In 2011, Florida was weird as only Florida can be

Lego man that washed up on Siesta Key beach? What about the man who walked into a bar, ordered a beer and disappeared for 30 minutes to rob a bank, only to return and finish his drink? Or how about ...In 2011, Florida was weird as only Florida can be

Police: Man ransomed purse for $200

CLEWISTON, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Florida authorities said they arrested a man who allegedly stole a woman's purse and demanded $200 for its return.Police: Man ransomed purse for $200

Free crack pipe program for addicts

Canada – Crack addicts in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have started receiving free crack pipes as part of a Vancouver Coastal Health Authority harm reduction strategy aimed at curbing the spread of disease. Part of a $60,000 trial project, the pipes are just one piece of drug paraphernalia found inside kits that have been distributed to users. The glass pipes are heat-resistant and shatterproof, which experts say should reduce injury to the users’ lips and mouth.  Full Article

Children bound with duct tape, hung upside down

Williams, Arizona – A northern Arizona couple have been arrested on suspicion of child abuse after allegedly posting pictures on Facebook of their children bound with duct tape. The 2-year-old and 10-month-old children were bound around their wrists and ankles and had their mouths closed with tape. One child was hung upside down on an exercise machine. Frankie and Kayla Almuina were arrested at their home in Williams, Ariz., after an anonymous tipster saw the photos on the mother’s Facebook page and called the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline. more

Whale sperm, orgasmic feet top 2011 bad science list (Reuters)

Reuters - From whale sperm to colon cleansers to the shape of a woman's foot when she has an orgasm, celebrities did not disappoint during 2011 with their penchant for peddling suspect science in the world's media.Whale sperm

Gun in purse goes off in Wyo. Starbucks

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Police in Wyoming said a gunshot reported at a Starbucks cafe was found to have originated from a juvenile's purse.Gun in purse goes off in Wyo. Starbucks

Beauty cream with bee stings in great demand

As bizarre as it may sound, beauty creams that contain bee stings are in huge demand in Britain as they reportedly prevent ageing by smoothing out wrinkles.Beauty cream with bee stings in great demand

Moms Plan “Nurse-In” at Target Stores

Chicago, Illinois – Nursing moms upset with breastfeeding preferences at Target stores will stage a “nurse-in” at locations in Chicago and across the country. Local moms say the demonstration is meant to raise awareness about controversies over nursing in public. This latest outcry, they say, stems from a recent incident in Texas. Houston mom Michelle Hickman apparently was nursing in a remote area of a Target store when staffers told her to move into a fitting room. Full Article

Man shot himself while sitting on toilet

New Haven, Connecticut – Police in Connecticut said a convicted felon will face charges after he admitted to accidentally shooting himself while on the toilet. New Haven police said they responded around 10 p.m. to an address where Darrel Johnson, 51, claimed to have been shot during a robbery attempt. However, Johnson admitted during questioning he accidentally shot himself in the leg when the gun fell from his waistband while he was using the toilet and fired off a round when it hit the floor.  Full Article

Multiple fights, 200 people, at Mall of America

Bloomington, Minnesota – Police arrested nine people at the Mall of America after multiple fights broke out. Mall of America officials released a statement saying that around 4:20 p.m. 50 juveniles caused a large disturbance in the north food court. Witnesses said the fights started after there were reports that rappers Lil’ Wayne and Drake were visiting the Mall. Police said as many as 200 were involved the fights.  Full Article

Creek won't be named for 'horse meat'

KALONA, Iowa, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Officials in an Iowa city said naming rights for a creek will be resold on eBay after the original winner tried to name it Japanese for "horse meat prohibited."Creek won't be named for 'horse meat'

Relative dressed as Santa Claus kills family

Grapevine, Texas – Six members of a Texas family apparently opened Christmas presents just before a relative dressed as Santa Claus showed up, opened fire and killed them before killing himself. Grapevine police spokesman Sgt. Robert Eberling said the shooter showed up in the Santa outfit shortly before gunfire erupted and was a member of the family. Police, after a 911 call, found four women and three men, aged 18 to 60, dead.  Full Article

Woman punches 70-year old Walmart greeter

Batavia, New York – A woman spent her Christmas in jail, after she allegedly punched a Walmart greeter as she left the store on Christmas Eve. Jacquetta Simmons, 26, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, State Police Trooper Tracy Patterson said. She faces a second count because the victim, Grace Suozzi, 70, is older than 65. Patterson said Simmons is accused of punching and knocking down Suozzi after the employee asked Simmons to see receipts for items the customer was carrying in store bags.  Full Article

No Christmas Card For First Time In 61 Years

Whitehouse, Texas – A Christmas card that has crisscrossed the country as part of an old joke between two Texas men will rest this holiday for the first time in 61 years. Acker Hanks said he mailed the card to his former neighbor and good friend Lee Kelley in 1950. Kelley, a prankster, mailed it back a year later. And so began a tradition that continued even after Kelley died; his widow loyally put the tattered message in the post for more than a decade. Last year, though, the card returned to Hanks unread. He believes Kelley’s widow, Rose Ann, has moved to a nursing home.  Full Article

Firearms on more wish lists this year

USA – Little Ralphie from the classic holiday movie “A Christmas Story” might have been onto something with his dreams of unwrapping a shiny new Red Ryder BB gun. Turns out, many Americans share the bespectacled, tow-headed boy’s desire for firepower. And they have made out their wish lists for Santa accordingly. FBI personal background checks, which are required before an individual can buy guns, hit an all-time high of 129,166. That figure shattered the previous record of 97,848, set in 2008, by 32 percent.  Full Article

Mother throws daughter’s corpse out with trash

Cleveland, Ohio – A woman was being held on $10,000 bond after reportedly telling police she threw her daughter’s body out with the trash. India Parker, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, is facing a charge of abuse of a corpse.Parker is at the centre of an investigation into the disappearance of her daughter, Kaliyah, 10. Relatives and friends have told police they haven’t seen Kaliyah since she was five in 2006. Parker had previously had at least one child taken away from her by social workers and subsequently returned to her.  Full Article