Watercooler Stories

Boy, 2, rides Wales-England bus alone

MONTGOMERY, Wales, June 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Britain said a 2-year-old's solo bus ride from Wales to England led to the arrest of two people on suspicion of child neglect.

Michael Morris of Tanat Valley Coaches and Motors, said the boy, dressed only in his pajamas and a diaper, boarded the bus in Montgomery, Wales, and the driver and fellow passengers did not realize he was unaccompanied until the vehicle arrived in Shrewsbury, England, 28 miles from where it started, Sky News reported Monday.

"The little boy was not crying or upset or anything. He seemed to be enjoying his journey into Shewsbury," Morris said.

He said the driver notified authorities and purchased fresh diapers and wipes for the boy.

"The driver is a very experienced and caring guy and I don't think he would have thought anything untoward about the situation when the boy got on," he said.

The Dyfed Powys Police Public Protection Unit and Powys County Council Children's Services team said they are investigating the incident and two people have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

Mayor, 89, runs unopposed for 15th term

GROSSE POINT PARK, Mich., June 28 (UPI) -- The 89-year-old mayor of a Detroit suburb has begun his campaign for his 15th consecutive two-year term -- unopposed once again.

Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan, who has had someone run against him just once since first being elected to office in 1983, said he would rather be recognized for his accomplishments than for his advanced age, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.

"I don't need any recognition for living a long time," said Heenan, who turns 90 in December, not long after he hopes to celebrate his re-election.

"I try to take care of myself. I'm trying to take care of my city, too."

Heenan's work in office includes heading the effort to combine the police and fire departments into a single public safety department, which Public Safety Director David Hiller said helped the city save money and reduce serious crime to last year's 15-year low.

"I'm not going to take credit for that," Heenan said. "I depend on other people, and that's also my strength."

Heenan, a conservative Republican, is not without his critics in the city of about 11,500 people.

"I think he thinks Grosse Pointe Park is in the 1950s," said Betsy Breckels, 50, a five-year resident. "It's a changing demographic. We should be embracing that more."

Olympic hopeful sells tattoo space on body

GOLD COAST, Australia, June 28 (UPI) -- An Australian beach volleyball player says she is selling ad space on her body to help her attempt to make it into next year's Olympic Games in London.

Claire Kelly said she is selling tattoo space on her body for $10,400 to $52,000 so she and her partner, Carla Kleverlaan, can join the beach volleyball world pro tour and play the required 12 events to qualify for the Olympics, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported Monday.

"It's taken me months to get the courage to do this and now I'm going through with it," Kelly said. "I was thinking, 'Tattoo my body with a business logo just so I can have a chance to play for my country at the Olympics? I'm crazy'!

"This is my dream and it seems crazy not to try to do something to realize the dream. We need to head off on the world tour before the end of July. We need financial backing, so I can't let fear stop me," she said.

Kelly said she is not concerned about potential criticism of her moneymaking scheme.

"The tattoos mean much more than just the money or the business," she said. "The tattoos signify having the courage to have a crack at something bigger, having the guts to at least try."

Officials want to regulate 'sexpresso'

BREMERTON, Ore., June 28 (UPI) -- Officials in an Oregon county said they want to classify "sexpresso" stands, coffee shops featuring scantily clad baristas, as "adult entertainment" venues.

Larry Keeton of the Kitsap County Department of Community Development said he has received numerous complaints about the five "sexpresso" stands that have opened in the past year and he wants them classified as "adult entertainment," which would keep out customers less than 18 years of age, KATU-TV, Portland, Ore., reported Monday.

"So now you have to have someone checking the cars as they go through the line making sure all the occupants are 18 (if the regulations are approved)," Keeton said.

Workers at the Espresso Gone Crazy stand near Bremerton said business has been booming.

"Sex sells, and we're the busiest coffee stand in Kitsap County," barista Vanessa Olson said.

Espresso Gone Crazy owner J.J. Wilson said the proposed regulations would hurt business.

"There's a smaller minority of people trying to speak for a large majority," he said.

"There's a lot of vendors we all use, too. This just doesn't touch those in the stand, but out of the stand as well," he said.