UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Mayor pulls plug on light for 'Jesus tree'

EAST CHICAGO, Ind., July 11 (UPI) -- The mayor of East Chicago, Ind., has ordered a streetlight turned off because it creates shadows resembling Jesus Christ on a tree, attracting unruly crowds.

Problems began Thursday when word got out that the image appears just after sunset, and as many as 250 people clogged the street. Friday night, several arrests were made after a fight broke out in the area. The situation deteriorated further Saturday, when some in the crowd hurled insults and objects at police trying to disperse the crowd.

"It was just mayhem," Police Chief Angelo Machuca told the Gary (Ind.) Post-Tribune. "We couldn't control it."

After the chief met with Mayor George Pabey Sunday morning, Pabey decided to leave the street light off to discourage further crowds from gathering.

Sunday night, several frustrated people shined a portable light on the tree, but it didn't produce a recognizable image.

High-class digs for guests who dig

WINOX, Mich., July 11 (UPI) -- A U.S. company is opening an 11,000-square-foot luxury facility for dogs, complete with social activities and exercise areas.

Dog Centers of America expects to open its huge new canine center Aug. 1, the company said Monday.

The center comes complete with around-the-clock staffing, luxury "suites" and two rooms for "group play" that together cover 4,500 square feet.

Web cameras will allow owners the opportunity to view discretely their dogs playing, resting, getting individual grooming, individual training or "group training."

Woman losing weight on McDonalds-only diet

RALEIGH, N.C., July 11 (UPI) -- A North Carolina woman said she has lost 33 pounds since April by eating nothing but take-out food from McDonalds in calculated portions.

Merab Morgan, 35, began the experiment based on her love of the food, and failures on other diets. She began weighing 228 pounds on April 22, or a dress size 24, and the 5-foot-9 woman said she is down to 195 pounds, or a size 15. Her goal is lose a total of 60 pounds.

She told the Raleigh News & Observer she memorized the calories in almost every menu item, and limits herself to 1,400 calories a day. At a cost of $9 to $11 for three meals, the single mother of two said she can afford it.

Barry Popkin, director of the Interdisciplinary Obesity Center at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a professor of nutrition and public health, said eating only at McDonald's isn't healthy, as it lacks certain vitamins, minerals, fiber and dairy.

Handcuffed man steals police car

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich., July 11 (UPI) -- Michigan sheriff's deputies were searching for a man Monday who embarrassed them by driving away in a cruiser after being handcuffed.

Wayne County deputies received a call Sunday morning about a man throwing stones at a house. After questioning a man, Deputy Chief Robert Dickerson said a suspect was handcuffed behind his back using traditional steel cuffs instead of the adjustable plastic ones. While left alone in the back seat of a cruiser, the man managed to drive away at high speed, the Detroit Free Press said.

Six hours later, the fully marked car was found abandoned just blocks away in Highland Park, west of Detroit.

"It's happened before other times," Dickerson said. "This gentleman has a rather small frame, about 5 feet, 7 inches, and if the cuffs are not on tight, they can slip off."

The deputies have made an appeal for information on the man's whereabouts.