Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe World War I vet's widow to get benefits CARROLLTOWN, Pa., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania man said a congressman helped him obtain military benefits for his 110-year-old mother nearly 100 years after her husband served in World War I. Advertisement James Collins, 73, of Carrolltown said he applied in 2008 to get military befits for his mother, Alda, since his father, William, served as a cavalry sharpshooter in World War I, The Johnstown Daily American reported Monday. Collins, whose father died at the age of 81 in 1976, said he repeatedly checked on the status of his application and was told it was still processing. He finally sought help from Rep. Mark Critz, D-Pa., who was able to resolve the issue within months. Collins said his mother will now receive $25,000 in back benefits dating from when he filed the application and will receive $1,000 per month to help pay for her nursing home north of Ebensburg. Advertisement Suspects told to sit, wait for police YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A Michigan man interrupted a home invasion at a neighbor's house by ordering the alleged suspects to sit still until authorities arrived, police said. Hearing the sound of breaking glass on Saturday evening, the unnamed Ypsilanti Township, Mich., man checked his neighbor's house and saw one person leaving through a window and another standing by a patio door. He ordered both to sit and they did, a Washtenaw County, Mich., Sheriff's Office news release said. Dezman Makowski-Smith, 18, and Donte Smith, 17, were arrested and arraigned on charges of second-degree home invasion and malicious destruction of property, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday. Police: Man flashed gun in restaurant GAINESVILLE, Fla., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said they arrested a man accused of flashing a pistol while arguing with a woman inside a pancake restaurant. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office said Evander Tyran Lewis, 22, of Leesburg threatened to pull a "gat" while arguing with a woman inside the IHOP restaurant Sunday in Gainesville and lifted his shirt to reveal a black Glock pistol when the woman challenged his claim, The Gainesville Sun reported Monday. Advertisement "I'm from Leesburg ... I'll blow your head off," he allegedly told the woman. The woman told two deputies outside of the restaurant about the incident and Lewis was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a weapon and carrying a concealed weapon. Suspect climbed fences, hid in boat GAINESVILLE, Fla., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said a drug suspect who fled from officers on foot climbed over several fences before he was found hiding in a boat. Gainesville police said Markeith Archie, 26, was a passenger in a car that was pulled over Saturday and he fled on foot after a pill from his front pocket tested positive for the drug ecstasy, The Gainesville Sun reported Monday. Police said Archie, who allegedly threw a bag of crack cocaine while fleeing, climbed over several fences, including one 8 feet high and another 6 feet high, while running from officers. A K9 unit joined the chase and discovered Archie hiding under a tarp in a boat. Charges against Archie included burglary, damage to property, cocaine possession and trespassing.
