Kirby: Dieting gone to the dogs - 2004-01-25
One of my dogs ate a tennis ball last week. It must have bothered her because she just came into the office and got rid of it. There are certain things even a lab's digestive system won't accept.

In the last week alone, Zoe has eaten a slipper, a plastic beverage coaster, two clothespins, half of a pillow, the arms off a Barbie and a poker chip I flipped in her direction just to see what would happen.

All of this stuff will soon reappear in the back yard considerably the worse for wear. Mowing the yard in the spring will be like taking inventory of everything that went missing during the winter.
Read the full story at Salt Lake Tribune

Suburban businesses busted for illegal gambling - 2004-01-25
The Cook County Sheriff's Department raided several suburban businesses for illegal gambling. The sheriff revealed videotapes showing the busts and the items confiscated.

They seized video poker machines. Video poker machines in Illinois are not illegal to own, but it is against the law to pay out to the winner.

In an on going under cover investigation the Cook County sheriff's department confiscated dozens of machines and issued arrests warrants for 11 suburban bartenders.
Read the full story at WLS