Just in time for Thanksgiving

BRIDGEWATER, MASS. — Police in the small Massachusetts town of Bridgewater have a new foe to contend with — turkeys. The birds, which are native to the area, have been filmed chasing police cars and attacking residents, according to Sky News. But there is not much local officials can do as the turkeys are considered wildlife. Bridgewater Police put out a warning on social media, with a video showing one of their patrol cars being pursued by a group of four of the birds, stating: “Aggressive turkeys are a problem in town. State law doesn’t allow the police or the Animal Control Office to remove them.” Experts say the birds can be highly territorial and will make efforts to exert their dominance if allowed.

Paying it forward

BLACKS HARBOUR, N.B. — An RCMP officer earned considerable brownie points recently after helping out a family, according to the Canadian Press. Const. Anthony Leighton responded to a report of theft after a New Brunswick couple discovered their two young daughters’ tricycles had been stolen. Leighton was so moved by their plight, he ended up buying the family two new trikes. “I joined the RCMP (because) I love people, I love our communities. I like to see good in this world. I believe that one good contribution to our community will lead to another,” he said. Leighton’s generosity was soon shared on social media, and he said he hopes the story will inspire others to pay it forward. “We have such great communities and we have such a great police force and members in it,’’ he said. “We are fortunate in this country to have such good people. This is the Canadian way.’’

Horsing around

GEORGETOWN, KY. — In Georgetown, Ky., there’s a Super 8 motel that prides itself on offering pet-friendly accommodation. That promise was put to the test recently when a Canadian woman jokingly asked if her horse could check in, according to the Canadian Press. To Lindsey Partridge’s surprise, the motel said yes. “The lady at the desk just said, ‘Oh yeah, I wouldn’t care, go ahead, bring your horse in,’’’ said Partridge of Kawartha Lakes, Ont., who buys retired racehorses and trains them. “I ask twice and then I quickly go get the horse before she changes her mind.’’ Blizz, a grey thoroughbred mare, was then briefly brought in, with motel guests taking photos of the unusual guest. But Partridge said she would hesitate to keep a horse in a room overnight. “I think maybe I would have to get a horsey diaper or something like that. I think the cleaning bill would be maybe a little high,’’ she said. “But also, horses only sleep three to four hours a night, so she might be trying to keep me up all night watching TV.’

Outdated lessons

MOOSE JAW, SASK. — Prairie South Schools in Moose Jaw, Sask., found itself in hot water recently after students were given a handout with offensive words, according to the Canadian Press. The Thanksgiving work package for a Grade 3 class in Moose Jaw had a word search puzzle in the shape of a teepee — but it contained the words “squaw” and “papoose,” derogatory terms for Indigenous women and children. The teacher involved had not carefully previewed the handout, according to the school division, and was horrified to learn of its contents later. “I feel very badly that this has happened and offer my sincere apologies,’’ said Tony Baldwin, director of education for Prairie South. “I can’t explain how (the handouts) came to be in the school. They certainly should have been purged many years ago.’’ Baldwin described the teacher as a good employee who made a serious mistake and said the division will take steps to make sure nothing like this happens again.

Groans all ’round

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Airline passengers were not impressed back in January when an Air Asia cabin crew held a strange contest onboard. The airline employees decided to take part in a “moaning” contest over the PA system, with the winner lasting the longest before running out of breath. But a Chicago couple videoed the incident and uploaded the footage online. “As if flying isn’t stressful enough these days — consider this unimaginable scenario… the flight crew decides to hold a moaning contest,” said Harry Lesner. Passengers reacted with “a mix of shocked mutual stares, bulging eyes and covered ears, and confused ‘What the hells?’” he said of the incident, which lasted 10 to 15 minutes. The game was apparently timed around the Chinese New Year.