Friday, April 25, 2008
Japanese police release security images of vandal chopping tulips with umbrella
Police yesterday released images from a security camera showing a man chopping down tulips with his umbrella alongside a road in Maebashi, following a spate of similar attacks in the city.
Police have launched a search for the man, who appears to be aged between his 40s and 50s.
The suspect, dressed in a suit and tie, was captured swinging his umbrella violently to lop the tops off tulips in planters near the Gunma Prefectural Government headquarters in Maebashi late on April 18.
At about 12 a.m. the following day, about 65 tulips from 18 planters were found to have been chopped down. Altogether, roughly 1,900 tulips were cut down in attacks in Maebashi on April 9, 14 and 19.
Police have launched a search for the man, who appears to be aged between his 40s and 50s.
The suspect, dressed in a suit and tie, was captured swinging his umbrella violently to lop the tops off tulips in planters near the Gunma Prefectural Government headquarters in Maebashi late on April 18.
At about 12 a.m. the following day, about 65 tulips from 18 planters were found to have been chopped down. Altogether, roughly 1,900 tulips were cut down in attacks in Maebashi on April 9, 14 and 19.
Woman sues husband for carrot attack
A Monroe woman is suing her husband, claiming he caused her to lose an eye when he threw a carrot at her during an argument.
The lawsuit filed by Pamela Vecsey claims that when she and her husband, 48-year-old Roderick Vecsey were arguing on July 14, 2006, in their home, her husband threw a carrot from about 20 feet away.
The woman's lawyer says Pamela Vecsey was hit in the left eye by the carrot which ruptured the eyeball. The eye was removed and she now has a glass eye.
Roderick Vecsey was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The charges against him were later dropped.
The couple still live together.
The lawsuit filed by Pamela Vecsey claims that when she and her husband, 48-year-old Roderick Vecsey were arguing on July 14, 2006, in their home, her husband threw a carrot from about 20 feet away.
The woman's lawyer says Pamela Vecsey was hit in the left eye by the carrot which ruptured the eyeball. The eye was removed and she now has a glass eye.
Roderick Vecsey was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The charges against him were later dropped.
The couple still live together.
Woman charged with drink driving after crashing into pool
The sudden, thunderous, splashing crash outside their bedroom sent Bill and Laura Haggerty from deep sleep to instant fright.
Bill Haggerty rushed outside to see what had happened while his wife called 911. He found a maroon sport utility vehicle with its back end submerged in his swimming pool. It was about 11:30 on Wednesday night.
The driver, who appeared unharmed, opened her door and promptly fell into the water.
Haggerty helped the woman out and asked if she was okay. She stank of alcohol, he said, and had a glazed look in her eyes. And after just a moment, she said she wanted to leave.
"I said, 'Ma'am, you can't leave, your truck is in my pool,'" Haggerty, 39, said. "She said, 'I can get it out!'" But then she got up and bolted through the sliding glass doors into Haggerty's house on Water Oak Drive in Timber Oaks, he said.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Nicole Renee Carlin, 36, after she was spotted trying to enter another house on a nearby street. Carlin, of 7525 Fox Bloom Drive, was charged with trespassing, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and DUI with property damage. She was being held in the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $1,500 bail.
Bill Haggerty rushed outside to see what had happened while his wife called 911. He found a maroon sport utility vehicle with its back end submerged in his swimming pool. It was about 11:30 on Wednesday night.
The driver, who appeared unharmed, opened her door and promptly fell into the water.
Haggerty helped the woman out and asked if she was okay. She stank of alcohol, he said, and had a glazed look in her eyes. And after just a moment, she said she wanted to leave.
"I said, 'Ma'am, you can't leave, your truck is in my pool,'" Haggerty, 39, said. "She said, 'I can get it out!'" But then she got up and bolted through the sliding glass doors into Haggerty's house on Water Oak Drive in Timber Oaks, he said.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Nicole Renee Carlin, 36, after she was spotted trying to enter another house on a nearby street. Carlin, of 7525 Fox Bloom Drive, was charged with trespassing, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and DUI with property damage. She was being held in the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $1,500 bail.
Penguin's wetsuit puts him back in the swim of things
What's black and white and warm all over? A penguin in a wetsuit, naturally. Sounds like a joke, but it's quite serious for biologists at the California Academy of Sciences, who had a wetsuit created for an African penguin to help him get back in the swim of things.
Pierre, a venerable 25 years old, was going bald, which left him with an embarrassingly exposed, pale pink behind.
Unlike marine mammals, which have a layer of blubber to keep them warm, penguins rely on their waterproof feathers. Without them, Pierre was unwilling to plunge into the academy's penguin tank and ended up shivering on the sidelines while his 19 peers played in the water.
"He was cold; he would shake," said Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the academy.
Schaller first tried a heat lamp to keep Pierre warm. Then she got another idea: If wetsuits help humans frolic in the chilly Pacific, why not whip up one in a slightly smaller size? Staff at Oceanic Worldwide, a supplier of dive gear based in San Leandro, were enthusiastic about making a real penguin suit.
Pierre was outfitted with the suit about six weeks ago. Since then, he has gained weight, grown back feathers on his hind parts and is again acting like his feisty, alpha-male self.
With more photos.
Pierre, a venerable 25 years old, was going bald, which left him with an embarrassingly exposed, pale pink behind.
Unlike marine mammals, which have a layer of blubber to keep them warm, penguins rely on their waterproof feathers. Without them, Pierre was unwilling to plunge into the academy's penguin tank and ended up shivering on the sidelines while his 19 peers played in the water.
"He was cold; he would shake," said Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the academy.
Schaller first tried a heat lamp to keep Pierre warm. Then she got another idea: If wetsuits help humans frolic in the chilly Pacific, why not whip up one in a slightly smaller size? Staff at Oceanic Worldwide, a supplier of dive gear based in San Leandro, were enthusiastic about making a real penguin suit.
Pierre was outfitted with the suit about six weeks ago. Since then, he has gained weight, grown back feathers on his hind parts and is again acting like his feisty, alpha-male self.
With more photos.
'Banana boys' suspended for school prank
A senior prank at Zion-Benton Township High School seemed quite humorous at first.
But as a group of students quickly learned, the administration isn't amused with monkey business.
And so - after 10 students in larger-than-life banana costumes ran the halls of the high school with an eleventh student dressed as a gorilla giving chase - the boys are on the raw end of a seven-day suspension.
The prank started innocently. Senior Andrew Leinonen, who will study criminal justice at Carthage College this fall, wanted to do something that wouldn't damage property or hurt anyone, while still being hilarious.
"What's funnier than a gorilla chasing bananas through a school? Nothing," Leinonen said. "It was a harmless prank."
The prank was quick, and almost painless. Four bananas were rounded up by school security and the plan would soon unravel. By the next day, the boys were slapped with a suspension and at risk of missing prom as well as being kept off the stage at graduation.
There's a news video here.
But as a group of students quickly learned, the administration isn't amused with monkey business.
And so - after 10 students in larger-than-life banana costumes ran the halls of the high school with an eleventh student dressed as a gorilla giving chase - the boys are on the raw end of a seven-day suspension.
The prank started innocently. Senior Andrew Leinonen, who will study criminal justice at Carthage College this fall, wanted to do something that wouldn't damage property or hurt anyone, while still being hilarious.
"What's funnier than a gorilla chasing bananas through a school? Nothing," Leinonen said. "It was a harmless prank."
The prank was quick, and almost painless. Four bananas were rounded up by school security and the plan would soon unravel. By the next day, the boys were slapped with a suspension and at risk of missing prom as well as being kept off the stage at graduation.
There's a news video here.
Man shot 'cocky' parrot
Police in Lund, Sweden, said a 25-year-old man allegedly shot his neighbour's parrot after it pecked at him with its beak.
Investigators said the man, who described the bird as "cocky", claimed to have fired three shots at the parrot, all of which he said missed.
However, a veterinarian said the bird had to be put down after one of the bullets became lodged in its body.
Police said the incident is being investigated as a possible case of cruelty to animals.
Investigators said the man, who described the bird as "cocky", claimed to have fired three shots at the parrot, all of which he said missed.
However, a veterinarian said the bird had to be put down after one of the bullets became lodged in its body.
Police said the incident is being investigated as a possible case of cruelty to animals.
Deadly snake on loose for a week in Australian cinema
One of the world's deadliest snakes caused mayhem after it was found warming itself under a popcorn machine in a Northern Territory cinema - less than a metre from teenage staff.
It took one week to catch the 60cm western brown.
The snake, which staff had thought was harmless, was first seen by a security guard as it made its way up the front ramp of the CMAX cinema in Palmerston. It disappeared through a vent.
Staff believed it was a harmless tree snake. They did not see it again until Friday night - when they discovered it living in the cinema's candy bar.
Snake catcher Gordon Canning was called in and saw teenage staff members searching for the snake in cupboards. "I don't think they realised just how deadly this thing was", he said.
Mr Canning captured the snake and released it away from populated areas.
It took one week to catch the 60cm western brown.
The snake, which staff had thought was harmless, was first seen by a security guard as it made its way up the front ramp of the CMAX cinema in Palmerston. It disappeared through a vent.
Staff believed it was a harmless tree snake. They did not see it again until Friday night - when they discovered it living in the cinema's candy bar.
Snake catcher Gordon Canning was called in and saw teenage staff members searching for the snake in cupboards. "I don't think they realised just how deadly this thing was", he said.
Mr Canning captured the snake and released it away from populated areas.
Brazen bikini bandit collared - wearing one of his stolen suits
A brazen bikini bandit has been nabbed in Rutland, Canada - wearing one of his stolen suits.
The teenage boy suspected of being a serial swimsuit swiper was pulled over when a stolen van hit a spike belt - and police found the culprit sporting a frilly pink bikini.
"When the police told me, it was hard to keep a straight face," said victimized shopkeeper Darlene Lehoux, owner of the Serenity Tanning Salon. "The only pink one that was stolen had little frills on the bottom - and little frills on the bra, too."
Lehoux's shop has been hit three times in the past year. Each time, the till was untouched, but bikinis went missing. The last time, her security camera caught a boyish bandit on tape.
"He dilly-dallies around as if he's shopping at Wal-Mart," said Lehoux. "He takes a few bikinis, and heads out to the van. Then he comes back, and looks at the sunglasses, and looks at the bikinis again."
A 15-year-old boy faces a number of charges, and will appear in court in June.
The teenage boy suspected of being a serial swimsuit swiper was pulled over when a stolen van hit a spike belt - and police found the culprit sporting a frilly pink bikini.
"When the police told me, it was hard to keep a straight face," said victimized shopkeeper Darlene Lehoux, owner of the Serenity Tanning Salon. "The only pink one that was stolen had little frills on the bottom - and little frills on the bra, too."
Lehoux's shop has been hit three times in the past year. Each time, the till was untouched, but bikinis went missing. The last time, her security camera caught a boyish bandit on tape.
"He dilly-dallies around as if he's shopping at Wal-Mart," said Lehoux. "He takes a few bikinis, and heads out to the van. Then he comes back, and looks at the sunglasses, and looks at the bikinis again."
A 15-year-old boy faces a number of charges, and will appear in court in June.
Singing priests sign £1m music deal
Father Eugene O'Hagen, 48, his brother Martin, 45, and David Delargy, 44, all have parishes in the diocese of Down and Connor in Northern Ireland.
The singing trio, known as The Priests, signed the deal with music giant Sony BMG at London's Westminster Cathedral.
Any money the priests make from the group will be given to charity.
The group have a special exemption in their contract, which allows them to break off from promotional duties to deal with parish work such as presiding over funerals.
With another news video.
The singing trio, known as The Priests, signed the deal with music giant Sony BMG at London's Westminster Cathedral.
Any money the priests make from the group will be given to charity.
The group have a special exemption in their contract, which allows them to break off from promotional duties to deal with parish work such as presiding over funerals.
With another news video.
Fledgling recruits for police
These fledgling recruits for the police's flying squad have found a wheely good place to set up home.
Eagled-eyed mechanics at Norfolk Constabulary's headquarters at Wymondham found the nesting blackbird four weeks ago in the wheel arch of a 4x4 patrol car.
After seeking advice from the constabulary's own wildlife liaison officers and the RSPB, workers will have to leave the nest undisturbed until the young birds have flown the coop - or they could be breaching wildlife conservation laws.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
Eagled-eyed mechanics at Norfolk Constabulary's headquarters at Wymondham found the nesting blackbird four weeks ago in the wheel arch of a 4x4 patrol car.
After seeking advice from the constabulary's own wildlife liaison officers and the RSPB, workers will have to leave the nest undisturbed until the young birds have flown the coop - or they could be breaching wildlife conservation laws.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
Carpenter develops wood allergy
A banker quit his £80,000 a year job to live his dream of being a carpenter - only to discover he has developed an allergy to wood.
Swansea-based Dan Hill, 32, swapped his City career at an investment bank in London for a perfect country life-style making exclusive wooden furniture.
But just weeks into his new vocation, Mr Hill was covered in a red, itchy rash and his eyes were streaming.
Doctors said he was suffering a rare allergy to dust from the wood shavings.
Mr Hill said: "I was gutted. All my friends thought I was mad giving up my city job and I felt really silly.
"After all I had given up everything to become a carpenter I find out I'm allergic to wood."
Swansea-based Dan Hill, 32, swapped his City career at an investment bank in London for a perfect country life-style making exclusive wooden furniture.
But just weeks into his new vocation, Mr Hill was covered in a red, itchy rash and his eyes were streaming.
Doctors said he was suffering a rare allergy to dust from the wood shavings.
Mr Hill said: "I was gutted. All my friends thought I was mad giving up my city job and I felt really silly.
"After all I had given up everything to become a carpenter I find out I'm allergic to wood."
Son solves his lonely father’s drink problem with a pub-visit job share - Update
Scores applied for the position and after a series of interviews, two men were found to be up to the job of having a pint with Jack Hammond, a genial elderly gentleman in need of a regular drinking partner.
A retired doctor and a former military man have stepped into the breach and will now accompany Mr Hammond, 88, to the Compass Inn several nights a week, to discuss current affairs and military history.
A retired kitchen fitter, Trevor Pugh, 78, from Southampton, was the initial frontrunner because of his age and military background. In the end he secured the post in a job-share with Henry Rosenvinge, 58, a retired doctor. The two gentlemen will now accompany Mr Hammond to the pub several nights a week to discuss current affairs and military history.
Mr Hammond, a widower, was a radar technician during the Second World War. He professed himself delighted with the outcome. He said: “I think they are very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to continuing going down the pub with both of them.”
Mr Pugh will pocket the seven pounds an hour to boost his pension but is not claiming expenses.
His son, Mike Hammond, was convinced he had found the right gentlemen for the job. “Dad’s now going to be going down the pub several times a week - three with his new friends and twice with me. He was an extremely social person before moving into the care home and I want to give him some of his old life back. I hope things turn out well,” he said.
Photo from here.
A retired doctor and a former military man have stepped into the breach and will now accompany Mr Hammond, 88, to the Compass Inn several nights a week, to discuss current affairs and military history.
A retired kitchen fitter, Trevor Pugh, 78, from Southampton, was the initial frontrunner because of his age and military background. In the end he secured the post in a job-share with Henry Rosenvinge, 58, a retired doctor. The two gentlemen will now accompany Mr Hammond to the pub several nights a week to discuss current affairs and military history.
Mr Hammond, a widower, was a radar technician during the Second World War. He professed himself delighted with the outcome. He said: “I think they are very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to continuing going down the pub with both of them.”
Mr Pugh will pocket the seven pounds an hour to boost his pension but is not claiming expenses.
His son, Mike Hammond, was convinced he had found the right gentlemen for the job. “Dad’s now going to be going down the pub several times a week - three with his new friends and twice with me. He was an extremely social person before moving into the care home and I want to give him some of his old life back. I hope things turn out well,” he said.
Photo from here.
Jobcentres advertise internet porn jobs
A student says she was amazed and disgusted to find adverts for nude webcam operators on display at her local job centre.
Anna Ellis-Jones said she spotted the ads at a Jobcentre Plus office in Llangefni, Anglesey and at Bangor, Gwynedd.
She called the discovery "sad, pitiful and depressing".
The Department of Work and Pensions said it had an obligation to allow all legal jobs to be advertised.
Anna Ellis-Jones said she spotted the ads at a Jobcentre Plus office in Llangefni, Anglesey and at Bangor, Gwynedd.
She called the discovery "sad, pitiful and depressing".
The Department of Work and Pensions said it had an obligation to allow all legal jobs to be advertised.
Happy birthday the windscreen wiper
The humble windscreen wiper is celebrating its 100th birthday today.
Gladstone Adams came up with the idea exactly a century ago as he drove home from London through a snowstorm having watched Newcastle United play Wolves in the 1908 FA Cup final.
Gladstone Adams came up with the idea exactly a century ago as he drove home from London through a snowstorm having watched Newcastle United play Wolves in the 1908 FA Cup final.
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