Oddly enough

Oddly enough

Pa. prisoners flush towels, sneakers down toilets

LANCASTER, Pa.

Inmates at a prison in Pennsylvania apparently have been flushing towels, sneakers and other debris down toilets, causing problems for operators of the local sewage-treatment plant.

County commissioners approved spending $225,000 to install a large filter in the prison’s sewer main to catch debris that shouldn’t be there before it reaches Lancaster’s sewer system. The items mess up motors and grinders in the system. The modifications should be completed this year.

Cowardly bullfighter: Mexican matador flees bull

MEXICO CITY

The bull charged, and matador Christian Hernandez took off — across the ring, over the wall and into controversy.

The admittedly terrified torero was arrested after the botched bullfight at the Plaza Mexico, apparently for breach of contract, local media reported. He was released after paying a fine.

“There are some things you must be aware of about yourself,” the 22-year-old Mexican matador said in a television interview. “I didn’t have the ability. ... This is not my thing.”

In a sight rarely seen in the bravado world of bullfighting, Hernandez made a spin with his red cape at the charging bull, then ran across the ring and leapt headlong over the wall to safety, dropping his cape in the process. The crowd hooted in derision.

Several months ago, another bull grievously gored Hernandez in the leg.

Officials did briefly convince Hernandez to return to the ring, where he put his hands over his head and pointed upward before he made a second exit, shaking his head.

He later said he would retire from bullfighting.

Idaho woman is suspect in library condiment vandalism

BOISE, Idaho

Police in Idaho think they might have solved a yearlong condiment crime spree.

Authorities say a 74-year-old Boise woman arrested after reportedly pouring mayonnaise in the Ada County library’s book drop box is a person of interest in at least 10 other condiment-related crimes.

Joy L. Cassidy was picked up at the library, moments after police say she pulled through the outside drive-through and dumped a jar of mayo in the box designated for reading materials.

Cassidy was released from jail and faces a misdemeanor charge of malicious injury to property.

Boise police say Cassidy is under investigation for other cases of vandalism that started in May 2009. Library employees have reported finding books in the drop box covered in corn syrup and ketchup.

Associated Press