Watercooler Stories

7-year-old gets meth for Halloween

RAMSEY, Minn., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Police in Ramsey, Minn., said a 7-year-old trick-or-treater came home with more than candy Halloween night -- someone gave him 2.2 grams of methamphetamine.

Lars and Shelly Brosdahl said they spotted the drugs, which they said resembled rock candy, and a bag containing $85 after their 7-year-old son and his 9-year-old sister poured out their evening hauls after a night of trick-or-treating, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

The Brosdahls turned the suspicious substance and accompanying cash over to police, who confirmed the unusual Halloween treat was 2.2 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of about $200.

Lars Brosdahl said his son told him that the drugs were given to him by someone who appeared to be a teenager.

"He said some bigger kid ran by him and asked if he wanted some candy. He said, 'Sure,' and the kid dropped it into his bag," Brosdahl said.

Police said the person who dumped the drugs and money into the child's bag may have been spooked by officers who were in the area searching for a 24-year-old man accused of assaulting his roommate. Investigators said they have not linked the drugs to the assault suspect, who was arrested Friday night.

However, police said the night may yet prove profitable for the 7-year-old -- if the cash is not claimed within 90 days, it will be returned to the boy.

Man: Airline wants extra for prosthetics

LONDON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A British double-amputee said a budget airline has told him he will need to pay extra to bring his spare prosthetic legs with him on vacation.

Mick Skee said Jet2 refused to waive the excess baggage fee for his spare legs when he purchased a ticket to fly to Majorca in May 2009, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

Skee, who lost both of his legs due to meningococcal septicemia in 2006, said he plans to write company bosses in protest of the decision and will discuss the issue with his local member of Parliament.

"It is ridiculous. The legs weigh less than a wheelchair, but I have been told that Jet2 are not prepared to budge," he said.

"It's the principle. This is something that could affect other people in the same situation and it is an issue that needs to be dealt with," Skee said.

Jet2's customer services department said it will attempt to respond to Skee's complaints within 21 days.

'Parody' prints Republican addresses

SEATTLE, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A Seattle newspaper angered some residents with a Halloween spoof that printed the addresses of homes with yard signs supporting Republicans.

The Stranger, a weekly comedic newspaper, said its "Hell Houses" article -- which included pictures and addresses of homes with signs supporting Republican candidates for office -- was meant to spoof the annual Christmas guides that showcase homes with elaborate decorations, KOMO-TV, Seattle, reported.

"To be complete in the parody, we thought we'd include the addresses and have photographers drive around and take photos," said Brendan Kiley, the paper's arts editor. "We're absolutely not encouraging intimidation or violence or vandalism or anything."

However, some of those whose addresses were revealed by the paper did not find the joke humorous.

"The fact that my address is posted on the paper, The Stranger, is upsetting," said one woman who asked to remain anonymous.

Officials at The Stranger said staffers have received death threats since the article appeared and some have had their own addresses posted online.

British official proposes new pet rules

LONDON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Britain's environment secretary has sparked controversy with a list of proposed new rules that could mean jail time for pet owners who walk dogs on hot days.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn's proposed new codes of conduct for dog, cat and horse owners include rules that would allow for prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, of pet owners whose animals become too thin, become too fat, are fed from the table or are walked on hot days, The Daily Mail reported.

"This means no one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse," Benn said.

Some officials said they believe the new code of conduct goes too far.

"Some of these elements are over the top. This is not the sort of stuff we expected to be in the code," Conservative agriculture spokesman Jim Paice said.