Fresno's trash outsourcing question will go to voters in a special election, a Fresno police captain who says he was discriminated and retaliated against because he is black has filed suit, the owner of a Clovis firing range could get more time to dampen noise and the complaints of neighbors, and tragic details emerge at a court hearing for a former basketball coach accused of DUI manslaughter.

Here are the top stories of the past week, along with selected comments posted by readers at fresnobee.com.

Voters pick up trash

What happened: The latest chapter in the city of Fresno's trash outsourcing saga opened Thursday when a divided Fresno City Council voted against repealing an ordinance authorizing outsourcing but agreed to hold a special election in three months to let voters decide.

What it means: City Hall says the special election could cost nearly $1 million -- bad news for a city treasury that already is severely cash-strapped and was looking at a signing bonus and franchising fees from a commercial hauler to help erase budgetary red ink.

What readers said:

"The solid waste budget is paid by an enterprise fund, not the general fund. Any concessions made by solid waste do not help the general fund problem."

-- StrayDog

"Enough already! The petitions have been signed by enough people to force a special election that this city can ill afford. Let's get this over with so the whiners and cry babies will shut up."

-- bigchucky

Discrimination alleged

What happened: A black police captain has filed a lawsuit against the city of Fresno, alleging Chief Jerry Dyer racially discriminated and retaliated against him for lodging complaints beginning in 2007. In his suit, Capt. Al Maroney said he objected to being reassigned as district commander in southwest Fresno because of his son's medical needs and the time required for his new assignment, and because his sister's husband had been murdered in southwest Fresno, which thrust him into that investigation.

What it means: Dyer denied that Maroney was discriminated against in his assignments or was retaliated against for lodging complaints and said he was confident the city would prevail in the suit.

What readers said:

"I must be missing something here. The Captain was basically "promoted" from video monitor to a Commander in Southwest Fresno and he calls it discrimination. I think he would consider this Commander position a step up the ladder."

-- Bobolink

"Despite the current economic climate, the City of Fresno continues to shell out money to settle these accusations of discrimination. SHAME ON YOU FRESNO PD AND CITY OF FRESNO."

-- Steve Lewis

Gunning for less noise

What happened: At the end of a seven-hour meeting that dragged into early Tuesday, the Clovis Planning Commission brokered a six-month truce between the owner of an indoor gun range and nearby residents unhappy over the noise reaching their quiet neighborhood. Commissioners voted unanimously to give Jacob Belemjian, the owner of The Firing Line, 180 days to reduce gunfire noise.

What it means: The recommendation now goes to the City Council, which has the final say over whether to modify Belemjian's conditional use permit, revoke it or let him continue to operate while he tries to fix the noise problem. The City Council will take up the issue on March 18.

What readers said:

"The fact still remains that it is THE TYPE OF NOISE the neighbors dislike, not the volume. The level of sound does not exceed the permit restrictions and falls within the range of other common daily neighborhood noise. It does not start unreasonably early nor go late at night. The neighbors chose to live in direct proximity to an existing industrial park; this goes with the terrority."

-- common_sense

"I think the homeowners should be appreciative of having a successful, tax paying business in their neighborhood. Probably safer too with all those responsible armed citizens around 7 days a week."

-- hawker

DUI case going to trial

What happened: Testimony last week at a hearing for former Central High School basketball coach Loren LeBeau revisited the night last year when LeBeau struck three members of a family bicycling across Shepherd Avenue, dragging 7-year-old Donovan Maldonado hundreds of yards, killing him, and seriously injuring his father and toddler sister. LeBeau's attorney said the angle of the crosswalk, darkness and lack of lights on the bicycles contributed to the crash.

What it means: A Fresno County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that LeBeau must stand trial on all counts in the DUI-driving death. His lawyer says he will work with prosecutors to move toward a plea agreement.

What readers said:

"I agree that this tragedy could have been prevented had he not been drinking and driving. However, as a parent, I cannot imagine being out with my little kids past 9:00 PM ANYWHERE near crosswalks or traffic. You have to be more cautious than that with your children."

-- YvetteM2013

"I just cannot fathom how one can look at this case and in good conscience decide to blame the family. The man WAS DRUNK. Shouldn't that trump all else?"

-- Kari Moore