at this time.

Edward L. Gilbert’s sudden passing has deeply impacted the Equality community. Friends and neighbors remember him as a kind, dependable presence whose loss will be profoundly felt.

ALEA troopers continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Community members are encouraged to drive safely and buckle up—a reminder underscored by this heartbreaking incident.

Voncelle Renee Gamble Obituary, Death – A tragic multi-vehicle accident in Northport claimed the life of a U.S. Postal Service employee on Wednesday. Authorities confirmed the identity of the victim as 36-year-old Voncelle Renee Gamble, a resident of Tuscaloosa. The fatal crash occurred around 12:39 p.m. along the southbound lanes of Highway 43, just south of the Highway 171 intersection.

Northport police, fire medics, and personnel from NorthStar Ambulance responded quickly to the scene. According to Assistant Police Chief Keith Carpenter, a total of four vehicles were involved in the collision. Gamble, who was on duty at the time of the crash, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Three additional individuals sustained minor injuries in the accident and were treated by emergency responders. Fortunately, their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

As of Thursday, no criminal charges had been filed in connection with the crash. However, the Northport Police Department’s Traffic Reconstruction Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine exactly what happened and whether any contributing factors led to the deadly outcome.

Gamble’s death marks a significant loss for both her family and colleagues at the U.S. Postal Service, where she was performing her duties at the time of the incident. The community mourns her passing, and local authorities have extended their sympathies to her loved ones.

Police continue to gather information and are working to piece together how the chain-reaction crash unfolded. At this time, no further details have been provided about the identities or conditions of the other individuals involved or about the exact cause of the crash. Officials emphasize that the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The accident led to temporary disruptions in traffic along the busy stretch of Highway 43, as emergency crews worked to secure the area, assist victims, and begin the investigative process. Drivers in the area experienced delays while the scene was cleared and assessed by reconstruction experts.

Assistant Chief Carpenter noted that while the initial findings did not point to any criminal behavior, investigators are still reviewing all available evidence, including witness statements and vehicle data, to reach a final conclusion.

This incident highlights the dangers that even routine travel can pose, particularly for workers who spend a significant amount of time on the road as part of their job. The loss of Gamble has resonated across the Tuscaloosa and Northport communities, with many expressing sorrow and support for her family.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information is encouraged to contact the Northport Police Department to aid the ongoing investigation.

CLAREMONT, N.C. — A tragic crash in Catawba County claimed the lives of two young passengers in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, prompting a criminal investigation and charges against the driver.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded to the scene around 2:15 a.m. on Boggs Road near Hunsucker Drive after a 2013 Ford Fusion traveling westbound lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line, veered off the left side of the road, overturned, and struck several trees.

Authorities say the driver, 21-year-old Braiden Edward Cole, of Catawba, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. His front-seat passenger, 53-year-old Donnie Wayne Wilson Jr., of Claremont, was seriously injured and also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Tragically, the two backseat passengers—a juvenile female and 19-year-old Savanah Averie Saine, of Valdese—were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators noted that neither was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Preliminary findings suggest impairment played a role in the crash. As a result, Cole has been charged with driving while impaired and two counts of felony death by motor vehicle.

Boggs Road was closed for several hours as officials conducted their investigation. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The loss of Savanah Saine and the young girl has left two communities grieving, with family and friends now faced with unimaginable heartbreak. Loved ones are urging drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel and reminding all passengers to buckle up—every time.

BELOIT, Wis. — A tragic accident has claimed the life of 70-year-old Terrance Robinson, who died Tuesday following injuries sustained when he was struck by an SUV in a Beloit crosswalk.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon just before 4:20 p.m. at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and Inman Parkway, according to the Beloit Police Department. Authorities reported that an SUV, driven by a 43-year-old resident of Janesville, struck Robinson while he was walking in the marked crosswalk area.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and provided aid, but despite efforts, Robinson succumbed to his injuries the following day. The Rock County Medical Examiner’s Office formally identified him on Thursday.

Police noted that the driver of the SUV remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. At this time, no charges have been filed, and authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of the collision.

Terrance Robinson, a longtime resident of Beloit, is being remembered as a kind and gentle man who was deeply connected to his community. His sudden and tragic passing has left friends, neighbors, and loved ones mourning a loss that feels both shocking and senseless.

The incident remains under investigation by local law enforcement.

Community members are encouraged to keep Mr. Robinson’s family in their thoughts during this difficult time.

TEXAS — A tragic end has come to the search for Jasmine “Jassy” Whitherspoon, the 10-year-old girl who went missing during the recent flooding along the Guadalupe River. Her family has confirmed that Jasmine has been found and, heartbreakingly, she did not survive.

Jasmine was attending Camp Mystic, a summer camp known for its outdoor adventures and community spirit, when powerful floodwaters swept through the area. Amid the chaos caused by the rising river, Jasmine was tragically carried away.

A beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Jasmine had arrived at camp full of excitement and hope—eager to make new friends and create lasting summer memories. Her family shared that she was looking forward to her time at camp, ready for laughter, adventure, and joy. What was meant to be a time of innocence and discovery has instead become a time of grief and heartbreak.

“Our family is absolutely heartbroken,” her loved ones said in a statement. “She was so full of life, and she was so excited to be at camp. We are grateful for the love and prayers that have surrounded us, even as we face the unimaginable.”

Local emergency crews and volunteers searched tirelessly for Jasmine in the days following the flood. Her discovery brings closure, but not the peace her family and community had desperately hoped for.

Jasmine “Jassy” Whitherspoon will be remembered for her bright smile, kind spirit, and boundless enthusiasm for life. As her family and community mourn, they also celebrate the beautiful light she brought to the world in her 10 short years.

Please keep Jasmine’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this deep and painful loss.

Rest in peace, sweet Jassy. You will never be forgotten.

RICHMOND, Va. — A heartbreaking end to a weeklong search has left a Richmond family in mourning. The body of Quamel Washington, 30, was discovered Monday afternoon behind a recycling plant in the 700 block of Hull Street Road, days after he was reported missing.

Washington, a devoted father of two young boys and a guiding figure in the lives of his two stepdaughters, was last seen on July 7. His sudden disappearance prompted a joint effort between the Richmond Police Department and Chesterfield County authorities, who had been working tirelessly on the case.

The discovery of his body came after a local resident noticed a foul odor near the area. What was initially believed to be a deceased animal turned out to be something far more devastating.

“We smelled a real putrid smell, and we was trying to figure out whether it was a dead animal so we could call Animal Control,” the man who found the body told CBS 6 Crime Insider Jon Burkett. “It was a deceased person. Stomach turning.”

Now, the Richmond Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation. Although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, a homicide detective has been assigned to the case, and the Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the circumstances surrounding Washington’s death.

“A homicide detective is assigned to that,” said Richmond Police Missing Person’s Detective Clarence Key. “I’m really waiting to hear what the update is from the ME’s office, and they’re running with and following up with any leads, any call-ins that may come in.”

Washington’s death has stunned his community and left a gaping void in the lives of the children who knew him as their father and protector. Loved ones describe him as caring, responsible, and dedicated to his family.

As investigators continue to follow leads, anyone with information is urged to contact Richmond Police. Meanwhile, a family grieves the loss of a man whose life ended far too soon, and a city looks for answers in the wake of tragedy.

COVINGTON, Ga. — A tragic and unsettling scene unfolded overnight in Newton County, where deputies responded to a deadly shooting at a residence on Oak Meadows in Covington.

Deputies were dispatched to the home shortly after 12:20 a.m. in response to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered a devastating scene: 50-year-old Kowanda Glenn and her 20-year-old son, Mikhail Glenn, had been shot to death inside the home. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Also inside the residence was 53-year-old Willie Glenn, who was unharmed and immediately taken into custody. Authorities have since charged him with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his wife and son.

As of Wednesday evening, officials have not disclosed a motive, leaving the community with more questions than answers. The investigation remains active, and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is working to determine what led to this senseless act of violence. At this time, investigators have not indicated whether any prior domestic incidents were reported at the residence, nor whether there were any warning signs leading up to the tragedy.

Neighbors, stunned by the news, described the family as quiet and respectful. Several said they often saw Mikhail outside working on his car or spending time with friends. He was remembered as a young man with a kind heart and a bright future ahead of him. Kowanda, friends say, was a dedicated mother who always put her children first.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” said one nearby resident. “You never think something like this could happen just down the street.”

The double homicide has left the community mourning the loss of two lives that were taken far too soon and struggling to understand how such a tragedy could occur within the walls of a family home. Crisis counselors and victim advocates have been made available to those impacted, and members of the sheriff’s office have expressed their condolences to those who knew and loved the victims.

In a brief statement, a representative from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said:

“This is a difficult time for everyone involved. Our hearts are with the extended family and the community as they process this loss. We will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served and that the victims’ memory is honored.”

As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

In the meantime, the community is being asked to keep the Glenn family in their thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time of loss and grief. Vigils and memorials are expected to be organized in the coming days to honor Kowanda and Mikhail, whose lives were tragically cut short.