PPPN's "Where Are They Now?" - Local Disgruntled Waffle House Cook that Regreted Postponing Culinary School

When we last heard from Bobby Ringo he was having a tough week. His wife took his son and moved into her new lovers house, Bobby's ex-best friend Chuck's place. Bobby was hit with a notice that he'd now be paying child support, he was evicted from his apartment, his car was breaking down, and his hours were cut drastically by his hateful teenage boss at the local Waffle House where he worked.

Unless you don't own a TV, or simply don't watch the news, or maybe live in a cave where you never see another soul who happens to watch the news, then you're probably familiar with Bobby's bizarre local criminal trial that followed.

After kidnapping his ex-best friend Chuck and leaving him in the basement of an old abandoned factory downtown, his leg chained to the wall with a rusted hacksaw within reach, he didn't expect Chuck, now confined to a wheelchair, to press charges afterwords.

Bobby explains, "I figured he knew what he did was wrong, the police wouldn't do anything about it, so I took the law into my own hands. The cops don't like it when you do that though, come to find out."

There were video cameras set up at various locations in the downtown warehouse, apparently linked to Bobby's video control room, located a few miles away.

"I was just really mad, ya know? I mean hell, my whole world came crashing down in a matter of a week. I was lashing out, and he seemed to be the most obvious target at the time."

The cops soon found Bobby and hauled him to prison. The court case made national news and he was sentenced to life without parole. Bobby was distraught in jail, he had never stayed locked up for more then a few days after a DUI. He soon found a way to brighten up his life though when he applied to be a cook inside the big house.

"Now I'm doing what I love again, and I'm the happiest I've been in years. I don't have to worry about paying any bills, there's no bill collectors calling constantly in here, and I get plenty of sleep and reading in everyday."

Aside from the typical downsides of being in jail, the beatings, the gang rapes, Bobby loves his new found life. Although bad things happen on the inside still, he tells me now he doesn't think it's going to be so bad, at least until his new best friend Bubba is released.

"I'm somebodies bitch."

So his sex life has taken a turn for the worse, even though before it was nonexistent. He spends most of his day in the kitchen, cooking for the hundreds of prisoners at any given time in Spartanburg County's correctional facility.

"It somehow gives meaning to me being in here. I feel if I only brighten up one persons day by flavoring the food to the best of my ability, using what little seasonings and ingredients I have to work with in here, it makes it all worth while."

Bobby will bounce back a better man for all of this, I'm sure. One day, many years from now, maybe he can someday still get around to going to culinary school, and be a chef on that cruise boat like he always dreamed.

"It's not likely that they'd hire convicted felons, but maybe I could work in the cafeteria of a local school. I'd make sure the kids know not to take the summer off to postpone college after they graduate high school, that's for sure."

Spartanburg County Zoo for Famous Animals Gets New Star

Hollywild Animal park, in northwest Spartanburg county, is preparing to welcome possibly its most famous addition to date. Known for housing some of the most famous creatures that have ever been in television and movies, the parks Cinema Animal Talent agency often provides rare and unusual animals for film productions, commercials and special events.

Some of their more recognizable critters include Tank, the only celebrity white rhino in the US, the monkeys from the Pipi Longstockings film, and the Zebra from that B-52's music video.

The Hollywild staff has been especially aflutter with excitement this week making preparations for its newest and brightest celebrity star, Grover, from the iconic television series Sesame Street.

"Grover's is a sad story of sorts" Dennis Hodges, operation supervisor of the park explains. "This is virtually a last resort for the once thriving megastar. After traveling the country for years, having some of the greatest adventures ever documented on prime time TV, and with a long history of theatrical performance, he has agreed to join the Hollywild family as a court mandated condition of his extended probation."

Two years ago, you may remember Grover being in the news facing charges of fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement on a massive scale. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for a ponzi scheme that made ENRON look like nothing more then a bounced check. His fame allegedly granted him insider access with New York's mafia crime syndicate, Mexico's most elite drug cartels, and even some of the top bankers at the Vatican in Rome. He was virtually a kingpin in an international conspiracy the likes of which has never been seen in history.

I asked Mr. Hodges what special preparations are being made for Grover's arrival that he can share with us. "Well, something new that may take some getting used to for visitors is the presence of armed guards around the perimeter of the park, and the security checkpoints with metal detectors that are being set up as well." he said. "It's just a precautionary measure, we don't really expect any trouble out of him."

When asked about the looming guard towers and electric razor wire being installed, Hodges had this to say. "It may seem like a little much at first, but we feel we can still maintain a suitable family environment for our visitors to feel comfortable, but mainly they'll know that they are safe and secure under the watchful eye of multi-jurisdictional task force agents patrolling the grounds."

When asked exactly what kind animal Grover is, Hodges shrugged his shoulders and said, "Beats me, all I know is he's sure to bring in business by the busload. We're thrilled to have him aboard."

Grover will do three performances a day in his indefinite stay at Hollywild, entertaining children and adults alike. Every Saturday he will be teaching classes on the art of mime and making balloon animals, and Sundays he is expected to perform a special three hour show which will vary from week to week, showcasing his own creative talents.

"We think it's important to keep him busy working on his art, that way he has less time to conjure up schemes which may include any sort of criminal activity." Hodges added. "Of course, we'll be monitoring him 24/7, especially when he interacts with the children. Guards will always be an earshot away, prepared to use lethal force if necessary."

So pack a picnic lunch, or plan on dining at one of the Hollywild concession complexes. The kids will be thrilled to see the lovable Grover in the flesh, or fuzz rather. Be sure to leave cellphones, cameras, video or audio recording devices of any kind at home, and anything that could possibly be mistaken for a weapon. Come out with the kids and plan on having a great time at the newly renovated Hollywild Animal Park. You'll be glad you did.