Community honors 9-year-old Wellsville student killed in bicycle accident

WELLSVILLE, Ohio (WKBN) -- The Wellsville community is grieving after the loss of one of their own. Wednesday, the community honored CJ Talbert, a 9-year-old boy who was tragically killed in a bicycle accident Saturday. There was a rainbow over Wellsville's football field as the community lit candles in honor of CJ, everyone remembering him as a kind, loving fourth grader. "CJ is a great kid. Big smile on his face and great. A lot of friends and teachers love them. It's a tough, difficult time for us," said Wellsville Superintendent David Cappuzzello. "He had a great smile. He did have a great smile. Yeah. He was really funny. He was very energetic," said CJ's cousins Madison and Jenna Knicely. CJ's parents were there and brought his football jersey in a frame, witnessing the love and support of the Wellsville community. "They're grieving pretty strongly, and this today, showing support from the community, I think is going to help them a lot," Cappuzzello said. Banners made by classmates showed CJ's great smile and let the kids share memories of him, notes reading simply, "we love you" and "we'll miss you." "I'm really thankful for, like, how everyone came out, too, and how, like, the officers and staff came out to support him," said Madison Knicely. "It's a horrible loss everybody feels at school, police -- everybody in town. And this just shows you what a small community can do coming together," Lt. Marsha Eisenhart. "It's not just neighbors, but it's family. And they're there to support each other, even in the darkest times. And no one's that alone down here," Cappuzzello said. A spaghetti dinner to support the Talbert family is scheduled for next week at the East Liverpool Moose Lodge #122 on 3rd Street. Plates are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and little ones under three eat free. The fundraiser is May 23, starting at noon until the food runs out. Every dollar raised goes straight to the family.