Local News
2 Killed After Helicopter Crash Near Penn’s Peak Concert Venue in Carbon County
PENN FOREST TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Emergency responders are on the scene of a helicopter crash that occurred Thursday afternoon in a wooded area of Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.
The crash site is located near the Penn’s Peak concert hall on Maury Road.
Authorities reported that the incident took place at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Initial dispatches indicated that the aircraft went down in a heavily wooded section near the venue, prompting a large-scale response from local police, fire, and EMS units.
The Carbon County Coroner’s Office has confirmed multiple fatalities at the scene.
Early reports from emergency crews indicate that two individuals aboard the helicopter were killed in the crash.
At this time, officials have not released the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been notified and will be leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Both agencies are expected to arrive on site to begin collecting evidence and examining the wreckage.
The Carbon County Communications Center stated that emergency personnel remain in the area, securing the crash site and assisting investigators.
No additional injuries to people on the ground have been reported.
Further updates, including the identification of the victims and preliminary findings on the cause of the crash, are expected once federal investigators complete their initial review.
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.