Wacky News Stories

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

That's gotta hurt. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Man survives explosion, fall from tower
Published: March 8, 2009 at 2:21 PM

DULUTH, Ga., March 8 (UPI) -- A possibly inebriated Georgia man dangled upside down 35 feet off the ground from a high-voltage tower, saved only by his pants leg until rescued, police say. The man's harrowing escapade occurred Saturday before dawn when he climbed the tower, sparking what neighbors described as an explosion and flash fire, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Sunday.

"Please, I'm begging you for my life," the man could be heard yelling on video aired by the Fox News affiliate in Atlanta.

The unidentified 21-year-old Duluth man was 35 feet up in the air when his pants snagged and left him dangling, conscious, for about 2 1/2 hours while Georgia Power (<a href="http://www.upi.com/finance/stock-quote/GPE-PA/" target="_blank">NYSE:GPE-PA</a>) officials shut off the electricity and firefighters rigged ropes and a harness to lower him to the ground.

No charges had been filed against the man, who was hospitalized with cuts and burns at a hospital in nearby Atlanta.

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Police say inmate broke out and into jail
Published: March 8, 2009 at 2:01 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida allege a Camden County inmate broke out of jail, burglarized a store and was apprehended sneaking back into jail. Harry Jackson, 25, of St. Marys, Fla., was arrested Saturday entering the jail with 14 packs of cigarettes allegedly stolen from Snappy Foods about a block away, said Sheriff Tommy Gregory.

Jackson allegedly escaped by using wire from a broom to unlock an electronic door in the jail, Gregory said, adding Jackson has been charged with escape and burglary.

Jackson already was serving time for driving with a suspended license, possession of cocaine, obstruction of an officer and violating probation, The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported Sunday.

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Kangaroo breaks into home
Last Updated: 10:30AM GMT 09 Mar 2009

"My initial thought when I was half awake was: it's a lunatic ninja coming through the window," Beat Ettlin told the AAP news agency. "It seems about as likely as a kangaroo breaking in."

Mr Ettlin and his family were awoken early Sunday morning by their pet dog barking in the garden.

A kangaroo then crashed through a three metre high (nine foot high) window into the master bedroom and onto the bed holding Ettlin, his partner Verity Beman and their nine-year-old daughter Beatrix.

The family ducked under the blankets as the animal jumped on top of them before heading out the door.

Ettlin said when he heard his 10-year-old son Leighton screaming "There's a roo in my room" he ran in and wrestled the two metre tall kangaroo into a headlock and dragged it down the hall and out the front door.

The chef, originally from the Swiss city of Stans, was left wearing just his shredded underpants and with scratch marks on his leg and buttocks.

He described himself as "lucky". His partner described him as "a hero", saying she didn't know many men who would take on a kangaroo.

The kangaroo vanished into a nearby reserve and the family reported the intrusion to police and wildlife authorities.

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Vancouver's legal chickens raise concern
Published: March 6, 2009 at 4:32 PM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 6 (UPI) -- Canadian animal protection groups have raised concerns about the Vancouver City Council's vote to legalize the keeping of chickens in the city. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Vancouver Humane Society warned that many city residents would be clueless as to how to care for hens, specifically where to buy feed and how to find a qualified vet, the Vancouver Sun reported Friday.

"While we sympathize with the interests of local people who want to keep these hens for the sustainability interests, we have concern that not everyone who is interested in keeping these chickens has the necessary knowledge or expertise to raise them humanely," said Geoff Urton, BCSPCA animal welfare coordinator.

Urton said he is also concerned that coyotes and raccoons would see an influx of urban chickens as a new food source.

Ray Nickel, president of the British Columbia Poultry Association, said Thursday's unanimous vote to legalize urban chicken keeping was "ridiculous" and raises a number of food safety concerns.

"What if AI (avian influenza) started to happen with some of the flocks?" he said.

Urton said he's worried urban chickens could be easy targets for coyotes or raccoons and attract rats. What's more, he's not convinced that Vancouverites will be able to find a vet able to care for their birds or even know where to buy the right kind of feed.

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" :rolleyes:

" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Not wary of cafeteria food, millionaire leaves estate to California's Vanguard University
Mar 8, 2:47 PM EDT

 COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) -- Bruce Lindsay left behind a tip officials at Vanguard University won't soon forget.

Lindsay, who passed away last month at 79, bequeathed his estate to the small Christian university in Orange County where he ate daily at the cafeteria for decades. The donation, estimated to be at least several million dollars, will likely help the school that is saddled with $42 million in debt.

Known as the "campus grandpa" by students, Lindsay amassed his fortune by buying up cut-rate oil leases and flipping beachfront homes. A product of the Great Depression, Lindsay relished a good, cheap meal and abandoned a nearby hospital cafeteria for Vanguard where he found all-you-can-eat meals for $1.25.

"'Frugal' is not the right word for Bruce," suggested business professor Ed Westbrook, who befriended Lindsay. "He was real miserly."

Lindsay ate all of his meals on campus and often talked with both students and teachers, doling out advice. A former university president gave Lindsay the title of "student advocate" in the 1980s and with the title came free cafeteria food.

He became such a fixture at the 2,200-student university, he would often hold court in the crowded dining hall.

"I didn't sit with him every day, but there was always a big group of people who would eat with him at breakfast," recalled sophomore Brandon Arias.

Lindsay, who was never married and had no children, wasn't shy about commenting on the cafeteria fare. Lindsay's last words to Westbrook: "The cook put too much salt in the soup."

It's a good bet that a portion of Lindsay's money will be used to help build a new dining hall.

"That way," Westbrook said, "students will always be eating with Bruce."

Stallion · Mar 9, 2009

Close call for 19th century voyage replay
Published: March 8, 2009 at 12:01 AM

MELBOURNE, March 8 (UPI) -- An effort to duplicate the 19th century voyage of a group of Cornish fishermen came close to disaster off Australia. The Spirit of Mystery hit a storm Tuesday and then a freak wave that sent it into a roll, The Age reported.

The boat survived with minor damage. One member of the crew, Mark Maidment, broke his leg with the boat too far from land for a helicopter evacuation.

The Spirit of Mystery made an unscheduled stop in Portland Saturday to get Maidment to a hospital. He said he hopes to be back on board when the boat sails into Hobson's Bay in Melbourne.

The Mystery sailed to Australia in 1854 after a group of Cornish fishermen decided to try their luck in the gold rush. They equipped their 30-foot lugger with a zinc bottom and sailed off into the unknown, covering the 12,000 miles in 116 days.

The Spirit of Mystery is captained by Pete Goss, an experienced sailor who was honored by France and Britain for a single-handed rescue during the 1996-1997 Vendee Globe race.

Old Salt · Mar 10, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stallion @ Mar 9 2009, 10:33 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=305542"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Kangaroo breaks into home
Last Updated: 10:30AM GMT 09 Mar 2009

"My initial thought when I was half awake was: it's a lunatic ninja coming through the window," Beat Ettlin told the AAP news agency. "It seems about as likely as a kangaroo breaking in."

Mr Ettlin and his family were awoken early Sunday morning by their pet dog barking in the garden.

A kangaroo then crashed through a three metre high (nine foot high) window into the master bedroom and onto the bed holding Ettlin, his partner Verity Beman and their nine-year-old daughter Beatrix.

The family ducked under the blankets as the animal jumped on top of them before heading out the door.

Ettlin said when he heard his 10-year-old son Leighton screaming "There's a roo in my room" he ran in and wrestled the two metre tall kangaroo into a headlock and dragged it down the hall and out the front door.

The chef, originally from the Swiss city of Stans, was left wearing just his shredded underpants and with scratch marks on his leg and buttocks.

He described himself as "lucky". His partner described him as "a hero", saying she didn't know many men who would take on a kangaroo.

The kangaroo vanished into a nearby reserve and the family reported the intrusion to police and wildlife authorities.</div>

There's a roo in my room? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Meigger · Mar 10, 2009

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Old Salt · Mar 11, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stallion @ Mar 9 2009, 10:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=305541"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Police say inmate broke out and into jail
Published: March 8, 2009 at 2:01 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida allege a Camden County inmate broke out of jail, burglarized a store and was apprehended sneaking back into jail. Harry Jackson, 25, of St. Marys, Fla., was arrested Saturday entering the jail with 14 packs of cigarettes allegedly stolen from Snappy Foods about a block away, said Sheriff Tommy Gregory.

Jackson allegedly escaped by using wire from a broom to unlock an electronic door in the jail, Gregory said, adding Jackson has been charged with escape and burglary.

Jackson already was serving time for driving with a suspended license, possession of cocaine, obstruction of an officer and violating probation, The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported Sunday.</div>
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Meigger · Mar 11, 2009

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" :rolleyes:

" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

Lazarus · Mar 12, 2009

Horse bites off Indonesian man's testicle, spits it out

From correspondents in Jakarta
AAP
March 12, 2009 02:54pm

AN Indonesian villager had to be rushed to hospital after a horse bit off one of his testicles.
The 35-year-old man was unloading sand from a horse-drawn cart at a construction site in Sulawesi earlier this week when the attack occurred, Indonesia's state-run news agency Antara reported.

A witness said the animal suddenly lunged at the man, sinking its teeth into his crotch.

Shocked bystanders loaded the man into a car to take him to hospital, before one noticed a piece of flesh on the pavement.

"Luckily the horse did not chew up or swallow his testicle, but spit it onto the pavement," the bystander was quoted as saying.

"So I picked it up and brought it to the doctor at the hospital where the victim was being treated."

It was not know whether doctors attempted to sew it back on.

The 70-year-old owner of the horse, Budi, said the animal was trained but sometimes turned wild, and had bitten in the past.

Old Salt · Mar 12, 2009

That's gotta be a first.

Meigger · Mar 12, 2009

He is lucky he did not bleed to death.

Old Salt · Mar 13, 2009

Man to Shoot Film With Camera in Eye
By HOLLY FOX, AP

BRUSSELS (March 11) - 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.

Filmmaker Rob Spence, here holding his prosthetic eye, had his right eye damaged in a shooting accident when he was a child. It was removed three years ago.
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 â€” the same pale hazel color as his real one â€” 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."

Lazarus · Mar 13, 2009

Monkey 'kills cruel owner with coconut thrown from tree' 

A monkey who was forced to climb palm trees by his owner took revenge by killing him with a coconut.

Last Updated: 7:03AM GMT 11 Mar 2009

The animal threw the missile from the top of a tree after becoming frustrated with his tiring labour, according to reports.

Leilit Janchoom, 48, had employed the monkey to pick coconuts which he could then sell for around 4p each.

The animal â€“ named Brother Kwan â€“ found the work tedious and strenuous but Mr Janchoom refused to let him rest, dishing out beatings if he refused to climb trees.

It is believed that the monkey eventually snapped, and targeted his owner from a high branch with one of the hard-skinned fruits.

Mr Janchoom, from the province of Nakorn Sri Thammarat in Thailand, died on the spot after being struck by the coconut, according to reports in a local newspaper.

The dead man's wife said that the monkey had "seemed lovable" when they bought him for Â£130.

News of the attacks comes after scientists disclosed this week that a chimpanzee at a Swedish zoo became so annoyed at being gawked at by tourists in a zoo that he started creating weapons to hurl at them.

Santino the chimp would calmly collect stones and fashion discs made out of concrete even when the zoo was closed, to throw at visitors when they returned.

Scientists believe his behaviour is the strongest proof yet that humans are not the only creatures which can make plans for the future.

Old Salt · Mar 13, 2009

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Meigger · Mar 13, 2009

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> The monkey is probably now doing the <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/monkeydance.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mi" border="0" alt="monkeydance.gif" />

Lazarus · Mar 13, 2009

Question is, will they now arrest the monkey for murder 1 ???

rupertlittlebear · Mar 13, 2009

Naw, its a Major League contract.

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