FYI THANKSGIVING

 1621 à Plymouth Pilgrims dined with the Wampanoag Indians for the very first Thanksgiving.  There were 50 pilgrims, 90 Native Americans and ONLY 5 women.  The “festivities” lasted THREE days.

1622 à Pumpkin pie made its way to the table (although its ingredients were extremely scarce).

1663 à Cranberry sauce was introduced to the meal.

October 1777 à ALL 13 colonies celebrated (for the FIRST time).  This was to commemorate a victory over the British @ Saratoga.

1789à President George Washington declared a National Day of Thanksgiving (which several citizens wanted).  There were also several in the US that did NOT want this day (including Thomas Jefferson – “the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard.”).

1827 à Sarah Josepha Hale (a magazine editor and author of ‘Mary had a Little Lamb’) campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday.

1863 à President Lincoln made it a public holiday for the very first time.  Up to this point, President’s would choose whether or not to proclaim it and when to do so.  Thomas Jefferson NEVER proclaimed it a holiday.  James Madison proclaimed it a few times but NEVER in the fall.

President Lincoln – 1939 à Each President during this time frame proclaimed Thanksgiving and declared it celebrated on the 4^th Thursday of November.

1924 à The Macy’s Parade began with live animals (many borrowed from the Central Park Zoo). 

1934 à GA Richards bought the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, moved them to Detroit where they became the Lions.  Richards scheduled a home game against the (defending champions) Chicago Bears.  That SOLD-OUT game gave birth to the NFL on Turkey Day.

1939, 1940 & 1941à President Franklin D.  Roosevelt declared Thanksgiving to be the THIRD Thursday in November in order to extend the holiday shopping season.  (Surprisingly….this just made people upset).

1941à Congress OFFICIALLY voted Thanksgiving a National Holiday and declared that it would be celebrated on the FOURTH Thursday in the month of November.

1947 à President Truman began the tradition of the “Presidential Turkey Pardon”.  He sent his pardoned turkeys to Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA.  (The traditional now involves TWO turkeys, in case the 1rst turkey becomes unavailable.  US citizens actually vote on the name for the pardoned bird).  This year, President Obama pardoned Courage and sent him off to live out his days at Disneyland.

1953 à Swanson started creating TV dinners because they needed to do something with 260 tons of frozen turkeys leftover from Thanksgiving.   

1955 à Campbell’s introduced the green bean casserole to the annual meal.

1960’sà “Black Friday” is said to have begun in Philly. 

Halloween Tales

  

Urban Legend or Truth?

Hanged Accidentally

Charlotte, NC – In 1990, William Anthony Odem (15) and his friends got permission to stage a haunted house in the basement of his aunt’s home.  The Halloween party attraction was decorated with faux spider webs, plastic bats, gallows and more.  The latter article of décor proved to be deadly.  While staging the gallows, the noose tightened around Odem and he was strangled. 

     The teen was pronounced dead the following day after being discovered laying in the webs and bats meant frighten his intended guests.

Chicago, IL – Also in 1990, 17 year old Brian Jewell was working for a haunted hayride.  Each night that the ride was open, Jewel would give a frightening speech to riders as they passed by.  One night in particular, the driver of the tractor noticed that Jewel had not given his nightly speech intended to send chills down the passenger’s spines. 

     Earlier that Saturday, passengers were thrilled and Jewell was NOT harmed.  The equipment is said to have been checked REGULARLY and there was NO sign of foul play (after an autopsy was completed).  The noose used by Jewell was not one that was to tighten.  It remains a mystery as to how Jewell was hanged, especially since his feet were touching the ground. 

Sparta, MI – In 2001, Caleb Rebh (14) was permitted to volunteer as part of the entertainment for a haunted hayride.  According to his mother, Rebh REALLY wanted to work at the hayride.  She had taken her son to Alpine Ridge Farms in order to speak with the Bradly’s (the owners of the farms) regarding a job for Rebh.  When told that they had all of the workers that they needed for the evening, the young Caleb stated that he wanted to stay and did NOT need to be paid, that he simply wanted to be a part of the festivities.  Later that evening, his mother received a call from him.  Caleb told her that he would indeed be used for the night and that he wanted “to be scarier to the passersby”.

     Caleb began the night working a post that hosted a coffin.  He really didn’t know what to do and simply yelled out “BOO” to the people as they passed.  At some point, he was able to switch posts with another worker.  This is how he came to the post with a skeleton hanging from a noose.  Rebh decided that to up the fright factor he would swing from the noose in place of the skeleton.  Unfortunately, he underestimated his weight and ability to prevent his own suffocation.

    As he struggled for air, guests and fellow workers stood by and watched believing that he was acting while executing a Halloween prank.

Double Murder

Napa Valley, CA – Halloween Night 2004 began with three [female] roommates passing out candy to trick-or-treaters and enjoying a fairly laid back evening.  Around 10:30pm, the trio retreated to bed, only for one to be awakened later that night to screams and the sound of glass breaking.  The startled woman ran from the house only to return later to her roommates stabbed to death. 

    It was later discovered that the murderer was the fiancé of one of the roommates who had become insanely jealous of the trio’s friendship.

Ultimate Halloween Prank

Neighborhood kids came together and thought that it would be great to get a dummy any behead it.  Well, Susan and John Buckley thought it would be even better to behead THEIR MOTHER.  The two did just that.  When a group of trick-or-treaters figured out that the beheaded “decoration” was a REAL PERSON, they notified police.  The duo fled the home and the body was said to be discovered…..half eaten.

JB Double.....Jell-O 9-1-1...........Bomb Hoax

I AM UN-BE-LIEB-ABLE

   

  What would you do with $100,000?  Well, Toby Sheldon (33) thought that the best use of $100,000 and five years was to have plastic surgery in order to turn himself into his idol, Justin Bieber.  Yes…..his idol….and YES, he is 33.  Although the Bieb’s himself is ONLY 18 and the vast majority of his fans are just now migrating into high school……..this uber fan has put their crazed fandemonium to shame.

     How the money was raised/earned remains a mystery, due to Sheldon being labeled as a “songwriter” but no actual credits have surfaced for him.   Either way, he has spent the past half-decade attempting to turn himself into the ex-beau of Selena Gomez.

      The British “songwriter” had Botox injections, hair implants and “smile surgery”. 

     “It’s Justin’s smile that gives him his youthful look.  So I had my upper lip lifted [and] my bottom lip plumped out.” – Sheldon (to the ‘Crown).

Cancellation.....Bomb Style

     Neil McArdie (36) showed himself to be less than diligent when it came to his April wedding.   Rather than admit to his lovely bride, Amy Williams, that he [simply] forgot to fill out the paperwork at Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall…….McArdie woke up on the day of his wedding and called in a bogus bomb threat to the venue.  Williams was forced to stand outside in the street in her gown as the building was evacuated.  The staff was mortified beyond words……since his hoax came just days after the catastrophic Boston Marathon Bombings.

     Later in the day, McArdie was arrested and admitted that he had made the call due to his forgetfulness.   This past week he was sentenced to 12 months via the Liverpool Crown Court.  According to the prosecutor, McArdie stated SEVERAL times that he was embarrassed and ashamed of his actions.  Judge Norman Wright had the following to say about McArdie’s antics/behavior, “She was getting ready, expecting you were going to be man and wife and a very solemn public event in her life and you knew that was not going to take place……You did not say ‘We need to talk.’ You tried to weasel your way out by creating a bomb hoax so the wedding would not take place.”

     If you are wondering……..Ms. Williams is STILL with Mr. McArdie.  Let us hope that the next attempt at nuptials goes more as planned.

9-1-1 PUDDING CALL

   

  A 39 year old employee of Wakenfern Food Corp called 9-1-1 (on 10.10.2013) to report the theft of his Jell-O brand strawberry Jell-O snack from the break room.  According to the victim this was NOT the first time that this has happened.  As of date, police have yet to apprehend the Jell-O snack thief. 

No Longer Dead, Double Trained, and Penis Rescue

I’m NOT Dead Anymore……I Promise

A Findley, Ohio man was told that the 1994 ruling declaring him legally dead…….can NOT be overturned.  YUP….that is correct, although Donald Miller, Jr (61) stood in court (appearing of sound mind and body)…….he was informed by Hancock County Probate Judge Allan Davis that there is a 3 year limit to have a death declaration overturned. 

     “We’ve got the obvious here. A man sitting in the court room… I don’t know where that leaves you, but you’re still deceased as far as the law is concerned,” Judge Davis. 

    Let us recap…….Miller VANISHED from his home in 1994! It was 2005 before Miller RESURFACED in Ohio and decided that he no longer wished to be (declared) dead.   He went to court in order to obtain a driver’s license.  His ex-wife (Robin Miller) did NOT agree with his decision to alert the courts, etc. to him NOT being dead………..she objected because she does NOT have the money to repay Social Security for the benefits they paid out to her and the couple’s 2 children.  According to Robin, Miller vanished in 1994 because he owed $26,000 in child support payments. 

     Miller on the other hand claims that he disappeared in the 1980’s because he was an alcoholic who lost his job.  His parents informed him that he was dead when he returned from hiding in Florida and Georgia. 

“It kind of went further than expected it to.” – Donald Miller, Jr.

   

     According to Judge Davis, Miller can challenge the Social Security Administration in Federal Court…….BUT surprise, surprise…….Miller does NOT have the (financial) resources to do so. 

Double Train Survivor

    

     Police in Utah are in shock these days…….truly unable to believe what they recently witnessed.  Police were pursuing a Mercedes when it drove onto train tracks and was HIT by a passing train.  Officers rushed to the car to assist the driver, when…..before a horn could be heard……ANOTHER train hit the SAME CAR.

     MIRACULOUSLY…..the driver of the car’s injuries were: A BROKEN ARM.  By the way, the FIRST train was ALREADY headed southbound when the FEMALE driver collided with it.

50 Shades of Red

       The London Fire Brigade has launched a public shaming campaign in hopes that it will (ultimately) ELIMINATE embarrassing emergency calls and “rescues”.  The campaign takes its name from the popular erotic novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey” due to the Brigade’s theory that the influx of erotic emergency rescues may be due to the novel’s popularity. 

    According to data, the Brigade has responded to the following:

·        416 stuck body parts (2010-2011)

·        441 stuck body parts (2011-2012)

·        453 stuck body parts (2012-2013)

79 of the people rescued where wearing handcuffs that they could not remove themselves.  There was also a quite memorable incident where EMS had to rescue a man’s penis from a vacuum cleaner.  Cookware and oils have been reasons why emergency services have been called upon by people as well. 

     The campaign INCLUDES responders taking to Twitter to inform of the emergent requests made by people lacking the good sense NOT to stick body parts in places NOT meant for them. 

     Emergency agencies in the US do not seem quite as ready as London is to publicly address these types of calls/rescues.  Although there have been instances where large METAL rings have become LODGED around men’s private areas and there have ALSO been occasions where PLASMA CUTTERS have been used to free individuals from items they were using for erotic pleasuring. 

Kidnapping, Government Sex Toys and Poop..........

Guy’s Night out Kidnapping

 Edinburg, Texas: Rogelio Andaverde (34) wanted to hang out with his friends last Tuesday……….BUT, he was soooooo afraid to tell his wife this that he faked his own kidnapping.  Around 10:30pm, Andaverde’s friends entered his home wearing ski masks with guns and removed him “by force” from the home.  His wife was home at the time and she immediately contacted police.  The police scoured the neighborhood looking for the kidnappers and Andaverde. 

     Authorities began to question the validity of the kidnapping when NO leads surfaced and Andaverde RETURNED HOME LATER THE SAME NIGHT.  Upon his return, he told his wife that the kidnappers showed him mercy and simply let him go.  Andaverde did FINALLY confessed to orchestrating the kidnapping so that he could have a guy’s night out and that option was less frightening than telling his wife his intended plans.

     Police are currently looking for his faux-nappers for questioning and Andaverde has been charged with filing a false police report.

Cum into Your Furlough

     Are you a government employee that has been furloughed? Need something to do with your current abundance of free time? www.Vibrators.com wants to help you not have idle hands.  How? They are giving away (up to) 200 sex toys DAILY during the course of the shutdown.  The free 5-inch pink vibrator may be just what the doctor order to keep the furloughed calm and occupied. 

     The giveaway began in lukewarm fashion this past Friday…….ONLY 400 were dispensed over the weekend.   According to Tom Nardone, the president of PriveCo (the company that runs Vibrators.com), even if the shutdown lasts until December, the company will be able to keep up with the furlough demand.

"We buy them by the pallet," he said. "I think right now we have 17,000 of them on hand. So I was like, maybe we should give a free vibrator to federal employees. … And someone else said, 'that sounds like a good idea, they've got nothing to do.'

  When placing an order for the free ‘stress reliever’, the site does NOT force visitors to verify whether or not they are government employees.  When placing the order the site description “attests "Karma will get" any non-gov employees who exploit the offer.”

*Currently SOLD OUT for Tuesday.*

Pooptastic Fabric Softener

Yale University: Students at Saybrook College are on the lookout for a person (or persons) that have been adding human feces to the dryers in the laundry facility on campus.  Authorities state that they are searching for the culprit(s)………students have decided to stand guard at the facility in order to cease the dried feces laundry scandal.

     

     

How to Help Boston

Ways to Get and Give Help

Need to Locate People?

Boston Police Help Line – (If you are looking for information regarding friends or family injured in the blasts) (617)635.4500

Boston Marathon Athlete Tracker – (Find runners via bib number.  Find out if they finished the race and when) www.raceday.baa.org/individual.html

Need to be Located?

Red Cross (Register yourself as “safe and well”) -https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

Need Lodging?

Fill out the form via - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r2dbf7q2sIiiQWynPNgH74qNeheNycTyk7hXue9AJhs/viewform

Offering Lodging?

Fill out the form via - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dqIKVq6IqX4BVXqOW_a9-qmXt1KJ_4Nu3NPNnC1g1mw/viewform

Want to Donate?

Donate to the Richard family who lost their precious Martin Richard (8) - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoaN_Oln6zTcdHFTMUJRcHRHMGxTWmtRTi00ZGFad1E#gid=0

Blood donations – Due to an outpouring, all facilities are asking that if would like to donate, please schedule an appointment in the upcoming weeks. www.blooddonor@partners.org

Via Twitter – #BostonHelp is being used to collect donations and gather/report factual information.

Have Tips/Pics/Video Regarding the Blasts?

Boston Police Tip Line – (800)494.TIPS Task Line – (617)223.6610 or email – boston@ci.fbi.gov

Community Members that want to offer help – (800)Call.FBI

General Information

https://www.facebook.com/TheBostonMarathon

20 Boston Marathon Facts

Here are some facts regarding the Boston Marathon.  Just a few things to remind you of the joy of the race, as your news feeds and airways are force feeding you the sadness of the day.

1.       The Marathon is run each year on Patriots’ Day.  Patriots’ Day is a Massachusetts state holiday that commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolution that took place at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.  The holiday is celebrated on the Monday closest to the 19^th. (The event attracts, on average, 500,000 spectators and 20,000 participants).

2.       It is 1 0f 6 marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors (a competition for marathon runners).  Majors marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

3.       The Marathon was inspired by the 1896 Olympics and officially began the following year in 1897.  It is the world’s annual marathon.

4.       1966 - Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb is recognized as the first female to run the race in its entirety.

5.       1967 – Although women were not [officially] permitted to run, Kathrine Switzer registered as K.V. Switzer and successfully ran the race.  Race official, Jock Semple, attempted to rip off her numbers and eject her from the race.

6.       1972 – Women were officially permitted to enter the race. 

7.       1975 - Bob Hall wrote race director Will Cloney to ask if he could compete in the race in his wheelchair. Cloney wrote back that he could not give Hall a race number, but would recognize Hall as an official finisher if he completed the race in under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Hall finished in 2 hours and 58 minutes, paving the way for the wheelchair division.

8.       1980 - Amateur runner Rosie Ruiz came from out of nowhere to win the women's race. Marathon officials became suspicious when it was found Ruiz did not appear in race videotapes until near the end of the race. A subsequent investigation concluded that Ruiz had skipped most of the race and blended into the crowd about one mile (1.6 km) from the finish line, where she then ran to her apparent victory. Ruiz was officially disqualified, and the winner was proclaimed to be Canadian Jacqueline Gareau.

9.       1986 - The first financial prize was awarded.  Previously, the prize was a wreath woven of olive branches. This change came after sponsors were added to combat professional runners refusing to run minus cash prizes. 

10.   1990 - Men’s Masters Record: John Campbell (New Zealand), 2:11:04

11.   1994 - Women’s Push Rim Wheelchair Record: Jean Driscoll (United States), 1:34:22

12.   2002 – Margaret Okayo (Kenya) set the woman’s course record at 2:20:43. 

13.   2002 - Women’s Masters Record: Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova (Russia), 2:27:58  

14.   2011 – Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya) set the men’s course record at 2:03:02.  It was not recognized as a world record due to the course route allowing for tailwind.

15.   2012 – Rick Hoyt (50), who has cerebral palsy, completed his 30^th Boston Marathon along side his father, Dick (72).  Dick was pushing Rick in his wheelchair.

16.   2012 - Men’s Push Rim Wheelchair Record: Joshua Cassidy (Canada), 1:18:25.

17.   2012 – Samuel Adams released its “Adams 26.2” as a commemorative lager with less alcohol content for exclusive purchase at the Marathon.

18.   2013 – Race dedicated to the victims of the Newtown shooting.

2013 start times –

9:00 a.m.: Mobility Impaired Program

9:17 a.m.: Push Rim Wheelchair Division

       9:22 a.m.: Handcycle Participants

       9:32 a.m.: Elite Women

      10:00 a.m.: Elite Men and Wave One

      10:20 a.m.: Wave Two

      10:40 a.m.: Wave Three

19.   On only four occasions have world record times for marathon running been set in Boston.   In 1947, the men's record time set was 2:25:39, by Suh Yun-Bok of South Korea. In 1975, a women's world record of 2:42:24 was set by Liane Winter of West Germany, and in 1983, Joan Benoit Samuelson of the United States ran a women's world record time of 2:22:43. In 2012 Joshua Cassidy of Canada set a men's wheelchair marathon world-record time of 1:18:25.

20.   The Boston Marathon Memorial in Copley Square, not far from the finish line, was installed to mark the one-hundredth running of the race. A circle of granite blocks set in the ground surrounds a central medallion that traces the race course and other segments that show an elevation map of the course and the names of the winners.

The Celebrity Edition

Anne Frank a Belieber?

     Justin Bieber (19) is under heavy scrutiny for his guest book entry at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam –

          “Truly inspiring to be able to come here.  Anne was a great girl.  Hopefully she would have been a belieber.”

          The tourist site shared his entry on its official FaceBook page and that is when the whirlwind of stomach turning began.  No one knows what prompted Bieber to end his entry with “Hopefully she would have been a belieber” and it does not look as if anyone will any time soon.  The Bieber Camp will NOT be issuing a statement according to a source close to the camp.  Silence can be golden, but for Bieber….its s little too late.

**Most popular response to his comment – “Can anyone be more self-obsessed?”

      BUUUUUUUUTTTTT…that is NOT what makes this news weird…..what makes this the star of the weird ball is that the museum is….wait for it…..DEFENDING BIEBER.  The comment was posted to the FaceBook page appears to have occurred due to the amount of beliebers that were outside the museum during his weekend visit.  According to a museum spokesperson, “His comments were quite innocent.  He was here for more than an hour and interested in Anne frank’s life and that for us is the most important thing.”

     All in all, I guess having publicity drummed up by the person who carries the most Twitter followers in the world is better than making sure that Anne Frank’s memory is not disrespected.  Maybe if Justin was a regular 19 year old, they would have taken a different stance.

Aubrey Plaza = the New Kanye?

 As Will Ferrell, dressed in a dollar-bill fabric suit, was giving his acceptance speech (MTV Golden Popcorn Comedic Genius award), Parks and Recreation star, Aubrey Plaza stepped out onto the stage.  Plaza had the name of her upcoming movie (The To Do List) written across her chest, alcohol on her breath, carrying a drink and wearing no shoes.  She proceeded to try to take the trophy from Ferrell.  When Ferrell would not let go of the trophy, Plaza put her head down and left the stage.  When she reached her seat in the front row, she spilled her drink and sat down.  Moments later, the show’s producers had her escorted from the building.  Hours after the show ended, Plaza tweeted, “thanks for the advice @kanyewest went better than planned!” 

         After Plaza left the stage, Ferrell simply said, “Aubrey Plaza everyone.  Just like we rehearsed it. Perfect, it was perfect.  Not too long, not too short.  Right on the money.”  The show’s producers continue to state that there was no skit/stunt/prank planned or spoken of.  

     “I think she wanted to tell me something important, but there was no message.  It was a lot of hot liquor breath.  And, then, and a little bit of sweat.  And then she ran away.  But the ship sailed on” – Will Ferrell backstage.

Pubic Razor of Love

     This past Saturday, while working out Gotham Gym (West Village, NYC) Hugh Jackman (44) was approached by Kathleen Thurston (47).  Thurston ran past the front desk, hysterically shouting that she loved Jackman.  As tears poured down her face she continued to run towards the X-Men star.  Mike Castle (a trainer at the gym) was able to stop Thurston before she reached Jackman.  When he stepped into ‘the line of fire’, she pulled out an electric razor (full of her own pubic hair) from her waistband which soon fell out of Thurston’s hands. 

     Thurston was able to flee the scene, but was apprehended by police a few blocks away from the gym.  It is apparent that Thurston had been stalking Jackman at his west Village gym.  Jackman is said to be fine after the incident.

Best April Fool’s Day Pranks

Taco Liberty Bell

   In 1996, the Taco Bell Corporation (TBC) took out full page adds in SIX major newspapers to announce that it had purchased the Liberty Bell.  TBC also announced that it would be changing the name of the historic staple to the ‘Taco Liberty Bell’.  Needless to say, hundreds of calls from outraged patriots were placed to the National Historic Park of Philadelphia (the home of the Liberty Bell).  Tensions calmed when after a few hours of the hoaxes birth, TBC revealed that the sale was merely a prank. 

   When asked about the sale, White House Press Secretary, Mike McCurry stated that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would now be called the “Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial”.

Not Nixing Nixon

    Talk of the Nation (a National Public Radio show) revealed that Richard Nixon would be running for office AGAIN.  According to the show, his new slogan was to be “I didn’t do anything wrong and I won’t do it again.”  The reports were accompanied by audio of Nixon giving his candidacy speech………well so thought listeners.  The show’s host, John Hockenberry, received tons of calls from listeners who were not shy about expressing their shock and OUTRAGE regarding Nixon attempting to take office again. 

     During the second half of the show, Hockenberry revealed that the announcement was a hoax and the audio came by way of Nixon impersonator and comedian, Rich Little.

Biblical Pi in Alabama

     An article written by physicist, Mark Boslough claiming that the Alabama Legislature had voted to change the mathematical value of pi from 3.14159 to the ‘Biblical value’ of 3.0 ended up going viral in 1998.  Boslough wrote the article for an issue of New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter and it was intended as a parody in regards to Alabama’s attempts to circumscribe the teaching of evolution. 

  The “changing” of the mathematical value spread across the web and via email swiftly, resulting in the Alabama Legislature being flooded with calls concerning the alteration.

Have it the Left-Handed Way

       Burger King published a full page add in USA Today, introducing their new ‘Left-Hand Whopper’.  The new sandwich was said to have all of the same ingredients as a traditional whopper, with a twist…..all of the condiments would be rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of the 32 billion left-handed Americans.  Thousands of people were reported to have requested the left-handed whopper and there were even requests for a right-handed version.

   The following day, Burger King placed another add revealing that the sandwich was simply a hoax.

Premature Virgin Hoax

    Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Records, wanted to combine his love of ballooning with his love of pranks.  Therefore in 1989 he created a balloon to resemble a UFO and wore a metallic suit (in order to appear alien), Branson planned to land his craft in London’s Hyde Park on April 1^st.  Due to wind conditions, he was forced to land on March 31^st in the wrong direction.

    Motorists driving along a highway on the outside of London noticed the ‘UFO’ descending.  Many pulled to the side of the rode in order to witness the “alien invasion”.  A few called local police.  Once officers arrived on the scene, ONE began to approach the craft, but when Branson emerged wearing a metallic suit, the officer fled in fear.

“It all began at Kmart"

*Maryland*

     A shirtless man (later identified as Clifton Rodney Duncan Jr., 32) used a crowbar to destroy a glass door at Kmart (in the 200 block of North Point Boulevard).  At approximately 2:20 pm [last Wednesday] Duncan allegedly approached a man in the parking lot and threatened him and claimed to have a gun.  From the store, Duncan fled [by car] to a neighborhood in Colegate, where he broke into a home in the 7700 block of Eastdale Road by using a flower pot. When officers called out to him to exit the premises, Duncan replied, “Get back – I have a gun!” 

    Duncan did NOT surrender at the house; he left through the back door and ran into the Winner Distributing Company (600 block of Canter Center Drive).  The Baltimore County Police Tactical Team responded by this time and he was yet again ordered out.  About 45 people were evacuated and 5 remained inside but had NO contact with Duncan.  The five were in another part of the building but were unable to leave, that is until officers were able to obtain additional information on him (which took 2 ½ hours). 

    The area around the facility was secured, which included locking down the Colegate Elementary School.  This lockdown consisted of the school being put into “alert mode” , the doors were locked and dismissal for the 250 students was delayed.  Also locked down at the time (and evacuated) was the Kmart where it all began as officers scrambled to gather information on Duncan. It was also discovered during this time that Duncan had stolen a knife from the home and ammunition and narcotics were found in his vehicle. 

     By 6:46pm, police entered the Winner facility after Duncan opened the door to the office in which he had [previously] barricaded himself into.  According to reports, he showed no indication that he would leave the facility of his own free will.  Officers subdued him with a Taser and were able to find and secure the knife he had stolen and used to injure himself with.  After being removed from the facility, he was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, to be treated for injuries that were classified as “non-life threatening”.

   Duncan is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center with his bail set at $350,000.  His faces the following charges: burglary, theft, destruction of property, trespassing and five counts of false imprisonment.  His trial is set to begin on April 12^th.

   

“Weird in Iowa”

Doughnuts Lead to Disaster

     Ian Waseskuk (18) of Urbandale was doing doughnuts in his car in the parking lot of a church just before he crashed into the church’s air conditioning unit.  When his car crashed it caught fire and Wassekuk was knocked unconscious.  Police were able to pull him from the wreckage before any additional injuries occurred.  The entire incident was caught on the officer’s dash cam.

Rodeo Weed

     Rodeo clown, Rory Meeks (55) of Marion was recently convicted of growing more than 1,000 marijuana plants from 2004-2011.  He was supplementing his clown income with the product and now faces a possible punishment of 20 years or more in prison. 

Cell Phone Soft Porn

     Kevin Kay Robinson (30) of Tripoli has been charged with 2 serious misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy-nudity.  Robinson was arrested for allegedly using his cell phone to film 2 women in the nude WITHOUT their permission.  According to police, Robinson was seen by “one victim holding a cell phone over a wall while she tanning in an adjoining room.”  It was after his arrest that officers were able to examine his phone and that is when they found the footage of the second victim.

Spidey Sighting

     Three Spider-Man statues were spotted duct-taped to the side of the newly remodeled Iowa State University’s Integrated Visual Arts and Design on Main office.  The way that the statues were taped to the side of the building, it looked as if the multiplied Spidies was crawling up the side of the building on their way to the second floor. 

Drunken Car Theft

     A 42 year old Johnston man reported that his car was stolen on March 10th while it was parked in the parking lot of Doc’s Lounge.  According to witnesses, the car thief appeared to be drunk.  No word on how the intoxicated man was able to enter and steal the car while impaired.

Random Weirdness in Johnston    

**03.05 à Michael Burns (44) and Bret Roberts (45) were cited for dog running at large.

**03.08 à A 13-year-old boy reported a theft from his locker at Johnston Middle School. A male subject was identified and returned the item. Parents of the victim did not want to press charges.

 **03.07à A 27-year-old man reported being scammed by someone claiming to be from Homeland Security requiring money.

Epic Helicopter Escapes…….Sort of

The French Canadian Express

     Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau (36) and Danny Provencal (33) escaped Sunday (2:20pm) from the Saint-Jerome jail (northeast of Montreal) by climbing a rope and then entering a hovering helicopter.  The duo was recaptured by Monday about   30 miles north of the jail along with the two that assisted in their escape.  Provencal was the ONLY one that put up a bit of a fight.  Police were in negotiations with Provencal (who had barricaded himself) until after midnight Sunday.   

 

French Fried Love

     Nadine Vaujour took helicopter lessons in order to break her husband out of prison.  Michel Vaujour, her husband, was serving time for attempted murder and armed robbery and Nadine was not in the mindset to live out her life without him.  Therefore, in May 1986, Michel made his way to the roof of a Parisian prison by using nectarines that were painted to look like grenades.  Nadine picked him up in a helicopter and the two landed in a football field and drove away.  Unfortunately for the love sick duo, their life together was very short lived.  Nadine was found and arrested in southwestern France and Michel was shot in the head in the midst of a failed bank robbery.

The Mexican Escape

     In 1971, NY native, Joel David Kaplan escaped a Mexican prison yard via helicopter.  Kaplan was serving time after being accused of killing his Mexico City business partner.  Kaplan has ALWAYS proclaimed that he was innocent of the crime.  He has NEVER been recaptured or returned to Mexico.  His escape inspired the book, “The 10-Second Jailbreak: The Helicopter Escape of Joel Kaplan” as well as the 1975 movie, “Breakout”.

Frequent Flier Points

     Record holder for planning the most escapes via helicopter is Pascal Payet, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  This French native began his usage of helicopters as a form an escape when he fled a Luynes prison in 2001.  In 2003, while a fugitive still, he assisted fellow inmates of the prison he escaped from in their own escape using the same escape plan.  He was caught [eventually] and escaped yet again via a chopper that was high jacked by four other men.  Payet and the four escaped without harming the pilot.

Birds of a Feather

     Nordin Ben Allal had NO plans to have others join him in his helicopter escape in 2007.  So when his accomplices landed at the Belgian prison he was serving his time at and other inmates forced their way onboard……..he knew his planning may have been for not.  The extra weight caused the helicopter to spin out of control causing the pilot and several [attempted] escapees to be injured.  Ben Allal was still able to escape only to be recaptured.

Get Em To the Greek

     This past February, convicted murderer, Panagiotis Viastos, attempted to escape via chopper with the help of accomplices.  According to reports, the accomplices hovered over the Greek prison attempting to liberate Viastos via a rope and unleashing a hail of AK-47 shots toward the prison’s guards. The guards fired back, to the ‘surprise’ of the accomplices.   During the botched attempt, Viastos was shot and the chopper ended up having to land in the prison’s parking lot.