oddly enough

oddly enough

Pa. governor admits his driving skills are rusty

HARRISBURG, Pa.

Pennsylvania’s governor is grappling with a problem facing many teenagers — inexperience behind the wheel.

Responding to a question at a news conference Thursday, Ed Rendell acknowledged that he has not driven extensively for 20 years — since before his days as Philadelphia mayor in the 1990s.

For the past eight years, plainclothes state troopers assigned to his security detail have chauffeured Rendell in a state-owned sedan. Rendell says he expects that privilege to continue for about six months after he leaves office in January.

He’s promising to bone up on his driving skills during that time. However, he says he was never a great driver to begin with.

2 accused of stealing hissing cockroach, reptiles

BALTIMORE

Baltimore police say two brothers age 11 and 14 have been charged as juveniles with stealing about a dozen reptiles and a hissing cockroach from a city-run nature center.

Police spokeswoman Officer Nicole Monroe said Thursday that the boys will face charges including theft and breaking and entering.

They’ve been released into their parents’ custody.

Police said an iguana, geckos, chameleons, turtles and a wingless insect called a Madagascar hissing cockroach were taken in separate thefts from Baltimore’s Carrie Murray Nature Center.

Police say the suspects entered the nature center at night through unlocked doors or windows and spirited away the critters.

All were recovered and returned to the center Tuesday.

Police: Robbery suspect tries to flee on lawnmower

AIKEN, S.C.

Police in South Carolina say a man attempted a slow getaway by lawnmower after robbing a convenience store.

Aiken County sheriff’s deputies told The Aiken Standard the man left the store on a riding lawnmower Thursday morning but didn’t get far before he was arrested.

Capt. Troy Elwell says Ricky New has been charged with assault and battery, first degree and armed robbery.

Investigators say the suspect beat a store clerk with a stick during the robbery.

New was being held at the Aiken County jail.

It wasn’t yet known if he has an attorney.

Associated Press