oddly enough

oddly enough

Officer announces Omaha Police HQ squirrel’s death

OMAHA, Neb.

Omaha police have announced the death of a squirrel that hung out around police headquarters and had his own Twitter following.

Police say the squirrel, which went by OPDSquirrel on the social media site, was found dead in the police headquarters’ parking lot in downtown Omaha.

A post by Omaha Officer Michael Bossman on Tuesday announced the death, accompanied by a picture of a dead squirrel outlined with chalk.

The squirrel’s Twitter account, however, remains active. The rodent’s nearly 350 followers have been treated to follow-up tweets from friends and family – including one from Mrs. OPDSquirrel, who thanked everyone for their kind words and said “he will be sorely missed by our 35 children and I.”

Police suggest donations to First Responders Foundation of Omaha in lieu of flowers.

Michigan couple faces jail over lost Dr. Seuss library book

TECUMSEH, Mich.

A judge told a Michigan couple they could land in jail for up to 93 days and face a maximum $500 fine for failing to return a novel and a Dr. Seuss book borrowed from the local public library.

Cathy and Melvin Duren of Tecumseh, Mich., appeared in Lenawee County court last week to each face a misdemeanor charge of failure to return rental property. They owe about $35 in late fees for “The Rome Prophecy,” borrowed in April 2015. They lost a Dr. Seuss book their teenage son borrowed for their granddaughter in July 2014.

“I can’t image going to jail over it, but I certainly will fight these charges because I’m not guilty,” Cathy Duren said.

Although the couple admitted they were negligent in returning the books, they think it’s unfair to each be charged a $105 “diversion fee” to the Lenawee County Economic Crimes Unit in addition to fines owed to the Tecumseh Public Library, WXYZ-TV reported.

In December, the Durens received a letter advising them to return the books and pay the fees, as well as the replacement costs if they couldn’t find the books. The letter also informed them that they could be charged with a crime.

In January, the couple was able to find and return “The Rome Prophecy,” but they couldn’t locate the Dr. Seuss book. The title of the book wasn’t known.

Cathy Duren sent a $55 money order to the prosecutor’s office to cover the late fees and replacement costs for the lost book. But she said her money order was refused because she and her husband declined to pay the additional $210 in diversion fees to the Lenawee County prosecutor’s crime unit.

Cathy Duren said she feels that she’s being extorted by the prosecutor’s office.

The Durens had to pay $100 bond to avoid going to jail when they were served with arrest warrants.

The couple said they probably will never check out a library book again.

Associated Press