I’m a strange one—a thirtysomething (yes, I’m hanging on to that decade by mere fingertips, but I might as well claim it while I can!) and I still read the paper almost everyday. Sure, I check the headlines on-line each morning, but I like my paper fix—no matter how inky or bulky. Why do I read the paper?

I’ve always been fascinated by news—how it’s gathered, how it’s reported, what’s deemed newsworthy, and what’s discarded. And I love local newspapers for the insight to communities. If you want to know what’s going on, check the Letters to the Editor section. Flaming wasn’t invented on Internet discussion lists, that’s for sure.

I read for another reason, ideas. The material for mysteries (plots, red herrings, and motives) is endless.

Take this gem: Police arrest dead canoeist

John Darwin was presumed drowned when his damaged canoe washed ashore near his home in England in 2002. He was declared dead and his wife, Anne, eventually sold her properties and moved to Panama. But in 2006 a picture of the happy couple appeared on a website for a company that helps Europeans coordinate moves to Central America. Last week, John Darwin walked into a London police station and claimed to have amnesia. Their sons have issued a statement saying they were clueless and hurt at their parents’ deception. Husband and wife have now both been arrested. It seems John returned home and lived in the couple’s house, sometimes using a passageway been their home and an adjoining apartment they also owned when he needed to hide.

It’s got mystery novel written all over it, doesn’t it?

Here’s a few other interesting stories and/or headlines:

British detain imposter using aristocratic name (Washington Post, May 6, 2006). An American masqueraded as Lord Buckingham for almost 20 years before it was discovered that his passport details matched those of a baby who died in 1963.

The Postman Returns: Snellville residents greet letter carrier on his first day back on route after shooting. According to the Associated Press, a man on the letter carrier’s route shot him eight times because “he wanted to live in federal prison and enjoy free medical care.”

This one would make a great red herring: Dog owners hide pets in wake of city’s pit bull ban (The Macon Telegraph, July 21, 2005).

That’s just a sampling of the articles I’ve clipped. There’s also the one about the scientist who says he accidentally destroyed vials of bubonic plague that had disappeared. I have another article about the woman who changed her identity to avoid a jail sentence, but was recognized when a law officer pulled her over for a routine ticket. Turns out, the lawman knew her from high school and recognized her.

Real life is full of astounding coincidences and bazaar stories. Heard any good ones lately? Have any weird news stories sparked an idea for you? Are there any stories that are just too far out to turn into believable fiction?