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Man learns casino losses not deductible
KINGSTON, N.Y., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A judge in New York state took the oath of office with his hand placed on a dictionary rather than a book of scripture because officials could find no Bible.
The glitch, in a packed courtroom of the historic Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y., provided "a light moment" in the swearing-in of Donald A. Williams as Ulster County judge, the Daily Freeman of Kingston reported Sunday.
Williams said later he didn't mind using a dictionary instead of a Bible because the swearing-in Saturday was purely ceremonial.
The former district attorney, a Republican, officially became the county judge Friday.
U.S. government officials are not required to swear in on a Bible, but most do so as a demonstration of the binding nature of the promise. The act also adds solemnity to the ceremony.
Most officials use their own family Bible.
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NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) --
Macaulay Culkin is in "perfectly good health," his publicist said after the former child star was photographed looking gaunt and disheveled in New York.
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TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 9 (UPI) --
The mother of Josh Powell, who killed himself and his sons in a fire in Washington state, said in divorce papers he exhibited disturbing behavior as a teenager.
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XINXIANG CITY, China, Feb. 9 (UPI) --
A set of parents in China said they expected a large baby, but they were shocked when their son came out weighing a potentially record-setting 15 1/2 pounds.
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) --
President Obama hailed a $25 billion agreement among 49 states, the U.S. government and the five biggest mortgage servicers.
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