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Store warned for selling cigarette gum

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A retro-themed soda shop in Minnesota was issued a warning for violating an ordinance banning the sales of cigarette-themed treats.

Workers at Lynden's in St. Paul said a city inspections official visited the store Dec. 19 and issued a warning for a violation of a 3-year-old ordinance banning the sale of tobacco-themed confections, The Minneapolis Star reported Thursday.

The store had been selling gum packaged to resemble cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. Workers said the items have been in stock since the store opened in April.

"We got busted [Dec. 19] by the City of St. Paul. Oops," the shop posted on its Twitter account.

"We had no idea," owner Tobi Lynden said of the ordinance Wednesday. "We don't want to get on the bad side of St. Paul."

Lynden said the cigarette gum had been the store's bestselling candy. She said the inspector told her the warning had been based on a complaint from a customer.

Officials said the store could face a $500 fine if it is found to be violating the ordinance a second time.

Friendly bobcat taught to fear humans

PLACERVILLE, Calif., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Volunteers with a California animal rescue group said they are trying to teach a friendly bobcat how to behave in the wild.

The volunteers with the Sierra Wildlife Rescue group in Placerville said Chips the bobcat was rescued as an orphaned kitten last summer during a Plumas County wildfire and was soon found to be too friendly toward humans to release into the wild, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee reported Thursday.

"If you have a friendly bobcat in the wild, that's not going to work," said wildlife trainer Jill Tripoli, 56.

Tripoli said Chips has been introduced to a pair of rescued males, Tuffy and Sierra, who are doing a good job of hissing and being unfriendly toward humans. She said Chips receives a squirt from a water bottle when she is seen getting too friendly with a human.

Volunteers said they hope Chips will be ready to be released into the wild next spring alongside Tuffy and Sierra.

Man tried to rob Walmart with rifle

MORENO BEACH, Calif., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Authorities in California said a man who came into a Walmart with a rifle and asked for a manager was allegedly planning to rob the store.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which earlier said it did not know the rifle-toting man's intentions in the store, said the man who entered the Walmart in Moreno Beach with the rifle Monday asked for a manager and demanded the official open a money safe, The Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise reported Thursday.

Someone got on the store's public address system and said a robbery was in progress, and the man fled empty-handed before the safe could be opened.

Police said they used a tracker dog and a helicopter team in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the suspect.

Driver with feet out window comes forward

MELBOURNE, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Police in Australia said a man photographed driving a vehicle with both of his legs outside the window has come forward and spoken to officers.

Victoria Police said the man, whose name was not released, came forward following a public plea for him to contact police after a photograph was published of him driving on a Melbourne freeway with his feet hanging out the driver's side window, The Brisbane Herald Sun reported Thursday.

Investigators had earlier said the man was identified from the pictures and officers would visit his home if he did not come forward.

Police did not say whether the man will face charges.