oddly enough

oddly enough

Councilman’s petitions named famous nonresidents, ends bid

PITTSBURGH

A 12-year Allegheny County councilman has withdrawn his nominating petitions — and thus ended his last re-election bid — in grand style.

Seventy-three-year-old William Robinson’s petitions indicated he personally collected more than 300 signatures from people including actors Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts, comedian Kevin Hart, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis — and his two May primary opponents.

The trouble is none — except the opponents who deny signing the petitions — are residents or registered voters in Robinson’s council district, which covers part of Pittsburgh, Forest Hills and Wilkinsburg.

The Democrat didn’t immediately return a call and email to his office Wednesday.

Robinson’s opponents had filed a court challenge over the petitions. An attorney for the county elections department told a judge Wednesday that Robinson has withdrawn the petitions.

New Jersey suit over Florida pizza-shop logo is tossed

TRENTON, N.J.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s lawsuit against a Florida pizza shop for using a logo similar to the Garden State Parkway’s green and yellow signs has been tossed.

Federal Judge William Martini granted the Jersey Boardwalk Pizza shop’s request to dismiss the suit Thursday, saying that the shop doesn’t have enough contact with the state for New Jersey to bring the lawsuit here.

In his written ruling, he also said the company hasn’t conducted business with residents in New Jersey other than branded merchandise that he says arguably was only purchased because of the publicity surrounding the lawsuit.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Thomas Feeney said the state is continuing to fight the company before the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He said it is also considering its options regarding the judge’s decision, including whether to refile the suit in another federal court.

Loose police horse briefly on patrol in downtown Cleveland

CLEVELAND

A loose police horse conducted an unscheduled patrol through downtown Cleveland before officers recaptured it.

Cleveland police spokesman Sgt. Ali Pillow said Jack, a horse with the department’s mounted unit, was tied up at Erie Street Cemetery when he got loose about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that Jack galloped through Playhouse Square, then headed toward Lake Erie.

Police caught up with Jack as he headed east on Superior Avenue.

Pillow said there were no reports of injuries or property damage. Officers said Jack stayed on the street during his escape but didn’t stop at red lights.

Associated Press