Watercooler Stories

Woman blamed party noises on ghost

HULL, England, April 9 (UPI) -- Neighbors of a British woman who was evicted for ignoring a noise abatement order said she claimed the constant party sounds were caused by a "poltergeist."

Leanne Fennell, 20, who was evicted from her Hull, England, home and ordered to pay $586.86 in fines and $793 in legal costs to the Hull City Council, told neighbors who complained about the late-night loud music that a party-loving specter was behind the noise, The Sun reported Monday.

"She told us a poltergeist would keep switching the music on really loud when she was in bed," said a neighbor who asked not to be named. "Some of the neighbors had a terrible time. There were always bottles and bottles of wine and cider just chucked in the garden."

"She had at least four huge bonfires to burn some of the rubbish that was in there," the neighbor said. "Some people complained and then she was warned by the council, but she didn't listen. Eventually, it went too far and we'd had enough."

Hull Magistrates' Court found Fennell guilty of four breaches of the noise abatement notice and failing to abide by another notice ordering her to remove the trash from her garden.

Drunk students run rampant on ferry

DOVER, England, April 9 (UPI) -- About 200 English university students went on a drunken, "despicable" rampage trashing a $286 million ferry from Dover to Calais, the ship's captain said.

The Sunday episode involved four busloads of students from Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester who allegedly were already drunk when they boarded the P&O ship Spirit of France en route to ski vacations to the Alps.

They were among the 1,559 passengers, who included elderly people and families.

After the ship set sail 2:20 a.m. the students allegedly smashed glasses and bottles, set ashtrays alight and overturned tables in a display Capt. Steve Johnson described as "despicable," Britain's The Sun reported.

"There was dancing on tables and bottles and glasses kicked off tables. Males and females were exposing themselves in generally drunken, loutish behavior. There were many complaints," Johnson said.

Frightened passengers were escorted to the safety of a secure room while the students ran amok, the newspaper said.

Manchester Metropolitan University said it was investigating the incident. No dollar amount was provided for the damage caused by the rowdy passengers.

Mechanic takes motorized couch for a spin

NAPIER, New Zealand, April 9 (UPI) -- A New Zealand mechanic who designed a motorized couch with a top speed of 37 mph said his creation has been admired by townspeople, even police officers.

Josh Steeg of Hastings said he and some friends took the couch for an Easter spin through Napier as part of a scheme to attract business for his mechanical work and perhaps even the couch itself, Hawkes Bay Today reported Monday.

"Who knows, someone might see it as a great opportunity to do some advertising," Steeg said.

The couch has a 2008 Yamaha Jog motor, a stereo system and speedometer, and it pulls a refreshment trailer.

Steeg said the rig was a hit with people in the community.

"Police had a look at us but it was all good. It's only the second time I've had it out for a run. If I had a dollar for every time someone stopped us to take a photo today, I'd be rich," he said.

Students aim for teeter totter record

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky., April 9 (UPI) -- Students at Northern Kentucky University said they are aiming to have more than 100 teeter totters operating at the same time to set a world record.

The students said their Guinness record attempt, scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. on the front lawn of Griffin Hall, will involve more than 100 teeter totters and will raise funds to purchase BigBelly Waste and Recycling containers for the school, WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, reported Monday.

The organizers said prizes will be awarded to teams in categories including raising the most money and having the best decorated teeter totter. The prizes include gift cards to local businesses such as restaurants and entertainment venues.