ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Bone in shipwreck not from notorious pirate

YARMOUTH, Mass.

A bone fragment recovered from a Cape Cod shipwreck is not from infamous pirate Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy after all.

The Whydah Pirate Museum in Yarmouth announced recently that DNA testing determined the bone was from a male with general ties to the Eastern Mediterranean area, but was not Bellamy.

The museum had enlisted forensic scientists to extract DNA from the bone fragment and compare it with DNA from a living Bellamy descendant.

The Whydah sank in 1717, taking 102 lives. Bellamy’s body was among 40 never found or identified.

The wreck was discovered in 1984. Most of its treasure is thought to remain on the ocean floor.

Forbes has listed Bellamy as the highest-earning pirate ever, plundering about $120 million worth of treasure.

Police investigate how gun ended up in driver’s bumper

LAKEWOOD, Wash

Talk about gunning the engine.

Authorities say a driver near Tacoma, Wash., saw an object strike the front of his car during his evening commute May 23. When he stopped for gas 18 miles later, he discovered it was a handgun.

The weapon was embedded in his bumper, barrel-end first, with the trigger sticking out just below the driver’s-side headlight.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Guy Gill says the driver notified troopers, who recovered the gun, which was missing its magazine. Gill calls it a “completely bizarre way to recover a weapon.”

The driver didn’t know whether the gun came from an overpass or another vehicle.

Lakewood Police Lt. Chris Lawler says the department is investigating whether it was linked to a nearby fight where shots were fired.

Creative road signs warn motorists in funny ways

AUGUSTA, Maine

Motorists traveling around Maine will see residents’ creativity on display.

Message boards warn motorists that, “A Cold Suppah Is Bettah Thana Hot Ticket.” Another one says, “Spend Money on Lobstahs – Not Speeding Tickets.” Yet another says, “Put Down UR Cell – Or You May End Up In One.”

They’re part of contest run by the Maine Department of Transportation.

People were asked to come up with clever messages, and six winners were selected out of nearly 2,000 entries.

They’ll be displayed for the next few weeks.

Associated Press