Band's fiery act leaves Michigan club cold

FLINT, Mich. -- For a few moments last weekend, they were the hottest act in town. But Treephort wore out its welcome at a downtown club when the lead guitarist set his thong on fire, then removed it and scurried around the stage naked. The Atlanta-based band was about 20 minutes into its set Saturday night at Flint Local 432 when guitarist Joe Klein dropped his pants, set fire to the thong and removed it. The bass player also stripped and joined Klein in cavorting onstage. The Local's management ordered the band to get off the stage and two police cars and a fire engine were sent to the club. Treephort concerts routinely feature members dousing a thong with hairspray before igniting it with a lighter, singer Lee Satterfield said. "We've all done it from time to time," he said. "We're professionals; we know what we're doing."

Father, son pull guns over dinner argument

BLUEWELL, W.Va. -- A family meal erupted into a gunbattle after a father and son clashed over how to cook chicken. The two men argued Sept. 26 over the best way to prepare skinless chicken for dinner. "It started out as a physical confrontation, but it escalated until both of them were shooting at each other," detective Sgt. A.D. Beasley of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department said Monday. Beasley said each man fired a .22-caliber handgun at the other. Harley Shrader was struck by a bullet that went through the upper part of his right ear and lodged in the back of his head. He was treated at a hospital and released. The elder Shrader was not injured. Jackie Lee Shrader, 49, was charged with malicious wounding and wanton endangerment. Harley Lee Shrader, 24, was charged with wanton endangerment.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

ST. JOHN, Ind. -- Ozella "Ozzie" McHargue's Christmas spirit was always evident -- even at her holly, jolly funeral last week. McHargue came up with the idea 17 months ago after being diagnosed with cancer. She said she didn't want depressing organ music at her funeral -- she wanted songs like "Silver Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." She got her wish. The funeral home was decked with holly, wreaths, mistletoe, poinsettias and a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from friends and family. McHargue,who died Sept. 22 at age 67, always sprang to life around Christmas, her family said. She enjoyed Santa, Frosty and her favorite, the Grinch. "Mom was always cheesy with the decorating, too. Things weren't done until they were overdone," said Kristy Hudi. Rhonda McHargue said her mother's home was filled with Christmas decorations. "It was like going to the North Pole," she said.

-- From wire reports

Man ticketed for landing chopper in yard

NEW CANAAN, Conn. -- John Kjekstad, hoping to avoid rush-hour traffic on the way home, found a quick, but ultimately illegal way to get home: via helicopter. Kjekstad, who runs two helicopter and airplane charter companies, had planned Thursday to land his chopper at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and drive home to New Canaan. On his way to the airport, though, Kjekstad told police he saw bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Merritt Parkway and chose to fly directly home instead. After landing in his back yard, a neighbor complained. He was issued a $75 ticket for violating a town ordinance prohibiting landing aircraft on residential property, Sgt. Louis Gannon said Tuesday.