Regional Briefs – June 20, 2017

Lightning Strikes Couple’s Home on 40th Anniversary

SOUTH BRISTOL, N.Y. – A couple whose house burned up in a fire four years ago nearly lost their second home Sunday after it was struck by lightning, WHAM reported. Tim and Christine Callaghan were out celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Parents Urge Lifting of Graduation Ban for Pranksters

COPIAGUE, N.Y. – Parents of students barred from graduating because of a senior prank in May are asking the school to reconsider, Newsday reported. About 30 seniors out of a graduating class of 388 smashed a projector and ransacked an office.

93-Year-Old Wins $100,000 Military Writing Award

NEW YORK – A 93-year-old author of books on European conflicts won a $100,000 prize Tuesday for military writing, The Associated Press reported. Peter Paret is this year’s winner of the Pritzker Literature Award for “enriching the understanding” of military history.

Mayoral Hopeful Freely Admits to Assault as a Youth

SYRACUSE – A man seeking a spot on the Democratic primary ballot for the Syracuse mayor’s race freely admitted during Monday night’s debate to have been “one of those kids running around assaulting people” as a youth, the Post-Standard reported. Raymond Blackwell, 27, says he was never arrested.

Video Captures Rat Trying to Flee With Entire Garbage Bag

BROOKLYN – A woman has produced a video of a rat trying to flee with a large bag of garbage on a Crown Heights street, WABC reported. The rat pulled out what appears to be a thrown-away pizza from the bag and runs into a hole in the ground. It eventually skittered away, leaving the pizza behind.