Tributes Help ‘Stop The Bleeding’ As COVID Claims Nearly 5M Lives

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning and happy Halloween! It's Oct. 31, so before you get the little ones decked out in their spooky best, here's a look at the stories we're following today:

• Memorials across the country remember as the world nears 5 million COVID-19 deaths.
• Federal authorities have busted a large Alabama cockfighting ring, arresting seven people who now face nearly two dozen charges.
• A woman's luxury hijab collection is boosting inclusiveness in some U.S. department stores.
• A Republican congressman and outspoken Trump critic has decided not to run for re-election.

COVID-19 Claims Nearly 5M Lives

As the world nears the milestone of 5 million COVID-19 deaths, memorials large and small, ephemeral and epic, have cropped up around the United States.

In New Jersey, one woman's modest seaside memorial for her late brother has grown to honor thousands of lost souls. In Los Angeles, a teen's middle school project commemorating her city's fallen through a patchwork quilt now includes the names of hundreds more from around the world.

It’s not enough, many of the artists say, but Americans have flocked to the memorials anyway, desperate to remember loved ones lost to a terrible virus. Madeleine Fugate is among them, who started a memorial quilt in May 2020 as a seventh-grade class project. She hopes to one day see a national memorial for those lost to COVID-19.

"It would be amazing to see that happen, but we're still technically fighting the war against this virus," she said. "We're not there yet, so we just have to keep doing what we're doing. We are the triage. We're helping stop the bleeding." »COVID-19 Memorial Creators Reflect As World Nears 5M Deaths, via Across America Patch

Alabama Cockfighting Ring Busted

Seven Alabama residents are facing animal cruelty and conspiracy charges in connection with a large-scale cockfighting and fighting bird breeding operation, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.

According to federal prosecutors, the defendants over the last three years have maintained a cockfighting arena or "pit" with stadium seating for approximately 150 people and several rings to host cockfights. Several are also accused of running breeding operations to produce and sell birds to fight. »7 Charged In Illegal Alabama Cockfighting, Gambling Operation, via Across Alabama Patch

Dems Eye Tuesday For Budget Vote

Democratic leaders are hoping for House votes as soon as Tuesday on the two pillars of President Joe Biden's domestic agenda. While top Democrats would like a final House-Senate compromise on Biden's now $1.75 trillion, 10-year social and environment plan to be written by Sunday, it’s unclear whether the timetable will be met. »Democrats Hope For House Budget Votes As Soon As Tuesday, via Across America Patch

Utah PD To Return Bodycam Fees

Officials in Moab City, Utah, plan to return nearly $3,000 in fees they collected from 30 media organizations for the release of the police bodycam footage showing a traffic stop with Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie.

The police department charged members of the press $98 for the digital recording, but the city has now decided to return the fees after The Salt Lake City Tribune asked for an explanation of the charge because they appeared to violate Utah law. »Utah PD To Return Gabby Petito Bodycam Fees To Press: Report, via Patchogue, New York, Patch

Hijab Collection Boosts Inclusiveness

Growing up, Hilal Ibrahim experienced difficulty finding hijabs and other apparel Muslim women like her need all in one place. Now thanks to her, Muslim women can walk into a Virginia shopping center and see hijabs prominently displayed for sale. Ibrahim, CEO and founder of Henna & Hijabs, introduced her collection this summer at Nordstrom in Tysons Corner Center and other locations around the United States. This is one of the first luxury hijab collections to be sold inside a U.S. retailer store. »New Hijab Collection At Tysons Corner Center Boosts Inclusiveness, via McLean, Virginia, Patch

Your Good News Fix

Need an extra-large helping of good news heading into the weekend? From a cancer survivor spreading a message of hope to police departments coming together to brighten a 7-year-old's day, this week's roundup of stories will leave you uplifted and smiling. »9 Good News Stories: A Message Of Hope; Chicks Get Second Chance, via Across America Patch

The Week In Photos

Want a visual recap of the week’s headlines? Patch’s photo roundup for the week captures images of protests over New York City's vaccine mandate and President Joe Biden's visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican. »The Week in Photos: Storms; Protests; Biden Meets Pope Francis, via Across America Patch

House Hunting

Enveloped by trees, this Batavia, Illinois, property is for sale and it's beautifully luxurious. Listed on Redfin for $589,900, the house sits on more than a half-acre and has been on the market for a mere 10 days. With five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two kitchens, this home allows for plenty of space for all family members to spread out and enjoy.

This Day In History

In 1941, after nearly 15 years of work, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota was completed. The sculpture features the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Pennsylvania Advances Bill To Make Fleeing From Police Illegal, via Pittsburgh Patch
• 24 Charged In New Jersey Cocaine Rings: Prosecutor, via Toms River, New Jersey, Patch
• FDA Paves Way For Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines In Kids Ages 5-11, via Across America Patch
• Adam Kinzinger Won't Seek Reelection, via Channahon-Minooka, Illinois, Patch
• Crump Calls On DOJ, Governor To Investigate Beverly Hills Police, via Beverly Hills Patch
• Letitia James Announces She Will Run For New York Governor, via New York City Patch
• 16 Spooky Halloween Movies To Watch This Weekend, via Hollywood Patch

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