Woman Faked Cancer To Avoid Working
ARLINGTON, Wash. -- A former Washington state social worker has been accused of faking brain cancer to avoid work. Theft charges were filed Tuesday against Sandra Dee Martinez, 40, formerly of Mountlake Terrace, who was employed by the Department of Social and Health Services in Arlington.
According to investigators, Martinez presented fake letters that appeared to be from doctors saying she had malignant brain tumors. Prosecutors wrote that she received $21,000 worth of paid leave and took advantage of sick days donated by co-workers last year.
Parents board flight, forget toddler at airport
Tickets, check. Passports, check. Luggage, check. Baby ... oops.
A family boarded a flight on Monday in westernmost Canada, and forgot their tot at the Vancouver international airport, media said Tuesday.
The 23-month-old boy's family had just arrived in Canada from the Philippines, but they were forced to repack their overweight bags before catching a connecting flight to Winnipeg, causing them to run late.
In their sprint to the gate, the family became separated.
Unusual Business Ideas That Work: Make Money Naming Domains
PickyDomains.Com is a perfect example of how to turn one’s talent into a profitable business. With ever expanding Internet and tens of millions existing websites, finding an available domain name that’s not already taken by cybersquatters can be a real nightmare.
But one man’s problem is another man’s solution. Rather than to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars for a domain name on the aftermarket, an increasing number of web entrepreneurs turn to professional domain namers.
"Minister Of Marijuana" Says It's His Religion To Use Pot
PALM BAY, Fla. -- A self-proclaimed "minister of marijuana" says pot is his religion and he has every right to use it. Cops disagree and busted him while pulling 100 plants out of his house.
Steven Swalick doesn't use terms like "pot" or even "marijuana." Those terms appeared to upset him during a jailhouse interview. He admitted to using cannabis and even growing it but says it was for his religion. And he wanted only to be addressed as the "Reverend."
Michigan youngster collects a million pennies for his school
CARLETON, Mich. -- A Michigan school has a million thanks to give to a fourth-grader.
Ten-year-old Andrew Niemi of Carleton has been collecting pennies since a day after Christmas in 2006. He held fundraisers to reach his goal of 1 million. Niemi finally picked up his last cent in March.
Last week, Niemi presented a $10,000 check to St. Patrick Catholic School.
His mother, Connie Niemi, says the money will go toward equipment, including audiovisual hardware, two large classroom maps and a concrete bench for the peace garden.
Ancient humans started down the path of evolving into two separate species before merging back into a single population
The genetic split in Africa resulted in distinct populations that lived in isolation for as much as 100,000 years, the scientists say.
This could have been caused by arid conditions driving a wedge between humans in eastern and southern Africa.
Details have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
It would be the longest period for which modern human populations have been isolated from one another.
The most extraordinary mathematician of the 20th century celebrated his 80th birthday, crazy and alone
The most extraordinary genius in mathematics turned 80 in March, but no parties were held. His grateful students didn’t give speeches about him. Mathematicians didn’t convene at a grand conference in his honor. No one even lit a candle on his birthday cake. For more than 15 years, Alexandre Grothendieck has lived in self-imposed isolation in a tiny village in the Pyrenees. His rages have discouraged even his most determined visitors.
Woman files claim, saying dog feces ruined family outing
NORWALK, Conn. -- A New York woman has filed a $100 claim against Norwalk saying a family outing to the Maritime Aquarium was ruined by dog feces. The woman claims her child's shoes, along with the entire outing, were ruined when her 1-year-old stepped in dog feces outside the Maritime Garage.
City attorney M. Jeffry Spahr said the official response is that her claim is denied and in his words, "poop happens."
Court battle over U.S. deep-sea firm's shipwreck haul intensifies, as Spain demands return of $500 million treasure
James Goold, a Washington-based lawyer who represents the Spanish government, said the 19th-century shipwreck at the heart of a dispute with Odyssey Marine Exploration is without a doubt the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes — a Spanish frigate sunk by a British warship southwest of Portugal in 1804.
Uncontrollable Muscles in the Face Reveal Lying, New Research Shows
Michael White sat on the couch in his living room, sobbing as he grieved for the return of his pregnant wife. Liana was a gentle soul who never hurt anybody, he said through grief so convincing during a television interview that even his mother-in-law believed him.
"He was able to fool us all," Liana's mother said later after White led volunteer searchers to the ditch where he had dumped his wife's naked body and covered her with tree branches.
