Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Pranksters give out hoax N.Y. Times issue NEW YORK, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A band of pranksters said Wednesday they distributed 1.2 million copies of a hoax issue of The New York Times proclaiming the end of the Iraq war. Advertisement Leaders said in an announcement it took hundreds of independent writers, artists and activist to put the "special edition" together and thousands of volunteers to distribute copies in cities across the United States. The mock Times issue was dated July 4, 2009, and bore the banner headline "Iraq War Ends." Other made-up stories dealt with national healthcare and and corporate lobbying and pay issues. The creators also put up a spoof Web site: http://www.nytimes-se.com/. "We wanted to experience what it would look like, and feel like, to read headlines we really want to read. It's about what's possible, if we think big and act collectively," Steve Lambert, one of the Advertisement prank organizers, said in a news release. Another member, Beka Economopoulos, added "It's up to all of us now to make these headlines come true." A number of groups were involved in the project: The Yes Men, the Anti-Advertising Agency, CODEPINK, United for Peace and Justice, Not An Alternative, May First/People Link, Improv Everywhere, Evil Twin and Cultures of Resistance. The organizers said the Times' response to being told of the fantasy issue was: "We are looking into it." Man reports burglary, busted for drugs SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Police in Sheboygan, Wis., say a man reported a burglary only to be arrested when officers found drugs and paraphernalia at his home. Investigators said officers responding to a burglary report filed by Justin Luecke, 28, spotted a marijuana pipe in Luecke's bedroom and marijuana stems and seeds in his living room, the Sheboygan Press reported Wednesday. Officers returned to Luecke's home later in the day with a search warrant and found marijuana, marijuana packaging, a scale and two varieties of unauthorized prescription pills, the arrest report said. Luecke, who told police the pipe belonged to a friend and denied any knowledge of the stems and seeds, was charged with felony marijuana possession and misdemeanor counts alleging possession of a controlled substance, an illegally obtained prescription and drug paraphernalia. Advertisement He could face a maximum 26 months imprisonment if convicted on all charges. Beer truck driver was allegedly drunk WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Police say a beer truck driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after his rig overturned on a highway exit ramp in Wheat Ridge, Colo. Investigators said the Coors beer truck being driven by Bobby Dodge, 56, overturned on the eastbound Highway 58 exit ramp to eastbound Interstate 70 at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday after the driver accelerated past the posted 20 mph speed limit for the ramp, KMGH-TV in Denver reported Wednesday. Police said Dodge was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and the exit ramp was reopened to traffic by midnight. Airport to offer free flights ALTOONA, Pa., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Blair County Airport in Altoona, Pa., says it's offering free round-trip flights to Johnstown, Pa., in a bid to boost ridership and qualify for federal money. Officials said the airport will qualify for $1 million from the Federal Aviation Administration if it reaches the 10,000-passenger mark by the end of the year, but the hub remains 1,700 fliers short of the goal, WJAC-TV in Johnstown reported Wednesday. Advertisement Don Rugger of the airport authority said the hub needs the federal funds to build more hangers. He said officials are working out a program to offer the free flights to Johnstown, which is 47 miles away from Altoona. "We're willing to spend some money to get some. What it means to us is that $850,000 out of that million bucks," Rugger said.
