UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Chinese city to build UFO research center

GUIYANG, China, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A Taiwanese company has put up $20 million to build a UFO research base in China's southern province of Guizhou, where aliens are said to have visited in 1994.

Residents of Baiyun district in Guiyang, the provincial capital, hope the institute will look into the odd phenomena they experienced Nov. 30, 1994, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

On that date, nearly 70 acres of pine trees on a tree farm mysteriously fell down, while nearby plastic shelters remained intact.

A truck factory reported steel pipes strangely broken, a huge truck moved more than 20 yards, and a night shift employee pulled into the air by an "unknown force."

Local residents attributed the odd occurrences to UFOs, but scientists sent to investigate blamed them on thunder, lightning and tornados.

Wang Fangchen, a biologist who visited the site shortly after the reported events, called the UFO research plan "ridiculous," but said he would not oppose it if it would attract tourists to the city.

Zhou Xiaoqiang, secretary general of the Beijing UFO Research Association, said people often mistake planes, clouds, insects and shadows for UFOs. "If aliens really came, they would more likely appear before our eyes politely than hide themselves," he said.

Pa. town's UFO fest backs fire department

KECKSBURG, Pa., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Kecksburg, Pa., hopes Saturday's celebration of a 40-year-old UFO crash brings people with some cash to burn to support the local fire department.

Whatever crashed near the community on Dec. 9, 1965, caused a fireball seen in four states. While the U.S. military claimed it found nothing, widespread reports described it as metallic, acorn-shaped, large enough for a man to stand on and bearing strange markings akin to hieroglyphics, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Kecksburg plans a daylong celebration Saturday including witnesses and a replica of the object used in a recreation by TV show "Unsolved Mysteries."

Organizers said, while admission is free, they hope UFO fans donate money to support the local fire department, which was part of the emergency response 40 years ago.

"We're just an old, country-style fire department," festival co-Chairman Rich Comp told the newspaper. "One of these days we're going to need a new truck."

Warrants out for smoking bingo scofflaws

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Three Kansas City bingo players who turned up in court to face charges of smoking while playing were fined $5, but two no-shows are facing arrest warrants.

The players and the building manager of the Southside Optimist hall were found guilty of violating the city's anti-smoking ordinance that went into effect May 31.

The law bans smoking in most workplaces, except restaurants, bars, casinos and bowling alleys, the Kansas City Star reported.

In his own defense, the building manager said he thought the bingo group was exempt since they served food. Regardless, his fine was set at $100.

When the two players who skipped court are located, their fines will likely be substantially higher, if convicted.

N.Y. adds 5 new subway rules

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- New York's subways have new rules -- including a ban on moving between cars and putting bags on empty seats -- that have left some straphangers grumbling.

The five new rules imposed Monday joined 13 oft-ignored rules that can mean fines up to $100 and even arrest.

Commuter Renigio Suzene said he supports the new rules.

Straphangers "think they can do anything at the expense of other people and their property," Suzene told the New York Post.

Cassandra Warren objected to the ban on moves between cars.

"It smells sometimes, especially if there's a homeless person in the car and after a long day at work, or if you have your family with you, you don't want to have to stay in that car for a long journey," Warren said.

Commuter Kevin Kelly called the rules "nonsensical" as he sipped his coffee through a small hole in the lid.

"Is this a closed container or an open container?" Kelly asked in noting the definition of "open container" was murky. Open containers are banned.