Out of the Mainstream

Saturday's News From ...

2006-03-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Man accused of putting mouse in burritoTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - A man has been charged with plotting to strike it rich by planting a dead mouse in a burrito at a Taco Bell restaurant.Ryan Daniel Goff, 20, was arraigned Thursday on an attempted extortion count. He laughed and smiled as District Judge Thomas Phillips read the charge."I don't recall seeing anything like this

Thursday's News From ...

2006-03-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Toilet paper dispute overflows into fightCHARLESTON, S.C. - An argument over toilet paper overflowed into a fight, sending one motel maid to the hospital and another to jail. Deloris Smith, 47, is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. A magistrate set her bail Friday at $5,000. Smith said she was defending herself from her co-worker‘s plunger.

Wednesday's News From ...

2006-03-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Plan to require diapers on horses droppedEBENSBURG -- The legal battle to keep the borough's streets free of horse manure from Amish buggies and other users would raise a bigger stink than the mess borough council was hoping to prevent.Borough council scrapped a proposed ordinance that would have required horses downtown to wear "a containment device to the rear.""You have

Tuesday's News From ...

2006-03-07T06:41:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Lesbian becomes college homecoming kingFREDERICK, Md. - Hood College is reviewing its homecoming rules after a lesbian was crowned king, a college official says.But Jennifer Jones, the 21-year-old senior who beat out three men for the honor, says her victory last month was a plus for the private liberal-arts college."It is cool that Hood allows people to be themselves,"

Monday's News From ...

2006-03-06T06:54:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Woman Enters Exhibit, Elephant Smacks HerWACO, Texas - A 25-year-old woman climbed past barriers and into an elephant‘s zoo exhibit, then crawled out with minor injuries after the 6,000-pound animal smacked her with its trunk. After saying she wanted to play with the elephant, the woman climbed over a 3-feet-high wood-and-wire fence, scaled an 8-foot-tall artificial rock

Saturday's News From ...

2006-03-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

Around the World ...Alligator antics land Russian in hospitalA Russian was attacked by his pet alligator after he tried to show off to friends at a boozy party by feeding it sausages.Anton Skvortsov, 35, kept pet alligator Musya in a cage in his office in his Moscow.But after drinking with colleagues at an office party he decided to show them how much his pet loved him and opened the cage to feed

Saturday's News From ...

2006-03-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Feisty Rooster Rules Punta Gorda City HallPUNTA GORDA, Fla. -- A rooster, believed to be an orphan of Hurricane Charley, now rules the roost at Punta Gorda city hall. The feisty copper-colored fowl has interrupted city meetings and prompted neighbors to call animal control after he woke them at 5 a.m.But mostly he's won the hearts of city employees.From the Washington Post

Thursday's News From ...

2006-03-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Teen Pleads Guilty To Hiring Hit Man To Steal Block Of CheeseA woman who apparently thought a block of white cheese was cocaine has pleaded guilty to trying to hire a hit man to rob and kill four men.Jessica Sandy Booth, 18, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.From WFTV

Saturday's News From ...

2006-02-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Snowballs too 'dangerous'School officials have put a chill on two students' plans to wage a "snow day" at their high school. Two Ramona High School students were suspended for bringing snow to school after officials declared snowballs dangerous. "Anything that disturbs that or disrupts that is inappropriate on a school campus," said Principal Mike Neece. "Anything that could

Tuesday's News From ...

2006-02-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Around the Country ...Fla. man kills roommate over toilet paperMOSS BLUFF, Fla. - A man accused of fatally beating his roommate with a sledgehammer and a claw hammer because there was no toilet paper in their home has been arrested.Franklin Paul Crow, 56, was charged Monday with homicide in the death of Kenneth Matthews, 58, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.Capt. Thomas Bibb

Sunday's News From ...

2006-02-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Puppy heart surgery gives spaniel new lifeHOLLAND, Pa. - Here's a true love story about a once-puny pup who gave away his heart as soon as it was mended.Buddy, a Springer Spaniel who now weighs 40 pounds, had been suffering - literally - from a bleeding heart and a date with death at an animal shelter. But helping hands and puppy love saw him through surgery and

Tuesday's News From ...

2006-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Didn't pay to wear wrong jerseyA 17-year-old high school student said he was humiliated when a teacher made him sit on the floor during a midterm exam in his ethnicity class - for wearing a Denver Broncos jersey.The teacher, John Kelly, forced Joshua Vannoy to sit on the floor and take the test Friday - 2 days before the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Broncos, 34-17,

Sunday's News From ...

2006-01-22T14:29:00.000-08:00

Around PennsylvaniaSisters to turn unwanted mail into profitThe Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God have found a good use for that endless stream of junk mail that arrives each day.They are trying to make a little money from it while helping the environment.The religious community in Whitehall is one of the newest participants in a regional campaign started by a Canadian

2006-01-15T16:41:00.000-08:00

Technorati Profile

Sunday's News From ...

2006-01-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Tom Uberti's ready to become the ‘Big Wind Maker'Really, on what better street for the newest member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle to live than Woodland Avenue, the lane that boasts Punxsutawney Phil's painted pawprints leading to Gobbler's Knob?Wearing his top hat and tuxedo and seated at the breakfast nook of his home along 303 Woodland Ave.,

Saturday's News From ...

2006-01-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Man Accused of Shooting Mother-in-lawAn Overbrook man accused in the shooting death last month of his mother-in-law was ordered held for trial on homicide charges at a preliminary hearing yesterday.Christopher Mbewe, 28, is charged in the Dec. 15 death of Carol Tollan, 61, whose body was found in her car in New Homestead.District Judge Richard D. Olasz Jr. ordered

2006-01-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

Bonus Item ...Woman rescued from blackberry bramble after five daysVANCOUVER, Wash. -- An 88-year-old woman, trapped in her car for six days after driving off the road on the way home from the grocery store, sustained herself by wiping condensation off the windshield with a towel and sucking the moisture, her son says.Mary Lillian Anderson was in satisfactory condition Thursday at Southwest

Friday's News From ...

2006-01-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Man convicted of killing friend over jerseysAn East Hills man faces a maximum 20 to 40 years in prison following his conviction yesterday on charges that he shot and killed his friend during a fight with other young men over "throw-back" sports jerseys.A lawyer for Walter H. Harris, however, said he is hopeful that his client will get some leniency when he is

Wednesday's News From ...

2006-01-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Egg farm cited for animal crueltyThe owner and the manager of a Lancaster County egg farm were charged yesterday with 35 counts of animal cruelty in a case reflecting a national battle between animal-rights advocates and agribusiness over the treatment of laying hens.Video shot by an animal-rights activist employed at Esbenshade Farms in Mount Joy for 10 days last

Tuesday's News From ...

2006-01-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

Around the Pennsylvania ...Nun Hit, Killed by Hit and Run DriverAn anti-crime group held a vigil this morning, for the Philadelphia nun who was killed by a hit and run driver. Sister Paul Mercedes was on her way to early morning mass when she was struck at that intersection Monday. The nun had been on leave from teaching so she could tend for her ailing parents. From ABC 6Around the

Monday's News From ...

2006-01-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ...Scouts take a hit on lightning safetyMore than a million Boy Scouts head into the woods for summer camp each year, and experts say lightning safety should be a mandatory and detailed component of training for Scout leaders. John Magyar, of Eighty Four, Washington County, was 56 when he died from a lightning strike near Ligonier five summers ago. He is one of seven

Today's News From ...

2006-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania...Women's group, upset by Paterno comments, asks him to resignWomen's rights advocates who say Joe Paterno made outrageous remarks about an alleged sexual assault want the Penn State football coach to resignThe coach's remarks came a day before the Orange Bowl, when a reporter asked a question related to Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson. Nicholson was accused

2006-01-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

You Can't Make Up This StuffA suspended cross-dressing Internal Revenue Service agent who said his downfall started when he told bosses he planned to undergo sex-change surgery has pleaded guilty to misusing his daughter’s Social Security number ...In a court document filed in October 2004, Mr. Snarski alleged the IRS was out to get him because he was a “cross-dressing, pre-operative transsexual.

2006-01-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

This made me laughTwo arrested in tanning salon robbery spreePolice arrested a 30-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man Saturday afternoon in connection with a string of robberies at local tanning salons.They are suspected of robbing four salons Friday and Saturday. In each case, the suspect was described as a male wielding a pocketknife, Wichita police said.On Saturday at about 10:30 a.m., Tan

2006-01-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

In Alaska?I always think of Alaska as a peaceful, serene place. Who would have thought all of this could happen in one year?Shane Harapat was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter. A jury three months earlier had found the former Palmer High School rifle team member guilty of manslaughter for shooting his friend, Kenneth Alcantra, 16, with a .44-caliber Magnum Ruger Redhawk revolver

2005-12-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon ...The New & Improved "Out of the Mainstream." But for now, I'll leave you with this:Teacher accused of attacking policeA Central Dauphin School District teacher faces charges of assaulting a Lower Paxton Twp. police officer and possession of illegal drugs after being arrested earlier this month while standing naked in the snow outside of his home, police said. Curtis Lofton, 23, of

2005-04-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'd be pissed, tooNo pizza, no payMONTOURSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A man who said he was roughed up and arrested for refusing to pay for pizza delivered late and cold would receive $25,000 under a settlement agreement filed in federal court.Larry A. Phillips, of Montoursville, said he wouldn’t pay for pizza a delivery man brought to his home two hours after it was ordered, according to court

2005-04-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Life imitating art?Uranium missing, Teaneck lab saysA small amount of enriched uranium fuel is missing from a Teaneck laboratory, triggering a state and federal search for the nuclear material from Bergen County to Virginia.The 3.3 grams of powdered uranium - about one-tenth the weight of a paper clip - was reported missing Wednesday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.~*~*~My advice? Start

2005-04-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Should we shoot her?OK. I'll admit the cop may have been out of line, but I can understand it. I have a friend who's a cop. One time, a mother called him because she had driven her kid to school and the kid refused to get out of the car. So, I have to wonder how many calls like that the Texas cop got before he let "Do you want us to come over to shoot her?" slip out.

2005-04-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Bizarre? To say the least.By COLIN FLYAssociated Press WriterNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A man was beaten to death after catching his wife’s lover living in a closet in their home, police said Tuesday.Rafael DeJesus Rocha-Perez, 35, was charged with homicide in the slaying of 44-year-old Jeffrey A. Freeman over the weekend.‘‘From time to time, you come across a case with very unique — even bizarre —

2005-04-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

FreakyI can't even begin to imagine what Bobbi Parker went through.

2005-04-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

I'm not surprised by this story. When I was in California I gained 100 pounds in just over a year. Thank God I lost it when I got back to PA. So, when I move back to CA, at least I'll be a little wiser about that part of the left coast lifestyle.Here's the story that explains the study:By JIM WASSERMANAssociated Press WriterSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California, the land of body worshippers and

2005-04-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

I told you I wanted Stouffer's, dammit!This story is so out of the mainstream that it hasn't even hit any of the wire services yet. I'm sure it will eventually. It's too strange not to.A person in Pennsylvania has been charged with assault for throwing a frozen dinner at another person.I wish I had more details. I don't know if the dinner was still frozen. That would hurt. If it was cooked, that

2005-04-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

Pettiness Part IIIn an obvious slam at Fox's "fair & balanced" slogan as well as its erroneous reporting of the Pope's death, MSNBC unveiled its new slogan: Fair & Accurate.

2005-04-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

PettinessAt a time like this, I hate to be petty but I dislike Fox so much that I can't help it.NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel erroneously reported the death of Pope John Paul II on Friday afternoon, backpedaled several minutes later, then apologized to viewers for the mistake.Television networks were marshaling resources and dealing with conflicting reports as the pope’s illness took a turn

2005-04-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

This is just sickJOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A mother charged with involuntary manslaughter for allowing her young son to develop diaper rash so severe that it caused a fatal infection was charged for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old boy.Amy Livingston, 27, of Johnstown, was likely having sex with the teenager in the weeks before her 15-month-old son Harley died from a serious infection and

2005-03-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

Why can't these creeps leave girls alone?STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A former assistant high school football coach was charged with corruption of minors and furnishing liquor to minors after authorities said he bought his 16-year-old girlfriend mixed drinks at a bar last month.Joseph S. Bergstrom, 33, of State College, was suspended as staff assistant at State College Area High School on Feb. 22,

2005-03-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

A secret spot: Students gone wild or just an innocent diversion?By MIKE CRISSEY (who I have talked to on the phone)Associated Press WriterBENTLEYVILLE, Pa. (AP) — It was a gym teacher who made the discovery: Behind a hallway hatch used to access locker room pipes, students at Bentworth High School had created their own little hideout.Just how secret the ‘‘secret room’’ was, how many students knew

2005-03-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

This is pretty lowWEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (AP) — A woman was charged with stealing money and other items in recent weeks by walking up to six elderly victims, giving them a big hug — and then stealing their wallets or other loose items in the process.Mary Ann Johnson pretended to know the victims who are too polite to refuse her hugs, police said.~*~*~People taking advantage of the elderly is one more

2005-03-22T18:33:00.000-08:00

Next best thing, I guessCUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) — A Cumberland man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for sex crimes against three children.David W. Stallings, 48, pleaded guilty Monday in Allegany County Circuit Court to four counts of second-degree sexual offense and was sentenced by Judge W. Timothy Finan to 15 years on each count.Stallings was charged with multiple counts of sexual

2005-03-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

They thought this was OK?Note: To save myself some time, I'll just say that, unless otherwise noted, the rest of the tonight's news will all be from The APHAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Hagerstown officials have acknowledged editing a videotape of a City Council meeting to remove one member’s politically charged comments.Councilman N. Linn Hendershot’s comments were broadcast live on the city cable

2005-03-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

And what was the policy before?Also from The AP:CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA said Tuesday it will institute strict crowd control for space shuttle launches and landings, and rely more on a seldom-used touchdown site in New Mexico, to better protect the public once flights resume in a few months.*~*~OK. My question is ... Why weren't they practicing strict crowd control before this?

2005-03-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

Chalk one up for The PressFrom The AP:NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge violated the First Amendment when he barred reporters from disclosing the names of jurors in the trial of a former Wall Street banker, an appeals court ruled Tuesday.The ban by Judge Richard Owen in Frank Quattrone’s obstruction of justice trial last year ran afoul of the right of the press to report what happens in open court,

2005-03-20T07:59:00.000-08:00

I have no sympathy for pedophilesFrom the Allentown Morning Call:Judge reduces pedophile's sentence"A pedophile who assaulted three 5-year-old girls has received a reduced sentence."Yes, the sentence was only reduced by one year. And, yes, the 33-year-old scumbag will be on probation for 20 years. And, yeah, he has medical problems. But you know what? I don't care. He needs to be in prison

2005-03-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Catholic ChurchOne of my problems with the Catholic Church is that, sometimes, they are terribly out of touch with what's going on in the real world. Case in point: The DaVinci Code. Two years after its release a Cardinal decides we shouldn't be reading it? Excuse me, but if he had a problem with it, shouldn't he have mentioned it before millions of Catholics already read it? But that's not

2005-03-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

Terri Schiavo & Jessica Lunsford & Scott PetersonThis is definitely not out of the mainstream but I felt I had to say something about it. The reason I haven't said anything before is that I'm not exactly sure how I feel. I think I'd actually have to see Terri, in person to make an educated decision. However, what I do know is that Congress should not be involved in this. It's a family matter. Yes

2005-02-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

So much for random acts of kindness I haven't posted here in ages but I had to say something about this. How many times have you heard "What's wrong with kids today?" Then, two teen-agers try to do something nice -- bake cookies and deliver them to neighbors -- and someone takes them to small claims court and sues them for $900 because their act of kindness caused her to have an anxiety attack.

2004-08-11T00:51:00.000-07:00

What's this country coming to if ... ... a guy can't even watch a stripper without jeopardizing his job? Trooper and wife sue over response to stripper party State trooper or not, if no laws were broken what's the big deal? No harm, no foul, right? Except in Pennsylvania, which I am unofficially dubbing "The Prude State." Remember folks, you heard it here first. Well, probably not because

2004-08-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Anthrax You never think things like this will happen in small towns around here. Apparently they do. I wish I could post my story but our newspaper doesn't have online archives so it would be gone tomorrow. Carbs & Cancer Ha! I knew this low-carb thing was the right thing for me. With the history of cancer in my family, I'll take all the help I can get.

2004-07-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

This Land is Your Land ... Have y'all seen this? Even if you have dial-up, it's worth the wait.

2004-07-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

From * cops-alerts * TAMPA, Fla. -- A sports promotion sting has landed 11 suspects in jail, after they showed up to collect bogus prizes being offered by police in Tampa. The Tampa Police Department had mailed out 350 letters to suspects with active warrants for arrest on charges ranging from homicide to simple battery. Of the 11 who showed up Wednesday, the most serious offender was a sexual

2004-07-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

From The Stella Awards FAIR -- OR FOUL? by Randy Cassingham Michael Licitra, 44, played catcher in the Over-35 Men's Slow-Pitch Softball League in Garden City, Long Island, New York. During a league playoff game for his team the "West Enders" in the fall of 2001, Licitra says John Knowles, 39, crashed into him despite the "Pete Rose Rule", more officially known as "Rule 11" in the

2004-07-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

What's wrong with this picture? I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals so don't get me wrong when I say I don't get this. I'm totally appalled by the treatment of those chickens but, um, I'm a little confused by KFC's response. Yeah, yeah. What else were they going to say? But, c'mon. Their business is dead chickens. Ain't no way to get around that, folks.

2004-07-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Not-so-sweet robbery ACKSON, Michigan (AP) — A robbery attempt at an ice cream store resulted in a not-so-sweet ending for a would-be thief who authorities say knocked over a large container of strawberry syrup and dropped his wallet. According to police, the 24-year-old man apparently slipped in the goo during the break-in early Monday. ‘‘It was kind of a giveaway,’’ Jackson County sheriff’s

2004-07-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Freedom? Father sues over school lunch seating restriction A Jersey girl (I had to. Springsteen) got detention for sitting with her friends at lunch? What? The students are assigned seats during lunch to keep "decorum" in the cafeteria. The ACLU may get involved in this. C'mon people. There's got to be a better way to keep kids in line than assigned seating during lunch. I can see the

2004-07-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

I sure hope they saw Poltergeist Move involves delicate work: Relocating church's cemetery

2004-07-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

Bull Fries I saw this story while surfing the AP wire last night. Low-carb is one thing, but give me potatoes any day over bull testicles, thank you very much.

2004-07-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

Fahrenheit 9/11 If you already dislike Bush, you'll dislike him even more. If you like him, you'll dislike Michael Moore even more. There's not much in the movie that wasn't already public. It's just that Moore presented it in an interesting way. However, I did think there was way too much about the woman from Flint, Mich., whose son died. I don't think I'm being cold or callous. There was just

2004-06-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Ronald Reagan My apologies to the people who got here via this search. For the actual obituary, you can go here.

2004-05-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Andy Kaufman Is Andy Kaufman alive? Maybe he is. Check out this blog and form your own opinion. If it's true, he's a genius!

2004-05-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Connecticut woman accused of trying to kill nursing home roommate I was surfing The AP wire last night at work because I was really bored. This is one story that caught my eye: ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP)- A woman is accused of trying to kill her 73-year-old nursing home roommate by stuffing facial tissues down her throat and cotton balls up her nose. Marcia Hoggan, 54, was charged Wednesday with

2004-05-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Actual Malice Nope, I'm not being sued (and winning) again. "Actual Malice" is the title of my soon-to-be-published second novel. Read about it here and here. ... And wish me luck ... and buy a couple of copies, ok? <3

2004-05-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

Cafeteria Catholics I heard that term on The Radio Factor earlier today referring to John Kerry, as well as other Catholics who pick & choose the parts of the religion they believe in. The guy filling in for O'Reilly said we Catholics can't do that. Oh yeah? I've been doing it for years. I'm so glad there's a label now for the way I practice my religion. On a related note ... What makes

2004-03-28T20:04:00.000-08:00

Free Speech I don't have to go around the country or even around the state of Pennsylvania for this story. It's happening right in my own backyard. No sign fees -- for now ERIE -- The city of Bradford agreed to temporarily stop enforcing an ordinance that requires people to pay a fee and post bond to put up signs on private property after the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the

2004-01-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

A Sad Day I was sad when Mr. Rogers died. I'm even sadder now that we have to say good-bye to Captain Kangaroo. I'm not even ready to put my sadness into words yet.

2004-01-20T05:33:00.000-08:00

What's in a name? I first heard about Mike Rowe on Countdown w/Keith Olbermann and I wasn't sure whether I should laugh or be outraged. Still, I'm on the fence about it, although I usually do root for the little guy in situations like this. What's the situation? Mike Rowe, a Canadian high school kid registered the domain name MikeRoweSoft for his Web design company. Bill Gates and company,

2004-01-16T06:17:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ... Indian tribe files suit for Forks land An American Indian tribe filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday seeking to reclaim ancestral lands in the Lehigh Valley so it can open a casino elsewhere in the state. The Delaware Nation of Anadarko, Okla., claims a 315-acre parcel in Forks Township that is now home to 25 private residences and the maker of Crayola crayons. Police:

2004-01-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

One more ... Latour convicted in Jenny's Law murder case DANIELSON, Conn. -- A 26-year-old Plainfield man was convicted Thursday of murdering his pregnant former girlfriend, a crime that led lawmakers to increase the penalties for assaulting pregnant women. Michael Latour could face life in prison when he is sentenced on March 12. Latour shot 24-year-old Jenny McMechen on New Year's Eve

2004-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

Yet more news ... Two Miami Drug Jurors Get 5 Years for Taking Bribes MIAMI (AP) - Two jurors were sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison for taking bribes to acquit two reputed cocaine kingpins in the biggest vote-buying scandal of its kind. Gloria Alba and Maria Penalver admitted tainting the verdict for Sal Magluta and Willy Falcon nearly eight years ago in the only known

2004-01-15T06:04:00.000-08:00

More news across the country ... Pedophile Is Slain in Va. Prison Richard Alvin Ausley, a serial child molester whose brutal crimes led to a Virginia law that allows the state to hold some violent sex offenders indefinitely, has been slain in his prison cell, officials said yesterday. Ausley, 64, was found dead between 10:30 and 11 p.m. Tuesday at Sussex I Prison in Waverly, Va., Department

2004-01-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

News across the country ... From The Associated Press: Bad Spelling Leads Fla. Cops to Suspect GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A suspect in a series of bank robberies was done in by his own bad spelling, police said. Robert C. Whitney's consistently confused the words "dye" and "die" in robbery notes given to bank tellers, police said. A note used in the Gainesville robbery read "If a die pack

2004-01-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ... From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Cleared death-row inmate to be freed The family and supporters of the first prisoner on Pennsylvania's death row to be cleared by DNA evidence rejoiced yesterday, because his long-awaited freedom seems only days away. "I'm exuberant," said Jayne Yarris, mother of Nicholas James Yarris, who was wrongfully sentenced to death in 1982 for a

2004-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Joining the Low Carb Bandwagon Burger King's going bunless Burger King is joining the low-carbohydrate parade by offering bunless Whopper hamburgers and, soon, salads featuring steak, chicken and shrimp. The bunless sandwiches will come in plastic salad bowls, with knife and fork. Dieters also will be able to order Whopper meals that substitute salads for french fries and bottled water for

2004-01-14T08:31:00.000-08:00

The Power of One I saw this story about the Fresno, Calif., zoo on the Ellen DeGeneres show today: A 9-year-old girl, Angel Arellano, became so concerned about the problems facing the zoo that she wrote a letter to The Bee, enclosed a $1 donation and urged others to donate. The grass-roots campaign has led people in just over a month to donate $93,000 toward the zoo, including a $1,000 check

2004-01-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

In other news ... Pizza deliveryman foils Midtown kidnappers Some wiseguy wannabes proved not so wise early Tuesday. According to Anchorage police, three young men ripped off another young man delivering pizza in Midtown, telling him to obey them because they were "from the Bronx." Alas, these guys were short a little juice. The 20-year-old victim managed to give the robbers the slip, then

2004-01-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ... From the Sunbury Daily Item: Trial under way in inmate stabbing death WILLIAMSPORT — The government and defense agree that Peter N. Georgacarakos was involved in a 1996 fatal stabbing at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, but disagree on whether it was a crime. The government contends the death of inmate Randall Scott Anderson was premeditated murder. Defense attorney

2004-01-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

News across the country ... from The Associated Press Condom-In-Soup Case Is Resolved in Calif. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- Four women have resolved their lawsuit against a restaurant where one of them allegedly found a condom in her clam chowder, attorneys said Monday. The women had sued McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, claiming negligence and intentional infliction of emotional

2004-01-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Of harassment and the homeless First, the harassment ... Sorry. Alleged harassment. From Allegany, N.Y.: Judge adjourns harassment case against Bona professor A judge has set aside harassment charges filed against a St. Bonaventure University professor by a Franciscan nun who alleges he sent her sexually explicit photographs via e-mail. Dr. George Lapennas, an associate professor of biology,

2004-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

News across the country ... There's lots to report from Birmingham, Ala., today. Woman admits guilt in death of man on mower A woman who appealed last year's conviction on charges that she ran into and killed a Chalkville man as he rode his riding mower agreed on Monday to plead guilty in the case. LaKeisha Posey pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and agreed

2004-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Things that make you go 'huh?' The Chicago Sun-Times reports: A musical theater production in California about Andrew Cunanan's 1997 killing spree is drawing opposition from members of the gay community. Cunanan, a 27-year-old reputed gay escort, was linked to five murders, including the Miami slaying of Gianni Versace and the Chicago murder of real estate developer Lee Miglin ''Cunanan was

2004-01-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

The Price of Loyalty I'm not going to comment yet on what I think of Paul O'Neill's claims about Dubya and the White House in Ron Suskind's book The Price of Loyalty. I'd like to read the book first. Actually, I will say that I'm not surprised by the claim that Dubya planned on bringing Saddam down way before 9/11. But, didn't everyone already know -- or at least suspect -- that already?

2004-01-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

Packer Backers Seems fans of the Green Bay Packers are suffering from depression after the team's playoff loss on Sunday. Oh boo hoo. Try being a Bills fan.

2004-01-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Across Pennsylvania ... From the Connellsville Daily Courier: Witness testifies in firefighter's trial A former Isabella firefighter testified Monday that he pleaded with a member of the fire department's leadership not to set fire to the department's social hall. Steven Dugan is charged with mail fraud related to two 2002 arsons that destroyed the department's century-old social hall in what

2004-01-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ... From the Allentown Morning Call: Fifth suit filed over suspect nurse An Allentown couple has taken legal action against five hospitals in connection with the rapidly expanding case against Bethlehem nurse Charles Cullen. Their case marks the fifth civil suit started against Cullen's employers. Cullen is accused in the murder or attempted murder of two patients under

2004-01-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

New Across Pennsylvania ... From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Wal-Mart sued A Westmoreland County couple has sued Wal-Mart for injuries the wife suffered when a plastic shopping bag broke and spilled heavy groceries on her foot. From the Scanton Times Tribune: Female Employee Says Jail Practicing a Double Standard Outraged by her suspension and insisting she is innocent until proven guilty

2004-01-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Across Pennsylvania ... From the Allentown Morning Call: Suspect to be tried as adult An 18-year-old Allentown man charged with raping and killing a 12-year-old girl won't try to get his case transferred to juvenile court but still wants a judge to block the prosecution's use of his statements at trial. Brian Bahr was 17 when he was charged as an adult with homicide in the February death of

2004-01-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

News Across the Country ... From the Anchorage Daily News: Accused child molester halts bail hearing An accused child molester showed up in court for what he expected to be a routine bail hearing Thursday only to find television cameras and reporters waiting for him. Richard Pomeroy, 46, who faces trial on four counts of molesting a 6-year-old, started yelling at the sight of the cameras and

2004-01-09T04:38:00.000-08:00

Around Pennsylvania ... From the Erie Times-News: Doctor charged in death; authorities say illegal prescription contributed to patient's overdose Dr. David A. Klees was arrested on a count of involuntary manslaughter and 12 other charges. Erie police and state drug agents on Thursday arrested Klees, 46, charging that his recklessness or negligence in writing an illegal prescription helped

2004-01-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Will it Make a Difference? The judge in the Scott Peterson case ruled to move the trial out of Stanislaus County because intense media attention may have prejudiced the juror pool. Prosecutors fought to have it remain in Modesto, arguing that the publicity was so widespread that moving the trial would not make a difference. I agree with the prosecuters. I mean, c'mon. I live in Pennsylvania

2004-01-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Lottery Lawsuit Lyin' Loser Elecia Battle admitted she lied about losing the winning ticket for a $162 million lottery prize, saying: "I wanted to win so badly for my kids and my family." "I wanted to win," Battle said. "The numbers were so overwhelming. I did buy a ticket and I lost it. ... I apologize." Battle apologized to her husband, her lawyer and lottery winner Rebecca Jemison,

2004-01-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Who’s the turkey? This story from Bakersfield, Calif., made me gag ... so I have to share. Tainted turkeys lead to penalty A former Bakersfield food distributor has been fined $10,000 and placed on one-year probation after admitting that he delivered turkeys laced with rodent feces and hair to schools. Thomas L. Ford, 55, was originally charged with felonies in a 2000 indictment by a federal

2004-01-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

News Across the County ...” From Birmingham, Ala.: Wrestlers' suit spurs review of records A Bessemer Cutoff circuit judge has ordered a review of Hoover High School's disciplinary records over the past five years in light of a lawsuit by three Hoover High wrestlers kicked off their team and sent to alternative school. At issue is whether the Hoover school system issued appropriate

2004-01-07T05:13:00.000-08:00

Lottery Lawsuit Talk about frivolous lawsuits! A woman has filed a lawsuit against the Ohio lottery in an attempt to block the lottery from paying out the jackpot in the Mega Millions game. Elecia Battle claims she bought the ticket that would have made her the sole winner of the $162 jackpot. She said she lost the ticket in the parking lot of the store where she claims she bought the ticket.

2004-01-07T05:02:00.000-08:00

News Across the Country ... From the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News: Teen trips purse-snatch suspect A 14-year-old Miamisburg girl is being commended by Miami Twp. police for her quick thinking and bravery in helping a group of residents make a citizens arrest. Morgan Ruppert spotted a purse snatch suspect running in her direction, being chased by a group of residents, when she instinctively ran

2004-01-06T05:17:00.000-08:00

News Across the Country ... From Bakersfield, California: Man sentenced to a year in paintball shooting A man will spend a year in jail after he was convicted of assault for his role in a drive-by paintball shooting that injured a girl in September. Daniel Lee Wilson, 18, was sentenced Monday on charges of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Wilson was driving the car

2004-01-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

News Across the Country ... From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Nuwaubian cult leader Malachi York has alternately claimed to be Egyptian royalty, a rabbi, a Muslim imam and a space alien. He's pleaded guilty to child molestation charges -- twice. After a federal judge rejected one of those pleas as being too lenient, York, the leader of the Middle Georgia-based United Nuwaubian Nation of

2004-01-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

izzle shizzle I've had about enough of this "izzle" thing. A couple of weeks ago the hosts of the local radio station's morning show said the fad will probably end soon because it's getting too mainstream. Case in point, they said, is the Old Navy commercial with Fran Drescher. I hope they're right about that and Snoop Dogg comes up with something new ... and less annoying ... soon. Just to

2004-01-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

Awesome! It's not very often that I'm at a loss for words. (Except when I'm talking to a certain someone, at which time I automatically turn into a blithering idiot. But that's neither here nor there.) NASA, however, has had me practically speechless today ever since the Spirit rover began transmitting pictures from Mars. "For us to see a success here, at least at this point in the mission, is

2004-01-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

Leaks & Sources Yes, I realize it's important to find out who leaked the name of an undercover CIA agent to columnist Robert Novak. However, I think it's wrong to ask White House staff members to sign forms waiving their right to have private conversations with reporters. According to The New York Times: Investigators in leak cases focus on government employees because they almost never

2004-01-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

Lawyer Jokes I don't tell jokes about lawyers. Why is that? Lawyers don't think they're funny and no one else thinks they're jokes. Ba dum bum. A lawyer in Memphis, Tenn., doesn't seem to mind lawyer jokes. In fact, he's written a book with more than 100 pages of courthouse anecdotes. "I've just collected old stories for years," said Manuel Scarmoutsos, who once did a standup routine at a