(UPI) A Virginia woman who chose a scratch-off lottery ticket from a vending machine at random won a $500,000 prize.

Theresa Baldwin of Pamplin told Virginia Lottery officials she isn't picky when it comes to buying lottery tickets.

"I don't normally pay attention to it," Baldwin said. I just kind of push a button and just go with it.

...Read more

(UPI) A Jewish congregation in New York teamed up with a Brooklyn bakery to attempt to break a Guinness World Record with a 35-foot, 2-inch challah bread.

Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side teamed up with the Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union and Strauss Bakery in Brooklyn to create the massive braided bread...Read more

(UPI) A Rhode Island animal shelter is offering jilted lovers and ex-friends the opportunity to have the target of their scorn's name buried in kitty litter for Valentine's Day.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals said its "Love Stinks" promotion will allow members of the public to get some sweet and stinky revenge...Read more

(UPI) A survey of plumbers found some of the most unusual items removed from pipes in Britain include a two-man tent, Lego toys and another pipe.

Wavin UK, one of Britain's largest manufacturers and distributors of plastic drainage pipes, surveyed plumbers in the country for its annual State of the Nation report.

Some of the most unusual items...Read more

(UPI) Animal rescuers and police in Connecticut were called to a West Hartford home to round up an unusual breaking and entering suspect: an owl.

The West Hartford Police Department said in a Facebook post that an officer responded alongside an animal control officer and personnel from the A Place Called Hope rehabilitation center when a ...Read more

(UPI) Firefighters in Texas rescued a deer that ran onto a resident's porch and became stuck while trying to squeeze between the wooden supports on a railing.

The Georgetown Fire Department said the Station 6 A Shift crew responded to the Georgetown home on a report of an animal in distress.

Members arrived to find the deer stuck inside the ...Read more

(UPI) Florida's Blue Spring State Park said cold weather brought a record number of manatees there to stay warm.

The park said in a Facebook post that 932 manatees were counted in the park's comparatively warm waters Sunday, breaking the previous record of 736 set on New Year's Day.

Officials said the manatees are drawn to the park when other ...Read more

(UPI) A Michigan man who won $10 from a scratch-off lottery ticket used his winnings to buy another ticket that earned him $500,000.

The 77-year-old St. Joseph County man told Michigan Lottery officials his good luck started with a stop at Jit Food and Gas on North Washington Street in Constantine.

"My son and I stopped at the gas station, and...Read more

(UPI) A yogurt company is offering to pay $10,000 to participants who complete a monthlong "digital detox" with their phone locked in a box.

Siggi's Dairy, known for its Icelandic-style yogurt, said its Digital Detox Program will offer $10,000 to participants who are willing to give up their phones for a month.

The program, inspired by "Dry ...Read more

(UPI) Sheriff's deputies in Florida put their cowboy skills to the test when a call led to them spending two hours chasing after a loose bull.

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a call about a loose bull in Vero Beach.

"Although the animal was still on its property, it was unsecured and headed towards the ...Read more

(UPI) Firefighters in Michigan came to the rescue of a deer found stranded in the frigid waters of a frozen pond.

The city of Wyoming said in a Facebook post that firefighters responded when a deer fell through the ice covering a pond off 52nd Street.

A photo shared by the city shows a firefighter breaking through the ice to make a path for ...Read more

(UPI) A Maryland woman said she changed her mind at the last minute and purchased a scratch-off lottery ticket that earned her a $50,000 prize.

The Hagerstown woman told Maryland Lottery officials she normally buys tickets for drawings such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

"I'm actually a jackpot game player," she said. But every once in a ...Read more