Public Safety and Disasters

At least 41 people have died in the Arctic blast — with some outlets reporting 42 — including three young brothers who fell through a frozen pond in Bonham, Texas and multiple cold-related deaths in New York City; officials also report hundreds of thousands of customers still without power (roughly 400,000–480,000), localized carbon-monoxide fatalities, and delayed restorations in parts of Mississippi. The National Weather Service warns a new, potentially intense winter storm and an extended, record-chilly cold snap could bring heavy snow and lake-effect accumulations to parts of the East Coast, and officials and medical experts urge caution for icy conditions — avoid thin ice, use “penguin” shuffling steps to prevent falls, and heed carbon-monoxide safety guidance.

A Challenger private jet crashed while departing Bangor International Airport, killing six people, including longtime Lakewood Church event planner Shawna Collins — who organized high‑end events for the Arnold & Itkin law firm and was helping plan her daughter’s wedding — corporate pilot Jacob Hosmer, recently hired as a “team captain” by Arnold & Itkin and formerly of Platinum Skies Aviation, and Hawaii chef and father of three Nick Mastrascusa. The NTSB opened an on‑scene investigation and Bangor airport was closed to preserve evidence after officials said the accident jet had undergone standard de‑icing and lined up behind other aircraft that took off safely while a plane ahead had radioed that visibility was poor.