Obscure Store and Reading Room

Man poses as an air marshal to get on flight after gate closes

Real marshals checked the guy's bogus badge and booted him from the flight. He was arrested after going to the bar and loudly complaining about not being allowed onto the flight. (Miami Herald)

Wal-Mart worker "can't take it anymore," sets himself on fire

He set himself ablaze in a parking lot, then died in a hospital. The 58-year-old overnight stocker "enjoyed his job," according to to son. (ChicagoBreakingNews.com)

Woman who pursued burglars with pan hears from Lagasse

When Emeril Lagasse heard how Ellen Basinski fought off four burglars with her favorite pot -- a 5-quart Emeril Lagasse saucepan -- he went into action. The famed TV chef picked up the phone and said he was sending the 70-year-old homemaker a whole new set of cookware. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

What the...?!: Three arrested in cockatoo-for-children swap

Brandy Lynn Romero, 27, and Paul J. Romero, 46, are accused of swapping a $1,500 cockatoo for two children -- making the deal with a 51-year-old female trucker. "We are only going with what the kids have told us. It's a mess," says a police chief. (The Daily World)

Today's really dumb politician is .... the mayor of Los Alamitos

Dean Grose is stepping down from his post after sending an e-mail photo of a watermelon patch at the White House. "I recognize that I've made a mistake and have taken steps to make sure this is never repeated," he says. You have to wonder what those steps are. (Orange County Register)

Woman, 85, plows into building while en route to driver's test

The car plowed through the wall and into the counter of the driver's license building. (Springfield State Journal-Register | Photo)

Man left to die at hot-tub party after friends "freak out"

Various drugs were being consumed at the hot-tub bash. It quickly ended when the guy died. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Dog is returned to family after disappearing nine years ago

The owner didn't know how Astro would react at their reunion. "They brought him out and he just sat down and licked both me and my oldest stepson," he says. "He was like, where have you been?" TCPalm.com)

Man: I served in Iraq so I should be allowed to steal M&Ms

This wasn’t the first time Eric Ambrose, 31, (left) had been arrested this month. On Saturday he created a “spectacle” at a Super 8 Motel and was arrested and charged with disorderly intoxication and causing a public disturbance. The newspaper couldn't confirm whether Ambrose truly is an Iraq war veteran. (TCPalm.com)

Chicago political reporter is giving up Diet Coke, swearing for Lent

As for me....hmmmm....elderly driver stories, maybe? And how about you? (Chicago Sun-Times)