LONDON (AP) - More than two dozen burlesque performers in London turned out yesterday to protest being classified alongside strippers and lap dancers as "adult entertainers." Protesters in high heels, stockings and bustiers marched to Camden Council, which governs a large chunk of central London. One organizer says being forced to get an adult entertainment license has "effectively killed burlesque in Camden." Camden Council says it is not trying to stop burlesque acts, but any performance involving stripping or nudity is classed as adult entertainment and requires a license.
STOWAWAY DOG EAST
MOLINE, Ill. (AP) - There was a surprise in a delivery to a metal finishing
plant in East Moline, Ill. this week. Employees unloading a trailer found not
only steel casings, but also an elderly, friendly - and very thirsty -
mixed-breed dog. A telephone call to the warehouse in Indiana found the dog was
named Jughead and her owners work at the warehouse. She apparently climbed into
the trailer 28 hours earlier. The owners were driving to Illinois to pick her up
yesterday.
SMOKE-FREE FAIR
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - There's clear air at the Monroe County Fair in
Bloomington, Ind., this year. Organizers say most people seem to be cooperating
with the first-time total smoking ban. One fairgoer who is a smoker says while
he believes smoking shouldn't be allowed near children's rides, there should be
a designated smoking area. Organizers say 16 of Indiana's 92 counties now
prohibit smoking on their fairgrounds.
SPORTS REPORTER-PROSTITUTION
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - A veteran New Hampshire sports reporter has been charged
with running a prostitution ring in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and possibly
into Canada. Prosecutors say Kevin Provencher advertised his prostitution ring's
services on Craigslist and other Web sites. The 50-year-old Provencher is being
held in Lawrence County, Mass., on $10,000 cash bail. The Union Leader newspaper
calls Provencher "a valued employee," but he's been suspended "until further
notice."
HOME STRIP CLUB
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Turns out authorities don't think a Georgia woman was
running an illegal strip club in her home. A spokesman for Gwinnett police says
an officer wrote in a report that he found what appeared to be a strip club when
investigating a noise complaint at Constance Trahan's home. But police officials
say no evidence of dancers or of a strip club were ever found or confirmed.
However, the officer says they did find a sign reading "1 Dollar Jello Shots"
and minors drinking alcohol. Trahan still faces a misdemeanor charge of
maintaining a disorderly house.
4-DAY SCHOOLS
TATUM, N.M. (AP) - It sounds like every school kids' dream - three-day weekends.
But students in Tatum, N.M., will find they only have class four days a week
when school starts this fall. The new schedule has nothing to do with giving the
kids more free time. It's a cost-saving measure. Superintendent Buddy Little
says the Monday-through-Thursday schedule adds 37 minutes to each school day.
Officials note the shorter school week will shave as much as five percent off
the budget because of lower utility costs and fewer school bus runs.
