Worker dies after falling from tree day before birthday, family says

Manuel Moran, 51, leaves behind a family with three children, according to a GoFundMe account made in his honor. (GoFundMe)

Alpharetta, Ga.

A tree cutter in Georgia died after he reportedly fell more than 20 feet from a tree while working Wednesday morning.

According to multiple reports, the worker, identified by family as 51-year-old Manuel Moran, fell while he was working on Broadwell Oaks Drive in the Alpharetta area.

He was rushed to the hospital, but did not survive, WSB-TV reports.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Manuel Moran, a beloved husband, father, and dedicated professional,” Moran’s friends and family shared through a GoFundMe.

Moran’s loved ones said he was a man of many talents and a dedicated tree specialist.

He also leaves behind a wife and three children.

“In this difficult time, we are reaching out to friends, family, and kind-hearted individuals for support. The funds raised will go towards funeral expenses ensuring that his loved ones are cared for as he would have wished,” the GoFundMe stated.

Authorities did not immediately share what caused Moran to fall from the tree.

Moran’s family shared that he would have turned 52 years old on Thursday.

‘I’ve waited a long time for this’: Woman receives master’s degree from Stanford at 105

At the age of 105, Virginia “Ginger” Hislop graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Education with her master’s degree. (Charles Russo | Stanford University)

Stanford, Calif.

A 105-year-old woman received her master’s degree from Stanford University, finishing her education journey that began over 80 years ago.

Virginia “Ginger” Hislop graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Education last week.

When she started on campus in 1936, she planned to get her bachelor’s degree in education, which she did in 1940, and obtain her master’s degree so she could teach.

According to the university, Hislop started on her master’s degree. But just after completing her coursework and before turning in her final thesis, her then-boyfriend George Hislop got called to serve in World War II.

George Hislop was a student at Standford and in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps when he got the call, prompting the pair to get married and Virginia Hislop to leave campus before graduating.

Eighty-three years later, Virginia Hislop returned to Stanford to finish what she started and receive her graduate degree.

When she rose from her seat during last Sunday’s ceremony in her cap and gown to walk across the stage, the crowd roared with applause, university representatives shared.

“My goodness,” she said. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

Virginia Hislop was handed her diploma and smiled for the cameras.

Her grandkids, who were also in attendance, waved and cheered for their grandmother and her long-awaited accomplishments.

2 teen girls die after their jet ski crashes into a boat while at the lake

Two teenage girls were killed Tuesday evening when their jet ski collided with a boat on Lake Marie in Illinois. (sshepard via Canva)

Antioch, Ill.

Authorities in Illinois are investigating a deadly crash that involved a jet ski and a boat on Lake Marie earlier this week.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, its marine unit responded to a jet ski versus boat crash Tuesday evening.

A 16-year-old, later identified as Sarina Vootkur, and 13-year-old, Elle Kim, were on the jet ski when they collided with a boat being operated by a 55-year-old man as they were approaching the Gass Lake Channel.

Witnesses reported the jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed directly toward the boat and the man was unable to avoid the collision.

Authorities said Vootkur was operating the jet ski with Kim as the passenger.

The teen girls were both wearing life vests, but they were knocked unconscious and thrown into the water.

Four people were on the boat, and they immediately pulled the girls from the water, rendered aid and called 911.

One of the girls was taken back to shore by the operator of the boat while the other was taken in by a passing vessel.

The girls were transported to a nearby hospital but pronounced dead after arriving.

No other injuries were reported in the crash.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office reported the teens died from blunt force injuries sustained in the collision.

The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Conservation Police.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said its team extends its condolences to the families of the girls and others involved in the tragic boat crash.

Cyberattack shuts down computer systems at thousands of auto dealerships, reports say

Car dealerships in the U.S. and Canada have been hit with a massive computer system outage. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A reported cyberattack has impacted thousands of auto dealerships around the country with their computer systems being shut down.

CNN reports that data provider CDK Global, which is used by 15,000 auto dealers, has been affected in what it is calling a cyber incident.

CDK Global representatives said its team is investigating the situation, but as a precaution, the dealerships’ systems have been turned off.

“We are actively investigating a cyber incident,” CNN quoted CDK spokesperson Lisa Finney from a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our customers, we have shut down most of our systems and are working diligently to get everything up and running as quickly as possible.”

CBS News and Automotive News reported that the incident appeared to involve a hack into the company’s software, which has impacted dealers in multiple states.

As of Tuesday afternoon, some systems have returned, but several social media reports indicate that many dealers remain unable to process sales deals or other transactions.

Tech blog Bleeping Computer reported that the cyberattack prompted CDK to “shut down its IT systems, phones, and applications to prevent the attack’s spread.”

Couple wins $1 million lottery prize just weeks before their first child is born

John Stanhill and Victoria Oakley won $1 million on a scratch-off ticket just three weeks before their baby was born. (Florida Lottery)

Jacksonville, Fla.

A Florida couple received a nice little bonus just in time to welcome their first child together.

According to the Florida Lottery, John Stanhill and Victoria Oakley won $1 million on a scratch-off ticket just three weeks before their baby was born.

The couple claimed their prize this week at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee after Stanhill purchased a $50 500X THE CASH scratch-off ticket from an Exxon gas station in Jacksonville Beach.

The $1 million win seemingly came at the perfect time as the couple also welcomed a baby boy to their family.

“This just couldn’t have happened at a better time!” Stanhill shared.

Oakley added, “We won the lottery – and then we won the lottery again with our beautiful, healthy baby boy!”

The family chose to accept their winnings in a one-time payment of $640,000 after taxes.

“We are over the moon with everything that’s happened,” the couple shared. “Our lottery win has been such a huge relief for us. We’ve been able to fully focus on being new parents by putting our financial worries at ease.”

The overall odds of winning 500X THE CASH are 1 in 4.23, according to the Florida Lottery. The game features a top prize worth $25 million.

The retailer that sold Stanhill’s winning ticket also received a $2,000 bonus commission.