Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Gov. candidates reject 'Michiganian' LANSING, Mich., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Michigan's gubernatorial nominees from both parties said they will end the reign of the "Michiganian" in the state in favor of the "Michigander." Advertisement Gov. Jennifer Granholm and her two immediate predecessors, John Engler and Jim Blanchard, are among the citizens of the state who refer to themselves as Michiganians, while this year's Republican nominee, Rick Snyder, and Democratic rival Virg Bernero have both identified themselves as Michiganders, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday. The Detroit Free Press said the word was solidified in its stylebook as "Michigander" after decades of research, some of it scientific, indicated it was the more popular choice. One of the most famous historical uses of the term Michigander was attributed to Abraham Lincoln when speaking about a former Michigan governor prior to the Civil War. Burglar claims leaving 'thank you note' Advertisement SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Police said a burglar who returned to the same Florida home he was convicted of stealing from three years ago told officers he was leaving a "thank you note." The Sarasota Police Department said officers responded to the home Tuesday night after an alarm was triggered and found Gerald Maxwell, 39, inside with a stack of jewelry he had apparently gathered and a crack pipe, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Monday. "I was going back in there to leave a thank you note because I'm the guy who burglarized this place last year. I just got out of jail," police quoted Maxwell as saying at the time of his arrest. Investigators said Maxwell also burglarized the same house in December 2007 and had a total eight arrests on burglary charges since November 2006. Maxwell was booked into the Sarasota County Jail on charges of burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia and four counts of probation violation. Father, son face off at Scrabble ADDISON, Texas, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A father-son pair of Scrabble enthusiasts from California found themselves facing one another at the National Scrabble Championship in Texas. Tristan Vanech, 14, and dad Bob Vanech of Venice, Calif., said their rankings led to a father-son match Sunday, the second day of the tournament at the Hotel InterContinental in Addison, The Dallas Morning News reported Monday. Advertisement "There was a genuine parenting moment where I thought, 'I can't beat him,'" Bob Vanech said. "But then I also didn't want my score lowered by losing." "Maybe I got too cocky," Tristan said after losing to his father, who played "defeated" as his final word. The tournament is scheduled to crown its $10,000 winner Wednesday. Man blames speeding on dyslexia FALMER, England, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A British man who said he was driving 103 mph in a 60 mph zone due to his dyslexia was banned from driving for three years by a judge. Matthew Cook, 40, clocked at the high rate of speed on A27 between Falmer and Hollingbury in East Sussex, England, told police he was speeding because he had trouble reading the speedometer, The Daily Telegraph reported Monday. "He told the police officer that he did not understand the speed dial because he was suffering from dyslexia," prosecutor John Marsden Lynch told Hove Crown Court Recorder Christopher Morris-Coole. Cook pleaded guilty to a count of dangerous driving. Morris-Coole, who said he was "skeptical" of Cook's claim, banned him from driving for three years.
