Weird news stories grabbed lots of 2012 New England headlines.
A black bear was the first of its kind to visit Cape Cod after swimming there Memorial Day weekend. Wildlife officials relocated the bruin but had to do so again when it reappeared near Boston.
In other appearance matters, a Massachusetts 9-year-old got called for jury duty , and a woman's baby was born in the New Hampshire Motor Speedway's parking lot.
A cat survived a 19-story plunge from a Boston window and a dog was wedged in a car grille for an 11-mile ride.
Boston police briefly pursued a monster after a report that someone stole the Red Sox's Wally the Green Monster mascot costume .
When they found a team employee borrowed it, Red Sox Nation breathed a sigh of relief.
