Life just got tougher for the 800 residents of Lynn Lake, Manitoba. The town's only full-service ATM shut down for good Tuesday.
That means in order to make bank deposits or transfers, residents will have to drive — or fly — 200 miles to the larger town of Thompson, according to the Canadian Press wire service.
"I'm sitting here right now and I have a stack of toonies [Canadian two-dollar coins] in front of me," said small business owner Joey Barnes. "I've got $5 cash in my pocket and that's it."
"Meanwhile, I've got $4,500 [about $3,300 U.S.] in checks sitting on my table right now," he added, "and I know I can't cash them in this town."
There are several Interac (search) debit-card machines in the northwestern Manitoba town, but they're only good for ringing up purchases or getting cash.
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (search) explained that it just cost too much money to keep up its Lynn Lake ATM.
"Based on the transaction levels, which are now very, very low, it really is no longer possible for us to continue operating this machine," said spokesman Rob McLeod.
Bank branches in Lynn Lake — which half-jokingly calls itself "the end of the road" — and nearby Leaf Rapids closed years ago after nickel, gold and copper mines shut down and the population began dwindling.
Barnes plans to borrow a friend's truck for the eight-hour round-trip drive to Thompson. There is a bus, but due to conflicting schedules with the bank, a public-transport bank run would take three days.
"It's very sad to see that machine go," he lamented.
— Thanks to Out There reader Jimmy D.
Turkey Wins Battle, but Maybe Not War
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A turkey that bloodied and dazed itself after pecking and scratching a parked SUV likely thought his own reflection was a rival turkey vying for the attention of an accompanying hen.
At least that's one of turkey hunter Michael Bitar's theories. Bitar, whose 2002 Ford Explorer suffered deep scratches on the bumper and paint, is hoping to track down and bag the bird that caused $1,500 in damage.
Bitar said the tom turkey, which was accompanied by a hen, saw his own reflection on the shiny SUV.
"When I came out, he had his claws on my gas cap," Bitar said. "I guess he figured he was fighting another turkey. But he was fighting my car."
Gene Dumont, a wildlife management supervisor for Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (search), has never heard of turkeys attacking vehicles. But Bitar's theory was plausible.
"They can be aggressive, especially if it's a young tom during mating season," Dumont said.
The turkey attack happened about one week before turkey season opened in Maine May 3. Bitar now has his license to hunt turkeys for the season and is admittedly on the hunt for a sweet taste of revenge.
"My vehicle just depreciated quite a bit," Bitar said. "But that doesn't matter. He'll be in the freezer soon."
— Thanks to Out There reader Katie B.
NHL Team Offers Season-Ticket Holders Free Beer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning (search) is hoping to tap into larger crowds by offering unlimited free beer to season ticket holders.
But the sudsy sale may not reach its goal if safe-driving advocates have their way.
Police and several area chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (search) say the hockey team's offer is irresponsible.
"Why attach alcohol to a season-ticket plan? It's almost encouraging people to drink more than they should because it is free," said Sgt. Chris Velar, who runs the Police Department's drunken driving squad.
During the first Eastern Conference playoff game between the Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday, the St. Pete Times Forum's main scoreboard advertised the offer. Those who paid $100 toward 2004-05 season tickets were eligible for unlimited free beer during the game.
About 25 of the 21,000 people at the game signed up for season tickets, said team spokesman Bill Wickett.
People who are already intoxicated aren't served beer and free taxi rides are provided to patrons who believe they have had too much to drink, Wickett said.
Raccoon Gives School Kids Day Off
LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) — You've heard of snow days. How about a raccoon day?
That's what some students in western New York are getting, thanks to a nosy critter that got into a utility company's power equipment.
Niagara Mohawk (search) spokesman Chris Finkel says a raccoon got into the equipment Tuesday night, causing damage that knocked out power to more than 5,000 customers in the towns of Lewiston and Porter, just north of Niagara Falls.
Some areas were still without power early this morning, forcing schools in the district to close for the day.
Finkel says everyone had their power back on by 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Australia Paying Citizens to Procreate
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Facing a falling birth rate, the Australian government has a simple message: Go forth and multiply. It's prepared to pay new parents who take up the call.
"Come on, come on, your nation needs you," Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday, when asked about a one-time $3,000 Australian ($2,100 U.S.) payment for all new mothers announced by Treasurer Peter Costello in the annual budget.
On Tuesday night, a smiling Costello urged reporters in Canberra: "You go home and do your patriotic duty tonight."
The father of three suggested that two children per couple wasn't quite enough to combat the effects of an aging population and declining birth rate in this sparsely populated nation of 20 million.
"If you can have children, it's a good thing to do. You should have ... one for your husband, one for your wife, and one for your country," Costello said.
Compiled by Foxnews.com's Paul Wagenseil.
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