Offbeat

Offbeat NJ: Caramel-colored rubbing alcohol sold as scotch

By REMA RAHMAN,Associated Press Published: May 23, 2013 at 6:38 PM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 6:38 PM PDT

At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch. In another, premium liquor bottles were refilled with water — and apparently not even clean water at that.

Offbeat Time running out for gnome thief (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Carley Gomez Published: May 23, 2013 at 2:32 PM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 4:52 PM PDT

Someone stole a hand-crocheted gnome from a community college art show. Now the artist is seeking the public's help identifying a man seen in surveillance footage the night the gnome vanished.

Offbeat 84-year-old woman indicted for drug trafficking

By Associated Press Published: May 23, 2013 at 12:48 PM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 12:48 PM PDT

An 84-year-old Albuquerque woman who uses an oxygen tank has been indicted for drug trafficking.

Offbeat Firefighters rescue missing cat from 25-foot hole: 'It's a miracle' (Video)

By Michael Spears Published: May 23, 2013 at 9:39 AM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 11:51 AM PDT

It was a cry for help one woman couldn't quite pinpoint and a rescue call firefighters hadn't seen before.

Offbeat For this urban bicyclist, a cat is his co-pilot (Photo Gallery)

By KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press Published: May 23, 2013 at 8:26 AM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 10:21 AM PDT

Rudi Saldia often buzzes around Philadelphia with his year-old feline Mary Jane perched on his shoulder. Their urban adventures have turned heads on the street and garnered big hits on YouTube.

Offbeat Council members abstain from vote on abstaining

By Associated Press Published: May 23, 2013 at 8:46 AM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 12:56 PM PDT

Three members of a Michigan city council have abstained from voting on a measure that would have prevented them from abstaining on future votes.

Offbeat Surgeons remove tiger's basketball-sized hairball (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 22, 2013 at 7:58 PM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2013 at 7:58 PM PDT

It's not unusual for a cat to get a hairball, but a 400-pound tiger needed help from veterinary surgeons in Florida when he couldn't hack up a basketball-size hairball by himself.

Offbeat Butcher brings home the bacon with 'marijuana pigs' (Video)

By Lindsay Cohen Published: May 22, 2013 at 10:16 AM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT

Pot-infused bacon? There's a shop for that.

Offbeat Octogenarians race to be oldest Everest climber

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA Associated Press Published: May 22, 2013 at 7:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2013 at 7:45 AM PDT

An 80-year-old Japanese extreme skier who climbed Mount Everest five years ago, but just missed becoming the oldest man to reach the summit, was back on the mountain Wednesday to make another attempt at the title.

Offbeat For sale: 'Modern medieval' castle (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Mark Miller Published: May 21, 2013 at 12:42 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 12:42 PM PDT

It's something right out of a medieval storybook. A castle has been listed for sale just outside of Sedro-Woolley, and it's modern living behind the stone walls.

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.