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News of the Weird

Staff
Tuesday August 27, 2002

A bullet for a wedgie 

LOWER SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. — A man accused of trying to kill a friend who gave him a “wedgie” will stand trial on an attempted murder charge, a judge ruled. 

Daniel Strouss, 19, was attending a Phish concert last year when Eric Kassoway sneaked up behind him and yanked up his underwear, according to testimony at a hearing Thursday. 

Strouss, of Richboro, held a grudge for months before shooting Kassoway on June 12, authorities said. 

On the night of the shooting, Strouss drove to Kassoway’s home and waited until Kassoway came home, then shot him in the arm and leg, authorities said. Kassoway nearly died from loss of blood. 

Strouss’ attorney, Al Cepparulo, said he did not dispute the prosecution’s version of events. 

“This is a tragedy for the victim. All I can say is my client is going through therapy,” he said last week. 

$1 for a police cruiser 

SPRINGFIELD, Fla. — This Florida Panhandle town is getting new police cars for only $1 each, but there’s a catch. The cars will be festooned with corporate sponsorship logos similar to those on race cars. 

City commissioners voted 4-0 Thursday to accept the deal with Charlotte, N.C.-based Government Acquisitions. The company hopes to provide a new squad car for each of Springfield’s 15 officers within the next three years. 

Government Acquisitions partner Ken Allison said advertising on cruisers destined for the Panama City suburb would be toned down. 

Police Chief Sam Slay said the city could save about $500,000 over the three-year span. 

“You are talking about $500,000 that can be spent other places in the city, and that’s what this program is for,” said Mayor Robert Walker. 

Slay wants the savings used to hire two more officers, but Commissioner Carl Curti said other departments may need the money. Slay said his department should get to use the money instead of being punished for saving it. 

Curti also was apprehensive about using the police car budget for other purposes. 

“These free cars may not always be free cars,” Curti said. 

Your age is Enronian 

HOUSTON — A company has created a birthday card inspired by Enron Corp. and its accounting scandals. 

The card by Tomato Cards, a line put out by Chicago-based Recycled Paper Greetings, features a smirking accountant sitting over an adding machine. 

“For your birthday, we hired Enron’s accountants to figure out just how old you are,” the card reads. 

“It’s very unusual to find a business being made fun of on a card,” said Marianne McDermott, executive vice president of the Greeting Card Association, a Washington, D.C.-based organization representing greeting card manufacturers.