Free Republic

Austin, TX – An Austin bike shop owned in part by Lance Armstrong has announced it will no longer fulfil its lucrative contract keeping the Austin Police Department’s bicycle patrol on two wheels after after three employees complained that officers used their bikes to control violent protesters. Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, located in downtown Austin, is “the brainchild” of racing legend Armstrong, according to the shop’s website. KXAN reported that the bike shop, which took a Paycheck Protection Program loan of between $150,000 and $350,000 in April, is walking away from a $314,000 contract with the city. The most recent...

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) -- Police shot a Camp Pendleton Marine who struck an officer with a car in a parking garage in Palm Springs. The Marine ignored orders to stop after being approached by officers on bike patrol. One officers partially climbed into the passenger window. The car accelerated, striking the other officer and continued with the officer hanging out of the window until the car crashed near the garage exit. Both officers discharged their weapons... (shot the unarmed Marine). Both officers were treated for injuries at a hospital and released. The Marine died at the scene.