Thursday, the Dow was up 20.42 points (0.11%) at 18,058.69, the NASDAQ gained 20.89 points (0.41%) to finish at a record high of 5,056.06, and the S&P 500 increased 4.97 points (0.24%) to end at 2,112.93. The Russell 2000 climbed 6.05 points (0.48%) to 1,271.54, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 62.50 points (0.28%) higher at 22,396.19.

On the NYSE, 3.2 billion shares traded, with a 2 to 2 lead for advancers. On the NASDAQ, 2.8 billion shares changed hands, with 1.6 advancing issues for every declining issue.

The price of the 10-year Treasury noted climbed 7/32, decreasing its yield to 1.958%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond increased 5/32, bringing its yield down to 2.654%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1800, President John Adams approved legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” thus establishing the Library of Congress. In 1833, a patent was granted for first soda fountain. In 1889, the Edison General Electric Company was organized. In 1897, William Price became the first to be named White House news reporter. In 1945, President Harry Truman learned the full details of the Manhattan Project, in which scientists were attempting to create the first atomic bomb. In 1961, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 18 batters becoming the first major-league pitcher to do so on two different occasions. In 1962, MIT sent a TV signal by satellite for the first time. In 1980, an ill-fated military operation to rescue the 52 American hostages held in Tehran ended with eight U.S. servicemen dead and no hostages rescued.

And now it’s time for FRIDAY FILES!

In Crawley, West Sussex, England, a 57-year-old woman who has suffered agoraphobia for years has been working on overcoming the debilitating disease. She left her home for the third time in 10 years with a friend as part of her reha.bilitation. That’s when she saw a wooden pallet preventing her friend from reversing her car out of park, tried to move it and fell into a hole, according to The Daily Mail. She now has two black eyes and a suspected fractured leg. Sadly, she feels the experience set her back ‘years’ in her battle with the phobia.

In Franklin County, Kentucky, a man that escaped from a North Carolina prison more than 40 years ago, turned himself in. According to WBTV, the man, convicted of stealing, escaped from prison in 1971. According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the man has “a lot of medical problems” and can’t walk. He told deputies he hasn’t been able to get treatment because he doesn’t have a Social Security card or any viable identification, and he turned himself in to get medical help.

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, a man has been fined for discharging a fir.earm within city limits. According to the L.A. Times, he told police his computer was acting up, giving him the “blue screen of death,” so he took it in an alley and shot it eight times.

In Slidell, Louisiana, firefighters responded to an unusual call. When they entered the home, they found a large duck stuck inside a chimney with its head showing out of the bottom. Firefighters had to dismantle part of the fireplace to reach the duck, the Associated Press reported. It took more than two hours to safely remove the bird. According to the news report, it’s unclear how the duck became lodged in the chimney.

In West Pittston, Pennsylvania, residents recently experienced an unusual “rain” storm. Torn wads of toilet paper and shredded pieces of plastic bags covered roofs, lawns and trees, according to UPI. One family called the Environmental Protection Agency, which directed them to the Federal Aviation Administration. According to news reports, the FAA confirmed that an investigation into the matter is underway.

In Boise, Idaho, firefighters responded to a house fire. When they approached the home, they heard cries of ‘Fire! Fire!’ and ‘Help! Fire!’ They rushed in to rescue who they thought were the residents of the house, but instead found parrots. According to UPI, crews reported there was no one in the house, only the birds. The birds were removed and given oxygen.

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