The local news in Florida is likely full of “truth is stranger than fiction” tales all year round because it’s always warm down there. Further north, though, the cold weather keeps a lid on the crazy (except in Maine, where it’s winter for so long that residents just strap on their Stabilicers and get on with it).
Elsewhere, though, crazy season is just beginning. In the past couple days, the following pieces caught my eye, or were brought to my attention:
—NH Man Loses Life Savings on Carnival Game: “Henry Gribbohm says he lost his life savings, $2,600, on a carnival game and all he has to show for it is a stuffed banana with dreadlocks.”
—Tulsa Wants to Host 2024 Summer Olympics: “Buoyed by its success hosting a major fishing tournament this winter, Oklahoma’s second-largest city is now dreaming of something faster, higher, stronger: the 2024 Summer Olympics.”
—Ice Cream Man to Rival: I Own This Town: “The Mr. Ding-a-Ling truck hadn’t been rolling through the streets here for more than a week before Joshua Malatino made his message clear: There ain’t enough Fudgsicles in this city for the both of us.”
—300 Gallons of Urine Found in Home: “Authorities are seeking to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against a Newtown man they say stored as much as 300 gallons of human urine in his home.”
It’s the best time of year to have the worst job in the country.
Kira Goldenberg was an associate editor at CJR from 2012-2015. Follow her on Twitter at @kiragoldenberg.