The Thibodaux Board of Civil Service has ruled it does not have authority to act on complaints by a police captain who claims Mayor Tommy Eschete and Police Chief Scott Silverii conspired to harass and demote him.
The Daily Comet reports (http://bit.ly/NmD0Fh) the complaint, filed by Calvin Cooks, claims Silverii and other officers spread rumors implicating Cooks in the slashing of tires on police vehicles in 2011.
UN observers inspect a bombed-out school in the Syrian village of Tremsah, where as many as 200 people may have been killed after an armed conflict erupted last week.
The conflict in Syria has now reached the level of civil war, the Red Cross announced Sunday.
The declaration means international humanitarian law now applies throughout the country, and is the responsibility of all parties, whether rebel or government.
The proposed $46 million 2013 budget for the East Baton Rouge Parish library system includes money for 12 new employees, a tracking system for books and a new building.
The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/NlnMjX) the proposal was given to the Library Board of Control earlier this week.
The expenditures are about $12 million more than what is budgeted in 2012. Several are one-time expenses to upgrade facilities and technology, library officials said.
Authorities in Terrebonne Parish are on the lookout for thieves who've struck several power substations in search of copper.
The Courier reports someone has been cutting through fences surrounding the substations and stealing copper ground wires, probably for sale as scrap. When the ground wires are cut, electric service generally isn't interrupted.
The thefts began in May, sheriff's deputies said. So far, four substations in Chauvin, Montegut, Dularge and the Houma area have been hit.
Authorities in Terrebonne Parish are on the lookout for thieves who've struck several power substations in search of copper.
The Courier reports someone has been cutting through fences surrounding the substations and stealing copper ground wires, probably for sale as scrap. When the ground wires are cut, electric service generally isn't interrupted.
The thefts began in May, sheriff's deputies said. So far, four substations in Chauvin, Montegut, Dularge and the Houma area have been hit.
