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Weather Alert

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...Cold air funnels will be possible...

Cold air funnels are expected today. These cold air funnels are
developing underneath a few showers that are moving across the
area. Underneath these showers...spinning columns of air that look
like tornadoes may continue to develop. These funnels usually are
very brief and rarely touch the ground. If these funnels do touch
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property.

Cold air funnels are due to very cool air aloft...warm moist air
near the ground...and are usually in association with a strong
area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere. Due to
little or no wind shear...they are usually weak and very brief.

A Little Heart, a Big Fight: Zeigler Community Saves 5-Year-Old Twice in Six Months

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ZEIGLER GIRL SAVED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS

In the past six months, Elizabeth has faced a battle most adults couldn’t imagine. Not once—but twice—her young heart stopped without warning.

ZEIGLER, Ill (WSIL) � Five-year-old Elizabeth is just like any other child her age—full of joy, giggles, and a love for bubbles and toys. But behind her bright smile is a story of survival that has brought an entire community to its knees, in both fear and gratitude.

In the past six months, Elizabeth has faced a battle most adults couldn’t imagine. Not once—but twice—her young heart stopped without warning.

“It was terrifying,� her mother, Samantha McBride, said.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.�

It started suddenly—one moment Elizabeth was playing, the next she collapsed. School staff immediately leapt into action. Among them was school nurse Vanessa Taitt, who didn’t hesitate.

“She collapsed again,� Taitt recalled.

“I immediately grabbed my equipment—my AED—and started working.�

That jolt restarted Elizabeth’s heart, but her life was still in danger. She was airlifted to a hospital where doctors could treat her. Elizabeth has a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a serious illness that thickens the heart muscle and makes it harder to pump blood.

“The secretary called and said, ‘Call 911…’� said Garrett Wingo, the school’s principal.

“I ran down the hallway and just kept thinking, not Elizabeth…�

From the school, to the ambulance to the air, every second mattered.

“It’s indescribable,� said Katie Harper, a supervisor paramedic.

“When you first see her laying there... you just hope you can help her.�

First responders—several of whom helped save Elizabeth during her first collapse—found themselves back in action, doing everything they could to save her life again. Deputy Baxter, Coach Trent Cockburn, Flight Paramedic Jeremiah Bain, and others joined forces in what would become another successful rescue.

“It brings more anxiety when it’s a kid,� said Lenora Starrick, a flight nurse.

“But our training kicks in. We go into medicine mind.�

Their actions making all the difference, and Elizabeth survived again. 

Today, Elizabeth is healthy, happy, and full of life. Her rescuers got a rare gift—they were able to see her running, laughing, being a kid.

“That’s not something we get to see every day,� said Bain.

“A lot of times we don’t get to come back and see people after they’ve been discharged. It’s a good feeling to know we made a difference.�

For her mother, the emotions are overwhelming.

“It makes you grateful for every little moment� even the tantrums,� Samantha said.

“There’s nothing I can do to thank you all enough. You may not see yourselves as heroes—but I surely do. You’re my entire family’s heroes.�

As the old adage goes.. "it takes a village to raise a child". In this case, an entire community helped save one. From teachers to medics to pilots, they each played a part.

She may only be five—but Elizabeth is already a two-time survivor. And thanks to her heroes, her story is far from over.