Weird Iowa: Weird Powder Scare, Shoutout to Iowa, Ducklings Cause Car Crash

Weird News by DEB BELT

Why the hate, Washington state?

A man in Washington state reportedly sent a package that contained a CD, letters and some white powder to the Iowa State University newspaper office in Ames. The powder was deemed harmless. The sender had a history of attempting to manufacture Ricin and had sent CDs across the country in a recent mass mailing.
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In a weird, but humane car accident, a Cedar Falls driver was one of two people hospitalized after a driver swerved to avoid ducklings crossing the highway. A Mankato, MN, man told police he swerved to avoid a small group of ducklings crossing Highway 218. His sports utility vehicle struck a van driven by Amanda Steege, 27, of Cedar Falls, and pushed it into the cement median. The SUV, meanwhile, rolled and landed on its roof.

Good news, the ducklings were collected and safely moved from the road.

Perhaps it's Patch's Iowa Nice modesty, but it strikes us as somewhat weird to know that Johnston native and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros band member Nora Kirkpatrickgave a shout-out to her hometown when she returned to Iowa Wednesday night for the group's Nitefall on the River concert series appearance. Kirkpatrick plays the accordion, keyboard and percussion for the band, which is most well known for their hit "Home" and is in the middle of an international tour.

West Des Moines Editor Beth Dalbey is fascinated by the stuff she finds along the highway, like a Barbie doll head - no body - found near the Raccoon River bridge on First Street. Was she the victim of medical experiments, toy abuse or something more macabre? Add your ideas on what happens next in the story.

This is weird in a cool, gadgety way. Philip's Diamond Shop inMarion is home to one of the newest pieces of equipment in the jewelry business arsenal: a computer-guided laser that can be used to do everything from engrave images on guns and Iphones to providing distinguishing jeweler marks on each item that is made at Philip's.

And this is just weird because it's bad karma. Employees at aSalvation Army Thrift Store in Ankeny reported a burglary on June 2. Reportedly, employees believe a former employee stole a safe which had about $300 inside it and surveillance video was also missing.

Read more weirdness from Iowa:

Weird Iowa: Pot-Growing Rodeo Clown, Drought-Busting Weather, Michele Bachmann Faces Court Date

Weird Iowa: Howling in Marion, Bus Goes Up in Flames, and Cat Playing Volleyball

Weird Iowa: Jethro Bodine Calls, Casino Push Continues, $51K Pink Diamond Can Be Yours