9 Good News Stories: ‘Angel’ Police Officer Sought; Hero Honored

ACROSS AMERICA — Mondays aren’t easy sometimes. In fact, one recent Monday was particularly difficult for 6-year-old Jimmy from Port Monmouth, New Jersey.

Jimmy, who has autism, did not want to get on the school bus.

It was the height of rush hour on a very busy road. The bus was stopped, with lights flashing, and a long line of cars had started to form on either side of it. Some cars had started to honk. Jimmy’s mother, Theresa, was at a loss for what to do.

It wasn’t until a local police officer arrived that things started to look up. With a simple fist bump from the officer, Jimmy was on his way to school.

Now, Jimmy’s mom is desperate to find that officer and make sure he gets the thanks and recognition he deserves. She called him “her family’s angel.”

"It was amazing. I am so filled with gratitude right now," she said. "There are good people out there and I was blessed to meet one this morning." By Carly Baldwin for Middletown, New Jersey, Patch

Heroic UPS Driver Honored

Bridgewater, New Jersey, was among several communities that suffered fatalities during the dangerous flooding brought to the East Coast by Hurricane Ida. Even more people might have lost their lives had it not been for the heroism of UPS driver Nick Dirla, who was honored by the Bridgewater council this week. Dirla is credited with saving eight people when he pulled them into his truck when floodwaters inundated Route 22. By Alexis Tarrazi for Bridgewater, New Jersey, Patch

A ‘Cheesy’ Debut

Years after meeting at the School of Rock in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, three teenagers are finding fame as the stars of a new music video for 7-Eleven. After writing a song called "7-Eleven Nachos,” the convenience store chain heard the tune and turned it into a music video. "This is nacho typical music video," the company said in a news release. "For one, it's cheesy — really cheesy. Like 200 pounds of decadent nacho cheese cheesy." By Jason Addy for Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Patch

Hera The Husky Seeks Forever Home

Hera the husky has gone through a physical and emotional transformation since the Arizona Humane Society rescued her in early July. Hera was underweight and covered in burns when a humane society emergency animal medical technician found her. Thanks to a special team of humans, almost all of Hera's fur has grown back and she's ready to find a forever home. By Caitlin Sievers for Phoenix, Arizona, Patch

Oldest Parks Ranger Turns 100

Betty Reid Soskin turned 100 this week, but the California resident shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. She was celebrated this week by the U.S. National Park Service, where she works at Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Soskin was 84 when she started with the agency, telling previously untold stories of Black Americans on the homefront during World War II. Today, she’s the oldest living park ranger. By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for El Cerrito, California, Patch

Story Time 'On Fire'

When Michael Cassidy isn’t fighting fires, one might catch him in front of the camera, filming "Story Time with Chief Cassidy,” a public access children’s show that’s been airing in Holliston, Massachusetts, since the start of the pandemic. This week, Cassidy had a chance to share his on-screen talents with a larger audience when he took “Story Time” to the Fire & Life Safety Education Conference. By Christine Charnosky for Holliston, Massachusetts, Patch

A Pipeline Of Sisterhood

Even the coronavirus pandemic can't stop a decorated Newark nonprofit from helping girls to "live, love and laugh" in the Brick City. It's been 12 years since Allison James-Frison founded Girls: Live, Love, Laugh Inc., a nonprofit that mentors young women living with limited resources. Eighteen months into the pandemic, the organization is still going strong. By Eric Kiefer for Newark, New Jersey, Patch

Gone But Not Forgotten

Melanie Demi, who owns a popular dog blog in Austin, Texas, is raising money to memorialize 75 dogs that were killed in a recent fire at a pet resort. Her hope is to commission pet portraits for every single lost pet. "When I first read the headline on Sunday, it really hit close to home,” Demi told Patch on Tuesday. "It was one of those things where the situation was absolutely devastating, and a pet owner's worst nightmare. I wanted to do something by bringing a little bit of joy into the lives of these families." By Meagan Falcon for Austin, Texas, Patch

A New Set Of Wheels

The determination and leadership that Sean Lattimore put forth to graduate from YouthBuild apprenticeship program in Atlanta is paying off in some unexpected ways. Recently, his hard work also earned him a first-of-its-kind scholarship — a car from used auto dealer Carvana. "It's a blessing," Lattimore said of the car. "I just thank God for the instructors and at YouthBuild and my parents for getting me this far so I can just prepare myself for going to work and coming home safely.” By Marcus Garner for Atlanta Patch