oddly enough

oddly enough

Phoenix woman banned from cartwheeling at meetings

PHOENIX

A Phoenix woman will have to keep both feet on the ground if she wants to speak at any public meetings.

Sixty-five-year-old Dianne Barker told KSAZ-TV last week that she’s been banned from doing cartwheels at meetings conducted by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

An attorney for the association that oversees regional transportation projects said in a letter to Barker last month that she must “immediately cease performing cartwheels.”

Agency spokeswoman Kelly Taft tells The Associated Press that Barker’s cartwheels are disruptive and a public-safety liability.

Barker says she will obey the association’s request. She was a cheerleader in college and says the cartwheels are a way for her to show her passion.

Taft says the association appreciates Barker’s enthusiasm, but she should show it verbally.

Man arrested for cursing files free-speech lawsuit

HOUSTON, Pa.

A western Pennsylvania man arrested for cursing in front of police has filed a lawsuit saying his right to free speech was violated.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper reported Thursday that Richard Pustovrh was arguing with his employers in September 2012 and they called the police. Pustovrh lives in Houston, 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh.

A complaint says Pustovrh used an obscenity to voice his frustration after a Canonsburg police officer warned him not to.

He was handcuffed and later found guilty of disorderly conduct and obscene language. The obscene-language charge was withdrawn when he appealed.

Pustovrh wants a declaration that the police actions were unconstitutional. He’s seeking punitive damages of $100,000.

Canonsburg Police Chief R.T. Bell could not be reached to comment.

Police: Robbery suspect appears to be addicted to golf

BREMERTON, Wash.

Police in Washington state say a man suspected of taking $9,200 worth of clubs and other merchandise from the pro shop at Gold Mountain Golf Course had no criminal history but appears to be addicted to golf.

Bremerton police detectives spotted some of the stolen gear for sale online and arrested the suspect Wednesday in Kirkland.

Police Chief Steve Strachan said in a news release that robberies often are the result of addictions, but this is the first one police have seen “that looks like a golf addiction.”

The Kitsap Sun reports other property that was stolen from the pro shop on Memorial Day was recovered from the suspect’s apartment.

Associated Press