11 Good News Stories: Katy Perry Like You’ve Never Heard Her

ACROSS AMERICA — Say what you will about social media. For all the — face it — low-brow crap that will prompt you to type “smh” in the comments, there’s another post that will make you “lol.”

Our first dose of pure, unfettered joy this week is courtesy of a burly guy cruising along a New York City street on a motorcycle, belting out his favorite Katy Perry song.

What’s even better is 32-year-old Anthony Medlin’s response after learning the video of him riding his new Harley-Davidson down Soho’s Spring Street garnered something like 6 million views.

"I said, 'Wow, people are really liking this,'" Medlin told Patch. "And I'm just being myself, I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary." » By Gus Saltonstall for West Village Patch

Kittens. So, So Many Kittens.

Have you ever heard of herding cats? Yeah, it’s a real thing. In our second helping of viral video joy, a professional sharpshooter and predator hunter turned soft when he saw a lone kitten sitting pitifully at the side of the road. Of course, he had to save it from a seemingly certain death in traffic. One kitten turned into 13, and watching the video of Robert Brantley trying to round them up is guaranteed to make you smile. » By Beth Dalbey for Across Louisiana Patch

She Earned Purrs, Big Time.

A 9-year-old girl in Port Richey, Florida, recently earned some purrs from a couple of kittens she saved from a group of kids about her age who were “dunking them in water.” Four had already drowned when Olivia and her mother, Sheri White, reached the bullies. She and her daughter volunteer for a TNR — or trap-neuter-return — program, so they knew whom to call. “After hearing so many sad stories, it was so nice to hear about Olivia's heroic actions,” Ruth Pennington, who started the TNR rescue group, told Patch. "Olivia's mom has rescued and found homes for so many kittens in her neighborhood. Because of her example, her kids are growing up to be loving and compassionate. Those kittens are alive today because of a little girl's bravery and determination not to stand by and allow cruelty.” » By D’Ann Lawrence White for New Port Richey Patch

WWII Vet’s Big Day At Yankee Stadium

A 97-year-old Freehold, New Jersey, World War II veteran was just a kid when he listened to Yankees games on the radio and cheered for the legends of the day — Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, the guys whose faces made a trading card more valuable. On Sunday, during the seventh-inning stretch as the Yankees host the Chicago Cubs, it’s Pfc. Edward Chan’s name that will be broadcast as a thank-you for his service as an Army medic in World War II. He will stand at home plate in Yankee Stadium while “God Bless America” plays. » By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for Freehold Patch

The Poverty You Don’t Talk About

A high school sophomore in Yorktown, New York, was looking for ways to help people who don’t have the same advantages was others when she hit on what is often a hidden problem until someone decides to champion it: “period poverty.” It’s just what you think it is. Feminine hygiene products are expensive and getting more expensive. So 15-year-old Annabelle Newberger decided to do something about it. » By Michael Woyton for Yorktown-Somers Patch

Eagle Scouts Fledge Nest They Built

Think back to Feb. 1, 2019, when Boy Scouts of America changed its name to Scouts BSA to reflect the decision to include young women. They were lined up in Westchester County, New York, including Troop 125 founding members Jane Olszewski and Eleanor Dempsey, both of whom reached the ultimate Scouting summit when they achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. In fact, Olszewski beat her twin brother in becoming an Eagle Scout, and both were inspired by their older brother, who had already attained the rank. Both Olszewski and Dempsey are headed to college in the fall. » By Lanning Taliaferro for Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor Patch

Safe Harbor For Trans Youth

A 22-year-old Tucson, Arizona, resident named Grayson knows the struggles for transgender and nonbinary people to fit in, and the mental health crises that can occur when they don’t. Grayson, who is non-binary and gender fluid, recently received a $3,000 kindness grant from Riley’s Way Foundation to help with his creation of the online support group T.R.A.N.S., which stands for Togetherness + Really Awesome Non-Normative Support. "I've known a lot of people have had mental health crises, and I have a lot of queer friends," Grayson said. "I wanted to help people with their mental health, especially queer people. I wanted to provide support for people." » By Caitlin Sievers for Tucson Patch

Why ‘Nightmare In Newark’?

Zoe Alvarez plans to come out as a lesbian to her conservative family at Thanksgiving dinner — but gets interrupted by an alien invasion. That's the plot of David Crownson's latest graphic novel, "Nightmare In Newark," which taps into the rich diversity of the Brick City as its setting. Crownson, a New Jersey native who hails from Hunterdon County, told Patch that he chose to set his comic in Newark because he feels the city is underrepresented in mass media. » By Eric Kiefer for Newark Patch

Are Rose Nylund’s Herring Balls On The Menu?

We don’t think so. But a pop-up restaurant opening in Bevery Hills, California, and inspired by “The Golden Girls” television sitcom will feature “Rose on Rosé,” along with “Sophia’s Famous Lasagna,” “Blanche’s Georgia Style Cookies” and “The Dorothy: A Miami Style Sandwich.” The pop-up opens in July, and includes a fully functioning restaurant and bar serving fast-casual food and desserts. » By Emily Rahhal for Beverly Hills Patch

Ukrainian Ex-Pat Dog’s New Gig

Bruno, a chocolate Labrador retriever, was hustled out of war-torn Ukraine and given a chance for a new life in Florida. He’s the newest drug-sniffing K-9 deputy for the Fort Myers Police Department. His job description, according ot the police department: "Bruno will be a single-purpose narcotics detection canine assigned to our Group Violence Intervention Unit. Detective [Harrison] Williams will be Bruno's handler." » By Nikki Gaskins for Fort Myers Patch

Bentley’s Shopping Trip

Bentley, a St. Bernard dog, wandered into a Bradenton, Florida, Dollar General store, where employees were powerless to do much about it. Understandable. Bentley is, after all, very big — and by very big, we mean ginormous. Police helped reunite Bentley with his owners, and everyone has a good story to tell. » By Tiffany Razzano for Brandenton Patch

• BONUS: What Is It With Dogs And Dollar General Stores?

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