NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Questionable judgment
• Joseph Todd Kowalczyk, 20, tweeted at the FBI on May 10, threatening he had “10 bombs ready to go off ... in my basement ... come get me you guys have till 8 before I make this city in my own little hell #forwaco.”
The FBI determined the tweet came from a mobile home park in Clinton Township, Mich., according to The Detroit News, and officers showed up at Kowalczyk’s home the next day, where he explained that he was “testing the government” and was upset that they had not responded more promptly. He told agents he had no weapons and would not make any more threatening tweets, but as the day wore on, Kowalczyk taunted the FBI in further posts, disparaging the agency and police for their slow response.
On May 12, he was arrested and charged with transmitting a threat to injure, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.
• Curtis L. Fish, 48, arrested and charged with kidnapping and raping a woman on New Year’s Day in Bucks County, Pa., was released when the COVID-19 crisis erupted in jails, according to PennLive.com.
On May 12, police responding to reports that Fish tried to break into the Crossroads Tavern in Hilltown Township attempted to use a Taser on him, but he fled to his home nearby, where he set off and aimed fireworks at a SWAT team before his house caught fire.
“Fireworks outside and fireworks inside,” said tavern owner Mike Mrozinski. “So I believe that’s what lit the house on fire.”
A body thought to be Fish was found inside. Mrozinski said Fish, whom he had known for 16 years, was “not the same guy I had known him to be” before the rape charges.
Paying the COVID-19 price
Restaurants in West Plains, Mo., endured a social media storm in early May after a customer posted a photo of a receipt that included a “Covid 19 Surcharge.” But the restaurants pushed back, according to KY3.
“It’s not a tax. It’s basically just a small percentage to cover all of our extra expenses,” said Bootleggers BBQ owner Brian Staack.
Kiko Japanese Steakhouse manager Sarah Sherwood said prices on most items have doubled, and Ozark Cafe co-owner Heather Hughes confirmed: “Every day there’s something else (food suppliers) can’t get or the prices have gone up exorbitantly.”
The restaurateurs say it’s easier to add the 5 percent surcharge than constantly change the menus, and they’ve been upfront with customers, using signs and notes in their menus.
While the initial response was surprise, Sherwood says the community has “really come together to support the local
businesses.”
Florida woman
A Mother’s Day bouquet became a weapon during an altercation in Pinellas County, Fla., early on May 11.
Sandra Kay Webb, 32, allegedly became angry with her husband because he bought flowers for her children to give her for Mother’s Day. The Smoking Gun reported Webb threw the bouquet at her husband and hit him with it, then spit on him.
Webb was charged with domestic battery; she admitted throwing the flowers but denied spitting.