At a Glance ...

Former city manager pleads guilty to bribery

DETROIT (AP) — A former Troy city manager has pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges for accepting cash and other items in return for his influence in the awarding of municipal contracts.

Fifty-year-old Brian Kischnick entered the plea last week and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 13.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison told The Detroit News that, during three years as Troy’s city manager, Kischnick accepted a free apartment and amenities more than $42,000 in exchange for influencing the city council to improve roads outside the apartment complex ahead of schedule.

She said Kischnick also accepted a free driveway removal worth $3,500 from a contractor.

Kischnick’s attorney, Anjali Prasad, says the incident was a set-up by the contractor.


Entire police force suspended after chief charged

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) — All police operations were suspended recently in a North Carolina town in the aftermath of public corruption charges levied against its chief and an officer.

Southport Mayor Jerry Dove tells WECT-TV that he and the city board asked the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office to assume all law enforcement functions until further notice.

Brunswick County District Attorney Jon David said Police Chief Gary Smith and Lt. Mike Simmons had a “habitual and repeated pattern” of leaving their police posts for work at a trucking company.

They were arrested the day search warrants were executed at the police department, town hall and the trucking firm.

The department’s website says six others made up the force.

David says some officers were whistleblowers. All officers are on paid administrative leave.


Marylanders crabby over PETA’s vegan billboard in Baltimore

BALTIMORE (AP) — Crab is beloved across Maryland, but not quite in the way PETA would like.

News outlets report the animal rights group has erected a billboard in Baltimore featuring the state crustacean, the blue crab, with the words: “I’m me, not meat.”

PETA is encouraging veganism ahead of September’s Baltimore Seafood Festival.

PETA’s Tracy Reiman says crabs feel pain and fear and have unique personalities.

PETA has placed similar billboards in other East Coast cities.

PETA named Baltimore restaurant Land of Kush’s vegan crab cake one of the top 10 vegan seafood dishes nationwide.


Novelty hand grenades found in checked luggage at airport

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say two suspected hand grenades found in a woman's checked bag at Newark Liberty International Airport were actually novelty bottle openers.

Officials say the woman eventually was allowed to board her flight, but her luggage didn't make it on the plane due to the delay at the screening area.

The bottoms of the fake hand grenades are hollowed out so they can be used as bottle openers, according to officials.

The items come with a warning notice telling travelers not to bring them into airports because they can look real to screeners using X-ray machines to scan luggage.
 

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