On October 17, Jeremy Dunklebarger and Rolanda Perez-Lorenzo were robbed at gunpoint at 11:50 in the morning in Brooklyn.
The next day, Rodney Bradford was arrested for the robbery. Ironically, Bradford posted an update on his facebook page at exactly 11:49 in the morning, and investigators linked the update back to Bradford’s dad’s apartment in Manhattan. (wow, that’s a world record; he reached brooklyn in just one minute!)
Although the charges had been dropped after his ‘facebook alibi’ as of November 11, John Jay teacher, Joseph Pollini feels that the charges shouldn’t have been dropped so quickly because teenagers are more familiar with the internet because they use it everyday. Bradford’s defense lawyer, Robert Reuland thinks that even though someone could’ve used Bradford’s username and password to create that alibi, someone like Bradford isn’t expected to be a ‘criminal genius’.
Facebook has saved a young boy from being convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Even if he did commit the crime and used someone to make that update for him, his lawyer thinks that he isn’t smart enough to think of such a thing.
On Larry King Live Wensday night, Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA contestant that voiced her opposition against same sex marriage during the question and answer round of the competition, walked off King’s set after he asked her about the settlement she made with the Miss USA Organization after suing them for religious descrimination. Prejean called King “innapropriate” several times before pulling off her microphone and refusing to answer any more questions. Prejean, who was there to promote her new book, “Still Standing,” stated that the specifics of the settlement were confidential and she could not discuss them.
The Fort Hood massacre left 12 people dead and 30 people wounded.
What is most shocking about the massacre is that, the man responsible for the massacre was a major and psychiatrist down at the post. Major Nidal Malik Hassan worked at the post in order to relieve the soldiers of their fears and return them back to their normal mental state. How did he become the person who had a nervous break down, when his job was to prevent that from occurring to other soldiers?
There are many investigations going on in order to find out what caused the massacre. It is thought that Hassan didn’t want to fight against Muslims after he found out that he would be sent over seas. It was also said that although he is an American soldier, he thought of himself as a Muslim soldier at heart, according to reports on channel 7 news.
Obama feels that it is bad enough to worry about the troops overseas and it’s even more horrifying to have to face danger right here on our own posts. Hassan was considered a trustworthy man and now he will raise a lot of fear in America after further investigation.
One of the most powerful forces in the hip hop game today Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was at Macy’s in New York this week promoting his new cologne. The cologne is known as “Power” By 50 Cent. The cologne reportedly smells like a mixture of lemon leaves, black pepper, coriander, and nutmeg. “I really wanted to bottle up the rush it gives you so my fans can make it apart of their lifestyle.” Stated rapper 50 Cent.
A military mental doctor at Fort Hood, Texas opened fire at an Army post which killed 12 and injured 31 people. A law enforcement official identified the shooting suspect as Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Authorities stated that they had killed the shooter immediately after but recanted and said that he was in stable condition in a hospital. Lt. Gen. Bob Cone stated that it was mistake and there was a lot of confusion at the hospital. “The shooting began around 1:30 p.m., when shots were fired at the base’s Soldier Readiness Center, where soldiers who are about to be deployed or who are returning undergo medical screening” Cone said. The reasons are unclear but it is suspected that he was upset about a scheduled deployment. This act of violence is considered to be the worst mass shooting in history at an U.S. military base.
Tuesday was the New York City Mayoral Election of 2009 between Democrat William Thompson, and current Mayor Michael Bloomberg. There was an even lower turnout than expected, but an election that was predicted to be dominated by Bloomberg ended up being quite the opposite.
Bloomberg has been under scrutiny over the last few months for his decision to personally do away with term limits for New York City mayors. He has already served two terms and will now serve a third.
However, because of the narrow margin of victory for Bloomberg, it is safe to say that city residents might be rubbed the wrong way with his forceful commercials about Thompson and the over $90 million spent on his campaign, which gave him a 14-1 advantage in campaign spending. The final result was Mayor Bloomberg tallying 51% of the votes and Thompson, the Democratic nominee, 46% of the votes – a close race, considering the expected land-slide by Bloomberg supporters and critics alike.
The slight majority won by the Mayor speaks volumes about the change in feelings about Bloomberg that the city has seen over the last few months, or even weeks. It is still unknown whether the next four years under Bloomberg will be seen as positive or negative for the Mayor’s overall reputation.
In the news this week, the Disney executives want to make Mickey Mouse over for a video game called Epic Mickey. They are trying to make him more mischievous and sly. Though some of the executives find this to be okay, others believe it to be doing the impossible. Warren Spector, the creative director of Junction Point, disagrees with the so called “ fooling around” with the Mickey Mouse that has been know to adults and children for almost twenty generations. The problem that they are facing is that changing the loving Mickey Mouse could decrease the sells of the iconic symbol.
This week, CNN reported eleven dead and decomposing female bodies found in the Cleveland, Ohio home of Anthony Sowell, 50, a reported sex offender. Police originally came to Sowell’s home after neighbors reported a naked woman falling out of Sowell’s second story window. Neighbors also had complaints about a foul odor permeating from Sowell’s home. The bodies found were in various stages of decomposition and one was decapitated. The skull was later found rapped in a paper bag and sitting in a bucket in Sowell’s basement. The judge presiding over this case denied Sowell bond.
CNN reported a recent gang rape and brutal beating of a 15 year old girl outside of her school’s homecoming dance. The girl was attacked by several men while others stood around and watched. Police were present at the school but were not patrolling the area. As a high school student that often attends school functions, this is a terrible story to hear. The safety of students while they are at school is not something to be taken lightly and is a large matter to be responsible for. This entire situation could have been avoided had the police been doing their jobs. The people that stood around and watched should be tried along with the rapists. None called the police and some participated.
Michelle Obama invited kids from various elementary schools to help with the fall vegetables to gather in the garden on South lawn of the White House this thursday. Mrs. Obama then asked the students how much they thought it cost to plant the vegetables in the garden. They all guessed $300, $800, $1000, $6000. She acted as an auctioneer. Afterwhich she revealed to the students that “Over 750 lbs of food have came out of this little piece of land and it cost about $180.” Also, in addition to the White House kitchen making the vegetables, they’re also being donated to MIRIAM’s KITCHEN which is a soup kitchen in D.C.
On October 11, 2009, a car crashed on the Henry Hudson Parkway which killed an 11 year old girl. There were too many people in the car at the time, and they weren’t wearing any seat belts.
The major problem about this situation is the driver, Carmen Huertas, 31, had a blood alcohol level of .132, while the legal blood alcohol level is limited to .08.
Recently, Huertas has recovered her injuries and was immediately handcuffed in a wheel chair in Elmhurst Medical Center. She was video linked to the Manhattan courtroom and was charged with manslaughter and DWI.
Unfortunately, she pleaded not guilty when an innocent child is dead.
The World Series began last night between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies with a terrific pitcher’s duel between the previous two American League Cy Young Award winners, C.C. Sabathia for the Yankees, and Cliff Lee for the Phillies. The game was evenly matched until Phillies second baseman Chase Utley hit not one, but two solo homeruns to give Philadelphia the lead for good.
Sabathia, well rested for the opener, did not pitch as badly as the final score indicated, and he will be ready to pitch again for the Yankees on short rest if needed. On the other side was Cliff Lee, who dominated New York’s bats, with the exception of Derek Jeter. Lee, acquired by the Phillies in July for minor league prospects, threw a complete game allowing just one earned run, striking out ten batters, while not walking a batter. According to the record books, his Game 1 performance was one of the best in World Series history.
Though the Yankees are down one game to none, they have been there before in numerous series during their streak of thirteen consecutive playoff berths from 1995 to 2007. A.J. Burnett will take the mound in Game 2 tonight against the Yankees’ long-time rival, Pedro Martinez. Will the Yankee bats wake up from their lackluster post-season? Stay tuned to Fox 5 tonight at 7:57 p.m. to find out if the Yankees can tie this series at one game apiece. LET’S GO YANKEES!!
A baby boy was born on the airplane of airAsia.31 year old Leiw Siaw Hisa went to labor on Wensday’s flight from northern island Penang to Kuching on Borneo island.The baby was safely delivered landing at 2,000 ft.The director of operations Moses Devanayagam said “to celebrate the momentous occasion,we decided to present both mother and child with free flights for life.
A shed sat in the middle of the gymnasium at the Harlem Armory. But it wasn’t just any old rickety shed. The shed was built with recycled materials and is in the process of getting a solar panel rooftop. It was built with recycled wood and is covered with paintings from various artists, and drew attention with its bright colors. It was designed to give artists their own personal space for their work and still practice a sustainable and affordable way of life.
“Part of it is that artists tend to think outside the box and they can help visualize new ideas,” said Simon Draper, 49, originator of the “Habitat for Artists” project. It’s ideas like this that promote the idea of finding creative ways to help save the environments, Draper said.
Draper and dozens of other exhibitors and green business owners took part in The 2nd Annual UrbanGoGreen Expo to share creative ideas about sustainable and “green” ways of living.
The Urban-Go-Green Expo was founded by Duval Osiris James, 34, a self described social entrepreneur. Now on its second year, the expo brings together different organizations with the same view of helping the environment. “It’s all about People, Planet, Profit,” James said.
The aroma of organic wild rice, cheesecake and mango pie floated around the booth of the “Food For the Living” business. Ironically, the food wasn’t cooked. Ras Dawitt, 34, the Manager of “Food for the Living,” said (describe how it is cooked) “Cooking food kills enzymes, and by not cooking food, you get all the enzymes and vitamins you need.”
The Horticultural Society of New York, a 110-year-old organization, also attended the expo. Landscape architect, George Pisegna, 46 and Director of Children Organization, Pamela Ito, 42 felt that those who teach about a sustainable ways of living should practice what they preach. “We live the way we teach,” said Ito.
The website dedicated to the Go Green Expo,, http://www.urbangogreenexpo.com, provides information about the business, which James, the founder, said was a for-profit corporation whose mission is as much philanthropic as it is about making money.
He said “We shouldn’t have a problem making money” and that it is important to teach youth the same thing. The business is funded by private investors, he added.
Jonathan Grover, 34, said he heard of the expo online and decided to give it a try.
“I was curious about it when I saw the short video online,” Grover said. “And it was so interesting that I decided to come.”
Sao Kamara, 15, of Harlem attended the expo with her sister who was doing research for a school project.
“I wanted to learn more about the different things we could do to save he environment,” said Sao Kamara, 15, of Harlem.
Reporting by: Bianca Bergeron, Danielle Pierre, and Ashley Rodriquez
Video by: Cho Connor
Photography By: Bianca Bergeron
(Harlem, New York) The Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) recognized Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson and the patriarch of the Jackson family Saturday, October 24 at the House of Justice, the organization’s headquarters in Harlem, New York.
Sharpton presented Jackson with a certificate to acknowledge his leadership in music and entertainment. Sharpton finds Jackson’s ability to bring his children to stardom despite unfavorable socioeconomic conditions inspiring.
“The Jackson family beat the odds and didn’t use an excuse to surrender,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton hopes Jackson’s example will influence today’s black youth.
“If a Joe Jackson can produce a Michael Jackson, then (today’s youth) can reach the stars,” Sharpton said.
Jackson felt honored to be recognized by the NAN.
“I feel fantastic, like I’m worth something,” said Jackson with a big smile. “I feel great.”
The House of Justice was filled with more than 100 community and organization members. The mostly African-American crowd was comprised of all ages, as well as a local school for the deaf, equipped with a translator to sign Sharpton’s words. A band consisting of a drummer, pianist, and guitarist energized the crowd.
According to their website, the NAN, an organization founded by the Rev. Sharpton in 1991, promotes civil rights and social justice and decency.
This recognition occurred four days before the Michael Jackson documentary, “This is It,” is scheduled to release. According to the official website, the movie is a compilation of filmed rehearsals that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what would have been Michael’s final tour, which was scheduled to be held at the O2 arena in London, England.
Joe Jackson expressed excitement about the number of tickets sold thus far. However, he has concerns about critics who may not like the movie.
“They think there’s gonna be a lot of nicer acting in there…it’s just him rehearsing. So I’m worried about that,” Jackson said.
Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, died on June 25 at his Los Angeles home. The Los Angeles Coroner’s office attributed his death to a drug overdose of the anesthetic propofol and the sedative larazepam, administered to Jackson by his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray.
In regards to what should happen to Dr. Murray, who is currently charged with the singer’s homicide, Joe Jackson is content keeping his opinions to himself and leaving the matter in the hands of others.
“The jury will take care of that,” Jackson said. “It’s for the Lord to take care of.”
An INDIANAPOLIS clerk Angela Montez felt the presence of god during a robbery. She goes on to say a warmness came over her as she talked one on one to the gunman. When she asked the gunmen about his family, he answered saying both him and his daughter were homeless because he has been unable to get a job. Montez and gunmen then prayed and hugged. After-which, gunmen fell to his knees and told Montez he wouldn’t hurt her before leaving with $20 from the register. Security video capturing everything, including gunmen’s face. The following day police say 23 year old gunmen surrendered on a preliminary charge of robbery. http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/WireHeadlines/2009/10/24/clerk-says-she-felt-god-s-presence-as-sh-78.php
Fellow inmates comfort those who are dying in jail. At the Coxsackie Correctional Facility various inmates volunteer to sit with other prisoners who are in the last six months of their life. About 75 prisons have started hospice programs, half of them using inmate volunteers, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Some feel that this is a bad program because some dying inmates will give their medications to the volunteers, who will then go and sell or use it. Others feel that this is a good program because of the effect it has on the prisoners. One positive thing that comes out of this is that the inmates feel more comfortable talking with the inmates, because they feel that they will not judge them. Other positive things are that it changes the way they think and feel about certain stuff. Some of the inmates do not regret what they did, after joining and seeing someone the bonded with, grew close to, die, they realize the need to change. They join because they feel the need to redeem themselves.
Some inmates realize the change after their ‘patient’ died, such as John Henson. He stated that after watching him die all he could say about himself was “Wow, who the hell are you? Who were you to do this to somebody else?” Another example is of this change is Benny Lee. He did not care about life and death but after this experience his views are changing.
Jamal Blair, who was accused of killing the 92-year-old Sadie Mitchell in her home, has had a soft spot in his heart since 1993. When he was a young boy, he watched his father kill his mother and get away with it.
Now 18 years old Jamal has been charged, with taking the life of an innocent lady, who was just sitting in her living room.
Jamal, who was walking with his two friends, shot the gun in the air one time because his rivals from the Edenwald House had been throwing bottles at him.
His hearing was October 23, 2009 in Bronx Criminal Court. He was put to jail without bail.
After 10 yrs in Jail, for taking part in a New york City club shoot-out. The former Bad Boy rapper Shyne, is sadly being deported back to his native country, Belize. Rather than coming home to Brooklyn, New york, where he was raised. Until he receives a Pardon from Governor Patterson, Shyne awaits to learn his fate in coming back to the city.
This is so sad…He deserves a chance to come home to the city where he was raised. He did his time and… Hip Hop needs him.
Recently, U2 announced their sold-out Sunday concert at the Rose Bowl in California will be streamed live on YouTube. This stream will reach five continents and will be the first time a concert of this magnitude will be streamed live via internet. Most likely, this will set a trend that other bands will follow. It can help them reach a wider audeince, which is certainly very important. It also allows fans to feel closer to the band, almost as if they were at the concert physically. However, this might harm ticket sales. Some may not plan to go to concerts if they know it will be streamed live. Since much of the profit a band pockets comes from merchandise bought at concerts and ticket sales, this may not be the best financial move for a musical performer. It’ll be interesting to see how concerts streamed live will evolve.
On October 18, 2009 a fire broke out in Kew Gardens Hills that killed Bianca Kuros, 44. Firemen took an hour to put out the 2nd alarm fire and managed to take all four victims out of the house. Unfortunately, Kuros was pronounced dead at the hospital and the other victims are in stable condition.
This summer, Kuros filed a 20 million dollar lawsuit for sexual harrassment. It is ironic that she was killed in a fire 2 days before the trial.
Darius Walker, the New York bureau chief for CNN, fell in love with broadcast journalism when he started his career at his college radio station.
“I always had a passion for history, geography, and writing,” Walker said, speaking to students in NYABJ’s High School Journalism Workshop at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus.
Darius followed his passion for journalism after graduating from Northeastern University. He logged tapes at a commercial radio station and eventually worked his way up to a producer position.
A Boston native and a self-described geek growing up, Darius now overseas a team of 105 people across the Northeast, from Maine to Indiana. After he left Boston, Darius worked in New York City for ABC News, where he produced television shows including Nightline.
It wasn’t until Darius moved to Atlanta that he got his first job in management. He then moved to Washington D.C. and returned to New York to work for CNN about a year ago.
(Manhattan) At the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Plaza, popular Dora The Explorer debuted on the Wii home video game system to scores of enthusiastic kids.
Kids and parents were invited for a sneak peek and hands-on play with the game Dora The Explorer: Dora Saves The Snow Princess. The event was such an attraction that passerbys had the opportunity to take photos of kids playing the games and lining up to buy the product. Kids were squealing in delight that they had the chance to take pictures with costumed Dora and Diego characters.
In addition, every kid was entitled to go home with a gift and an opportunity to win a variety of prizes.
“We wanted to create a video game that kids would enjoy with their favorite characters from Dora the Explorer. We are very proud of our work and we think that lots of kids will enjoy this game very much,” said Carissa Wendkos, a publisher at 2K games. (More …)
As vice president of ESPN Magazine, an author of a new book set for release next year and a top executive at ESPN station, Roxanne Jones may seem to have a charmed career.
“As an African American female, I have felt that people looked at me thinking; What is she doing here? Even at ESPN,” Jones said, speaking at NYABJ’s High School Journalism Workshop at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus.
But, luck alone didn’t propel Jones’ professional career as a journalist, especially considering where she came from, where she’s been and where she’s headed.
Jones was raised by a single mother and grew up poor with her two siblings in Philadelphia.
“The only people who truly believed in me were a few librarians and my mother,” she said, adding that everyone else asked “Girl, what (you) doing?” (More …)
