Free Republic

BERKELEY -- An Alameda County court ordered a Berkeley man Thursday to stop screaming and glaring at small children and their parents who use a tot park next to the man's Roosevelt Avenue home. Art Maxwell, who lives next to the Becky Temko Tot Park, has been in a verbal war with parents and their children over noise levels in the park for nearly a year. Parents say that Maxwell curses at their children and makes them cry, plays loud music outside while they use the park, videotapes them, and dishes out menacing stares at those who offend his peace...

Police: Man Killed Teen for Walking on Lawn By LISA CORNWELL ASSOCIATED PRESS BATAVIA, Ohio (AP) - 0321dv-lawn-shooting A man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn was charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard. Charles Martin called 911 on Sunday afternoon, saying calmly: "I just killed a kid." Police, who released the call's contents, said Martin also told the dispatcher: "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up." Larry Mugrage, whose family lived next door, was shot in the...