NEAR MISS

A 102-POUND ARTILLERY SHELL FIRED FROM A MILITARY BASE NARROWLY MISSED A HOUSE IN MINNESOTA:

Two weeks ago, Rich and Kathy Nelson of Pillager, Minnesota were at home when a 102-pound ARTILLERY SHELL flew over their house . . . and landed in the woods behind their yard.

So where did the shell come from? Apparently, the Nelsons live about eight miles away from a military base called Camp Ripley . . . and the round had somehow flown off course during a test by a defense company called BAE Systems.

Kathy says, "At first when we called Camp Ripley, they said every round was accounted for, and my husband said, 'Oh no they're not.' -"That evening one of their guys came up our driveway and said, 'I'm wondering if we lost something,' and Rich said, 'You sure as heck did.'"

Fortunately, no one was injured . . . but the Nelsons say they're still waiting for an apology from officials at Camp Ripley. (--Yeah, probably don't hold your breath on that one.) (Star Tribune)