Bear Or Raccoon?

This week, Avon residents on Johnson Road were buzzing with excitement (or maybe a little unease) after a neighbor reported what they thought was a bear prowling through the area.

A bear sighting isn’t something you shrug off lightly, especially in a town where wildlife encounters can feel like headline news. But hold the bear spray and put away the binoculars, because this story has taken a twist worthy of a woodland detective novel.

Enter Avon Police Deputy Chief Chris Bartolotta, our local hero with a knack for sniffing out the truth.

After some investigation (and perhaps a few chuckles) Bartolotta revealed that the so called bear was, in fact, a raccoon. Yes, you read that right—a raccoon!

It seems this masked bandit was either having an identity crisis or just really leaning into its role as nature’s ultimate trickster.

Follow the link below to read more on this story!

LINK IS HERE

Unakite Thirteen Hotel?

A Nebraska toddler named “Unakite Thirteen Hotel” has finally received a Social Security number after her father, Jason Kilburn, fought to correct a bureaucratic error.

The child, whose intended name is Caroline Elizabeth Kilburn, was born in November 2022 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and due to a paperwork mix up, was assigned a computer generated placeholder name by Nebraska state records.

This unusual name, along with the absence of a proper birth certificate and Social Security number, prevented her father from accessing essential services like Medicaid and daycare for over two years.

The breakthrough came on February 26, 2025, when, following media attention, the Social Security Administration issued a number under the name “Unakite Thirteen Hotel.”

While not ideal, Kilburn and his attorney see this as a critical step toward obtaining a proper birth certificate and legally changing her name to Caroline.

Kilburn expressed relief, noting that this progress opens the door to securing benefits and services for his daughter, though more work remains.

LINK IS HERE

Unused Gift Cards?

Americans are collectively holding onto a staggering $27 billion in unused gift cards, according to recent estimates.

That’s right, this means billions of dollars in free money tucked away in wallets, junk drawers, and glove compartments just waiting to be spent.

The average person has about $244 in unspent balances, a figure that highlights both the popularity of gift cards and the curious tendency to let them languish.

So, why are so many of us sitting on this untapped resource, and what does it say about our habits?

Surveys consistently show that more than two in five U.S. adults (around 43%) have at least one unused gift card, voucher, or store credit.

This isn’t pocket change either; the total value rivals the GDP of some small countries.

Major retailers like Walmart and Starbucks reportedly have over $1 billion each in unredeemed gift card balances on their books.

Gift cards, often given as holiday or birthday presents, are the second most popular gift item after clothing, yet a significant chunk of their value never gets claimed.

Check those wallets, purses and junk drawers! Visit our friends over at Card Cash for more info on how to redeem unused cards for cash or trade for better deals!

LINK IS HERE

A Train Heist!?

There have been multiple reports of train heists in remote desert areas of the western United States, particularly in California and Arizona, where thieves have stolen millions of dollars’ worth of Nike shoes.

These incidents, targeting freight trains operated by BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), have occurred over the past year, with a notable string of at least 10 heists since March 2024.

The stolen goods, valued at approximately $2 million, include high demand, unreleased sneakers like the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, which aren’t available to the public until March 14, 2025, and retail for around $225 per pair.

The thieves’ method typically involves boarding slow moving trains, cutting air brake hoses to force an emergency stop, and then unloading the cargo (often Nike sneakers) into waiting trucks.

These operations are described as well organized, sometimes likened to a “human conveyor belt,” and have been linked to transnational crime groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel in some cases.

Follow the link below to read more on this story!

LINK IS HERE

Perfume Pointers!

Perfume is more than just a scent—it’s an expression of personality, mood, and style.

But if you’ve ever wondered why your fragrance seems to fade too quickly or doesn’t quite make the impression you’d hoped, the secret might lie in where and how you apply it.

Knowing the best spots to spray perfume can maximize its longevity and sillage (the trail your scent leaves behind).

Click the link below to read the what, when, where and how!

LINK IS HERE

The Man Fork?

Picture this: a rugged blacksmith in a medieval village, tired of flimsy utensils that couldn’t handle the hearty stews of the time.

Spoons bent, knives dulled, and fingers burned.

One stormy night, inspired by a fever dream (or maybe too much mead) he forged the Man Fork.

It wasn’t just a fork; it was a statement. Sturdy tines, a handle carved with beauty and grace and a weight that felt more like a weapon than a dining tool.

Ladies and Gentlemen, feast your eyes on this dazzling creation!

LINK IS HERE

Music History Monday!

The year: 1990

At the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, The Byrds’ David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and Chris Hillman reunite for a tribute concert honoring the recently deceased Roy Orbison and raising money to support the homeless, a cause Orbison was passionate about.

Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, John Fogerty and Bonnie Raitt are also on the bill; the concert is later broadcast as a Showtime special.

Tired Of Waiting!

An 11 year old kid in Independence, Missouri, got fed up waiting for his mom while she was picking up his siblings from Count on Me Academy daycare.

It was around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19th, near MO 291 and 23rd Street.

The mom left the car running with the kid inside, and he decided to take matters into his own hands. He hopped into the driver’s seat, thinking he’d put it in reverse to leave, but instead slammed it right into the daycare building.

No one got hurt (lucky break there) and the damage was mostly to the wall and a window, which got pushed in pretty good.

LINK IS HERE

Proof Of Time Travel?

There’s a black and white photo from 1941, taken by Edwin Rosskam on Chicago’s South Side, showing a bunch of kids lined up outside a cinema.

The buzz? It’s all about a boy on the far right of the photo who’s holding something rectangular that some folks swear looks like an iPad.

Naturally, since iPads didn’t exist until 2010, people started throwing around the idea that it’s evidence of time travel

Pretty wild, right?

But here’s the thing: others look at it and say, “Nah, that’s just a book or a notebook.” Back in the day, kids often carried stuff like that, especially if they were dressed up nice for a movie outing (Think Sunday best vibes here.)

Some even pointed out that ushers used to check for notepads to stop people from sketching bootleg copies of films, which kinda fits the scene.

Plus, the photo’s got that vintage charm where everyone’s decked out in hats and coats, making it feel more like a snapshot of the past than a science fiction plot.

You be the judge! Check the link below and let us know what you think!

PHOTO IS HERE

RIP Howie The Crab!

It’s a sad day for fans of Howie the Crab, the rainbow crab from Omaha who captured hearts worldwide with her charming antics.

Howie passed away on February 18th, 2025, at the age of 9, far surpassing the typical lifespan of her species, which is around 3-5 years in captivity.

Her owner, Laura Porter, shared the news with a heavy heart, describing Howie as a beloved companion who lived a remarkable life filled with love, tiny hats, and, of course, her famous caviar feasts.

Howie first scuttled into the spotlight in 2022 when a TikTok video of Laura cleaning her shell with a toothbrush went viral.

From there, her adventures (wearing custom made hats, eating luxurious treats like caviar and cheese, and even using sign language to communicate) earned her over a million followers across social media.

She wasn’t just a pet; she was a personality, showing the world that crabs could be sentient, playful, and deeply connected to their humans.

LINK IS HERE