Saturday, July 26, 2014
Tortoise suspected of helping baby alligator escape from zoo
The owner of a zoo on Michigan's Upper Peninsula says a 12-inch alligator has escaped with the help of a tortoise accomplice.
It seems that as a large tortoise shuffled along in its enclosure at the GarLyn Zoo it may have created a furrow deep enough for Carlos the baby alligator, to slide under a fence and make a break for it.
The alligator escaped from the zoo, located in Mackinac County, on Saturday and was spotted by passersby, who in turn tipped off police. Zoo owner Gary Moore said he was relieved to find out the gator on the run wasn’t one of the adults, who are six to eight years old, are about five to seven feet long, and were given to the zoo because they had become too much for their owners to handle.
“My first thought was it was a large gator that got out,” Moore said. “I was really relieved to find out it was just a little guy that got out.” An AABP – alligator all-points bulletin – was put out, but Carlos is still missing. Moore admits “it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack trying to find a foot long alligator in sticks and stuff.” Moore says he hopes Carlos can be found before cooler weather sets in.
YouTube link.
“Once it drops down to 50 degrees he won't eat they need warm temps to digest food,” he said. “Beyond October his days are numbered." Carlos was last seen on US Highway 2. Michigan State Police helped in the initial search for Carlos. “It's not every day you see a complaint come in where law enforcement is dispatched to an escaped alligator,” Trooper Fred Strich said. Anyone who sees the reptile is asked to call the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or Michigan State Police.
The alligator escaped from the zoo, located in Mackinac County, on Saturday and was spotted by passersby, who in turn tipped off police. Zoo owner Gary Moore said he was relieved to find out the gator on the run wasn’t one of the adults, who are six to eight years old, are about five to seven feet long, and were given to the zoo because they had become too much for their owners to handle.
“My first thought was it was a large gator that got out,” Moore said. “I was really relieved to find out it was just a little guy that got out.” An AABP – alligator all-points bulletin – was put out, but Carlos is still missing. Moore admits “it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack trying to find a foot long alligator in sticks and stuff.” Moore says he hopes Carlos can be found before cooler weather sets in.
YouTube link.
“Once it drops down to 50 degrees he won't eat they need warm temps to digest food,” he said. “Beyond October his days are numbered." Carlos was last seen on US Highway 2. Michigan State Police helped in the initial search for Carlos. “It's not every day you see a complaint come in where law enforcement is dispatched to an escaped alligator,” Trooper Fred Strich said. Anyone who sees the reptile is asked to call the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or Michigan State Police.
Woman unhappy about snakes that keep appearing in her toilet
A young Florida woman is unhappy snakes that have appeared in the toilet of her rental home more than once.
Nineteen-year-old Samantha Rudd, moved into the mobile home in Moore Haven, Glades County, with her 69-year-old father two months ago.
One snake was curled up in the toilet bowl.
"It's why we got this knife stuck in here because I think they come in through this hole," said Rudd, pointing to the tank in the back of her toilet. "It's crazy." "Its head was sticking out," explained Rudd. "It was trying to crawl out of the toilet and into the house." Rudd says she's contacted the police. "The police say don't worry it's not poisonous," she said. "I don't want to get bit by a snake on my butt!" And she says she's texted and called her landlord to get rid of the reptiles.
"No, no," replied the landlord, Carolyn Ramie-High, who says Rudd only made her aware of one snake when Rudd moved in. Ramie-High says she gave Rudd the number of someone in the neighbourhood to get rid of it. "If there's a problem with snakes, there are people here that catch snakes and sell them for money," said Ramie-High. But Rudd says that didn't solve the problem. Since then, she says five more serpents have slithered in from the field behind her home.
YouTube link.
"I don't think she should hire 17-year-old kids, who like to play with snakes, to come over and deal with them," said Rudd. "She needs to get a professional." Meanwhile, Rudd and her dad are on watch before they use the toilet. "I always have to stare down in there and just make sure there's not a dark snake I can't see," she added. Ramie-High says Rudd owes several hundred dollars in back rent for a place she was renting before Rudd moved in with her father. A claim Rudd is not denying but says the bigger issue is the snakes in her bathroom. The landlord also says she promises to check out the sewer lines and septic tank to see if any holes should be sealed.
"It's why we got this knife stuck in here because I think they come in through this hole," said Rudd, pointing to the tank in the back of her toilet. "It's crazy." "Its head was sticking out," explained Rudd. "It was trying to crawl out of the toilet and into the house." Rudd says she's contacted the police. "The police say don't worry it's not poisonous," she said. "I don't want to get bit by a snake on my butt!" And she says she's texted and called her landlord to get rid of the reptiles.
"No, no," replied the landlord, Carolyn Ramie-High, who says Rudd only made her aware of one snake when Rudd moved in. Ramie-High says she gave Rudd the number of someone in the neighbourhood to get rid of it. "If there's a problem with snakes, there are people here that catch snakes and sell them for money," said Ramie-High. But Rudd says that didn't solve the problem. Since then, she says five more serpents have slithered in from the field behind her home.
YouTube link.
"I don't think she should hire 17-year-old kids, who like to play with snakes, to come over and deal with them," said Rudd. "She needs to get a professional." Meanwhile, Rudd and her dad are on watch before they use the toilet. "I always have to stare down in there and just make sure there's not a dark snake I can't see," she added. Ramie-High says Rudd owes several hundred dollars in back rent for a place she was renting before Rudd moved in with her father. A claim Rudd is not denying but says the bigger issue is the snakes in her bathroom. The landlord also says she promises to check out the sewer lines and septic tank to see if any holes should be sealed.
Alleged chat with bushes led to man's arrest
Police in Hickory, North Carolina, arrested a Connelly Springs man after a store manager spotted him talking to bushes on Monday, officials said.
Phillip Hugh Norman, 40, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Chrystal Dieter, spokeswoman for the Hickory Police Department.
Officers also found outstanding warrants for felony larceny by servants and other employees and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance from Buncombe County, according to an arrest report. Norman was given a $27,000 secured bond. Dieter said the the call to police was made because the suspect was falling around the parking lot, speaking to bushes.
Officers arriving at the store found the suspect asleep in his parked car. The suspect consented to be searched, Dieter added, but officers didn’t find anything on him. When they searched his car, officers found needles and a spoon. Officials could not confirm if Norman was under the influence of any substances.
Phillip Hugh Norman, 40, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Chrystal Dieter, spokeswoman for the Hickory Police Department.
Officers also found outstanding warrants for felony larceny by servants and other employees and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance from Buncombe County, according to an arrest report. Norman was given a $27,000 secured bond. Dieter said the the call to police was made because the suspect was falling around the parking lot, speaking to bushes.
Officers arriving at the store found the suspect asleep in his parked car. The suspect consented to be searched, Dieter added, but officers didn’t find anything on him. When they searched his car, officers found needles and a spoon. Officials could not confirm if Norman was under the influence of any substances.
Controversy over prison staff organising regular 'happy hour' nights for inmates
A row has erupted in Italy over prison staff allegedly organising regular "happy hour" nights for inmates, complete with alcohol and external guests.
Female prisoners at Milan’s San Vittore have been enjoying the twice-weekly happy hour, organised by staff at the jail. The events have sparked the disapproval of Osapp, the prison guards’ union, which has sent a complaint to both the Ministry of Justice and the Senate president.
According to Osapp, prison staff agreed to organize the happy hours which ran until “late at night” with “external guests”. Prisoners were provided with a catering service and offered alcohol. The union has called into question both the costs and profits of the venture, asking for “urgent clarification” from the Italian authorities.
But Luigi Pagano, deputy director of Italy’s prison service (Dap), said he had not received the message from Osapp and requested more information. The prison service stated that organising events was not unusual, when everything happens “in broad daylight, as in this case, we believe.”
Female prisoners at Milan’s San Vittore have been enjoying the twice-weekly happy hour, organised by staff at the jail. The events have sparked the disapproval of Osapp, the prison guards’ union, which has sent a complaint to both the Ministry of Justice and the Senate president.
According to Osapp, prison staff agreed to organize the happy hours which ran until “late at night” with “external guests”. Prisoners were provided with a catering service and offered alcohol. The union has called into question both the costs and profits of the venture, asking for “urgent clarification” from the Italian authorities.
But Luigi Pagano, deputy director of Italy’s prison service (Dap), said he had not received the message from Osapp and requested more information. The prison service stated that organising events was not unusual, when everything happens “in broad daylight, as in this case, we believe.”
Language barrier foiled supermarket hold-up
An armed robber fled a Berlin supermarket empty-handed in frustration over his lack of German language skills.
The unidentified man entered the store in the city's Mitte district, placed a rucksack on the counter, produced a knife and started gesticulating wildly at the two female staff members, police said.
He then vaulted over the counter and continued a series of hand gestures that only further confused the women, aged 28 and 29. "The offender said something unintelligible but the threatened shopkeeper did not respond," police said in a statement.
One ran into the street calling for help, prompting the man to flee after abandoning both knife and backpack, which the staff later realized he had wanted them to fill with cash from the register. Police are still searching for the would-be robber after Tuesday's incident which happened at 7pm.
The unidentified man entered the store in the city's Mitte district, placed a rucksack on the counter, produced a knife and started gesticulating wildly at the two female staff members, police said.
He then vaulted over the counter and continued a series of hand gestures that only further confused the women, aged 28 and 29. "The offender said something unintelligible but the threatened shopkeeper did not respond," police said in a statement.
One ran into the street calling for help, prompting the man to flee after abandoning both knife and backpack, which the staff later realized he had wanted them to fill with cash from the register. Police are still searching for the would-be robber after Tuesday's incident which happened at 7pm.
MP wants astrology incorporated into medicine
A Conservative MP has spoken of his belief in astrology and his desire to incorporate it into medicine.
David Tredinnick, who once tried to claim expenses of £755 for a computer programme that uses astrology to diagnose medical conditions, said he had spent 20 years studying astrology and healthcare and was convinced it could work.
The MP for Bosworth, a member of the health committee and the science and technology committee, said he was not afraid of ridicule or abuse.
"There is no logic in attacking something that has a proven track record," he said. He said he had studied the Indian astrological system Iahiri and the way it was used by that country's government and recalled how Chris Patten, Britain's last governor of Hong Kong, had an official astrologer, whom Mr Tredinnick had consulted while on a parliamentary delegation there. He said he had been the subject of much ridicule for his beliefs over the years, but many of the sceptics who had attacked him were "bullies" who had "never studied the subjects".
"I am absolutely convinced that those who look at the map of the sky for the day that they were born and receive some professional guidance will find out a lot about themselves and it will make their lives easier," he added. Explaining his beliefs, Mr Tredinnick said he had been right about herbal remedies and healing, which he said were now becoming accepted in parts of the NHS, and he now wanted to promote astrology, which was not just predicting the future but gaining an insight into personal problems.
He stopped short of suggesting astrological readings on the NHS, but said he wanted to raise awareness of it as an alternative among patients and clinicians. "I think it's something that people should be aware of as an option they have if they are confused about themselves." He said he had compiled astrological charts for his fellow MPs - he declined to reveal names - adding: "If you look at the charts I have done for people I have certainly made their lives easier."
"There is no logic in attacking something that has a proven track record," he said. He said he had studied the Indian astrological system Iahiri and the way it was used by that country's government and recalled how Chris Patten, Britain's last governor of Hong Kong, had an official astrologer, whom Mr Tredinnick had consulted while on a parliamentary delegation there. He said he had been the subject of much ridicule for his beliefs over the years, but many of the sceptics who had attacked him were "bullies" who had "never studied the subjects".
"I am absolutely convinced that those who look at the map of the sky for the day that they were born and receive some professional guidance will find out a lot about themselves and it will make their lives easier," he added. Explaining his beliefs, Mr Tredinnick said he had been right about herbal remedies and healing, which he said were now becoming accepted in parts of the NHS, and he now wanted to promote astrology, which was not just predicting the future but gaining an insight into personal problems.
He stopped short of suggesting astrological readings on the NHS, but said he wanted to raise awareness of it as an alternative among patients and clinicians. "I think it's something that people should be aware of as an option they have if they are confused about themselves." He said he had compiled astrological charts for his fellow MPs - he declined to reveal names - adding: "If you look at the charts I have done for people I have certainly made their lives easier."
Comedy club crowd showered with maggots that fell from dead pigeon
Maggots from a dead pigeon fell from the ceiling of a club on to audience members during a comedy performance.
The dead bird was in an air conditioning unit at Jongleurs Comedy Club at Oceana in Nottingham.
Sean Denton, who felt maggots fall on his head and arm, said audience members were "disgusted" and many walked out.
The club's operators have apologised but said no one had complained on the night and most of the audience "enjoyed the evening". Mr Denton said he was sitting on the front row at the show on Friday when, during the first act, he felt something hit his arm and head. "I didn't think much of it - I thought it was water falling from the air conditioning," he said. "People were pointing at the floor and when I looked, there they were - small maggots wriggling.
"The couple to the side of us were disgusted. I'm not sure if they were eating or not but there were certainly people in there that were eating. I'm sure if any fell in their meal it would have put them off instantly." Maggots began to fall "in a constant stream" and some fell on the comedian too, who walked off stage, Mr Denton said. His party were moved to another table by staff and given a free bottle of wine, he said, but they left before the last act.
Jongleurs has an agreement with the operators of Oceana, The Luminar Group, to use the club for comedy nights, a spokeswoman said. A pigeon had got into the air conditioning unit and subsequently died, she explained. When Jongleurs staff turned it on, it "disturbed the body" and "a few maggots" fell out. The group has apologised and offered free tickets to audience members, she said. "We would like to stress that the vast majority of the audience enjoyed the evening and stayed for the duration of the show," she added.
The club's operators have apologised but said no one had complained on the night and most of the audience "enjoyed the evening". Mr Denton said he was sitting on the front row at the show on Friday when, during the first act, he felt something hit his arm and head. "I didn't think much of it - I thought it was water falling from the air conditioning," he said. "People were pointing at the floor and when I looked, there they were - small maggots wriggling.
"The couple to the side of us were disgusted. I'm not sure if they were eating or not but there were certainly people in there that were eating. I'm sure if any fell in their meal it would have put them off instantly." Maggots began to fall "in a constant stream" and some fell on the comedian too, who walked off stage, Mr Denton said. His party were moved to another table by staff and given a free bottle of wine, he said, but they left before the last act.
Jongleurs has an agreement with the operators of Oceana, The Luminar Group, to use the club for comedy nights, a spokeswoman said. A pigeon had got into the air conditioning unit and subsequently died, she explained. When Jongleurs staff turned it on, it "disturbed the body" and "a few maggots" fell out. The group has apologised and offered free tickets to audience members, she said. "We would like to stress that the vast majority of the audience enjoyed the evening and stayed for the duration of the show," she added.
Pregnant cat climbed through open window of parked car to give birth to kittens on back seat
The Scottish SPCA is seeking the owner of a cat who climbed into a car in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, and gave birth on the back seat.
They were alerted by the surprised car owner after he made the discovery on Sunday evening outside his home.
The cat and her three kittens are now in the care of the Dunbartonshire and West Scotland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Milton. The mother has been named Elise and her kittens Nova, Astra and Dodge. Animal Rescue Officer Amy Robb said, "Two newborn kittens were found on the same street earlier that day and were taken to our centre in Glasgow, where we were able to find them a foster mum.
"When we received the call about Elise we knew the two kittens must have belonged to her but as they had already been accepted by another cat she would most likely have rejected them. Poor Elise must have given birth on the street and then climbed in the car window to have her remaining three kittens.
"The owner of the car and his girlfriend got a real surprise when they found the cats on the back seat. Elise is in good condition and we think her owner may be missing her. If this is the case it would be great to return her to the comforts of her own home while she rears Nova, Astra and Dodge. If we aren't able to return them home, we'll find them all loving new owners when the time is right." Anyone who recognises Elise is being urged to contact the SSCPA.
The cat and her three kittens are now in the care of the Dunbartonshire and West Scotland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Milton. The mother has been named Elise and her kittens Nova, Astra and Dodge. Animal Rescue Officer Amy Robb said, "Two newborn kittens were found on the same street earlier that day and were taken to our centre in Glasgow, where we were able to find them a foster mum.
"When we received the call about Elise we knew the two kittens must have belonged to her but as they had already been accepted by another cat she would most likely have rejected them. Poor Elise must have given birth on the street and then climbed in the car window to have her remaining three kittens.
"The owner of the car and his girlfriend got a real surprise when they found the cats on the back seat. Elise is in good condition and we think her owner may be missing her. If this is the case it would be great to return her to the comforts of her own home while she rears Nova, Astra and Dodge. If we aren't able to return them home, we'll find them all loving new owners when the time is right." Anyone who recognises Elise is being urged to contact the SSCPA.
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