Local News
5 people killed after small plane crashes on Catalina Island off Southern California
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Catalina Island, California (October 10, 2024) – A tragic plane crash occurred on Catalina Island Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of all five individuals on board.
The Avalon Sheriff Station received an SOS emergency notification from a cellphone shortly after 8 PM, indicating a collision with potential injuries.
The notification provided GPS coordinates, guiding authorities to the crash site, located approximately one mile west of Catalina Island Airport.
A joint effort by deputies, firefighters, and Avalon Search and Rescue personnel led to the discovery of the wreckage of a twin-engine aircraft.
All five victims, adults, were found at the crash site and declared deceased.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane involved was a twin-engine Beechcraft 95 that crashed shortly after takeoff.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will jointly investigate the incident, with the NTSB taking the lead. Further updates will be provided by the NTSB.
Catalina Island Airport is primarily used for general aviation aircraft, including single-engine airplanes. Known as the Airport in the Sky due to its elevation of 1,602 feet, it has a single, 3,000-foot runway.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.