With the recent rescue of the boys’ soccer team and their coach in Thailand, a new hero from Marion, Illinois emerges. Southern Illinoisan Thanet Natisri was at the center of the rescue operation.

Natisri is a groundwater expert and was called upon by the Thai government while already in the country working to bring people clean drinking water. His part in the operation included maintaining and lowering the water levels inside of the cave the soccer team was trapped in.

With a big storm expected to come in on Wednesday and possibly flood the cave more than it already was, his task was critically important. Natisri had to first search miles through mountains to find and stop the sources of water from getting into the cave, pump water out of the cave and also stop water from getting in.

The boys’ soccer team, the Wild Boars, was trapped in the cave with their soccer coach for 18 days. Although the team and coach were all accounted for and safe on Tuesday, there was one casualty. A former Thai Navy SEAL who volunteered to deliver supplies to the group passed away due to lack of oxygen.

Now that the rescue mission is over, Natisri’s wife, Yaha, is excited for her husband to return next Wednesday. The couple owns and runs a Thai restaurant in Marion together.

Illinois-based insurance companies Allstate and State Farm are among 25 companies named this year as the organizations with the strongest representation of ethnic and racial diversity among women by Working Mother.

For the first time this year, Working Mother also examined demographic categories by specific races and ethnicities and among people who identify as two or more races in order to pinpoint where companies have the most success and opportunities in hiring and promoting women from diverse backgrounds. Working Mother Media has conducted the survey since 2003.

Looking for something you and your family can enjoy this weekend? Check out the 26th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago.

The festival runs Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18. Friday evening events will be held at 401 N. Michigan Avenue. The festival kicks off with Santa Claus’s arrival, fun activities and music. There will be samples of delicious food from Connie’s Pizza, Garrett’s Popcorn, Frango, Eli’s Cheesecake and more.

Saturday will also be full of fun events including appearances from favorite performers such as American Idol veterans Taylor Hicks and Melinda Doolittle. Click here for a full list of performers.

To end the 26th Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, with a little help from their Disney friends, will be leading the annual parade. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and travel down Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker. There will be floats, balloons, marching bands and performers. To light up the night sky, more than 1 million lights will be turned on.