PURPORTED ZIMMERMAN ARTWORK LISTED ON AUCTION SITE: ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Artwork reportedly created by George Zimmerman is attracting bids of more than $100,000 on eBay.
A canvas painting depicting a U.S. flag in shades of blue, with the words "God, One Nation, with Liberty and Justice for All," continued to be listed on the website Wednesday by a user called "therealgeorgez." A picture depicts Zimmerman holding the artwork. The auction started Monday and is set to end Saturday.
Neither the artwork's authenticity nor the bids could be confirmed by The Associated Press. A spokesman said eBay doesn't disclose users' personal information but that the company reviews reports of inauthenticity. Messages sent to the seller weren't returned.
Zimmerman was acquitted in July in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. Last week, prosecutors said they wouldn't file domestic violence charges against Zimmerman for an incident at the Florida house he shared with his girlfriend.
MAN NAMED NOEL CLIMBS CHRISTMAS TREE IN CONN. PARK: NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man named Noel who climbed a tree decorated with Christmas lights has been arrested.
The electricity for the lights was cut as police and firefighters responded around noon Wednesday after Noel Delgado climbed the tree on the New Haven Green, a 16-acre park in downtown New Haven near Yale University.
Delgado had two banners in the tree. Police Lt. Jeff Hoffman tells the New Haven Register he shouted about various causes.
Officers talked with Delgado and persuaded him to climb down.
Delgado has been charged with breach of peace. Police say he refused medical treatment.
FLA. HOMEOWNER'S GROUP BANS PLAYING IN STREET: LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (AP) — A homeowner's association in Florida is prohibiting children from playing in the street.
ABC Action News in Tampa (http://bit.ly/J5dPsc) reports the Miramar at the Country Club Homeowner's Association passed a new bylaw last week, saying that children can't play in the street due to safety reasons. Association officials told the TV station that there's one narrow, windy road through the community and drivers often speed.
One association members says there are other places for children to play.
Some parents call the new rule absurd.
SALVATION ARMY RECEIVES DIAMOND RING: MIAMI (AP) — The Salvation Army says someone dropped a diamond ring in one of the group's kettles outside a South Florida grocery store.
A release from the charitable organization says the ring — valued at $3,500 — was donated anonymously Wednesday outside a Publix in southwest Miami-Dade County. Attached was a handwritten note saying, "Please continue your good work caring for the needy in God's name."
Linda Payton, captain of The Salvation Army's Sunset Corps, says this is the fourth year the group has received a similar donation from what appears to be the same person.
The Salvation Army is an international organization that focuses on helping the poor. The group's bell ringers and red collection kettles are a common sight outside of stores and other locations during the holiday season.
ONLY 3 STUDENTS SCORED COLLEGE-READY IN CAMDEN, NJ: CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — The new school superintendent in Camden, N.J., says it was a "kick-in-the-stomach moment" when he learned that only three district high school students who took the SAT in the 2011-12 school year scored as college-ready.
Paymon Rouhanifard on Tuesday told the school board and the community what he learned on a "listening tour" after he was named to the post in August.
He told the city's Board of Education that low college readiness shows the district must do better.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the superintendent also says he also heard about safety problems in the district. He says one action he's taking immediately is waiving the $75 background check fee for parents who want to volunteer in the schools.
In June, the state assumed control of the schools in the poverty-stricken city of 80,000.
GIRL'S BODY FOUND IN SIERRA CREEK; 2 ARRESTED: SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. (AP) — Two men are under arrest on suspicion of child cruelty after authorities found the body of a 17-year-old girl in a stream in the Sierra National Forest.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office says search and rescue crews found the body of Tara Maguire of Simi Valley late Monday near the Rock Creek Campground.
Deputies responded to a call for help from a stranded motorist Monday, and were told by 20-year old Scott Mason and 18-year-old Jacob Banaga that Maguire had been missing for about 24 hours.
Authorities say both men acknowledged being on a multi-day methamphetamine binge, and search crews quickly found Maguire's body in a nearby creek.
COPS: CONN. MAN BURNED ESTRANGED WIFE WITH HOT OIL: WEST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man has been arrested after police say he threw hot cooking oil on his estranged wife while she was sleeping, severely burning her.
Police say the 41-year-old woman decided to sleep over Mohammad Chaudhry's home in West Haven on Tuesday night while visiting their teenage children. Authorities say one of the children called 911 shortly after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday to report the attack.
Police say the woman is being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit. Her name hasn't been released.
The couple's children told police their parents separated earlier this year. They said they awoke Wednesday morning when their mother was screaming in pain.
POLICE: JOB APPLICANT STOLE FROM TIP JAR : REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — Police say a woman applying for a job at a Delaware restaurant stole money from a tip jar.
Rehoboth Beach police say the woman filled out an application at Five Guys last Friday, then took about $15 from two separate jars.
Police say a review of the application and surveillance footage led to the arrest of 44-year-old Melissa Brittingham.
Brittingham later pleaded guilty to a theft charge and received one year of probation.
Brittingham must also pay a $500 fine and court costs.
