Category: Odd News

Auburn: Writer of fake ‘pet pants’ letter turns herself in, city won’t press charges
The author of a fake letter purporting claims of a new local “pet pants” law in Auburn has turned herself in to the city. The writer of the March 28 letter turned herself in through a lawyer, City Clerk Chuck Mason told ... MORE

Letter sent to Auburn residents claims new law requires pets to wear pants
A fake letter circulated in Auburn this week telling residents a new law will require pets to wear pants for modesty’s sake. The letter, dated Monday, March 28, was confirmed to be fake by Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason. Many suspected as ... MORE

Local witches host meeting in Corning
On Wednesday, January 26, the Witches of the Hallow, a group of self-described witches out of Corning, hosted a meeting seeking out new members. Phoenix Belle and Sarina Serna are the group’s organizers, according to WENY News. The term ‘witches’ conjures up ... MORE

The gift that keeps on giving: Steuben County keeps fruitcake tradition alive
The legend of the Steuben County fruitcake lives on. The Christmas delicacy has been passed from one county official to another almost every year since it was purchased in 1991 by then-County Manager Mark Alger from the County Legislature chair, Lynn Morse ... MORE

Former commander of Rochester Police Dive Team locates a 120 year old shipwreck in Canandaigua Lake
A local man discovered a sunken ship when looking at Canandaigua Lake on his computer one day. Scott Hill found the steam boat called the Seneca Chief. It sunk over 120 years ago and had been entirely forgotten about until now. Hill ... MORE

Africa’s first semi-aquatic whale species with legs has been discovered
It turns out the 43 million years ago there was a whale with legs, according to scientists. The study was completed by the Royal Society. They say that whales derived from their ancestors around 10 million years ago and they were deer-like ... MORE

Asteroid has the possibility of hitting earth between the years 2135 and 2300
An asteroid has been determined to have a possible chance of crashing into Earth in the 22nd century. NASA has collected data on Asteroid Bennu and determined there is a 1 in 1,750 chance of it hitting Earth. The asteroid is 1,700 ... MORE

Man takes a bus, train, and plane from Canada to Buffalo in order to see his girlfriend
While the border closure between Canada and the United States is frustrating many, it is especially frustrating for a man from Ontario and his girlfriend from Buffalo. Oliver Collins, of Port Colborne, Ontario, traveled for 24 hours by train, bus, and airplane ... MORE

Emma Sroka of Auburn eliminated from Scripps Spelling Bee competition; made it to the top 30
Emma Sroka, 12, of Auburn was eliminated during the first round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee semifinals on Sunday. Sroka was one of the top 30 spellers in the semifinals this year after tying for 51st place in the 2019 competition ... MORE

Skeletal remains of an infant found buried in a yard in Albany County
Skeletal remains of a newborn baby were found buried in the yard of a home in Watervliet on Friday. Watervliet Police Chief Joseph L. Centanni has stated that maltreatment against children cannot be tolerated and police will be working tirelessly to get ... MORE

Finger Lakes Railway first short-line railroad in the state to upgrade infrastructure using steel ties
Locally based Finger Lakes Railway has become the first short-line railroad in New York State to upgrade key infrastructure using steel ties. As part of a project in its Geneva Yard, the 25-year-old carrier has installed approximately 700 steel ties and eight ... MORE

Finger Lakes Film Company films burning truck scene in downtown Geneva
The Finger Lakes Film Company filmed scenes for their movie, “The Eastern,” in downtown Geneva early Monday morning. The intersections at Castle and Exchange Streets was closed for the filming of a controlled burn of a truck. The Geneva Fire Department was ... MORE

Horseheads High School alum is featured by the Navy for work on the USS Vermont
The US Navy is featuring a Horseheads native for work he’s done aboard the USS Vermont. The USS Vermont is one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-power submarines. Petty Officer 2nd Dustin Whitesell is a graduate of Horseheads High School from the ... MORE

Waterloo resident finally receiving mail at home after 2 years
After two years, David and Gail Fridley are having their mail delivered to their home instead of a PO box. Gail is happy with the mailbox, but not with how the Waterloo Post Office handled her situation. Often when mail is being ... MORE

Jefferson County man killed in tractor accident on Monday
A tractor accident occurred in Jefferson County Monday morning resulting in the death of an elderly man. Troopers responded to Creek Road in Alexandria around 7:30 p.m. to a man trapped under a mowing attachment to the tractor he had been using ... MORE