Sole Survivor: Woman Found Alive After 9 Days in Wilderness

A helicopter crew on a training mission found a 36-year-old woman alive and well after nine days lost in the remote wilderness of central Idaho. The woman, whose name has not been released, was last seen at a tavern in the small town of Orofino on the night of October 16th. She told rescuers that she woke up on October 25th in a clearing near the Clearwater River with no memory of how she had arrived there.

A search was launched on October 19th after friends reported the woman missig, but poor weather conditions and rugged terrain hampered efforts. The terrain around Orofino is heavily forested with steep mountains and ravines, and is home to black bears, mountain lions, and other predators. Temperatures in the area can dip below freezing at night.

The woman was located approximately 9 miles from where she was last seen at the tavern. She was airlifted to a local hospital for evaluation and is expected to make a full recovery. "She's lucky to be alive," said Captain Barry Montgomery of the Idaho County Sheriff's Office.

Solemn Service for First U.S. Service Member Killed in Syria

The remains of the first U.S. service member killed in Syria were returned home to a solemn ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Monday.

Master Sergeant Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, was killed in action on October 22 while deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State extremist group.

Wheeler, a 14-year veteran of the Army, was fatally shot while storming an IS stronghold in northern Iraq as part of a team of commandos from the Army's elite Delta Force.

"This operation was planned and launched on short notice in order to save dozens if not hundreds of lives," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the ceremony.

Carter praised Wheeler for his "extraordinary heroism and courage" and said he had laid down his life for his country.

President Barack Obama also paid tribute to Wheeler in a statement issued Monday night, calling him "an American hero" who had willingly put himself in danger to help protect others.

Wheeler is survived by his wife and five children.

Young Boy's Death Highlights Dangers of Hot Cars

When temperatures outside soar, it can be deadly for a child left inside a hot car. Just last week, a young boy died in Alabama after being trapped in a hot car for hours. This tragic event is a reminder of the dangers of leaving children in parked cars, even on relatively mild days.

Most people are aware of the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a hot car, but they may not realize how quickly things can go wrong. In just 10 minutes, the temperature in a car can rise by 20 degrees Fahrenheit. After 30 minutes, the temperature can reach over 100 degrees. At this point, it can be deadly for anyone trapped inside.

There are many reasons why parents and caregivers might forget that a child is in the car. Maybe they're running late for an appointment and don't have time to take the child out of the car seat. Or maybe they're distracted by something else and simply don't remember that their child is with them. Whatever the reason may be, it's important to remember that hot cars can be lethal for children.

If you see a child left alone in a car on a hot day, please call 911 immediately. The police will likely break into the car to get the child out, and they may arrest the parent or caregiver responsible. It's important to remember that even if it's "just" 85 degrees outside, it can be dangerously hot in a locked car.

Homeless Man Given New Shoes, a Second Chance

Darrell has been homeless for years, living on the street and scrounging for food. He never thought anything good would happen to him.

But one day, Darrell was walking through a park when he saw a man sitting on a bench. The man had a pair of brand new sneakers. Darrell was surprised and excited, and he asked the man where he got them.

The man told Darrell that he had just been given them by a charity organization. They were giving away free shoes to people in need. Darrell was overjoyed and immediately asked for a pair.

The man gave Darrell his old shoes and ushered him over to the charity tent. There, Darrell was given a brand new pair of sneakers and a loaf of bread. He was so happy and grateful.

Darrell went home that night and ate the bread with gratitude. He couldn't believe that someone had actually cared enough to help him. He vowed to himself that he would never forget this act of kindness.

The next day, Darrell went back to the park and saw the man with the new sneakers again. This time, Darrell sat down next to him on the bench and they talked for hours. The man told Darrell about how he had once been homeless himself, but he had managed to get his life back on track. Now, he worked at a charity organization helping others in need.

This encounter changed Darrell's life forever. He realized that there was still hope for him, even if things were tough right now. He decided to follow the man's example and get his life back on track too. With the help of the man's advice and support, Darrell slowly started getting back on his feet again. And before long, he had found himself a job and an apartment too.

Darrell will always be grateful to the kind stranger who gave him his first chance at dignity and hope again.

Student Athletes Shine as Sole Representatives of School

Sports are a way of life for many students. It is not only a passion but also a representation of their school and themselves. Two student athletes from opposite ends of the country have made their schools and themselves proud this year.

In Colorado, high school student-athlete Jake Linde is making a name for himself as a record-setting pole vaulter. With Linde's recent record height of 16 feet, 6 inches, he has put his small school on the map. His hard work and dedication to the sport has paid off, and he now holds the state record in his event. Linde's success does not stop at the state level; he has also competed in national meets and placed well. As a result of his accomplishments, Linde has received scholarship offers from colleges across the country.

While Jake Linde represents one side of the country, Downeast Maine is home to another successful student athlete. High school senior Bree Bouchard is making a name for herself as an elite runner. Bouchard recently completed an astonishing feat by winning all four state championship cross-country races in her division. In doing so, she became the first female Maine high schooler ever to accomplish this remarkable achievement. Her dominance extends well beyond her home state; she has also medaled at national competitions. Like Linde, Bouchard has attracted attention from colleges nationwide and will soon continue her running career at the next level.

Both Jake Linde and Bree Bouchard are outstanding representatives of their schools and themselves. They have worked hard to achieve success in their respective sports, and they continue to excel at the highest levels possible. These two student athletes are shining examples of what can be accomplished with dedication and perseverance.