WEIRD NEWS

WHOA - We've Got a Sleepwalker! Better Cancel School!

In Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, Wendover Middle School canceled classes after a sleepwalking student was found inside the building. State police say the seventh-grade student called 911 on Wednesday around 2:30 a.m. to report he had been sleepwalking and woke up in the school. They believe the student entered the school through a window and wandered around for about 15 minutes. Police say the student lives about four miles from the school. The Hempfield Area School District cancelled classes Wednesday due to security concerns, and police swept the building. The district says the incident is not connected to another student's arrest earlier this week for allegedly threatening to shoot a female student. (Yahoo News)

When the ATM Screws Up, You Get to Keep the Money, Right?

In Wichita, Kansas, Christina C. Ochoa is facing a pricey lawsuit after a bank accused her of making dozens of withdrawals from a faulty ATM that was dispensing $100 bills instead of $5 bills! The Central National Bank claims that Ochoa knew the ATM wasn't functioning properly and used it to receive as much money as possible. She allegedly made more than 50 withdrawals over five days in mid-January, several of which were done in the middle of the night. The bank wants her to pay back $11,607 plus interest. But Ochoa said she's done nothing wrong and has receipts as proof of her transactions. She also explained that she made so many withdrawals because she wanted enough $5 bills to create a "money cake" as a gift for someone. Central National Bank is also trying to seize two cars that the Ochoas bought while the ATM was malfunctioning, alleging that the $3,000 down payment for one of them "was made up entirely of one hundred dollar bills," according to the lawsuit. Christy Ochoa maintained that the cars were bought with money acquired in a car wreck settlement and a student loan. (FOX News)

We Told You Tanning Salons Were Bad For You

January Neatherlin has pleaded guilty to abandoning children at her illegal day care center in Bend to visit a tanning salon. As part of her plea agreement, other charges were dropped. She had been facing 122 charges of first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal mistreatment and recklessly endangering another person. This is far more serious than you may think and the Deschutes County District Attorney's office is recommending a 35-year prison sentence!! Neatherlin will be sentenced in March. Her guilty plea comes after a day-long settlement conference. A four-week trial in April has been canceled. Neatherlin, 32, was arrested March 15 after police found seven children younger than 5 drugged and unattended at her Little Giggles Daycare in Bend while she was at a tanning salon. Seven of the criminal mistreatment charges relate to the children found in March. The other four criminal mistreatment charges are from previous incidents with children in Neatherlin's care in 2013, 2015 and 2016. She has been in Deschutes County Jail almost a year since her arrest in March. While in custody, she allegedly tried to convince three inmates to confess to her crimes, offering one $50,000, according to court documents. (Oregon Live)

Cobalt Shortage? What's That About?

A cobalt shortage could mean really bad things for Apple. Apple needs cobalt for its iPhone batteries, but experts fear a potential shortage - because of all the electric vehicles coming out. Electric car batteries need 1,000 times more cobalt than smartphones do so Apple is reportedly trying to secure long-term contracts with cobalt miners. Historically, Apple has let the companies that make its batteries buy the cobalt, but this would be the first time Apple goes directly to the source. One person familiar with the matter says Apple is trying to get contracts for several thousand metric tons of cobalt per year for at least five years. Apple itself isn't commenting. The move could also help Apple's profits because the company may be able to get a better deal on large quantities of cobalt than battery makers can secure. It could also make it easier for Apple to know where its cobalt is coming from. And Apple's not alone. BMW is reportedly close to a contract for a 10-year supply, and Volkswagen and Samsung are also pursuing multiyear contracts. (Bloomberg)

It Seems the KKK Isn't Hip Anymore

This is ironically bizarre. An organization that tracks far-right extremists says the number of Ku Klux Klan chapters in the US is plummeting because the new generation of racists wants something cooler than the old-school white robes and hoods thing. You know, a hipper version of hate. The Southern Poverty Law Center said in a report that its count of Klan groups fell from 130 in 2016 to 72 last year. SPLC Intelligence Project Director Heidi Beirich says the Klan seems to be "collapsing" because younger white supremacists are turned off by its "old-school" traditions. The Alabama-based law center reported a surge in neo-Nazi groups-from 99 in 2016 to 121 last year. And it counted a total of 954 active "hate groups" in 2017, an increase of 4% over the previous year (Newser)

And Suddenly Barbie's a Bad Ass!

Barbie's got a new look and she is a force to be reckoned with. It's the debut of the "Tomb Raider" Barbie doll - a nod to the March 16 film starring Alicia Vikander. On Monday, the $30 Barbie became available for preorder. Tomb Raider Barbie wears olive-green cargo pants, a gray tank top, black boots, a steely facial expression, and comes with a map, a journal to chart her journey, and - best of all - a pink ice pick. Per the Mattel website, "Based on the main character from the upcoming movie, she's the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished mysteriously. Armed with only her sharp mind, blind faith, and stubborn spirit, Lara ventures into the unknown and must push herself beyond her limits. If she survives this perilous adventure, she will earn the title of TOMB RAIDER!" I say GI Joe swipes Right!! (Yahoo News)

What the What?

Sometimes the best therapy is the kind only friends can provide - especially four-legged friends. One Florida patient found that out when she got a surprise visit from her horse. According to a Florida Hospital spokesperson, Christine Carbonneau has been fighting through a long illness and is trying to wean off a ventilator. Her longtime partner Gary thought she seemed a little down, and suggested she might benefit from a visit with her horse, Ireland. That staff at the Connerton Long Term Acute Care Facility in Land O'Lakes helped set up the surprise and they were able to get the 68-year-old off her ventilator long enough to go and outside and be eye to eye with her beloved Ireland. Hospital spokesperson Richelle Hoenes-Ahearn said, "It was a touching moment and it is safe to say there was not a dry eye." (FOX 13)

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