Kids & Family
ICYMI: The Week's Best Good News
We rounded up the most uplifting stories trending across the country.
From a New Jersey town’s stunning recovery after Superstorm Sandy to a rare “Halloween” lobster on display, there was plenty of feel-good news this week.
Click through for an instant boost:
Joliet, IL Woman Wins $250K in the Lottery by Missing Every Number
Most people win the lottery by guessing every number correctly—but not Joliet's Mary Ellen Harris. Harris could be deemed the unluckiest lottery winner ever; she guessed all the numbers incorrectly in the Illinois Lottery's Hit or Miss game and won a whopping $250,000. Read the full story on Joliet Patch.
Find out what's happening in East Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
New Jersey Town Makes Dramatic Comeback from Superstorm Sandy
One year ago, the seaside town of Belmar suffered a storm surge from Sandy so large that residents had to flee their homes in kayaks. Its iconic boardwalk was destroyed and the town was dark for weeks without electricity. Today, Belmar has made a stunning recovery. Read the full story on Manasquan-Belmar Patch.
[PHOTOS] Rare “Halloween” Lobster Now on Display
You’ve never seen a lobster quite like Pinchy. The crustacean, whose right side is orange and whose left side is black, is now on display at the New England Aquarium. See photos and read the full story on Malden Patch.
Find out what's happening in East Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Murrieta Naval Officer Awarded Bronze Star for Heroic Rescue
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Marchante was recognized with one of the military’s highest honors, the Bronze Star medal with Combat Distinguishing Device. In July of 2011, Marchante, 26, rushed to the rescue of a wounded ally on the combat field in Afghanistan. Read the full story on Murrieta Patch.
[VIDEO] Mom’s Singing Moves Baby to Tears
Cute video alert! One mom's rendition of "My Heart Can't Tell You No" creates a strong reaction in her 10-month-old baby. Watch the video on Lake Zurich Patch.
One-Legged Triathlete Inspires Boston Bombing Survivors
Orange County triathlete Sarah Reinertsen (who has appeared on The Amazing Race) recently helped victims of the May marathon attack through a "mobility clinic.” The assembled group of about 50 Boston bombing survivors are amputees, and Reinersten encouraged them to look past their limitations. Read the full story on Rancho Santa Margarita Patch.
Endangered Tasmanian Devils Debut at San Diego Zoo
Four Tasmanian devils from Australia are set for public display next week at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo, the only one in the U.S. to have the endangered species, will house the animals in its Australian Outback exhibit. Read the full story at Oceanside-Camp Pendelton Patch.
Piedmont Teens Turns Trash into Hospital Donation
Two Piedmont, Calif., teens have found a way to keep disposable cables used in surgery out of the trash—and turn them into a handsome donation to Children's Hospital Oakland. Cables containing copper wire are used regularly in surgical procedures. Hospitals routinely throw them away after one-time use. But they can be recycled, these Piedmont brothers learned. Read the full story at Piedmont Patch.
New Coffee and Chocolate Shop in Fairfax City has a Sweet Surprise
At Cameron’s Chocolates, a new coffee and chocolate shop, you can get your caffeine and sugar fix—and feel good, too. At least half of the shop's employee base is made up of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Read the full story at Fairfax City Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.