'A Free Spirit That Touched Us All’: Remembering Gabby Petito

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Sunday, Sept. 26. As your weekend comes to a close, here’s a look at some of the stories we’re following today:

• A law firm is offering a $20,000 to find Gabby Petito’s fiance, Brain Laundrie.
• A federal judge temporarily blocked NYC schools from implementing a vaccine mandate.
• Nearly a dozen people were indicted in the death of a Virginia college freshman.
• A church financial director is accused of hiring a hit man to kill her ex-lover’s spouse.

Lighting Up The Sky For Gabby

People came in groups, others drifted in by themselves Friday night, coming together in a small pocket park only steps away from a busy main thoroughfare on Long Island. Residents gathered in the grassy area, surrounded by trees with teal ribbons tied to them.

Over 150 people all showed to remember Gabby Petito, whose body was found in Wyoming on Sept. 19. Good words were said, and prayers were made.

"It was beautiful," said Valerie Pellegrino, who attended the vigil with her family. "I don't know if it was a free spirit that touched us all — because this is not going to be the last time something like this happens — but there's something special about Gabby.” »Lighting Up Long Island's Sky For Gabby Petito, via Sachem, New York, Patch

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

• Brian Laundrie Search Enters Second Week; $20K Reward Offered, via Sarasota Patch
• Gabby Petito Was An Artist 'Who Loved Living Life', via Patchogue Patch
• GoFundMe Will Continue Helping Gabby Petito's Family: Organizer, via Patchogue Patch
• Was Petito Search An Example Of 'Missing White Woman Syndrome'? via Across America Patch

Jelani Day's Body ID'ed

A body found in the Illinois River earlier this month is now confirmed to be missing Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day. Police found the body near the Illinois Route 251 bridge after Day was reported missing on Aug. 25. The young man's family and a faculty member reported him missing after they had not heard from him or seen him in class. »Body Found In Illinois River Confirmed To Be Jelani Day, via Chicago Patch

NYC Vaccine Mandate Blocked

New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge just days before it was to take effect. The worker mandate for the nation's largest school system was set to go into effect Monday. A circuit court judge on Friday granted a temporary injunction and referred the case to a three-judge panel on an expedited basis. »Vaccine Mandate For NYC Teachers Blocked By Federal Judge, via New York City Patch

11 Indicted In Hazing Death

Eight Virginia Commonwealth University students have been arrested and charged with hazing following the death of Adam Oakes, a Delta Chi pledge who died from alcohol poisoning after attending a fraternity party earlier this year. Three others who were indicted are expected to surrender in the coming days. »11 Indicted In Hazing Death Of VCU Freshman Adam Oakes, via Ashburn, Virginia, Patch

FBI Informant Among Capitol Rioters

An FBI informant was among the thousands of people who marched on the U.S. Capitol and stormed the building on Jan. 6. The informant, whose name was not revealed, attended the march with members of a Midwest chapter of the far-right group Proud Boys. »FBI Informant Among Those Who Joined Jan. 6 Capitol Riot: Report, via Across America Patch

Your Good News Fix

Who says there’s never any good news? Get your fix this week with stories about a mom in search of the “angel cop” who helped her son, a hero who was honored for saving eight lives, and a husky who’s waiting for a second chance at life. »9 Good News Stories: 'Angel' Police Officer Sought; Hero Honored, via Across America Patch

This Day In History

In 1960, the first televised presidential debate took place between U.S. presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon.

Around ‘The Patch’

• 1-In-30-Million Lobster Heading From Market To Nature Center, via Vernon, Connecticut, Patch
• Derek Chauvin Files Appeal Over George Floyd Murder Conviction, via Southwest Minneapolis Patch
• Who Is Eligible For COVID-19 Booster Shots? 5 Things To Know, via Across America Patch
• Church Financial Director Accused Of Hiring Hitman To Kill Spouse Of Ex-Lover, via New Tampa, Florida, Patch
• Delta Bans 1,600 Flyers, Wants Other Carriers To Do The Same, via Atlanta Patch

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