Justice Department sues Detroit suburb over mosque rejection
TROY (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is suing a Detroit suburb after a Muslim group failed to win local approval to turn a commercial building into a mosque and community center.
The government says Troy is violating a federal law that’s intended to accommodate religious groups. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says the lawsuit is an effort to “protect the religious liberties of all people.”
Troy’s zoning code requires certain setbacks from other properties. In the case of Adam Community Center, officials rejected requests for waivers. The government notes that variances wouldn’t be required if the restaurant was turned into a non-religious building.
Troy denied any discrimination last week and said it will aggressively defend itself.
Ex-Michigan officer fired for Klan document denies bias
MUSKEGON (AP) — A white Michigan officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags were found in his home says in a report he collected antiques and memorabilia linked to “The Dukes of Hazard” TV series.
A report released Monday by Muskegon officials includes an interview with Charles Anderson who denies any bias or being a KKK supporter or member.
An investigation was launched after a potential homebuyer, who is black, reported seeing the KKK document at Anderson's home. Rob Mathis and his wife, Reyna Mathis, toured the home and were later interviewed.
The report details encounters between them and Anderson, including a 2008 incident in which he pulled them over for speeding. The report says they refused to comply with Anderson’s commands and Reyna Mathis punched him.
She was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer.
Police deliver Amazon packages found in cemetery
BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) — Officers in a Massachusetts police department briefly turned into Amazon drivers after a stash of undelivered packages was found in a cemetery.
Burlington police tweeted that a “diligent groundskeeper” at a cemetery in the town northwest of Boston found the packages Monday morning in a trash receptacle and contacted police.
Police did not say exactly how many packages there were, but photos posted on social media showed about 20.
The packages were addressed to Burlington residents, so police took it upon themselves to deliver them.
They are also investigating to determine how the packages ended up at the cemetery and have contacted Amazon.
They tweeted, “If you see an officer delivering your packages say hello!”
Vegas boy, 9, takes mom’s car for drive while she showers
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas police say a 9-year-old boy took his mother’s car out for a joy ride while she was in the shower.
KTNV-TV reports the boy took the car at about 8:45 a.m. Sunday and that a resident who saw the boy driving called authorities.
Police stopped the car, no one was hurt and the boy was released to his mother.
No citations were issued.
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