Here at The Hot Mess Press, we like to say that our online magazine is “news for people who hate the news.” We try to provide posts on a variety of topics. If you’re a subscriber, we hope that you find our posts informative, interesting, relevant, fresh, and, most of all, entertaining. Every once in a while, it’s fun to share some random news from select headlines online.
We always love for our readers to be interactive. So, after you’re done reading this post, if you have additional random news that you’d like to share, feel free to tell us about it in the comment section underneath this post on our Facebook page. Okay, let’s get the ball rolling here:
Random news headline number 1: A Maryland man won $50,000
In a small city called Hagerstown, about one and a half hours northwest of Baltimore, Maryland, a gentleman recently purchased a scratch-off ticket at a local gas station. (Sidenote: this particular gas station happens to be only 45 minutes from my house!) After scratching away the protective coating on the lottery ticket, the man realized he had just won $50,000! And, guess what? He is age 90! What’s even more surprising, is that woman from the same region also won $50,000 in March on a scratch off ticket, which she bought at the same place. The gas station proprietor also receives a $500 for selling a winning ticket.
Also in our random news: Florida spearfishing team hauled in 426 lion fish in a day
Lion fish are an invasive species of fish that frequent Florida reefs. They feed off of native species of fish and have no known predators. They also reproduce all year long, which makes them a bit of an ecosystem problem. The area recently hosted a REEF lion fish derby. A spearfishing team called “Team Forever Young,” were the big winners of the day. They speared and removed 426 lion fish. Last year, the same team speared 564 lion fish, but it took them two days to do it. People who feast on the hauls at these events say the meat is white and flaky. The winning team generously donated approximately 20% of their haul to culinary tasting venues at the derby. The rest were also used resourcefully by selling them to restaurants in the area.
Melting ice in Norway uncovers a rare find
Interesting random news hasn’t only been occurring in the United States. Across the globe, in Norway, a spectacular archaeological event took place. A hiker was traveling along a remote mountain trail. This event took place in 2019. As the man glanced over at an area where the ice was melting, he noticed an object protruding through the surface. I’m a little ashamed to say that, had I been the hiker, my instinct would have been to rush over and try to pick up the item. This person, however, apparently knew more about archaeological integrity than I do, because instead of touching it, he notified a professional archaeology team.
They ultimately were able to retrieve the treasure, which turned out to be a 1,700-year-old sandal from the Iron Age! Radio-carbon dating suggests that the sandal is likely from A.D. 300. It is the oldest artifact found in that specific region to date. You can read more about this exciting story, here.
Barberry plants are being banned in Pennsylvania
Japanese barberry plants are a popular landscaping item. Horticulturalists say they’re easy to grow and they’re colorful. They also have spikes, which keeps birds away. By 2023, homeowners and commercial landscapers will have to choose an alternative to the barberry plant. It has been placed on the noxious weed list as an invasive species. When I first read about this, I was annoyed that some government entity is out there banning a beautiful, easy-to-grow plant that homeowners love. That is, until I researched the issue further. Now, I’m applauding those who made the decision, and I’ll tell you why.
White-footed mice love to live in barberry plants. These critters also happen to be the number one host source for ticks that have Lyme disease. Several members of my family have been ravaged by Lyme disease. It’s a terrible, TERRIBLE disease. We live in Pennsylvania (where barberries are being banned), which has the highest percentage of Lyme disease infections in the United States. It seems ticks love to hunker down in the tightly knitted, moist undergrowth of the barberry plant, as well. So, all in one place, you have the disease-ridden ticks, and also the hosts they love to feed on! People can contact their local extension service or a nursery for recommendations about alternative landscaping options for the barberry plant.
Well, that’s it for random news at The Hot Mess Press, today! Don’t forget, if you have an interesting or entertaining story to add, leave a comment under this post on our FB page!
