Story Archive

The First Time, Thor Missed

Firefighters were called to a home in Cape Coral, Fla., when lightning struck a boat in the backyard, setting it on fire. It was totally destroyed. “We thought it was our neighbor’s boat, but it was not. It was our boat,” said Marie Kratky. She says she tried long ago to get her husband to get rid of it, but he never did. “It’s not a loss at all,” she said. “It’s a blessing.” Five hours later, lightning struck again, setting the house on fire, so this time firefighters had to go inside. They discovered an alleged marijuana grow operation, and called the police. Police got a search warrant, and subsequently arrested Jaroslav Kratky, 65, on charges of production/cultivation of marijuana within 1000 ft. of a church or school, and possession of marijuana over 20 grams. Mr. Kratky says he is innocent, saying what police confiscated was ragweed, not pot. “I’m a packrat, you know I got things. I’m [a] junkman.” Police say they have no doubt what they confiscated was marijuana, and Kratky allegedly commented, “I don’t know why they are making such a big deal about marijuana. It’s getting legal everywhere.” (RC/WBBH Fort Myers, 2) ...“The trouble ain’t that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain’t distributed right.” —Mark Twain (1835–1910), American writer and social commentator.