Women Find Hiker After Mystic Dream

Michelle Vanek, a 35-year-old mother of four, disappeared while hiking Colorado’s Mt. of the Holy Cross, triggering the largest search for a missing hiker in state history with 850 searchers combing the mountain for eight days before giving up empty-handed.

For 19 years, the case remained one of Colorado’s most baffling mysteries, generating wild theories and podcast episodes, until 2023, when longtime rescuer and pastor Scott Beebe had an extraordinary dream where Michelle visited him and told him “she wanted to be found by a team of women.”

Six female volunteers from Vail Mountain Rescue took up the challenge, spending months analyzing old search data and mapping unexplored areas. In August 2024, the women flew to Holy Cross and sat on the ridge where Michelle was last seen, with team member Emily Brown recalling: “The wind came up, and we were all like, ‘She’s down there, I can just feel it.'”

Weeks later, rescuer Erika German spotted a red piece of fabric and a blue mitten among the rocks, leading to the discovery of Michelle’s remains in a boulder field where she had apparently fallen while seeking water.

The find finally brought peace to Michelle’s family after nearly two decades of agonizing uncertainty, with her husband Ben saying, “It feels like a cloud was lifted around our house and family.”

📣 Amy Hess has a special coverage of Pastor Scott Beebe, sharing his personal account on today’s Feel Good Flyover podcast. 

Young Teacher Adopts Student

At 24, Paige Bramlett became a foster parent to William, a student she met while working as his behavioral specialist.

After learning he needed a permanent home, she stepped in—navigating court delays, pandemic hurdles, and doubts about her age—before officially adopting him in 2021.

Now a single mom of two, Bramlett shares her story to support others navigating foster care and adoption.

She says William is her “strength in the storm,” inspiring her through the toughest moments.

Descendants of WWII Heroes Reunite

Descendants of a heroic B-17 bomber crew reunited for the first time, 80 years after their ancestors flew together in World War II.

The crew of the Yankee Rebel survived over 30 missions, including one harrowing flight in which the pilot was wounded and lost his consciousness, and the co-pilot landed the badly damaged plane without landing gear.

The reunion began when Lisa Elzey, granddaughter of the ball turret gunner, uncovered her grandfather’s story in a 1944 newspaper article and began tracking down the other crew members’ families.

They gathered at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Georgia, sharing stories, artifacts, and emotional connections.

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➤ A 25-pound Spaniel mix named Manchis likely saved her household after someone threw a lit stick of dynamite into the yard and she chewed the fuse until it went out. The explosion was averted, but the heroic dog lost her bark due to damage to her vocal cords. (See Video)

➤ A pub server in Canada jumped into the ocean mid-shift to rescue a drowning baby raccoon, gave it chest compressions, then apologized to her tables and kept working. The raccoon survived the night and is now recovering at a wildlife rehab center. (See Photos)

➤ Blockbuster author James Patterson named 12 emerging authors who’ll receive up to $50,000 each to finish their books through his new “Go Finish Your Book” campaign. The grants aim to give writers the time and breathing room to complete stalled manuscripts. (See Details)

➤ An Argentine traveler unknowingly booked an Airbnb in Italy, only to discover it was her father’s childhood home. Hosts confirmed their family had bought it from her grandparents, then helped her access local records to piece together her family history. (See Details)

➤ A retired accountant from Baton Rouge has joined the LSU Tiger Marching Band at age 66, decades after first dreaming of the chance. After relearning the tuba and undergoing a rigorous audition, he became the oldest band member by 41 years. (See Details)

➤ An all-abilities playground in Kentucky was opened by a mother who raised $1 million, so her son with disabilities and other children like him could play on ramps, adaptive swings, and sensory-friendly slides. (See Photos)

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The New York City Fire Department showed up to honor a firefighter’s daughter on her wedding day, standing in for the father she lost on 9/11.

Question: What’s a horse’s favorite Beatles song?

Answer…

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How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups for outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900%. 

No wonder 10K+ regular people are taking the chance on Pacaso. 

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes a $1.3T market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same investors that backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Invest before this opportunity ends September 18th.

“She chewed it and chewed it, and saved our lives.”

—  Carlos Alberto Mesias Zarate, whose dog Manchis extinguished a lit stick of dynamite with her mouth.