This May 13, 2013 photo released by ABC shows actress Zendaya Coleman and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy performing on the celebrity dance competition series "Dancing with the Stars," in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/ABC, Adam Taylor)

by Sandy Cohen
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kellie Pickler came into the final "Dancing With the Stars" episode in second place but finished in first. The 26-year-old country singer won the show's mirror ball trophy Tuesday.

Teen Disney Channel star Zendaya danced perfectly during the final two episodes, collecting the most points from the judges, but she fell short of the title.

"I'm very proud and I'm very happy," the 16-year-old Coleman said after the results were read. "And I get to leave here with an amazing experience."

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan speaks to Detroit City Council on May 17, in Detroit. Farrakhan said it's time for his movement to join others to invest in the struggling city where it was founded more than 80 years ago. He called on residents and religious leaders to "pool their resources" to buy distressed properties and create economic opportunities. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — A leading national Jewish civil rights group criticized Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on Wednesday for making anti-Semitic statements at a Detroit church appearance and called on a Michigan congressman and other leaders in attendance to condemn the remarks.

Sergio Garcia grimaces during The Players Championshop golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Tiger Woods walks to the 16th green during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament in Orlando, Fla. Woods and Garcia don't like each other, and are making no attempt to disguise their feelings. (AP Photo/File)
 
by Tim Dahlberg

AP Sports Columnist
Sergio Garcia could have stopped after he whined about fans of Tiger Woods making too much noise on the golf course. He should have stopped after saying Woods is not a nice person who has been lying to the media since the first time he stepped into an interview room.

That he didn't close his mouth may end up to be Garcia's biggest regret in a career already chock full of them.

TOM EVANS

Last month, a house caught fire across the street from the Braddock Hills Volunteer Fire Department. When the short-staffed department failed to respond, it was left up to firefighters from surrounding areas to put out the blaze.

Since then, members of the Braddock Hills community have come forward with an answer on why the fire department is short staffed. They say, the department refuses to let African-Americans join.

“Right now they’re short of firemen and the problem I have is they prohibit African-Americans from becoming firemen,” said Braddock Hills Councilman Tom Evans in an interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I think it is wrong that if you’re an African-American and you want to be a firefighter you should be prohibited.”

The issue was brought to the attention of the Braddock Hills Council at a recent meeting, but the council has no control over hiring at the fire department. They also have no power to change policies at the Braddock Hills Welfare and Fire Association, a club for the volunteer firefighters that some claim is responsible for prohibiting African-Americans.

“It’s a volunteer fire department and the borough doesn’t run them, but I had to speak up when I heard about it,” Evans said. “I don’t say everyone who goes into the club is a bigot. I say the policy needs to be changed. There are a lot of the firefighters now who don’t like that rule.”

Evans said he has been told there is a clause in the club’s charter prohibiting African-Americans from joining. A request for comment to the volunteer fire department was not returned.    

“The Mayor and Council for the Borough of Braddock Hills believe that if these reports are accurate, that such discriminatory practices are offensive, disgusting and repulsive and are not acceptable,“ said a statement provided by Evans. “If these discriminatory practices exist, they must cease and any person, regardless of race, creed, religion, sex or national origin should be welcomed into these organizations.”

While the Braddock Hills Council cannot change the department’s policy, they are considering fire protection alternatives. A call for proposals went out in February to the fire departments in Swissvale and Forest Hills, who have already been responding to fires in Braddock Hills.

Forest Hills has not yet responded to the request, but Forest Hills submitted a proposal to provide Braddock Hills with fire protection services for an annual fee. If their request is not accepted, Swissvale will begin charging Braddock Hills for their services individually on June 1.

Braddock Hills pays their volunteer fire department approximately $30,000 annually. The council plans to hold a hearing to allow the public to provide input on the borough’s fire protection issues.