Month: June 2022

Upworthy strives to bring you the most uplifting stories out there, so when we saw KHOU broke the story about this unique reunion, we had to share. There’s no way to prepare for tragedy to strike and there is no rule book on how to prepare a child to grow up without their parents. It’s a situation that no one wants to live through but a baby girl’s life was forever changed before she made it to her second birthday. Missing for 40 years, “Baby Holly,” the daughter of a couple found murdered in 1981, has been reunited with her family. The untimely deaths of the couple led to a multidecade search for the suspect and the couple’s missing daughter. A new Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit with the Texas Attorney General’s Office worked across state lines to locate the missing child, now a mother of five.

This story is one born of tragedy but ends in the most hope filling way possible. Dean and Tina Linn Clouse were just like many young couples—out on their own raising their young daughter. But on January 12, 1981, their little family would be met with tragedy and Holly disappeared. The couple was found in a remote part of Houston and remained unidentified until October 2021 using advanced DNA techniques underwritten by audiochuck. Amazingly enough, with the help of three states and combing missing persons records, the Clouses’s daughter was located in Oklahoma.

A connection to family is important for a lot of people and finally after nearly a half century, the missing baby was able to be reunited with her biological family. According to KHOU OAG Senior Counsel Mindy Montford and Det. Craig Holloman with the Lewisville Police Department visited Holly’s workplace Tuesday June 7, which would’ve been her father’s 63rd birthday to inform her that she was missing “Baby Holly.” Hours after the police informed her of her identity, she was reunited with both sides of her family online.

Missing children in the early ’80s and ’90s didn’t have the technology that is available today to aid in the search for them, which likely hindered the search for Holly. Before she was located, FHD Forensics started the Hope for Holly DNA Project to hold the genetic profiles of some of Holly’s family members. This project helped connect the missing pieces to locate the missing child of the Clouses. Holly’s aunt, Cheryl Clouse told Xavier Walton of KHOU who first reported on the story, “The whole family slept well last night. The Hope For Holly Project was a success thanks to the Texas Cold Case Unit.”

The relief the family has felt since finding Holly is clear. Sherry Green, Holly’s maternal aunt, told KHOU “I believe Tina is finally resting in peace knowing Holly is reuniting with her family.” While the family is still preoccupied with this joyous development and surely awaiting the chance to meet Holly in person with the help of The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the agencies involved are also celebrating the culmination of months of hard work. Founder of FHD Forensics and genealogist Allison Peacock explained to KHOU, “They’ve spent the past six months with me digging through records, gathering photos for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s age progression portrait, and documenting memories of Holly and her parents in an effort to help law enforcement,” when praising the family for never giving up.

u201cFamily says Holly Marie knew her parentsu2019 names, but never knew what they looked like. It took 42 years for that to change! Sheu2019s holding whatu2019s believed to be the last picture they took together as a family in Houston back in 1980. @KHOUu201d

— Xavier Walton (@Xavier Walton)
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This story is truly one of determination, technology and hope meeting to help bring a missing child back to her family. While the mystery of who murdered Holly’s parents still remains unsolved, the intense and effective work of this newly formed cold case unit likely not only gives continued hope to the relatives of the Clouses, but hope to other families who may still be waiting on answers.

Anyone with information about the disappearance and murder of Dean “Junior” Clouse and his wife, Tina Linn Clouse should contact Sgt. Rachel Kading at the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit at [email protected] or 512-936-0742.

What makes somebody a hero these days? The term gets thrown around a lot. But usually it refers to someone who puts themselves at risk to selflessly assist another person, help a vulnerable animal or speak out when others stay silent. Heroes aren’t born, they are made. And in a story first reported by a Bay Area ABC News affiliate, we get to see some incredible heroism caught on camera.

Things started when a fight broke out between two men at the 69th Street Red Line station in Chicago on Sunday and it spilled over to the tracks as a train came through, narrowly missing them, according to ABC. One man was electrocuted by the third rail that powers the train and was unconscious and convulsing on the tracks when the other scampered away. While a group of onlookers on the platform watched the unconscious man as he writhed on the tracks, 20-year-old Anthony Perry jumped down and lifted his body off the third rail to safety.

Perry then administered CPR with the help of a bystander. “It was definitely surreal,” witness Tavi Ghee said according to ABC. “That was an out-of-body experience.”

“There was a lady, I guess she had medical experience. She was talking me through on what to do. I feel like that was an angel from God. I ended up doing chest compressions and turning him on his side until the fire department got there,” Perry said according to FOX 32.

Ghee took video of the amazing rescue.

Warning: The following video is graphic.

u201cCTA rider Anthony Perry is being hailed as a hero after pulling an electrocuted man off the train tracks at the 69th Street Red Line station. (video from Facebook user Tavi Ghee June 5 at 4:38 PM)nhttps://t.co/90e2yCKce4u201d

— SubX.News (@SubX.News)
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Perry’s heroics were incredible because he risked his life by approaching the third rail. “Customers who enter CTA tracks, known as the rail right of way, face not only the danger of oncoming trains, but also that of the third rail, which carries 600 volts of electricity used to propel trains—a level of electricity that is almost always lethal,” the Chicago Transportation Authority‘s website warns.

The man who was electrocuted suffered a burn to his left leg and an abrasion to the mouth but was transported to the hospital in good condition. The man who he fought with has yet to be caught, but the Chicago police are looking for him.

Perry briefly touched the rail and had minor burns.

“I was hoping I could just grab him and not feel nothing, but I felt a little shock,” Perry said. “I felt it all through my body actually. I didn’t let that stop me,” Perry said according to ABC.

“When I looked back on the video and I listen, it sounded like everyone was in fear … no one actually did anything, they just wanted to record,” Perry said according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

u201cDRAMATIC VIDEO: A mass transit rider is being hailed a hero after pulling a man off the tracks at a Chicago station. Twenty-year-old Anthony Perry was honored with a ceremony and an amazing gift! u2764 https://t.co/pPEaKZD737u201d

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News)
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Perry was honored for his bravery on Tuesday with a ceremony with Chicago philanthropist Early Walker. Walker gave Perry a gas card for his bravery, knowing that he didn’t have a car.

But then a tow truck pulled up with a larger gift, an Audi A6.

The gift must have been a godsend for Perry, who has a 90-minute commute to work each day that requires him to take two buses and a train.

“We just wanted to honor you. We wanted to literally show our appreciation because we need more people like you. We need more Anthonys in the world. Everybody is about the views, about going viral but no one helps,” Walker said. “We just wanted to honor you, we want more Anthonys in the world.”

“Good does win,” Perry said. “Good always wins!”

This Father’s Day, purchase a cool gift from our store, spoil the father figures in your family with a hand-crafted gift. Check out our curated list of father loving gifts and also read personal stories from local artisans who are Dad’s doing their best to support their family’s by creating products for me and you at Upworthy Market!

Jempinis Wood Deer Eyeglasses Holder from Bali

Bold and sophisticated, a studious deer is depicted in this charming eyeglasses holder from Bali. Yudi Suardi designs this holder, hand-carved from jempinis wood to depict the deer in all its majesty. Your eyeglasses will fit perfectly within a notch in the deer’s head.

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Sterling Silver Balinese Meditation Spinner Ring for Men

Swirling currents ebb across the surface of this powerful ring for men, designed and crafted by Bali’s Komang Suastra. The curling wave and rope motifs in polished silver are beautifully complemented by a dark, oxidized silver backdrop. The ring is a spinner or meditation ring, intended to aid in attaining a peaceful state of mind. The inner band spins freely as desired within the outer band.

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Men’s Black Leather Wallet with Traditional Styling

Indian artisan Sanchit designs a men’s wallet with classic styling. Crafted from supple black leather, the wallet features two bill compartments, nine card slots, two multipurpose pockets and one ID window pocket.

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Hand Crafted Teak Wood Smartphone Speaker

Hand carved from rich teak wood, this hands-free rectangular smartphone speaker is the perfect accessory for watching movies, FaceTime calls, or even a bedroom dance party. Designed by Thai artisan Sanai Keawchaisa, the speaker features a side slot for holding your phone horizontally and a speaker on the left side for amplifying your favorite music, movies, or podcasts. Please note the speaker is compatible with all smartphones .5 inches and under in thickness. No batteries or electricity required.

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6 Artisan Crafted Blue Green Blown Glass Highball Glasses

Aquamarine dissolves into a vibrant lime hue in the refreshing design of these highball glasses. Designed by Javier and Efren each glass is crafted with Mexican blown glass techniques, in which artisans blow through a metal pipe while twirling it with one hand. They simultaneously shape the molten glass at the other end, expertly achieving this color effect.

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Wood 3-Sided Domino Set Crafted

By Thai artisan Waraporn Khamsuk, this domino set offers a unique twist on the traditional tabletop game. Handmade from raintree wood, 56 triangular dominoes or ‘Trionimoes’ come within a handy wooden box. The corner of each domino is hand-painted with colorful dots. This 2-6 player set offers fun for the whole family.

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Sterling Silver Dragon Om Pendant Necklace from India

Framed by the image of a dragon biting its tail, the iconic symbol for the meditative mantra om is realized in high-polish sterling silver. Shivani Choudhary designs this bold and meditative Indian pendant necklace, which is crafted by local artisans.

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“For Gulam Rasool, jali carving is a family affair, a skill he learned from his own father and has now taught to his son. In fact, the art form is so entwined with his own family legacy, that he believes it has been passed down through the generations, tracing its history all the way back to the 16th century.”

View his artisan collection and read his story here

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Gratitude is Integral to Wayan Asmana’s Work

“Today, his life looks very different. Not only has his gorgeous jewelry found its way to adoring customers around the world — a high honor for any artist—he has also been able to support his family and uplift his community in the process.”

View his artisan collection and read his story here

www.novica.com

Wayan Rendah Thrives with Gratitude

“But since I was recruited to sell online, a lot has changed. Today, I can provide better meals for my family. I can provide for my children’s education even until they are in college. And also, now I could buy a house for my family.”

View his artisan collection and read his story here

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Julio Sanchez Risked It All

“My art is both a legacy and a tradition handed down over generations by great masters in the art of tooled leather. I was fortunate to learn from one of them and that has made me what I am today.“I feel proud of my work and of building a home when I had started with absolutely nothing. I have put a lot of hard work and commitment into giving my family and children the best I could.

View his artisan collection and read his story here

www.novica.com

Robert Aidoo-Taylor – Finding His Dream

“Apart from enhancing the beauty of homes and offices, and making people prettier with my variety of jewelry, I haven’t done badly in life. For starters, I have raised a beautiful family. My lovely wife gave me two intelligent daughters. I take care of extended family members and I train future champions in art.”

View his artisan collection and read his story here

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Wayan Buana – Inspiration in Art

“Right before we ended our conversation, he confessed that his lifetime goals have now been achieved: building a home for his family, giving his children a better education, providing job opportunities for his neighborhood, and his creative ideas flourishing without any financial burden.”

View his artisan collection and read his story here

www.novica.com

Actress and singer Julee Cruise has died at age 65. Known for her collaborations with film director David Lynch and The B-52s, Cruise had a chilling, brooding voice that added a surreal element to every project she was a part of.

Per The Guardian, Cruise’s husband, Edward Grinnan, shared the news via Facebook earlier today.

“She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets,” Grinnan wrote. “She is at peace. I played her [B-52’s song] ‘Roam’ during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest in peace, my love.”

Grinnan later confirmed to NPR that Cruise died by suicide after years of suffering from “lupus, depression, and alcohol and drug addiction”

Cruise’s voice found a fan in Lynch, who recruited her to sing the theme song, “Falling,” from Twin Peaks. She also collaborated with Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti for their Industrial Symphony No. 1 concert.

Since the announcement of her death, several of her fans and peers in the industry have taken to social media to pay their respects.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Julee Cruise today,” said actor Kyle MacLachlan, who played Agent Cooper on Twin Peaks, on Twitter. “Her angelic voice transported us all to another dimension. Now, she’s floating among the angels. Sending love to her family, friends, and fans today.

We swoon over romantic movies like “The Notebook” and “Before Sunrise” because they remind us of the enduring power of love. But sometimes, real life offers us a love story far more inspiring than any movie. This is one of those times.

Duane Mann thought he might have lost the love of his life forever. But after 70 years, he got his long-awaited reunion.

When Mann was just 22 years old, the farm boy from Iowa became a Navy soldier in the Korean War. While stationed in Japan, he fell in love with a young woman named Peggy Yamaguchi.

The two first met at the Air Force NCO Club, where Mann would fix the slot machines and Yamaguchi worked as the hat check girl. They shared a classic meet-cute—finding love on the dance floor.

“We could really dance together…I mean, to where the people would watch us,” Mann told KKTV, which originally covered their story.

Mann and Yamaguchi gradually fell in love, but fate apparently had other plans.

Not long after Yamaguchi became pregnant, Mann received word that the Navy would be shipping him back home. The father-to-be left his lover behind with the promise that he’d soon send for her, so that they could marry. He would soon tragically learn that his own father had fallen destitute, spending Mann’s life savings.

To make matters worse for Mann, Yamaguchi stopped writing to him … or so he thought. He discovered later that his mother had burned Yamaguchi’s letters, not wanting him to “marry a Japanese girl.” One final letter prevailed, however. In it Peggy disclosed that she had lost their baby, and had married someone else.

Struck with grief and guilt, Mann carried the fear that Yamaguchi felt abandoned by him. “It just wore me out,” he lamented. “That’s not the honorable thing to do.”

KKTV shared Mann’s heartbreaking story and it quickly spread on the internet. As is the way with social media, pretty soon people all over the world (even those in Japan) were invested in helping Mann with his lifelong search. As it turns out, Yamaguchi wasn’t exactly an ocean away anymore. More like across the river.

A 91-year-old retired soldier Duane Mann’s heart was finally put to rest when he finally met his long-lost love, Peggy Yamaguchi. The two lost contact 70 years ago after Mann left for his country, the US, leaving Yamaguchi pregnant. https://t.co/g6lD6jhmaI

— TUKO.co.ke | The Heartbeat of Kenya (@Tuko_co_ke) June 7, 2022

Yamaguchi lived only 650 miles away, across the Mississippi River in Michigan. She had built a life there with her second husband, with whom she shared three sons.

Had it not been for an article from a local newspaper in 1955 and a helpful history-savvy stranger, Yamaguchi’s whereabouts might have remained a mystery. Theresa Wong, a researcher for the TV channel HISTORY, found the old Daily Press article that had Yamaguchi’s picture, last name and address. Finally a solid clue. She knew she had to reach out.

“It just cut me right to my soul. I cannot imagine carrying around that kind of heartbreak for 70 years. I really hope this is that opportunity to get closure,” Wong told KKTV.

Mann seized that opportunity. And at age 91, he finally found his first love.

KKTV released a video of their touching reunion. In it they shared a long, sweet embrace. “You remember the dancing,” Yamaguchi asked, all smiles. “Oh yeah,” he replied with a warm chuckle.

As they reminisced about their time together, it was evident that no love was truly lost.

Duane got his wish after so many years. He told Yamaguchi that he didn’t abandon her … he just couldn’t find her. Yamaguchi gave him a kiss, whispering, “You must have loved me.”

He then showed her the glamorous black-and-white he had always kept close by in his wallet.

“It’s really been a freeing experience,” he told KKTV.

We don’t always get to choose the path that life takes us on. But if we’re patient, hopeful and maybe a little lucky, it puts us exactly where we need to be to find peace.

Joji is back with his first taste of music in two years. On his new single, “Glimpse Of Us,” sings of heartbreak over a stripped, lovelorn piano.

While known for singing over electronic beats, Joji is able to showcase some of the best vocals of his career singing over live instrumentation.

“Sometimes I look in her eyes / And that’s where I find a glimpse of us,” he sings on the song’s chorus. “And I try to fall for her touch / But I’m thinkin’ of the way it was.”

The song’s video, directed by Dan Streit, consists of found footage, capturing a day of property destruction, explosions, public urination, and overall chaos.

In addition to new music, Joji has also announced his Smithereens tour, which will take place across various US cities and Canada this fall.

Check out “Glimpse Of Us” above and the tour dates below.

09/01 — Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheater
09/03 — Las Vegas, NV @ DAY N VEGAS
09/06 — Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
09/07 — Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
09/09 — Salt Lake City, UT @ UCCU Center
09/10 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
09/13 — Dallas, TX @ The Factory Deep Ellum
09/14 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
09/17 — Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
10/05 — Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
10/07 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
10/09 — Toronto, ON @ History
10/11 — Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
10/14 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
10/15 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
10/18 — Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
10/20 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy

The Charlotte Hornets decided to enter the NBA’s coaching carousel earlier this offseason when the team ended James Borrego’s tenure at the helm. After a lengthy search, multiple reports indicate that the Hornets have decided to make Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson an NBA head coach for the second time in his career.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news, and reported that Atkinson — who was considered a finalist for the position alongside Mike D’Antoni — met with the team’s decision-makers on Wednesday ahead of his appointment.

The news was confirmed by Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer, while Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Atkinson will get a four-year contract.

Atkinson joined Steve Kerr’s staff in San Francisco ahead of this season. Prior to that, Atkinson spent three and a half years as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, where he received praise for developing the team’s core of young players and eventually turning them into a playoff team in 2019. He spent part of one season as the team’s coach in the aftermath of Brooklyn acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but the two sides mutually parted ways in March of 2020. Atkinson boasts a 118-190 record as a head coach.

Last season, Charlotte went 43-39 but failed to make it out of the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James is not accustomed to sitting at home in June. The 3-time MVP and 4-time champion missing the playoffs altogether feels like a rare eclipse on a career defined by deep runs in the postseason year after year. Although the Lakers missed out after a season of running up a downwards escalator, LeBron has found ways to stay engaged with the playoffs and even vowed to never miss them again after a Hawks-Heat game in the first round.

LeBron, being the media mogul that he is, has focused his playoff frustrations into content. On the most recent episode of The Shop, he revealed the two teams in the playoff that he would love to play with.

“Of the teams left playing, which one would you want to play for?” James was asked by Maverick Carter.

“Oh my God,” James replied. “Mav’s trying to f*ck me over right here. The team I would love to play for is not in the playoffs, which is the Lakers. But if it was one team that I know I could make an immediate impact in the postseason, and we could be very special, it’d either be Miami or Golden State. And I like the way Draymond talks to guys, too. I would love getting into a pissing match with Draymond, I would love that. That type of sh*t, I love when somebody cuss me the f*ck out.”

Pat Riley has mentioned that he’d be willing to leave a key under the mat for LeBron in the event he wanted to head back to South Beach. As for a Warriors team with LeBron, it certainly is a tantalizing hypothetical, but things didn’t go so well the last time Draymond got into a pissing match with a superstar teammate.

Jensen Ackles is known for many things, mostly acting, but also the fact that he is no stranger to belting out a tune every once in a while and kind of killing it. Perhaps the writers of The Boys found this out and decided to use his talents for good in a new clip from the Amazon series.

Ackles’ character, a superhero by the name of Solider Boy (not that one), managed to perform a dazzling cover of Blondie’s 1980 hit “Rapture” during a preview of the very eighties show Solid Gold, complete with disco ball visuals and dancers donning side-ponies and body suits. Not only did Soldier Boy actually do a good job, but the cover made its way to Blondie herself, Debbie Harry.

Harry, who seems to be a fan of the show, responded to the video on Twitter, calling the performance “epic” and saying she was “speechless.”

Anthony Starr aka Homelander responded, “Epic indeed!! The version you never knew you needed,” to which Harry delightedly responded: “Homelander lazer us!!!” Perhaps there will be a Blondie/The Boys crossover in the newly ordered fourth season of the series? The icon even went back and forth with the official The Boys Twitter account, which makes a crossover even more likely. Let’s make it happen!

Last week, Justin Bieber announced that he would be postponing several dates on his North American tour due to an undisclosed illness. “I’ve done everything to get better, but my sickness is getting worse,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shoes (doctors orders). To all my people I love you so much and I’m gonna rest and get better!”

Today, the “Peaches” singer revealed more about the diagnosis that derailed part of his tour, posting a video in which he explained that he’d been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The end result is that part of his face has been paralyzed. “As you can see, this eye is not blinking,” he demonstrated. “I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move. So there’s full paralysis on the side of my face.”

Bieber was optimistic that he could make a full recovery and attributed the setback to a need for rest. “Obviously, my body’s telling me I gotta slow down,” he noted. “It will go back to normal. Just time and we don’t know how much time that’s gonna be, but it’s gonna be okay. And I have hope, and I trust God, and I trust that this is all for a reason. I’m not sure what that is right now. But in the meantime, I’m gonna rest.”

The Mayo Clinic page on Ramsay Hunt syndrome describes it as the result of a shingles outbreak that “affects the facial nerve near one of your ears.” Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, which remains in the system even after the initial infection clears up, and can reactivate years later. It’s more common in older adults (people in their 60s), while it can also spread chickenpox to anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated. So yeah, stay up on your shots. Here’s hoping Justin gets well soon.