Crazy weather hits area at around 5:25 p.m.

Well, if you were out of the area earlier tonight, you really missed some menacing-looking skies over Kearny, Harrison, East Newark and the surrounding environs. I just happened to bring my camera into work today (in Newark) and grabbed these weather shots. There had been a tornado warning—but I think we safely escaped without one touching down. Hope you enjoy the shots.

Wittpenn closing for repairs this week

The Wittpenn Bridge, which connects Kearny to Jersey City, will be closed for repairs Tuesday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the Jersey Journal reports. Plan an alternate route if you use the bridge during those hours.

Family of paralyzed Kearny man needs your help

I received this e-mail from Kearny Board of Education member David Stevenson today and thought I would share it with you. It's a sad story about Vic Muniz, a 2004 graduate of Kearny High School, who was left paralyzed after a freak accident a few days ago after one of the horrible storms that swept through the area. Additionally, embedded in this post is a video from NJ.com about Vic. Click here to read the full story. Thank you, also, to Manny Ventoso for bringing attention to this story.

Two weeks ago, we had a bad storm roll into Kearny. Vic Muniz, a former Franklin School student and 2004 Kearny High School graduate, was exiting the basketball court in West Hudson Park. A tree fell on Vic and broke his neck. Vic is paralyzed from the waist down, and his doctors are telling him that he will never walk again. Vic has refused to accept that and has vowed to walk again. Watch the attached video of Vic's first day of therapy at Kessler and you will hear that determination. His family has limited resources. Vic's friends are planning some fundraising events to help him and his family. I will continue to e-mail notices of those events. Right now, they are selling wristbands inscribed with "Strength Will Overcome V.M." to help with immediate needs. To get a wristband, call 201-232-4721.

— David Stevenson

Hope for Man Paralyzed by Storm

Parents of boy who was hit in chest by baseball in Little League game will sue numerous agencies

The parents of a 14-year-old boy who sustained brain damage while playing in a Little League game two years ago — one of whom is a teacher at Kearny High School — will sue Little League Baseball, a metal bat manufacturer and the store that sold the bat, the Star-Ledger reports today.

Nancy and Joseph Domalewski made the announcement at a press conference this morning. It is not immediately clear how much the Domalewskis are seeking in their suits.

Their son, Steven, was stuck in the chest with a hit baseball at the precise millisecond in-between heart beats that can cause a condition known as commotio cordis. Because the ball hit his chest when it did, Steven's heart stopped beating for nearly a quarter hour. He was later brought back, but wound up spending nearly eight months in hospital.

He is now unable to speak or walk, and reports say he just recently was able to eat regularly, after months of IV nourishment.

You may recall that shortly after this horrible accident happened, Lisa Martone, former staff writer of The Observer, wrote a story about a fundraiser for Steven, whose father, Joseph, is a teacher at Kearny High School.

As more information breaks, we'll be sure to bring it to you.