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Deer

Indiana Department of Natural Resources spokesman John Salb says the deer may have been spooked by cars as they were crossing the overpass Friday. They fell 20 to 30 feet onto the highway.

Police say the driver of the tractor-trailer rig struck by one of the deer was not injured.

Late fall is stressful for deer because it is hunting season, said DNR spokesman Phil Bloom said.

Farmers are also removing the last of their crops from the fields, reducing the animals’ food supply as the animals’ breeding season is in full swing.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Salons are one of many places consumers can try to haggle for a better deal.

BAY AREA (Bay News 9) — When most people think about haggling, they think of homes or used cars.

However, consumer experts say that, in tough economic times, price-tag negotiations don’t have to be limited to those big-ticket items.

Consumer trends expert Audrey Guskey says, these days, the stigma of bargaining as something done only by cheap people is fading.

“I would say every type of product is fair game,” she said. “There’s really not anything that you can’t bargain for.”

For instance, the mall is one place to try haggling. Guskey says, when asked, many managers will discount products up to 20 percent.

Another tip is to request the coupons reserved for the store’s best customers.

“You may not be a credit card customer of theirs, so you may not have the coupon, but a lot of times if you ask them, they’ll use it,” she said.

Shoppers can also save on services, such as trips to the salon, where they can ask for a discount on a manicure.

Phone companies may also provide cable and Internet services. People who use all three services from one provider should ask for a cut rate.

“I lowered my phone bill by at least $40 a month,” said consumer Heidi Berkley.

Even doctors may make a deal. Guskey says patients shouldn’t feel bad about bargaining on health care or cosmetic services not covered by your insurance.

“What does it hurt to say, ‘You know what, this is coming out of my pocket. Can you cut me a break? Is there a way I can get a discount?’” she said.

This tip worked for Sandi Hughes, who negotiated the price of giving birth before she had her daughter.

“I learned to look at bills like I was car shopping again,” she said. “This is the sticker price; it’s not necessarily what you have to pay. It’s what they are hoping you pay.”

Hughes talked her obstetrician’s price down from $3,000 to $1,9000. She also saved $500 on her anesthesiologist.

Finally, Guskey says consumers can also ask retailers to give them a discount of 15 to 20 percent if they buy a large quantity of one product. Or, buy a floor model or display sample – most managers will discount the last product if it is out of the packaging.

SORRENTO, Fla. (UPI) — An artificial Christmas tree bearing the names of poor children needing gifts has been stolen from a post office lobby, police in Sorrento, Fla., said.

“How rotten is that?” asked Greg Johnson, 43, who had planned to buy gifts for several of the needy children.

The tree, decorated with 50 cardboard angels bearing the first name of a child, disappeared last week after the post office closed but the lobby remained open, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Tuesday.

The children, whose age, gender and clothing sizes also were on the cardboard angels, were referred to the program by teachers and counselors, the Sentinel reported.

Postal officials said they have retained all of the children’s applications and will be able to tell who got a gift and who didn’t when the gifts are collected from other drop-off locations participating in the program.

Volunteers said they hope to collect enough cash donations to buy gifts for every child who who didn’t get picked or whose name was stolen with the tree.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

Cops say he left greasy, graphic imprints of behind, groin on area windows

VALENTINE, Neb. – Ten misdemeanor counts have been filed against a man Cherry County authorities believe is the vandal some townspeople have dubbed the “Butt Bandit.”

Cherry County Attorney Eric Scott said that on Tuesday he filed nine counts of public indecency and one count of disturbing the peace against 35-year-old Tom Larvie, of Valentine. All are misdemeanors.

Larvie is suspected of leaving greasy, graphic imprints of his naked behind, and sometimes his groin, on the windows of stores, churches and schools in Valentine since the spring of 2007.

The marks were made with lotion or petroleum jelly.

Scott said Larvie was caught in the act by police early Wednesday morning. Larvie could not be reached to comment.