ALBANY, Ga. - The city's eternal flame has withstood high winds and torrential rains for more than 30 years, but an errant tennis shoe proved too much of an impediment. Firefighters shut down the flame briefly Monday so that they could pull out the charred sneaker.

By David Giffels, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio Oct. 18--Since its dedication in mid-2002, the eternal flame in front of the Akron Police Department has burned in memory of fallen officers. One problem: "Eternal" means burning natural gas 24 hours a day, seven days a week.