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1,505.5-pound pumpkin wins weigh-off

CLARENCE, N.Y., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- A New York state man whose 1,505.5-pound pumpkin took the top prize at a festival said his secret is "lots of water and lots of luck."

Karl Haist of Clarence Center, who took first in the 30th World Pumpkin Weigh-off at the Great Pumpkin Farm's fall festival in Clarence, said he has been growing pumpkins for 10 years, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported Monday.

Haist, who said his prize-winning pumpkin required "lots of water and lots of luck," beat 19 other competitors from New York state and Pennsylvania.

"There's always one good spot in your patch, and this one happened to be in it," Haist said.

Quinn Werner, of Saegertown, Pa., came in second with a pumpkin weighing 1,498 pounds. His entry won the Howard Dill Award for best-looking pumpkin.

Dogs headline Calif. surf contest

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- A group of four-legged friends tried to hang 10 -- make that 20 -- in a canine surfing contest in California.

The Surf City Surf Dog event was held in Huntington Beach, Calif., Sunday with 46 competitors riding 3- to 4-foot waves, all to raise money for charity.

During the event, organizers sought to make the Guinness Book of World Records by getting 20 dogs to all ride the same wave for at least five seconds, The Orange County Register reported. Despite help from their owners, only a few the dogs managed the feat. The rough surf proved too tough for many of the contestants.

Heather McKenny and her pooch Sir Hollywood were among the contestants. McKenny came out of the water with a sizable scratch when Sir Hollywood got a little skittish trying to surf. Still, she said, it was worth another try again next year.

"It's just a great way for people with dogs to have a good time together, and with all the support of the people who come out -- it couldn't be better," McKenny said.

Allegedly drunk cyclist hits patrol car

GRESHAM, Ore., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in Oregon said a man arrested on a drunken driving charge allegedly hit a deputy's patrol car while riding his bicycle.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said Donald Munoz, 32, rode his bicycle through a red light shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Gresham and struck the front of a deputy's patrol car, KGW-TV, Portland, reported Monday.

The deputy spoke with Munoz, who did not fall over after hitting the car, and determined he had consumed three bottles of Mike's Hard Lemonade before riding his bike.

Munoz was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The deputy said Munoz had an open container of yellow liquid on his bicycle that was determined to contain alcohol.

125 rappel down building for charity

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Organizers of a New Jersey fundraiser said more than 100 people rappelled down a 34-story building to raise money for cancer research.

Anna Genesin, organizer of the 2012 Over the Edge fundraiser, said the 125 daredevils raised more than $257,000 for the American Cancer Society during the Jersey City event Saturday, The [Jersey City] Jersey Journal, reported Monday.

Genesin said the participants each paid a minimum $1,200 to receive a 30-minute lesson and rappel down the high rise.

"No experience is necessary," she said.