Firefighter Gets His Wish When a Baby is Dropped Off at His Firehouse

New Mexico fireman Chris Martinez (pictured above) only half-joked a few years ago that he wanted the first baby dropped off at his fire station under a new “safe haven” program. The so-called "baby box" — provided through a nonprofit organization allowing anonymous and safe ways for mothers in crisis to surrender their newborns — had been placed at his Belen Fire Department about four months prior and had never been utilized. Then came Feb. 6, 2024, when a woman’s decision to place her baby with the fire department granted the prayers of Martinez and his wife Janae. Martinez, a lieutenant with the fire department, had responded to a structural fire about 1 a.m. that day two years ago. In the course of fighting the blaze, his gear melted and burned his ears and wrists, requiring him to go to the hospital for treatment. Not long after Martinez returned to the fire station, he was told by another firefighter that a baby might have just been left in the safe haven box, a temperature-controlled unit in a secluded location on the side of the building. The box had a timer that provided about a minute for anyone leaving a newborn to drop of the baby and leave anonymously. Alerted to the new arrival, the firemen opened the box and found a newborn boy turning blue, with his umbilical cord still attached and in obvious distress. The firemen provided oxygen for the baby, warmed him up and took him to a local hospital where he was treated in the neonatal ICU for pneumonia, fluid in his lungs and a brain bleed. The baby had to stay in the hospital for almost two months, and every day Chris and Janae were there making sure he wasn’t alone. The couple had tried for 15 years to have a child, and now they knew in their hearts this baby was going home with them. The couple had just become certified as foster parents, so they were allowed to foster the baby while they went through the adoption process. They named the baby Mikel Martinez and refer to him as “Mikey.” They say his middle name, Gracen, reflects the grace of God, who answered their prayers. The couple says they are now living the life they imaged for themselves decades ago. 

 

 

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World’s Oldest Known Tortoise Still Very Much Alive Despite Rumor to the Contrary

Reports on April Fool’s Day of the death of the world’s oldest living land animal — a 193-year-old tortoise named Jonathan — were greatly exaggerated. Jonathan is still kicking — albeit slowly — on the island of St. Helena. “It was a hoax,” said Anne Dillon, Head of Communications on the island. “I can assure you that he’s very much alive.” News of the Seychelles giant tortoise’s demise spread rapidly on social media, with an account on X falsely claiming to be by Joe Hollins, a veterinarian who had worked with the reptile on the island. The post said that Hollins was heartbroken to announce the death of the “gentle giant that outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans." The post quickly accumulated nearly 2 million views through Thursday, mostly an outpouring of condolences. However, Hollins later said on Facebook that he didn’t even have an X account and that something more sinister was afoot. “The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con,” posted Hollins. Guinness World Records lists Jonathan as the oldest living land animal and the oldest tortoise ever. He was believed to be about 50 years old when he was brought to St. Helena in 1882. The St. Helena government sent a photo of Jonathan taken Thursday of him roaming the grounds of the governor’s residence on the island best known as the place Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled following his defeat by the British at Waterloo in 1815. It was the place where the former emperor of France died in 1821, about a decade before Jonathan is believed to have taken the first steps in what would become a very long life. 

 

 

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Liquid Death Is Giving Away A House With Soda Running Through The Faucets

Liquid Death — a non-alcoholic beverage brand offering sparkling water and iced tea — is no stranger to over-the-top marketing campaigns. For its latest, the beverage-maker has partnered with home building company Taylor Morrison to give one lucky person the first-ever home equipped with custom plumbing designed to deliver Liquid Death Soda-Flavored Sparkling Water. To enter the contest, simply purchase Liquid Death in stores or online at Amazon. Keep the physical receipt and follow the process at liquid death.com/killerhouse. Every can of Liquid Death purchased is one entry for a chance to win. Tour any of Taylor Morrison’s 350+ communities and scan a QR code for five entries for a chance to win. To find a Taylor Morrison community near you, visit: https://www.taylormorrison.com/. Entries close on June 30, 2026.

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Rabbit Reigns as the Furry Champ of Jenga

Mordecai the bunny –“Morty” for short – doesn’t have any thumbs, but that doesn’t stop him from absolutely dominating at Jenga. The little rabbit used to spend his days in a backyard hutch, neglected and without companionship or attention. In fact, Morty was so ignored at his old home, he developed a botfly infestation — a nasty parasite that preys on furry mammals. After he was rescued by animal shelter workers, he was treated for his condition and transferred to PETA. A staffer there named Kendall Bryant then adopted Morty as her own, and he's been enjoying a life of luxury ever since. Morty now enjoys running around his new home, snuggling with Kendall, and “supervising” meal preparation in the kitchen. Most of all, he enjoys a good game of Jenga. He uses his nose to push and remove wooden blocks from the tower. Morty plays in a competitive style with Kendall, and sometimes he even makes the tower topple.

 

 

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