Odds and ends for Aug. 23

Suspicious object was light saber

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Call Luke Skywalker for backup. Police in Juneau took a call Tuesday to check out a suspicious device spotted on the side of a road.

The first officer on the scene wasn’t sure what to make of the object. A dispatcher sent out a second officer with expertise in bombs. Wise in the ways of Star Wars toys was he.

The second officer determined the device was a plastic light saber toy taped to a stick. The laser swords were the preferred weapons of Jedi knights.

The confusion may have occurred because the toy, which expands to reveal a long plastic “blade,” was in the closed position.

50K bees living in NYC ceiling

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City woman had some unexpected roommates living in her apartment: 50,000 bees.

Beekeepers removed the swarm from Frieda Turkmenilli’s ceiling this week after her neighbors in Queens alerted the building manager.

Turkmenilli says she saw only a few bees buzzing around over the last few weeks and never realized how many had taken up residence right above her head.

The beekeepers say the bees and the 17 honeycombs they built are headed to an upstate farm.

Stoner arrested on pot charges

ORANGE, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man with the last name Stoner is facing drug charges after police found more than $10,000 worth of marijuana plants at his home.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says 42-year-old Paul Scott Stoner of Unionville is charged with growing marijuana and having a firearm while in possession of more than a pound of marijuana.

Media outlets report that the charges stem from an ongoing investigation related to the alleged sale of marijuana to children in Orange County. Further charges are pending.

Authorities say they acted on a tip that Stoner was selling to children and during the search last Thursday seized marijuana, marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia, prescription drugs, needles, spoons and guns.

Stoner is free on bond. A hearing is set for Aug. 27.

___