13 Good News Stories: Sly Thieves, Young Heroes, Haircut Helper

A delightful mystery has been solved in a Fairfax City, Virginia. During the coronavirus health crisis, people have been stepping out of their shoes at the door at night, only to find the next morning their footwear was stolen as they slept.

What the heck is going on?

Police wondered, too.

The sly culprits?

Foxes have been taking the shoes to their dens and using them as toys. By Mark Hand on Fairfax City Patch.

• Here at Patch, we're proud to recognize all the everyday local heroes who are making a difference during these unprecedented times. Do you have a hero you would like us to know about? Share their stories here.

Below are more stories from across America to lift you up as many of you remain locked down.

3 Brothers Save The Day

Three young brothers (top photo) were playing in their yard in Colorado when they noticed a fire at their neighbor’s house. They didn’t hesitate. They found a fire extinguisher from the garage and gave it their mother to help extinguish the blaze before the fire department could arrive. Their dad is a firefighter, and they’ve learned a lot from him, and the oldest drew pictures to help investigators pinpoint the source of the fire. By Amber Fisher on Arvada Patch.

Before You Grab The Scissors …

Many of us are getting a little shaggy and cutting our own hair, and sometimes the results are hilarious — depending upon your point of view. Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Billy Porter is confident on the stage, but he got nervous about the at-home cuts. A New York City barber is helping him and others virtually before they botch the job. By Anna Quinn on West Village Patch.

Add A Dash Of This

People cooped up in their homes aren’t just struggling with haircuts. They’re cooking at homes a lot more, too, and not always with great results. A lot of food is going to waste, but video help is coming from an unlikely source. By Kathleen Culliton on New York City Patch.

Love Is The Word

Love isn’t too strong of a word to describe the feelings that developed between a woman who spent her 84th birthday fighting for her life and the certified nursing assistant who refused to let her die. By Lisa Finn on Riverhead Patch.

Solidarity At Sunset

As day turns into night, Illinois firefighters and paramedics fill their lungs with air and begin playing bagpipes for what is called a “Sunset Solidarity” performance. Each evening, bagpipers go out and play a single tune “to mark another day of making it through the pandemic,” one of them explained. “It’s for mourning and grieving, and gratitude for a hopeful tomorrow.” By Andrea Earnest on Frankfort Patch.

“The Greatest Gift Ever”

Kids learning from home aren’t just missing their friends. They miss their teachers, too. Some kindergartners in Connecticut wanted to show their teacher how much they miss her, so they staged a drive-by parade to let her know just how much. “Seeing their smiling faces in those car windows was just the greatest gift ever,” the teacher said. By Anna Bybee-Schier on Fairfield Patch.

Faces Of The Lockdown

Los Angeles photographer Ute Reckhorn wanted to use her skills and give back when California’s stay-at-home order began in March. She has been photographing families living in lockdown from their front steps, and she’s raised about $3,000 to support people in need. By Nicole Charky on Palos Verdes Patch.

A Big Assist For Hurting Businesses

Main street businesses in suburban Detroit are feeling the financial pain of coronavirus-related shutdowns. They’re getting an assist from a crowdfunding campaign that so far has raised $45,000. By Joey Oliver on Troy Patch.

The Next Generation Of Doctors

Two high school juniors in New Jersey watch the news. They see doctors risking their lives to protect their community amid the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to do their part. So they started a virtual science camp with the aim of inspiring the next generation of doctors and scientists. By Alexis Tarrazi on Basking Ridge Patch.

She’s A Doll For Doing This

Even before Carole Brothers started making her African American-inspired cloth dolls, she'd been creating crafts and sewing. So, when a friend suggested she start making fashionable face masks for people to wear outside during the coronavirus pandemic, it was the most natural thing for her to do. By Michael O’Connell on Bowie Patch.

A Manatee’s Mother’s Day Surprise

A 1,700-pound manatee rescued from a Sarasota waterway last weekend turned out to be packing a big Mother's Day surprise. She was pregnant. By Paul Scicchitano on Sarasota Patch.

Help For America’s Great Barrier Reef

Undeterred by the coronavirus pandemic, scientists at The Florida Aquarium made some big gains in their fight to save endangered coral reefs. They are the first in the world to reproduce ridged cactus coral in a laboratory, and they say it will go a long way toward restoring America’s great barrier reef. By D’Ann Lawerence White on Tampa Patch.