ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Swing sets removed at some W.Va. elementary schools

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

Elementary-school playgrounds in one West Virginia county are losing their swing sets.

Swing sets are being removed from Cabell County schools in southern West Virginia, partially because of lawsuits over injuries.

Cabell County schools safety manager Tim Stewart said Wednesday that a lot of parents are accusing him of being un-American, but he says the cost of maintaining a safe surface is too expensive.

Stewart says a lawsuit in the past year involved a youngster who broke his arm jumping off a swing like Superman.

That lawsuit was settled for $20,000.

Other equipment, such as monkey bars, will remain.

Stewart says the schools are able to maintain the proper protection underneath the other pieces of playground equipment.

Conn. driver falls from car on Interstate 95; Dodge goes on

DARIEN, Conn.

Connecticut State Police say a man fell out of his car onto Interstate 95 and watched his vehicle drive on for about two-tenths of a mile before it crashed into a pole.

Troopers say they’re not sure why 51-year-old Robert Craig of Killingworth fell out of his 2006 Dodge Charger late Tuesday morning in Darien near Exit 10.

Police say Craig was treated for minor injuries at Stamford Hospital.

State police say Craig fell onto the highway but wasn’t struck by any vehicles.

They say other motorists stopped to help him and get him to safety.

Troopers say the car continued down the highway before striking a light pole and metal guardrail on the right shoulder.

Troopers said the accident remains under investigation.

Frankenstein cited over monstrous behavior in Ohio

CINCINNATI

Ohio police say a Toby Keith fan named Forrest Frankenstein threatened them and beat his head against a partition in their cruiser after he was arrested.

The 39-year-old Frankenstein appeared Monday before a judge who asked why he “went crazy” at the Aug. 27 concert in Cincinnati.

Frankenstein replied that he had been drinking and didn’t really remember anything.

Frankenstein, of Hamilton, was being held on $80,000 bond on counts of menacing, disorderly conduct and vandalism.

Country star Keith’s hits include a song that states: “You ain’t much fun since I quit drinkin’.”

Associated Press