UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Bell ringer robbery suspect arrested

MAUMEE, Ohio, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Police in Ohio said they arrested a man who allegedly shoved a Salvation Army bell ringer and took her kettle full of cash donations.

Investigators said Shawn Krieger, 44, of Toledo, Ohio, was arrested in Maumee early Monday, two days after he allegedly took the kettle from a volunteer outside of Andersons store in Maumee, The Toledo Blade reported Monday.

Maumee Police Sgt. David Tullis said Krieger allegedly pushed the bell ringer at about 6:25 p.m. and put her kettle and its tripod in the back of his pickup truck.

"I can't stand you and your bell-ringing. I hate Christmas," he allegedly told the woman, the report said.

-0-

Christmas for a song: $21,465.56

NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The 12 outlandish gifts represented in the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," rose slightly in cost this year, a private U.S. survey said.

With the price of gold up sharply, the five gold rings now cost $499.95, a 42.9 percent jump over last year's price, PNC Wealth Management reported Monday.

PNC Wealth Management, which has priced out the 12 gifts for 26 years, said the seven swans-a-swimming cost $5,200 in 2009, a 6.3 percent drop from last year. Six geese now cost $150, while two turtle doves and three French hens cost about $100.

The partridge is a bargain this year: $10, compared with $20 in 2008. The pear tree is now priced at $149.99, a decline of 25 percent from a year ago.

In total, the 12 items cost $21,465.56, although shoppers in the "True Love" category, who buy the gifts each time they are repeated in the song, would need to shell out $87,402.81 for 364 gifts, a slight bump of 0.9 percent over 2008.

The 12 lords-a-leaping, nine drummers drumming and 10 pipers piping broke even while the price of 11 ladies dancing rose 15 percent, PNC said.

In addition, eight maids-a-milking received an automatic raise and cost $58 this year.

-0-

McDonald's seeks Ronald's return

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Employees at a Georgia McDonald's said they are making holiday wishes for the safe return of a Ronald McDonald statue swiped on Thanksgiving.

Tonja Brown, manager of the McDonald's in Columbus, said Ronald was taken from a park bench in the eatery's outdoor playground Thursday afternoon, after the restaurant closed for the holiday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday.

"We were open for breakfast and had just closed," Brown said.

Brown said the playground is still open and the theft has been reported to police.

"Kids love him," she said. "We just want him back."

-0-

Woman finds 'Jesus' on bottom of iron

METHUEN, Mass., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts woman said the rust colored residue she found on the bottom of her clothes iron resembles the face of Jesus Christ.

Mary Jo Coady, 44, of Methuen, said she noticed the image on the iron Sunday, weeks after the last time it was used, and it helped to reaffirm her Catholic faith following her split from her husband and economic troubles, the (North Andover, Mass.) Eagle-Tribune reported Monday.

"I see his eyes, his nose, his whole face and I was like, 'That's Jesus looking at us,'" Coady said.

"It just gave me a sign that life is going to be good," she said. "I think he's listening."

Coady said the image even affected her skeptical-minded daughters, Melody, 21, and Alison, 20.

"They wouldn't believe this if it hit them in the head, and they were like, 'Mom, that's Jesus looking at us,'" Coady said.

Coady said she's retiring the iron the preserve the image and will buy a new one.