Offbeat News: A Weary Traveler, An Explosive New Year & Stupid Criminals

Posted on January 3, 2018January 10, 2018 by Rick Watts

KMZN’s OFFBEAT NEWS:

“Wayfaring Stranger”

What would you do if you woke up and found a stranger asleep on your couch? If you’re New Zealand homeowner Gordon Pryor, you let ’em sleep. Then, you wake him up with an offer of breakfast and coffee.

In case you missed it, Pryor shared a photo of the sleeping man on social media which prompted plenty of questions. After waking him up, Pryor got the answers. The college student had gone to a music festival, but took the wrong shuttle while trying to get home. When he found Pryor’s house, the guy decided to get some sleep and entered through an unlocked door.

The young man and 60-year-old Pryor chatted for about an hour before the student went on his way. “He was really humble, a helluva nice kid,” Pryor says. “[But] I just slowly wound him up and teased him a bit and made it quite clearly known that what he’d done was not exactly acceptable, but at the end of the day it was seen as a harmless things to do.”

“Bring In 2018 With A Bang”

During the New Year’s revelry of last weekend, a group of people were setting off fireworks in the parking lot of a Houston, Texas strip mall when one landed on the trunk of Hurara Hassan’s trunk. The rogue firework managed to set off the unlit explosives Hassan had stashed in his trunk… all 600 of them.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the unintentionally massive firework display. Footage of the aftermath has gone viral, but it doesn’t seem like Hassan is planning on changing his ways.

“I’m not worried about it,” he says. “I stay positive. I’ll go do the fireworks again. But I’ll make sure the trunk is closed next time.”

STUPID CRIMINALS:

“Fanning the Flames”

Police in Toronto, Canada are looking for the man who lit a Porsche SUV on fire while it was sitting in a residential driveway. Unfortunately for him, he was in full view of a security camera. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the man.

“Pennsylvania Prison Blues”

Edwin Wylie-Biggs is currently serving time in a Pennsylvania prison. A corrections officer saw an inmate pass Wylie-Biggs something so he performed a strip search. That’s when the officer spotted the tail end of a balloon sticking out of the inmate’s tail end. The substance inside the balloon tested positive for K2, a synthetic form of marijuana. Wylie-Biggs appealed his possession of contraband by an inmate charge on the grounds that Pennsylvania didn’t have an ironclad case. He also allegedly claimed the drugs weren’t his. The judge didn’t believe him and the charge is staying put.

To listen in live to Offbeat News, tune into The Morning Brew with DJ Bob Allen from 6:00 – 11 AM on KMZN 99.5FM and 740AM every Monday through Friday. To report your own Offbeat News, e-mail news@kboeradio.com. If you aren’t within our listening area but would still like to listen in to KMZN, click here to hear our livestream.

Ratt Say They’ll Tour in 2018

Posted on December 28, 2017December 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

Ratt plan on hitting the road next year. No further details about the band’s possible 2018 plans were released as part of the Facebook post, but it’s likely that the shows will feature classic-era members Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Juan Croucier, who reunited earlier this year and have played a handful of times over the last few months. The most recent lineup is rounded out by guitarist Carlos Cavazo and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso.

Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier took legal action against original drummer Bobby Blozter after he began touring under the Ratt name in 2015. The trio secured a court ruling in their favor in November 2016, giving them control of the title. However, Blotzer apparently believes he can also use the name, so the dispute remains unresolved. He’s continued doing so, although Blotzer’s lineup of the band hasn’t played since he underwent spinal surgery in March.

https://www.facebook.com/therattpack/photos/a.10155276125070907.1073741844.113122760906/10155745348095907/?type=3&theater

Early this year, Pearcy reported that work was underway on the follow-up to Ratt’s 2010 album Infestation. “Warren and I already demoing up some Ratt music for, you know, what’s going on this year,” he said. “[S]o who knows? Maybe we’ll try to get a record started for Ratt. … It’s been, like, what, six years … or something, seven years, since Infestation? … I don’t know how long it’s been. It took 10 years to do that. But that’s a whole another animal in itself.”

Former bassist Robbie Crane has said it’s “heartbreaking” to see the continued fueding among his former colleagues. He played with Ratt between 1996-2012, then was part of Blotzer’s band in 2016. “I spent 16 years in that band, and you want good for all of them — I care for all of those people,” he told Metal Express Radio. “But, having said that, there was always a really heavy underlaying of tension and drama in that band.

“I care for all of those guys,” Crane added. “I’m happy that Bob was able to go and play some music on his own. But I think the price that it cost to have done that, I don’t think it was worth it for Bob. And I think that it’s unfortunate. My ultimate hope is that they will all see beyond what’s happened, and that time will heal all wounds and that they will eventually do something together as the remaining members.”

A Special Lineup Appears in London

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

On December 28, 1979 – at the third of Paul McCartney’s concerts for Kampuchea in London – The Who, The Pretenders, The Specials, and Ian Dury & The Blockheads perform.

From that concert, here’s Ian with “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”:

‘Offbeat News’ for December 28th

Posted on December 28, 2017December 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

OFFBEAT NEWS:

For Jacki and Josh Grossman, Christmas Eve has a new tradition: newborns. The couple welcomed their second child, Elliott, on December 24th, four years to the day their older son, Oliver came into the world. What’s more, the same doctor delivered both Grossman boys.

Jacki says she “couldn’t feel more blessed” that her sons share their special day. As for Oliver, he seems pretty pumped, too. According to mom, the four-year-old ran around the hospital spreading the news.

TSA agents at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport were in for a surprise when they spotted a dead cougar in a man’s suitcase. The cougar appeared to have a Utah State Fish and Game tag but officials held the passenger while they investigated.

In the end, no crime was committed and the unidentified man shipped the cougar body to wherever his next destination was.

“It is not a crime to transport game that is legal to possess via airlines,” Police Lieutenant David Gordon said. “However, airlines reserve the right to tell passengers they do not want to transport certain items.” Now you know!

STUPID CRIMINALS:

A man in Akron, Ohio might want to go into crafts instead of crime. The unnamed person walked into a store and waved what first appeared to be a rifle. After an employee saw the gun was fake, he confronted the would-be burglar with the help of three customers and kept him subdued until cops came. After some investigating, the man was found to be in possession of a pole, a fake scope, a spring and two table legs fastened together to look like a rifle. He’s now facing a robbery charge.

A 22-year-old man walked into a Wisconsin salon to get the sides of his head shaved and an inch cut off the top. Apparently he was too fidgety because according to the unidentified client, stylist Khaled A. Shabani began to twist the customer’s ear and eventually snipped the man’s ear with his scissors. According to Shabani, the nick was unintentional. Oh, the stylist then ran the clipper down the middle of the customer’s head which left him looking, as police said, “a bit like Larry from the ‘Three Stooges.'” The customer had to go and get his head shaved before heading home for the holidays while Shabani was hit with a tentative charge of mayhem and disorderly conduct while armed charge.

If nothing else, Nicole Hunter won’t let anything get in her way. Unfortunately for her, this time that meant trying to do cocaine in a police station. Hunter, who was at the station after picked up for causing a disturbance, must have been spotted by one of the no doubt many police officers around and was hit with possession charges. She’s set to head to court next month.

Ringo Starr May Be Knighted Soon

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Rick Watts

It is believed that Beatles drummer Ringo Starr will be honored with a knighthood. One British tabloid is reporting that he is mentioned in the Queen’s New Year honors list in recognition of his services to music and charity.

The official announcement will be made on Jan. 1, but the Sun reported that a close friend had confirmed Starr’s name would appear on the list for 2018. “It came as a bolt from the blue. Ringo was totally knocked sideways, but is chuffed to bits,” said the source.

Bandmate Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997. All four members of the Beatles were given MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) awards in 1965 – although John Lennon sent his back as a political protest four years later.

Starr, 77, was said to have “given up all hope” of being knighted until he was notified by letter a few weeks ago. “He’ll feel 10 feet tall when he goes back [to Buckingham Palace],” said another source. “[G]iving Ringo a knighthood will do some way towards recognizing the contribution the Beatles made to popular music.” Adding that it was “long overdue,” the source also described Starr as a “beacon of Beatlemania.”

McCartney had previously insisted “it’s about time” the honor was conferred. Replying to the suggestion that he should ask the Queen himself, he said: “The last time I went by, she was out. Otherwise I would have popped in and said, ‘Look, love, Sir Richard Starkey.’”

The Doors Appear on CBS

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Rick Watts

This day in Rock History: In 1967, The Doors appeared on the Jonathan Winters Show on CBS.

Here’s their performance of Moonlight Drive from that show:

‘Offbeat News’ for December 26th

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Rick Watts

OFFBEAT NEWS:

Did Disney mess up its animatronic Trump?

Walt Disney World has been preparing to add Donald Trump to its Hall of Presidents since before he took office. Just over a year later, the park is finally unveiling the fruits of its long-awaited labor — and early reviews on Twitter are mixed.

More than one has even stated that the animatronic likeness looks more like Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight than Trump.

But while Disney may have captured the president’s animated hand movements faithfully, the robot’s physical appearance isn’t winning praise on Twitter. Commenters have not only compared Disney’s Trump-bot to Jon Voight, but also Angela Lansbury, the character of Biff Tannen from “Back to the Future: Part 2” and even Hillary Clinton.
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Instead of whining about their son’s teachers, Ohio parents Mary and Paul Sommers decided to wine them for Christmas instead.

Mary and Paul Sommers, who live in Beavercreek, say their son, 14-year-old Jake, is “that kid” ― the one in class “who always has something to say.”

So, when the parents wanted to say thanks to Jake’s teachers for putting up with him, Mary Sommers said they had to kick things up a notch.

With help from a friend’s printing company, the Sommers turned some bottles of Chardonnay into a thoughtful holiday gift for their son’s teachers.

The label features a picture of a smiling Jake and reads, “Our Child Might Be The Reason You Drink, So Enjoy This Bottle On Us.”

Jake insisted he’s not insulted by the gift. In fact, he helped deliver the vino personally.
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Authorities say a gift-wrapped box of horse manure addressed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (mih-NOO’-shin) was found near his home in Los Angeles.

The package was found Saturday night after it was dropped off at a neighbor’s house.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s bomb squad was called to the home and officers opened the box, finding a pile of horse manure inside. Police said the package had been gift-wrapped and was marked as being from “the American people.”

Police said the Secret Service was taking over the investigation. A Secret Service spokesman said the agency was aware of the incident but declined to comment further.
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A Massachusetts teacher is one tough cookie — he cut his finger on the Food Network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge” show and still won the competition.

Doug Alley lives in Rhode Island but teaches culinary arts at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne, Massachusetts, and took the $10,000 top prize.

Alley tells the Cape Cod Times he and his fellow contestants have been texting each other since the episodes began being aired in the run-up to Christmas.

The challenge was taped in New Orleans in August. Alley won for his sugar cookies and a lemon rosemary cookie.

Alley says he, his wife and their 17-year-old daughter are using part of his winnings for a vacation at Disney World. He says he’s also planning to release a new cookbook soon.
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After a four-year courtship, a British Army sergeant and a former diving instructor have married underwater in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The couple used an underwater tablet Thursday to exchange wedding vows beside Molasses Reef off Key Largo.

In 2013, Thomas Mould, of Leicester, England, traveled on an Army adventure training dive trip to the Amoray Dive Resort in the Keys, where Sandra Hyde worked as an instructor.

The couple connected. Hyde traveled to Leicester a few times, and he visited her in the states.

They decided to marry and planned a summer wedding in an old English church but then decided an underwater wedding in the Keys would not only be more appropriate, but more cost-effective.

The couple is honeymooning in the Keys, before returning to live in England.

‘Offbeat News’ for December 12th

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Rick Watts

OFFBEAT NEWS:

Imagine going to relax in front of the TV and finding a snake, but not just any snake. A man in Cooroy, Australia stumbled upon an eight-foot-long python relaxing on his couch.

Snake Catcher Luke Huntley responded to the scene and says the serpent was the largest he’s ever caught indoors. He also admits to getting a few laughs about how the snake seemed to be lounging around.

Huntley’s tip for keeping snakes out of your house? Keep your windows and doors closed.

Alwine, Germany now has a new owner. The town, which has a population of 20, was put up for auction. It wasn’t exactly a bidding war, though. Only one person was willing to cough up any money and ended up snagging Alwine for $164-thousand-900.

It’s unclear at this point what the anonymous buyer is planning on doing with his or her latest purchase or what Alwine’s current residents, who are mostly retirees, think about it.

A very lucky lady lives in Maryland. The unidentified 54-year-old bought a lotto scratch-off card that ended up being worth $2-million. This isn’t her first time at the rodeo, though. A few years ago, this same woman won $100-thousand on another scratch-off.

This time around, the winner kept the exciting news to herself, going to work and not telling anyone until she got home.

She decided to receive her jackpot in annuity, which comes to about $66-thousand a year for the next 20 years.

STUPID CRIMINALS:

If you’re going to travel with more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine, make sure you follow all other traffic laws. In case you missed it, police in Pratt County, Kansas pulled a car over for a routine traffic stop. After finding probable cause for a search of the car, they hit the narcotics jackpot with the massive meth haul. All in all, the drugs are worth about $404,000 on the street.
Jamie Esposito subscribes to the go big or go home method. The 32-year-old is being charged with stealing 144 bottles of nail polish from Bayonne, New Jersey CVS, worth around $14-hundred. She was pegged for the crime after getting caught stealing from a nearby Rite Aid. That time, Esposito was found in possession of $64 worth of formula. Authorities also discovered drugs on her. It’s unclear what exactly Esposito ended up being charged with.
A 16-year-old babysitter figured if he had to watch a 10-year-old, he might as well put him to work…as his accomplice. Police in Rochester got a call about a child dragging a suitcase along the street. When cops arrived, they found the suitcase was filled with goods from a recent burglary, which they tied to the teenage babysitter. Oh, and for what it’s worth, the babysitter gave cops a fake name and age. They figured it out, though, and charged the unidentified minor with burglary, two counts of grand larceny, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal impersonation. The unknowing accomplice was released to his parents.

What is some of the most “offbeat news” that you’ve ever heard? Share below in the comments! Don’t forget to tune into KMZN 99.5FM and 740AM every weekday morning to hear more during “Bob’s Morning Brew” with DJ Bob Allen.

Elton John Mourns Loss of Mother

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Rick Watts

Elton John is mourning the loss of his mother, Sheila Farebrother, who died today at 92.

“So sad to say that my mother passed away this morning. I only saw her last Monday and I am in shock,” he wrote in an Instagram post with a photograph of smiling mother and son. “Travel safe, Mum. Thank you for everything. I will miss you so much. Love, Elton.”

Farebrother, who encouraged her son to play piano beginning at age 3, was known to be very supportive of his career. Though his father was a trumpeter, the two had a poor relationship, and it was his mom who introduced him to the music that would change his life, according to the BBC. Farebrother was a record collector, bringing home albums by artists like Elvis Presley and Bill Haley.

The two had a falling out in 2008, however, when Farebrother refused to cut ties with two of John’s oldest friends — his driver, as well as his manager and former boyfriend — after he ended his own relationship with them. But earlier this year, the two mended their relationship when a bacterial infection put John in the hospital.

Elton John’s current tour continues after a show last night in Barcelona. He currently has 12 upcoming performances planned, including one in Hamburg tomorrow.

William Penn and KMZN/KMYQ to Partner for Basketball Broadcasts

Posted on November 30, 2017November 30, 2017 by Rick Watts

Oskaloosa–William Penn Athletics Director Nik Rule is proud to announce that the University has entered into an agreement with KMZN/KMYQ to broadcast radio coverage of all the men’s and women’s basketball Heart of America Athletic Conference games this winter.

Beginning with tonight’s home doubleheader against Mount Mercy (5:30 & 7:30 tipoffs), KMZN 99.5 FM and 740 AM will serve as the flagship stations for all Statesmen basketball radio broadcasts, both at home in Penn Gymnasium and on the road. KMZN/KMYQ Sports Director Emery Songer will be the ‘Voice of the Statesmen’, while Kiley Broadway will provide color commentary for most contests.

Listeners in Sigourney, Keota, Kalona, North and South English, Williamsburg, Wellman and Washington can also hear the games simulcasted on the company’s newest station, KMYQ 97.1 FM. The games will be broadcast over the internet at www.radiokmzn.com as well.

The entities have been partners for numerous years for William Penn football broadcasts.

“We are excited to partner with the team at KMZN/KMYQ to be the voice of William Penn Athletics and cover our conference basketball games this winter,” Rule said. “Many of our teams are among the best in the nation in small college athletics and we look forward to having the leader in radio in our community broadcast our games.”

“Here at KMZN/KMYQ, we are all excited about the opportunity to serve as the flagship stations for the William Penn University Statesmen,” KMZN/KMYQ General Manager Rick Watts said. “I am certain that our listeners, both over our airwaves as well as online at radiokmzn.com, will welcome the opportunity to tune in to this exciting coverage.”

The additional KMZN/KMYQ radio broadcasts will be a supplement to the video broadcasts which WPU already offers to fans at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/wpu/

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