LocalNet - Offbeat News

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Doctor appears in court video call while performing surgery

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) ??" The Medical Board of California said it would investigate a plastic surgeon who appeared in a videoconference for his traffic violation trial while operating.

The Sacramento Bee reports Dr. Scott Green appeared Thursday for his Sacramento Superior Court trial, held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, from an operating room. He was dressed in surgical scrubs with a patient undergoing the procedure just out of view; the beeps of medical machinery can be heard in the background.

"Hello, Mr. Green? Hi. Are you available for trial?"... Read More

2 skiers defy death in descent of Yosemite's Half Dome

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) ??" Two skiers navigated a thin layer of snow with no margin for error down the precipitous shoulder of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and alternately skied and rappelled back to the valley floor in an unusually daring feat.

Jason Torlano, 45, and Zach Milligan, 40, completed the descent in five hours Sunday by carefully carving their way in crusty snow and using ropes to rappel several sections of bare rock known as the "death slabs" beneath the iconic face of Half Dome, the Fresno Bee reported Thursday.

"If you fall to your... Read More

Pythons, iguanas: Florida restricts some exotic reptiles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) ??" Pythons, iguanas, monitor lizards, oh my! Florida is moving to restrict 16 invasive reptile species that have wreaked havoc in the Everglades and across the state.

Burmese pythons, in particular, have been especially destructive to native wildlife.

"Breeding invasive species in Florida is like playing with matches in a tinder box," said Julie Wraithmell, vice president and executive director of Audubon Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Thursday to move these animals to a prohibited list. That... Read More

NYC steakhouse stunt: A wax Don Draper hanging at the bar

NEW YORK (AP) ??" It's a promotion that could be straight out of the "Mad Men" Don Draper playbook.

Brooklyn's famed Peter Luger Steak House has teamed with Madame Tussauds to have celebrity wax figures mingle with patrons, promoting the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions on indoor dining in New York City.

A wax Jon Hamm ??" known for his portrayal of ad executive Draper in the hit TV series ??" could be found at the restaurant's bar Friday with a cocktail in hand. Other figures on loan from Madame Tussauds include Michael Strahan, Jimmy Fallon, Al Roker and... Read More

Cat that vanished 15 years ago is reunited with owner

LOS ANGELES (AP) ??" A cat that went astray about 15 years ago has been reunited, older and maybe wiser, with its owner.

Brandy, a brown tabby, was reunited Monday afternoon with Charles, who adopted her as a 2-month-old kitten in 2005.

"It's amazing. I think it's unbelievable," he said Thursday.

"I saw her, I picked her up and she started to purr and it was very emotional," Charles said. "It was nice to have her in my arms again.?

"I did break down and cry because I thought about all of the years I lost from her," said Charles, a computer... Read More