THRIFT STORE EMPPLOYEE CLAIMS HE DID NOT STEAL MONEY:
Police say the Salvation Army Thrift Store employee who reported an armed robbery last week claims he did not steal the money missing from the store but made up the robbery because he feared he would be blamed.
John Arick, 42, of Marietta, appeared in Marietta Municipal Court this morning. He did not enter a plea and asked for the assistance of the Washington County Pubic Defender's Office.
Municipal Court Judge Janet Dyar-Welch ordered the arraignment continued to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.
According to court documents, Arick told police when he came into work on Aug. 12 he found money was missing from the Pike Street businesses' cash register.
"He stated that he thought he would be accused of stealing the money so he decided to report an armed robbery," Marietta police Detective Troy Hawkins wrote in his affidavit.
OBAMA ADDRESSES ECONOMY IN COLUMBUS SUBURB:
COLUMBUS (AP) - Admittedly wary of losing touch, President Barack Obama returned to the comfort of backyard politics on Wednesday, assuring a polite gathering of middle-class neighbors that the economy is coming around "slowly but surely."
At the brick-and-shingle house of the Weithman family, Obama's questioners showed no interest in the divisive midterm elections or other matters gobbling up the political debate. They wanted to know what he was doing on jobs, health care, pensions and child care. In turn, Obama got what he wanted: a sunny platform to engage voters and promote his agenda.
Obama hadn't even left the property, though, before he got off message by answering a reporter's shouted question about a national controversy - plans for a mosque and community center near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York. Obama said he had "no regrets" about his stand that Muslims have the right to build the mosque.
The neighbors sat scattered in lawn chairs and picnic tables. The president held forth with a microphone, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, as if he were just talking with old friends. Reporters were packed in all the way to the tomato garden.
"Look, I'll be honest with you," Obama said over the whirring of lawn mowers in the distance. "Sometimes when you're in Washington, you get caught up with the particular legislative battles or, you know, the media spin on certain issues. And sometimes you lose touch in terms of what folks are talking about around the kitchen table."
FAVRE BACK FOR 20TH SEASON:
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - The lure of playing in another Super Bowl brought Brett Favre back to the NFL - again.
Favre joined his Minnesota Vikings teammates at practice Wednesday. The three-time MVP wore a helmet, shoulder pads and red quarterback's jersey as he worked out with Minnesota for the first time since getting battered by New Orleans as the Vikings lost the NFC championship game in January.
"As we were driving on that last drive it seemed like it was destiny - for us," said Favre, whose interception in the final minute ended that march and the Vikings never got the ball in overtime. "I was so close, so close to getting these guys to the Super Bowl.
"I owe it to this organization to give it one more try."
Not that coming back for a 20th season was a simple decision.
"I could make a case for both playing, not playing," Favre said. "This is a very good football team, the chances here are much greater than other places. From that standpoint, it was always going to be easier (to return).
"Part of me said it was such a great year, it would be easy to say, 'Hey can't play any better, why even try?' Then the other part is, 'Guys are playing on a high level. Why don't I go back out?' The expectations are high here, as they should be."
BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT:
The Friends of the Lower Muskingum River are inviting residents tonight to the Luke Chute Conservation Area on Ohio 266 to witness thousands of brown-headed cowbirds and other species flocking into a young forest there.
According to Friends member Marilyn Ortt, thousands of birds swoop in around 7 p.m. and chatter, before falling silent about an hour later. Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest will provide commentary on the birds.
Those interested in attending are invited to come to the conservation area on Ohio 266, between Stockport and Ohio 60. The roosting area is adjacent to Columbus Street, the private road that runs through the conservation area next to Cabin Run. Parking is available at Friends' parking lot, designated by a sign on Columbus Street. Watchers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and gather on the front lawn of conservation area steward Dave Blount, the first house on Columbus Street.
