Graduation surprise: NJ college valedictorian proposes to boyfriend after speech; he says yes

NJ college valedictorian proposes to boyfriend

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A New Jersey college valedictorian had a special graduation gift for her boyfriend – a wedding proposal, which he accepted.
Moments after finishing her speech Saturday at the Centenary College commencement, Emily Hawley called fellow graduate Josh Walker to the stage. She then popped the question, drawing loud … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Graduation surprise: NJ college valedictorian proposes to boyfriend after speech; he says yes.

NY animal shelter seeks donations of Viagra for dog who needs drug to ward off heart failure

Vet says NY dog needs Viagra for heart condition

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. – A New York animal shelter is seeking donations of Viagra to treat a pit bull with a heart condition. Staff members at the Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center in Huntington, on Long Island, say 6-year-old Ingrid needs two of the little blue …. Read the original article  : NY animal shelter seeks donations of Viagra for dog who needs drug to ward off heart failure.

Florida father accused of throwing boiling water on his adult son during an argument

Dad accused of throwing boiling water on son

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A Panama City man was arrested Saturday night and charged with an aggravated battery charge after allegedly throwing boiling water on his adult son during an argument. Police said the 33-year-old son was sleeping when his 57-year-old father woke him. They began arguing and … Read : Florida father accused of throwing boiling water on his adult son during an argument.

Iowa woman accused theft after allegedly leaving hospital with heart monitor still atttached

Iowa woman accused of heart monitor theft
WATERLOO, Iowa – A Waterloo woman who allegedly left a hospital with a heart monitor still attached is charged with theft. Police said Wendi Mae Mingus was a patient at Allen Hospital on May 8 when she walked outside to have a cigarette. She was attached to a wireless …. Read the original article  : Iowa woman accused theft after allegedly leaving hospital with heart monitor still atttached.

Pa. man, 85, gets probation for slashing trees that blocked view of Presque Isle Bay

Pa. man, 85, gets probation for tree slashing

ERIE, Pa. – A retired funeral director will serve probation in a first-time offenders program for allegedly slicing into two large maple trees that block the view of Presque Isle Bay in Erie from a rental property he owns. Eighty-five-year-old Paul Brugger had been scheduled for trial on … Read more »».

Mont. police say woman accused of stealing parking scooter ups ante, tries to steal police car

Police: Woman accused of scooter theft ups ante

MISSOULA, Mont. – A 43-year-old transient woman accused of stealing a Missoula parking enforcement scooter while the attendant was writing a ticket has been arrested again, this time for apparently trying to steal a police car. The woman was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony theft and drug … Original article on : Mont. police say woman accused of stealing parking scooter ups ante, tries to steal police car.

Colorado men accused of using an 18-pack case of beer as weapon while stealing beer

Men allegedly use case of beer as weapon in heist

PUEBLO, Colo. – Bud Light may not be advertising these two as “Real Men of Genius.” Two men are accused of using an 18-pack case of Bud Light as a weapon while stealing beer at a Loaf ‘N Jug convenience store.
The men are accused of stealing … Read more : Colorado men accused of using an 18-pack case of beer as weapon while stealing beer.

North Dakota man accused of stabbing bar owner over the volume of the juke box

Man accused in stabbing over juke box volume

BISMARCK, N.D. – A Bismarck man was charged with aggravated assault on Friday after allegedly stabbing a bar owner over the volume of his juke box. Sgt. Mark Buschena said the suspect, John Wetzel, 33, threw an ashtray and became belligerent when the bar owner wouldn’t turn up …. Original article  : North Dakota man accused of stabbing bar owner over the volume of the juke box.

Worker at a furniture liquidation business finds $20,000 in cash bundles in armoire

Worker finds $20,000 hidden in back of armoire

RICHLAND, Wash. – A worker at a furniture liquidation business in Richland found bundles of cash hidden in the back of an armoire. The owners of the company, Liz and Mark Thompson of ET Estate Sales & Liquidation, traced the furniture to an estate sale and were able … Read more : Worker at a furniture liquidation business finds $20,000 in cash bundles in armoire.

Verizon says Mass. man won’t have to pay $18,000 cell phone bill mistakenly racked up by son

Verizon dismisses Mass. man’s $18,000 phone bill

BOSTON – Verizon says a Massachusetts man won’t have to pay the balance of an $18,000 cell phone bill his son racked up when he connected his phone to a laptop to get Internet service.
Dover resident Bob St. Germain tells The Boston Globe newspaper the telecommunications company has told …. Read the original article  : Verizon says Mass. man won’t have to pay $18,000 cell phone bill mistakenly racked up by son.

Salesman offers doomsday safe-haven at 13,000-square-foot bunker under Calif.’s Mojave Desert

Doomsday safe-haven offered under Mojave Desert

BARSTOW, Calif. – A salesman with a doomsday plan is taking money for what he promises will one day be a comfortable, nuke-proof bunker in the Mojave Desert.
Robert Vicino, who runs the Del Mar-based company Vivos, is already taking reservations for the bunker in Barstow. He says the 13,000-square-foot underground … Original article on : Salesman offers doomsday safe-haven at 13,000-square-foot bunker under Calif.’s Mojave Desert.

Delaware man charged with faking his way into Harvard, duping school out of $45,000 in funds

Del. man charged with faking his way into Harvard

WOBURN, Mass. – A Delaware man has been charged with faking his way into Harvard and duping the Ivy League school out of $45,000 in financial aid, grants and scholarships.
Prosecutors say 23-year-old Adam Wheeler got admitted to Harvard by falsely claiming he had earned a perfect academic … Original source on Gaea Times at : Delaware man charged with faking his way into Harvard, duping school out of $45,000 in funds.

“Miracle” Indian girl now gets place in temple

“Miracle” Indian girl Lakshmi Tatma who recently underwent a complicated operation to remove her parasitic twin has now found place in a temple.

Yesterday, the miracle child herself laid foundation for a temple at her native village Kusiargaon in Bihar state to allow the villagers worship her idol to have good luck.
Lakshmi was born with … Read more »»».

Former NASCAR racer sentenced to a month in jail after leading Calif. deputies on chase

Former NASCAR racer gets jail time following chase

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – A former NASCAR driver pleaded guilty Tuesday to leading sheriff’s deputies on a freeway chase that reached 140 mph in his Corvette.
James Neal, 56, of San Clemente was sentenced to a month in jail and probation after entering his plea to felony evasion while …. Read the original article  : Former NASCAR racer sentenced to a month in jail after leading Calif. deputies on chase.

McPrankster who rapped fast-food order found not guilty of disorderly conduct by Utah judge

McPrankster found not guilty in Utah rap case

SALT LAKE CITY – Not McGuilty.
That was the verdict from a Utah judge Tuesday in the case of a teen cited with disorderly conduct after he and some friends went through a McDonald’s drive-thru, rapping an order into the speaker.
Spenser Dauwalder was cited with the infraction in October …. Read the original article  : here.

Surprise: Donor asks Fla. museum if it wants to see O’Keeffe painting, then donates it

Donor surprises Fla. museum with an O’Keeffe

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – An anonymous donor has surprised a Florida museum with a valuable gift: a Georgia O’Keeffe painting.
“Grey Hills Painted Red, New Mexico” was hung on a gallery wall at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
Museum director John Schloder told the St. Petersburg …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Surprise: Donor asks Fla. museum if it wants to see O’Keeffe painting, then donates it.

Iowa couple find rare piece of roadkill for on highway: An armadillo

Iowa couple find rare armadillo roadkill
WEVER, Iowa – Rural southeastern Iowa resident Greg and Linda Wilbert say they’ve found a rare piece of roadkill for the state – an armadillo. The pair from Wever near Burlington were driving on U.S. 61 when they saw the animal. Linda Wilbert said it caused her to say “Oh …. Source article  : Iowa couple find rare piece of roadkill for on highway: An armadillo.

Police find drunken teen passed out naked in bathtub of stranger’s home in Indiana

Cops find naked drunken teen in stranger’s bathtub

SOUTH HAVEN, Ind. – Police in northwestern Indiana found an intoxicated teenager inside a stranger’s home, passed out naked in a bathtub with the shower running. Porter County police said two friends of the drunken 18-year-old woke up Richard Gual by knocking on the door of his South …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Police find drunken teen passed out naked in bathtub of stranger’s home in Indiana.

Ala. geometry teacher investigated after using Obama assassination example to teach angles

Ala. teacher uses assassination example in class
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Jefferson County geometry teacher was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after being accused of using a hypothetical assassination plot on President Barack Obama as a way to teach geometric angles.
School Superintendent Phil Hammonds said Corner High School teacher Gregory Harrison … Read more »»».

Former NASCAR racer accused of leading California deputies on 50-mile high-speed chase

Former NASCAR racer jailed after high-speed chase

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – The driver of a Corvette who is accused of leading deputies in California on a high-speed chase for nearly 50 miles is a former NASCAR racer.
James Neal was arrested in San Diego County early Monday, and the 56-year-old San Clemente resident was booked into Orange … Read more : Former NASCAR racer accused of leading California deputies on 50-mile high-speed chase.

Del. man accused of faking academic credentials to get into Harvard pleads not guilty

Man accused of duping Harvard pleads not guilty

BOSTON – On paper, Adam Wheeler had undeniably strong credentials to get into Harvard: a perfect SAT score, straight A’s at a prestigious prep school and glowing recommendations from four professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
While at Harvard, Wheeler seemed a shoo-in for a Rhodes or Fulbright … Read more >>>.

Neb. sheriff candidate’s nine of hearts beats opponent’s six of spades, likely winning him job

Neb. GOP sheriff’s race decided by playing cards

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. – A deck of cards and a bit of luck helped decide who will likely be the next sheriff of Morrill County.
The nine of hearts Milo Cardenas drew Monday beat Travis Petersen’s six of spades, giving Cardenas the Republican nomination for sheriff. Since no Democrats ran … Read more »».

Indiana couple answers hundreds of calls from wrong telephone number on tax bill notice

Indiana couple flooded with calls about tax bills

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Hundreds of people who were delinquent on their property taxes have been calling a couple in southern Indiana.
The callers were trying to reach the Floyd County Treasurer’s Office, but got Carolyn and Donald Baxley. The Baxleys have a telephone number just one digit off … Read more >>>.

Philadelphia woman hid inside coffin at central Pa. funeral home to escape custody, police say

Police: Pa. woman hid in coffin to escape custody

MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. – Authorities say a Philadelphia woman hid in a coffin at a central Pennsylvania funeral home to escape custody.
Nicole April Kelly was arraigned Monday on charges stemming from the escape.
Police say the 19-year-old Kelly was being transported to jail by Juniata County deputies on Thursday …. Original source  : Philadelphia woman hid inside coffin at central Pa. funeral home to escape custody, police say.

Woman with stun gun charged with chasing employee at Daytona Beach, Fla., Wendy’s

Woman charged with stun gun chase at Wendy’s

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A Florida woman is facing charges after being accused of chasing a Wendy’s employee with a stun gun when she got upset about her order.
Police in Daytona Beach say Melanese Asia Reid got into an argument with an employee at the drive-thru Monday. She [..] Read the original article: here.

NJ paramedics slowed responding to call when roaming bear traps them inside building

Roaming bear traps NJ paramedics inside building

WAYNE, N.J. – Paramedics in New Jersey have been slowed responding to an emergency call by a bear that kept them trapped inside their building.
A nearby contractor getting something from his truck says he came face to face with a 200-pound bear but threw a carpenter’s folding ruler at … Read more >>.

NC restaurant fires waitress who posted snarky Facebook gripe customers who left a bad tip

Waitress fired for griping about tip on Facebook

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A North Carolina waitress is out of a job after griping on her Facebook page about the $5 tip she got from a couple who sat at their table for three hours. The waitress says the customers kept her at work an hour after she … Read this article on Gaea Times at : NC restaurant fires waitress who posted snarky Facebook gripe customers who left a bad tip.

Union offers Texas gov. mobile home for $1 a year so he can get out of $10,000-a-month house

Labor group offers to lease Texas gov. mobile home

AUSTIN, Texas – A labor union has a new home for the Texas governor, whose spacious accommodations cost the state nearly $10,000 a month.
This home has no pool or fancy ice machine. But it’s a delightful shade of green – and it’s mobile.
The Texas AFL-CIO bought a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Union offers Texas gov. mobile home for $1 a year so he can get out of $10,000-a-month house.

Fairy tale fraud: Prosecutors say man took $15K to marry Bosnian woman in fairy tale wedding

ND man charged with fraud after fairy tale wedding

FARGO, N.D. – Prosecutors say the marriage of a couple at Fairy Tale Weddings in North Dakota was a fairy tale fraud.
Federal court documents released Wednesday say 23-year-old Jeffrey Goble agreed to marry 28-yera-old Alma Numic for $15,000 so the Bosnian woman could obtain U.S. citizenship in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fairy tale fraud: Prosecutors say man took $15K to marry Bosnian woman in fairy tale wedding.

Women arrested for allegedly smuggling crystal methamphetamine inside Bible to jailed man

Women allegedly try to smuggle meth inside Bible

LIVINGSTON, La. – Two women have been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle crystal methamphetamine inside a Bible to a Walker man jailed in the Livingston Parish Detention Center. Sheriff’s deputies told The Advocate that a 28-year-old woman allegedly delivered a Bible containing methamphetamine to the detention center …. Source article  : Women arrested for allegedly smuggling crystal methamphetamine inside Bible to jailed man.

Cops: Drunk man who nearly hit herd of cows carried from field in tractor bucket after arrest

DUI suspect carried from field in tractor bucket

GLENVILLE, Pa. – Police said a Maryland man was so drunk after driving into a central Pennsylvania field that a farmer had to carry the handcuffed suspect out in the bucket of his tractor. Southwestern Regional police Chief Greg Bean said 36-year-old Shawn Anthony Hott, of Boonsboro, Md., …. Original article  : Cops: Drunk man who nearly hit herd of cows carried from field in tractor bucket after arrest.

Man arrested after walking onto outfield to get to concession stand at Pa. minor league game

Police: Man cut across outfield to get concessions

ALTOONA, Pa. – Authorities say a homeless man who said he was looking for the fastest route to a concession stand was arrested after walking onto the outfield during a minor league baseball game in Pennsylvania.
Logan Township police say they’ll file criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness …. Source  : Man arrested after walking onto outfield to get to concession stand at Pa. minor league game.

Pair of newborn lambs left at Ohio school with ‘2010??? painted on them in apparent prank

2 lambs found at Ohio school in apparent prank

GREEN, Ohio – Two lambs that disappeared from an Ohio farm were left on the lawn of a high school with “2010″ painted on their sides in an apparent prank.
Schools Superintendent Michael Nutter says the 3-day-old lambs were not harmed by their visit Tuesday morning to Green …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pair of newborn lambs left at Ohio school with ‘2010′ painted on them in apparent prank.

County employees in Georgia asked to return bonus given 16 years ago; payroll quirk blamed

Workers asked to return bonuses after 16 years

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – About 180 county employees in suburban Atlanta are being asked to return thousands of dollars the county says they were overpaid 16 years ago.
Gwinnett County’s chief financial officer, Aaron Bovos, calls it a project to “clean up receivables and to eliminate outstanding obligations.”
The county is …. Original source  : County employees in Georgia asked to return bonus given 16 years ago; payroll quirk blamed.

1794 US silver dollar changes hands; its 2010 price tag is a record $7.85 million

1794 silver dollar sells for record $7.85 million

LOS ANGELES – What may be America’s oldest silver dollar has become the world’s most expensive coin, with its owner saying it changed hands in a private transaction between coin collectors for nearly $8 million.
Steven L. Contursi, who has owned the mint-condition 1794 Liberty dollar for the past … Read more »»».

Conn. high school basketball coach charged with giving alcohol to students before dance

Cops: Conn. high school coach gave students vodka

SOUTHBURY, Conn. – A Connecticut girls basketball coach was charged with giving alcohol to students before a school dance. Jennifer Jackson, 32, a coach and teacher at Pomperaug High School was charged Wednesday with delivering alcohol to minors and reckless endangerment.
Police said Jackson gave vodka to two members … Read more >>.

Salt Lake City police say carjacking suspect nabbed after leaving ID in victim’s car

Police: Carjack suspect leaves ID in victim’s car

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City police say a carjacking suspect was nabbed after he left his wallet and identification in his victim’s car. Police allege the suspect displayed a gun and carjacked a man at a gas station around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The driver pulled over … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Salt Lake City police say carjacking suspect nabbed after leaving ID in victim’s car.

City animal control officers begin to remove hundreds of large feral rats from N.M. home

Hundreds of large feral rats found in N.M. home

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – City animal control officers have started removing hundreds of large, feral rats from inside a Las Cruces rental home. Animal shelter director Beth Vesco-Mock said the rats – some sickly and displaying evidence of fighting – are about the size of a four- …. Original article  : City animal control officers begin to remove hundreds of large feral rats from N.M. home.

Attempt to send radio warning of thunderstorm in Oregon causes strange glitch

Residents with tone alert radios get weird message

HERMISTON, Ore. – Hermiston, Ore., residents with tone alert radios activated for any emergencies at the Umatilla Chemical Depot may have been puzzled by a message just after 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Tri-City Herald reported that the National Weather Service tried to send a warning on tone alert …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Attempt to send radio warning of thunderstorm in Oregon causes strange glitch.

Man tells La. police God told him to walk the streets naked to save his soul

Man tells cops God told him to stroll in the nude

THIBODAUX, La. – A man who told police that God told him to walk the streets naked to save his soul has been arrested. Thibodaux police responded to an obscenity complaint around 2 a.m. Thursday and found Shafiq Mohamed walking nude down the street. When …. Source  : Man tells La. police God told him to walk the streets naked to save his soul.

Wisconsin appeals court orders prison officials to give inmate 4 photos of women in bikinis

Wisconsin court gives inmate gift: 4 bikini photos

MADISON, Wis. – An inmate at Wisconsin’s maximum security prison will soon have four reasons to smile.
An appeals court on Thursday ordered prison officials to give inmate Johnny Lacy four photographs of women in bikinis that he ordered through the mail.
The court said the photographs were improperly withheld … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Wisconsin appeals court orders prison officials to give inmate 4 photos of women in bikinis.

Nothing to fear but flunking itself: Dutch start driving test for people too stressed to pass

Dutch start driving exam for those who fear test

AMSTERDAM – Some people flunk their driving tests because they can’t parallel park. Others flunk for not entering traffic safely. And an unlucky few flunk for fear of flunking itself.
In response, the Netherlands has launched a special driving exam for people who suffer from acute test anxiety.
Examiners …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nothing to fear but flunking itself: Dutch start driving test for people too stressed to pass.

Parents mistakenly identify a corpse in Croatia as their daughter

Woman thought to be dead found alive in Croatia

ZAGREB, Croatia – A month ago, a mother and father identified a body in a morgue as their daughter’s. A funeral was held and the family mourned its loss.
But it turned out that 39-year-old Tea Buric was still alive. This week police found her when they showed … Read : Parents mistakenly identify a corpse in Croatia as their daughter.

NJ students call parents when bus heads toward field trip instead of to school

NJ school bus takes wrong students on field trip

LITTLE FERRY, N.J. – Officials say a mix-up led a school bus driver in northern New Jersey to start to take students to an amusement park instead of school.
About 30 Ridgefield Park High School students boarded the bus around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, thinking it was the bus …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NJ students call parents when bus heads toward field trip instead of to school.

Man who plowed Mercedes into California jail and broke officer’s nose gets 9 years in prison

Man who drove into Calif. jail gets 9 years

IRVINE, Calif. – A man who crashed his Mercedes through the gates of a California jail while driving drunk will spend some serious time behind bars.
Matthew Van McDaniel, 25, of Los Alamitos was sentenced in a Newport Beach courtroom Friday to nine years in state prison for …. Original article  : Man who plowed Mercedes into California jail and broke officer’s nose gets 9 years in prison.

Chicken costumes banned at Nevada polling places after Senate candidate’s chicken quip

Chicken costumes banned at Nev. polling places

RENO, Nev. – Voters dressed in chicken costumes won’t be allowed inside Nevada polling places this year.
State election officials on Friday added chicken suits to the list of banned items after weeks of ridicule directed at Republican Senate candidate Sue Lowden.
The millionaire casino executive and former beauty queen recently …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chicken costumes banned at Nevada polling places after Senate candidate’s chicken quip.

Spokesman for rural Nevada sheriff arrested, then sends release and own booking photo to media

Nevada detective arrested, then informs media

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada detective who serves as spokesman for a county sheriff’s office was arrested and released, then sent media a release about it, accompanied by his booking photo.
David Boruchowitz turned himself in to Nye County jail on Friday. He was charged with burglary and assault to try … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Spokesman for rural Nevada sheriff arrested, then sends release and own booking photo to media.

Wis. man loses father’s, grandfather’s ashes when car where they’re stored is towed, destroyed

Wis. man loses relatives’ ashes when car is towed

MADISON, Wis. – A Wisconsin man has lost his father’s and grandfather’s ashes when the car where they were stored was towed and destroyed.
Wausau police say everything in Shawn Leslie’s 1994 Mercury Cougar was tossed before the towing company crushed it. Leslie says he thought the car …. Original source  : Wis. man loses father’s, grandfather’s ashes when car where they’re stored is towed, destroyed.

‘Shrek’ tickets going for 20 greenbacks were an error, NYC theaters now say

NYC theaters back away from $20 ‘Shrek’ showing

NEW YORK – The owners of AMC Theatres say a $20 adult ticket price for an IMAX showing of “Shrek Forever After” at some of its Manhattan theaters was posted online in error.
AMC spokesman Justin Scott said Friday that a limited number of its theaters “posted incorrect pricing.” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Shrek’ tickets going for 20 greenbacks were an error, NYC theaters now say.

Md. homeless man who stole, crashed small plane did $12,000 in damage _ but will pay just $40

Md. man who stole, crashed plane to pay just $40

FREDERICK, Md. – A homeless man caused about $12,000 in damage when he stole and crashed a single-engine airplane at a Maryland airport – but he’ll pay just $40 in restitution.
Frederick County Circuit Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. expressed surprise Thursday upon learning of the small … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Md. homeless man who stole, crashed small plane did $12,000 in damage _ but will pay just $40.

$20 ‘Shrek’ ticket? Yep, it’s a lot of green, but look at the venue (IMAX) and location (NYC)

$20 to see ‘Shrek’ on IMAX? That’s a lot of green

NEW YORK – A few theaters seemed to flirt with the idea of raising the adult ticket price to $20 to the IMAX 3-D family movie “Shrek Forever After,” opening this weekend.
Four AMC theaters in Manhattan bumped the box office price to $20, but three …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : $20 ‘Shrek’ ticket? Yep, it’s a lot of green, but look at the venue (IMAX) and location (NYC).