Post insane / odd / unique news releases here

[LWM]

NY barkeep famed for flaming liquor stunt arrested (June 14th, 2010 @ 6:28pm)

NEW YORK (AP) - A barkeep whose flaming liquor show was featured in "Real Housewives of New York City" has been arrested for performing the fiery feat. Authorities said undercover fire marshals arrested the barkeep about 2 a.m. Sunday after he set alight Apotheke's bar top, where he had poured various liquors. Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes said the stunt sparked a "huge fireball."

Fire officials said the flames created a danger for the dozens of people at the Chinatown bar.

The 40-year-old man was described as a "cocktail artist" on the bar's website. He told The New York Times that he is a mixologist, not "a pyrotechnic maniac."

The bartender was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment.

[LWM]

Mass. town can't unload house near landfill (June 15th, 2010 @ 10:44am)

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts town has lowered the price of a home it's trying to sell because there's barely been a sniff of interest.

The four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home on 2.4 acres of land is right next to Northampton's landfill. When potential buyers find out about it, they back away.

Northampton's Board of Public Works bought the home as part of a legal settlement with the previous owners, who frequently complained about the landfill's odor.

The home went on the market about a year ago for nearly $479,000. When it didn't sell, the price was lowered to $375,000. Board Chairman Terry Culhane said the price was slashed again to $290,000 last week.

Culhane tells The Republican of Springfield he'd be surprised if someone doesn't bite now.

[LWM]

Crafty gorilla tries to use branch to flee exhibit (June 15th, 2010 @ 12:13pm)

ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) - The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro temporarily closed its gorilla exhibit after one of the apes nearly made a break for it. Zoo spokesman Tom Gillespie said a branch from a tree fell into the exhibit Sunday. One female gorilla tried to use the branch as a ladder to climb out of the exhibit, but she didn't make it.

The exhibit remained closed Tuesday as staff horticulturists checked nearby trees for loose limbs. Zoo officials think the branch came down after being weakened by a storm Saturday.