Editorials

Body advertising 

LAS VEGAS — Well-placed logos at boxing matches have moved a step closer to the action — right onto the boxers’ backs. 

A judge ruled that Nevada boxing authorities would be violating the right to free speech if they outlawed the use of temporary tattoos as advertisements. 

The Nevada Athletic Commission banned the ads in January, but online casino GoldenPalace.com went to court to get a temporary injunction that allowed super bantamweight boxer Bones Adams to wear the company’s Web site address on his back in a fight last month. 

District Judge Valerie Vega extended the injunction Wednesday. It will become permanent unless appealed by the Nevada commission. 

Middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins wore the first tattoo ad in his title unification bout against Felix Trinidad on Sept. 29 in New York. 

Are you a cop? 

CINCINNATI — A would-be robber learned an important lesson: You never know who might be a cop. 

Police Spec. Dennis Ficker wasn’t in uniform when a man approached from behind, stuck something sharp in his side and said, “Gimme your money!” Ficker told investigators. 

Ficker, a 30-year cop, couldn’t believe what he heard. He asked, “What?” 

The man repeated: “Gimme your money,” Ficker said. 

That’s when Ficker reached for his gun, and the man ran. 

Ficker said he chased David Joseph Moore for a couple of blocks until, knife still in hand, Moore got on the ground and gave up. 

As he was in pursuit, Ficker said it occurred to him that Moore fit the description of a suspect in a convenience store robbery a week earlier. He asked Moore, who allegedly admitted it. 

Will you marry me? 

FALKVILLE, Ala. — Town Council member Matt Stiles is known for speaking his mind. On Tuesday, he let his heart do the talking. 

After completing a department report, Stiles rose from his chair. “I’ve got something else, but I’ll have to be excused to take care of it,” he told Roy Coley, mayor of the north Alabama town of some 1,200 people. 

Stiles then walked over to a woman in the audience, dropped to one knee and popped the question to an obviously surprised Rene Smith. 

“Rene, you’ve brought a lot of love and joy and grace into my life,” Stiles said. “I would be honored if you would become my wife. Rene, would you marry me?” 

With a smile, she answered, “I will.” 

Stiles gave her a ring and two red roses, and the audience burst into applause. 

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CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police are on the lookout for a band of latte looters. 

Since January, thieves have walked into six Starbucks coffeehouses and made off with brand new espresso machines. The latest theft happened Tuesday, just after police visited the store to warn employees. 

A man who appeared to be about 30 walked in and said he was waiting for someone, said Cassandra Clay, a “barista” who prepares drinks at the coffee bar. 

A little later, Clay said she looked up and saw the man walk out the door and hop into a car without license plates. Clay then noticed the display model of the machine — marked down from $399 to $299 — was gone. 

Police say they believe more than one person is at work, and while it’s possible the bandits are simply fans of a good cup of java, police don’t think that’s the case. 

“It’s somebody who apparently wants to make some quick money,” said Francis Kehoe, commander of the city’s Belmont police district. 

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SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — Another year, another mouth to feed. 

Senate hopeful Jim Bob Duggar and his wife are looking forward to their fourteenth child in as many years. 

The state Representative’s wife, Michelle, made the announcement that she’s expecting to her family during a “praise report” while they gathered for weekend worship at home. 

“I paused and everybody looked at me. Jim Bob turned around and his eyes got real big,” she said. 

Duggar, 36, and his wife, 35, gave each of their children names that begin with the letter “J.” The oldest is 14, and they’ve had two sets of twins. 

Duggar is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Tim Hutchinson, also a Republican. 

“We figure by November it will be a good election baby. We’ll win either way,” Michelle Duggar says.