Finding The 'Good’ In Tragedy: Petitos To Aid Families Of Missing

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Thursday, Sept. 30. It’s hard to believe there are only three months of 2021 remaining; however, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are the stories we’re following on this final day of September.

• Gabby Petito’s dad on other missing people: "it's not just Gabby who deserves the attention.”
• YouTube is cracking down on anti-vaccine activists and anti-vaccine content.
• Mark your calendars: Several meteor showers are headed our way this October.
• The United States has declared the ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 other species officially extinct.

Petito Family Launches Foundation

Gabby Petito’s four parents held out their arms at a news conference on Long Island this week, displaying matching tattoos of Gabby’s favorite saying, “Let It Be,” on their forearms. At the same time, they announced the launch of a foundation to help other families find their missing loved ones.

Gabby’s stepfather, Jim Schmidt, said the combined family is hoping through its "tragedy with losing Gabby, that in the future, some good can come out of it.”

Her father, Joseph Petito, thanked the news media for their coverage of his daughter’s case and implored those who helped find Gabby to do the same for other missing people.

"it's not just Gabby who deserves the attention,” her father said. » 'Not Just Gabby Petito' Case Deserves Media Attention: Dad, via Patchogue, New York, Patch

Follow all Gabby Petito coverage via Patch, including these other recent stories:

• Suffolk Detective Who Opened Gabby Petito's Case An 'Angel': Mom, via Patchogue Patch
• 'Be Inspired': Gabby Petito's Dad At Long Island Memorial Service, via Patchogue Patch
• Brian Laundrie's Family Camped At Pinellas County Park: Report, via Sarasota Patch

YouTube Bans Anti-Vaxxers

In an effort to stand by new policies aimed at reducing anti-vaccine content, YouTube this week announced it will ban any video that claims approved, commonly used vaccines are ineffective or dangerous. It also moved to block anti-vaccine activists, according to reports. » YouTube Bans Anti-Vaccine Activists, Content: Report, via Across America

CDC To Pregnant Women: Get The Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday issued a strong warning to expectant mothers, urging them to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The guidance comes as more than 250,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in pregnant women. Thousands have been hospitalized, and 161 women have died. » Read more via NBC News

Chicago Bears On The Move

The Chicago Bears are one step closer to building a new stadium outside the city. The NFL team this week signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, a 326-acre property owned by Churchill Downs Inc. » Bears Sign Purchase Agreement To Buy Arlington Park For $197M, via Arlington Patch

Meteor Showers Return To Skies

Skywatchers, mark your calendar. Returning in October are the Draconids and the Orionids meteor showers. The Draconids, which run from Oct. 6-10, are short-lived but a favorite for many stargazers because the best viewing times are right after nightfall. The Orionids run from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7 but don't peak until the predawn hours of Oct. 21.

Also catching some buzz this year is a never-before-seen shooting star show known as the "Finlay-id meteor shower" that, while interesting, won't be visible in the Northern Hemisphere. » Draconid, Orionid Meteor Showers Cued Up; 'Finlay-id' Flies, Too, via Across America Patch

It’s Stink Bug Season

A brigade of brown stink bugs is crawling into houses all over the country right now, just itching to set up a winter camp in your warm, cozy abode. While you may recognize these shield-shaped insects by their marbled or streaked appearance, here’s what you need to do to stop them from stinking up your home. » Stink Bugs: How To Stop Them Before They Smell Up Your Home, via Across America Patch

House Porn

If you’re in the market for a she-shed (or two) or simply need a bit of space between family members, this New Brunswick, New Jersey, estate has exactly what you need. This home not only sits on lakefront property, it also features a pool, skylights, walk-in closets, six full baths and — wait for it — four individual cottages.

This Day In History

In 1955, actor James Dean — a symbol of the restless and idealistic youth of the 1950s — died in an automobile crash as he drove to a car rally in Salinas, California.

Around ‘The Patch’

• 12-Year-Old Girl Dies After Testing Positive For COVID-19, via Haddon Township, New Jersey, Patch
• ‘National Agitators’ Rally Against Critical Race Theory, Transgender Policies At Virginia School Board Meeting, via Ashburn Patch
• 'I Just Want To Say Thank You': Man Looks For Driver Who Saved His Life From Flood, via Warren, New Jersey, Patch
• U.S. Declares Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, 22 Other Species Extinct, via Across America Patch
• Capitol Police Chief: We 'Cannot Afford To Be Complacent', via Washington, D.C. Patch
• Groundbreaking LGBTQ Romantic Comedy Filming In New Jersey, via Cranford Patch
• 'Incendiary Device' Sparks Fire At Texas County’s Democratic Headquarters, via Austin Patch
• Rabies Death Is Illinois’ First Human Case In 66 Years, via Lake Forest Patch

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