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NYC sorbet said effective flu treatment

NEW YORK, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A New York ice cream company unveiled a new treat it says is specially formulated for flu sufferers.

The Influenza Sorbet is a combination of lemon, spicy cayenne pepper and a healthy dose of Maker's Mark bourbon whiskey that will clear the sinuses and soothe scratchy throats.

Jeni Britton Bauer, owner of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, told the New York Post her sorbet, derived from an old family remedy, has been getting rave reviews.

"People tell me it's the only thing that makes them feel better," she said.

Bauer said a key ingredient is a dash of pectin, which is used in cough drops and helps coat raw throats.

"It's just what some people need," she said.

The Post said physicians and health officials aren't calling Influenza Sorbet a cure for the flu and advised New Yorkers to get a flu shot.

Subway: 'Footlong' just a name, not a size

NEW YORK, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. restaurant chain Subway said this week its Footlong brand is the name of a sandwich line, not a guarantee each sandwich is a foot long.

The chain said on its Australian Facebook page there is no guarantee each footlong sub would measure 12 inches.

"Subway Footlong is a registered trademark as a descriptive name for the sub sold in Subway Restaurants and not intended to be a measurement of length," the statement said.

ABC News said a tempest started brewing when an Australian teenager went online to state he had measured a sandwich he had purchased at Subway and found it to be 11 inches in length.

The revelation led the New York Post to confirm not-quite foot-longs were being sold in the Big Apple.

Subway told ABC it strives for a 12-inch bun but the vagaries of commercial baking make it difficult to guarantee the results 100 percent of the time.

Grandma allegedly cooperated with burglars

MEDFORD, N.J., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman has been charged with allowing two of her grandchildren and their 20-something friends to use her home as a base for burglary.

Lorraine Bleckley, 78, of Medford, N.J., was arrested with Kenneth Bleckley Jr., 24, and Cynthia Bleckley, 21, WCAU-TV in Philadelphia reported. She faces one count of maintaining a nuisance.

The younger Bleckleys are charged with conspiracy to commit burglary. Kristina McLeod and Jeffery Simpkins, both 23, are charged with burglary and other crimes.

Investigators say the group stole more than $26,000 in cash and jewelry in a series of break-ins in two Medford developments in October and November.

Bleckley allegedly allowed her grandchildren and the others to stay at her house, using it as a "home base."

NYC 'slave' gets a break in stalking case

NEW YORK, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A New York judge told a so-called sex slave the stalking allegations against her would be dismissed if she stayed out of trouble for the next six months.

Frankie Santiago, 27, was charged with harassment and other counts for allegedly stalking former boyfriend Edward Sonderling, a 53-year-old investment banker who apparently had turned his attentions to another woman, the New York Post said.

The Post said the couple had been in a relationship involving sexual domination of Santiago by Sonderling.

Sources told the Post Santiago was given an "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal" ruling last month.