News of the Weird: Week of August 13, 2026

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Gas Leak

Hundreds of moviegoers in Colombia fled the theater during a showing of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," thanks to a noxious smell, The New York Post reported on Aug. 3. Witnesses at the screening in Cartagena said they were overwhelmed by the stench of flatulence, forcing them into the hallways outside the showing. That's right: Someone's fart was so rotten that they cleared an entire theater full of people. The stinker hasn't 'fessed up -- who can blame them? -- and so strong was the smell that some speculated someone had set off a stink bomb. The anonymous air-befouler let it rip about halfway through the showing, and many moviegoers left without finishing the movie. [NY Post, 8/3/26]

Skeleton in the ... Deep Freezer 

An Alaska family cleaning out a deceased loved one's home called authorities when they discovered human remains on the property, Juneau Empire reported on July 30. Juneau police say the body -- a man who would have been in his 70s now -- was found in a deep freezer located in a locked outbuilding, and has been identified as a relative of the home's deceased owner, though no missing person's report was ever filed for him. Police estimate the body had been stashed for years, and are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the man's death. [Juneau Empire, 7/30/26]

Get Off My Lawn

Kyle James Steffen, 39, of Minnesota, faces charges after placing about 40 three-inch spikes in his lawn to deter neighborhood children from riding their bikes through his front yard on their way to a nearby park. KARE 11 reported on July 31 that a neighbor called police after witnessing Steffen yell at her children, and when police arrived, they discovered Steffen's homemade spike strip. They charged him with a gross misdemeanor count of setting a spring gun/pitfall/deadfall or snare. Steffen could face up to 180 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. His court date is set for Aug. 25. [KARE 11, 7/31/26]

Clothing Optional

Customers in Hollywood, Florida, are free to abide by an unusual dress code at the Class Soiree Steakhouse: clothing optional, UPI reported on Aug. 4. On the first Monday of the month, the steakhouse offers a nude dining experience from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Diners must be over 18 years old to participate, and are expected to follow additional guidelines, such as no touching without consent. Upon arrival, they are given a robe, a towel and a seat cover. Chef and owner Maurad Ali says his staff members -- who remain clothed during the event -- have been well-trained and are respectful of the hungry nudists. Tickets start at $150 for women, $250 for men and $300 for couples. [UPI, 8/4/26]

Death Becomes Him 

A 26-year-old Welsh man has been arrested for dressing in a black hooded outfit to mimic the appearance of the Grim Reaper, climbing the roof of a local hospital and staring into hospital rooms, The Independent reported on Aug. 5. Local resident Leon Gillespie has been charged with causing a nuisance or disturbance without reasonable excuse after a June incident at the Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in North Wales. He pleaded guilty and was fined $270 for his stunt. [The Independent, 8/5/2026]

Precocious

It was all hands on deck when a kitten was discovered stuck behind a Honda owner's front grille in Ames, Iowa. The car's driver was in the drive-thru at a Scooter's Coffee when she heard the kitten crying. Other drivers quickly gathered around, and the coffee shop manager called Ames Animal Shelter for help. "You could hear the cat crying out," animal services officer Kathy Pike said. "We didn't know how to get it out." She then contacted a towing company for more assistance. Jordan McKnight and Cole Denning from Central Iowa Towing and Recovery came over and had to dismantle the front part of the car enough for Pike to reach through and remove the kitten, who was showing signs of distress on a hot, humid day that felt like 118 degrees. The kitten -- whom Pike named "Fika," a Swedish word for "coffee" -- was put up for adoption, and in an adorable plot twist, McKnight, who helped rescue her, ended up taking her home with him, much to the delight of his wife and daughter. [Washington Post, 8/5/26]

Outfoxed 

After bottles of milk kept disappearing from outside his door, a man in Glasgow, Scotland, set up cameras to catch the culprit. On Aug. 2, Fox News reported that Gordon Campbell, 42, suspected a "vegan militant" was to blame for the stolen milk. "I didn't really know exactly who would be doing it," Campbell said. "I thought it was a person or an animal." Campbell soon captured images of a fox scampering up the front steps, using its mouth to grab the bottle of milk, knocking it over and carrying it away. "All was forgiven when I saw its big ears and wee face," Campbell said. As to whether he'll be getting milk delivered in the future, Campbell's not certain, but if he does, he says he plans to put a protective box on his front step for safekeeping of the bottles. [Fox News, 8/2/26]

There's a Horse in the Helicopter 

UPI reported on Aug. 3 that a horse and its rider became separated early in the Tevis Cup 100-mile high-altitude endurance race in California. After locating the uninjured rider, search crews spent two hours looking for the horse without any luck. The Butte County Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit joined the search and located the equine in the Granite Chief Wilderness, which is nearly 7,200 feet above sea level and difficult to reach. The horse was assessed, sedated and secured in a lift before being extracted. After being airlifted to the French Meadows Reservoir, the horse stood up and walked on its own to a trailer that was waiting to take it home. [UPI, 08/03/26]

There's a Plane on the Highway 

A 21-year-old pilot is credited with a cool head and quick thinking after landing a small plane on Interstate 10 in Pensacola, Fox 10 News reported on Aug. 4. Flight instructor Emily Shelton was on a training flight with a student pilot when the smell of burning oil permeated the cockpit. With the engine failing, Shelton radioed air traffic control to alert them of the emergency. "I don't know if we're gonna make it to the airport," she said, informing them of her plan to land on the interstate instead. "Roger. It's at your discretion, safe spot as possible," controllers said. "We'll get the vehicles out for you." Shelton was able to maneuver the plane to safety while avoiding cars and even a highway sign that was in her flight path. Escambia County deputies were on hand as soon as Shelton and her passenger touched down. No one was hurt. [Fox 10 News, 08/04/26]

It's a Mystery 

An Australian family made an unusual discovery during a home renovation project in New South Wales: a book in a desk that was bricked into the fireplace. UPI reported on July 31 that the book, "The Antiquities of Athens," was published in 1858 and checked out from the Kiama Public Library 150 years ago. The library has done away with fines for overdue materials, which is a good thing, because otherwise the late fees would have totaled $20,000. The library says that the book will not be put into circulation but into a public display of a collection of significant items. [UPI, 7/31/26]  

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