The Associated Press
A wheat farm, large plastic letters and his dad's small plane? Jason Kahle thought it had a ring to it. He took his 23-year-old girlfriend, Aleasha Decker, up in the air Aug. 9 under the guise of photographing some relatives' houses in Kalida, about 60 miles southwest of Toledo in northwestern Ohio.
As Kahle's dad steered the plane, Decker looked out the window. She saw the question "Aleasha, marry me?" in 20-foot sheet plastic letters on top of a harvested field. She turned to find Kahle holding out a ring.
A wedding date has been set for June 5, 2010.
Showing posts with label Weird News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weird News. Show all posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Weird News - Cincinnati man arrested 146 times since 1998
The Associated Press
Authorities said Bennie Crabtree is the most-arrested man in the county. Records show he has been arrested 146 times since 1998, when Hamilton County's record-keeping system was updated. Veteran police officers said he was arrested many more times in the decades before that.
Crabtree's record includes criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and theft. Police say he steals food and intrudes in places such as the University of Cincinnati, hospitals and businesses. He's never done anything serious enough to be sent to prison.
Because of jail overcrowding, he's now often released hours after arrest.
Police say the 61-year-old man has lived mostly on the streets and has some mental problems.
A social worker says Crabtree is lonely.
Authorities said Bennie Crabtree is the most-arrested man in the county. Records show he has been arrested 146 times since 1998, when Hamilton County's record-keeping system was updated. Veteran police officers said he was arrested many more times in the decades before that.
Crabtree's record includes criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and theft. Police say he steals food and intrudes in places such as the University of Cincinnati, hospitals and businesses. He's never done anything serious enough to be sent to prison.
Because of jail overcrowding, he's now often released hours after arrest.
Police say the 61-year-old man has lived mostly on the streets and has some mental problems.
A social worker says Crabtree is lonely.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Weird News - Georgia man wins big lottery prizes twice in week
The Associated Press
A 62-year-old man struck it big twice in the Georgia Lottery. Earl Fritz won the top prize of $777,777 in the instant game Super Lucky 7's. That dwarfed the $1,000 he won a week earlier in a different game. The carpenter said he felt lucky a week ago and now feels a little bit luckier.
Fritz said he didn't realize he had won the big prize at first because he wasn't wearing his glasses.
The first win came in the instant game Extreme Green.
Fritz and his wife have not decided what to do with the money.
A 62-year-old man struck it big twice in the Georgia Lottery. Earl Fritz won the top prize of $777,777 in the instant game Super Lucky 7's. That dwarfed the $1,000 he won a week earlier in a different game. The carpenter said he felt lucky a week ago and now feels a little bit luckier.
Fritz said he didn't realize he had won the big prize at first because he wasn't wearing his glasses.
The first win came in the instant game Extreme Green.
Fritz and his wife have not decided what to do with the money.
Weird News - Montana woman uses chickens as therapy animals
The Associated Press
Therapy dogs can be a comfort for seniors and those recovering from illnesses and injuries. So how about therapy chickens? Jana Clairmont of Polson, Mont., calls her therapy birds — a white rooster and Cornish game hen — "Fowl Play."
On Thursday, she took them to visit residents at Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center in northeast Montana.
Many seniors were raised on farms, Clairmont says, and holding a chicken can bring back memories.
As one man stroked the rooster, Alex, the bird stretched out his neck and rested it across the man's forearm, like a puppy.
Clairmont has arranged visits to retirement and assisted living homes, and says she'd like to take Alex and Carlita, the hen, into classrooms this fall.
Therapy dogs can be a comfort for seniors and those recovering from illnesses and injuries. So how about therapy chickens? Jana Clairmont of Polson, Mont., calls her therapy birds — a white rooster and Cornish game hen — "Fowl Play."
On Thursday, she took them to visit residents at Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center in northeast Montana.
Many seniors were raised on farms, Clairmont says, and holding a chicken can bring back memories.
As one man stroked the rooster, Alex, the bird stretched out his neck and rested it across the man's forearm, like a puppy.
Clairmont has arranged visits to retirement and assisted living homes, and says she'd like to take Alex and Carlita, the hen, into classrooms this fall.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Weird News - Fla. lotto winner seeks to open a nude dude ranch
The Associated Press
You've heard of nude beaches, but how about a nude dude ranch? Tim Clements hit a $3.3 million jackpot in 2004, and wants to return to the farm life he grew up in. Clements and David Jennings, co-owner of the ranch, said the farm is secluded enough to be in the buff.
But they have two big problems — local zoning laws and a nudity ban in Hernando County.
Clements said they'll try to get the necessary paperwork, but if they can't get approval he'll close the CJ Ranch again to all but friends.
Though their Web site says clothing is optional, there is a caveat: Everyone "must wear pants and boots to ride the horses."
You've heard of nude beaches, but how about a nude dude ranch? Tim Clements hit a $3.3 million jackpot in 2004, and wants to return to the farm life he grew up in. Clements and David Jennings, co-owner of the ranch, said the farm is secluded enough to be in the buff.
But they have two big problems — local zoning laws and a nudity ban in Hernando County.
Clements said they'll try to get the necessary paperwork, but if they can't get approval he'll close the CJ Ranch again to all but friends.
Though their Web site says clothing is optional, there is a caveat: Everyone "must wear pants and boots to ride the horses."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Weird News - One-eyed filmmaker conceals camera in prosthetic
The Associated Press
A one-eyed documentary filmmaker is preparing to work with a video camera concealed inside a prosthetic eye, hoping to secretly record people for a project commenting on the global spread of surveillance cameras.
Canadian Rob Spence's eye was damaged in a childhood shooting accident and it was removed three years ago. Now, he is in the final stages of developing a camera to turn the handicap into an advantage.
A fan of the 1970s televsion series "The Six Million Dollar Man," Spence said he had an epiphany when looking at his cell phone camera and realizing something that small could fit into his empty eye socket.
With the camera tucked inside a prosthetic eye, he hopes to be able to record the same things he sees with his working eye, his muscles moving the camera eye just like his real one.
Spence said he plans to become a "human surveillance machine" to explore privacy issues and whether people are "sleepwalking into an Orwellian society."
He said his subjects won't know he's filming until afterward but he will have to receive permission from them before including them in his film.
His special equipment will consist of a camera, originally designed for colonoscopies, a battery and a wireless transmitter. It's a challenge to get everything to fit inside the prosthetic eye, but Spence has had help from top engineers, including Steve Mann, who co-founded the wearable computers research group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The camera was provided by Santa Clara, California-based OmniVision Inc., a company that specializes in the miniature cameras found in cell phones, laptops and endoscopes.
Zafer Zamboglu, staff technical product manager at OmniVision, said he thinks that success with the eye camera will accelerate research into using the technology to restore vision to blind people.
"We believe there's a good future in the prosthetic eye," he said.
The team expects to get the camera to work in the next month. Spence, who jokingly calls himself "Eyeborg," told reporters at a media conference in Brussels that the camera hidden in a prosthetic eye — the same pale hazel color as his real one — would also let him capture more natural conversations than he would with a bulky regular camera.
"As a documentary maker, you're trying to make a connection with a person," he says, "and the best way to make a connection is through eye contact."
But Spence also acknowledged privacy concerns.
"The closer I get to putting this camera eye in, the more freaked out people are about me," he said, adding people aren't sure they want to hang around someone who might be filming them at any time."
A one-eyed documentary filmmaker is preparing to work with a video camera concealed inside a prosthetic eye, hoping to secretly record people for a project commenting on the global spread of surveillance cameras.
Canadian Rob Spence's eye was damaged in a childhood shooting accident and it was removed three years ago. Now, he is in the final stages of developing a camera to turn the handicap into an advantage.
A fan of the 1970s televsion series "The Six Million Dollar Man," Spence said he had an epiphany when looking at his cell phone camera and realizing something that small could fit into his empty eye socket.
With the camera tucked inside a prosthetic eye, he hopes to be able to record the same things he sees with his working eye, his muscles moving the camera eye just like his real one.
Spence said he plans to become a "human surveillance machine" to explore privacy issues and whether people are "sleepwalking into an Orwellian society."
He said his subjects won't know he's filming until afterward but he will have to receive permission from them before including them in his film.
His special equipment will consist of a camera, originally designed for colonoscopies, a battery and a wireless transmitter. It's a challenge to get everything to fit inside the prosthetic eye, but Spence has had help from top engineers, including Steve Mann, who co-founded the wearable computers research group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The camera was provided by Santa Clara, California-based OmniVision Inc., a company that specializes in the miniature cameras found in cell phones, laptops and endoscopes.
Zafer Zamboglu, staff technical product manager at OmniVision, said he thinks that success with the eye camera will accelerate research into using the technology to restore vision to blind people.
"We believe there's a good future in the prosthetic eye," he said.
The team expects to get the camera to work in the next month. Spence, who jokingly calls himself "Eyeborg," told reporters at a media conference in Brussels that the camera hidden in a prosthetic eye — the same pale hazel color as his real one — would also let him capture more natural conversations than he would with a bulky regular camera.
"As a documentary maker, you're trying to make a connection with a person," he says, "and the best way to make a connection is through eye contact."
But Spence also acknowledged privacy concerns.
"The closer I get to putting this camera eye in, the more freaked out people are about me," he said, adding people aren't sure they want to hang around someone who might be filming them at any time."
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Weird News - Magician who claimed he mailed self admits to hoax
The Associated Press
A magician who posted videos online detailing a "trip" he made in a crate aboard a cargo plane from upstate New York to Las Vegas admitted Tuesday that it was an elaborate hoax.
"It was a publicity stunt right from the start," said Wade Whitcomb, of North Syracuse, after federal officials declared the event a hoax. "If that's what they say, that must be the truth."
"The FBI spoke to Whitcomb; he did not ship himself anywhere. We have no further interest in this," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Tuesday.
Whitcomb had claimed he folded himself into a cramped wooden crate for the 26-hour trip on a United Parcel Service truck and a UPS plane. He posted a series of videos online of the purported trip shot with tiny cameras pointed out of the crate and one inside focused on him.
Whitcomb, who goes by the stage name Wade Live, claimed he made the trip last November to publicize a buddy's Web site.
The Transportation Security Administration and the FBI investigated Whitcomb's claim, saying it would violate a number of laws. The Atlanta-based UPS Inc. also investigated.
UPS spokesman Dan McMackin said he couldn't verify the claim.
"To me, it seems like a publicity stunt, and therefore, I think it could be a hoax," he said.
A magician who posted videos online detailing a "trip" he made in a crate aboard a cargo plane from upstate New York to Las Vegas admitted Tuesday that it was an elaborate hoax.
"It was a publicity stunt right from the start," said Wade Whitcomb, of North Syracuse, after federal officials declared the event a hoax. "If that's what they say, that must be the truth."
"The FBI spoke to Whitcomb; he did not ship himself anywhere. We have no further interest in this," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Tuesday.
Whitcomb had claimed he folded himself into a cramped wooden crate for the 26-hour trip on a United Parcel Service truck and a UPS plane. He posted a series of videos online of the purported trip shot with tiny cameras pointed out of the crate and one inside focused on him.
Whitcomb, who goes by the stage name Wade Live, claimed he made the trip last November to publicize a buddy's Web site.
The Transportation Security Administration and the FBI investigated Whitcomb's claim, saying it would violate a number of laws. The Atlanta-based UPS Inc. also investigated.
UPS spokesman Dan McMackin said he couldn't verify the claim.
"To me, it seems like a publicity stunt, and therefore, I think it could be a hoax," he said.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Weird News - Prank video for 'world's best job' stars bin Laden
The Associated Press
More than 10,000 people have jumped at the chance to become the caretaker of a tropical Australian island — including a prankster identifying himself as terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
A 30-second video available on YouTube shows an actual video of the bearded al-Qaida leader with garble dubbed over his real voice and subtitles stating why he is right for the job.
"I enjoy the outdoors and sandy areas," the subtitles read. "I've got experience with videos, delegating tasks and experience with large scale event coordination."
Tourism Queensland, which is coordinating the contest, confirmed that a person using bin Laden's name had lodged an official application but it was rejected as inappropriate, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Wednesday.
Bin Laden is believed to be in hiding somewhere along the mountainous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and occasionally releases video and audio messages.
Queensland launched the "Best Job in the World" campaign on Jan. 12, calling for video applications from people interested in a 150,000 Australian dollar ($100,000) contract to relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for six months while writing a blog to promote the island.
The job is part of a AU$1.7 million ($1.1 million) campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland state. The employee will live free on the island, exploring the reef and posting videos and photos on a weekly blog.
Some of the most popular videos that have been vetted and approved by Queensland Tourism staff can be viewed on the department's Web site.
More than 10,000 people have jumped at the chance to become the caretaker of a tropical Australian island — including a prankster identifying himself as terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
A 30-second video available on YouTube shows an actual video of the bearded al-Qaida leader with garble dubbed over his real voice and subtitles stating why he is right for the job.
"I enjoy the outdoors and sandy areas," the subtitles read. "I've got experience with videos, delegating tasks and experience with large scale event coordination."
Tourism Queensland, which is coordinating the contest, confirmed that a person using bin Laden's name had lodged an official application but it was rejected as inappropriate, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Wednesday.
Bin Laden is believed to be in hiding somewhere along the mountainous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and occasionally releases video and audio messages.
Queensland launched the "Best Job in the World" campaign on Jan. 12, calling for video applications from people interested in a 150,000 Australian dollar ($100,000) contract to relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for six months while writing a blog to promote the island.
The job is part of a AU$1.7 million ($1.1 million) campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland state. The employee will live free on the island, exploring the reef and posting videos and photos on a weekly blog.
Some of the most popular videos that have been vetted and approved by Queensland Tourism staff can be viewed on the department's Web site.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Weird News - Cable provider apologizes for porn interruption
The Associated PressA cable television provider apologized Monday to Tucson-area customers over a 30-second porn interruption during the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia-based Comcast said it was conducting a thorough investigation "and will aggressively pursue all leads until we come to resolution." In separate statements, the company said it was "mortified" and "appalled" by the interruption.
"Our initial investigation suggests this was an isolated malicious act," Jennifer Khoury, Comcast's vice president for corporate communications, said.
The company said only customers in the Tucson area receiving the standard definition feed — not high definition — were affected.
Comcast has some 80,000 customers in unincorporated portions of Pima County, Marana and Oro Valley, but a Comcast spokeswoman, Kelle Maslyn, declined to say how many standard definition customers there are or how many of those customers may have been watching the game.
Late Monday, Khoury said Comcast had decided to offer any Tucson customer who gets the standard definition service a $10 credit. The affected customers can receive the credit by calling a special telephone number or a Comcast call center, and are entitled to the money whether or not they watched the Super Bowl.
"The Super bowl is a family viewing event ... We can't undo what happened, but we remain deeply sorry for the impact this situation has had on our customers," Khoury said.
She said the credit was intended to "demonstrate to our customers, and to the Tucson community, how seriously we take this situation."
Tucson media outlets reported that they received calls from irate viewers about the pornographic material, which aired just after the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald scored on a long touchdown reception during the final minutes of the game.
In Washington, Federal Communications Commission spokesman David Fiske said he was not aware of any complaints having been filed with the FCC as of Monday afternoon.
"At this point we just have no information," he said. If the agency receives complaints, review procedures will be followed.
"Every case concerning enforcement or indecency is fact-specific," he said, and added, "we can't ever speculate."
Khoury also said it was too soon to discuss a number of unanswered issues, ranging from how and why the incident occurred to what the source was and how the company's security system was breached.
Other questions include whether the interruption could have emanated from any broadcast provided for on-demand customers and whether any employees of the company might face discipline, depending on the investigation's outcome.
Fiske could not say whether the FCC potentially could impose a fine or other disciplinary action. "It depends on what the facts are," he said.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Weird News - Police find over 100 feral animals at mobile home
The Associated Press
More than 100 feral cats and dogs were euthanized after authorities found them living among the remains of hundreds of other dead animals that had been dumped in trash bags at a man's rented property.
Temecula police on Friday arrested a 67-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty after officers responded to a call that two vicious dogs were running loose at his address, Riverside County sheriff's spokesman Javier Rodriguez said.
The man had let animals breed and roam freely on his property, Rodriguez said, and the creatures had completely taken over his mobile home. Officers even found animals hiding in cupboards.
"The smell, I can't tell you how bad the smell was," said Willa Bagwell, executive director of Animal Friends of the Valleys, which provides animal control services for Temecula.
When animal control officers arrived, packs of dogs were attacking each other and killing one of their own, Bagwell said. About 70 dogs circled officers and threatened to attack, forcing authorities to euthanize them.
"They were just wild animals. They had never been touched," she told The Press-Enterprise of Riverside. "I've never seen this many animals and animals this feral."
Nine puppies and one dog were saved but authorities had to remove the bodies of 318 cats and dogs, Bagwell said. Outside the mobile home, more than 100 plastic trash bags were filled with animal feces and animal corpses.
Margaret Sturgeon, 82, said she sometimes talked briefly to the man and he seemed normal.
"He said he had three dogs," she said. "He never acted as if anything was wrong."
More than 100 feral cats and dogs were euthanized after authorities found them living among the remains of hundreds of other dead animals that had been dumped in trash bags at a man's rented property.
Temecula police on Friday arrested a 67-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty after officers responded to a call that two vicious dogs were running loose at his address, Riverside County sheriff's spokesman Javier Rodriguez said.
The man had let animals breed and roam freely on his property, Rodriguez said, and the creatures had completely taken over his mobile home. Officers even found animals hiding in cupboards.
"The smell, I can't tell you how bad the smell was," said Willa Bagwell, executive director of Animal Friends of the Valleys, which provides animal control services for Temecula.
When animal control officers arrived, packs of dogs were attacking each other and killing one of their own, Bagwell said. About 70 dogs circled officers and threatened to attack, forcing authorities to euthanize them.
"They were just wild animals. They had never been touched," she told The Press-Enterprise of Riverside. "I've never seen this many animals and animals this feral."
Nine puppies and one dog were saved but authorities had to remove the bodies of 318 cats and dogs, Bagwell said. Outside the mobile home, more than 100 plastic trash bags were filled with animal feces and animal corpses.
Margaret Sturgeon, 82, said she sometimes talked briefly to the man and he seemed normal.
"He said he had three dogs," she said. "He never acted as if anything was wrong."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Weird News - School bus liquor-store run gets cops' attention
The Associated Press
A school bus driver made an unscheduled stop at a liquor store, then allegedly asked a student to help hide her purchases when police stopped her, the district superintendent said. It does not appear the driver had been drinking, Billings Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps said. No charges had been filed but the driver quit her job this week.
Copps said someone spotted the bus at the liquor store on Dec. 12 and called authorities. No students were on the bus at the time, he said.
By the time officers caught up with the bus, the driver had picked up some middle school students and allegedly asked one student to hide a paper bag with bottles of alcohol near the back of the bus, Copps said.
Copps said the school immediately notified its bus contractor, First Student, that the woman was not to transport any of the district's students.
School district policy prohibits alcohol on school property or in vehicles transporting students. Copps described the incident as "embarrassing."
A school bus driver made an unscheduled stop at a liquor store, then allegedly asked a student to help hide her purchases when police stopped her, the district superintendent said. It does not appear the driver had been drinking, Billings Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps said. No charges had been filed but the driver quit her job this week.
Copps said someone spotted the bus at the liquor store on Dec. 12 and called authorities. No students were on the bus at the time, he said.
By the time officers caught up with the bus, the driver had picked up some middle school students and allegedly asked one student to hide a paper bag with bottles of alcohol near the back of the bus, Copps said.
Copps said the school immediately notified its bus contractor, First Student, that the woman was not to transport any of the district's students.
School district policy prohibits alcohol on school property or in vehicles transporting students. Copps described the incident as "embarrassing."
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Weird News - Sacramento man takes job hunt to streets
The Associated Press
An unemployed Sacramento man has taken his job search to the streets.
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Healey wore a signboard listing his employment qualifications as he stood on a downtown sidewalk Friday near the Sacramento Convention Center.
Healey called the tactic a "hail Mary" pass after six months of searching help-wanted ads produced only a handful of job interviews.
He said he had 10 years of business management experience.
The California Employment Development Department announced Friday that Healey has plenty of company. The state's unemployment rate rose to 8.4 percent in November, up from 8.2 percent in October.
An unemployed Sacramento man has taken his job search to the streets.
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Healey wore a signboard listing his employment qualifications as he stood on a downtown sidewalk Friday near the Sacramento Convention Center.
Healey called the tactic a "hail Mary" pass after six months of searching help-wanted ads produced only a handful of job interviews.
He said he had 10 years of business management experience.
The California Employment Development Department announced Friday that Healey has plenty of company. The state's unemployment rate rose to 8.4 percent in November, up from 8.2 percent in October.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Weird News - Nude pics in phone lost at McDonald's get online
The Associated Press
Here's some food for thought: If you have nude photos of your wife on your cell phone, hang onto it.
Phillip Sherman of Arkansas learned that lesson after he left his phone behind at a McDonald's restaurant and the photos ended up online. Now he and his wife, Tina, are suing the McDonald's Corp., the franchise owner and the store manager.
The suit was filed Friday and seeks a jury trial and $3 million in damages for suffering, embarrassment and the cost of having to move to a new home.
The suit says that Phillip Sherman left the phone the Fayetteville store in July and that employees promised to secure it until he returned.
Manager Aaron Brummley declined to comment, and other company officials didn't return messages.
Here's some food for thought: If you have nude photos of your wife on your cell phone, hang onto it.
Phillip Sherman of Arkansas learned that lesson after he left his phone behind at a McDonald's restaurant and the photos ended up online. Now he and his wife, Tina, are suing the McDonald's Corp., the franchise owner and the store manager.
The suit was filed Friday and seeks a jury trial and $3 million in damages for suffering, embarrassment and the cost of having to move to a new home.
The suit says that Phillip Sherman left the phone the Fayetteville store in July and that employees promised to secure it until he returned.
Manager Aaron Brummley declined to comment, and other company officials didn't return messages.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Weird News - Man's untimely nap damages church's organ pipes
The Associated Press
This isn't music to anyone's ears: The restoration of a church's 130-year-old organ has been delayed because four delicate pipes were damaged when a visitor napped on them.
The 18-foot pipes were among about 50 stored in the basement at First Churches in Northampton during the sanctuary's renovation.
The Rev. Peter Ives estimates the damage at close to $15,000. But he says the organ can be played without the pipes. Ives says the church will not press charges.
The man apparently mistook the pipes for rolled-up rugs and slept on them. He is a homeless man who was in the church for a job counseling meeting.
The congregation traces its history to the 17th century, and was home to 18th century preacher Jonathan Edwards.
This isn't music to anyone's ears: The restoration of a church's 130-year-old organ has been delayed because four delicate pipes were damaged when a visitor napped on them.
The 18-foot pipes were among about 50 stored in the basement at First Churches in Northampton during the sanctuary's renovation.
The Rev. Peter Ives estimates the damage at close to $15,000. But he says the organ can be played without the pipes. Ives says the church will not press charges.
The man apparently mistook the pipes for rolled-up rugs and slept on them. He is a homeless man who was in the church for a job counseling meeting.
The congregation traces its history to the 17th century, and was home to 18th century preacher Jonathan Edwards.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Weird News - Men nabbed after playing 'chicken' with police car
The Associated Press
Three Oklahoma City men were arrested after playing "chicken" with a police car. Police said a 23-year-old man drove his car at the oncoming patrol car driven by Capt. J.D. Reid and didn't move until Reid swerved out of the way. Reid then chased the car until it crashed. The driver was found inside the car, another 22-year-old man was found lying outside the vehicle and a third man was found hiding behind a traffic sign.
Two of the men were hospitalized and the third was treated and taken to the Oklahoma County jail where he's being held without bond.
Police say the driver apparently decided on a whim to play chicken car and didn't realize the car was a police car.
Three Oklahoma City men were arrested after playing "chicken" with a police car. Police said a 23-year-old man drove his car at the oncoming patrol car driven by Capt. J.D. Reid and didn't move until Reid swerved out of the way. Reid then chased the car until it crashed. The driver was found inside the car, another 22-year-old man was found lying outside the vehicle and a third man was found hiding behind a traffic sign.
Two of the men were hospitalized and the third was treated and taken to the Oklahoma County jail where he's being held without bond.
Police say the driver apparently decided on a whim to play chicken car and didn't realize the car was a police car.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Weird News - No takers for contest that requires abstinence
The Associated Press
A contest that would pay $10,000 to an engaged couple, as long as they abstain from premarital sex, hasn't gotten any takers. The deadline for the Marriage for a Lifetime contest is Oct. 31. The prize includes free flowers, invitations and other wedding treats.
So far, organizer Phillippia Faust hasn't gotten any entries.
She said, "In our society it's going to be hard to find" a couple that hasn't had premarital sex.
Faust has orchestrated mock weddings and other pro-marriage activities through her Marriage Appreciation Training Uplifting Relationship Education program, a nonprofit that isn't church-affiliated. The program is implemented through Rockdale Medical Center.
A contest that would pay $10,000 to an engaged couple, as long as they abstain from premarital sex, hasn't gotten any takers. The deadline for the Marriage for a Lifetime contest is Oct. 31. The prize includes free flowers, invitations and other wedding treats.
So far, organizer Phillippia Faust hasn't gotten any entries.
She said, "In our society it's going to be hard to find" a couple that hasn't had premarital sex.
Faust has orchestrated mock weddings and other pro-marriage activities through her Marriage Appreciation Training Uplifting Relationship Education program, a nonprofit that isn't church-affiliated. The program is implemented through Rockdale Medical Center.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Weird News - Brooklyn librarian fined $500 over daughter's book
The Associated Press
A New York City high school librarian has been fined $500, but it isn't a late fee: He's being punished for promoting his daughter's graphic novel on the job.
Robert Grandt says he only meant to show how proud he was by highlighting his daughter's first book, an adaptation of "Macbeth" that she co-illustrated. Grandt promoted the book in a newsletter he distributes as a librarian at Brooklyn Technical High School and gave out free copies.
The city's Conflicts of Interest Board says he broke an ethics code that prohibits public employees from taking actions that could benefit them personally. Grandt agreed to pay the fine.
Grandt says no one profited from his promotion. He says it's part of his job to "encourage the kids to read new books."
A New York City high school librarian has been fined $500, but it isn't a late fee: He's being punished for promoting his daughter's graphic novel on the job.
Robert Grandt says he only meant to show how proud he was by highlighting his daughter's first book, an adaptation of "Macbeth" that she co-illustrated. Grandt promoted the book in a newsletter he distributes as a librarian at Brooklyn Technical High School and gave out free copies.
The city's Conflicts of Interest Board says he broke an ethics code that prohibits public employees from taking actions that could benefit them personally. Grandt agreed to pay the fine.
Grandt says no one profited from his promotion. He says it's part of his job to "encourage the kids to read new books."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Weird News - R.I. man finds cocaine in used police cruiser
The Associated Press
A Burrillville town councilor got more than he bargained for when he bought a used police cruiser at auction. Kevin Blais bought the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria in an online auction from the Hartford, Conn., public works department.
He was cleaning it last week when he noticed a cracked area on the one-piece molded seat assembly.
When he removed the seat assembly to clean the floor, he found a plastic bag containing a substance that local police later confirmed was cocaine.
Blais speculates that a suspect stuffed the drugs through the crack to prevent police from finding them. Burrillville Lt. Kevin San Antonio says Hartford police were "apologetic" when he told them of the discovery.
Hartford police spokeswoman Nancy Mulroy said Friday that based on their past experience with drug suspects, Blais' speculation is almost certainly correct.
"It's not unusual that perpetrators or suspects try to hide stuff in the cruisers before they go to booking, where they know they'll be searched," she said.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Weird News - 'Lucky' Koala Bear Survives Head-on Car Collision
The Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia - They call this koala bear "lucky." The 3-year-old male koala was struck by a car and carried for seven miles with his head and arm wedged through the vehicle's front grill, but was not badly hurt.
Staff members at the Australian Wildlife Hospital in Queensland state dubbed him Ely "Lucky" Grills, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Tuesday.
"He was very flat and unresponsive for a couple of hours, but (after) a bit of TLC and some feed and some fluids — and a bit of pain relief because obviously he would have had a headache — he was up and eating and doing really well," hospital manager Gail Gipp told ABC.
Hospital officials could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press.
SYDNEY, Australia - They call this koala bear "lucky." The 3-year-old male koala was struck by a car and carried for seven miles with his head and arm wedged through the vehicle's front grill, but was not badly hurt.
Staff members at the Australian Wildlife Hospital in Queensland state dubbed him Ely "Lucky" Grills, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Tuesday.
"He was very flat and unresponsive for a couple of hours, but (after) a bit of TLC and some feed and some fluids — and a bit of pain relief because obviously he would have had a headache — he was up and eating and doing really well," hospital manager Gail Gipp told ABC.
Hospital officials could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Weird News - Man Writes Toilet Paper Check for Bill
The Associated Press
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (March 27) - An upstate New York man embroiled in a dispute over his water bill is not being allowed to pay off his debt with a check written on toilet paper. Ron Borgna tried to settle his $2,509.66 bill with a check written on floral print, two-ply toilet paper Wednesday.
The disagreement began in September 2006 when Borgna received a $422.90 water bill. Borgna claims he was overbilled. With additional charges, penalties and late fees that bill has grown.
Binghamton city officials refused to accept the check. After a short argument, Borgna was escorted out of the building.
Borgna says he is appealing the judgment against him in small claims court.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (March 27) - An upstate New York man embroiled in a dispute over his water bill is not being allowed to pay off his debt with a check written on toilet paper. Ron Borgna tried to settle his $2,509.66 bill with a check written on floral print, two-ply toilet paper Wednesday.
The disagreement began in September 2006 when Borgna received a $422.90 water bill. Borgna claims he was overbilled. With additional charges, penalties and late fees that bill has grown.
Binghamton city officials refused to accept the check. After a short argument, Borgna was escorted out of the building.
Borgna says he is appealing the judgment against him in small claims court.