Fishy Theft

California State Fish and Game wardens are investigating what they believe to be the first large-scale theft from a state fish hatchery after as many as 1,000 trophy-sized trout were taken from a facility near Fresno. Workers at the San Joaquin State Fish Hatchery found the gate pried open and blood covering the floors on Sunday. Department spokesman Patrick Foy says the trout were 3 years old and weighed three pounds each. The trout were part of a program paid for by fishing license fees to stock lakes. Wardens are now scouring California fish markets for signs of the trout. Trout sell for up to $7 a pound.

Cops Going Pink

Officers are in the pink in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Some officers are wearing pink polo shirts while on patrol. It’s the idea of Police Chief Craig Pearrell. The pink shirts are to help fight cancer. Pearrell says the pink police shirts are available to the public and proceeds will go to help cancer patients and their families in the area.

A Skunky Problem

Residents of an Illinois neighborhood said they want their city to take action to curb the population of skunks in the area. Neighbors in the Bryan Avenue area of Joliet said the skunk population has been steadily growing during the past few summers and the smell has become a major problem. Doreen and Bob Swanson described the problem to the Joliet City Council last week as an epidemic and called on officials to create an action plan for the skunk infestation. The Swansons said they rented two traps from the Joliet Township Animal Control Center and have caught four of the animals in the past two weeks. An animal control officer for Joliet Township said he picks up an average of three skunks per day, but he doesn’t seem to be making a dent in the population.

Suspect In Tree

A bank robbery suspect didn’t get very far. Authorities in a Chicago suburb busted Bryant C. Paschal on the roof of the bank he allegedly robbed. Witnesses told police they saw a man climbing a tree to the roof of the TCF Bank branch in Oak Lawn. Police say Paschal complied with their order to give up. Investigators found a pistol-like pellet gun and a bag of cash on top of the building.

12-Year-Old Detective Tracks Down Suspects

A 12-year-old Atlanta, Georgia, girl investigating a burglary at her late great-grandmother’s home said she found a couple of suspects, but police aren’t doing anything about it. Jessica Maple, who attended the Fulton County District Attorney’s Junior District Attorney camp this summer, said police told her family there were no signs of forced entry at the home, where several large items were taken. However, Jessica did her own investigation of the home and found broken glass, where the burglars obviously entered the home. After stealing several items, the bad guys pawned off the items at a shop up the street, where she discovered the stolen goods. The manager had copies of the IDs of the men who brought in the goods. The girl and her mother went to the home of one of the suspects and confronted him. “We went up to him and I asked him why he did it,” she said. “At first he denied it, but then he confessed.” Maple said she shared all of her findings with police, but they have yet to make any arrests.

Bear Encounter

Thomas Gilligan figured his friends were messing around with him at their campsite, not a BIG black bear. The bear was trying to drag the 18-year-old camper from his tent in the Angel Rocks area near Fairbanks, Alaska. Gilligan survived his encounter with just a few scratches on his back, but no serious injuries. His friends scared away the bear.

Virgin Atlantic Issues ‘Weep Warnings’ On Flights

Virgin Atlantic has decided to put “weep warnings” before emotional movies shown in-flight. The warning will appear before the start of an emotional in-flight movie to help passengers who might be on the verge of going over an emotional mountain. The move came after a survey found that 55% of passengers polled said their emotions became more heightened during flight; 41% of men admitted to hiding under a blanket to hide their tears, while women were more apt to pretend they had something in their eye.

Pillows For Marines

Some Marines serving in Afghanistan are resting a little easier thanks to a Marine mom from Alabama. Kenya Thomas made 150 pillows for Marines serving with her son. The pillows are monogrammed in red with the slogans “Oo-rah” and “Semper Fi.” Thomas says she’s gotten appreciative emails from her son’s fellow Marines. Now Thomas has a new project – making pillows for service members recovering from war wounds.

Babysitter Drives With Baby In Truck Bed

A woman in Daytona Beach was arrested and accused of child-neglect that was caught on videotape. Keyona Davis, 23, was riding along in the bed of a pickup truck next to a baby in a baby stroller Wednesday afternoon. Surprised passers-by called police, and officers responded and pulled the vehicle over. Davis was babysitting the 8-month-old child, who was not injured. Davis faced a judge yesterday and didn’t seem to understand that what she did was wrong. She explained she has been baby-sitting without incident since she was a teenager and didn’t realize police would consider it endangering a child.

New Noah’s Ark Aims To Prove Truth Of Bible

A full-size replica of Noah’s Ark will soon be built in Kentucky. The wooden ship built to survive a worldwide flood was 500 feet long and about 80 feet high, according to Answers in Genesis, a Christian ministry devoted to a literal reading of the Bible. Construction on the new ark is expected to begin in the spring with the help of Amish builders. It will be the centerpiece of a proposed $155 million religious theme park, called the Ark Encounter, which will include other biblical icons like the Tower of Babel.

Bike Speaker For Cellphones

A new Bluetooth speaker solves the problem of hands-free cellphone talking while riding on your bike. Soundmatters has created a wireless portable speaker with a universal bicycle mount. The mounts fit all foxL and foxLv2 pocket-sized speaker models, which can be used for listening to music or phone calls. The bike mount sells for $49.95, and the foxLv2 speaker is $199.

Bieber Street Sign Stolen

Justin Bieber’s Texas street honor has been short-lived – a thief has stolen the road sign, two days after it was unveiled. Caroline Gonzalez, an 11-year-old Bieber fan, won a contest to be appointed “mayor for a day” in the city of Forney. Her first executive decision was to pay tribute to her pop idol, renaming Main Street to Justin Bieber Way on Tuesday. But the sign went missing yesterday and Mayor Darren Rozell promised to have it replaced immediately.

Monster Lobster Saved From The Pot

A giant, 18-pound lobster has found a new home in famously freaky Coney Island. The colossal crustacean was caught weeks ago off the coast of Canada and sent in a shipment to the New England Lobster Co. in San Francisco. Coney Island’s Big Red is estimated to be 75 years old and still growing. New England Lobster’s bookkeeper, Jennifer Vargas, set out to save the giant creature when it was received on the West Coast. “This seemed like a [lousy] way to go,” she told the New York Daily News. “A lot of the customers were interested in him – the problem was, they didn’t have a pot big enough.” The New York Aquarium in Coney Island, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, responded to an online posting and the 18-pounder was shipped back East. The giant lobster reportedly eats about three-quarters of a pound of shrimp and fish a day.

Lifeguard Fired Over Refusing To Wear Speedo

A 61-year-old man’s lawsuit against the state of New York claims he lost his job as a lifeguard because he refused to wear a Speedo during his annual swim test. Roy Lester of Long Beach said he was employed as a lifeguard for four decades at Jones Beach before he was told he would have to change out of his bike shorts and into a skimpy Speedo for his 2007 test. Lester said he was fired after he refused to change. “I wore a Speedo when I was in my 20s,” Lester said. “But come on. There should be a law prohibiting anyone over the age of 50 from wearing a Speedo.” State regulations require lifeguards to wear “boxers, briefs or board shorts” during their annual 100-yard swim test.

Studded Bra Straps Headed For Infomercial

The creators of rhinestone-studded bra straps designed to make visible straps fashionable won “The Next Great Infomercial Inventor” contest in New York. Jan Lori and Chuck Strube said their invention, which was picked over hundreds of others Tuesday at the P.C. Richard & Son Theater, is designed to bring extra flair to bras worn under sleeveless or strapless tops. “Hott Straps are bra straps that are meant to be seen. They enhance any outfit, which makes them functional and decorative,” Lori said. Lori and Strube were awarded a $50,000 infomercial test and the chance to sell their product to a mass audience.

Bat Interrupts Town Hall Meeting

Officials in a New Hampshire town said a meeting of selectmen was interrupted for about two minutes by a bat. The Epping selectmen said the bat showed up about 46 minutes into the town hall meeting and remained in the room for about two minutes until it was successfully chased from the building. “There was a bit of a frenzy. I called for a recess, but they chose to keep filming, and the bat was chased out the door, eventually,” Board Chairman Karen Falcone said.

Sheriff Adopts Two Cats For Jail Inmates

A Nebraska sheriff said inmates at his county jail have been caring for two cats he adopted to help the men feel “a lot more at ease.” Sheriff Jerome Kramer in Lincoln County decided to have his jail adopt Nemo and Sarge from a local animal shelter after inmates beginning volunteering there. Kramer said he thought the animals would help the inmates be less destructive, noting studies that show pets can help relieve stress. Jail officials put Nemo in the work release cell block. Sarge moved to the minimum security area. The cats have been a hit. Kramer said inmates eagerly await their turn to take care of the animals.

9-Year-Old Proud Owner Of Classic Car

A Detroit man handed his 1958 MG Roadster to his daughter, but the girl won’t be able to drive it for another seven years. Kim Brady, 50, gave the car, which he has owned for 23 years, to his daughter, Kym, 9, and made the gift official by registering it in her name with the Michigan Secretary of State. “I want her to have that sense of togetherness,” Kim Brady said. “This car seems to bring everyone around and it gives her the feeling there is still some good in Detroit. Detroit and the community can still come together no matter what you know, and she’s getting that pride, she’s getting that from this car.” Kym said she painted the designs on the hood herself and placed her signature on the back of the vehicle.

Dog Works For Golf Course

Officials at a Maine golf course are employing their 6-year-old golden retriever to bring golf cart keys back to the clubhouse. The owners of the White Tail Golf Course in Charleston said Kaleigh’s job started as a joke when a golfer handed the keys to the dog to see if she would bring them back to the clubhouse. The owners said Kaleigh now spends most of her days bringing keys to the clubhouse from golfers who are finished with their carts.

14-Foot Python Found In Back Yard

An Sedamsville, Ohio, man said his family was shocked when his sister stumbled upon a 14-foot python while working in the backyard. Nate Allbright said his sister discovered the snake under a pile of trash in the yard Wednesday and he worked with his father to catch the reptile. Allbright and his father put the snake into a trash can while waiting for it to be retrieved by a wildlife officer. Arrowhead Reptile Rescue, which took custody of the snake from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the non-venomous tiger reticulated python weighs 130 pounds and measures 14 feet. The rescue group said the python may have been a former pet.

Vanderbilt Caters To Pagans

Vanderbilt University is adding pagan and Wiccan holy days to its calendar. They’ll be listed along with other religious dates like Ramadan and Passover. But school officials note only Christmas and Christmas Eve are paid university holidays. A university spokeswoman says students may request schedule accommodations for their religious beliefs. The Nashville school doesn’t have an attendance policy and instead lets faculty determine whether to track absences.

Justin Bieber Kidnapped

A 23-year-old Florida man faces theft charges for allegedly stealing a life-size Justin Bieber cutout from a record store. David Dowling and a friend entered the F.Y.E. record store at a Bradenton, Florida, mall Saturday afternoon and left the store with the Bieber cutout. Dowling and his friend then ran through Sears, but were apprehended by an F.Y.E. assistant manager. Dowling, who remains in jail in lieu of $120 bond, was charged with a misdemeanor count for allegedly stealing the cutout, which cost $34.99. After his arrest, Dowling told police, “We were just having fun holding Justin Bieber hostage.”

Woman Unhappy With 20-Ton Boulder ‘Gift’

Canadian police say they’re considering charges against a Quebec man who dropped a 20-ton boulder in his ex-wife’s driveway as a birthday present. Isabelle Prevost made the discovery Sunday morning in the town of Acton Vale. The massive rock was spray-painted in French with a happy birthday greeting on one side and “This is for all you’re doing to me” on the other side. Her ex-husband, Dany Lariviere, who owns an excavation company, told police he used a front-end loader in the middle of the night to transport the boulder because his ex-wife had always complained he never gave her “a big rock.” No word if the man’s leg was tied to the boulder via a chain.

Switch Hit

A $50,000 prize a Minnesota boy won after making an astonishing hockey shot may be forfeited after the boy’s father admitted it was really his son’s twin brother that was supposed to take the shot. Pat Smith came forward the next day after the charity hockey event and told organizers that while his son Nick’s name was written on the winning raffle ticket, it was really his son Nate that took the shot because his brother was outside when his name was drawn. Nate took to the ice at the Thursday event in Faribult and hit the 3-inch puck into a 3 1/2-inch slot in the goal from center ice. Odds on Promotions, the insurance carrier for the event, has not indicated whether the $50,000 prize will be paid for the shot. “I just felt I had to do the right thing,” Pat Smith said. “I just think that honesty is more important than any prize or money you could get.”

Hospital Baby Boom

Doctors at a California hospital said the full moon may have had something to do with 45 babies being born in just 48 hours at the facility. Dr. Matthew Guile of Sutter Memorial Hospital said the miniature baby boom may be a Sacramento-area record for most babies born in a single hospital over a 48-hour period. “I think if you talk to anybody on the front lines of the hospital, emergency room doctors, labor and delivery, etc. it’s always like that on the full moon, everyone for some reason is really busy,” Guile said. Doctors said they are unsure of what causes the full-moon effect, as there is no actual science to back up the theory.

Nude Fishing

Authorities in Spokane, Washington, arrested a man accused of fishing nude on the bank of a lake where he was spotted by other anglers. Deputies said a man fishing with his two young sons on West Medical Lake reported the man fishing nude on the west bank of the lake at about 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Deputies said the man, Dean Meginniss, 54, had put on a pair of shorts before they arrived. They said Meginniss had an outstanding warrant for stalking and he was arrested on the warrant and an additional charge of indecent exposure. Officials said the indecent exposure charge is a felony because he has a previous conviction for the same charge from 2009.

Tub Trouble

An Illinois woman’s lawsuit against Premier Care in Bathing claims she was trapped in one of the company’s tubs for more than 30 hours. Anna Cullen claims that the second time she used her walk-in tub on September 4, 2010, she became stuck as the tub filled with water. A pull-chain attached to the drain stopper broke when she tried to unplug it, causing her to be submerged in water. Cullen says she suffered significant skin injuries – we assume wrinkled skin. Cullen added that her daughter found her unconscious more than 30 hours later. “That was the lousiest $12,000 I ever put out,” Cullen said. “I ended up in the hospital for four days, and then in a nursing home for three months.” The lawsuit is seeking more than $50,000.

Low-Speed Forklift Chase

Police in Forth Worth, Texas, arrested a man they say stole a forklift from a construction site and led them on a low-speed chase that ended on an interstate. Police said Timothy Raines, 43, stole the forklift from a construction site Sunday and led police on a chase ending on Interstate 30. Raines was arrested on charges including theft, aggravated assault on a peace officer and driving while intoxicated.

Stolen Br’er Rabbit Statue Found Damaged

Authorities in Georgia said a Br’er Rabbit statue stolen last week from a museum was found damaged and is undergoing repairs. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said the statue, stolen from the grounds of the Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton on August 7th, was found in a wooded area outside of the city on Monday. Sills said the 250-pound statue sustained some damage, including having its pipe broken off. Authorities expect to arrest four suspects as soon as they catch them. Br’er Rabbit appeared in numerous “Uncle Remus” stories penned by author Joel Chandler Harris in the 1870s.

Hidden Cash Found In Tortilla Presses

Federal customs officials found more than $600,000 hidden in tortilla machines being shipped through a freight hub at a Cincinnati-area airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found the money wrapped in plastic inside the machines. Officials say the money was being shipped from someone in Mexico to Bogota, Colombia.

Marijuana Broccoli

The Border Patrol found five tons of pot at a South Texas checkpoint inside a truckload of broccoli. Agents were alerted to the weed by a drug-sniffing dog. Authorities say the pot was wrapped in plastic and stacked on pallets underneath the broccoli. Officials put the value of the load at more than $8 million. The driver and the marijuana have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Mom Leaves Baby Outside While She Orders Food

A Swedish woman who police say left her baby unattended outside a Massachusetts restaurant while she ordered inside was reported to a state agency for possible child maltreatment. Police said they were summoned to the Bueno Y Sano eatery in the college town of Amherst on Friday after the 1-year-old boy was left alone in his stroller on the sidewalk for about 10 minutes. The woman said she “found nothing wrong with the situation” and that it was common in Sweden to leave a kid alone outside a restaurant. Officials are investigating. The boy is fine.

In-Flight Film Explains The Mystery Of Female Pleasure

The in-flight entertainment on some planes run by Australian airline Qantas currently contains a somewhat unusual offering – a movie that explains the mystery of female sexual pleasure. The 50-minute French film, “The Female Orgasm Explained,” which includes naked scenes, is carried on long-haul “Video on Demand” in the airlines “The Edge” channel – complete with a warning that it is for mature audiences only. Airline crews are able to block content to seats of minors and at the requests of their parents. The film will run until November.

Judge Rules Inmate Has No Right To Matzoh

A federal judge has ruled that a Jewish inmate in a New York jail does not have a constitutionally protected right to matzoh and grape juice. Chris Henry, who was charged with first-degree sodomy, claimed permanent trauma and malnourishment and requested nearly $10 billion in damages for what he called a violation of his First Amendment rights to religious freedom. Henry didn’t request matzoh for Passover, the Jewish holiday during which it is traditionally eaten. Instead, he claimed he had the right to have the unleavened bread served daily and grape juice every Friday. But on August 2nd, the judge ruled against him.

BMW – There’s An App For That

BMW Financial Services seems to be encouraging its car owners to take the scenic route with “The Ultimate Drive.” Released last week, the free app allows users to discover, share and rate the world’s most interesting driving routes contributed by users worldwide. By incorporating GPS, the app is also able to find routes surrounding a particular location, and will alert users when new routes are discovered in their neighborhood. So far more than 600 routes have been added to the app. “The Ultimate Drive” is currently only available in North America to those who finance their ride through BMW Financial Services for both the BMW and  MINI vehicles.

Williamsburg Spy Game

There’s something new in Colonial Williamsburg. A month ago the Virginia tourist attraction introduced RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros. It’s a spy game, with the American Revolution threatened by a British plot to assassinate one of the founding fathers. It’s a mix of 18th century history and 21st century technology. Players send and receive clues via text message on their cell phones.

Granny Crossing Guard

The Elm Street Elementary School is familiar ground to 86-year-old crossing guard Emma Brown. She went to school there. Brown is the oldest school crossing guard in Rome, Georgia – but not by much. The kid of the crossing guard crowd is 70. Brown says she has no intention of slowing down any time soon. She says she still mows her lawn and plans to keep driving until she’s 100.

Monster Pizza Order

The manager of a Massachusetts pizzeria said a former resident’s order of 150 pizzas to take home to Mississippi is likely the restaurant’s largest order ever. David Schuler said he likes to stock up at Town Spa Pizza in Stoughton whenever he visits family members in Massachusetts so his family in Jackson, Mississippi, will be able to enjoy the pizzas for months. Schuler said the frozen pizzas he loaded into his vehicle Friday comprised his largest order at the restaurant, beating his previous record of 100. Kerry Hughes, manager of Town Spa Pizza, said the restaurant regularly receives orders from as far away as Florida and California. “But to pick up 150 pizzas to bring back home, that’s definitely a Town Spa lover,” Hughes said.

Wild Horses Used For Border Patrol

The U.S. Border Patrol is getting some rugged horse power. A half-dozen or so wild horses will soon help the border patrol keep watch on remote areas. The mustangs are trained by state prison inmates in Nevada. Felix Morales of the border patrol says wild horses are well suited for patrol work. He says they’ll be used in a landscape similar to their native Nevada. The border patrol now has more 120 wild mustangs and is in the market for more.

‘World’s Largest Stove’ Destroyed

Detroit officials said the “World’s Largest Stove,” a metal-and-wood landmark at the Michigan State Fairgrounds, caught fire after an apparent lightning strike. The stove was destroyed, with only its frame and base remaining. The stove is believed to have been struck by lightning Saturday before firefighters were able to put out the flames. The stove, a 20-foot-tall Garland model kitchen range built by the Michigan Stove Co. in 1893, was moved to the fairgrounds in 1998.

Surfboard Maker In The Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are a half-continent away from the nearest ocean, but that doesn’t stop Paul Hobson. The carpenter makes custom-built wooden surfboards. Hobson admits he’s a terrible surfer, but says making a surfboard is a “sculptural thing” that takes skill and technique. Hobson is getting into something that may be of more use around Steamboat Springs. He says he’s now crafting skateboards as well.

Nun Celebrates 105th Birthday

A New York state nun who celebrated her 105th birthday yesterday credits her longevity to God. Sister John Maron Abdella of the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence said she doesn’t believe diet or exercise have had much to do with her long life. “I say, ‘God, it’s your fault, not mine. I didn’t do anything to keep alive,’” said Abdella. Maron, the eighth oldest nun in the country, planned to celebrate with family members who bring her Lebanese food from Ohio every year on her birthday.

Airport Knives

Looking for a deal on a Swiss Army knife? Or maybe a rolling pin? Those are among items seized at security checkpoints at Oklahoma airports. Knives are banned on airline flights for obvious reasons, while rolling pins are a no-no because they can be used as clubs. Bowling balls and souvenir bricks are also banned in carry-on bags. About every six months the boxes of pocket knives and other forbidden items are picked up by state officials to be sold at auction.

Casino Delays Opening Due To Bird Poop

The owners of the Aqueduct Race Track, New York City’s first casino, said the grand opening has been delayed due to pigeon poop in the building. Genting Resorts World New York said the more than $15 million it has spent to clean up the building, which first opened in 1894, includes funds for removing pigeon droppings from the floors, ceilings and walls of the facility. The company said the grand opening of the casino has been pushed back to fall, in part due to the pigeon poo cleanup efforts.

Cinderella Proposal

Cinderella will be marrying her prince, or, in this case, her Navy lieutenant. Sarah Cordts has played Cinderella at the Great Escape theme park in upstate New York for eight years. Boyfriend Lieutenant Russell Lidberg visited her at the park in his dress whites the other day and got down on one knee and popped the question to the delight of a crowd of kids. After she said yes the newly-engaged couple danced for the crowd.

University Bookstore To Stop Selling Breath Mints Satirizing Obama

The University of Tennessee bookstore has stopped selling packaged breath mints that poked fun at President Barack Obama. The box has a picture of the president and is labeled “disappoint-mints.” The ban came after a state legislator complained. The bookstore director says the store used to carry mints that poked fun at former President George W. Bush, but no offense was intended.

Dangling Daredevil Beats Houdini’s Record

A British escape artist said he was dangling from a helicopter in Canada when he beat Harry Houdini’s record for escaping from a straightjacket by 45 seconds on Wednesday. Rob Roy Collins said he was suspended from a chopper more than 100 feet high in the Niagara Falls region when he wiggled out of a straightjacket in 1 minute, 22 seconds, beating Houdini’s record of 2 minutes, 37 seconds. “There was a scary moment when the straitjacket was stuck around my neck and I thought there was a chance I couldn’t get out,” Collins said. “Fortunately I managed to keep my cool and release myself.”

Mounted Patrol Out Decked With Computers

Louisville police have added small, portable computers to the equipment used by mounted officers riding horseback patrols. The computers, known as Mobile Data Terminals, are fastened to the breast collars and lie on the horses’ backs. Officials said the computers give horseback officers access to emergency dispatch and the police department’s records management system instead of having to call in for information. The terminals are similar to the kind of computers in police cruisers, but run on batteries. Each device costs about $3,300, and police currently have around eight, officials said.

Fake Pterodactyl Nabs Surfer In Statue Prank

A bronze surfer statue near San Diego that’s been the target of many gags has been hit again. Unknown pre-dawn pranksters constructed an elaborate scene of a pterodactyl seemingly about to pluck the sculpture of a young surfer off his board on Saturday. The pranksters placed a painted backdrop of a volcanic eruption behind the surfer statue. Crowds of gawkers and photographers gathered around the 16-foot creation after the sun rose. Last year someone surrounded the roadside statue in Cardiff-by-the-Sea with a papier-mâché model of a great white shark that appeared to be swallowing it whole. The statue has been adorned with bras, skirts and witch hats so often that locals have come to call it “The Cardiff Kook.” The $120,000 sculpture called “Magic Carpet Ride” has been slammed by local surfers who criticize the boy’s pose as too awkward.

Not-So-Lobster Lobster Salad

A New Orleans resident noticed something was fishy when he tasted the iconic lobster salad from the New York upscale deli Zabar’s. Doug MacCash, who happens to be a food reporter with New Orleans’ newspaper The Times-Picayune, was on a family vacation in the Big Apple when he first came across the orangey-pink shellfish salad at Zabar’s. The deli had used that term for 20 years, but it turns out there was no lobster. MacCash read the ingredients. The label read: wild fresh water crayfish. Owner Saul Zabar reasoned that crayfish, while not Maine lobster, is a distant cousin. Then he got a call from the Maine Lobster Council, which begged to differ. The salad goes for $16.95 a pound. Zabar says using actual lobster would make it even more expensive. It’s now being renamed “Seafare Salad.”

Police Arrest Pimple Popper

Police in Cape Coral, Florida, said complaints about a man popping his back pimples outside of a McDonald’s resulted in the man’s arrest. An off-duty police officer confronted Owen Kato, 23, after customers at the restaurant complained Kato had been standing outside of the eatery for more than 10 minutes popping pimples on his back. Police said Kato initially gave his name as John Smith, but eventually gave his correct name before attempting to flee. He was caught after a foot chase. Police said he told them he ran because of an active warrant for driving without a license. Police said Kato had a syringe in his pocket that his girlfriend told them he uses to inject OxyContin. Kato was arrested on the outstanding warrant as well as charges of giving false ID to an officer, resisting arrest without violence and possession of drug equipment.

Wrestling Coach Takes Down Robber

An alleged would-be robber ended up at the wrong end of a gun when he tried to rob a wrestling coach. Fred Kemp, 63, and his wife had just finished dinner at a Boynton Beach, Florida, restaurant and were getting into their car when Richard Nowling stuck a gun in Fred Kemp’s face. Kemp, who is 5-foot-7-inches and weighs 150 pounds, instinctively pushed the gun away in Thursday’s incident, but Nowling allegedly started hitting him in the head with the weapon. That’s when Kemp went into action. Kemp said after grappling for a bit, he put Nowling in a “sleeper hold” and when Nowling’s oxygen started running out, his wife grabbed the gun. “He asked me to let him go when I had him down,” Kemp said. “I said, ‘No, I’m not going to do that.’” Nowling was charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery. Kemp coaches wrestling for the New York State Junior Olympic team and is a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at American University in Washington, D.C.

WWII Vet Earns Doctorate Degree

At 87, a former World War II pilot has become the oldest person to earn a doctorate degree from Florida International University. Richard Smith picked up his doctorate in American history Saturday, a decade after receiving his master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. “It’s a good way to stay young,” Smith said. “I like the idea of research. I will probably find another topic and research it.” Originally from the Boston area, Smith was called to fight in WW II following his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for his service in Europe. After the war, Smith returned to school, earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. His wife urged him to earn his advanced degree after spotting a senior citizens program at FAU.

Missing Blimp Found

A blimp that broke away from its moorings at Ohio State University’s Don Scott Field has been found. The 128-foot-long blimp was missing for more than seven hours before it was found crashed in Worthington about 7 a.m. yesterday. High winds tore the blimp from its moorings. The blimp displayed advertisements for Hangar 1 Vodka, the State Highway Patrol said. Officials said the FAA, Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration were notified of the potential danger before the craft was discovered wrecked.