oddly enough

oddly enough

Lawsuit over exploding lid settled in Michigan

DETROIT

A Detroit-area man who says he was knocked unconscious by an exploding lid has settled his lawsuit against a grocer and a food company.

Trial was scheduled last week in federal court. But Darryl Alexander’s attorney, Mark Miller, said Tuesday he reached an agreement with Kroger Co. and Del Monte Foods. He offered no details.

In November, Kroger and Del Monte offered $150,000, but it was rejected as too low.

Alexander says a stubborn lid on a jar of fruit flew through the air and struck him in the eye after he hit it with the handle of a screwdriver in 2008.

The Southfield man claimed the fruit was sold after its expiration date, and gas had built up in the jar.

Messages seeking comment were left with Kroger and Del Monte.

Chihuahua survives owl attack in suburban Chicago

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.

An owl attack has left a 4-pound Chihuahua with a healthy fear of the dark.

The attack happened when Chico the Chihuahua was out for a walk with his owner, George Kalomiris, in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake last week. Kalomiris says they were walking down the street when a great horned owl swooped down and tried to fly away with the 3-year-old dog.

Kalomiris says he kept a firm grip on Chico’s leash as the bird dragged the dog across the sidewalk, and he managed to scare the owl away.

Chico was treated for a puncture wound caused by the owl’s talons, and his owner says he’s still traumatized. Kalomiris says the dog now refuses to go outside at night.

Washington state bird-watcher sees his stolen van

PORT ANGELES, Wash.

While Devan Miller was bird-watching recently on Olympic Peninsula, he saw bald eagles, kingfishers, woodpeckers and his stolen Volkswagen Vanagon.

Miller told The Peninsula Daily News the van was so badly damaged he almost didn’t recognize it. The top and side panels had been cut off and the dashboard ripped apart.

Clallam County detectives took fingerprints, but Miller has little hope of finding whoever took the van from his Port Angeles driveway in November.

The engine and transmission were intact when he spotted the van Jan. 2 in woods near the Elwha River.

Miller was able to drive it eight miles to an auto-sales yard, which is giving him credit toward another Volkswagen.

Associated Press