In brief: 9-year-old pilot soars into history

TOME, N.M. – Nine- year-old Bobby Bradley floated into history Saturday, taking off solo in a hot air balloon and landing perfectly 26 minutes later to become the youngest trained pilot to accomplish such a feat.

Bradley strategically touched down on a dirt road – exactly as his parents had instructed.

“It was awesome. It was amazing. I loved it,” he said.

The boy took off to the cheers of more than 50 friends, family and classmates who gathered in a remote field chosen for its lack of power lines and other potential hazards.

Takeoff came shortly before 7 a.m., along with three other balloons whose pilots included a designated balloon examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Although his mother, Tami, said she would not normally recommend that 9-year-olds fly solo, she said it was a natural progression for her son, who is “not your normal 9-year-old.”

Shelter offers deal on tubby tabbies

HILLIARD, Ohio – A central Ohio animal shelter with an abundance of chubby cats is having a sale on its fattest felines, hoping a discount entices potential owners to take one home.

The Capital Area Humane Society says the fat cats are on sale this summer for $15 each or two for $20, instead of the usual $70 adoption price.

Development manager Mary Hiser says the cats packed on the pounds before arriving at the shelter, and the extra weight can cause them health problems.

Volunteers keep the overweight cats in an area that offers extra room to run and burn off calories.