oddly enough

oddly enough

Health dept. in Ohio urged to find healthier space

LANCASTER, Ohio

The state says a county health agency in Ohio needs a new building because the current one isn’t setting a healthy example.

An employee at the Fairfield County Health Department in central Ohio complained to state officials about black mold, bats and rodents, high radon levels and possible lead exposure at the facility.

Acting county health administrator Larry Hanna tells the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette that there’s a bit of truth to all of that. But he says addressing some of those issues will be expensive.

The newspaper reports that the director of the Ohio Department of Health has sent a letter urging county officials to find money for a new building.

County Commissioner Steve Davis says a solution could come next month.

Wash. family preparing to bury dog finds surprise

YELM, Wash.

If Scamp the dog was living up to his name by playing a trick on his owners, a grandmother in Washington isn’t laughing.

Reta McKinlay thought her grandchildren’s puppy died after it escaped through a fence at her Yelm home and was hit by a car. The terrier-Shih Tzu mix was bleeding, his eyes fixed. He wasn’t breathing.

McKinlay told The Olympian her husband wrapped him in a blanket Dec. 3 and left him under a wheelbarrow to keep animals away. They prepared to bury him the next morning.

She told her 6-year-old twin grandchildren that Scamp had gone to heaven.

But when her husband returned, Scamp was sitting up.

The family has spent $3,000 on veterinary bills since.

McKinlay says Scamp’s return is the family’s Christmas present.

Cable repairman finds sleeping bear in NJ basement

HOPATCONG, N.J.

A cable TV repairman got quite a surprise when he walked into the basement of a New Jersey home.

There was a 500-pound bear sound asleep on the floor.

The bear had been spotted wandering in the neighborhood in Hopatcong earlier Wednesday.

It’s not clear how it got into the home.

The bear ambled out of the house before state Fish and Game officials arrived.

WNBC-TV in New York reports the officials fired a tranquilizer dart at the animal, which walked a few blocks to the Missouri Trail before it was knocked out.

Officials plan to relocate the bear.

No one was injured.

Associated Press