WEIRD NEWS
Alabama Father and Son Killed in Head-On Collision
An unimaginable coincidence resulted in a double tragedy for one family in Alabama. Jeff Brasher, a 50-year-old bread delivery man, was on his way to work at 4:10 in the morning when he was hit head-on by a Chevy pick-up. That truck was being driven by his own son, 22-year-old Austin Brasher, who was on his way home after a late night out. Police wouldn't elaborate on specifics but did say one of the vehicles crossed into the wrong lane and that alcohol was involved. The crash happened nearly 20 miles away from the men's Fayette County home. Jeff Brasher was instantly killed and his son died in a hospital hours later. A joint funeral will be held for the men today (Wednesday). Relatives say Jeff Brasher wasn't a drinker, but Austin was, and a cousin says he "was coming home from partying when they crashed." Jeff Brasher's sister, Oak Grove High School principal Pam Dennis, says the "unexpected, unbelievable" tragedy came just five days after a collision with an 18-wheeler killed two sibling students and critically injured their two sisters. (People)
Got Any Star Wars Mac & Cheese?
Everett Botwright is a 6-year-old little boy in British Columbia with autism, and his parents say food is one of his "key issues." Lately, one of the only foods he would eat was a Star Wars-themed pasta dinner made by Kraft. That's a problem because they soon discovered it was a limited edition item and were having trouble finding it. So they put out a call on social media and little did they know their plea would go viral. Even William Shatner himself got in on the action, tweeting at Kraft, "can you possibly help?" The result? More than 500 boxes have been given to the family over the past week. Real Canadian Superstores shipped 411 of the boxes, but individuals have sent some too, many people including special messages with the pasta dinners. The family has also heard from others whose children have similar struggles and who have offered advice and encouragement. Everett's dad calls the experience "magical." And when the Star Wars dinners inevitably run out again? Everett has said he might agree to try other versions of the pasta dinner. (Toronto Star)
When the Police Need Help, They Call Vickie!
In Baton Rouge, 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman was heading out on a shopping trip when she saw a police officer struggling with someone on the side of the road. She says she didn't have time to think but, "could see in his eyes he needed help." She got out of her car and jumped on the man's back, and police are now applauding her bravery. The trouble began when the officer saw drug paraphernalia inside the car of 28-year-old Thomas Bennett during a traffic stop. Bennett allegedly became aggressive while the officer tried to handcuff him and allegedly used the officer's own baton to hit the officer in the head, and was trying to grab the gun from the officer's holster. Williams-Tillman called 911 first, then jumped into the fray! A police spokesperson said, Williams-Tillman "made a big difference," acknowledging that things could have ended differently had the woman not stopped to help. Ultimately, another officer arrived on the scene and was able to hit Bennett with a stun gun and detain him. Williams-Tillman hurt her wrist in the incident and the original officer, Billy Aime, suffered head wounds, but no one was seriously injured. Bennett faces charges including aggravated battery, battery on a police officer, and disarming a police officer. The mayor later said, "Vickie Williams-Tillman epitomizes the true Good Samaritan." (Advocate)
Tax Those Darn Robots...Said Mr. Gates!
Bill Gates has an interesting idea regarding those dang job-stealing robots. The Microsoft mogul says they should be taxed the same as humans. In an interview with Quartz magazine, Gates said, "If a robot comes in to do the same thing, you'd think that we'd tax the robot at a similar level." He adds that governments should tax companies that replace workers with machines and use that money to fund jobs that can only be performed by humans, such as caring for children and the elderly. In what is perhaps a surprising declaration for a man who built his fortune through innovation, the billionaire philanthropist contends the pace of automation in job-killing industries ought to be slowed, and taxes can help do that. He adds, "It is really bad if people overall have more fear about what innovation is going to do than they have enthusiasm." The idea of taxing machines is actually picking up steam even in the unlikely tech world of Silicon Valley, which seems to favor the customers, not the industry, footing the bill. (Financial Times)
Best Single Mom Ever?
A single mom in St. George, Utah is getting quite a lot of unexpected attention after she donned a mustache and dressed up like a dad for a school breakfast event. Whitney Kittrell wore the costume after deciding to fulfill her son's request that she accompany him to a "Dads and Donuts" event. She's divorced with full custody of her children and says some days have been better than others for the family. She said her son was all happiness as he introduced her to his classmates as both parents. Kittrell said Lucas told her he wanted her to come since she's his dad too. Kitrell posted the photos online for fun and then received an overwhelming response when they went viral! (KSL-TV)
Please Don't Open Your Doors to Unfamiliar Cattle!
Police in the town of Suffield, Connecticut have put out a weird warning - reminding people not to open their doors to "any unfamiliar cattle!" The humorous warning came after a pair of young bulls escaped from their pen and were found and photographed near the front door of a property a couple of houses away. Police managed to mooove them along eventually and steer them back to where they belonged. Then for fun officers posted the photo of the bulls on Facebook, saying two "suspicious males" were going door-to-door "trying to sell dairy products." Because you know, you just don't get a lot of opportunity for that level of hilarity in Suffield, Connecticut! (Metro)
What the What?
In the village of Managundi, India, 17-year-old Kumar Marewad was bitten by a dog and ended up on a ventilator as his condition quickly deteriorated. Ultimately doctors told the family he would not survive so he was taken off life support at the private hospital where he was being treated. So they started the process of transporting Kumar's body to a funeral home and about a mile before they got there, he woke up, opened his eyes and stated moving his hands and legs. So they rushed him back to the hospital and he's back on life support. Doctors say Kumar suffers from meningoencephalitis, an infection caused due to dog bite. Dude - that same hospital is the last place I'd take him. Talk about needing a second opinion!!! (Metro)
An unimaginable coincidence resulted in a double tragedy for one family in Alabama. Jeff Brasher, a 50-year-old bread delivery man, was on his way to work at 4:10 in the morning when he was hit head-on by a Chevy pick-up. That truck was being driven by his own son, 22-year-old Austin Brasher, who was on his way home after a late night out. Police wouldn't elaborate on specifics but did say one of the vehicles crossed into the wrong lane and that alcohol was involved. The crash happened nearly 20 miles away from the men's Fayette County home. Jeff Brasher was instantly killed and his son died in a hospital hours later. A joint funeral will be held for the men today (Wednesday). Relatives say Jeff Brasher wasn't a drinker, but Austin was, and a cousin says he "was coming home from partying when they crashed." Jeff Brasher's sister, Oak Grove High School principal Pam Dennis, says the "unexpected, unbelievable" tragedy came just five days after a collision with an 18-wheeler killed two sibling students and critically injured their two sisters. (People)
Got Any Star Wars Mac & Cheese?
Everett Botwright is a 6-year-old little boy in British Columbia with autism, and his parents say food is one of his "key issues." Lately, one of the only foods he would eat was a Star Wars-themed pasta dinner made by Kraft. That's a problem because they soon discovered it was a limited edition item and were having trouble finding it. So they put out a call on social media and little did they know their plea would go viral. Even William Shatner himself got in on the action, tweeting at Kraft, "can you possibly help?" The result? More than 500 boxes have been given to the family over the past week. Real Canadian Superstores shipped 411 of the boxes, but individuals have sent some too, many people including special messages with the pasta dinners. The family has also heard from others whose children have similar struggles and who have offered advice and encouragement. Everett's dad calls the experience "magical." And when the Star Wars dinners inevitably run out again? Everett has said he might agree to try other versions of the pasta dinner. (Toronto Star)
When the Police Need Help, They Call Vickie!
In Baton Rouge, 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman was heading out on a shopping trip when she saw a police officer struggling with someone on the side of the road. She says she didn't have time to think but, "could see in his eyes he needed help." She got out of her car and jumped on the man's back, and police are now applauding her bravery. The trouble began when the officer saw drug paraphernalia inside the car of 28-year-old Thomas Bennett during a traffic stop. Bennett allegedly became aggressive while the officer tried to handcuff him and allegedly used the officer's own baton to hit the officer in the head, and was trying to grab the gun from the officer's holster. Williams-Tillman called 911 first, then jumped into the fray! A police spokesperson said, Williams-Tillman "made a big difference," acknowledging that things could have ended differently had the woman not stopped to help. Ultimately, another officer arrived on the scene and was able to hit Bennett with a stun gun and detain him. Williams-Tillman hurt her wrist in the incident and the original officer, Billy Aime, suffered head wounds, but no one was seriously injured. Bennett faces charges including aggravated battery, battery on a police officer, and disarming a police officer. The mayor later said, "Vickie Williams-Tillman epitomizes the true Good Samaritan." (Advocate)
Tax Those Darn Robots...Said Mr. Gates!
Bill Gates has an interesting idea regarding those dang job-stealing robots. The Microsoft mogul says they should be taxed the same as humans. In an interview with Quartz magazine, Gates said, "If a robot comes in to do the same thing, you'd think that we'd tax the robot at a similar level." He adds that governments should tax companies that replace workers with machines and use that money to fund jobs that can only be performed by humans, such as caring for children and the elderly. In what is perhaps a surprising declaration for a man who built his fortune through innovation, the billionaire philanthropist contends the pace of automation in job-killing industries ought to be slowed, and taxes can help do that. He adds, "It is really bad if people overall have more fear about what innovation is going to do than they have enthusiasm." The idea of taxing machines is actually picking up steam even in the unlikely tech world of Silicon Valley, which seems to favor the customers, not the industry, footing the bill. (Financial Times)
Best Single Mom Ever?
A single mom in St. George, Utah is getting quite a lot of unexpected attention after she donned a mustache and dressed up like a dad for a school breakfast event. Whitney Kittrell wore the costume after deciding to fulfill her son's request that she accompany him to a "Dads and Donuts" event. She's divorced with full custody of her children and says some days have been better than others for the family. She said her son was all happiness as he introduced her to his classmates as both parents. Kittrell said Lucas told her he wanted her to come since she's his dad too. Kitrell posted the photos online for fun and then received an overwhelming response when they went viral! (KSL-TV)
Please Don't Open Your Doors to Unfamiliar Cattle!
Police in the town of Suffield, Connecticut have put out a weird warning - reminding people not to open their doors to "any unfamiliar cattle!" The humorous warning came after a pair of young bulls escaped from their pen and were found and photographed near the front door of a property a couple of houses away. Police managed to mooove them along eventually and steer them back to where they belonged. Then for fun officers posted the photo of the bulls on Facebook, saying two "suspicious males" were going door-to-door "trying to sell dairy products." Because you know, you just don't get a lot of opportunity for that level of hilarity in Suffield, Connecticut! (Metro)
What the What?
In the village of Managundi, India, 17-year-old Kumar Marewad was bitten by a dog and ended up on a ventilator as his condition quickly deteriorated. Ultimately doctors told the family he would not survive so he was taken off life support at the private hospital where he was being treated. So they started the process of transporting Kumar's body to a funeral home and about a mile before they got there, he woke up, opened his eyes and stated moving his hands and legs. So they rushed him back to the hospital and he's back on life support. Doctors say Kumar suffers from meningoencephalitis, an infection caused due to dog bite. Dude - that same hospital is the last place I'd take him. Talk about needing a second opinion!!! (Metro)
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