Man claims Va. deputies beat him for burping
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — A Roanoke man claims sheriff's deputies beat him in the city jail because of his burping. Thomas Scott Vandegrift made the allegations in a federal lawsuit filed last week against several deputies, the city, the sheriff's office and the sheriff. According to the lawsuit, the deputies were annoyed by Vandegrift's burping, which was caused by acid reflux. Vandegrift was being held at the jail on a drunken driving charge. He pleaded no contest in 2008 and received a six-month suspended sentence, a $750 fine and a year of driving restrictions.
NY boy, 11, faces charges over pencil attack
SAUQUOIT, N.Y. (AP) — An 11-year-old boy faces assault and weapon charges for trying to stab a classmate with a pencil over a math problem. Police in New Hartford, 80 miles west of Albany, said the boy was mad because a classmate kept trying to help him in math class on Monday. When the would-be helper wouldn't back off, police said the boy lashed out with a sharp pencil and inflicted a scratch treated by the school nurse. Officer Shane Yoxall, working as a resource officer at the Sauquoit Valley Middle School, investigated. The 11-year-old, whose name wasn't released, was suspended from school and charged with felony attempted assault and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon.
Complaint claims mayor uses mute button on speakers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County prosecutors are looking into a complaint that the mayor of Carson cuts off public speakers at City Council meetings if he doesn't like what they're saying. David Demerjian of the district attorney's office said the complaint claims that Mayor Jim Dear hits the mute button on speakers before the three-minute time limit is up. Demerjian called it a unique complaint and said he's started an inquiry — not a criminal investigation.
Man allegedly steals ambulance with patient inside
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a drunken man stole an ambulance from a Wisconsin ski area with the patient and paramedics still inside. The Dane County Sheriff's Department says emergency responders were treating a patient in the back of the ambulance at the Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard Area in Mount Horeb on Monday night. They say a 24-year-old Illinois man got into the vehicle and drove it around the parking lot. The sheriff's department says deputies arrested the man. But it is unclear how he was stopped.
Makeup bandit returns after 6 month absence
CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — A bandit who likes to steal makeup from a well known drug store chain has returned after a six month absence. Chandler police said the "Blue Basket Bandit" attempted a theft Monday at a Walgreens store. Over the past two years, police said the thief has stolen approximately $10,000 worth of cosmetic merchandise from Walgreens stores around Chandler and neighboring cities. The Blue Basket Bandit enters the store, picks up a blue shopping basket and proceeds to the cosmetics section where he removes various cosmetics.
Dog waste piling up at Wyoming forest trails
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A smelly problem is piling at trails around Jackson where people go hiking and cross-country skiing with their dogs. How big is this problem? Bridger-Teton National Forest officials say they recently counted 173 piles of dog waste around just one trailhead. The problem is so bad, it's contributing to elevated bacteria levels in nearby streams.
Man rescued after 3 days in snow-covered SUV in CO
SAGUACHE, Colo. (AP) — A 31-year-old Indiana man says he had not food but kept himself hydrated with Mountain Dew and snow while he was stuck in his snow-covered SUV in southwestern Colorado for three days. Jason Pede was rescued Sunday morning after his vehicle ran out of gas and he walked seven miles to a road, signaling for help with a flashlight.
Cattle battle: NZealand has more cows than kiwis
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealanders who for decades have endured jokes about being outnumbered 20-to-1 by sheep have a new farm animal majority to worry about: cows. A record 5.8 million dairy cattle were counted in the year ended June 2009, Statistics New Zealand said Tuesday — well more than one animal for each of the country's 4.3 million citizens.
Man points gun at neighbor over snow shoveling
NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) — New Castle County Police said a man pointed a gun at a neighbor who was shoveling snow on Saturday at the Hampton Walk Apartments. A man told police a neighbor came outside while he was shoveling, pointed a gun and threatened to shoot him if he didn't stop shoveling snow onto his car. A man, 43, was arrested and charged with aggravated menacing.
Teen crashes car into school, drives down hall
SHORELINE, Wash. (AP) — Sheriff's deputies said a 17-year-old boy crashed his parents' car through the doors of Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, then drove it down the hall. The car finally stopped 75 yards later when it hit a security office. Two school workers were still on the property and heard the crash. Police found the teen on school grounds about an hour and a half after the crash late Friday night. He was taken into custody and then brought to Harborview Medical Center for a mental evaluation. Investigators said they do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role.
