Montclair BBQ Joint Announces Closure: 'Running Restaurants Is Brutal Right Now'
Pineapple Express Barbecue has closed after five years in Montclair, the restaurant announced.
The BBQ joint, which operated out of Lackawanna Station, had its last day was Saturday, Jan. 30. In a lengthy post on Instagram announcing the closure, owner Damon Walsh said "running restaurants is brutal right now."
"I have been in this industry for 35 years and it has never been so challenging," Walsh said. "Costs are soaring, from the price of beef to insurance and utility rates, with tariffs, inflation, and general economic turmoil impacting small businesses the most – and we are the least eq…
Acton Dispatcher Dies After Double Shift In Snowstorm; Family Raises Funds for Funeral, Bills
An Acton police dispatcher died while clearing snow at his home this week, and his family is asking for help since he was the sole breadwinner.
Roger Wallace died on Monday, Jan. 26, four days before his 63rd birthday. He had just come home from a double shift at work. He'd spent the hours working with police, firefighters, and paramedics find and help people who were hurt or trapped during a massive snowstorm. After he got home, he began clearing the driveway and was found dead in his truck, his family wrote.
He died suddenly during that endeavor, his oldest child, DJ Wallace, wrote.…
In Wake Of Rocky Hill Man's Sudden Death, $11K Raised For Mom, Children
A Connecticut family is reeling after the sudden loss of a devoted father and fiancé, leaving a young mother to raise two small children on her own.
Jon “Jonny” Sansabrino, 35, of Rocky Hill, died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, Jan. 21, according to family and friends. He leaves behind his fiancée, Schantal Thielke, and their young children, 6-year-old Chloe and 3-year-old Leo.
A GoFundMe launched by coworkers describes the impact in plain terms. “Schantal is a young mother who has just suffered an unimaginable loss,” organizer Jeannine Audia wrote. “... With his unexpected passing…
$21K Raised For Family Of Frankford Dad Killed By Falling Tree Limb
More than $21,000 has been raised for the family of a North Jersey father who was killed by a falling tree limb.
William "Will" Woortman, 38, was killed while cutting a tree on Union Turnpike in Frankford on Thursday, Jan. 22, New Jersey State Police said.
A GoFundMe for Wootman's wife, Dana, and their two children had raised more than $21,000 as of Monday, Jan. 26.
"While Dana will have a lot of pieces to pick up and remain strong for their children, I’m hoping we can help ease the financial stress while she begins navigating this next chapter," Dana's sister Kristen Cooper writes. …
