Watercooler Stories

Kangaroo escape leads to police chase

LEWISVILLE, Texas, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- An escaped kangaroo in Lewisville, Texas, led police and neighbors on a 20-minute chase before he was returned to the veterinarian who cares for him.

The kangaroo, named Maynard, escaped from the home of veterinarian B. Kyle Jones when a strong gust of wind opened a gate at the house, the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.

"I've seen the cartoons where the kangaroo boxes you," said Lewisville police officer Scott Hayney, who brought the chase to a close when he caught the animal by the tail. "But he seemed scared and tired."

Jones said Maynard had originally been intended for a St. Louis area zoo, but the kangaroo arrived at Southridge Animal Hospital "too sickly and beat up to go anywhere."

He said he took the kangaroo in to bring him back to health.

City officials have given Jones 10 days to find a new home for the Australian mammal.

Pot-flavored drinks pulled from market

LONDON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A British group representing alcoholic drink producers said cannabis-flavored vodka, absinthe and gin are being pulled from the market.

The Portman Group said pictures on the labels of the drinks that resemble cannabis leaves violate alcohol marketing rules by associating the products with illegal drugs, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

The offending beverages are produced by Spanish firm Beveland SA and were brought into Britain by Ultimate Brands Ltd. An Ultimate Brands spokeswoman said the company has agreed to halt importation of the drinks.

"Too many young adults these days regard alcohol and illicit drugs as interchangeable," said David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group. "The industry must not contribute to this attitude but instead distance itself totally from illegal drugs."

The drinks, which are believed to contain hemp, did not violate any drink contents rules.

'For sale' case no sale for Supreme Court

GLENDALE, Ohio, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- An argument about "for sale" signs in cars parked in public property in one Ohio community rang up no-sale before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The nation's high court let stand a 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found Glendale's ban on "for sale" signs on cars parked on public property violated the First Amendment, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Tuesday.

Village officials had argued the signs pose a possible safety hazard because pedestrians could walk into traffic while checking out cars. Chris Pagan, however, sued the village four years ago, arguing the law violated his right to free speech.

"Ordinary citizens like Chris should not have to go to court to prove they deserve constitutional protection for their rights," said Jeff Rowes, Pagan's attorney. "Freedom of speech includes grass-roots

commercial speech like a 'for sale' sign."

Larry Barbiere, who represented the village, said he had hoped the Supreme Court would agree to hear the case because many communities around the country have similar laws regulating signs.

Robbers cite tuition as motive

CINCINNATI, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Two men who pleaded guilty to a pair of armed robberies in Hamilton County, Ohio, said they committed the crimes to raise money for college tuition.

Andrew Butler and Christopher Avery pleaded guilty Monday to two charges of aggravated robbery and six charges of kidnapping for the summer crimes, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Tuesday.

Butler also pleaded guilty to a vandalism charge for damage done to the Hamilton County Justice Center after he was arrested.

Judge Steve Martin asked the men, who were enrolled in college at the time of the robberies and had no previous criminal records, why they turned to crime.

Butler and Avery both cited tuition costs in their responses.

"I was stressed out," Butler said. "I needed more money for college."

Avery said he lost all of his money for summer classes when an internship opportunity failed to materialize.

"I was strapped for cash," he said. "I thought I had nothing to lose."

Both men are now facing prison sentences of at least 20 years.