Deaf Employee Finally Finds Equality In The Workplace

Good morning! It’s Monday, Sept. 13. Here are a few things to catch up on as you return to work from one of the final weekends of the summer.

• Residents of southeast Texas are facing more heavy rainfall, and potential flooding, as Tropical Storm Nicholas makes its way to Houston and Galveston.
• An American flag, with the help of a quick-thinking couple, is credited with saving the life of a cat that found itself in danger at a college football game.
• Police officers and firefighters quickly evacuted an apartment building in suburban Atlanta before it exploded, as only four people were injured in the blast.
• ICYMI: Patch editors told 20 stories of valor on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Fighting Ignorance In The Workplace

Nichelle Frederic has, for years, had to overcome more obstacles than most while on the job.
As a deaf person, it’s not only her hearing difficulties that has made it tough to succeed. It’s the ignorance of others.

When her supervisors at a well-known clothing company failed to give her the proper tools to do her duties, she was forced to struggle through conversations over walkie-talkies and on the phone – a tough task for someone with hearing loss.

But now, as an employee of Easterseals New Jersey, the 26-year-old is helping make things easier for others in the Garden State with disabilities.

"It's the greatest thing that I don't have to constantly remind someone of my needs," she said. Read the full story on West Orange, New Jersey, Patch

American Flag To The Rescue On 9/11

An American flag saved the life of a cat who fell from the upper deck of a college football stadium. On September 11, no less.

University of Miami facilities manager, Craig Cromer, have had Hurricanes’ season tickets for years. The couple hangs an American flag on a railing in front of their seats every game.
When they saw a cat dangling from the section above them, they quickly positioned the flag to break the cat’s fall. Watch it here via Miami Patch

9/11 Stories of Valor

Any American age 25 or older likely remembers where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, when the country was under attack.

Since then, countless stories of heroism and valor have been told. Patch editors have shared 20 of these stories on the 20th anniversary of the attacks. Read them here via Across America Patch

Man, Dog Die In 1-Car Crash

The family of Andrew St. Denis, a 26-year-old man from Stow, Massachusetts, is heartbroken after his death. Adding to the pain, St. Denis’ dog also died in a one-car crash on I-296 in Massachusetts Saturday night.

St. Denis was pronounced dead when he was taken to the hospital. His dog was found dead outside the car. Read more from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Patch

Tropical Storm Nicholas Headed Toward Houston

Another tropical storm has formed in the Gulf.

Tropical Storm Nicholas has formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to have an impact along the Texas coast and the Houston area. It is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the area until at least Tuesday. Read more from Houston Patch

Apartment Building Explodes

At least four people were injured with burns when a suburban Atlanta apartment building exploded Sunday afternoon. Police officers and firefighters were able to evacuate most of the residents before the building blew up. Read more from Dunwoody, Georgia, Patch

House Porn: A $10 million mansion in Bradenton with a library that has a secret passageway and six-car garage, a $3 million Siesta Key resort-style house that boasts hardwood floors and has a swimming pool, a historic church that has been turned into a house in St. Petersburg are among this week’s Florida Wow Houses.

More On ‘The Patch’

Woman Who Coughed On Shoppers At Grocery Store Loses Job, via Omaha, Nebraska, Patch

Swastikas Found On Wall Of High School Bathroom, via East Cobb, Georgia, Patch

Armed Man In Wig Robs Nordstrom Store, via Mission Viejo, California, Patch

Tanker Hauling Liquid Nitrogen Crashes, via Worcester, Massachusetts, Patch

Find Your Local Patch

Patch is in more than 1,000 communities across America. Find your community and see what's happening outside your front door.