The Grammys
Life In A 'safe' Ukrainian Town As War Grinds On
Vladyslav, a 23-year-old sergeant in the Ukrainian military, still remembers the day when the missiles started falling on Feb. 24, 2022.
"On the day of the invasion, I was at work in Odesa, on the night shift. I experienced the beginning of the war second by second, in a company of rockets and explosions that were hitting the oil refinery," he told ABC News. "At the time of [Russia's] invasion, I hadn't even finished my university studies yet. I have completed university now, dates change, but time is still frozen in that moment."
Despite being outside of Ukraine's conscription age, which is 25-60 years, he voluntarily went to the front. Vladyslav quickly learned to fight and survive – something he never needed in his quiet hometown of Kobeliaky.
"Life in Kobeliaky isn't dynamic or exciting … life here flows from weekend to weekend, and you create your weekends yourself," he explained.
Soviet-style houses that usually belong to grandparents in Kobaliaky, July 15, 2023.
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
Kobeliaky, a cozy town in eastern Ukraine, is home to around 10,000 people. Many residents say the town hasn't changed, yet most will admit it isn't the same anymore.
"In Kobeliaky, the population has decreased due to people leaving but it has also increased due to the displaced people. They have sad, contemplative and empty eyes. The gaze is heavy," said 18-year-old Yaroslava, who grew up in Kobeliaky and returned there to escape the shelling in Kharkiv, where she was studying.
Even though the location changed, her fear still remained. "I slept dressed, in case something happened ... But it didn't last long. You get used to it quickly," she said.
A playground next to a school in Kobeliaky, July 2, 2023.
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
Yaroslava started volunteering and took up a job to pay for her donations to the Ukrainian army. These activities were a way for her to calm her mind while supporting her boyfriend at the front.
"Every siren ... Deep down you think, OK, now it's going to hit," said Yaroslava. "I used to weave camouflage nets. I rubbed my fingers to blood. I could spend 12 hours there just to distract myself."
Located about 112 miles from the closest front line, Kobeliaky itself has never been bombed, an uncommon sight these days in Ukraine. Yet the scars of war are still visible throughout the town.
"We don't have graduations at all. No first bells, no last bells … there are no children near the school. The school is mainly remote. There are no discos at all ... You can see that everyone is chronically exhausted," she said from a coffee shop that opened several months ago to help boost the local economy.
River Vorskla and the Dnipro bridge, June 17, 2023.
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
There are also older volunteers like 50-year-old Serhiy Sribnyi, who cannot enlist due to health issues. He runs an outdoor equipment store in Kobeliaky and has donated almost all of his inventory to the Ukrainian army since last year.
Serhiy Sribnyi in his shop with some of his inventory.
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
Every day he makes hoes, mills, feeders, potbelly stoves and troughs as presents for Ukrainian soldiers. He said he's helped "thousands" of soldiers since the war began. Whenever a soldier passes by his store, Sribnyi stops to give them a gift.
"Right now, I'm weaving nets. My hands are almost numb due to arthritis. But I'm weaving, and it feels good in my soul," Sribnyi told ABC News.
He went on, "The more you help, the more you want to."
Sribnyi already has big plans for expanding his charity after the war ends: "I won't stop helping, it's in my blood now."
Some of the inventory in Serhiy Sribnyi's shop.
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
These same nets and equipment that Sribnyi makes end up being used by soldiers like Vladyslav to defend the front lines. The contrast between Vladyslav's quiet hometown and the hell of Marinka, where he is currently stationed, is stark, a place that he describes as smelling like gunpowder, blood and dust. Nonetheless, he wants to stay and fight for what's been taken away.
"Whatever I could miss, I don't have. Russian aggression didn't leave me anything except the desire to fight it and defeat it," said Vladyslav, who does not regret enlisting despite being shot at by Russian forces and suffering shrapnel wounds and contusions. "I went not to war, but to defend my home."
Central Park in Kobeliaky
Dasha Sviachena/ABC News
These days, Vladyslav only returns home when he's injured. One day he may actually come home to live.
"This horror will end and, against the background of civilian, peaceful life, I will ultimately understand what has changed," he said.
The Newly Renovated Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park
The Buffalo Blueway just got a whole lot better, with opening of a newly renovated Buffalo Blueway site at Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park. This relatively obscure waterfront park – Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park – locate along the Buffalo River, has always been in need of attention and improvements. The last time that I posted on this park, back in 2017, there was some progress being made on the environmental front, but there were still some issues – primarily cleanup and lack of amenities – that needed to be addressed.
The latest effort to reach the park's full potential is by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW), Empire State Development (ESD), and Erie County. All of the improvements are thanks to a concerted effort to elevate the performance of the park. In return, it has been awarded with a distinguished designation as a Buffalo Blueway destination.
By being added to the Buffalo Blueway, the park will see an increase in use, not only by people in the neighborhood, but scores of others who are enjoying the renewed waterfront. The funding for the project comes from ESD, while the visioning and implementation is that of BNW.
The construction project, which was completed in just three months by BNW and its contractor, Scott Lawn Yard, includes the following enhancements:
Wendel provided designs for the improvements on this project.
"Thanks to our partners at Empire State Development and Erie County, our vision and implementation of the Buffalo Blueway continues to accelerate, with this Red Jacket Park access project complementing the successful opening of the Ohio Street site just ten months ago," said Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka. "For the first three decades of our existence, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper worked tirelessly to lead the cleanup partnership efforts that resulted in a once-dead Buffalo River becoming a thriving, vibrant ecosystem that is now being activated with recreational activity from locals and tourists alike. Supporting the growth of the region's sustainable blue economy continues to be a goal of our ongoing environmental restoration work, and by offering universal access to our waterways through the Blueway system, these kinds of projects will continue to accelerate economic activity for our entire waterfront."
The Buffalo Blueway connects natural spaces and fun-filled places to the winding and historic Buffalo River."This new Buffalo Blueway site at Red Jacket Park adds to the growth in public access to Western New York's greatest asset – its waterfront," said Empire State Development Commissioner and President & CEO Hope Knight. "I want to thank Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper for its continued leadership and partnership in getting these projects completed with state funding. This is just the latest example of how Buffalo Blueway projects are adding to the area's quality of life, increasing recreation and tourism, and helping to boost the regional economy."
"Increasing public access to our waterfront is always something to be pursued and is something that park goers and nature enthusiasts increasingly desire. We are blessed in Erie County with a rich and diverse natural environment that includes copious freshwater assets to be explored, navigated and appreciated," said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. "This investment at Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park adds another opportunity for individuals and families to launch kayaks, enjoy the redesigned overlook or just relax in a beautiful setting. I thank our partners for their work in completing this project so quickly, in order for it to be used this summer."
For additional information on the Buffalo Blueway, visit www.Buffaloblueway.Com.
Get connected with Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park @ 20 Smith Street
Brook Park Honors Off-duty Police Officer For Saving Motorist's Life
BROOK PARK, Ohio -- For those who serve in public safety positions, their dedication may sometimes extend beyond the hours they are officially on the clock.
Such was the case for Parma Police Department Patrolman Sean McBride, whose timely off-duty actions saved the life of a motorist at a Brook Park accident scene.
Brook Park Mayor Ed Orcutt honored McBride with a proclamation for outstanding performance at the Aug. 22 Brook Park City Council meeting.
"On July 7, 2022, at 7:25 a.M., Officer Sean McBride, while off duty, witnessed a motor vehicle accident at West 130th Street along the border of Brook Park and Parma, and assisted in saving the life of the driver," Orcutt read from the proclamation.
"Officer McBride noticed the driver of the pickup truck was unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. Officer McBride performed high-quality chest compressions for over 10 minutes."
Orcutt went on to say that the driver, a military veteran, "had no chance of survival and is alive today due to the direct and immediate actions of Officer McBride."
"Officer Sean McBride's personal initiative, courage and dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself, the citizens that he serves and are in keeping with the highest traditions and standards of the cities of Brook Park and Parma and their respective police departments," Orcutt added.
The proclamation additionally commended McBride for "outstanding action and dedication to the community."
Upon accepting the proclamation from the mayor, McBride received a standing ovation from the crowd in City Council chambers.
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