ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Crash leaves car standing vertically against a tree

ISLIP TERRACE, N.Y.

Emergency crews arriving at the scene of a vehicle crash on New York’s Long Island came upon something they had never seen before: a car standing upright against a tree.

Authorities tell WCBS-TVthat the 18-year-old Central Islip woman driving the car was traveling on the Southern State Parkway when she crashed near an exit in Islip Terrace. The car went into the woods and came to rest standing vertically on its front end while leaning against a tree.

Firefighters stabilized the teetering vehicle by securing it to the tree with chains and strapping then used a ladder to rescue the injured woman from the car. She was treated at a hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries.

State Police charged her with unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

Book returned 75 years past due; war to blame?

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.

“Val Rides the Oregon Trail” is back in the hands of a Pennsylvania library – 75 years past the book’s due date.

Robert Lockman Jr. recently found the popular children’s book by Sanford Tousey in his basement in Shavertown, Pa. His late father had taken it out when he was 9.

Lockman told The Citizens’ Voice he has no idea what happened but returning it recently was the right thing to do.

The Osterhout Free Library didn’t impose a fine. It would have worked out to more than $550 at the 1941 rate.

Library officials speculate the family lost track of the book because “everyone had more important things to worry about” at the time.

Its return date was stamped Dec. 2, 1941 – five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

NY woman hits shot, then gets marriage proposal

ALBANY, N.Y.

It was quite a night for a New York state college basketball fan who made a half-court shot to win a $500 gift card and received a marriage proposal seconds later.

Erin Tobin took part in a Dunkin’ Donuts promotion during a recentManhattan-Siena game at the Times Union Center in Albany. As the company’s mascot stood nearby, the 30-year-old Siena graduate and season-ticket holder banked in her half-court, one-handed heave.

After celebrating, Tobin turned around to see the mascot’s giant coffee cup costume being removed to reveal her boyfriend, 31-year-old Steve Duckett, on his knee and holding an engagement ring. A surprised Tobin said yes as the crowd cheered.

Adding to an already big night, Siena beat Manhattan 94-71.

Associated Press