Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Czech couple marries in icy river NACHOD, Czech Republic, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A 32-year-old woman said she married her new husband while standing in the frigid waters of a river in Nachod, Czech Republic. Advertisement The new bride, identified only as Tatana, said Saturday's unusual wedding setting was chosen because she had met her husband, Tomas Prokop, while taking part in outdoor swimming in the middle of winter, the Czech news agency CTK reported. "From the age of 15 I have always been swimming on New Year. Last year I joined a group of tough fellows in which I met Tomas," Tatana said. Prokop, 34, said he was more than willing to don his swimming trunks for the Metuje River wedding. "It has been a joint idea. When we fell in love at first sight, we knew that if we had a wedding, it would be in cold water," he said. Advertisement CTK said Tatana appeared to be pregnant while donning her white bridal bikini coupled with white boots and a white veil. Winston Churchill's cigar for sale LONDON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A half-smoked cigar British Prime Minister Winston Churchill put down before a Cabinet meeting in 1941 is up for auction. Andrew Bullock, from the auction firm Keys in Aylsham in Norfolk, England, said he expects the 4-inch cigar butt to go for about 300 pounds (almost $500), the Daily Mail reported. The auction is scheduled at Keys on Jan. 29. Churchill smoked the cigar at one of the most difficult times in World War II for Britain. British troops were bogged down in North Africa, the Wehrmacht was at the gates of Leningrad in Russia and the United States had not yet entered the war. "It was rare for Churchill not to finish a cigar, so it must have been something very urgent in the Cabinet room," Bullock said. Nellie Goble, a housekeeper at No. 10 Downing St., found the cigar on Aug. 22, 1941, and sent it to a friend. "Just a small souvenir to remind you at some future date of one of the greatest men that ever lived in England," Goble wrote on stationery from the prime minister's residence. Advertisement The friend gave the cigar to her daughter, who has put it up for sale. Woman leaves cats a home, trust fund AUBURNDALE, Mass., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A 77-year-old woman in Auburndale, Mass., left her cats a $300,000 trust fund and a home to live in due to concerns for the felines' welfare, an attorney says. Attorney George Kickham, who was responsible for ensuring Muriel Bayne's four cats stayed at home, said he attempted to talk Bayne out of creating such a large financial trust for her pets before her death, The Boston Globe said Sunday. "It is kind of bizarre, quite frankly,'' Kickham said. "We tried to talk this woman out of it.'' The last of the four cats died in 2008 and the two-bedroom home occupied by the felines for seven years was eventually sold to a medical student. While Kickham questioned Bayne's estate bestowal decision, Massachusetts Humane Society President Joanne G. Mainiero applauded the late senior's dedication to her pets. "The cats were at least taken care of without being euthanized or dumped somewhere,'' Mainiero told the Globe. "It's great they could enjoy the rest of their lives.'' Iowa man accused of cowboy break-in Advertisement IOWA CITY, Iowa, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Police in Iowa City, Iowa, said a local man was arrested for allegedly breaking into a home while dressed as a cowboy. Police allege Derrick Thomas Alger, 24, was dressed up like a cowboy when he broke into a private residence early Thursday morning and threatened to kill the dog of the home's residents, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported. Alger threatened to kill the dog after it began barking at him and the situation was resolved only after the residents convinced him he was in the wrong house, police allege. Alger was arrested a short while later and was allegedly found to have a blood alcohol level of .312. Police maintain while Alger apparently lost his cowboy hat during his early-morning activities, the suspect was carrying an unloaded .22 pistol. The Press-Citizen said Alger is facing charges of trespass, intoxication, carrying a dangerous weapon and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.
