Empire of the Odd

(Florence, Oregon) – A rash of outrageous and hilariously odd stories about beach junk on the central Oregon coast turned a slightly dark corner last week when the claims about “mysterious metal boxes,” caused such a stir on the Net that various entities and individuals were forced to waste resources, man hours and money to either look for these objects or answer an irritatingly large tsunami of questions from over-excited media outlets. Still even less reputable websites engaged in a disturbing display of spreading unfounded claims, as some further embellished the original tale with even more preposterous yarns about a cover up, men in black on the beaches, secret ops helicopters and much more.

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distortus:

Some of the spectacular cosmographical atlases made by Andreas Cellarius, in Harmonia Macrocosmica, Amsterdam, 1660. 

A Johnson County woman says she lost about $15,000 to a psychic who claimed she could rid her of a malevolent spirit.

The self-proclamed psychic, Nancy Annette Marks, 57, was charged Tuesday with felony theft.

The alleged victim said Marks took advantage of the fact that she was in a low place in her life.

“She was very supportive and compassionate and convinced me that I had an evil spirit in my life,” the woman, who asked not to be identified, told The Star.

The woman said she gave the money to Marks over two to three months because the psychic told her she needed to perform certain rituals with it to drive away her troubles. The woman said that when she asked for her money back, Marks wanted even more. So the went to police.

Marks is charged in Johnson County District Court with using deception to get money and alcohol from a client. She made an initial court appearance Tuesday and was released on $2,500 bond. Her next court appearance is Feb. 23 for a scheduling conference.

Marks’ attorney could not be reached for comment.

Authorities are investigating whether others were victimized.

Officer Gary Mason, spokesman for the Overland Park police, said people who believe they were victimized by Marks are encouraged to contact the district attorney’s office or their local police department.