Offbeat

Offbeat Record 18-foot python caught in Florida

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:21 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 8:21 AM PDT

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 18-foot-8-inch snake was caught May 11 alongside a road in rural Miami-Dade County.

Offbeat Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles

By RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 12:42 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 12:42 AM PDT

Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild - from an acupuncturist.

Offbeat 'I perform at kids birthday parties, but that isn’t with fire' (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Alyssa Stade, Oregon NewsLab Published: May 20, 2013 at 11:54 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 3:17 PM PDT

Morgan Goldberg, also known as Morgan Le Flame, earned the title of Portland’s Fire Entertainer of the Year in 2012.

Offbeat Bumbling crooks accidentally dial 911 during crime

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 12:24 PM PDT

Two suspects arrested for breaking into a car in Central California accidentally called 911 on a cellphone, which led police to them.

Offbeat 48-hour ride breaks Ferris wheel world record

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:43 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 7:43 AM PDT

A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days, bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.

Offbeat Milwaukee backs off bra ban for historic bar

By CARRIE ANTLFINGER Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 6:47 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 6:47 PM PDT

A historic Milwaukee bowling alley and bar almost went without the appropriate support after a city inspector decided dozens of bras hanging from its ceiling were a fire hazard.

Offbeat 'Golden Girl' Bea Arthur topless painting fetches $1.9M

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 7:08 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 7:37 AM PDT

A painting of actress Bea Arthur topless has sold for $1.9 million at a New York City auction.

Offbeat Bicycle hearse offers 'one last ride' to final resting place (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Nicole Comstock Published: May 16, 2013 at 4:15 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 9:47 AM PDT

Wade Lind sketched out his plans for a bicycle hearse on a napkin at McDonald's. "It doesn't handle like a regular bicycle," the funeral director said.

Offbeat Texas senior, 18, bags 800-pound record alligator

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 11:47 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 11:49 AM PDT

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials say 18-year-old Braxton Bielski bagged the record gator last week at Choke Canyon State Park, about 90 miles south of San Antonio.

Offbeat Now Venezuela is running out of toilet paper

By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 8:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 8:03 AM PDT

First milk, butter, coffee and cornmeal ran short. Now Venezuela is running out of the most basic of necessities - toilet paper.

Offbeat Protesters picket Barbie-themed house in Berlin (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 8:46 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 11:36 AM PDT

Feminist protesters burned a doll on a cross and left-wing demonstrators shouted "pink stinks" at the Berlin opening of a life-sized Barbie house Thursday.

Offbeat McDonald's employee spots her stolen car in drive-thru

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 6:58 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 6:58 AM PDT

A Kennewick woman whose car was stolen from her apartment complex saw the stolen SUV hours later - in the drive-thru of the McDonald's restaurant where she works.

Offbeat Deer smashes Pennsylvania bus windshield, takes short ride

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 9:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 9:44 PM PDT

A deer has taken a ride on a western Pennsylvania bus.

Offbeat Chef planning to feast on invading cicadas

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 7:54 AM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

A chef in Connecticut is looking forward to the upcoming cicada invasion, and the chance to try out a few recipes for the insects.

Offbeat City sues parking meter 'Robin Hoods'

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM PDT

The city of Keene, N.H., has sued a group that feeds change into parking meters that are about to expire, saying members are harassing enforcement officers.