Good News In America: Kindly Neighbors; Interspecies Friendship

A police unit in Connecticut has been using drones for five years now. Sometimes, the drone is used in huge community celebrations like an annual Thanksgiving race.

At other times, drones are an essential law enforcement tool: A lost horse was found because of drones. And drones helped keep neighbors appraised of a police standoff.

But the defining moment illustrating the value of the police department’s drone unit came over Presidents Day weekend, when a blind man wandered away from his home and became disoriented and lost in the woods.

To find out more about how the drama unfolded, read Chris Dehnel’s story on Vernon Patch: Saving A Blind Man A Defining Moment For Police Drone Unit

Below, scroll through more good news stories from Patch editors across the county.

It’s Good He Didn’t Ignore Police Alert

Another tool police use to notify residents of their communities of missing persons and other important news is the Nixle community information service. A New Jersey man, Fazil Syed, got an alert about a missing 10-year-old who had disappeared in his neighborhood, and it’s a good thing he didn’t ignore it. Read Carly Baldwin’s story on South Brunswick Patch.

Community Rallies To Build Wheelchair Ramp For Girl

Without a ramp at her suburban Chicago home, life was tougher for a girl with spina bifida who uses a wheelchair to get around. Lily Villani is 12 now, and she’s getting too heavy for her mother, Christine, to carry to and from the house. To find out how the community responded, read Andrea Earnest’s story on New Lenox Patch.

A Flightless Pigeon, A Disabled Dog And A Priceless Friendship

Herman the pigeon can’t fly, and Lunday the Chihuahua can’t walk. What happened the first time they spent time together delighted the internet. Read Geoff Dempsey’s’ story on Rochester Patch.

Herman, a wild pigeon, and Lunday, a Chihuahua, teach a valuable anti-bullying lesson because they show individuals who are different can be friends. (Photo courtesy of Sue Rogers)

Speaking Of Animal Friendships …

Sandra, the only great ape in the world with legal personhood, has led a solitary life for the past several years and has never had freedom of choice. What happened on Valentine’s Day with a male orangutan at a Florida sanctuary where Sandra now lives will warm your heart. Read Beth Dalbey’s story on Lakeland Patch.

The Center for Great Apes in Florida threw a birthday party for Sandra, an orangutan with legal personhood, and she entertained a special guest. (Photo courtesy of Center for Great Apes)

And Speaking Of People Who Love Animals …

A 10-year-old girl in Texas has embarked on a campaign to raise money, a quarter at a time, to offset the costs of treating koalas injured in the Australian wildfires. Read Tony Cantu’s story on Austin Patch.

For NICU Nurse, It’s All In The Family

It’s her job to take care of preemies at a New Jersey neonatal intensive care unit, but for Lissa McGowan, it’s a family affair. Read Carly Baldwin’s story on New Brunswick Patch.

David Caldwell poses with NICU nurse Lissa McGowan and his son, Zayne. Their connection is very strong. (Photo courtesy of Renata Freydin/Lissa McGowan)

Man Who Suffered Cardiac Arrest Reunited With Rescuer

Bonds between patients and the people who saved their lives are strong. Read Emily Leayman’s touching story of a reunion between a 78-year-old man and the first responder who saved his life on Kingstowne-Rose Hill Patch.

He’s Going Home In A School Bus

It’s sad, of course, that Glen Davis’s life has ended, and plenty of people will miss him in the Minnesota community where he drove a school bus for 55 years. In a manner of speaking, he’s driving it home. Read Beth Dalbey’s story on Across Minnesota Patch.

The Art Of Kindness On Display

If you’re going to be in Manhattan anytime soon, stop by West 83rd Street and Broadway to see acts of kindness on display — everything from helping to pick up dog poop to the enduring love story of a husband and wife. Read Anna Quinn’s story on Upper West Side Patch.