UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Jesus statue held for ransom over dog poop

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A Kent County, Mich., woman said her treasured Jesus statue has been returned after it was held for ransom over doggie doo.

Jean Mansel's 80-pound cement Jesus statue was allegedly taken her front yard late last week. A ransom note was left in her mailbox that said Mansel would only ever see the statue again if she cleaned up after her dogs, WZZM-TV Grand Rapids reported.

"There were footprints behind it, and footprints in front of it," she said, pointing out where the statue used to be. "My husband got a phone call and a real raspy voice over the phone said 'check your mailbox.'"

In the mailbox was a ransom note.

"We are holding Jesus ransom until you clean up the poopie from your wieners and trust us we see you take your wieners for long walks w/out picking up their poopie in our yards. This has upset us dearly so please clean up all the wiener poopie, if you want to see Jesus unharmed. Sincerely, Lindy Lane Residents."

It turned out that the statue had been taken not by her neighbors but by a family member, making it a family situation, said Mansel.

Aussie Bonnie and Clyde bungle job

MELBOURNE, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Would-be Bonnie and Clyde robbers in Australia bungled an attempted holdup when the male suspect shot his girlfriend in the buttocks.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday the pair held up the Cuckoo Restaurant outside Melbourne on April Fools Day last year and snatched a bag they believed had about $25,000 but, in fact, contained bread rolls.

A county court in Melbourne heard how Benjamin Jorgensen, 38, then accidentally shot his accomplice, 36-year-old Donna Hayes in the buttocks while the cafe owner was handing over the bag.

Police soon nabbed the pair. On Monday they both pleaded guilty to armed robbery and Jorgensen also pleaded guilty to a charge of negligently causing serious injury. They are to be sentenced Tuesday.

The presiding judge told the court "We've heard of the Keystone Cops, however this is the Keystone Robbers."

Folks seem less shy about reporting UFOs

STEPHENSVILLE, Texas, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A spate of recent UFO sightings in Texas looks to be part of a growing trend of Americans reporting possible flying saucer incidents.

The Houston Chronicle said Monday that UFO investigators are convinced that people are more comfortable these days with the idea of making a report when they see something unusual.

Ken Cherry, who leads the Texas chapter of the Mutual UFO Network, told the Chronicle that the latest sighting of a huge object gliding over Stephenville, Texas, drew several reports from witnesses despite the area's conservative, Bible-Belt nature.

"Scores and scores of people have seen it, and they are pretty vocal about it," Cherry said. "They don't mind talking to me about it at length."

Cherry told the newspapers the reports and publicity illustrate a trend toward witnesses telling others what they saw regardless of any personal concerns about the reaction of neighbors, employers and public officials.

Beet juice used to eliminate ice in Ohio

CINCINNATI, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Road officials in Cincinnati are preparing for cold weather and snow flurries with a little known secret weapon against ice -- a beet juice cocktail.

The weapon is simply a mixture of beet juice, salt and calcium chloride that works to eliminate icy conditions when it is too cold for just salt,

"We had quite a bit of rain last week, so water drains from the hills onto the street -- that will freeze and cause some ice conditions," said official Diane Watkins. "Five or six people will be out there in different areas of the city making sure the bridges don't freeze, keeping those treated and any other isolated problems that will occur."

Watkins said crews would be patrolling for icy spots to drop the salt and beet juice mixture.