AIR FORCE SLIM

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) -- When Aaron Whisenant reports for Air Force basic training -- he won't carrying any excess baggage. The 23-year-old new recruit has dropped 70 pounds in just six months to enlist. Air Force officials doubted he could meet the weight limit and join his little brother who's already in the service. But Whisenant was a first-team all-league center on his Oregon high school football team. So, he knows about getting into shape. He tells a local paper (Eugene Register-Guard) he gave up bread and sweets, and chowed-down on veggies and chicken breasts. He also worked out up to five hours a day. He reports for training after the first of the year.

ARMORED CAR ROBBERY-MARIJUANA

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A federal judge got a little out of joint -- when he learned a witness had been smoking pot. Chad Davis was scheduled to testify yesterday in the trial of three men accused of plotting to rob an armored car. Judge Leon Holmes told Davis to return to the Little Rock, Arkansas, court today. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the judge ordered Davis not to smoke any weed or take anything else before his testimony.

COCA-COLA-AUCTION

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Would you believe a Coke bottle worth at least 70-grand? The prototype for Coca-Cola's curvy glass bottle is going up for auction this weekend. It's believed to be one of only two in existence. The other bottle is at Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta. The auction also includes a concept drawing made 96 years ago. It was a ground-breaking design. Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills says they already have a pre-sale bid of $70,000.

GINGERBREAD CONTEST

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- There's a building boom in Washington state. But the construction workers are more likely to be wearing chefs' hats than hard hats. Nearly 100 gingerbread construction projects are on display in Bellingham. They include houses, castles and even gingerbread lighthouses. After the gingerbread competition is over, the construction confections will be auctioned off for charity. The Bellingham Herald reports the money will be going to the Red Cross.

WAX SEAL BATTLE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Maker's Mark wants to seal the deal -- with its distinctive red wax seal. The bourbon maker is in a federal appeals court defending a trademark claim for the wax. The makers of Jose Cuervo tequila challenged the claim, saying consumers won't confuse tequila and bourbon. Cuervo had tried selling special bottles of its Reserva tequila with a dripping red wax seal. No word on when the appeals court might decide the case.

FACEBOOK-HOUSTON ROBBERY

HOUSTON (AP) -- I'm Rich. That boast on Facebook is leading to prison for two Houston bank robbers. Federal prosecutors say former teller Estefany Danelia Martinez has been sentenced to 15 months in prison. Arturo Solano got 10 months. Both pleaded guilty to bank robbery and embezzlement. Authorities say an anonymous tip led investigators to posts Martinez had put on her boyfriend's Facebook page. Two others charged in the case have yet to be sentenced.

by Jamie Friar

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.