Pen Pals Since 1961 Finally Meet

Two women who have been pen pals for 50 years were overjoyed to meet for the first time in an Arizona hotel. Anne Libby of Connecticut and Louise Pelissier of Scottsdale, Arizona, became pen pals in 1961 when Pelissier, then a fifth-grader in Santa Rosa, California, sent a letter addressed to “Any Elementary School” in Bangor, Maine. It found its way to Libby. The women remained pen pals for many years and reignited their long-distance friendship a few years ago when they both were diagnosed with breast cancer and both of their mothers fell ill with Alzheimer’s. But the women never met face to face until Libby called Pelissier this month and said she and her husband were passing through Arizona on a cross-country trip. The women met the following day in the lobby of a Scottsdale hotel.

Orange Croc

An Australian woman whose 8-foot crocodile turned bright orange after eating the water filter from its tank says the critter does not appear to be otherwise affected. Tracey Sandstrom, owner of Roaming Reptiles in Melbourne, said Snappy the crocodile turned a bright orange color after making a meal out of the water filter and causing the pH levels in its water to shift. “Snappy’s pretty territorial and he attacked the filter one day and a few weeks after that, I noticed he was orange,” Sandstrom said. “It doesn’t seem to have affected him at all. He’s still got a healthy appetite … and [is] doing everything he always does.”

Mo’ Fro

A Napoleonville, Louisiana, woman who has been growing her hair out for 12 years has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest afro. Aevin Dugas applied for the Guinness certification when a friend saw a picture of her afro picked out to its largest point, with a circumference of 4-foot-4, on Facebook and she soon heard back from the record keeping organization. Dugas said she loves her long hair, but it occasionally gets her into trouble. “Sometimes it gets in the way. Once I slammed it in a car door,” she said.

Ice Cream Costume Mistaken For KKK Robe

The owners of an Ocala, Florida, ice cream shop want to assure locals their white-hooded ice cream cone mascot is in no way associated with the Ku Klux Klan. Jose Cantres, co-owner of Ice Cream Family Corner and Sandwiches, said he and other workers have heard through word of mouth and on Facebook that some passersby believe their costumed mascot, a vanilla ice cream cone, resembles a KKK member in the group’s signature robes. Manager Liza Diaz said an employee at the bank where she does business told her a co-worker was so frightened by the white dollop patrolling the street corner that she called her husband crying and refused to drive through the intersection. “We’re a friendly environment, family-oriented,” Diaz said. “We’re not (racist). We’re very friendly, very religious.”

Hero Pit Bull

A Carnegie, Pennsylvania, man said he is proud of his 2-year-old pit bull for saving the life of an elderly woman who fell into a ditch. Jimmie Belchick said Cobain, his American pit bull terrier, found the woman crumpled at the bottom of a ditch about 1 p.m. Saturday and quickly ran to alert his master. “My dog put Lassie to shame. He came and alerted me when somebody needed help and what more can you ask for out of your dog,” Belchick said. Belchick said the woman appeared weak and had trouble speaking. She was taken to the hospital, where paramedics said she is expected to be fine.

Utah School Sets ‘Kissing Chain’ Record

Utah State University announced students set a world record for the “longest kissing chain” when 1,450 people locked lips in the school’s quad. The university said the kissing chain Friday night far eclipsed the previous record of 303 people, set earlier this year at a school in India. The event was organized by the USU Student Alumni Association as part of homecoming week festivities. The group said it is awaiting word from Guinness World Records.

Elderly Nude Car Washer Gets Probation

A 65-year-old Cumberland, Massachusetts, man pleaded guilty to open and gross conduct for washing his car in the nude at a public car wash. Robert Bailey was sentenced to one year of probation after he entered his guilty plea Monday. Prosecutors said Bailey washed his car in the nude about 11 a.m. May 31st at the Economy Car Wash in North Attleboro. A female customer at the establishment called police and officers arrived to find Bailey wearing a pair of shorts. Bailey, who was ordered to undergo counseling and will be required to register as a sex offender, was placed on probation in 2002 for a similar charge.

Man Patents ‘Perfect Snowman’ Device

A New York state native living in Germany has obtained a U.S. patent for an invention designed to make creating snowmen easier. Marc Asperas, a patent lawyer with a background in engineering, said his beach ball-like spheres create “the perfect snowman” when a small generator gives them an electric charge, causing snow to cling to the surface of the spheres. “We have created the Internet. China is getting ready to send a person to the moon. And we invented Silly Putty, perhaps one of the all-time greatest inventions a big kid ever invented. Can’t somebody build a better snowman?” Asperas’ patent application reads. “Today is that day.”

Giant Pumpkins

It's a good year for monster pumpkins in Utah. Four pumpkins break the old state record, but two of the largest were grown by Matt McConkie. His 1,600-pounder breaks the old state record by almost 500 pounds. The Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers association says McConkie also had the second-largest pumpkin at this year's competition last weekend. He was the previous record holder too.

Firehouse Old Timer

Captain Billy “Shakey” Holder is hanging up his fire helmet. His fellow firefighters believe he's the nation's longest-serving active firefighter. He's retiring from the Irving Fire Department in suburban Dallas. At age 77, Holder's put in 56 years of service. Holder say he wants “to leave on top and in good health.” He got the nickname Shakey as a young firefighter, when he nervously bumped into a firehouse refrigerator and knocked down pots and pans. The station's newest fire engine is named “Shakey” in Holder's honor.

Popcorn Farmers

Things are popping for the Ehman family. They're popcorn farmers in Sterling, Nebraska. Ed Ehman says they've been growing popcorn for more than 15 years. Standards for popcorn are stricter than other types of corn, so it's more difficult to produce. But it can bring a good return. Ehman says growing popcorn has another advantage. He says they always have a snack to pop for family movie nights.

Wandering Pigs

Authorities in Maryland say they've captured one of two pot-bellied pigs that they been spotted near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The little porkers have made themselves at home in an office park. Animal control officials tell the Baltimore Sun the 26-pound female was captured with a net. The other pig is still on the loose and is believed to be a male. Officials will hold the captured pot-bellied pig at an animal shelter but it will put up for adoption if no one claims it.

Buddy The Surfer Dog Wins 5th Title

A Jack Russell terrier named Buddy won his fifth surfing championship and became the first inductee into the Surf Dog Hall of Fame Sunday in California. With Buddy once again the top surfing dog, owner/trainer Bruce Hooker of Ventura says it may be time for the 14-year-old terrier to retire. “That last heat was probably the best of Buddy's life,” Hooker said. More than 4,000 people watched 80 dogs compete in the sixth-annual event, which was organized by the pet-food company Eukanuba and raised more than $100,000 for the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. Buddy got a year's worth of dog.

Diner Bears

A mama bear and at least three of her cubs have been eating out at a diner in upstate New York. Mount Ivy Diner owner Ligeras Schilles says the bears have been taking leftovers from an outdoor trash bin. Schilles thinks the bears have been chowing down on his garbage for weeks so he called police. Officers scared the bears back into the woods with sirens.

Yahtzee Attack

Florida deputies arrested a man who allegedly choked his wife during an argument over a Yahtzee game. The wife of Ian Stuart Wood, 50, told deputies she was playing Yahtzee with her husband Saturday at their East Naples home when they began to argue. She said when she attempted to leave the home to calm down, Wood shoved her to the ground, pushed his knee into her back and placed his hand over her mouth while telling her to stop screaming. She said he then rolled her over and placed his hands on her neck, choking her. The victim was able to escape and called authorities from a neighbor's house. Wood denied attacking his wife and told deputies she had fallen while walking down the hall. He was arrested on charges of domestic battery by strangulation, kidnapping-false, imprisonment of an adult, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence and obstructing someone from the use of 911.

Record Au Gratin

Folks in Mount Vernon, Washington, are claiming a new Guinness record for the world's largest dish of potatoes au gratin. The pan of potatoes was 80-feet long by 8-feet wide. Organizers say they used 15,000 pounds of red potatoes, 400 pounds of cheese, 100 pounds of diced onions, 50 pounds of garlic and 200 gallons of cream. All the ingredients were grown locally. The record attempt was put together by the Mount Vernon Downtown Merchants Association. Organizer Karin Springer says their potatoes au gratin nearly doubles the current record, set in France.

Sperm Bank Turns Down Redheads

The world’s largest sperm bank is now turning down redheaded donors because there is too little demand for their sperm. Cryos Director Ole Schou said that there had been a surge in donations in recent years, allowing the facility to become much more picky about its donors. Schou said the only reliable demand for sperm from redheaded donors is from Ireland, where he said it sold “like hot cakes.” Cryos’s stores have now reached their peak capacity of 70 liters of semen – and a waiting list of 600 donors. Schou said sperm from donors with brown hair and brown eyes was particularly in demand, because of the bank’s large customer base in Spain, Italy and Greece. Indian sperm was also hard to find because India does not allow sperm or eggs to be exported, causing a problem for childless international Indians. Cryos pays donors up to $500 and sends its semen to over 65 countries worldwide. The only continent where sperm has not been sent is Antarctica.

U.S. And Australia In Diplomatic Clash Over Vegemite

Australia’s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd loves his Vegemite, but enjoying it in the United States has become a challenge. On Sunday, Rudd had to convince American customs inspectors at a New York City airport not to confiscate his Vegemite, a yeasty food spread Australians enjoy on bread and crackers. “Airport staff were surprised when I said it is good for you and I ate it for breakfast,” Rudd said. “They then waved me through.”

Macaw Saves Man From Robbers

A Fort Smith, Arkansas, man credits his pet macaw for rescuing him from a pair of home invaders who attacked him and demanded drugs. Jack Dukes said he let the two men into his home about 2:35 a.m. Monday because he thought one of them was a neighbor. Once inside they attacked him physically and demanded hydrocodone pills. Dukes said when one of the invaders grabbed his macaw, Charlie, the bird used his beak to take a chunk out of the man’s arm. “He said to the other guy said ‘let’s get the hell out of here,’ and they both headed out the door,” Dukes said. Police are investigating.

Police Arrest Shoplifting Drag Queens

Police in Florida arrested three men in a group of four accused of dressing like women and shoplifting from multiple fabric stores. Amanda Marshall, manager of Jo-Ann Fabrics in Orlando, said workers at her store recognized the three wig-clad men who came into the store Sunday afternoon as the same ones connected with previous thefts at the store and called police. “It’s a whole gang of drag queens,” Marshall said. “They were real upset when the police made them take their wigs off.” One of the men fled and officers arrested Demitri Marsh, 19, Renford Patterson, 18, and Antonio Webb, 22, on felony charges of retail theft of merchandise worth more than $300. The men are suspected of shoplifting at other stores in the area.

Sky Graffiti

A Los Angeles graffiti artist is protesting the city’s crackdown on tagging and street art. The artist, who goes by the name of Saber, says he hired five pilots to sky write his messages in a cloudless sky over city hall yesterday. One said “End Mural Moratorium,” and the other, “Art Is Not A Crime.” Saber claims on his blog the city is removing public murals.

Drunken Tractor Ride

Driving a lawn tractor while drunk is still drunk driving. Police in Ohioville, Pennsylvania, say they were responding to a 911 call reporting an “out of control male” when they encountered 44-year-old Mark Grove driving the tractor down the middle of a road Thursday afternoon. Grove is accused of assaulting a police officer after he was arrested on a drunken-driving charge. Police say a coffee mug sitting on the tractor contained beer and say Grove told them, “I’m drunk. Just take me home.” Instead, police arrested Grove. That’s when they say he kicked an officer and head-butted a squad-car partition.

Pricey House

A unique home is on the market in Vermilion, Ohio, on Lake Eire. The house has 38,000-square-feet in separate pods connected by glass corridors. For nearly $20 million you get a wine grotto, sauna, two passenger elevators and a ballet room. There’s even a two-car garage with a rotating floor. That way you never have to back out. The home was built for the late Donald Brown, inventor of the drop ceiling.

800-Pound Stuffed Bear Stolen From Bar

Police say an 800-pound stuffed bear was stolen from a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, bar. Several men reportedly attempted to steal the bear at the Eagle’s Nest bar by pushing it over a second-floor railing but were scared off by a cook. Police arrived, but they couldn’t push the bear back up the stairs, so it was left outside. After everyone left, police say the suspects may have returned to finish the heist. Owner John El-Ayazra said the bear was given to him by a friend who shot it 10 years ago in Russia. He said it was professionally mounted in Alaska and has been on the bar’s patio ever since. He said it was worth about $10,000.

Teen Lands 800 Pound Gator

A 19-year-old Florida man sums up catching an 800 pound alligator saying, “Holy alligator.” Tim Stroh’s family runs a taxidermy store in Hobe Sound, Florida, but this kind of a catch is a first. The family went out as a team in search of a humungous alligator which was rumored to be in the St. Lucie River. And they found it. At 12 feet, 3-inches and 800 pounds, each of the family members tried their hand at trying to reel in the beast when Tim Stroh used a measly little bass fishing pole to finish the job the others couldn’t. Tim then hit the alligator with a “bang stick,” a .44-caliber gun shell on a stick, when he got him close enough to the boat. It took 4 people to carry the beast to shore. The family has several plans to use up all the resources of the alligator, from key chains, to lamps to mounting it’s head on Tim’s wall.

World’s Largest Brat Unveiled

Chicago’s iconic Berghoff Restaurant has unveiled a bratwurst weighing in at 40 pounds and stretching 47 feet, 3 inches – which sets the world record for the longest bratwurst. The monster sausage required a 50-foot long bun and eight grills to cook. It was cut into bites and sold to customers at the eatery’s annual Oktoberfest celebration. Proceeds will go to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a local charity.

Proof Nic Cage Is A Vampire On eBay

An old photograph on eBay that appears to show actor Nicolas Cage made up for his latest movie role is in fact a picture dating back to the Civil War. An antique dealer has put the image up for auction and is demanding at least $1 million for it. The seller jokes that the picture is proof Cage is not 47 as he claims – but an immortal vampire. The image of the man that looks identical to Cage dates from around 1870. Jack Mörd, from Seattle, says the photo was taken of a man in Bristol, Tennessee. See it for yourself on eBay; Item number: 260821098271.

‘Rocky Horror’ Deemed Too Risqué

In a real-life story practically ripped from an episode of “Glee,” the mayor of Carrollton, Georgia, has cancelled a stage production of “The Rocky Horror Show” that was slated to open October 27th at the city-owned Carrollton Cultural Arts Center after viewing a risqué video clip from rehearsal. “I found it very offensive, not in keeping with the community of Carrolton, if you will,” Garner told Atlanta’s NBC-11 news. Garner stopped the production, even after organizers promised to restrict attendance to adults. Disappointed cast members have taken to Facebook to protest.

Joey Chestnut Wins Again

A California man won the World Bratwurst Eating Championship in Cincinnati, downing more than 35 bratwursts in 10 minutes. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who broke the championship record last year by eating 42 bratwursts, fasted for two days in advance of Saturday’s competition. He said he was a little disappointed in his performance this year, despite the win. “I didn’t get into a rhythm; I kept overfilling my mouth,” Chestnut said. “I’m a little bummed that I didn’t break the record, but at least I have plenty of room in my tummy to party.” Chestnut took home $2,000 in prize money from the eating contest, which is part of the annual Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati.

Lion Statue Disappears From Barber Shop

A 400-pound concrete lion has disappeared from outside a New York barber shop. The lion, dubbed Leo, was one of five that decorated the outside of Gary’s Barber Shop in Cheektowaga, New York. The sculpture went missing late September 11th or 12th. The owners of the barber shop, Gary and Dawn Bulinkski, suspect more than one person is responsible for the theft because no drag marks were left at the scene. The Bulinkskis have offered $100 and 10 free haircuts as a reward to anyone with information leading to the recovery of the $300 statue.

Case Of The Armless ‘Hot Dog Man’ Statue Solved

Police in Council Bluffs, Iowa, say the mystery of where the armless “Hot dog Man” statue came from has been solved. The 6-foot-tall cartoon-like hot dog statue was found September 2nd minus arms. Despite tips from across the country and around the world, where it came from puzzled police until Curtis Wennhold came forward to claim it. “[Wennhold] has the arms; to me, that’s enough proof that it is his,” Capt. Terry LeMaster said. Wennhold told authorities he found the 400-pound statute in California and brought it back with him to Iowa, only to have it stolen from his yard by teenagers who broke off its arms while loading it into a vehicle. The culprits were apparently “creeped out” by the statue’s leering grin and put it out on a street corner where a citizen spotted it and called police, thinking it was a man in a costume stalking children at the bus stop. Police have identified the teens involved but so far no one has been charged.

Robbers Scared Away By Lion?!

Two 19-year-old Pennsylvania women have been charged with burglarizing 25 homes, one of which they claimed they fled after encountering a lion inside. Harley R. Gifford and Britney Singleton face 25 counts of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and related offenses. The women admitted to the burglaries, all of which occurred since July and during daylight hours. They allegedly stole electronics, jewelry, clothing items, makeup and about $22,000 in cash. Gifford and Singleton said they saw a lion in one of the homes they attempted to enter, but no one was at the residence when police checked. “If we find a lion, it will be a bigger story than this,” said Michael J. Chitwood, superintendent of police in Upper Darby.

Russian Tycoons Scuffle On TV

Two Russian businessmen were involved in a scuffle during a taping of a television show about the global financial crisis. Newspaper owner Alexander Lebedev repeatedly hit real estate developer Sergei Polonsky, knocking him to the ground Friday. The show, “NTVshniki,” was scheduled to air uncut late Sunday. Polonsky criticized fellow panelists on the show, saying their comments put him “in a mind to punch someone’s face.”  Lebedev asked whether the remark was aimed at him, at which point he hit Polonsky several times in the head. Lebedev owns Britain’s The Independent and Evening Standard and is reportedly worth $2.1 billion. Polonsky, once listed as a billionaire, took a hit in 2008 with the recession and is now reportedly worth about $200 million.

Elderly YouTube Stars

The latest YouTube stars are a pair of cheeky grandparents. Esther and Bruce Huffman of Oregon came by their fame accidentally. They unwittingly pressed the “record” on their new laptop’s web camera in mid-August. The resulting video shows them doing things like goofing around, flirting, worrying about wrinkles in their faces, and wondering if the camera is working. It was, and the couple’s granddaughter asked permission to post the video online. It has received more than 6 million hits on YouTube. You can check it out at http://youtu.be/FcN08Tg3PWw.

Cop Goes Undercover On Pizza Delivery Robberies

Rhode Island police say two suspects picked the wrong pizza delivery guy to rob: an undercover police officer. A 30-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in Newport on Tuesday night. Police say one of the suspects had a BB gun in his waistband. Two delivery drivers had been robbed in the same area earlier this month. Police had asked restaurants to report any orders they received for the neighborhood. A-1 Pizza received the call Tuesday and notified police. A plainclothes officer drove an unmarked police car with a pizzeria sign mounted on its roof. Two other officers hid in the backseat. Lt. William Fitzgerald says the suspects were “quite shocked” to discover the delivery man was a cop.

Man Banned From Hunting Anywhere In The World

A North Carolina man who bagged a deer and a bobcat in Kentucky without getting the proper permits has found himself banned from hunting anywhere in the world for two years. Rodney Poteat was sentenced in federal court in Kentucky last week after pleading guilty to charges of killing the deer and bobcat and transporting them to his home in Salisbury, North Carolina. The plea deal cost him $5,350 and two years’ probation, during which “the defendant shall be prohibited from hunting or accompanying anyone hunting anywhere in the world,” according to the judge’s order.

Suspected Meth Lab Was Brewing Beer

Police in Colorado said an apartment building was evacuated when a manager confused a home beer-brewing operation with a meth lab. Colorado Springs police said the apartment building was evacuated Monday and a Haz-Mat team was brought in after the manager conducted a routine inspection and discovered a pair of 5-gallon buckets giving off an odor he suspected to be involved with the production of meth. Residents were allowed back into the building after about 45 minutes when the buckets were found to contain home-brewed beer.

Man Calls 911 On Taco Bell

Florida police arrested a man on a charge of misusing the 911 system when he called the emergency number because he was refused service at Taco Bell. Largo police said Terry Kimball, 50, called 911 late Tuesday and told dispatchers employees were refusing to sell him tacos while he was walking through the drive-thru lane. Kimball, who remained on the phone with the dispatcher until officers arrived, told police he did not have an emergency “except that he was not sold food from the restaurant,” police said.

Man Fined $400 For Python Pants Smuggle

A man who was caught with snakes and tortoises in his pants while preparing to board a plane from Florida to Brazil was fined $400. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Simon Turola Borges pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal smuggling charges. The TSA said agents at Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale International Airport searched Borges August 25th, when he was preparing to board a plane to Brazil and discovered he was concealing three baby ball pythons, three carpet pythons, one children’s python, and three baby tortoises wrapped in nylons and concealed in his pants. A federal judge ruled the $400 fine will be donated to the Miami Science Museum.

Naked Google Street View Woman Was A Squatter

A neighbor of a Miami home where a naked woman was pictured on Google Maps Street View said the woman was a squatter. Geraldo Martinez, who lives next door to the home, said he has been keeping an eye on the house for the property owner until the market improves and there are no official residents at the home. He said the woman must have jumped the fence while he was out. The picture made the rounds online and in the news when the woman was spotted holding a jug while nude on the porch of the home on the Google Maps Street View image. “Unfortunately, sometimes we capture odd or unpleasant moments, but when users report them to us we work to quickly review and remove them,” a Google spokeswoman said.

Pokémon Champ Crowned

A 19-year-old college student from Pennsylvania has won the Pokémon World Championships for the second year in a row. Ray Rizzo, a Drake University sophomore, successfully defended his 2010 title in a competition that featured 400 players last month in San Diego. Rizzo, who hails from Marlton, Pennsylvania, but goes to school in Des Moines, Iowa, says he’s been playing Pokémon since he was 6-years-old. The game involves 640 different characters and players must choose a team of Pokémon to battle against an opponent’s team. Each Pokémon has its own set of powers and skills. As world champion, Rizzo was awarded a $7,500 scholarship and a paid trip to next year’s competition in Hawaii.

Doggy Dental Work

Mojo, the K-9 cop, is getting his bite back. Utah dentist Scott Neil gave Mojo four gold crowns and a root canal. Neil only charged the Davis County Sheriff’s Office the cost of materials. Mojo had his dental appointment earlier this month, and was back to work within days. There were a few surprised patients in the waiting room, as Mojo left the dentist’s office.

Birthday Walk

Omar McGrew has celebrated his 89th birthday by walking 8.9 miles. The central Kentucky senior is no stranger to long distances on foot. He ran his last marathon at age 70. He says his legs forced him to stop running at 82. So, McGrew started walking. He does five miles a day, five days a week. He says he hopes to keep up the pace for at least another year.

Colorado Cat Missing 5 Years Found In NYC

A calico cat named Willow, who disappeared from a home near the Rocky Mountains five years ago, was found Wednesday on a Manhattan street and will soon be returned to a family in which two of the three kids and one of the two dogs may remember her. How she got to NYC, nearly 1,900 miles away, and the kind of life she lived are mysteries. But thanks to a microchip implanted when she was a kitten, Willow will be reunited in Colorado with her owners, who had long ago given up hope.

Gas From McDonald’s Soda Fountain Caused Death

Police say leaking carbon dioxide gas is to blame for the death of an 80-year-woman who passed out in a restroom at a McDonald’s restaurant in Georgia. Pooler Police Chief Mark Revenew said yesterday that investigators found carbon dioxide used to inject carbonation into the restaurant’s soda fountain had been leaking between the walls and into the restroom, where two women were found unconscious September 7th. The gas is normally harmless. But authorities say enough had escaped that it displaced air the women needed to breathe. Several people at the restaurant needed medical treatment. One of them, Anne Felton of Ponte Vedra, Florida, later died at a hospital. Revenew says owners of the restaurant replaced the gas lines and he does not expect to press charges.

Man Donates Inheritance To Cat Condos

A Stansbury Park, Utah, man who was surprised to inherit $40,000 from his ex-wife said he decided to donate the cash toward the creation of “cat condos.” Patrick Wiggins said he had remained friendly with ex-wife Colleen Caron after their divorce, but he was shocked to discover she had left him $40,000 from her retirement account when she died. He decided to donate the money to the Humane Society of Utah to go toward its project to create a “cat condos” adoption area. Wiggins, who has made many smaller donations to the organization in the past, described himself as a lifelong animal lover and said his ex-wife shared his passion for animal welfare. He said he decided to donate the money after hearing about the “cat condo” project, which is projected to cost $2 million.

Eyebrow Eater

Authorities in Buena Park, California, say a man bit off another man’s eyebrow during a fight at a house party, chewed it up and spat it out. Luis Miguel Aguilar, 29, was arrested Monday after he got into a fight with a 41-year-old man at a party Friday night. Police said the man lost “a pretty good chunk” of skin and hair on his face, an area about the size of an egg. The man will require reconstructive surgery. Aguilar was expected to be arraigned today on one count of felony mayhem.

Record For Longest Nails Goes To Vegas Woman

Chris Walton has been working on her fingernails for 18 years. And it’s finally paying off. Guinness World Records has named Walton the woman with the longest fingernails. Nicknamed “The Dutchess,” the Las Vegas woman helped kick-off the new 2012 edition of the Guinness World Records book, which goes on sale today. Her nails measure 10-feet 2-inches on her left hand, and 9-feet 7-inches on her right hand. The previous record holder for longest nails was Lee Redmond, of Salt Lake City. Her nails measured a total 28 feet in 2008. Redmond lost her nails in a car crash the following year.

Meat Eater Arrested

Police in Pennsylvania arrested a man accused of taking bites out of raw meat at a Walmart and putting the packages back on the shelves. Carlisle police said Walmart workers reported seeing Scott Shover, 53, eating from multiple packages of meat, valued at $24.53, while walking around the store at about 2:40 p.m. Monday. A manager and loss prevention workers followed Shover out of the store when he attempted to leave without paying. Shover, who has four previous convictions for retail theft, was arrested and charged with felony retail theft.

Drunk Man Tries To Pull Own Tooth

A Port St. Lucie, Florida, man who allegedly shouted obscenities at officers that interrupted him as he tried to pull one of his own teeth was charged with breach of the peace. Police responded Sunday to the home of Francisco Rojas, 49, after his wife called 911 and said he was drunk in his garage and attempting to remove a tooth with a pair of pliers. The arrest affidavit said three officers arrived and “observed him attempting to extract his tooth and there was vomit on the floor from his attempts.” Rojas began cursing loudly when the officers questioned him and refused their requests for him to calm down. The officers said Rojas’ cursing “affected the public decency as well as the peace and quiet of the children playing in the neighborhood.” Rojas was arrested on a breach of peace charge.

Gumby Suspect Turns Self In

San Diego police said the man accused of attempting to rob a store while dressed as Gumby has turned himself in. Jacob Kiss, 19, accused of donning the Gumby costume and trying to rob a 7-Eleven store, turned himself in Tuesday along with alleged accomplice Jason Giramma, 19. Giramma was contacted by detectives last week and told he and Kiss would have to turn themselves in. Police said Kiss brought along the Gumby costume, which was confiscated by police. The men were released after being interviewed and the case has been sent to the District Attorney’s Office to determine possible charges. Police said the robbery attempt was unsuccessful because the clerk at first did not take the costumed man seriously and Kiss was unable to reach into his pockets for a gun he claimed to have due to the bulk of the Gumby suit.

Boston Statues Dressed In Belichick Hoodies

Statues of historical figures in Boston are being fitted with New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick’s signature hoodie for an NFL network tribute. The NFL network said the cut-off hoodies are being placed on statues of figures including Mayor James Michael Curley, Christopher Columbus and John Singleton Copley as part of the network’s tribute, “Bill Belichick: A Football Life,” which is scheduled to premiere on the cable network today. A spokesman for Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department said the deal allowing the NFL network to use the statues includes a sizable donation from the network to go toward restoring statues in the city.

Fake Beard Foils Gunman

A man accused of trying to kill his lover’s husband in Bethesda, Maryland, was foiled when the fake beard he was wearing started to come off. Frank Cipriani, 43, is charged with attempted murder. He was expected to be released on $200,000 bond. Cipriani, who works for the U.S. Census Bureau, was allegedly having an affair with a married colleague. Prosecutors say he had developed an elaborate plan to get rid of the woman’s husband, going to great lengths to obtain his fingerprints and typing a fake suicide note to make the death look like a suicide. He allegedly entered a house being built by the husband and wife by posing as a building inspector. Prosecutors say the plot was foiled when Cipriani’s fake beard fell off and the husband escaped through the front door.

Routine Traffic Stop Turns Up $10 Million In Cocaine

A routine traffic stop in Pueblo, Colorado, led to the discovery of 220 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $10 million in the rental car of a California couple. Mark Bailey and Lisa Calderon, both of Sylmar, California, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of cocaine possession. Police pulled a Chevy Malibu with California plates over at Sunday morning for a lane change violation. The officer discovered that Bailey’s license was suspended and noticed that Bailey’s passenger Lisa Calderon was acting nervous when they asked her questions about where the pair were headed. The officer noticed that the rear of the Malibu was lower than the front and he called a K-9 unit to investigate the vehicle. The K-9 unit alerted officers to the rear of the vehicle, where four black duffel bags packed with 100 kilos of cocaine were found.

Officials Sticking With Stoner Avenue

Officials in a Minnesota town have shelved plans to change the name of Stoner Avenue, despite having about 15 of the street’s signs stolen each year. The Bemidji City Council put plans to change the name of the street on hold after residents complained it would force them to update their driver’s licenses and other documents, including bank records. Council members said they will instead seek options for making the signs less prone to theft. City officials said about 10 of the signs currently need to be replaced. Theft of the signs has cost the city about $20,000 during the past decade. The avenue was named for 19th century area surveyor Marcus Stoner.

Got Milk – A Lot Of Milk?

A Chicago company has created the world’s largest chocolate bar at 12,000 pounds. The company, World’s Finest Chocolate, said the 6-ton bar measures nearly 3-feet-high and 21-feet-long. The bar is to be unveiled before a World Guinness Record judge before beginning a cross country tour of schools. The tour is part of the company’s “Think Big, Eat Smart” campaign, bringing to life the concept of “portion distortion,” the company said. The company said the bar will provide 209,000 1-ounce servings – enough for every fan in Chicago’s Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, Soldier Field and United Center, with 45,000 leftovers.

Burglar Takes Shower, Nap

Police in Kansas say a would-be burglar didn’t get around to finishing his crime, instead taking a shower and a nap in the home. Wichita police said the 35-year-old homeless man collected items he planned to steal at the home Saturday afternoon, but never got the chance to leave with them because he was sleeping in a bedroom when the homeowners arrived. The couple called police and officers discovered the man, who had taken a shower and was partially dressed in clothing belonging to the husband, hiding in a closet. He was taken to jail.

Pajamas Protect Crotch From Sleep Kickers

An Australian father has created pajamas with groin protection for dads whose small children kick in their sleep. Hugh McGuinness said he submitted the protective PJs to an inventor’s competition that could see them wind up for sale online. “My son Cameron, who is now 4, used to sleep in the bed with us. Basically, I thought it would be a good idea to have crotch protection in case he kicks in his sleep,” McGuiness said. “When I have mentioned it to other fathers, you could see the pain in their eyes. It can be funny, but it is painful when it happens,” he said. McGuinness said he’s considering creating a similar product for fathers who use a papoose to carry their babies. “In that case, their feet are directly in line,” he said.

Horses 9, 1 And 1 Finish First On 9/11

The Belmont Park racetrack in New York state said the first three winners on the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks bore the numbers 9, 1 and 1. The Elmont track, which served as a staging area for workers and emergency vehicles in the days following the attacks, said horses bearing the numbers were the first three winners Sunday. “The odds were probably about a million to one,” said David Jacobson, the trainer at Drawing Away Stable, which owns the first two winners from Sunday. The pick-three result paid $18.60 for a $2 bet, the racetrack said.

Seder Plate Scare

The senior rabbi at a Philadelphia Jewish center said a suspicious package leading to the building’s evacuation turned out to contain a Seder plate. Senior Rabbi Adam Zeff of the Germantown Jewish Center said the facility’s maintenance director discovered the package leaning against a side entrance to the building at about 7 a.m. and alerted police. Zeff said about 25 people, including a group in the midst of a morning prayer service, were evacuated from the building while police investigated the package. People were allowed back into the building at about 9:30 a.m., after police determined the package contained only a Seder plate, apparently a donation to the center.

Amish Men Sentenced In Safety Triangle Case

Nine Amish men who refused to display an orange reflective triangle on their horse-drawn buggies have been ordered to jail for not paying court-imposed fines. The men belong to the ultraconservative Old Order Swartzentruber Amish sect in western Kentucky. They object to the triangles because the bright color violates their modesty code. The men say paying the fines would amount to complying with a law they believe violates their religious strictures. A judge sentenced the men to three to 10 days in jail.

Dirt Shortage

There’s a dirt shortage in Macon, Georgia. The city is running out of dirt to cover the trash at its landfill. City crews are stockpiling dirt and there’s probably enough left for about six more months. The mayor’s office says Macon may have to buy dirt from a nearby lot for $42,000 a year.