Governor signs law to protect potluck dinners

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Church groups and charitable organizations can continue serving finger sandwiches and casseroles without fear of "government intrusion," officials said Friday. Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation that allows free potluck dinners to be held without state or local health inspections. The legislation lifts the usual health rules for potlucks that don't charge a fee and aren't held on public property.

Police arrest Ga. man who had a point to make

DALTON, Ga. -- Authorities say they've nailed The Mad Tacker. Robert Holcomb had a sharp grudge against local police, and now he's accused of criminal damage for allegedly throwing nails on the roads in front of the police station and jail for more than six months. Holcomb, dubbed The Mad Tacker by police, is blamed for flattening tires of at least seven sheriff's patrol cars and seven personal vehicles of Whitfield County 911 Center employees. Holcomb, 35, was arrested after an officer saw him dumping nails on a street near the county jail.

Full moon angers superior court judge

MILFORD, Conn. -- A man who mooned the judge will be spending an extra year in prison. Three months after dropping his pants in front of Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll, Richard Brown was back in court Monday for a plea agreement on a robbery. Brown's bottomless outburst began when Carroll told him to say "yes, sir" when addressing the court. "Sir? Kiss my (expletive), sir!" Brown shouted, dropping the pants of his two-piece prison jumpsuit as he turned to expose his rear end to the bench. Brown's June 23 pants dropping cost him a year in prison.

-- From wire reports