U.S.

Untold Stories: Week Of Aug. 16

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

August 24, 1998 / 4:33 PM EDT / CBS

CBS News Correspondent David Jackson takes a look at some of the little news that got pushed aside by the headlines this past week.

Grasshoppers Bug Off!!!
There's a grasshopper invasion of Cedar Grove, N.C., that is so bad that Barbara Grubb's son has to wear goggles when he mows the lawn on her farm. Crops are ruined, and it's awful inside too. Open the windows and the bugs hop in. Start the air conditioner, and they get sucked into the fan and clang around in there.

Case Of The Missing Briefcase
There's a fellow in Greece who was out on probation after a two-year prison term for theft. He's under arrest again for stealing 13 briefcases from lawyers during various legal proceedings. They caught him when he tried to steal number 14 from a lawyer in Athens criminal court. She had left her seat to speak with the judge. Some people just can't quit.

Cop Car Is Hot, Hot, Hot
There's an "ooopppps" in Ottawa. Police took one of their patrol trucks in for service only to find out that it was a stolen vehicle. The ID number tipped off the dealership. The cops bought it at auction, and now they're looking for the rightful owner.

China Says 'Get Out The Vote'
Here's a switch. Election officials from China were in Georgia and were aghast at the tiny turn out. It was a primary run-off and only attracted 10 percent of the eligible voters. Still the Chinese said that kind of turnout is not good for democracy. Neither was Tiananmen Square.

President's Tiny House Guests
The new president of the Philippines may have to wait before moving his family into Manila's premier guest house as planned. Seems termites have been at it, and the ceiling is about to collapse.

Saddam's Son A Chip Off The Old Block
And in the category of "like father like son." Saddam Hussein's son, Odai, the one somebody tried to assassinate, can be tough to work for. He found six members of the elite "Saddam's Commandos" had used their positions to rob civilians. He ordered their hands amputated.