oddly enough

oddly enough

Cops: Reported gator in western Pa. river may never be found

BELLE VERNON, Pa.

An alligator reportedly spotted in a western Pennsylvania river may never be found — or even confirmed — but police continued to search for it, the local police chief said.

Nobody has seen the reptile since two people reportedly spotted it in the Monongahela River in Belle Vernon last week, Southwest Regional Police Chief John Hartman said.

“We’ve continued to investigate it,” Hartman said.

The initial report made by two people near a boat launch indicated the alligator was about 7 feet long.

It’s possible the animal hitched a ride on a barge from a warmer spot down South, or was an exotic pet that was released by its owner or escaped into the river, Hartman said.

Police have consulted with the U.S. Coast Guard and Pittsburgh Zoo officials and determined that the alligator — if that’s what it was — could survive even though the river remains relatively cold, Hartman said.

Police received several calls about the alligator, but they weren’t new sightings, the chief said. Rather, people who also thought they had seen an alligator in the river — some several weeks ago — called police to report it after Pittsburgh-area media outlets began reporting the sighting.

“There have been no additional sightings or reports since the first two people spotted it,” Hartman said.

The Coast Guard used crews to search the river’s banks on Wednesday and found nothing.

Although experts have told police the alligator couldn’t live in the area year-round, the cold-blooded animal would be able to survive for an extended period as long as the river wasn’t frozen over. That would keep it from breathing properly in the water, Hartman said.

Vet surprised over license-plate denial

ST. GEORGE, Utah

A Vietnam War veteran in Utah says he’s surprised over the reason for the denial of his request for a personalized license plate commemorating the year he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart.

Arnold Breitenbach of St. George sought a license plate with the letters CIB-69, representing the Combat Infantryman’s Badge he received and the year he was awarded the Purple Heart.

The Spectrum newspaper of St. George reports the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles denied his request, citing state regulations prohibiting the use of the number 69 because of its sexual connotations.

Breitenbach, who served as gunner on an armored Army personnel carrier, says he doesn’t think everyone has such a dirty mind that they would be offended.

But he lost an appeal in January.

Associated Press