Community Corner

Crash Victim Was Dead — Except He Wasn’t + Joints For Jabs + More

Here's your 5-minute read to start the day: Street artist mourned by fans; an Iranian journalist targeted; seeing stars in Jersey.

Friends and fans drew chalk hearts at a memorial for the New York City street artist Hesh Halper, who left more than 100,000 chalk hearts on the city's sidewalks and walls up until his death last month. (Sarah Belle Lin/Patch)

ACROSS AMERICA — A harrowing accident on Interstate 10 in California had an unexpected ending when a man whom first responders thought was dead turned out to be very much alive.

When authorities were called to a solo-vehicle wreck in Banning, California, on Saturday, they found a person trapped in the wreckage who showed no viable signs of life. Yet nearly an hour later, as fire crews extricated the body from the wreckage, it was determined the man was still breathing.

Seven other people, ranging in age from 2 to 38, were also involved in the crash. Read the full story on Banning-Beaumont Patch.

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Forever In Their Hearts

Some knew him as Hash, and others, Hesh. Many knew him as New York Romantic: the street artist who jotted over 100,000 chalk hearts on the city's sidewalks and walls up until his death on June 11. Exactly one month later, family and friends gathered on a balmy Sunday afternoon to honor him, passing chalk to passersby and recalling stories of a passionate and intrepid street artist who spread messages of positivity across the city. Read the full story on New York City Patch.

More Reads

Konkol On The Road: Patch columnist Mark Konkol catches up with Anthony Potenzo, who left Chicago and found a second act as maestro of the vibe at Lilette in New Orleans, via Chicago Patch.

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Anthony Potenzo, former owner of Three Aces and Charlatan in Chicago, found happiness in New Orleans. (Mark Konkol/Patch)

Journalist Targeted: An Iranian journalist living in Brooklyn was the target of an elaborate kidnapping plot aimed at silencing her criticism of the regime, via Bed-Stuy Patch.

Joints For Jabs: Still vaccine-hesitant? Dozens of California businesses are doling out some free pot to anyone who gets their COVID-19 shot, via Los Angeles Patch.

Lightning Born: Busch Gardens Tampa is celebrating the birth of Stanley the giraffe, born the same night the Tampa Bay Lightning won their second-consecutive Stanley Cup championship, via Tampa Patch.

Seeing Stars: There was a GOAT sighting at a Jersey Shore restaurant on Tuesday night. Michael Jordan was spotted dining out at a Margate restaurant, via Galloway Patch.

Contaminated Beaches: At least five New Jersey beaches were closed to swimming Wednesday after medical waste washed ashore, via Toms River Patch.

Celebrity Digs: Here’s your chance to live in a tried-and-true celebrity home. NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen has listed his Highland Park mansion with the short-term rental company Airbnb. Meanwhile, singer Rihanna is renting out her Beverly Hills mansion for a cool $80,000 per month.

Heartwrenching Farewell: After Justin Bernal of Connecticut died unexpectedly, his struggle to overcome his demons was openly and eloquently written into his obituary by his mom, via Enfield Patch.

Justin Bernal and his mom Robin. Justin died Sunday at 36. (Courtesy of Robin Bernal)

“Some nights I couldn’t sleep. I felt rage.”


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