Afghan government installed in Taliban strongholdMARJAH, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan officials raised the national flag over Marjah on Thursday, asserting government control even as Marines searched for militant holdouts. Kabul also confirmed the arrest of another top Taliban leader — part of a roundup that could further strain the insurgent movement.
 
US pilot who dismissed Pearl Harbor reports dies
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Hawaii-based pilot Kermit Tyler thought the big blip on the radar screen on Dec. 7, 1941, was a fleet of U.S. B-17 bombers due in from the mainland, so he replied “don’t worry about it” when told of the approaching mass that turned out to be the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.Tyler, who was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing, has died at age 96, content he did all he could that morning.
 
80-year-old burglar gets 3 years in California prisonTORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — An 80-year-old woman with a criminal record stretching back to 1955 has been sentenced to three years in state prison for ransacking and stealing cash from a Southern California medical office. Doris Thompson thanked a judge Wednesday for not sending her to Los Angeles County jail, which she doesn’t like, and said she deserved a longer sentence. She also told the judge, “God bless you.”State records show Thompson, who has used 27 aliases, has repeatedly been arrested during the past 55 years, mainly for petty theft and burglary. She has gone to jail several times.
 
Saints make offers to 13 restricted free agentsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has tendered qualifying offers to offensive tackle Jammal Brown, safety Roman Harper and 11 others players slated to become restricted free agents next week.Loomis says offers were also made to offensive tackles Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief; safeties Chris Reis and Usama Young; defensive linemen Remi Ayodele and Anthony Hargrove; wide receivers Lance Moore and Courtney Roby; linebacker Marvin Mitchell; tight end David Thomas; and running back Pierre Thomas.The Saints declined to disclose the terms of the offers.Players may wait to see if they receive better offers from other teams before agreeing to contracts with the Saints. If another team offers more money, the Saints can match it.
 
Fourth grader brings pellet gun to Thibodaux school
THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy brought a pellet gun into a Thibodaux school, though school officials say he did not threaten anyone with it.A South Thibodaux Elementary School official notified an onsite deputy after getting information that the fourth-grader had the gun in his book bag.
 
Tug boat hits Sunshine Bridge over Mississippi River
DONALDSONVILLE, La. (AP) — Ascension Parish officials say a tug boat was damaged when it hit the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi River. The bridge was not damaged.Rick Webre, director of the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said The Natalie Alexander struck the wooden fenders surrounding the bridge pilings Thursday.
 
 
 
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