UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Coyotes wander onto NYC college campus

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Experts said three coyotes spotted on a New York college campus in Manhattan are just the first pioneers of a likely continuing migration.

The predators were spotted Sunday morning on the Columbia University campus and a responding officer confirmed one as a coyote, New York's WABC-TV reported Monday.

Campus administrators sent e-mail alerts to students warning them to keep an eye out for the wild animals.

Stanley Gehrt, an associate professor in wildlife ecology at Ohio State University, said coyotes are often seen drifting into cities.

"It's not uncommon at all, and it's going to increase in frequency," he said.

He said coyotes are going urban because they are seeking new territory. Experts said young coyotes are especially prone to seek new areas during breeding season.

Pot school filling up, expanding

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Officials with a Los Angeles school for medical marijuana growers said classes are filled up and waiting lists are becoming long.

Jeff Jones, chancellor of the Los Angeles branch of Oaksterdam University, which has two other locations in the state, said the school teaches students everything about marijuana, including how to raise the plant and how not to run afoul of the law, USA Today reported Tuesday.

"They're paying us to come, and our classes are full," Jones said of his student body.

Oaksterdam Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Clare said about 7,000 people have graduated from classes at California's three locations and the business is now looking toward expanding out of state to cater to other states with medical marijuana laws.

Clare said more than 850 students started classes this semester, with dozens more on waiting lists, and more than 300 people have already registered for next semester.

Capone tree whacked by weather

BALTIMORE, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A 70-year-old cherry tree donated to a Maryland hospital by notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone was damaged by the East Coast blizzard, the hospital said.

The weeping cherry tree donated to Baltimore's Union Memorial Hospital by Capone after he received treatment for syphilis in 1939 was split in two during Saturday's storm, the Baltimore Sun reported Monday.

"I can't care if Capone was infamous or just famous, that tree he gave us was like a still-life fireworks display," said Stephen Alexander, a woodworker who witnessed the tree damage. "And I wonder what's going to happen to all that nice cherry wood."

Debra Schindler, the Union Memorial spokeswoman, said officials have not given up all hope for the tree.

"We were already concerned about the health of the tree and then this came along," said Debra Schindler, the Union Memorial spokeswoman. "As soon as the weather clears, an arborist will examine it and tell us what we can do."

Police: Man tried to buy crack with card

FLINT, Mich., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Police in Michigan said they arrested an alleged robbery suspect who attempted to use his credit card to buy crack cocaine.

Flint police said the man called police shortly before midnight Thursday and reported his 2003 Chevy Malibu had been stolen, the Flint (Mich.) Journal reported Monday.

However, police said the vehicle had already been listed as stolen out of Lapeer, Mich.

Officers said the man told police he was robbed at gunpoint while attempting to buy crack with his credit card. He was arrested and charged with the Lapeer theft of the vehicle.