Here are 5 of KTAR News’ feel-good stories from 2021
Dec 31, 2021, 4:15 AM
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images, Twitter photo/@DrSianProctor, KTAR News photo/Ali Vetnar)
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images, Twitter photo/@DrSianProctor, KTAR News photo/Ali Vetnar)
PHOENIX — In a year that was marked by the continuation of a deadly global pandemic and political turmoil, 2021 also provided some moments that proved there is still plenty of good news out there.
From people on social media coming together to give a man his last wish to a couple of Valley residents accomplishing a dream, here are five feel-good stories from KTAR News 92.3 FM in 2021.
Last call: Arizona man to get one last can of Olympia beer as dying wish
Earlier this month, Taylor Kinnerup told the story of a Yuma man in hospice who wanted one last can of Olympia Beer before he died.
The problem was Olympia back in January stopped producing beer.
So Hospice of Yuma turned to Facebook looking for that last can and was met with an overwhelming response.
Mom of Phoenix Olympic gymnast Jade Carey recounts road to gold medal
In August, Ali Vetnar told the story of a Phoenix Olympic gymnast who achieved a moment she had been working toward her whole life – winning a gold medal.
Jade Carey, 21, won the women’s floor exercise during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and returned home as an Olympic gold medalist.
Carey was able to have her dad right by her side as she competed — because he’s her coach.
Valley college professor calls trip to space on SpaceX capsule ‘out of this world’
In September, a Valley college professor finally achieved her dream of going to space.
Sian Proctor, a professor at South Mountain Community College, was among the four-person crew of the SpaceX Dragon capsule that launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sept. 15 and returned three days later after getting some stunning views of Earth.
“When you get up there and see that, you are just in awe and amazed,” Proctor said, adding going into it as a poet and an artist added another layer to the experience.
“Just absolutely stunningly beautiful.”
Phoenix first responders recall near-drowning, meet boy who recovered
In June, Vetnar told the story of a remarkable reunion of Phoenix firefighters and police officers with a toddler they helped save a few months prior after he was pulled from a pool pulseless.
Anthony Adelman, a paramedic with the Phoenix Fire Department, was able to get 22-month-old Justin Alvarez’s heartbeat back moments before arriving at the hospital.
Adelman and his fire crew officially met both Justin and his mom, Erica, at Phoenix Fire Station 61 on June 8.
“Going from trying to create that unemotional attachment at first, like we have a job to do and let’s get it done – now seeing him, it hits you way different after the fact, it’s amazing to see him running and playing,” Adelman said.
Students save Scottsdale bus driver who suffered medical emergency during route
In October, quick action from students on a middle school bus in Scottsdale helped save a driver who suffered a medical emergency.
The driver pulled over the bus and asked students to call 911, showing signs she was in distress.
Before emergency personnel arrived, the driver asked the children to call her mother to tell her she loved her in case she didn’t make it.
Johnny, a sixth grader at Cocopah Middle School, spoke with the driver’s mother for about 20 minutes.
The first firefighters arrived about five minutes after the initial distress call, aiding the driver and safely evacuating the students from the bus.
