The town council in Neuville-sur-Saone, France, delivered good news to a homeowner on Nov. 5, CBS News reported: He can keep the $800,000 worth of gold bars and coins he unearthed while digging for a swimming pool in his backyard. The gold was stashed in plastic bags; the man alerted authorities in May, when he found the treasure. Police said they were able to determine that the gold had not been stolen, and the home's previous owner had died, so it belongs to the current resident. [CBS News, 11/7/2025]

Least Competent Criminals

Police in Windsor, Connecticut, can't credit their amazing investigative skills after they apprehended two men who stole a huge highway sign on I-91. WFSB-TV reported that Andrew Scott Lampkin, 42, and Jonathan Riopelle, 46, from Vernon, Connecticut, allegedly removed the sign and strapped it to the bed of a pickup truck around 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 5. The thieves were charged with third-degree larceny, reckless use of a highway by a pedestrian and improper parking on a highway. [WFSB, 11/6/2025]

Odd Rescue

As Colleen Dunn was walking her dogs on the beach in Manzanita, Oregon, one early evening in October, she came upon a beached shark. Rather than steering clear or calling the authorities, Dunn told KGW-TV, "I just made the quick decision to get him back into the deep Pacific Ocean." A veteran viewer of "Shark Week," Dunn knew that if she dragged the shark by its tail, it wouldn't be able to bite her; with some effort, she was able to wrangle the shark first to shallow water, then push it into water deep enough for it to swim away. Shark expert Taylor Chapple of Oregon University identified the shark as a juvenile salmon shark and said it is not uncommon for the creatures to experience shock while swimming in colder waters and end up beached. [KGW-TV, 11/7/25]

Recurring Themes

It's falling iguana time again in Florida! With this year's first cold blast making it all the way to the Sunshine State, The Guardian reported on Nov. 10, Floridians are being warned about paralyzed reptiles tumbling out of trees and hitting them on the head. While some people are moved to help the stunned iguanas, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warns against intervening. "Once they recover and warm up, they could act defensively." Also, it's illegal to relocate or release captured iguanas. Just let 'em lie, folks. [Guardian, 11/10/2025]

Questionable Judgment

Tucker Kemp, 31, of St. Petersburg, Florida, is rethinking his decisions after an incident in a local Starbucks last month. According to The Smoking Gun, Kemp had stopped for a tea when he noticed a pride flag hanging on the wall inside the store. He told the manager he was "offended by the flag and ... they should put up an American flag." Then he allegedly threw his tea at the flag and tore it off the wall before stuffing it into a trash can. Kemp was arrested for criminal mischief and spent a few hours in jail -- but the long-term consequences may have been more influential. Kemp lost his job at nearby Dignity Memorial and is on the hunt for a new gig. He said his "poor decisions ... led to my rightful arrest and termination from my career." Anyone looking for a recalcitrant funeral director? [The Smoking Gun, 11/7/2025]

Nope

In an underwater cave on the border between Greece and Albania, scientists have discovered a spider web that spans 1,076.4 square feet along a wall, People magazine reported on Nov. 11. The web is home to an estimated 110,000 spiders of two different species. Istvan Urak of the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania in Romania visited the cave to analyze the web. "It is a unique case of two species cohabiting within the same web structure in this huge number," he said. The cave is also home to 512 other species of spiders. [People, 11/11/2025]

Powerful Pipes

The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash at Federation Square in Victoria, Australia, brought together 374 bagpipers on Nov. 12 to pay tribute to rock legends AC/DC with a performance of "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)," shattering the world record for the most bagpipers in a single performance, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Among the ragtag assembly were none other than Les Kenfield and Kevin Conlon, who were members of the Rats of Tobruk Memorial Highland Band in the 1970s and performed in the piper trio seen in AC/DC's video for the song, which was filmed just a few blocks from Federation Square in 1976. Kenfield hopes the event, which brought together pipers of all ages, will inspire renewed interest in the instrument. "Piping is really a dying art," Kenfield said. "In my band, if everyone over 70 resigned, there would be no band left." [ABC News, 11/12/25]

Call of the Wild

Amherst Junior High School in Amherst, Ohio, was the site of an early morning surprise on Nov. 13, FOX 8 reported. According to a press release issued by Principal Andrew Hoffman, a large deer crashed through one of the school cafeteria's windows, startling "a couple of students and staff" who were preparing for breakfast. Video of the incident showed the deer fighting to gain traction on the slick cafeteria floor before lying down in exhaustion. Staff members and the Amherst Police Department were able to keep the deer corralled in the cafeteria before herding it toward a set of doors they had propped open to provide the deer with an escape route. "As shocking as the event was to witness, we are happy to report that no significant injuries took place," Hoffman said, while assuring that "all students were offered the opportunity to receive breakfast during 1st period." [FOX 8, 11/13/25]

No Can Do

By his own admission, James Howard, 53, figures he is "going to jail for a long [expletive] time." That's because on the evening of Nov. 8, Howard rear-ended a car that was waiting at the traffic light at the end of an exit ramp off Interstate 90 in Missoula, Montana. It had all the makings of a run-of-the-mill traffic incident, reported KGVO, until the Montana Highway Patrol trooper who arrived at the scene detected alcohol on Howard's breath and noted the large Budweiser can Howard had placed on the center console of his vehicle -- a can which, Howard informed the trooper, contained urine instead of beer. Court documents revealed that Howard crashed while he was "attempting to urinate into the beer can while driving." Howard did not attempt the standard on-scene DUI tests, stating, "I just can't do it." No first-time offender, Howard is being charged with felony aggravated DUI, driving with a suspended license, and careless driving. [KGVO, 11/9/25]

Gizmodo reported on Nov. 5 that doctors in the Philippines have documented the case of a woman whose armpits leak milk. Dermatologists writing in the journal JAAD Case Reports said the patient was born with extra breast tissue on both sides of her underarms, which swelled up after she delivered a baby and produced "milky secretions from the overlying hair follicles." The condition didn't bother her when she wasn't pregnant or breastfeeding; doctors said it affects fewer than 6% of women. [Gizmodo, 11/5/2025]

Wait, What?

A woman in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was expecting a package of medicine that she had ordered, but when the box came, she found something very different inside: two human arms and four fingers. WSMV-TV reported that the woman contacted 911 and the Christian County Coroner, Scott Daniel. Daniel responded to the home and gathered up the unexpected parcel, and the body parts are being dispatched to the correct recipient -- but it's unclear in this case who that was. [WSMV, 10/30/2025]

Bright Ideas

-- Bothered by spicy foods? Researchers in China have developed an artificial "tongue" that can detect spice levels in foods, the New York Post reported on Oct. 29. The small transparent square is placed on the user's tongue and detects spice levels ranging from nothing to beyond levels perceived as painful. It can also detect flavors such as ginger, black pepper, horseradish, garlic and onion. No word on when it will be available to the public. [NY Post, 10/29/2025]

-- On Oct. 25 in Lille, France, an almost-homeless tech entrepreneur, Dagobert Renouf, married his love, Anna Plynina, People magazine reported. But because of Renouf's broke status, the nuptials nearly didn't happen. However, in July, Renouf had a brainstorm: He sold sponsorships for the wedding, with corporate donors getting their logos sewn onto his suit jacket. With Plynina supporting the project, Renouf launched a website, offering spots for $300 up to $2,000, depending on the placement. He promised to wear the jacket in all the wedding photos, which would be shared on social media platforms with 116,000 followers. Twenty-six companies bought in, for a total of $10,000 in advertising revenue. The suit cost $5,200 to make, and Renouf had to pay $2,500 on the income. "I basically got a free suit and $2,000 out of it," he said. Even better, he got a job: One company was impressed with his ideas and dedication, and "I've been absolutely killing it and enjoying it since then," Renouf said. [People, 11/4/2025]

I Feel Like I've Forgotten Something ...

-- During a virtual hearing in the 36th District Court in Detroit on Oct. 27, police officer Matthew Jackson showed up to testify about a woman charged with drag racing and disorderly conduct. But, WXYZ-TV reported, he forgot one important part of his uniform: pants. "You got some pants on, officer?" asked Judge Sean Perkins. Jackson replied, "No, sir" and moved his camera up so his bare legs could no longer be seen, and the hearing continued. Jackson was apparently wearing underwear with his uniform shirt. Detroit police apologized and said they would remind all officers about proper etiquette and dress codes for virtual hearings. "It was an interesting day, to say the least," said TaTaNisha Reed, the defendant's attorney. [WXYZ, 10/29/2025]

-- Meanwhile, Glasgow (Scotland) City Councillor Hanif Raja dropped into a virtual planning meeting in early November but forgot to turn off his camera when he sat down on the toilet. The BBC reported that another councillor asked Raja if he was "aware that your camera is live," prompting Raja to explain that he is diabetic and needs frequent "comfort breaks." "The button was pressed and I didn't notice," he said. The council removed the livestream and said it would be uploaded after editing. [BBC, 11/5/2025]

Saw That Coming

Hillary Martin of Orange County, Florida, has filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld Orlando following an incident that happened in March, ClickOrlando reported. Martin is seeking $50,000 in damages after she was struck by a duck riding the Mako roller coaster. (We didn't even know ducks like roller coasters.) Martin said the duck flew into the coaster's path and struck her in the face, causing her to lose consciousness. She claims the park created a "zone of danger" by placing the ride near a body of water. No word on the duck's condition or injuries. [ClickOrlando, 10/29/2025]

Florida

On the morning of Nov. 3 at a Publix grocery store in Miami, a man using the restroom stall was assaulted after Alfredo Brindis, 72, "entered the restroom frantically and began to bang on the stall door," Local10-TV reported. When the victim exited the stall, Brindis yelled at him to "hurry and move," but Brindis was blocking his way. He said Brindis "presented a knife and waved it in front of the victim" and "tried to cut him." The victim used his bookbag to shield himself. Brindis told police that he "really needed to use the restroom." He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. [Local10, 11/4/2025]

Compelling Explanation

Karen Dedert, 58, of Seminole, Florida, woke her husband up early on Nov. 4 by standing over him and asking where their son was, WTSP-TV reported. Then she said, "I need to sacrifice and kill you both," according to the arrest affidavit. She tried stabbing her husband, Richard, with a knife, but he blocked the attack and locked himself in a bathroom. Later, she lunged at him with the knife again, cutting his arm. Richard escaped and called for help; when they arrived, Karen was still in the house. She said she didn't want to talk but spontaneously offered, "These aren't the clothes I was wearing when I stabbed him." She was charged with attempted first-degree murder. [WTSP, 11/5/2025]

It's a Mystery

Police at Purdue University are grappling with a sticky situation on campus, WLFI-TV reported. On Nov. 5, officers received calls about a man walking around covered from head to toe in peanut butter. Witnesses were concerned about safety issues for people with peanut butter allergies. Investigators are unsure whether PB Man is a student and suggested he might be part of a hazing prank. [WLFI, 11/5/2025]

The Foreign Press

If you missed this year's Tar Barrels event in Ottery St. Mary, England, make plans to attend next year. On Nov. 5, the BBC reported, selected residents of the town ran through the streets with flaming barrels of tar held over their heads in an "exhilarating" tribute to ... something. Even historians aren't sure what, but the tradition goes back to 1605, "when bonfires and effigies were burnt and barrels were plentiful," said Andrew Wade, president of the Tar Barrels Committee. "The barrels used to be rolled, that's why the people are called barrel rollers." At some point, the barrels were picked up and carried. A total of 27 are carried throughout the event. Surprisingly, "None of the participants are allowed to drink," Wade said. "It will carry on as long as there are people in Ottery who want to do it." [BBC, 11/5/2025]

On Oct. 14, three masked individuals approached the front door of a home in Alexandria, Virginia, rang the video doorbell and began threatening the woman who answered, WJLA 7 News reported. The terrified resident called her brother, who arrived with a handgun less than two minutes after the trio left, and then the police, who began an investigation. News of the unsettling incident had the community on edge until Oct. 27, when Alexandria Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire announced during a press conference that the culprits had been found and that the whole thing was a prank -- the masked would-be intruders were actually the teenage sons and nephew of an adult related to the victim. "For me, my team and this community, it represents a moral failure," McGuire told a gathering of the press. "A moral failure where consequences could result in deadly consequences." After consulting with attorneys and the victim, the decision was made not to press charges. [WJLA, 10/27/2025]

Standing Room Only

Spanish police announced on Oct. 22 that they had arrested a group of criminals for stealing chairs -- more than 1,100 chairs, to be more precise. The New York Post reported that the thieves, six men and a woman who did the pilfering under cover of darkness, had stolen the chairs from the outdoor seating areas of 18 different restaurants and bars throughout Madrid and a nearby municipality during August and September. Police said the chairs were resold in Spain, Morocco and Romania, and estimated the impact at about 60,000 euros ($69,000). The gang will face charges of theft and belonging to a criminal organization. [New York Post, 10/22/2025]

Brief Thief

Tempted to return to the scene of the crime once too often, a suspect has been identified in a rash of women's underwear heists, The Pattaya News reported on Oct. 31. The crimes have all taken place in the same apartment complex in the district of Phan Thong (no pun intended), Chonburi, Thailand. The most recent victim, also the owner of the complex, installed cameras after complaints about the perp's previous capers, and sure enough, in the wee hours of Oct. 29 after she had hung her unmentionables out to dry, a man casually walked up and claimed another trophy. Police say they have collected additional evidence in the cases and expect to apprehend the thief in short order. [The Pattaya News, 10/31/2025]

Unnatural

Researchers in Germany have, for the first time ever, captured video of brown rats (also known as Norway rats) actively hunting bats, Popular Science reported on Oct. 30. The freaky footage, made available to the public concurrently with a study recently published in the scientific journal Global Ecology and Conservation, shows the rats stationing themselves at the openings of hibernation sites in the towns of Segeburg and Luneberg-Kalkberg, where the researchers had set up thermal and infrared cameras to monitor the bats' activities. The rats, which are effectively blind when hunting at night, pounced on bats climbing to the sanctuaries, and were even able to nab their prey in midair. The authors of the study issued a call for action: "Management of invasive rodents at important bat hibernation sites supports biodiversity conservation and reduces potential public health impacts." [Popular Science, 10/30/2025]

Just Had to Know

Friends, acquaintances and other mourners at a funeral in Konchi, a village in Bihar, India, were stunned when Mohan Lal, the man whose funeral they were attending, rose and began taking part in the rituals of the Hindu service. Metro UK reported that the 74-year-old Lal, a retired Air Force veteran, is well-respected in Konchi for his work within the community -- which, oddly enough, includes helping to fund and build a crematorium for the rainy seasons -- but all of that goodwill didn't stop Lal from carrying through his plan. "I wanted to witness it myself and see how much respect and affection people give me," Lal said. Reactions varied from shock to confusion to relief, but Lal was able to calm things down by throwing a feast for the attendees. [Metro UK, 10/18/2025]

Just Dropping By

As staff at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California, performed inspections in the early morning of Oct. 17, they were surprised by the presence of an unexpected visitor -- a wild American black bear, leaning on the gate to the park's bear habitat. In a Facebook post from the zoo, the wild bear was described as "a very polite visitor" that was observed interacting nonaggressively with resident bears Tule, Ishung and Kunabulilh. The zoo called in the Eureka Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the bear was escorted out of the park and back into the nearby woods. " We respond to bear calls within the city of Eureka quite often," state department spokesperson Peter Tira told the LA Times, "but having a wild bear get into the zoo is a first." [LA Times, 10/21/2025]

It's the Even Greater Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

In a rare case of a pumpkin DOING the smashing, a Utah man used a 1-ton gourd to destroy his 1991 Geo Metro. Alan Gebert, a pumpkin farmer, had driven the car for nearly 35 years, KMPH reported on Oct. 29, but it had finally given out. Such a trusty vehicle deserved a memorable send-off, so Gebert devised one: death by prize-winning produce, dropped from a height of about 14 stories. Before sealing the Geo's fate, the pumpkin in question won first place at the Utah Giant Pumpkin Festival, weighing in at 1,917 pounds. [KMPH, 10/29/2025]

I Hope that Someone Gets My ...

After more than a century, letters from two World War I soldiers will soon be in the hands of their families, ABC Australia reported Oct. 27. Debra Brown and her family were cleaning up a beach near their hometown in Western Australia when they found an old bottle, which turned out to contain letters -- dated 1916 -- from Private Malcolm Alexander Neville and Private William Kirk Harley. The two were shipping out to serve their country, and jettisoned the bottle "somewhere in the (Great Australian) Bight," per one of the letters. Social media did its thing, and Brown was soon connected to relatives of both soldiers. Private Neville's records show that even though he was initially discharged due to his poor eyesight, he reenlisted in the service corps a week later. "I think that just shows you his character, how determined he was," said the private's great-nephew, Herbie Neville. Sadly, Private Neville was killed in action in France at the age of 28. His compatriot, Private Harley, did make it home; his granddaughter Ann Turner said finding the letters "feels like a miracle" for her family: "We are all absolutely stunned." [ABC, 10/27/2025]

Monkey Business

It isn’t uncommon to see costume shops across the country packed with last-minute shoppers in the days before Halloween. Usually, it's people clambering over the racks of capes, masks and vampire teeth, but NBCDFW reported that on Oct. 27, in a Spirit Halloween store in Plano, Texas, a pet primate got loose. The monkey, clad in a diaper, became scared by animatronics and escaped its leash, running past shoppers, climbing shelves and swinging from the rafters. “It was entertaining,” store employee Jimmy Harris said. “A lot of people just stood and watched it for like 30 minutes, the whole time, they were like, ‘monkey,’ and we had kids trying to catch it.” Police were called and, after being offered a cookie, the monkey was re-leashed and returned to its owner, with no humans or monkeys harmed. [NBCDFW, 10/28/2025]