As foreclosures increase, Peoria, Ill., issues more citations for unmowed lawns

Illinois town ups citations for unkempt yards

PEORIA, Ill. – Residents of the Illinois town of Peoria may want to take time this weekend to mow their lawns.
That’s because the city has boosted the number of citations for unruly grass by more than 73 percent this year.
Those fines begin at $30 but can escalate to as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : As foreclosures increase, Peoria, Ill., issues more citations for unmowed lawns.

NY man asking police for directions to animal shelter for stray dog gets arrested for DWI

NY man seeking help for stray dog arrested for DWI

MONROE, N.Y. – A man who went to a New York village police station seeking help for a stray dog found trouble instead after police say he drove there drunk.
Monroe police say 38-year-old Oleksandr Nayda found a stray Rottweiler and drove to their headquarters around 10 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Making pancakes by remote control: Bomb squads sharpen skills in robot rodeo

Bomb squads sharpen skills in robot rodeo
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – Bomb squads from around New Mexico got a chance to sharpen their skills by using a remote-controlled robot – not to blow things up, but to make pancakes.

The Robot Rodeo was held last week at a tech site at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The three-day event …. Original source  : Making pancakes by remote control: Bomb squads sharpen skills in robot rodeo.

No clowning around: Okla. jail says inmates in pink tops, yellow and white pants easy to find

Okla. inmates’ uniforms make them easy to spot

NORMAN, Okla. – Bright orange jail uniforms just weren’t enough to make inmates stand out in one Oklahoma county.
Some may say the hot-pink shirts and yellow-and-white striped pants now worn by Cleveland County, Okla., inmates make them look more like clowns than criminals. But sheriff’s officials say the …. Read the original article  : No clowning around: Okla. jail says inmates in pink tops, yellow and white pants easy to find.

It’s a bee market! Workaholic bees swarm Wall Street on day when most traders have off

It’s a bee market! Worker bees swarm Wall Street

NEW YORK – Talk about workaholic bees.
On Memorial Day, when most traders had the day off and businesses were closed, thousands of tireless worker bees were buzzing on Wall Street.
The insects swarmed around the doorway of a high-end restaurant, Cipriani Wall Street, on Monday. Others filled the … Original article on : It’s a bee market! Workaholic bees swarm Wall Street on day when most traders have off.

Metal detection hobby leads to man finding US veteran’s dog tags on an old Italian battlefield

US vet’s dog tags found on old Italian battlefield

BUDA, Texas – A retired police inspector’s newly acquired metal detecting hobby helped him find dog tags and other items belonging to a Texas World War II veteran who was wounded on an Italian battlefield.
Oscar Glomb served with the 36th Infantry Division and landed at the Bay … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Metal detection hobby leads to man finding US veteran’s dog tags on an old Italian battlefield.

Pa. couple to marry 24 years after mothers gave birth on same day, shared maternity ward room

Pa. pair born in same hospital on same day to wed

EASTON, Pa. – An engaged eastern Pennsylvania couple were born on the same day in the same hospital – and their mothers even shared a room in the maternity ward.
Amy Singley and Steven Smith were born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill on April …. Read the original article  : here.

Jeremiah Weed Asks For Cyclist’s Apology

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- Its Memorial Day again and this time too there are several celebrations on the way. A drink which was favored by the fighter pilots in America, Jeremiah Weed surely has a historical significance in the country and probably that is why it is being used to honor the military in the …. Original source  : Jeremiah Weed Asks For Cyclist’s Apology.

Moon rock mystery solved: Former Colorado governor had the gift from Nixon in his house

Former Colorado governor had missing moon rock

DENVER – A missing moon rock awarded to Colorado in 1974 has turned up in an ex-governor’s house.
The lunar souvenir was given to former Gov. John Vanderhoof by the Nixon administration, which awarded bits of moon rubble to all 50 states and more than 130 foreign countries.
Vanderhoof is now … Original source on Gaea Times at : Moon rock mystery solved: Former Colorado governor had the gift from Nixon in his house.

Oh baby! Wildlife officials discover abandoned weeks-old elk left on doorstep of Oregon office

Wildlife officials find baby elk left on doorstep

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Congratulations, wildlife officials! It’s a baby elk.
Officials at a U.S. Forest Service office in La Grande, Ore., last week found a baby elk left on their doorstep along Highway 30. It was dropped off Wednesday night and is estimated to be less than two … Original article on : Oh baby! Wildlife officials discover abandoned weeks-old elk left on doorstep of Oregon office.

Colorado’s second set of moon rocks, given to state in 1974 and valued at $5M, can’t be found

Colo.-owned moon rocks valued at $5M are missing

DENVER – Colorado, we have a problem. The moon rocks are missing.
The rocks, given to the state, in 1974 are valued at $5 million on the black market and few even realized they existed until a college student began searching for them as part of an assignment.
Another set …. Original article  : Colorado’s second set of moon rocks, given to state in 1974 and valued at $5M, can’t be found.

It’s a bee market! Worker bees swarm Wall Street on day when most traders have off

It’s a bee market as insects swarm Wall Street

NEW YORK – Forget bears and bulls. It’s bees that are making waves on Wall Street.
About 15,000 of them buzzed the posh Cipriani Wall Street restaurant this week, blanketing an elegant front door and forcing police to cordon off the block.
“We had 15,000 girls who wanted to … Original source on Gaea Times at : It’s a bee market! Worker bees swarm Wall Street on day when most traders have off.

The freshmaker and the furious: Maine pair use Mentos, Coke Zero to send vehicle 220 feet

Rocket science: Mentos, Coke Zero propel vehicle

BUCKFIELD, Maine – The guys from Maine who became an online sensation by creating geysers from soda and Mentos candies have discovered it’s not just entertainment. It can propel vehicles, as well.
A contraption created by Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz of Buckfield using a bike and a trailer is …. Source article  : The freshmaker and the furious: Maine pair use Mentos, Coke Zero to send vehicle 220 feet.

Down the drain: NHL’s Penguins seek students to help flush new arena’s toilets simultaneously

NHL team seeking help to flush Pa. arena’s toilets

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for 250 students to help with an important task and there’s only one major requirement: You must know how to flush a toilet.
Construction is near completion on the NHL team’s new arena, the Consol Energy Center. But like with any …. Original article  : Down the drain: NHL’s Penguins seek students to help flush new arena’s toilets simultaneously.

NJ teen ordered to write essay after admitting in court that he defecated in classmate’s soda

NJ teen admits defecating in classmate’s soda

CAMDEN, N.J. – His lawyer calls it a foolish prank, but a judge isn’t laughing. A 17-year-old high school student from Haddon Township admitted in family court Thursday that he defecated in a classmate’s soda during an auto-shop class.
Prosecutors dropped an aggravated assault charge in exchange for the boy’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NJ teen ordered to write essay after admitting in court that he defecated in classmate’s soda.

Ohio woman finds large groundhog hiding under car hood while running errands

Ohio woman finds groundhog hiding under car hood

ATHENS, Ohio – An Ohio woman needed animal control, not a mechanic, when it turned out the thumping under her car’s hood was coming from a stowaway groundhog. Rebecca Martin said she heard the noise last Tuesday while running errands with other family members in Athens in southeast … Read : Ohio woman finds large groundhog hiding under car hood while running errands.

Iowa police say man calling 911 to report he was punched was punched again while on phone

Man punched while calling 911 to report punch

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Police in Iowa City said a man who called them to report that he’d been punched while on the Iowa City pedestrian mall, was punched again by a second person while he was on the phone with his 911 call.
Police said the man, whose … Original article on : Iowa police say man calling 911 to report he was punched was punched again while on phone.

Fla. police say a man called 911 to complain that his mother took his beer

Police: Man calls 911 about mom taking his beer

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – A 32-year-old Pasco County man who called 911 to complain about his mother is facing criminal charges. According to a sheriff’s office arrest report, Charles Dennison told a deputy that his mother took his beer and he wanted her arrested. Dennison was …. Original article  : Fla. police say a man called 911 to complain that his mother took his beer.

Seattle police say a man accidentally shot himself in the testicles at a department store

Police: Man accidentally shoots self in testicles

SEATTLE – Police said a man accidentally shot himself in the testicles at a Lynnwood department store. Police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said the man was carrying his handgun in his waistband and it accidentally went off about noon Sunday.
She said he was wounded in the testicles and also in …. Source  : Seattle police say a man accidentally shot himself in the testicles at a department store.

Police nab 3-foot-long alligator spotted on safari in Detroit suburb

Gator raid: 3-ft-long alligator collared in Mich.

TRENTON, Mich. – Police in a Detroit suburb have picked up an unusual suspect: a 3-foot-long alligator.
Deputy Chief James Nardone (nar-DOH’-nee) says officers nabbed the reptile Tuesday as it strolled along a suburban street in Trenton, Mich.
He says the gator is probably someone’s pet. He joked Wednesday that it …. Original source  : Police nab 3-foot-long alligator spotted on safari in Detroit suburb.

Trust me, I’m a snake: Vienna experts wary of abandoned cobra’s venom-free label

Not venomous? Experts distrust abandoned cobra

VIENNA – Experts are taking no chances with an Asian cobra, not even one found in a box with the message, “I am no longer venomous.”
The Austria Press Agency says a woman found the sealed cardboard box in a park on Tuesday. “I picked it up, shook it – and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Trust me, I’m a snake: Vienna experts wary of abandoned cobra’s venom-free label.

Wisconsin man accused of trying to steal dirty diapers gets 30 months probation

Wis. man gets probation in dirty diaper theft

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – An Amherst man accused of trying to steal dirty diapers from a home has been sentenced to 30 months of probation. Dillon Makuski, 20, was convicted of possession of burglary tools. The Stevens Point Journal reports Makuski also must serve 200 hours of community … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Wisconsin man accused of trying to steal dirty diapers gets 30 months probation.

Statue of god of the dead joins towering blue horse with red eyes outside Denver airport

Denver airport’s latest sculpture: God of the dead

DENVER – Sculptures outside Denver International Airport already include a 30-foot-tall, rearing blue mustang with glowing red eyes, nicknamed “Bluecifer” by snickering locals.
Now the airport has another statue: a 26-foot tall replica of the Egyptian god of the dead.
Workers erected the seven-ton replica of Anubis on Wednesday next … Read more »».

Tenn. Waffle House worker survives 5-minute ride on car hood after teens leave without paying

Waffle House worker survives wild ride on car hood

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A Waffle House employee has survived without serious injury after three teens took off without paying and he clung to the hood of their car. The incident occurred in Murfreesboro and Andrew Brian McKnight said he wasn’t trying to be a hero, but climbed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tenn. Waffle House worker survives 5-minute ride on car hood after teens leave without paying.

Happy to be home: Microchip reunites NY family with fluffy white dog missing since 2006

Microchip helps NY family find dog gone since 2006

LLOYD HARBOR, N.Y. – A family on New York’s Long Island is celebrating the return of a little white dog that went missing four years ago.
The fluffy dog is named Cooper. He was dropped off about a month ago at an animal shelter in Islip (EYE’-slihp), 35 …. Source  : Happy to be home: Microchip reunites NY family with fluffy white dog missing since 2006.

Pa. man allegedly stole more than 300 porn DVDs from adult bookstore, charged with burglary

Pa. man allegedly stole 300 porn DVDs
LANCASTER, Pa. – A central Pennsylvania man who allegedly stole more than 300 pornographic DVDs from an adult bookstore has been arrested.

Authorities say 43-year-old Jaye Ashby Gibson stole more than $11,000 worth of DVDs from Downtown Books in Lancaster.
Lt. Todd Umstead said officers responding to a burglary alarm found …. Source article  : Pa. man allegedly stole more than 300 porn DVDs from adult bookstore, charged with burglary.

Transgender women cause stir by going topless at Delaware beach, but it’s not against the law

Transgender women go topless at Delaware beach

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Rehoboth Beach in Delaware isn’t a topless beach – but a few transgender women caused a stir by treating it like one.
Police say passers-by complained after they removed their tops and revealed their surgically enhanced breasts over Memorial Day weekend. A lifeguard asked them to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Transgender men cause stir by going topless at Delaware beach, but it’s not against the law

Transgender men go topless at Delaware beach

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Rehoboth Beach in Delaware isn’t a topless beach – but a few transgender men caused a stir by treating it like one.
Police say passers-by complained after the men removed their tops and revealed their surgically enhanced breasts over Memorial Day weekend. A lifeguard asked them …. Original article  : Transgender men cause stir by going topless at Delaware beach, but it’s not against the law.

Grocery chain lures NC meat buyers with billboard that emits scents of black pepper, charcoal

NC billboard attracts with charcoal, pepper scent

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – It’s not just the picture of beef on a new billboard in North Carolina that tries to catch drivers’ attention, it’s the aroma coming from the sign.
The billboard on N.C. 150 in central North Carolina emits the smell of black pepper and charcoal to promote a [..] Read the original article: here.

Exotic Kinkajou, normally found in the trees of South America, found sleeping on Chicago porch

S. American critter found sleeping on Ill. porch

CHICAGO – A small, furry, long-tailed critter found napping on a Chicago porch is apparently more than 2,000 miles away from where it belongs.
Animal control experts say an exotic kinkajou was found sleeping Thursday in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood. Nobody knew what it was until Lincoln Park Zoo …. Read the original article  : Exotic Kinkajou, normally found in the trees of South America, found sleeping on Chicago porch.

Former NASA investigator believes W.Va. retired dentist may have missing moon rock

Missing moon rock may have been found in W.Va.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A missing piece of the moon may have been found in Morgantown.
Retired dentist Robert Conner learned Friday that the one-gram rock fragment he found in his late brother’s possessions a decade ago was actually presented to the state by NASA during the 1970s.
“I didn’t …. Original source  : Former NASA investigator believes W.Va. retired dentist may have missing moon rock.

Montana judge: Park employee mauled by bear after smoking pot should get workers’ compensation

Man mauled after smoking pot can get workers’ comp

HELENA, Mont. – A Montana judge says it’s not a worker’s fault he got mauled by a grizzly bear at a tourist attraction, even if he smoked marijuana before trying to feed the animal.
Brock Hopkins acknowledged smoking pot before arriving to work at Great Bear Adventures on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Montana judge: Park employee mauled by bear after smoking pot should get workers’ compensation.

Shaq issues one-on-one challenge _ in spelling, not hoops _ to last year’s bee champion

Shaq issues a one-on-one challenge _ in spelling

WASHINGTON – Basketball great and reality TV star Shaquille O’Neal tried to add another championship title to his resume: spelling champion.
The hoops star challenged last year’s champion speller, 14-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, to a spell-off on Friday during a break at Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Reporters weren’t allowed to watch. …. Original article  : Shaq issues one-on-one challenge _ in spelling, not hoops _ to last year’s bee champion.

Michigan rejects vanity plate with Latin name for pine tree as ‘offensive to good taste’

Naturalist pines for vanity plate nixed by Mich.

LANSING, Mich. – A tree lover who wanted to honor Michigan’s state tree with license plates bearing its Latin name has had his plans nixed for fear the tags could cause offense.
Sierra Club forestry expert Marvin Roberson had hoped for PINUS (PY’-nus) vanity plates, representing the white pine … Original source on Gaea Times at : Michigan rejects vanity plate with Latin name for pine tree as ‘offensive to good taste’.

Viva Lt. Governor! Elvis impersonator to carry nickname to Minnesota primary ballot

Ladies and gentleman, Elvis is on the Minn. ballot

ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Elvis impersonator wearing a red jump suit has filed for office as the running mate of a gubernatorial candidate seeking Minnesota’s GOP nomination.
A spokesman for Minnesota’s secretary of state says Todd “Elvis” Anderson hopes to be certified on the primary ballot, running …. Source  : Viva Lt. Governor! Elvis impersonator to carry nickname to Minnesota primary ballot.

Philadelphia home where Mafia boss Angelo Bruno was killed in mob hit is up for sale

Philadelphia home where mob boss was slain on sale

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia house where mob boss Angelo Bruno was shot and killed 30 years ago is up for sale.
Bruno’s former South Philadelphia row house is on the market for $250,000. His daughter, Jean, says she’s planning to move to New Jersey.
Known as the “Gentle Don,” …. Read the original article  : Philadelphia home where Mafia boss Angelo Bruno was killed in mob hit is up for sale.

Man charged in Jacksonville burglary after license plate falls off at crime scene

Man charged in Fla. after losing license plate

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A burglary suspect in northern Florida was charged after authorities say they found the license plate from his car at the crime scene.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports that 49-year-old Gary Browder was already in jail Wednesday for two unrelated counts when he was charged with …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Man charged in Jacksonville burglary after license plate falls off at crime scene.

Colorado city councilwoman urges boycott after coffee shop employs bikini-clad baristas

Bikini coffee shop sparks boycott in Colo.

AURORA, Colo. – A suburban Denver city councilwoman is urging people to boycott businesses near a coffee shop that sends bikini-clad women onto nearby city streets to advertise.
Councilwoman Molly Markert sent a letter of complaint, signed by about 30 Aurora residents, to the manager of the property where Perky … Original article on : Colorado city councilwoman urges boycott after coffee shop employs bikini-clad baristas.

NJ police arrest 7 students for putting animals in ceilings at their high school

NJ police: Students put animals in school ceilings

DENVILLE, N.J. – Seven northern New Jersey students are facing numerous charges for placing rabbits, mice, roosters and chickens inside ceilings at their high school as part of a senior prank.
Denville police say the students are all boys. Their names were not released because they’re juveniles.
Officers went to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NJ police arrest 7 students for putting animals in ceilings at their high school.

Florida deputies say beekeeper stole bees, honey and equipment from his competitors

Deputies: Fla. beekeeper stole bees from rivals

CRESCENT CITY, Fla. – A northeast Florida beekeeper is under arrest after deputies say he stole bees, honey and equipment from his competitors. Ruben Josey was arrested Thursday in Putnam County after deputies said they recovered 48 stolen beehives and other goods worth thousands of dollars. The hives were … Read : Florida deputies say beekeeper stole bees, honey and equipment from his competitors.

Fla. man lends truck to stranger for beer run, claims carjacking when stranger doesn’t return

Fla. man lends car to stranger, claims carjacking

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Lending one’s truck to a stranger to make a beer run is stupid. Compounding that by telling police you were carjacked is stupider. But Daytona Beach police said a 33-year-old man did both recently. He called police May 27 to say possibly armed men …. Read the original article  : Fla. man lends truck to stranger for beer run, claims carjacking when stranger doesn’t return.

RI break-in suspect falls asleep on floor of hallway of home, police say

Police: Break-in suspect falls asleep in hallway

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Police say a Rhode Island man broke into an East Providence home and fell asleep on a hallway floor.
East Providence police said 29-year-old Jeremy Menard was found sleeping in the basement of the two-family home Friday morning and arrested.
Resident Carmine Balzano said his wife found … Read more >>.

Police arrest man who allegedly broke into RI home and feel asleep on hallway floor

Police: RI break-in suspect falls asleep in hall

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Police said a Rhode Island man has been arrested after breaking into an East Providence home and falling asleep on a hallway floor. East Providence said 29-year-old Jeremy Menard was found sleeping in basement of the two-family home and arrested Friday morning. He identified …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Fla. minor league team renames ‘BP’ to protest oil spill; now takes ‘hitting rehearsal’

Baseball team renames ‘BP’ to protest oil spill

VIERA, Fla. – In a protest over the Gulf oil spill, a minor league baseball team is changing the name of batting practice so the players will no longer have to utter the letters “BP.”
The Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League say they will now take …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fla. minor league team renames ‘BP’ to protest oil spill; now takes ‘hitting rehearsal’.

NH woman faces felony for allegedly assaulting EMT workers who came to help her

NH woman allegedly assaults EMT workers
MONT VERNON, N.H. – A New Hampshire woman faces a felony charge after she allegedly assaulted three emergency medical technicians called to her Mont Vernon home on Monday. When the EMTs arrived, they found the woman, 28, sitting on her lawn. She said she was having trouble breathing.

After being asked …. Original source  : NH woman faces felony for allegedly assaulting EMT workers who came to help her.

Delaware police say woman who believed her boyfriend was cheating pepper-sprays him at bank

Police: Jealous woman pepper sprays boyfriend

STANTON, Del. – Delaware State Police said a woman who believed her boyfriend had been cheating on her followed him to a Stanton bank lobby, where she pepper-sprayed him. The man told police that he had argued with the 24-year-old woman at home and she followed him when he left. …. Original article  : Delaware police say woman who believed her boyfriend was cheating pepper-sprays him at bank.

Officers astonished by the amount of contraband one inmate was able to smuggle into jail

Jail officers astonished by inmate’s contraband

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Police in Wenatchee are surprised at the amount of contraband an inmate was able to smuggle into the jail rectally. The Wenatchee World said the man internally carried a cigarette lighter, rolling papers, a baggie of tobacco the size of a golf ball, a smaller baggie of … Original article on : Officers astonished by the amount of contraband one inmate was able to smuggle into jail.