This week’s top stories from the Ledger-Enquirer | May 27 — June 2

1. Police target distracted drivers in north Columbus; issue nearly 100 tickets: The high number of traffic fatalities in Columbus this year prompted a Columbus Police sting operation Thursday morning aimed at distracted drivers in the Bradley Park area. Columbus Police issued 96 citations, most for distracted driving and no seat belts, in two and a half hours Thursday morning during the hours most people are going to work, Lt. Clyde Dent said.

2. Planet Fitness staff , patrons free woman pinned beneath car’s bumper: In a report, police said the victim was walking to her car in the south end of the parking lot when she saw the vehicle coming toward her but assumed the driver of the white Ford would see her. The pedestrian was struck by Glady Green with the front of the car and the victim ended up beneath the front bumper.

3. Here’s why the L-E published the name and photo of Officer Vardman: Our decision to publish the name and photo made some people angry. Here’s just one example: “Liberal enquirer, why are you posting this picture? This officer is NOT guilty of breaking any laws and is not being charged with anything.” Just because we get information doesn’t mean we automatically publish it. When it involves law enforcement, we consider whether releasing information might impede an investigation or endanger the lives of our men and women in blue, as well as the lives of civilians involved.

4. Columbus’ only vegan eatery reopens beloved salad bar with nearly 50 items: So after the refrigeration unit in the original salad bar went kaput approximately a month ago at the more than 40-year-old Country Life Vegetarian Restaurant & Natural Food Store, 1217 Eberhart Ave., no rioting, picketing or food fight broke out, but patrons were disappointed and restaurant manager Shirley Mellette was “heartbroken.”

5. Phenix City police investigating block party shooting that injured 12 people: Phenix City police are investigating an alleged block party shooting after 12 people were taken to Midtown Medical Center for gunshot wounds and other injuries. According to a news release, police responded at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, May 28, to a person being shot in the 100 block of 6th Street South. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male subject that had been shot near the top of his head. The injury was non-life threatening and he was transported to Midtown Medical.

This story was originally published June 3, 2017 at 5:20 PM with the headline "This week’s top stories from the Ledger-Enquirer | May 27 — June 2."