ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

School for strippers might have kept going, if not for noise

TAMPA, Fla.

If not for the loud parties, the owner of a $2 million mansion north of downtown Tampa might have continued operating a training school for strippers next door to an exclusive gated community.

The Tampa Tribune reported that the all-night, liquor-fueled celebrations, complete with booming stereos and screaming women, drew complaints from neighbors.

The mansion’s owner and manager were hit with code violations. The manager also was accused of violating the county’s noise ordinance, but the charge was dismissed.

The owner told the newspaper he has ceased all commercial activity at the 12,000-square-foot house.

County officials want to make sure the violations don’t recur. Representatives from Code Enforcement and the sheriff’s office were to meet with a county commissioner to discuss whether further action is necessary.

Tenn. developers push to open swingers club as a church

MADISON, Tenn.

A group of Tennessee developers blocked from building a sex club next door to a Christian school has found a loophole allowing them to re-label the club as a church.

WSMV-TV reported that developers fought for months to open a swingers club in a vacant building next to Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, about 8 miles north of downtown Nashville. The city council quickly passed a zoning amendment blocking the plans. But developers filed a new set of plans asking permission to renovate the building as a church. The plans were approved.

Goodpasture’s president says the plans are identical, but a room once labeled “the dungeon” is labeled a “choir room” and a former “game room” a “fellowship hall.”

Under city codes, before opening for business, the club will have to prove worship is actually taking place.

Handcuffed suspect steals police car; doesn’t get far

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.

A handcuffed man who stole a police car in Alabama has been arrested again.

WIAT-TV reported that Birmingham officers got a call of a burglary in progress. Officers arrested the suspect April 19 and put him in handcuffs with his hands behind his back and placed him in the back of a police car. Officer Scott Thurmond says the suspect managed to get his handcuffs in front of him and drive away.

Police say the unidentified suspect drove less than a mile before ditching the vehicle. Officers were able to take him back into custody later in the day. He was still in the handcuffs.

Associated Press