Precocious
It was all hands on deck when a kitten was discovered stuck behind a Honda owner’s front grille in Ames, Iowa. The car’s driver was in the drive-thru at a Scooter’s Coffee when she heard the kitten crying. Other drivers quickly gathered around, and the coffee shop manager called Ames Animal Shelter for help. “You could hear the cat crying,” animal services officer Kathy Pike said. “We didn’t know how to get it out.” She then contacted a towing company for more assistance. Jordan McKnight and Cole Denning from Central Iowa Towing and Recovery came over and had to dismantle the front part of the car enough for Pike to reach through and remove the kitten, who was showing signs of distress on a hot, humid day that felt like 118 degrees. The kitten — whom Pike named “Fika,” a Swedish word for “coffee” — was put up for adoption, and in an adorable plot twist, McKnight, who helped rescue her, ended up taking her home with him, much to the delight of his wife and daughter. [Washington Post, 8/5/26]
Outfoxed
After bottles of milk kept disappearing from outside his door, a man in Glasgow, Scotland, set up cameras to catch the culprit. On Aug. 2nd, Fox News reported that Gordon Campbell, 42, suspected a “vegan militant” was to blame for the stolen milk. “I didn’t really know exactly who would be doing it,” Campbell said. “I thought it was a person or an animal.” Campbell soon captured images of a fox scampering up the front steps, using its mouth to grab the bottle of milk, knocking it over, and carrying it away. “All was forgiven when I saw its big ears and wee face,” Campbell said. As to whether he’ll be getting milk delivered in the future, Campbell’s not certain, but if he does, he says he plans to put a protective box on his front step for safekeeping of the bottles. [Fox News, 8/2/26]
There’s a Horse in the Helicopter
UPI reported on Aug. 3rd that a horse and its rider became separated early in the Tevis Cup 100-mile high-altitude endurance race in California. After locating the uninjured rider, search crews spent two hours looking for the horse without any luck. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter Unit joined the search and located the equine in the Granite Chief Wilderness, which is nearly 7,200 feet above sea level and difficult to reach. The horse was assessed, sedated, and secured in a lift before being extracted. After being airlifted to the French Meadows Reservoir, the horse stood up and walked on its own to a trailer that was waiting to take it home. [UPI, 08/3/26]
There’s a Plane on the Highway
A 21-year-old pilot is credited with a cool head and quick thinking after landing a small plane on Interstate 10 in Pensacola, Fox 10 News reported on Aug. 4th. Flight instructor Emily Shelton was on a training flight with a student pilot when the smell of burning oil permeated the cockpit. With the engine failing, Shelton radioed air traffic control to alert them of the emergency. “I don’t know if we’re gonna make it to the airport,” she said, informing them of her plan to land on the interstate instead. “Roger. It’s at your discretion, safe spot as possible,” controllers said. “We’ll get the vehicles out for you.” Shelton was able to maneuver the plane to safety while avoiding cars and even a highway sign that was in her flight path. Escambia County deputies were on hand as soon as Shelton and her passenger touched down. No one was hurt. [Fox 10 News, 08/4/26]
It’s a Mystery
An Australian family made an unusual discovery during a home renovation project in New South Wales: a book in a desk that was bricked into the fireplace. UPI reported on July 31st that the book, The Antiquities of Athens, was published in 1858 and checked out from the Kiama Public Library 150 years ago. The library has done away with fines for overdue materials, which is a good thing, because otherwise the late fees would have totaled $20,000. The library says that the book will not be put into circulation but into a public display of a collection of significant items. [UPI, 7/31/26]
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
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