17 Local News Stories That Were Way Too Wild to Be Real
Sometimes the evening news delivers stories that make you laugh, gasp, or rewind just to make sure you heard it right. Local stations often cover strange events that sound like something from a comedy sketch or a bad dream. Whether it involved animals, mistaken identities, or bizarre crimes, these reports had people asking, "Is this for real?"
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
In towns big and small, the news can take an unexpectedly wild turn. Some headlines are so outrageous, it feels like the reporter is just having fun with us. These local stories didn’t just inform their communities, they became legends. Each one is a reminder that truth really is stranger than fiction.
1. Man Calls 911 Over Missing Sandwich
Wendy Wei on Pexels
A man called emergency services because someone in his house had eaten his turkey sandwich. He demanded that the police investigate it as a theft. The dispatcher calmly reminded him this wasn’t exactly a crime scene.
2. Loose Kangaroo Hops Through Neighborhood
Valeriia Miller on Pexels
Residents were shocked when they spotted a kangaroo bouncing down their quiet street. It had escaped from a private exotic animal farm nearby. Local police had no experience with kangaroo chases but still managed to corral it.
3. Mayor Rescues Cat From Tree Live on TV
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A small-town mayor wanted to prove he cared about the community, so he climbed a tree during a live interview to save a stranded cat. He got stuck and had to be rescued himself, turning the whole thing into a comedy of errors.
4. Giant Inflatable Duck Causes Traffic Jam
Maverick F on Pexels
An oversized inflatable duck broke free from a festival and rolled into the middle of a busy intersection. Drivers were forced to stop while the duck bounced gently against cars. It took three people to deflate it safely.
5. Woman Fights Off Burglar With Garden Gnome
Evan Velez Saxer on Pexels
A local woman surprised a burglar by hitting him with a concrete garden gnome. The thief ran off limping and left his shoe behind. Police found him hours later when he returned to retrieve it.
6. Man Dressed as Pirate Tries to Rob Convenience Store
Syed Qaarif Andrabi on Pexels
Wearing a full pirate costume and shouting “Arrr!” at the cashier, this man demanded money. He carried a plastic sword and smelled strongly of rum. His getaway plan failed when he tripped on his own boots.
7. Chicken Causes Power Outage
Todd Trapani on Pexels
A wandering chicken somehow got into a power substation and caused a short circuit. Thousands of homes lost electricity for over an hour. Locals nicknamed the bird “Zappy” and made it a town mascot.
8. Woman Claims Ghost Stole Her Wi-Fi
Aditya Singh on Pexels
A woman called her internet provider to report paranormal activity interfering with her Wi-Fi. She believed a ghost was using up her data. The technician told her politely that ghosts don’t stream videos.
9. Llama on the Loose Disrupts Parade
josiah farrow on Pexels
Just before the town parade began, a llama escaped from a petting zoo float. It ran through the marching band and almost joined the cheerleaders. It took five people and a bucket of carrots to catch it.
10. Man Builds Igloo in Front Yard, Sells Hot Cocoa From It
Uriel Mont on Pexels
After a snowstorm, one man turned his yard into a mini business. He built an igloo and started selling hot cocoa to neighbors from inside. He said it was warmer than his actual house.
11. Mystery Man Leaves Pickles on Porches
JÉSHOOTS on Pexels
Residents began finding jars of pickles left on their doorsteps without any note. It happened for weeks, and no one ever saw the person responsible. People started calling it “The Great Pickle Drop.”
12. Goat Breaks Into School, Refuses to Leave
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A goat wandered into an open door at an elementary school and made itself at home in the cafeteria. It ate leftover snacks and napped on a table. The school had to close early because it wouldn’t leave.
13. Lost Drone Found Carrying Cheese
Warre Van de Wouwer on Pexels
A missing drone was found miles from where it took off, still flying low and carrying a block of cheddar. No one could explain where the cheese came from. It became the town’s most famous piece of lost property.
14. Firefighters Rescue Man From Vending Machine
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A man got his hand stuck trying to steal a candy bar from a vending machine. Firefighters had to take the whole thing apart to free him. He didn’t even get to keep the candy.
15. Town Hall Infiltrated by Squirrel
DANNIEL CORBIT on Pexels
A squirrel broke into the local town hall and triggered the building alarm. It caused chaos by knocking over plants and chewing through wires. City workers took hours to catch it using a box and peanut butter.
16. UFO Sighting Turns Out to Be Pizza Box
Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels
Residents reported lights in the sky moving strangely late at night. Police investigated and discovered it was just a drone with a lit-up pizza box for a prank. The pilot said he was trying to make “extra-terrestrial deliveries.”
17. Dog Runs for Mayor and Gets Votes
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In one small town, a golden retriever was entered as a joke candidate in the mayoral race. People actually voted for him, and he came in second. The town gave him an honorary position as “Paw-sident.”