UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Dog enters Texas governor race

AUSTIN, Texas, July 7 (UPI) -- Officials with the Texas gubernatorial campaign of Woodrow the dog said the canine's candidacy is aimed at bringing awareness to animal issues.

Lorri Michel of Austin, who adopted Woodrow as a puppy from the Town Lake Animal Center in 2006, said the campaign -- which bears the slogan: "How ruff can it be?" -- is aimed at drawing attention to the struggles of Texas dogs and cats in need of loving homes, KVUE-TV, Austin, reported Wednesday.

"The hope that Woodrow brings is real, and it's tangible and it's strategic," Michel said. "The one thing that Woodrow has shown me is the truth in the saying that it is in giving that we really receive."

Woodrow, who faces "ruff" opposition from neck-in-neck competitors Rick Perry, the incumbent Republican, and Democrat Bill White, has received a valuable endorsement from Kinky Friedman, a humorist and former independent gubernatorial candidate.

"Woodrow is not an incumbent, and he hasn't even been indicted yet. So I don't think I'm going to regret this endorsement," Friedman said.

Michel said Woodrow's campaign is raising money for Austin Pets Alive, a charity for homeless animals.

Police: Teeth a sex for money dealbreaker

GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 7 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said they arrested a woman who allegedly snatched a man's money after he decided not to pay her for sex because of her teeth.

Gainesville police said Dan Alford and Jennifer Elder, 25, both told officers they had discussed the possibility of eating a spaghetti dinner and having sex after Alford honked his horn at Elder and another woman at about 7 p.m. Monday, The Gainesville Sun reported Wednesday.

Police Cpl. Tscharna Senn said negotiations came to a halt "when Elder smiled and (Alford) saw the extent of her dental issues (as perceived by him)."

Senn said Alford then called the discussion off, leading Elder to allegedly snatch a checkbook containing $78 from his shirt pocket and flee.

Elder, who claims she ran off when Alford tucked money into her bra, was arrested at her home. She was charged with robbery by sudden snatching and taken to the Alachua County jail.

Mich. kids celebrate Mud Day

WESTLAND, Mich., July 7 (UPI) -- Michigan's Wayne County marked local holiday Mud Day with hordes of children playing in a mud pit created from 200 tons of dirt and 20,000 gallons of water.

The Tuesday event, at Hines Park in Westland, featured nearly 1,000 children ranging from toddlers to preteens splashing, rolling and racing in the 1 1/2-foot deep pit to cool off from the 90-degree heat, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.

"It's the one time that a youngster can get muddy and their parents won't get mad," Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said.

Christopher Salutes, 11, of Livonia, and Nina Temple, 10, of Clarkston, were named king and queen of Mud Day after making themselves muddy enough to stand out from the pack.

"I kept piling it on until it started to fall off," said Salutes, who was celebrating his first Mud Day.

Police: Man took tractor to buy beer

LAND O'LAKES, Fla., July 7 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said a man pulled over on a stolen tractor told deputies he took the vehicle to make a beer run.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said Heath Cannon, 43, was pulled over on Wisteria Loop in Land O'Lakes at about 11 p.m. Friday while driving a $15,000 tractor reported stolen from a roadside construction site, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Wednesday.

Deputies said Cannon, who has previous convictions for theft, loitering and prowling, smelled strongly of alcohol.

"I'm sorry, I drove the tractor to the RaceTrac to buy a beer," a sheriff's office report quotes Cannon as telling deputies.

Cannon was arrested in connection with the theft of the tractor and charged with possession of burglary tools. He was taken to the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.