Saturday, November 14, 2015
Escapee penguins foiled by footprints
Five fugitive penguins attempted to made a great escape from Odense zoo in Denmark, waddling as fast as they could down a hallway.
However, their little penguin footprints made it easy for them to be found.
YouTube link. Facebook video link.
However, their little penguin footprints made it easy for them to be found.
YouTube link. Facebook video link.
History made as bagpipes played in space
Bagpipes made their space debut when astronaut Kjell Lindgren played the bagpipes aboard the International Space Station, a first for the instrument.
He performed "Amazing Grace" in honour of research scientist and instructor Victor Hurst, who died unexpectedly last month at the age of 48.
YouTube link. YouTube video including the tribute to Mr Hurst.
He performed "Amazing Grace" in honour of research scientist and instructor Victor Hurst, who died unexpectedly last month at the age of 48.
YouTube link. YouTube video including the tribute to Mr Hurst.
Identical twins accused of shoplifting identical items
Identical twin brothers are facing identical theft charges after they stole identical items from a Walmart in South Carolina on Wednesday, police allege.
Malik and Shamel Toppin, 17, were caught after a store security officer spotted them each taking two items from the health and beauty department.
When subsequently confronted by police, the Toppins each removed a container of facial cream and deodorant from the pockets of their shorts, according to a police report.
The brothers were arrested for shoplifting, the second time in recent months that they were arrested for retail theft. Malik and Shamel were booked into jail on the misdemeanor charge. They were released from custody at around 4:30am on Thursday.
Malik and Shamel Toppin, 17, were caught after a store security officer spotted them each taking two items from the health and beauty department.
When subsequently confronted by police, the Toppins each removed a container of facial cream and deodorant from the pockets of their shorts, according to a police report.
The brothers were arrested for shoplifting, the second time in recent months that they were arrested for retail theft. Malik and Shamel were booked into jail on the misdemeanor charge. They were released from custody at around 4:30am on Thursday.
Young lady told police that her fake ID was legal if she were acting
An 18-year-old Florida girl informed a police officer her fake driving licence was not illegal because it could be legally possessed if she were acting, according to her arrest report.
Abbie Caay Huff of Pensacola, was stopped for speeding by a Fort Walton Beach police officer on Oct. 24. During the stop, officers noted open containers of alcohol in the vehicle and all the passengers appeared to be under the age of 21.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a Mississippi driver licence for Huff that listed her as being over the age of 21. It turned out the licence was false, the arrest report indicated. Huff’s Florida licence indicated she was 18.
Huff had an Escambia County warrant out on her for battery. While in custody Huff said, “the licence wasn’t illegal because it was not used and it can be legally possessed if she were acting,” the officer wrote in the report. She is charged with possession a fake ID and has a Dec. 8 court date.
Abbie Caay Huff of Pensacola, was stopped for speeding by a Fort Walton Beach police officer on Oct. 24. During the stop, officers noted open containers of alcohol in the vehicle and all the passengers appeared to be under the age of 21.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a Mississippi driver licence for Huff that listed her as being over the age of 21. It turned out the licence was false, the arrest report indicated. Huff’s Florida licence indicated she was 18.
Huff had an Escambia County warrant out on her for battery. While in custody Huff said, “the licence wasn’t illegal because it was not used and it can be legally possessed if she were acting,” the officer wrote in the report. She is charged with possession a fake ID and has a Dec. 8 court date.
Police apprehended art gallery masked bandits
Police in Newport, Oregon, caught a group of masked bandits inside an art gallery early on Wednesday morning.
According to a Newport Police Department, the incident occurred shortly after midnight at the Inscapes Gallery on SW Bay Boulevard. Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity and cornered the intruders. The four “masked bandits” were raccoons that had been getting into the gallery after-hours more than a few times, according to the gallery owner.
Late on Tuesday night a passer-by saw the animals in the front window of the gallery and called police. Gallery owner Cris Torp said the raccoons would just take the stairs right up to the top of the building and get in through the roof vents. Torp said it has been a problem for a long time. The raccoons live in the hills behind the gallery and were frequent, almost daily, visitors. One of the roof vents at the gallery was recently sealed, but that left another vent for the animals to come in through.
So last week, they sealed that one as well. What Torp didn't realise, though, was that the raccoons were already in a crawl space in the gallery, becoming trapped inside in the process, and the animals were so small that they didn't even set off the alarm. "We were already in bed, came down and got this call. They said it's going to be horrible because these raccoons are in the gallery,” he said. Torp thinks the raccoons had already been inside about two hours when that passerby saw them in the window.
YouTube link.
He said they were very relieved there wasn't more damage, since there is a lot of glass inside that could have easily been broken. "They'd tried to rearrange some artwork, and it was by a balsa wood boat that was made by a local artist and that even survived the onslaught,” Torp said. Police say the raccoons, known only by their street names of "Home Dog," "Da Nails," "Squeaky Feets," and "2-Toes Todd," attempted to elude officers but were captured after a brief scuffle. No one was injured. "'Squeaky Feets' told officers they had no intention of taking anything from the gallery; they were only trying to straighten a few pieces of art on the wall,"
Late on Tuesday night a passer-by saw the animals in the front window of the gallery and called police. Gallery owner Cris Torp said the raccoons would just take the stairs right up to the top of the building and get in through the roof vents. Torp said it has been a problem for a long time. The raccoons live in the hills behind the gallery and were frequent, almost daily, visitors. One of the roof vents at the gallery was recently sealed, but that left another vent for the animals to come in through.
So last week, they sealed that one as well. What Torp didn't realise, though, was that the raccoons were already in a crawl space in the gallery, becoming trapped inside in the process, and the animals were so small that they didn't even set off the alarm. "We were already in bed, came down and got this call. They said it's going to be horrible because these raccoons are in the gallery,” he said. Torp thinks the raccoons had already been inside about two hours when that passerby saw them in the window.
YouTube link.
He said they were very relieved there wasn't more damage, since there is a lot of glass inside that could have easily been broken. "They'd tried to rearrange some artwork, and it was by a balsa wood boat that was made by a local artist and that even survived the onslaught,” Torp said. Police say the raccoons, known only by their street names of "Home Dog," "Da Nails," "Squeaky Feets," and "2-Toes Todd," attempted to elude officers but were captured after a brief scuffle. No one was injured. "'Squeaky Feets' told officers they had no intention of taking anything from the gallery; they were only trying to straighten a few pieces of art on the wall,"
Couple devastated by theft of their fairy garden
A couple from Katikati in New Zealand are devastated after thieves took their "fairy garden".
On Wednesday morning, Terry and Roz Cooke noticed 15 different objects from their garden had been taken including solar lights, garden ornaments and a fairy bridge.
The collection of garden objects was worth about $400 but had a great sentimental value.
They created the garden for their two granddaughters, who visit from Australia, when they first moved to the property about 18 months ago. It included gnomes, terracotta snails and a fairy bridge. "It's annoying, it really annoys me," Mr Cooke said. Initially they did not realise how much had been stolen, he said. "The more I looked, the more I saw we lost.
"They just took the lot. It was a total wipeout of everything. Everything that could be moved, right up to the shed - they did the whole area. If they came any further the security lights would have gone on. For what reason, I don't know. We don't think they could have done it at night-time but I don't know how they could have done it in the day without someone seeing."
Objects which were left in the garden were too heavy to be carried, he said. Mrs Cooke said all the garden pieces had been collected over time. Mrs Cooke thinks the thieves would have scouted out the garden days before the pieces were taken yet none of the neighbours in the area have had issues with things being taken from their properties, she said. The Cookes would not be putting ornaments out in their garden for the next few months, she said.
They created the garden for their two granddaughters, who visit from Australia, when they first moved to the property about 18 months ago. It included gnomes, terracotta snails and a fairy bridge. "It's annoying, it really annoys me," Mr Cooke said. Initially they did not realise how much had been stolen, he said. "The more I looked, the more I saw we lost.
"They just took the lot. It was a total wipeout of everything. Everything that could be moved, right up to the shed - they did the whole area. If they came any further the security lights would have gone on. For what reason, I don't know. We don't think they could have done it at night-time but I don't know how they could have done it in the day without someone seeing."
Objects which were left in the garden were too heavy to be carried, he said. Mrs Cooke said all the garden pieces had been collected over time. Mrs Cooke thinks the thieves would have scouted out the garden days before the pieces were taken yet none of the neighbours in the area have had issues with things being taken from their properties, she said. The Cookes would not be putting ornaments out in their garden for the next few months, she said.
Teenager armed with potato peeler threatened to stab men while riding bicycle with no tyres
A hooded teenager who robbed a man at potato peeler-point has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Black-clad Connor Berry, 18, got off a mountain bike with no tyres and menaced two men with his mouth covered and his hood up.
The street raider held a potato peeler to a man’s side and demanded: “Give us your money or I’m going to stab you.”
Berry and two younger boys aged 15 and 16 accosted two friends heading home from playing football in Stockton north east England.
The first victim was “patted down” and jabbed with the potato peeler when he could only hand over £2, Teesside Crown Court heard on Thursday. He was punched to the head by the 15-year-old when he said he would not hand over his phone, said prosecutor Jenny Haigh. Berry rifled through his pockets and took the phone, the court was told. The second man was pushed, his pockets searched and his phone and £5 taken. He was told by Berry to go away “before I stab you”. Both of the victims ran off and later said they were left nervous, scared and reluctant to go out.
“This has ruined my life,” said one of the men in a statement. “I’m petrified to go out on my own." Berry and the two younger boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all from Stockton, admitted two counts of robbery. Berry also admitted possession of a bladed article. He had six previous offences including burglary though none for violence. Alex Bousfield, defending Berry, said he showed a concerning amount of bravado. He said Berry “seems to talk the situation up”, claiming he held a potato peeler to the victim’s neck. Berry described himself as schizophrenic - though he has not been diagnosed and would not be assessed or take medication.
And he showed “paranoid thoughts” that he needed to possess a weapon for protection. “He’s been found in possession of a weapon in prison,” added Mr Bousfield, suggesting Berry could become institutionalised. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told Berry: “You are clearly a disturbed young man. You had a knife. There was a group of you who attacked both men. You were disguised. They were terrified.” Berry was locked up for three-and-a-half years - his first custodial sentence. Each of the younger boys was given a one-year intensive referral order. All three received a five-year restraining order banning them from approaching the victims.
The first victim was “patted down” and jabbed with the potato peeler when he could only hand over £2, Teesside Crown Court heard on Thursday. He was punched to the head by the 15-year-old when he said he would not hand over his phone, said prosecutor Jenny Haigh. Berry rifled through his pockets and took the phone, the court was told. The second man was pushed, his pockets searched and his phone and £5 taken. He was told by Berry to go away “before I stab you”. Both of the victims ran off and later said they were left nervous, scared and reluctant to go out.
“This has ruined my life,” said one of the men in a statement. “I’m petrified to go out on my own." Berry and the two younger boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all from Stockton, admitted two counts of robbery. Berry also admitted possession of a bladed article. He had six previous offences including burglary though none for violence. Alex Bousfield, defending Berry, said he showed a concerning amount of bravado. He said Berry “seems to talk the situation up”, claiming he held a potato peeler to the victim’s neck. Berry described himself as schizophrenic - though he has not been diagnosed and would not be assessed or take medication.
And he showed “paranoid thoughts” that he needed to possess a weapon for protection. “He’s been found in possession of a weapon in prison,” added Mr Bousfield, suggesting Berry could become institutionalised. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told Berry: “You are clearly a disturbed young man. You had a knife. There was a group of you who attacked both men. You were disguised. They were terrified.” Berry was locked up for three-and-a-half years - his first custodial sentence. Each of the younger boys was given a one-year intensive referral order. All three received a five-year restraining order banning them from approaching the victims.
Three-eared stray cat taken in by rescue centre
Staff at a Norfolk rescue centre were perplexed when a stray cat arrived sporting an extra ear.
As Feline Care Cat Rescue in East Harling continue to care for the moggie, it is hoped its owner will now step forward.
Brian, as he has been affectionately called, although it has been suggested that he should be named Captain Kirk due to his "final front-ear", arrived at the centre on Monday after being caught in one of the centre’s traps after setting off security alarms at a nearby business. Manager of the centre, Molly Farrar, said: “We expected it to be one of our own cats who’d been causing problems so this handsome, mature gentleman was quite a surprise to us.
“We’ve cared for plenty of cats with one eye, three legs or six toes and several cats with no tail left, but this is our first three-eared cat. The centre is hoping that Brian has not been dumped but has simply got lost. Miss Farrar, 38, said: “He’s obviously very distinctive with his extra little ear so someone must be missing him or recognise him. He’s in a bit of a tatty and skinny state. He’s been in the wars a bit and has a fractured canine tooth and ear mites so he obviously needs looking after.
“We see all sorts of cats here but Brian is by far the most unusual, he is something special.” On Monday night, Brian was given the once over by vet Marcus Wilson from Knotts Yard Veterinary Practice in Watton who put the unique feature down to a birth defect. Miss Farrar, who has been at the centre for nine years, said: “It’s the first three-eared cat Marcus has seen in all his years of practice.” Brian, who was named after the man who found him, is believed to be between four and ten years old. If his owners are not found he will be put up for adoption.
Brian, as he has been affectionately called, although it has been suggested that he should be named Captain Kirk due to his "final front-ear", arrived at the centre on Monday after being caught in one of the centre’s traps after setting off security alarms at a nearby business. Manager of the centre, Molly Farrar, said: “We expected it to be one of our own cats who’d been causing problems so this handsome, mature gentleman was quite a surprise to us.
“We’ve cared for plenty of cats with one eye, three legs or six toes and several cats with no tail left, but this is our first three-eared cat. The centre is hoping that Brian has not been dumped but has simply got lost. Miss Farrar, 38, said: “He’s obviously very distinctive with his extra little ear so someone must be missing him or recognise him. He’s in a bit of a tatty and skinny state. He’s been in the wars a bit and has a fractured canine tooth and ear mites so he obviously needs looking after.
“We see all sorts of cats here but Brian is by far the most unusual, he is something special.” On Monday night, Brian was given the once over by vet Marcus Wilson from Knotts Yard Veterinary Practice in Watton who put the unique feature down to a birth defect. Miss Farrar, who has been at the centre for nine years, said: “It’s the first three-eared cat Marcus has seen in all his years of practice.” Brian, who was named after the man who found him, is believed to be between four and ten years old. If his owners are not found he will be put up for adoption.
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