Odds and Ends – June 8, 2018 – June 14, 2018

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Homeowner trying to kill weeds ends up burning down garage

Springfield, Ohio (AP) – Authorities say a homeowner trying to kill troublesome weeds with a torch has burned down his garage. The Springfield News-Sun reports Springfield Township firefighters in central Ohio were called to a home around 4 a.m. Thursday for a detached garage engulfed in flames. No one was injured. Fire officials learned the man had been trying to eliminate weeds around the garage. They’re calling the blaze an accident. The destroyed garage held tools and appliances. Fire officials estimate the loss at between $10,000 and $15,000.

Woman finds goat head on car hood

Boston (AP) – A woman woke up to find a gruesome sight on her car in the Boston neighborhood of Hyde Park. The woman found a bloody goat head on her car hood early Tuesday morning with a photo of herself tucked under the windshield wiper blades. The woman was walking her dog up Garfield Avenue around 6 a.m. and noticed the head of the animal. Police say she drove her car about half a mile to the Hyde Park branch of the Boston Police Department with the grisly scene still intact. Animal control removed the head, and officers are searching for more evidence. They are asking the public for surveillance video in the neighborhood. No suspects have been arrested.

Truck dumps 40,000 pounds of chicken feathers on highway

Federal Way, Wash. (AP) – A tractor-trailer made a fowl mess when it rolled over in Washington state. It dumped about 40,000 pounds (18,145 kilograms) of chicken feathers across Interstate 5. Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson says the driver told investigators he fell asleep at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday north of Tacoma and lost control of the truck, which hit a guardrail and overturned. The truck was hauling the feathers from a poultry facility to a rendering company in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadian company recycles animal byproducts into ingredients for items including pet feed and soap. The News Tribune newspaper of Tacoma reports traffic backed up for 11 miles (18 kilometers) as crews scooped up the feathers. Johnson said the driver would be cited for negligent driving.

Theron Zahn/KOMOnews.com via AP
Theron Zahn/KOMOnews.com via AP

Missing 14-foot-long pet python sought in Indianapolis-area

Indianapolis (AP) – Indianapolis-area police are warning people to be on the lookout for a 14-foot-long (4-meter-long) pet Burmese python that’s on the loose. The Beech Grove Police Department says the constrictor is missing from a home in the community on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Benny Tarplee says he thinks the python, named “Vine,” escaped through his back door late last week and he suspects she’s just hiding somewhere. Tarplee says he spent three days searching his house before reporting her escape to police. He describes the snake as a “big baby” who presents no threat to humans. Nevertheless, the Indianapolis Zoo says the constrictor could pose a threat to cats, dogs and small children. Police say anyone who spots Vine should leave her alone and call 911.

Laurel, Yanny or … covfefe? White House joins in on debate

Washington (AP) – The White House is joining in on the viral debate over whether people hear the names “Laurel” or “Yanny” in a much-shared audio clip. The White House on Thursday released a video featuring various members of the staff weighing in. Senior adviser Ivanka Trump says, “So clearly Laurel.” Strategic-communications director Mercedes Schlapp says, “Yanny’s the winner, Laurel’s the loser.” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway pokes fun at her endless willingness to spin and bend the truth for the president, saying, “It’s Laurel. But I could deflect and divert to Yanny if you need me to.” Vice President Mike Pence wants to know: “Who’s Yanny?” The video ends with President Donald Trump deadpanning, “I hear covfefe” – a reference to a botched tweet he wrote last year that was never explained.