oddly enough

oddly enough

Mexico police: Robber rode skateboard to banks

MEXICO CITY

Mexico City police say they have arrested a would-be bandit who rode his skateboard to bank-robbery attempts.

Police say Sergio Ledesma and his skateboard have been turned over to prosecutors after he reportedly attempted to rob two banks by whispering threats to tellers.

Police say the teller at the first bank simply acted as if he hadn’t heard Ledesma, who then skated off to a second bank.

The second teller told police Ledesma appeared to whisper a threat.

So the teller set off a silent alarm and counted out the money while the would-be robber waited patiently.

Police said Friday Ledesma still was waiting when they arrived and arrested him.

Santas from Ohio, Michigan meet to recap holidays

TOLEDO

A group of Santas from Ohio and Michigan have had their annual get-together to eat cookies and discuss the concerns of the modern Mr. Claus, such as liability insurance and networking.

The Blade newspaper reports nearly 20 white-bearded men met Saturday in Toledo. Some drove vehicles bearing slogans such as “I brake for reindeer.” Instead of suits and fuzzy hats, they wore holiday-print shirts and sweaters for a look that one described as “Santa casual.”

Organizer Tom Pellitieri of Toledo says the gathering gives them a chance to evaluate how things went during the season. They also chatted about hair care and dealing with impossible requests from children.

Buckeye Santas president Eddie Burch of Grove City, Ohio, says the first rule is never to lie.

Utah school passes on ‘cougars’ as mascot

SALT LAKE CITY

A Utah school district has decided against using “Cougars” as a mascot for a new high school in part because of the negative connotation of the word in popular culture.

Canyons School District Superintendent David S. Doty said the selection of “Chargers” as mascot was driven by the desire for originality, despite a poll of some future students that showed 26 percent in favor of using the cougar.

At least three Utah schools, including Brigham Young University, use cougar as a mascot.

Doty said public comments reflect a desire to be different, but he also notes that some see the word “cougar” as carrying a “negative double entendre.”

The term “cougar” in popular culture can refer to middle-aged women who have sex with younger men.

Associated Press