Southern Ocean Stories That'll Make You Smile: Good News Roundup

The world can be dark, even sometimes in our neighborhoods, but there's plenty to smile about. Here's a roundup from the past week of good news and people making a positive impact in their communities.

Adoptions Half Off Aug. 17 At Manahawkin Animal Shelter

Providing a fur buddy with a forever home will get a bit easier. The Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter will cut adoption fees in half from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 17. Read more.

Heinz Offers To Pay For Lacey Ketchup Thief's Car Damage

It would appear the Lacey Perkins ketchup thief's luck has turned around, just as they were hoping. Read more.

Berkeley Pizza Joint, VFW Team Up On Veterans' Mental Health

Tony's Pizza and Bayville's Veterans of Foreign Wars post teamed up to improve the wellbeing of New Jersey veterans. Twenty percent of all Tony's Pizza orders on Aug. 20 will support the 2019-20 State Commanders Project. Read more.

Barnegat Lighthouse Gets A New Statuesque Keeper

The historic Barnegat Lighthouse has a new keeper. A new 8-foot bronze statue earned recognition on Wednesday's National Lighthouse Day. Read more.

Barnegat's First National Night Out Draws A Large Crowd

The Barnegat Police Department received plenty of requests to participate in National Night Out. Then the community came out in full force Tuesday for Barnegat's first NNO event. Read more.

Lidl To Hold Lacey Grand Opening September 12

The wait is almost over. Lidl will hold the grand opening of its Lacey store at 8 a.m. Sept. 12. Read more.

Got a local news tip about something that will make your neighbors smile? Have a funny photo that's just too good not to share? Send it to josh.bakan@patch.com.