Police were startled to find a 13-year old boy in the driver's seat of a car stuck in the mud at a local park. The father was sitting in the passenger's seat, and both seemed to be drunk. The boy's 41-year old father explained to the police that he let his son drive the vehicle, as he had too much to drink and was incapable of operating the truck.

A company has launched a excused absence service for U. S. employees and students. The Excused Absence Network services all your excuse letter needs for just $25 per excuse note, which appears to come from professional doctor or hospital. They also offer fake jury summons and an authentic-looking funeral service program with poems and pallbearers.

A postcard sent by a Japanese soldier from Burma during World War II has finally been received, 64 years after it was sent. The postcard traveled through Burma, Nagasaki, Arizona and Hawaii before reaching 80-year-old Shizuo Nagano in southern Kochi prefecture, according to Mukogawa Women's University. A student from the university was instrumental in the postcard reaching its final destination.

Baseball is a game of glorious records and streaks, like those by Cal Ripken, Joe DiMaggio and the New York Yankees. Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard has his own remarkable streak of 121 straight playoff games behind the microphone. Sheppard's streak will unfortunately end when the American League Division Series returns to New York, however, as the 97-year-old is having a bout with bronchial infection.

If you need a hug, steer clear of Percy Julian Middle School. Principal Victoria Sharts is cracking down on the "extreme hugging" that has gotten out of control at her suburban Chicago school, evidenced by a rash of recent "hug lines," causing hallway congestion and sharp increases in student tardiness. "Hugging is really more appropriate for airports or for family reunions than passing and seeing each other every few minutes in the halls," Sharts said.