There was a front page story I remember reading about monster sightings in the Harrodsburg Herald in the late 70's or early 80's. I wished I'd saved the article. It was serious in nature, but was funny to read.

Afterwards it was reported in the paper that a barrell with some kind of head and tail attached to it was found floating on the lake. I figured some prankster read the 1st aritcle, and created a monster to scare people.