Friday Snippets and Soundbites

It's hot here in Nashville, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the start of summer than with a new edition of "Snippets and Soundbites" on the ec blog. (Well, actually, we could think of some really good ways to celebrate: lounging by the pool, lemonade, sleeping late, hanging out at the park . . . but since we have to work, why don't you guys enjoy some fun in the sun for us?) And get the fun started right now with our recap of this week's news of the strange.

I just called (911) to say "I love you."
An Ohio woman might be rethinking her decision to call 911. We all know that we should only call 911 for emergencies, but Audrey Scott of Alliance, Ohio, apparently thought she had a big emergency. That's because Scott, 57, repeatedly called 911 in search of a husband. No, not looking for her husband, but in search of a husband. Scott called the number five times asking for a husband. At one point, the operator even asked, "You need to get a husband?" Scott said yes. At that point, the operator explained that Scott could be arrested for improper use of 911 and last week she was convicted of improper use of the 911 system. She served three days in jail and blamed the entire incident on alcohol. The bottom line is this: 911 isn't a dating service! Read all about the case here. To hear the audio, click here.

Meters and Miles
Remember all that stuff you learned about meters back when you were learning about measuring distance? You might have to put it into practice if you ever drive along I-19, an interstate that connects Tucson, Ariz., to the Mexican border. That's because every highway and distance sign on the 63-mile stretch of road is in kilometers. (And there are 400 such signs.) The speed limit signs still inform drivers about miles per hour and there are even mile markers alongside the interstate, but the signs still use kilometers. Why? The U.S. Metric Association, a group that supports U.S. adoption of the metric system, says other border areas, north and south, often add metric signs on segments of their roads to accommodate visitors. Now, the state is ready to replace the signs and considering converting them to miles, but that decision is being met with resistance, since many restaurants, tourist attractions, and sights along the interstate have the kilometer exit numbers in their promotional material. The state has done some surveys and expects to have a plan in place by the end of the year. To learn more, go here.

This ain't the Tour de France.
An Ohio man must really want to make a statement when he arrives at his 50th high school class reunion in Deerfield, Mass. That's because the 68-year-old is biking there. Yes, you read that correctly. He is riding his bike 800 miles from Ohio to Deerfield Academy, the prep school he attended in Deerfield. He was expected to arrive yesterday and says he decided to take on the challenge because he's in pretty good shape and thought it would be a cool way to see the country. But don't worry: he won't be biking back home to Ohio when the reunion is over. Instead, his bike will be loaded into a car and he and it will both ride back home. To learn more, go here.