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Cat survives brutal cold days stuck in tree

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) -- A cat that spent several days stuck in a tree when temperatures frequently plunged below zero with the wind chill has been rescued and appears to be in good health. Annuki, a male orange tabby, was rescued from about 40 feet up in the tree in Attleboro just before nightfall on Thursday. Annuki's owner, Matthew Aod, tells The Sun Chronicle (http://bit.ly/1bZ0R6H ) he let his cat out on Monday night and he disappeared. He finally got a call from a neighbor on Wednesday who heard Annuki in the tree.

The PE Sneak Peek: Jan. 10, 2014

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Friday: * Even the police car had fleas after the authorities were done dealing with a local case of dog neglect. See our online report. * A child-abuse suspect wins lower bail, but a judge orders him to stay away from the baby he allegedly hurt. * A swastika-tattooed man has plenty to say as he's sentenced for attacking a prison guard.

Report: Dog tests positive for cocaine, pot

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A New Mexico woman whose dog tested positive for cocaine and marijuana is fighting to get the canine back after surrendering the Labrador retriever because of a $2,000 vet bill. The Albuquerque Journal reports 1-year-old Maddie showed "strong positive cocaine" and active marijuana traces in urine tests conducted this week by an Albuquerque clinic. A clinic report says veterinarians saw the dog twitching, shaking and walking with poor balance after owner Arlene Saiz brought her in.

Flood watch in effect for region

STATE COLLEGE -- Warmer temperatures and impending rain are making the conditions for flooding more likely in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Luzerne counties, along with most of central Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service says. It has issued a flood watch spanning from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. Warmer temperatures this weekend will lead to melting and ice breakup on streams and creeks. Forecasters say that melting, along with up to an inch of rain, could cause flooding, especially with the potential for ice jams that could block waterways.

Weather delays school

An overnight snowfall means schools throughout the area are delaying their openings today. Here's the list compiled from wnep.com and whlmam.com: * Benton, two-hour delay * Berwick, two-hour delay * Bloomsburg, two-hour delay * Central Columbia, two-hour delay * Danville, two-hour delay * Millville, two-hour delay * Northwest, two-hour delay * Southern Columbia, two-hour delay * St. Columba, Bloomsburg, two-hour delay

Scientists: Americans are becoming weather wimps

WASHINGTON (AP) -- We've become weather wimps. As the world warms, the United States is getting fewer bitter cold spells like the one that gripped much of the nation this week. So when a deep freeze strikes, scientists say, it seems more unprecedented than it really is. An Associated Press analysis of the daily national winter temperature shows that cold extremes have happened about once every four years since 1900. Until recently.

Firefighter uses load of beer to put out tire blaze

HOUSTON (AP) -- An off-duty Houston firefighter made the best of his resources when trying to put out a truck tire fire: He used beer the rig was hauling. Fire Capt. Craig Moreau and his wife were driving home Monday night after a trip to Austin when they came upon an 18-wheeler on fire. Moreau and the trucker, whose brake problems started the fire, tried using a small extinguisher. Moreau says he thought the fire was out, but then noticed the blaze had flared up after crawling under the truck to check.

Mother gives birth to daughter's daughter

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A 58-year-old Utah woman is set to give birth in a few weeks -- to her first grandchild. Julia Navarro is serving as a gestational surrogate for her daughter and son-in-law after the couple struggled with fertility problems. Navarro's daughter Lorena McKinnon said she began trying to have a baby with her husband, Micah McKinnon, three years ago. The 32-year-old Provo woman said she's had about a dozen miscarriages, with the longest pregnancy lasting 10 weeks.

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