23 Weird Stories Of 2023: Nudists, Line Poopers & Fake Kidnapping – Patch
ACROSS CALIFORNIA — Well, Californians, we’ve made it through another year. As journalists, we could not have done it without the occasional weird news story that made us stop and laugh — or just stop. While we wish we could say no one was harmed in the making of these stories, sadly, that was not always true.
Here are 23 of the weirdest news stories by Patch editors in California this year.
Note: Articles are not listed in any particular order as to the level of weirdness.
1. Burmese Restaurant Reopens After Rat Jumps On Customer’s Lap: The Bay Area restaurant was ordered to close upon a visit from a county inspector. It has reopened and is awaiting a follow-up inspection.
2. Man Streaks On Iconic Disneyland Ride: The 26-year-old man was arrested after alarming video showed him wading into the water of “It’s a Small World” while naked.
3. Three People Displaced, 70 Dogs Rescued In Martinez Garage Fire: One person was hospitalized. Meanwhile, firefighters and several others worked to rescue as many as 70 dogs.
4. Engagement Ring Flushed Down Toilet Found Over A Year Later In CA: The ring was first reported missing in March 2022, when a California man’s soon-to-be stepson accidentally flushed the ring down the toilet.
5. Van Stolen In Napa With 10 Cats Inside: The white Ford Transit van belongs to a North Bay animal rescue group and was stolen off California Boulevard in Central Napa.
6. Influencer Mom Gets Jail Time For False Report Of Attempted Kidnapping: An Instagram video by Kathleen Sorenson went viral and showed a couple she claimed tried to kidnap her children at Michael’s in Petaluma.
7. People Are Pooping In Lines At Disney Parks — And It’s Not Just Kids: People on subreddit are talking about what has to be the least-Disney thing ever: People are “dropping trou” and pooping in long lines.
8. Restaurant Ordered To Close Over Cockroach Infestation: More than 100 cockroaches were found during an inspection of the business.
9. Woman Accused Of Sending Drug-Soaked Letter To Inmate Arrested: A woman was booked into Las Colinas in Santee on suspicion of sending a drug-laced letter to a San Diego County jail.
10. Silly String, Nair, Shaving Cream Threaten ‘Safe Family Environment’ On Halloween: The favorite tools of youthful Halloween vandals have been banned for those under 21 in Beverly Hills.
11. Mystery Passenger Lands In LAX With No Ticket, Passport Or Explanation: A Russian-speaking suspected stowaway confounded investigators by bypassing security to fly into the U.S. with no ticket, passport or story.
12. Community Mystified By Onslaught Of Jellyfish-Like Creatures On Shores: Beachgoers in Manhattan Beach will be able to see the pinky-sized sea creatures on the shore as they migrate to SoCal’s warmer waters.
13. Fashion Week’s Unglamorous Hanger-Ons: CA Faces Bedbug Invasion: While bedbugs aren’t new to CA, pest control experts said the Paris infestation could exacerbate the problem with LA Fashion Week underway.
14. ‘Vomit Fees’ Pop Up At Bay Area Brunch Restaurants: Bay Area diners who toss back a few too many mimosas at brunch may find themselves with a costly tab.
15. Uzi, Rocket Launcher Among Weapons Collected At San Jose Gun Buyback: Santa Clara County’s latest gun buyback event turned up a few surprises among the more than 400 firearms recovered.
16. Accused Takeout Bandit Nabbed While Working Out In Milpitas: Police: Police said a man who stole a takeout order from a Milpitas restaurant was driving a stolen vehicle and was later arrested inside a gym.
17. Billionaires’ Mysterious Plan To Build New Solano City Draws Blowback: A secretive company has become the largest landowner in Solano County, but its ambitious plans have many neighbors uneasy.
18. Nudists, Supervisor Help Cut Glare From 15 Freeway Headlights Near Corona: The Glen Eden Sun Club — a members-only nudist resort — along with Supervisor Karen Spiegel worked to make Temescal Valley safer.
19. Chatsworth Neighbors Warned Of 15-Foot Python On The Loose: The longtime family pet is large enough to eat cats and small medium-sized dogs.
20. Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Burglarizing Dublin Wig Shop: Police believe Robert Butler broke into Valley Rags and Wigs Shop at least four times in 2023.
21. Federal Agents, Unidentified Man Seen On Lydiksen Elementary Campus: Two confirmed Homeland Security agents appeared on campus Friday, and an “unidentified male” was seen on campus Saturday.
22. Man In Stolen Septic Truck Involved In Head-On Collision: CHP: “As our investigation continues, we urge the public to call us with any information about this crash or the suspect that fled the scene.”
23. RivCo Couple Charged $30,000 For Uber Ride: Even surge pricing couldn’t explain why an Uber ride to the airport could cost $30,000.
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