Strange but True

SPENCER, Ind. — A tiny parcel of land in southwest Indiana is some of the priciest real estate in the world.

Owen County officials are trying to sell a 1-square-inch plot of land for $1,500. At that rate, an acre of land would cost nearly $7 billion.

No buyers ponied up for the postage-stamp-sized plot during a tax sale.

"It’s too small to plant a flower on,” said Peter Dorsey, with the county’s mapping department.

The parcel was originally part of a 1.12-acre tract under a separate deed, said auditor Angie Lawson. Officials think the tiny piece of land west of Bloomington was deeded to someone in the 1960s, when people had to own property to use a nearby lake.

First National Bank foreclosed on the property owner’s mortgage, which covered the entire 1.12-acre tract, and the land was up for bid at the tax sale. There is a minimum bid of $1,500 for tax sale parcels.

County attorney Richard Lorenz said he wants to find a way for the county to get rid of the land and the responsibility of selling it, perhaps by giving it away.

"Maybe we could donate that 1-inch plot to Owen County Preservations as the smallest land donation in history,” Lorenz said.

Safe haven for squirrels

DEL MAR, Calif. — One Southern California city just got a little safer for squirrels.

City officials in Del Mar, north of San Diego, agreed to stop using poison to control the squirrel population, to the delight of animal rights activists.

For years, the city used poison-baited traps to snare wild squirrels in Seagrove Park. The San Diego-based Animal Protection and Rescue League has urged officials to consider nontoxic means of control, such as making it illegal for people to feed the animals.

The Del Mar Parks and Recreation Committee voted Wednesday to stop using poison in favor of trapping and euthanizing. The committee also is considering birth control methods.

"Poison is antiquated and very inhumane,” said Kath Rogers of the animal league.

"We’re very excited that the city has decided to adopt more progressive measures,” Rogers said.

Stolen truck found, 22 years later

GILLETTE, Wyo. — A stolen welding truck was discovered in Ohio — 22 years after it disappeared from Wyoming, police said.

The 1980 F379 welding truck had a false vehicle identification number and was owned by an 85-year-old farmer, who was not suspected of the theft, the Ohio State Patrol said.

Troopers found the real VIN on the truck’s frame, ran it through a stolen vehicle database and discovered that it went missing in 1983.

Ohio troopers told Campbell County deputies about the stolen truck Tuesday. Campbell County deputies had to search ancient microfiche reports to learn more about it.

Insurance paid off the vehicle in 1984, and the only suspect in the case has since died.

Marilyn statue safe

HALTOM CITY, Texas — Police discovered a missing 120-pound, life-size statue of Marilyn Monroe in a Fort Worth home.

The statue disappeared in October from the roof of The Cafe, a restaurant in Haltom City.

Police were acting on a tip when they found the statue Monday in nearby Fort Worth. No arrests were made.

"It’s just hard to hide a statue,” Haltom City Deputy Chief Ron Everett said.

The Cafe’s owner paid about $350 for the statue at a Dallas specialty shop. She had been inside the restaurant, but was moved to the roof about two years ago. A few months ago, a police officer statue had joined her.

"I’m just as happy as I can be,” said Robin Farmer, manager of The Cafe. "I miss not seeing her every morning. I know the police officer (statue) has missed her.”

Woman padded bra with parrot

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A woman has been arrested for padding her bra — with a stolen rare parrot.

Jill Knispel, 35, hid the Greenwing parrot in her bra after taking it from her employer, Baby Exotic Birds of Englewood, police said.

When Knispel went to trade the bird for a vintage car, she told the car’s owner how she got the animal, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Turns out the car’s owner is friends with the man who owns the $2,000 bird.

DNA tests confirmed the bird’s identity and Knispel was charged with grand theft.

"The circumstances of the case are the most bizarre I’ve ever encountered,” said veteran wildlife investigator Lenny Barshinger.

Cats everywhere

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — A house about 20 miles from Pittsburgh really stinks — and its furry occupants are to blame.

Police originally suspected the ammonia-like odor could signal a methamphetamine lab. But the 35 cats and a dog were the real culprits.

"Everywhere you looked, you saw cats,” New Kensington code enforcement officer Rick Jacobus said.

The animals were found in the home’s rafters and air ducts; the carpets and floors had been soaked with animal urine, he said.

"Your eyes began to tear,” Jacobus said. "It was like someone opened a can of ammonia.”

The home’s three tenants were evicted and the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau was contacted to check on a young boy who lived there.

The animals were taken to a shelter.

Perfect attendance needed

YUMA, Ariz. — Stay in school — win a car!

That’s the message for high school students in the Yuma area after a local car dealership announced plans to give away two cars next spring. To be eligible for the raffle, students need a perfect attendance record.

Fisher Chevrolet began its Cool to Stay in School program by giving away a Chevrolet Cavalier at the end of the 2004-05 school year. The prize went to a student from San Luis High School.

This year, the dealership is giving away two cars: a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt and a 2006 Dodge Caliber.

Janeth Maldonado, a San Luis High School junior, said the chance to win a car isn’t the only reason she attends school every day, but it certainly helps.

"I feel that if I miss classes, I’m going to start getting low grades,” she said. "The car is a motivation because I really want one, especially if it’s new.”<