The Odd Truth, April 8, 2005
The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Joey Arak.
Cookie Monster Goes On Diet
NEW YORK - The "Cookie Monster" is straightening up his act.
"Sesame Street's" beloved blue, furry monster is going to learn some lessons about moderation as the children's show kicks off its 36th season on PBS.
"Cookie Monster" will now advocate healthy eating. His "C is for cookie" song has been replaced with a new song -- "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food."
There's more.
The show's vice president of research and education says each episode will open with a "health tip" and there will be new characters -- like talking eggplants and carrots.
Show producers say with the rise in childhood obesity, "Sesame Street" is focusing on teaching children about healthy foods and physical activity.
Ambassador In Dog Flap
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The ambassador to the tiny eastern European country of Latvia has been sued for failing to remove her dog from her home. But her attorney says it's all a case of mistaken identity.
Catherine Bailey and her husband, Irv, are accused of violating a settlement in which the couple agreed to remove their pit bull from their home in Louisville.
The lawsuit was filed by Eric J. Haner, a lawyer who argues the dog has been seen on two occasions at the Baileys' home since Jan. 30 -- the date Bailey was supposed to get rid of the dog.
Bailey was at the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia, and could not be reached for comment. She was appointed ambassador by President Bush and sworn in Jan. 13.
An attorney for the couple called the lawsuit a "case of mistaken identity." Christina Norris said the dog identified in the suit is actually an English bulldog owned by a housekeeper.
"It is not the dog in question," Norris said.
Haner claims that the pit bull attacked his pug, Bobbie, and mauled another dog on the street. Haner wants Bailey's dog euthanized.
Multicolored Gorilla Stolen
STANWOOD, Wash. - Police here are looking for an oversized -- but rather limp -- gorilla.
Owner Mike McDaniel said the 25-foot blue and yellow inflatable animal was cut from its tether after the air was let out because of high winds last week.
The oversized ape had been used to advertise a hot tub sale at a shopping mall. A fan used to inflate the unnamed gorilla also was stolen, according to police.
Owner Mike McDaniel has offered a $500 reward for return of the big monkey. He said it would cost $5,000 to replace and he stands to lose $1,500 in rental income by the time a new one arrives.
At the same sale last year, vandals slashed the gorilla's leg.
No Deportation For Trapped Deliveryman
NEW YORK - A man who was trapped in a New York City elevator for three days apparently doesn't have to worry about deportation.
Immigration officials say they'd rather concentrate on aliens "who pose the greatest threat to public safety and homeland security."
Ming Kuang Chen was delivering Chinese food to a high-rise in the Bronx last Friday night when he became trapped in an elevator. He says he repeatedly cried out and pushed an alarm button.
Police did a door-to-door search in the high-rise, but it wasn't until early Tuesday that Chen was found in the elevator, dehydrated.
Amid the publicity about his ordeal and rescue, it's been reported that he had entered the country illegally from China.
Mammoth Construction Project
MOORPARK, Calif. - Construction at a new housing development in a Southern California community has turned up the remarkably well-preserved remains of an estimated half-million-year-old mammoth -- including both tusks.
Moorpark Mayor Pro Tem Clint Harper says an onsite paleontologist found the remains, which include 50% to 70% of the Ice Age creature. Crews were clearing away hillsides to prepare for building.
Experts estimate the mammoth was about 12 feet tall.
The bones were first spotted several days ago and a special crew was called in after more remnants were found, including the six- and seven-foot-long tusks.
Moorpark is about 30 miles west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Ms. Wheelchair Keeps Prizes
WAUSAU, Wis. - Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, who'd been stripped of her title, has now been made to give back her prizes.
Janeal Lee had been crowned in January. But the high school teacher later sparked an uproar in the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant after she was seen in a newspaper photograph standing up.
Pageant organizers say candidates for the crown have to "mostly be seen in the public" using their wheelchairs or scooters. Lee says she can walk up to 50 feet on a good day and stand while teaching.
Lee's prizes included a new scooter, jewelry, and a two-night stay at a Wisconsin resort.
The Wisconsin runner-up has refused to accept the crown, so the second runner-up advances to the national pageant in July.
High-Tech Taxis
SAN FRANCISCO - Taxi riders in San Francisco won't have to ask the cabbie for restaurant suggestions. Backseat advice is going high-tech in 200 San Francisco cabs. The taxis are being equipped with $3,000 computer terminals which will give passengers news and entertainment articles, as well as listings for everything from movie times to bar suggestions. And there won't be a meter running on the information feeds, either. Unlike the cab fare, the high-tech info service is free.
Hacker's Need For Speed
VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Mich. - The message was too good to be true. An electronic highway sign on I-75 in Michigan told drivers: "speed limit 100 mph go go go." For months, the signboard in Genesee County had been alerting commuters to construction that starts this month. Someone hacked the sign, which is controlled by a computer through a subcontractor. State highway officials say they're investigating who changed it and how. The speed limit in the area is 70. Bill Shreck, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, says they "weren't amused" by the 100 mph traffic message.
Teen Runs For Mayor
RAPID CITY, S.D. - Don't try telling Cody Raterman that teens are apathetic. He's got more on his mind than just his coming high school school graduation. Cody is running for mayor in Rapid City, South Dakota. He's one of three candidates on the June seventh ballot. Gina Johnson, Cody's debate coach at Central High, isn't surprised by his ambition. She says the high school senior is highly motivated and has ideas he wants to share.