Category: Local

  • Birther Denies Own Birth, Ceases to Exist

    Birther Denies Own Birth, Ceases to Exist

    By Falco Rockbert

    Leeds resident, John Mahoney, 43, who denied that President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, began to question his own birth and thought himself out of existence.

    John had been questioning Obama’s birthplace for years now, according to friends and family, despite evidence that confirmed Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.  “He just wouldn’t listen,” said Mary Mahoney, his visibly distraught wife.  “It was ridiculous, of course, but John’s a stubborn man.  I didn’t think it would lead to this.”

    Mary said she tried to get her husband off this conspiracy theory numerous times.  They examined Obama’s long form birth certificate and local Hawaiian newspapers that announced the president’s birth to no avail.  When Dr. Amazing allowed the one-time trip to 1961 Honolulu for journalists, politicians, and civilians who won a lottery (approved by the president and done by Dr. Amazing to stop the thousands of daily requests to go back to that time), Mary entered their names.  They were selected, and the Mahoneys and a friend went back in time.  “That trip cost us $10,000,” said his friend, Travis Buckner, “and he still didn’t believe it.  I mean, he saw Obama actually being born in Honolulu, and [he] still denied it.”

    When they returned home, nothing could persuade John, and that was when Mary and his friends had had enough.  “I can’t remember exactly what was said,” his wife said, “but Travis was livid.  He said something like, ‘Well, how do you know you were born where you said you were?  How do you know you weren’t born in China?’  Then John just got really quiet and took a walk.”

    Weeks passed as friends say John was a different person.  “He was quieter than normal,” said his neighbor, Carl Masterson.  “Usually he’s talking your ear off, but he just didn’t talk.  He seemed shaken.”

    Mary remembered he took walks alone and stared, blankly, at the TV.  The last few days, he stayed home from work, sick.  He had a fever and vomited and mumbled to himself.  “He said something like, ‘How do I know I’m not Chinese?  I really like Panda Express,’” said Mary.  “I thought he was just having a hard time facing reality, like it was a physical reaction.  I thought he’d get over it eventually, but it just got worse.”

    Last night, John started to violently tremble.  Mary dialed 911, and on the phone recording, John could be heard saying, “I can’t prove that I exist.  Therefore, I don’t exist.”  According to Mary, John seemed to fold in on himself, forming a single dot, and then he was gone with an audible blip.   John Mahoney had thought himself out of existence.

    Dr. Amazing and ATOM Labs scientists examined the Mahoneys’ residence for clues but found none.  “I’ve never seen or heard anything like this before,” said Dr. Amazing.  “I’ve always respected the power of the human mind, but this is just incredible!  I mean, it’s tragic, of course, but this is just so fascinating.  I have no idea what happened here!”

    Mary is staying with her mother in White Valley while the investigation continues.  It’s unknown whether her husband’s life insurance policy covers this as it could be construed as a suicide and therefore ineligible for benefits.

    President Obama had no comment.

  • Speedster In Town

    Speedster In Town

    By Chase Chapley

    SpeedsterSpeedster is back in town, and citizens are bracing for a reckless time.  The Fastest Woman in the Galaxy has a history of reckless behavior while visiting New Romford.  Last year, she was responsible for a 300-car pileup on interstate highways 88 and 188 while chasing The Dinosaur Queen.

    But it’s the little things that cause New Romforders to squirm.  “She’s just so fast that I don’t think she knows where she’s going half the time,” said Sussex resident Joanna Hull.  “She zipped right down my street and knocked off the side mirror off my car.  Didn’t even blink.  She just kept on going.”

    Frenchtown resident, Marlin Byrd, had a similar encounter three years ago.  “I was mowing my lawn when she ran across,” he said.  “She ran so fast, she dug her feet into my front yard.  There were these huge divots in there, nearly a foot deep.  She just ruined my front yard without even thinking about it.”

    While Speedster is a headache for some, she still has plenty of fans in New Romford.  Zack Holmes heads the local Speedster fan club and always sees a spike in excitement when she pops up.  “Sure, she gets a little reckless at times,” he said, “but we’re seeing one of the all-time greats here.  We have Adonis and the Amazings here everyday, but none of them are like Speedster.  She’s done so many awesome things that defy the laws of physics.  It’s truly remarkable!”

    Regardless of who you ask, one thing is unanimous:  make sure you’re current on your insurance.

  • Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting Set for Tomorrow

    Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting Set for Tomorrow

    By Stan Hopewell

    MornThe final touches are being made at the Peace Force Headquarters today as the annual Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting will take place all day tomorrow.  Members of Congress and the State Department have arrived in New Romford, and the majority of the Peace Force has been seen in and around the PFHQ.

    Adonis, leader of the Peace Force, is hoping that the meetings will be productive.  “King Morn A’Ganor and I go way back, so hopefully that means we can move forward on a lot of issues,” he said.  “Considering what happened last year, there can’t be much worse that could happen.”

    Last year’s meeting was infamous for the brawl between King Morn’s army and the Peace Force which blew several holes through PFHQ.  The fight spilled outside before eventually ending in Winston Bay when it was discovered that the King and his army were being mind-controlled by the supervillain, Mind Master.  Reportedly, he was trying to impress Jodie Foster.  The meeting ended before it even got started, and no issues were discussed.

    This year, barring any mind-controlled fights, the topics will be centered around water pollution levels, particularly the oil spills in the Gulf Region, trade routes, and the possibility of an underwater highway from New Romford to Atlantis.  Pollution levels and trade routes have been a staple of these meetings ever since the first one took place over 40 years ago, but the proposed Atlantis Underway is a new topic that will surely get a lot of talk tomorrow.

    “In theory it sounds like a great idea,” said Senator Mike Saluzzi.  “It’d be like the Chunnel between England and France, and it’d be a direct path to trade with the Atlanteans, and a lot better than the way we currently do it [which is a series of “drop-up” points where barges are tied to balloons inflated with air pumped from the surface].  I mean, we could just send a train down there and back without having to worry about the conditions above the water.  But of course, this would be an enormous project.  There are so many details that need to be ironed out.”

    Still, Saluzzi and other U.S. officials sounded optimistic going into the meetings.  The Atlanteans are expected to arrive in the morning.

  • Adonis Saves Michelle Meyers From the Master of Disaster…Again

    Adonis Saves Michelle Meyers From the Master of Disaster…Again

    By Falco Rockbert

    adonismichellewebIntrepid reporter, Michelle Meyers, was saved, yet again, from the Master of Disaster while investigating a story in the Warehouse District.  This was the third time Meyers has been saved by Adonis this month.

    The Master of Disaster was purportedly stealing ATOM Lab technology when he and his crew spotted Meyers snooping around the area.  She was captured by the MoD and tied up over a trash compactor, seemingly about to fall to her death.  Naturally, Adonis swooped in to save her at the last minute and took care of the MoD and his crew.  No one could offer an explanation why no one shot Meyers with their guns when they found her.

    Adonis and Meyers waited for the police to show up.  “I think Ms. Meyers has had enough excitement for one day,” said Adonis as he flew away with the reporter in his arms.  Meyers refused to comment.

    This incident continues the long, storied history between Adonis and Meyers.  Getting into trouble, only to be saved by New Romford’s Favorite Son, is a regular occurrence.  So far, this marks the twenty-eighth save.

  • Bug-Man Flees Exploding Apartment Building

    Bug-Man Flees Exploding Apartment Building

    By Chase Chapley

    nrfp04The Verzatt Estates were rocked today by an explosion on the 6th floor as a man dressed as a bug flew away from the scene.  No one was reportedly injured.

    Officer Joe Mantle was on the scene first.  “All I saw was what everyone else saw,” he said.  “A guy dressed as a bug flew out of the exploding building, followed by some giant flying bugs.”  As to whether the man caused the explosion, Mantle had no comment as the investigation was still ongoing.

    The apartment that exploded belonged to a John Smith according to building owner Max Childress.  “I’ve only met him a couple times, and he had a clean record,” said Childress.  “The Verzatt Estates are some of the priciest apartments in the city, so we vet our tenants very carefully.  We don’t even know if Mr. Smith as involved in this.”

    Apartments from the 4th to 8th floors were damaged in the explosion, but since it was the middle of the day, almost no one was home.  As for what caused the explosion, the NRPD is still investigating but has ruled out a gas leak since the building doesn’t use natural gas.  Likely, it was something related to “bug-man” specifically as policemen and firemen have been moving freely inside the building.

    “We’ve searched the entire building for explosives,” said Officer Mantle, “and there isn’t anything there.  It’s safe to go in and around.  Weirdoes flying around dressed as bugs won’t stick out in this city, so keep an eye out.”

  • Man Sues Red Bull for False Advertisement

    Man Sues Red Bull for False Advertisement

    By Muffy Borgeron

    Springfield resident Luke Seward is suing the makers of the energy drink Red Bull for false advertisement.  “Their ads say ‘Red Bull gives you wings,’” Seward said in a statement, “and people in their ads are depicted as gaining the power of flight after consuming their product.  I have drunk several dozen cans of Red Bull and have not grown wings.  This is false advertisement.”

    A spokesperson for Red Bull called the lawsuit frivolous.  “The marketing campaign for Blue Ox is clearly meant to be metaphorical,” he said.  “They’re cartoon characters, not real people in our ads.  We have never claimed our product can give someone actual wings.”

    Even still, Seward is convinced that living in a superhuman-filled city such as New Romford is reasonable enough cause to expect superpowers from an energy drink.  “People get splashed by chemicals everyday and get superpowers,” he said.  “Clearly, Red Bull is made of dozens of chemicals, any combination of which could cause a person to fly.  I don’t know by what method, either by giving me wings or magnetic levitation or whatever method Adonis uses.”

    Many of Seward’s neighbors, while understanding his point, see another motive for this lawsuit.  “He tried jumping off his roof after drinking a can of Red Bull,” said Paula McCreary.  “He didn’t fly, of course.  Just landed on a mat he had on the ground.  But I think he’s just embarrassed.”

    Seward would not comment on the incident.

  • Man Doesn’t Gain Superpowers After Fall into Vat of Chemicals

    Man Doesn’t Gain Superpowers After Fall into Vat of Chemicals

    By Muffy Borgeron

    It was a strange day at ATOM Labs when maintenance worker, Gil Heredia, fell into a vat of chemicals but did not gain superpowers.

    Heredia, 54, was making his normal rounds of the day when he entered one of the many chemical storage rooms.  A longtime ATOM Labs employee, he is usually careful, said his manager Lauren Paladio, but accidents happen.  “Gil was mopping up the walkway that goes over the vats of chemicals,” she said, “like he does everyday.  He wears slip-resistant shoes, like everyone must, but according to the security camera, he just tripped over his bucket.

    “I’m just thankful he’s still alive, but frankly, I’m surprised that he hasn’t gained superpowers.”

    Exposure to chemicals is one of the leading causes of attaining superpowers.  The UN estimates half the world’s superhuman population gained their powers by this method.  “At the very least, he should have some physical mutation,” said ATOM Labs scientist, Carlos Montero.  “Like tentacles for legs or blue fur.  But so far, nothing.  His skin is just burned, which is not a mutation.  Certainly, I’m grateful he’s alive, but the fact he hasn’t grown horns and a tail confuses me.  Maybe it’ll take time.”

    Heredia is currently being monitored by the ATOM Labs Biology Division.  His wife and two sons joined him in his room, but he is in a medically-induced coma while his body heals from his burns.  Scientists expect a long recovery.