Blueberry designated New Jersey's state fruit

BRICK, N.J. -- The blueberry became the Garden State's state fruit Monday. In a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Elementary School, Gov. James E. McGreevey signed the bill into law. The location was symbolic: A fourth-grade class at the school, noticing New Jersey's lack of a state fruit, nominated the highbush blueberry for the honor and then lobbied lawmakers hard. Why the blueberry? Why New Jersey? The blueberry was first cultivated here in 1891, in Whitesbog, by the daughter of a cranberry plantation owner. New Jersey now produces about one-fifth of the nation's blueberries, according to McGreevey.

Laser slicing: Wisconsin takes its cheese seriously

MADISON, Wis. -- A researcher from the University of Wisconsin at Madison has figured out a better way to slice cheese -- just use a laser. Xiaochun Li, a mechanical engineering professor and laser expert, said traditional cheese processing has a number of shortcomings. Large cutting machines require considerable care to keep cheese from becoming contaminated by bacteria. And it's impossible to slice cheese very thin because it tears or sticks to the cutting blade. But now Li has adapted the same kind of laser used for eye surgery to slice Wisconsin's most famed food product. Li uses a cold laser that cuts by blasting apart the molecular bonds that hold materials together.

Girls just want to have fun -- and learn to ski

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. -- It's ski school, but just for women. Female skiers looking for a little time off from testosterone are being offered their own four-day camp this week at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Laura Allen, program director for Breckenridge Ski and Ride School, said the instruction is specific to women's strengths and weaknesses. She said that while men "kind of muscle through the run," some women are more cautious. The camp offers individual training, video analysis and updates on the latest woman-specific equipment for all skiers, novice and above. The all-female instructor staff divides the participants into level-specific groups and spends four days honing their skills.

Report: Hamster theft led to young gang

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- The theft of nine hamsters led police to a gang of boys aged between seven and 11 who are believed responsible for a series of house and car break-ins in Malaysia's capital, police said. They thought they were on the trail of grown-up thieves until the hamsters were stolen from a pet store, the New Straits Times newspaper reported Friday. That theft led police to question two boys, who spilled the beans on eight others, who were all friends attending the same school in Putrajaya. The group amassed booty of 100 ringgit, or $26, a camera and the hamsters in a series of raids in which the boys would sneak into cars or buildings that had been left unlocked, police said.

Man caught with marijuana at courthouse

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A man going through a courthouse metal detector emptied his pockets, tossing a small bag of marijuana into the security tray. When Clyde Lamar Pace II realized what he had done, he tried to flee. But he ran the wrong way from Polk County deputies into a locked revolving door. "He threw in a baggie of marijuana without realizing it, and the person working the security post said, 'Hey, what is this?'" said chief deputy Bill Vaughn. "He kind of gave that old I've-been-caught look, and the chase was on." Pace, 18, first tried to retrace his steps, then ran through the building before he was stopped by deputies at the locked door. Pace was arrested for drug possession and resisting arrest. The arrest caused him to miss a scheduled hearing on drug and driving charges filed after a traffic stop last month.

Bill may give blind people handicapped parking

ATLANTA -- Blind people would be allowed to get handicapped parking permits -- even though they can't drive -- under a bill introduced Friday by Rep. Chuck Martin. The Alpharetta Republican defended the bill. Martin said the caretakers of blind people need to be allowed handicapped parking when escorting the blind. Parking lots are dangerous places for people who can't see cars coming, Martin said, so they should have the right to park closer to the buildings. The lawmaker said a blind person may have a car driven by a spouse or caregiver. The bill now heads to a House committee for consideration.

Firefighters protest co-worker's porn career

KEYES, Calif. -- A firefighter moonlighting as a porn star for a little extra cash has caused a stir in this small rural town, officials said. Seventeen firefighters in Keyes, a town of less than 5,000, walked off their jobs to protest Alexa Jones' other career, which they said she discussed while on the job with her husband, assistant chief Roger Jones. Capt. Herb Collier, one of the 17 who dropped their gear and resigned earlier this week, said Thursday that not only did the couple bring the topic up in the station, but Roger Jones also fired a cadet who got curious and checked out Alexa's site -- without paying. Collier said the firefighters also are upset with their chief, Eddie Jones -- Roger's father and Alexa's father-in-law -- because he will not discipline his son.

Bats force Mississippi school to move pupils

PRENTISS, Miss. - Bats are creating major headaches for school officials in Prentiss, where an elementary has been closed and some 700 of its students are being relocated. Mayor Charley Dumas declared a state of emergency Tuesday, allowing city zoning regulations to be suspended so Jefferson Davis County School District officials can rent any building in Prentiss needed for the displaced students. The Mexican Freetail bats, which have been seen in the school's gymnasium since 2001, have regularly nested in a stairwell of the building. Officials said bats have also been heard in the school's walls. Dr. Brigid Elchos, a state Department of Health veterinarian, said two bats from the school tested positive for rabies in the last year. He said that doesn't mean the entire colony has rabies.

-- From wire reports