Least Competent Criminals
• A 25-year-old man in Philipsburg, Montana, drove to the Granite County Courthouse to pay a fine he had received for an open container, KBZK-TV reported on Feb. 17. While he waited, Sheriff Rico Barkell observed that he appeared to be intoxicated. He asked if the man had driven to the courthouse, to which he answered yes. Then he admitted he had had two drinks and smoked two bowls of marijuana. A breath test confirmed the sheriff’s suspicions, with the man’s blood alcohol at three times the legal limit. He also had an open container in his car. He was charged with aggravated DUI and open container. The sheriff’s office posted about the incident on its Facebook page, summarizing with “Stupidity is not an excuse!” [KBZK, 2/17/2026]
• On Feb. 11, Dean Young, 26, entered a parked landscaping van in Hialeah, Florida, allegedly with intent to steal tools inside, NBC Miami reported. However, Young became trapped in the locked van and started screaming and beating on the doors. “Help me! I’m inside,” he yelled. The landscapers called police but didn’t free Young from the van, as there were machetes inside that he might have used as a weapon. Young, who had posted bail in an earlier case, was held on charges of burglary and criminal mischief. [NBC Miami, 2/12/2026]
Irony
A famous rock formation in Melendugno, Puglia, Italy, called Lovers’ Arch collapsed into the Adriatic Sea on Valentine’s Day, The Guardian reported. Strong storm surges and heavy rain pounded the area before the landmark fell. “It is a devastating blow to the heart,” said Melendugno Mayor Maurizio Cisternino. “Nature has been overturned.” [The Guardian, 2/16/2026]
Repeat Offender
Michael Delsid, 46, is no stranger to Fresno, California, police. KMPH-TV reported that Delsid was arrested after a chase on Feb. 17 for the 36th time — in this incident, for evading police, reckless driving, and probation violations. Delsid’s criminal record dates back to 1994 and includes violent crimes, drug offenses, and property crimes. He is ineligible for bail. [KMPH, 2/18/2026]
Meanwhile, at the Olympics …
The real star of the Feb. 18 women’s cross country team sprint qualifying round in Lago di Tesero, Italy, was Nazgul, a 2-year-old Czechoslovakian wolfdog. NPR reported that as skiers flew across the finish line, Nazgul broke out of his doghouse and ran across, too — even being captured with the official finish line camera. The dog’s owner said Nazgul “just wanted to follow us. He always looks for people.” [NPR, 2/18/2026]
Wrong Plane, Wrong Time
Fox5 Atlanta reported on Feb. 10 that a passenger on a United Airlines flight boarded the wrong plane, then wondered why it was taking so long. The passenger intended to fly from Los Angeles to Managua, Nicaragua, through Houston. Six hours into the flight, he asked a flight attendant why it was taking so long to get to Houston — and realized he was on a flight to Tokyo. United Airlines paid for a two-night hotel stay as they worked out a new itinerary for the passenger and offered a $1,000 travel credit. [Fox5 Atlanta, 2/10/2026]
The Continuing Crisis
The Town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, declared a local emergency on Feb. 17 after at least two sinkholes opened up on its streets, WFMZ-TV reported. A dump truck that was hauling asphalt to repair one sinkhole ended up falling into the ground, while farther down the street, a car fell into a hole. The dump truck also damaged a water main, which could not be repaired until the truck could be removed from the hole. Using ground-penetrating radar, officials located several different voids beneath the surface, said Mayor Randy Piazza. The emergency declaration allowed faster access to resources and assistance, town officials said. Public Works Director Matt Noel said eight homes were evacuated, and residents of other homes were encouraged to leave. [WFMZ, 2/18/2026]
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