US Inmates stripped of underwear to save taxpayers money

Jail inmates forced to 'go commando' after being stripped of underwear in bid to save taxpayers $45,000

By RICHARD LUSCOMBE

Last updated at 1:13 PM on 15th July 2011

Cost-cutting: Sheriff Grady Judd believes the underwear policy will save $45,000 a year

Prisoners at a Florida jail are being stripped of their free underwear by bosses in a bid to save taxpayers' money.

Inmates at the Polk County jail, Florida, will no longer receive free boxer shorts or briefs, in a move expected to save $45,000 (£27,900) a year.

Sheriff Grady Judd said prisoners at Polk County who refuse to pay for boxers instead will be 'free spirits'.

But the controversial cost-cutting measure could anger equal rights groups as it is only being applied to male inmates.

Shriff Judd, whose previous cutbacks have included substituting powdered milk for fresh in the canteen and pulling down the prison’s basketball hoops, said: 'This is the county jail, it’s not a welfare programme.

'There is no state law or federal law that says we have to provide underwear in county jail, so they'll just be free spirits.'

Inmates will now have to pay $4.50 for a pair of boxers or $2.50 for briefs – or go commando. 

'For those who don’t want to pay, they can let the breeze blow up one leg and out the other,' added Judd, Polk County’s sheriff since 2004.

And for those who can afford it: 'They can have any colour they like, as long as it’s white,' he said. 'We give our inmates choices at our jails.'

Female prisoners will still receive a set of four bras and seven pairs of panties for free.

Sheriff Judd presented the controversial measure to Polk County commissioners as part of his budget request for the 2011-12 fiscal year, during which he says he also plans to lay off 11 employees.

'Free spirits': Male inmates who refuse to buy underwear at the prison will instead have to go commando

He is asking for $126 million, almost $4 million less than a year ago.

Don Leach, a former vice-president of the American Jail Association, told the Tampa Tribune newspaper that the measure might not save as much money as Sheriff Judd thinks.

'He might have to increase his laundry cycle to cut down on unhygienic practices because you don’t want inmates walking around with soiled clothing on,' he said.

Fly fishing gets new meaning... from hot air balloon

Catching fish on the fly: Pub landlord uses hot air balloon to float 10ft above river... but fails to get a single bite

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 11:30 AM on 16th July 2011

Taking extreme fishing to new heights one man decided to do a spot of angling from his hot air balloon.

Landlord, Dave Newman, amused regulars as he launched from the garden of his White Lion pub in Wilton, Herefordshire.

The 50-year-old hoped to catch larger salmon in the middle of the River Wye which are normally unreachable.

Fly fishing: Pub landlord Dave Newman took to the skies with his rod using a hot air balloon

But after 30 minutes of casting his rod 10ft above the river Mr Newman failed to get a single bite.

He said: 'It was a bit of a lark really, I normally wade in so far and fly-fish but can't get to the larger ones in the middle.

'I thought a hot air balloon would help me reach the places other fishermen can't get to but, alas, it wasn't to be.'

The balloon, which was provided by Wye Valley Aviation Ltd proprietor Ian Ashpole, is more commonly used for carrying TV reporters and cameramen.

Up, up and away: Mr Newman amused regulars as he launched from the grounds of his 16th century pub

Mr Ashpole, told local reporters: 'The customers at the White Lion thought it was all very amazing, so it was just a bit of fun on a nice summer evening.' 

One blogger, hookedforver responded to the news: 'Absolute wacko, how did he expect to land the fish... or should I say sky it as he has no net. Good effort though.'

The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales.

It has been considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the UK, outside of Scotland but in recent years numbers have drastically declined.

Mr Newman added: 'It was my first attempt at ‘fly fishing’ and it was great fun but I didn’t catch anything on that flight – but I’ll certainly consider giving it another shot!'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015400/Catching-fish-fly-Pub-landlord-uses-hot-air-balloon-float-10ft-river--fails-single-bite.html#ixzz1SH3v2nZT

Not to be sniffed at: Dog nose jewellery for their owners

Dog-nose necklaces, rings and belt buckles make the the best jewellery 

Jewellery designer Jackie Kaufman has sniffed out a niche in the market – by using the noses of pet cats and dogs to make pieces.

Jackie's nose jewellery could set you back £320 (Pic: rockmyworldinc.etsy.com)

Proud owners can have rings, necklaces and even belt buckles made from moulds of their pet’s nose or paws.

She had previously used people’s fingerprints to create unique pieces of jewellery but turned to animals following a request from a woman whose dog was dying.

‘A customer in Canada told me her dog was very ill and she would love to be able to have a remembrance of this beloved pet,’ she said.

‘I told her if she was able to get a print, either paw or nose, I would be able to make the piece and cast it for her.

‘She sent me the prints, which happened to be the nose, and I was able to make a belt buckle. When she received the piece she cried because her dog had passed away – but she was able to see the dog through the piece and has a great remembrance of her pet.’

Ms Kaufman insisted the mould has to be on the nose or paw for only a few seconds, so the animal is not distressed.

‘I have sold over 1,700 pieces,’ said Ms Kaufman, from Florida, who charges between £90 and £320 for the jewellery.

‘Each dog nose is different, just like the fingerprint of a person. I can’t tell from the noses what type of dog I am dealing with. I can only tell if it was a small or large dog.’

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/869400-dog-nose-necklaces-rings-and-belt-buckles-make-the-the-best-jewellery#ixzz1SB2yj0VQ

'Owling' is the new 'planking'

Owling - is it the new planking? 

Forget planking – 'owling' is the new online picture craze that is turning heads across the world. 

Related Tags:

Australia

Owling - the ancient art of perching on something then putting the pictures on the internet (Picture: Dan Newling)

Owling involves perching on your haunches and staring into the middle distance, just like everyone’s favourite bird of prey.

Hundreds of people in the US, Australia and now Britain have posted pictures of themselves taking part. Extra kudos is earned by those who do it in unusual, and often fairly precarious, places.

Owling at the moon: one owler strikes a bold pose on a statue's head (Picture: Dan Newling)

The craze already has two Facebook groups dedicated to it, with more than 1,000 owling mad members. 

It follows the sudden rise in planking – in which people took pictures of themselves lying face-down in odd locations.

Hoot suite: Owling can take place virtually anywhere, even in your front room (Picture: Dan Newling)

However, a 20-year-old Australian man died trying to plank on a balcony. And when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay posted pictures of himself taking part, the craze was declared ‘officially dead’. 

Owling is believed to have started in Australia in the past few weeks.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/869391-owling-is-it-the-new-planking#ixzz1SB2HKT3B

• 14 July 2011, 9:21

'No toking' signs banned in Amsterdam

Legal experts in Holland have told Amsterdam to take down signs banning the smoking of marijuana.

The city put up signs in "no toking" zones of the city four years ago in an attempt to crackdown on marijuana-smoking youth.

But the Dutch government's top legal adviser has now ruled that the city had no right to establish the zones - as smoking cannabis is already theoretically illegal.

In practice, possession of small amounts of the drug is allowed in the city, and it is sold and smoked openly in designated 'coffee shops'.

The signs portray a cannabis joint, with little marijuana leaves in the background, inside a bold red circle.

They were stolen so often as collectors' items that the city opened its own merchandise line and began offering them for £80.

Amsterdam city spokeswoman Iris Reshef acknowledged the ruling probably meant the signs would have to go - but she said the city could still issue fines to smokers.

"The measures we have taken can remain in place," Ms Reshef said. "Just the signs cannot be there."

Since the Amsterdam policy was introduced, other Dutch towns and cities have also introduced "no toking" zones.

Stormtrooper to walk across Australia for charity

Stormtrooper plans to walk across Australia to raise money for charity

An Australian man is planning to walk across Australia, from Perth to Sydney -
a distance of 4,110 kilometres (2 553 miles) - dressed as a Stormtrooper, to
raise money for charity.

Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

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There's knome-or room... window-cleaner has shrine to 1,600 gnomes

No place like gnome: Wacky window cleaner turns cottage into a shrine with 1,600 garden ornaments

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 4:49 PM on 14th July 2011

Retired window cleaner Ron Broomfield has turned his cottage into a shrine for gnomes - after collecting a whopping 1,600 of them.

The 77-year-old became obsessed with the model dwarves 50 years ago when he bought a small group for his garden.

He has since amassed a remarkable collection that fills his garden and every room of his cottage. 

It is thought to be worth over £40,000 .

Retired window cleaner Ron Broomfield became obsessed with the model dwarves 50 years ago when he bought a small group for his garden.

The charity worker has developed such a passion for gnomes that he even dresses up as one twice a week to do his grocery shopping. He also collects money for the the NSPCC while in character

He said: 'Some people laugh and point at me when I go out in my costume but I don't care. I'm in my own little fantasy land and raise money for a great charity.'

He keeps a log-book detailing every one he owns and has turned his spare bedroom into a miniature workshop, where he repairs and paints them.

His living room, kitchen and bathroom are also lined with shelves, which he put up to display his cherished collection.

Mr Broomfield said: 'I just love them. They are such happy little things and always have smiles on their faces.'

Ron Broomfield has turned his cottage into a shrine for gnomes - after collecting a staggering 1,600 of them.

His home aptly named 'Gnome Cottage' is in the Lincolnshire market town of Alford and is testimony to his love for the fairy dwarves.

The pensioner says visitors can hardly move because there are 'dwarves everywhere'.

Mr Broomfield said: 'I'm not married any more but to be frank there's no room for a woman.

'You can hardly move for gnomes, but that's the way I like it. They've become my life.

'It does make it hard cleaning the house because you have to weave the vacuum cleaner in and out and be careful not to hit them.

'I try to keep them pushed against the side of the room to make it a little easier where I can.

'I've kept a record book detailing my gnomes and when I got them, although they haven't all got names.

Broomfield's cottage in Alford, Lincolnshire is testimony to his love for the fairy dwarves

'It all started 50 years ago when I bought seven for my garden and then after that I just kept getting one or two here and there and the collection grew.

'They first started coming in the house because I was worried they might get broken outside.' 

He added: 'My friends and family like to buy me gnomes for my birthday and Christmas but they struggle to remember which ones I already own so I get some duplicates.

'When I first started buying them they cost about £1 each, now they cost up to £250 per gnome. I don't like to think how much I have spent in total.' 

Mr Broomfield's biggest gnome is some 3ft 6ins tall and his smallest is a quarter of an inch.

He is desperately trying to get hold of limited edition gnomes based on hit 2011 animated film Gnomeo and Juliet but he refuses to use the internet to increase his collection.

He prefers to receive gnomes as gifts or to buy them from local hardware shops and garden centres.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014754/Gnome-place-like-home-Window-cleaner-turns-cottage-shrine-1-600-garden-ornaments.html#ixzz1S8BbzS5t

Teacups rattle as earthquake strikes the English Channel

The Worthing Wobble: Teacups rattle on the south coast after earthquake strikes in the English Channel

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 2:15 PM on 14th July 2011

Tea cups rattled at breakfast-time this morning as an earthquake struck the English Channel - and almost went unnoticed.

Some witnesses appeared to doubt whether the small tremor was anything more than a heavy lorry rumbling by on the south coast.

Others based in Worthing, West Sussex, questioned whether the 3.9 magnitude quake was simply a trick of their imagination.

The pier in Worthing, West Sussex. People living in the seaside town were unsure whether the quake was a trick of the imagination when it struck this morning

But according to the British Geological Survey (BGS), it is the biggest to strike a 16 mile region in 300 years. 

People living in parts of West Sussex said buildings shook for a few seconds at around 8am.

On Twitter, one social networker wrote: 'I think there was just an earthquake in Worthing. I haven't had any coffee yet, so it could just be my brain making things up (again)!'

And another user of the microblogging site added: 'shook my bed and rattled my cupboard doors! Others felt it, not (too) mad...'.

One worker said it felt like a 'big lorry had gone by in a hurry'.

Brian Baker, data manager at the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, felt the earthquake in his office on the coast in Shoreham, near Brighton.

He said: 'The office wobbled slightly, the building shook, monitors on the table rattled and the roof creaked a bit. It lasted about two to three seconds.

Portsmouth Harbour, in Hampshire, is around 85km from the epicentre of the 3.9 magnitude quake - it is the biggest to strike a 25km region in 300 years

Enlarge 

'There was no damage as far as we can see.

UK'S BIGGEST QUAKE

Britain's biggest earthquake struck the North Sea on June 7, 1931, with a magnitude of 6.1 and with an epicentre offshore in the Dogger Bank area - 120km north east of Great Yarmouth.

It was felt across most of the country and in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, northern France, parts of north west Germany, Denmark and south west Norway. 

Damage in Britain was reported from 71 different places, with the strongest effects at Filey, North Yorkshire where the top of a church spire was rotated.

A factory roof reportedly collapsed in Staines, Surrey, while at Flamborough Head and Mundesley, in Norfolk, parts of a cliff collapsed. 

The earthquake was reportedly felt by a number of vessels in the North Sea and a woman in Hull died of a heart attack, apparently as a result of the earthquake, the BGS said.

'It felt as if a big lorry had gone by in a hurry, except we don't have lorries go through here.'

The quake's epicentre was around 53 miles (85km) south-east of Portsmouth, Hampshire, at a depth of 10km,the BGS said.

'This is the largest earthquake within 25 km (16 miles) since a magnitude 4.5 event in 1734,' David Kerridge, from the BGS, added.

'Historically, there have been two other significant events nearby (30km to 40km distant) - a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in 1878 and a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in 1750.

'In the UK, we experience a earthquake of this magnitude approximately every two years.'

So far no injuries or damage has been reported following the quake which struck at 7.59am, according to BGS experts.

Hampshire Police, Sussex Police, Solent Coastguard, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they had not been called to incidents related to it.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014676/English-Channel-struck-biggest-quake-300-years.html#ixzz1S8AZPvmQ