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Storming a Man's Castle
In Troy, New York, Nicholas Nigro was standing in his home videotaping an altercation between police officers and a college student when one of the officers noticed him and went over to shut the door. When Nigro protested, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and possessing an open container of alcohol.
Last Meals
A report by the charity Age U.K. found that many elderly patients are left to starve in National Health Service hospitals. The report found nurses often place trays out of the reach of patients or do not give them needed help cutting food or opening plates and other containers. The charity also says that staff take away untouched food trays without asking any questions.
Don't Leave Home Without It
Attorney Brittney Horstman was scheduled to visit a client in the Miami, Florida, Federal Detention Center. But when she went through the metal detector her underwire bra set it off, and guards refused to let her in. She reminded them that federal officials sent out a memo a few years ago specifically telling guards that they must allow attorneys wearing underwire bras in. But they wouldn't relent. So she stepped into a restroom and removed her bra. They still refused to let her in. This time because prison dress code requires women to wear a bra.
Give Me Down to There Hair
Officials at Godley Middle School in Texas have placed 12-year-old Chris McGregor in in-school detention until he cuts his hair. The school dress code bars male students from having hair below the shoulders, and McGregor's locks are too long. Superintendent Paul Smithson says the rule helps reduce bullying. You see, students who stand out in some way might be teased or picked on, said Smithson. "And all of a sudden we have a problem."
Speak French or Leave
Cherie LeBlanc says her 9-year-old son Justin was struggling with French in his Quebec elementary school, so she asked school officials to move him to an English language school because he does better in English. But the government rejected her request because Justin's father is a francophone, and under Quebec law, the children of French speakers must be educated in French. LeBlanc was born in the United States, and Justin has dual citizenship, so she says the two of them will move to Delaware where he can be schooled in English, while her husband and their other children will remain in Canada.
Defending Our Freedoms
The U.S. Army is investigating claims that between 80 and 100 soldiers at Fort Eustis were confined to their barracks after they declined to attend a concert by a Christian band. The concert was part of the "Commanding General's Spiritual Fitness Concerts" series, which features only evangelical Christian acts.
Know Your Place
Brandy Springer says her 12-year-old daughter wanted to run for sixth-grade class reporter at Mississippi's Nettleton Middle School. But she was told the office was reserved for black students only this year. When Springer inquired, she found that class offices are reserved for whites and blacks in alternating years. For instance, only whites will be allowed to run for class reporter next year. After Springer complained, and media reported the story, school officials said they would end the 30-year-old practice.
Short Leash
In England, the Tameside Council has barred dogs from all cemeteries and school playgrounds and required owners to keep dogs on leashes of no more than two meters in many parks and open areas. They say the move is aimed at reducing the amount of dog waste left in those areas. But dog owners say that if that's their goal, they should start cracking down on owners who don't clean up after their dogs and not put responsible owners on a short leash.
Worth Every Penny
In 1986, Annemarie Dubois took a leave of absence from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in Massachusetts to work for the American Federation of Teachers. She renewed that leave and continued to work for the AFT for the next 24 years. Now, when she's ready to retire, and under the union's agreement with the school system, she'll be paid a full pension just as if she'd actually been working in the school. School officials say they couldn't deny her requests for a leave of absence. That, too, was in the contract.
The Last Place You Look
Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided Orlando Boveda's home in Hialeah, Florida, tearing every door in the place off the hinges and throwing Boveda to the floor. Boveda says he was surprised to find they were looking for his son Michael. That's because Michael Boveda has been in the Broward County jail for the past 10 months.
Wash That Man Right Out of Your Hair
Australian customs officials say they will apologize to a man they arrested for bringing bottles of shampoo and conditioner into the country. Neil Parry was arrested at Darwin Airport after field tests indicated the bottles contained drugs. He spent three nights in jail and had his boat and the houses of two friends searched before other tests showed the bottles didn't contain drugs and the government dropped all charges against him.
Letter of the Law
After the Oconee County, South Carolina, courthouse opened seven years ago, federal officials found the $8 million building contained 93 violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For instance, the centers of the toilets are 19 inches from the wall, not 18 inches as required. And the mirrors in the restrooms are 41 inches from the floor, not 40. It will cost just over $2 million to bring the courthouse up to standard. The county sued its architect and builder, and they will pay a little more than $1 million for the work, leaving taxpayers on the hook for the rest.
Double Secret Probation
In Miami, Florida, parole officer Antonio Redding was checking on Kelsey Williams, who was staying at his grandmother’s house. When Redding got to the house, he apparently ignored the “Beware of Dog” sign and entered the fenced yard without alerting anyone. That’s where he shot Ebony, a 40-pound mixed breed owned by the grandmother, in the jaw.
Look Before You Leap
Cops from several local agencies in Sebastian County, Arkansas, entered the wrong house while trying to serve a warrant in a drug investigation. Officials admit they had gone into the home and handcuffed a man and woman before they actually checked the address on the mailbox. They say when they did look at the address they realized they were at the wrong house and released everyone.
Framed
New York City officials have agreed to pay $9.9 million to Barry Gibbs, who spent 19 years in prison after being framed for murder by a corrupt detective. That detective, Louis J. Eppolito, was himself later convicted of a number of crimes, including murder, that he committed while working for the Mafia.
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