Free Republic

Experts said streaks seen in the sky over Montana were most likely from a piece of an old Russian rocket returning to Earth. Witnesses captured video and photos about 10 p.m. Tuesday, when flaming objects streaked across the sky over Montana and were seen as far away as Idaho, Wyoming and Oregon. Researchers with SpaceWeather.com said the streaks were most likely space junk -- specifically the fuel tank from a Russian rocket. "Shortly before the explosion over Montana, the U.S. Department of Defense Space Track website issued a Trajectory Impact Prediction message for an object," the website said. The object,...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- After smearing dirt on their work shirts so they would look more like laborers, 16 men cashed thousands of dollars in counterfeit paychecks at an upstate gas station, then found state and local agents waiting to arrest them outside, authorities said Wednesday. Three other men who may have been directing the operation also were arrested, Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro said. An extensive collection of fake checks and bogus identity cards, including Mexican voter cards, was discovered, she said.