NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

Offbeat

October 13, 2009

Thurman Thomas statue missing, day after unveiling

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — A chain saw carving of former Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas is missing from a parking lot across from Ralph Wilson stadium, a day after it was unveiled.

The project's creator, Therese Forton-Barnes, says the 8 1/2-foot statue carved from a fallen pine tree weighs more than 1,000 pounds and it took a crane to get it set up for Sunday's event. She says it would have taken several strong people with a flatbed truck to remove it. It's unclear when it disappeared.

Orchard Park police are investigating.

The statue was unveiled before Sunday's Bills game against the Browns. It's the 34th in a fundraising series that grew out of a 2006 snowstorm that toppled thousands of trees. The carvings feature celebrities, animals and historical figures.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Offbeat

NDN Video
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter Absolute Lin-sanity Hate to be Rude: Bubba Watson Peek inside Barbie's closet Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus Funeral to be held for Powell boys Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera? Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera? Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow Halle Wants to Leave the Country Northern Lights shine above earth Plane makes perfect belly landing Kris Jenner New Face of Arousal Oils Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Special Features