@chadmadden / Unsplash Devastated Nation Rallies to Fallen Marine's Family, Handles Unborn Child's Tuition in Matter of Hours Americans are rallying behind the family of 20-year-old Marine Rylee McCollum, who was killed in Afghanistan last week. By Jack Davis, The Western Journal August 30, 2021
Lindsey Coplin / Facebook Survivor Tells Harrowing Tale of the 'Living Nightmare and Miracle' Her Family Experienced During Flood There was no way out. The family was surrounded by water. Many of their possessions had been lost or damaged. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 27, 2021
Karmen Smith / Facebook Thrift Shop Discovers 1870s Marriage Certificate Hidden Behind Painting, Reunites Family with Heirloom No one seems to know how the certificate made its way to North Carolina, as none of the family lives there. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 27, 2021
Sledcom Smolensk via BBC / Facebook Russian Toddler Spends 4 Days Lost in the Woods, Vows to 'Never Run Away from Mum' Again She was covered in bug bites and nettle rashes, but managed to avoid the bears and wolves the area is known for. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 26, 2021
KRON 4 / YouTube screen shot Off-Duty Officer Notices Woman on Side of Road with Choking Baby, Performs CPR as Child Turns Blue Emergencies don't wait for first responders to be on the clock. Even when cops are off duty, they jump into action when they're needed. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 25, 2021
Itza K. Cruz-Pantoja / Facebook After Death of 16-Year-Old Son, Family Donates His Medical Equipment to Others Facing Similar Conditions The Pantoja garage was still packed full of hard-earned medical equipment that they no longer had need of. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 24, 2021
Action & Adventure on the Appalachian Trail / Facebook 'Little Man' Becomes One of the Youngest to Ever Hike the Appalachian Trail at 5 Years Old Not many other kindergarteners can boast that they've completed the Appalachian Trail, but Little Man can. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 21, 2021
Senator Melissa Hurtado / Facebook Age 7 Girl Battling Deadly, Incurable Condition Made Honorary Firefighter: 'This Was My Dream All Along' On Tuesday, at a well-attended ceremony, 7-year-old Penny Saltray was sworn in as an honorary firefighter. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 20, 2021
Cleveland Police / Facebook After Family Friend Allegedly Steals New Mom's Car, 6-Week-Old Baby in Back Seat Found Safe 75 Miles Away After vigilant work across several departments, police were able to track down the vehicle, and baby Cannon was found safe By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 19, 2021
HCSO Sheriff / YouTube screen shot When Couple Realizes They Won't Make It to Hospital, Deputy Helps Deliver Baby in 7-Eleven Parking Lot 'Immediately, his training kicked in and he was able to deliver the healthy baby while keeping mom safe too.' By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 18, 2021
News 5 Cleveland / Facebook Waste Collection Agency Scrambles to Dig Through Trash After Family Mistakenly Throws Out $25,000 Grandma called a halt to the process when she saw they'd gotten to the freezer - but her words of caution were too late. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 18, 2021
Oli & Atti / Facebook Family Sends Heartbreaking Request to Cincinnati Zoo: 'Name the Baby Sloth After Oliver' Soon Oliver became known for the sloth theme, especially relevant because Oli himself only had two fingers - just like a two-toed sloth. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 17, 2021
LVMPD / Facebook Police Escort Son of Fallen Officer to First Day of Fourth Grade: 'We Will Always Be Here for You' The LVMPD, his wife Christa and his son have all felt the loss deeply, but they're looking out for each other. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 17, 2021
WBZ-TV / Video screen shot Massachusetts Lifeguard and Dad Pull 8-Year-Old from Deep End, Semi-Conscious and 'Gurgling' up Water Thankfully Christian was spotted struggling on the other side of the pool, and his dad was the first to jump in after him. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 12, 2021
CNN / Facebook 'World's Smallest Known Baby' Born the Weight of an Apple Finally Goes Home After 13 Months in Hospital The baby was so tiny that her care team had to come up with new, innovative treatments and calculate her medications with extra care. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 12, 2021
Gary Miracle Dos / Facebook Florida Man with No Arms or Legs Set to Compete in 2-Mile Run: 'Say I Won't' He doesn't want people's pity. He's able to see the blessings in his situation, though most people would be blinded by loss. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 11, 2021
Rapid City Police Department / Facebook Boy Sets Up 'Donations-Only' Lemonade Stand for Bikers, Raises Money for College Fund and Children's Hospital The bikers certainly make use of the stop, but local law enforcement and residents have come to support the 8-year-old with big plans, too. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 11, 2021
@MLS / Twitter screen shot Mom Races to Grab Toddler Who Ran Onto Field During Major League Soccer Game The first hour went well, but at about 70 minutes in, the toddler saw his opening and made a break for it. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 10, 2021
Elizabeth White / Facebook Family Escapes Through 2nd-Story Window During Armed Standoff After Suspect Barricades Door: Report Thanks to the police and fire department, the situation was resolved without injury to the family members trapped upstairs. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 4, 2021
ABC News / YouTube screen shot Heartwarming Video Shows Moment Teen Asks Former Coach to Officially Adopt Her After having his blindfold removed and reading the provided note, Donaldson turned to see his kids and wife holding signs. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 3, 2021
The Rescue Business / Facebook Beloved Cat Finally Returned to Massachusetts Owner After 6-Year 'Unimaginable Journey' Mini Max had been found by a family about 10 miles away, and his microchip led the animal hospital to Kudzma. By Amanda Thomason, The Western Journal August 3, 2021