Pop America

Men Arrested For "Magic Money" Scam

MIAMI (POP America)  --  The magic is over for two men accused of running a money-making scam.  Authorities say the men were busted when they walked into a store and told the clerk they had a "special potion" that could replicate money.  According to police reports, the clerk became suspicious when the suspects asked her to provide them with 15-thousand-dollars in cash so they could duplicate it and split the money 50-50.  Jean-Luc Mbilli and Constant Yao were taken into custody after an undercover sting operation exposed the magic scam.  They're facing multiple charges including grand theft and possession of a fake driver's license.

Town Excited About Riding The SLUT

(News.com.au)  --  Seattle locals have enthusiastically embraced an unfortunate acronym for a new tramline, even if officials insist on ignoring it.

Work on the light-rail line in Seattle has almost been completed for what officials call the South Lake Union Streetcar (SLUS), but locals have taken to using the word “Trolley”.

According to seattlepi.com, more than 100 people have brought “Ride the S.L.U.T” t-shirts from one coffee shop.

The t-shirt’s creator, Jerry Johnson, said that the $50.5 million project had caused a lot of problems, but the acronym made it all worthwhile.

“I especially like the dust and the big holes in the ground," Mr Johnson told seattlepi.com.

“But we can't wait to have the SLUT.”

Seattle transport officials denied calling the service a “streetcar” to avoid the acronym.

Six Years Later

Boys Torch Cockroaches; Burn Down Grandparents' Home

POMPANO BEACH, FL (POP America)  --  Officials believe two little boys who thought it was fun to set cockroaches on fire are to blame for burning down their grandparents' home.  Fire investigators say the eight and ten-year-old boys were sleeping over at the house in Pompano Beach when they used rubbing alcohol and a lighter to ignite several cockroaches they found in their bedroom.  A spark apparently flew onto the bed and within minutes, flames had engulfed the room.  Everyone got out okay, but the house was a total loss.  Officials say it's one of the most bizarre house fires they've ever seen.  The Red Cross has placed the family at a hotel while the boys will have to attend a fire-starter prevention and education program.

 

Woman Looking For Painkiller Fix Tries To Rob Pharmacy With Mace

MIAMI (POP America)  --  Police say a woman who pulled up at a 24-hour Miami pharmacy was looking to do more than just fill a prescription.  When the metal tray popped out, the middle-aged woman placed a white bag inside and barked at the pharmacist, "I have a bomb, a gun and Mace.  I want (painkillers) and all the controls in the safe cabinet."  Investigators say the pharmacist only saw what looked like a can of Mace and walked up to the front of the store to call police.  When he returned to the window, the woman had disappeared and so had the bag.  Moments later, the pharmacy's phone rang.  On the other end was a crying woman who said she was sorry for trying to rob the place and claimed her boyfriend made her do it.  She even provided a name and a phone number where her boyfriend could be reached.  But when police called the number, it had been disconnected.  Authorities are still searching for the woman. 

Temple Auctioning Off Seats On eBay For $1.8 Million

MIAMI (POP America)  --  Some of the priciest real estate in South Beach is nowhere near the water.  It's actually inside a synagogue.  For a mere one-point-eight-million-dollars, two frontrow seats at Temple Emanu-El are going to a lucky bidder on eBay.  The auction was the idea of temple leaders who say they're trying to re-energize attendance at the 60-year-old synagogue on Washington Avenue by attracting younger people.  According to temple president Jerry Jacobs, the winner of the plush, red velvet seats will get them for life and can pass them down from generation to generation.  Bidding ends Monday morning.  One of the holiest events on the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashana, begins Wednesday at sundown.

Judge Accused Of Paddling Prisoners

MOBILE (POP America)  --  A Mobile, Alabama judge is under fire for giving some inmates the corporal treatment.  Authorities are investigating allegations that Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas would periodically remove prisoners from their cells and spank them -- the old fashioned way.  Sources tell the "Press-Register" newspaper it happened something like this: The judge would take the young men into a room at the courthouse.  Once inside, the judge would ask them to drop their pants and prepare to be spanked with what they described as a wooden or fraternity-like paddle.  Up to 12 men have reportedly shared their accounts with officials.  At least one of the men has alleged that as a prelude to the paddling, Thomas told him that if he had been spanked as a child, he would not have found himself in jail later.

Conservative Christian Leader Dead At 76

FT. LAUDERDALE (POP America)  --  One of the most recognized televangelists in the country has died.  Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church founder the Reverend D. James Kennedy passed away in his sleep at home early this morning.  He was 76.  Just last month, Kennedy stepped down as pastor of the 10-thousand member church he founded nearly 50 years ago in Fort Lauderdale.  He hadn't delivered a sermon at the church since suffering arrhythmia and cardiac arrest on December 28th.  He never fully recovered, despite a rigorous regimen of physical therapy in Florida and Michigan.  During his time at Coral Ridge, Kennedy built a multi-million-dollar media empire with a television show that was viewed by more than three-million people around the world.  He was also known for his conservative politics and his outspoken opposition to abortion and homosexuality.  Funeral arrangements for Dr. Kennedy are pending.

 

McCain Calls High School Student A "Little Jerk"

(Raw Story)  --  Senator John McCain greeted a lot of friendly faces when his campaign rolled through Conchord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, but one resident wouldn't let him off so easily.  During a question and answer session, McCain jokingly called a high school student a "little jerk" after the young man questioned the Arizona legislator about his age.

Here's the video.

Man Hits Baby With Beer Bottle After Hair Dispute

HOMESTEAD (POP America)   --  A Florida man is facing charges after police say he hit a six-week-old child over the head with a beer bottle.  Investigators believe the incident happened after Carlos Manuel Fuentes became upset with his wife because she cut her hair without his permission.  When officers arrived, they found broken glass from the beer bottle inside the child's room.  According to a police report, Fuentes was "severely drunk" and his breath and body reeked of alcohol.  The child suffered a cut to the top of the head and was taken to the hospital.  Fuentes is charged with aggravated child abuse and is being held at Miami-Dade County Jail without bond.