Son of NFL Star Randall Cunningham Dies in Hot Tub Accident

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Tragedy hit the family of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham Tuesday when Randall's two-year-old son, Christian drowned in a hot tub in the backyard of the NFL stars Las Vegas home.

Las Vegas Police Lieutenant Dennis Flynn told the Associated Press that the drowning was a tragic accident.

The child was found in the hot tub sometime after 4:30 p.m. by an unidentified female in the Cunningham home. She attempted to resuscitate the child but was not successful. The woman called 911 at 4:45, paramedics arrived and the child was transported to St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena campus, where he was pronounced dead.

Police spokespeople have told the Associated Press that there is an open investigation into the child's death, though no foul play or neglect is suspected.

Cunningham, 47, who is an ordained minister in Las Vegas, has not made a public statement at this time, but a family friend told ABC News, about 100 people came to the Cunningham home after learning of the child's death to grieve, pray and sing with the family. Cunningham is the pastor of Remnant Ministries, a church he founded in 2004. The same hot tub where his son drowned, is the same hot tub where the minister allegedly performed baptisms.

The family friend described Christian Cunningham as an active child who was so full of life.

"He was always running around, smiling and giving everybody hugs and jumping on their laps. He was not only the Cunningham child, he was also the church's child. He trusted everybody," the family friend told ABC News.

Cunningham, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens, was the recipient of the Bert Bell Award in 1990.

Cunningham and his wife, Felicity, have three other children: Randall II, Vashti and Grace.

Plainfield schools cut 75 employees amid continuing budget crunch

                                        By: Krusher Kronkite
                                    The Black Urban Times

 
                                                                              

PLAINFIELD — About 75 school district employees will be out of a job following the city school board's vote to renew the contracts of more than 1,000 district staff members, but that is fewer than the 108 job cuts the board initially proposed. Although the nonrenewals are down from the initial projection announced when the 2010-11 budget was introduced in March, that didn't make them any less painful, interim Superintendent Anna Belin-Pyles said Monday.


"It's been a really hard job . . . and hard choices had to be made," she said. "It's hard to say to anyone that you're not coming back next year."Belin-Pyles inherited personnel decisions tied to the $145 million budget created earlier this year by former Superintendent Steve Gallon III. Gallon was arrested in May and charged with conspiring to commit theft of educational services in neighboring South Plainfield. Also charged in the case are former Assistant Superintendent Angela Kemp and former district administrator Lalelei Kelly; the next appearance in the Middlesex County case is scheduled for July 30. Kelly was terminated earlier this year, and school officials repeatedly have refused to discuss the status of Gallon or Kemp, but the responsibilities of both have been handed off to other employees.


Along with reducing the initial projection of nonrenewals from 108 to 75, Belin-Pyles said the district also was able to bring back 40 teachers' assistants as full-time employees. Several weeks ago school officials and others expressed concerns that all of the district's approximately 80 teachers' assistants would be forced to convert from full time to part time, thus eliminating their health benefits.


How the approximately 75 nonrenewals were spread across the district was not known Tuesday, as district Business Administrator Gary Ottmann was out of the office, a district representative said. But the breakdown is believed to be similar to that of the initial projection of 108 nonrenewals, which included eliminations of 62 certificated staff (mostly teachers), 17 clerical and support staffers, 12 administrators, and various other employees. The district lost about 75 employees in all for the second consecutive summer, as the current budget represents a nearly $9 million decrease from the 2009-10 budget after cuts in state aid and mandated expense hikes took their respective tolls.

Few people were left in the Plainfield High School auditorium when the board convened for the public portion of Monday's meeting around 10:30 p.m., well past the scheduled start time of 8 p.m. The entire agenda was approved except for a single item that called for the elimination of six district media specialists, effective today. Belin-Pyles also announced that an agenda item calling for the creation of a new job description, an "assistant business administrator," was being pulled off the table.


The staff renewals mean that the district's roster of employees earning more than $100,000 dipped slightly from 43 to 39, but the number of employees earning more than $130,000 almost doubled, going from 10 to 19. But Belin-Pyles, responding to questions about administrator raises, said that every increase was issued in alignment with the current collective bargaining agreements between the district and its employee unions.
Gallon's nearly $200,000 salary aside, Ottmann claimed the district's highest salary at $176,485, with Plainfield High School Principal Brian Bilal second at $150,760.



                                                            "Source"

Rumor Alert!!! Rumor Alert!!!

I absolutely love all of the emails I receive on a daily basis. Whether it be good or bad there's always something interesting to read in my inbox. This email is no different and since it was soo interesting, I decided to share it with my readers.

Apparently, some really wealthy Hollywood bigwigs are giving back to the needy. This is not a bad rumor but actually a very good one if it's true. Well, the group of anonymous actors, athletes and entertainers have given elite credit repair specialists "Franklin & Sutton" a grant to repair the credit of an undisclosed amount of people who normally couldn't afford it. Now when I checked out the website of "Franklin & Sutton" it states that they have received a grant from Trust Group LLC in the amount of $650,000!!! That's alot of mula!! Here's where things get interesting, the emailer claims to know who the celebrity folk are who make up the group "Trust Group LLC"!! The group (according to the email) consists of Lebron James, Jay Z, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon.

No confirmation has been made about the truth of this rumor but the free credit being done by "Franklin & Sutton" is definitely true! If you don't believe me you can log onto their website by (clicking here). You can read "Franklin & Sutton's" disclosure below:

Have you heard the news!!

Franklin Sutton has received a grant for $650,000!!

The Trust Group LLC is reigniting positive change in the lives of Americans by funding credit restoration and assisting in new financial opportunities for the everyday hard working American. We believe in helping Americans reclaim their independence by rebuilding their financial credit profile.

Sounds interesting......do you believe it? I need to know!

Khloe & Lamar Set To Have Their Own Reality Show

As if this news should come as a shocker, word on the curb is Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are set to get their own reality show courtesy of E! The new reality show has yet to be titled but is said to be released onto everyone's television screens come this fall. Here's a synopsis of what the show is going to be about below:

"They will start taping in the next few weeks. It's about their life — being married, trying to have a baby, and Khloe being a stepmother to Lamar's kids".

Hmmmm.....as if we didn't already expect this. (side eye) By the way, in more Kardashian news, Ryan Seacrest will be producing the new reality show for Lamar and Khloe and "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" has been renewed for another season. Get that paper ladies!!!

New Jersey Toll Booth Clerks Toned it Down in 2010

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

Complaints about nasty toll collectors from New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway motorists are down 28 percent this year and drivers couldn't be more relieved.

At the beginning of the year, motorists say they were getting nothing but lip and attitude from toll takers who made them wish they had an E-ZPass to avoid having to deal with the verbal and sometimes, physical abuse they encountered. Now, they're seeing change and not by way of silver.

Last month Turnpike officials began a customer service presentation for Turnpike toll collectors, and they are also studying data to charts to spotlight toll booths rude "hot spots."

"It’s moving in the right direction," state Department of Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson told the Star-Ledger.

The first six months of the year have shown a decline in complaints, from 100 at this point last year to 72. Bob Quirk, director of tolls for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which oversees the Turnpike and Parkway appreciates the decline, but said, "I have a 28-percent drop, but it’s still too much. One is too much."

Still, Quirk said, only an average of one in 565,000 transactions resulted in a complaint — a rate any service industry business would be proud of.

Three of the complaints the department received led to the suspension of the collectors involved, Quirk told the Star Ledger. The status of 20 other complaints are pending.

Quirk, who said he never had a customer complaint filed against him during his stint as a toll collector from 1978 to 1985, remains perplexed over why some toll takers are sent into a rage over pennies -- of all the complaints the department has received, a number have been about collectors throwing pennies back in the faces of motorists.

And that's mild compared to some of the complaints obtained through a U.S. Freedom of Information Act request by TheSmokingGun.com.

According to a report in the Star-Ledger the request produced more than 550 complaints filed by drivers against toll collectors on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway in 2008 and 2009. The letters, with redacted names, were released by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and contained horrifying behavior toll booth clerks inflicted upon drivers.

When one motorist gave $5.25 for a $4.25 toll, the collector at Exit 9 in East Brunswick mistakenly gave her 75 cents change — then got rude and nasty when the driver asked for the correct change "because he was busy on his cell ordering a pizza with extra pepperoni."

One collector collector threatened to beat up a driver because a dog was sniffing out the window.

Irate over having to make change for a $20 bill on a $1.75 toll, another collector allegedly threw the change and told the driver to get on the road and die.

A motorist paying a toll with a $100 bill sent one collector at Exit 12 in Carteret off on a rage as he yelled, "What kind of (expletive) comes in with a $100 bill?"

Franceline Ehret, a toll collector for 25 years and president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local No. 194, which represents Turnpike toll collectors said the Turnpike/Garden State Parkway abuse sometimes went both ways.

"There’s a lot of road rage out there. People hate to wait in line for traffic. Some toll collectors have had guns pointed at them. I’ve had people spit on money before handing it to me and making the roll (of coins) hot before they hand it to me, putting it on the heater," Ehret told the Star-Ledger. Still, Ehret said, the conduct alleged on the complaints is "not acceptable behavior at all."


Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times
www.theblackurbantimes.com

Irvington, NJ Man Shot, Robbed in His House

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

An Irvington man was tied up, robbed and then shot in his face after three people broke into his home Wednesday morning. The man, who remains unidentified by police, said two men and a woman rang his doorbell, entered and demanded money, NJ News.com reported.

Police received a call to the man's Stuyvesant Avenue apartment shortly after midnight when neighbors, who heard his cries for help, called 911. According to the report the victim gave police, after turning over an undetermined amount of cash to the robbers, a struggle ensued and the thieving trio tied the victim up before one of the three shot him once in his face.

The victim, who was shot once in the cheek, was taken to University Hospital, where his condition is listed as stable.
Officers were called to the apartment building by neighbors who heard the man’s cries for help, according to police.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the detective bureau at (973) 399-6522.


Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times www.theblackurbantimes.comtwitter.com/thebutmsdotcomfacebook.com/theblackurbantimes

Don't let your past hinder your future

No matter how good your memories of the past are, do not be so attached to them that you are unable to move forward into your intended future.

I was attempting to move toward my destiny
while being haunted by the memory
of a love tested
yet never manifested
longing for times...full article HERE

Larry King Ending 'Larry King Live' On CNN In Fall

Larry King Ending 'Larry King Live' On CNN In Fall

Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times www.theblackurbantimes.comtwitter.com/thebutmsdotcomfacebook.com/theblackurbantimes

Scott Brown's Opposition To Bank Fee Throws Wrench In Wall Street Reform

Scott Brown's Opposition To Bank Fee Throws Wrench In Wall Street Reform

Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times www.theblackurbantimes.comtwitter.com/thebutmsdotcomfacebook.com/theblackurbantimes

video: Behind the scenes footage of Lola Monroe's "Overtime" music video feat. Trina

Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times www.theblackurbantimes.com twitter.com/thebutmsdotcom facebook.com/theblackurbantimes

NY Giants Rookie Safety To Be Transferred to Presbyterian Hospital

By Alicia Cruz The Black Urban Times

New York Giants rookie safety Chad Jones will be moved to a New York hospital after he was critically injured in a car accident early Friday in New Orleans.

Jones, 21, who was drafted by the Giants in the third round, is being transferred to Presbyterian Hospital for plastic surgery and additional orthopedic procedures. The two-sport LSU player underwent nearly eight hours of surgery for a broken left leg and ankle following an early morning wreck in which his SUV smashed into a pole.

In a statement released by LSU, Al Jones, father of the rookie safety, said while a lengthy healing process is ahead, his son is in good spirits and his leg and foot were looking better, but added that "everything is positive right now" with his son's recovery.

"Chad has received outstanding medical care from the doctors and nurses in New Orleans since his accident. They've shown great compassion," Giants vice president of medical services Ronnie Barnes said in a statement. "After consulting with our doctors, Chad's doctors at LSU and his family felt like this move to New York was the next logical step in his care and recovery."

The single-car accident remains under investigation by police, who were not able to test Jones' blood-alcohol level before he went into surgery. Officers were able to interview Jones' two passengers, who suffered only minor injuries, but they found no evidence that alcohol was a factor, New Orleans Police spokeswoman Shereese Harper said.

It is likely the hospital conducted blood and urine tests, but authorities have not decided whether to subpoena those tests, Harper said. Police also do not know if Jones was speeding at the time of the crash. So far, he has been cited only for careless operation of a vehicle.

Jones, who attended St. Augustine High School in New Orleans before transferring to Southern Laboratory High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, is said to be one of the best safeties in the nation.

As a high school senior he had 138 tackles and 12 interceptions as a safety and 464 yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back. Jones was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft but decided to attended LSU. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 50th round (1509th overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft.

UPDATE: Autopsy of Old Bridge, NJ Father Died of Blunt Force Trauma

UPDATE:

By Alicia Cruz

Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced Tuesday that the autopsy of Divvendu Sinha, of Old Bridge, the man beaten to death as he walked with his wife and sons, died from a head injury that was inflicted when he was beaten, the New Jersey Newsroom reported.

Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Sinha, 49, died from blunt force trauma to the head and that the manner of death was homicide.

The three juveniles charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an aggravated assault remain in custody at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center in North Brunswick. Their first appearence in Family Court has been scheduled for July 1, 2010, before Superior Court Judge Roger W. Daley in New Brunswick.

The investigation into the death of Mr. Sinha continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Greg Morris of the Old Bridge Police Department at (732) 721-5600, or Investigator Paul Miller of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-4466.

Related stories
Old Bridge man beaten to death
Update on Sinha murder investigation

Crude Covered Pelicans: Save our Waters!

Photo Credit: IBRRC

Heavily oiled brown pelicans, captured at Grand Isle, Louisiana, wait to be cleaned of Gulf spill crude. They are among dozens of birds brought to the Fort Jackson Wildlife Care Center in Buras, La., on Thursday.

By The Huffington Post
As officials approached to survey the damage the Gulf oil spill caused in coastal marshes, some brown pelicans couldn't fly away Sunday. All they could do was hobble. Several pelicans were coated in oil on Barataria Bay off Louisiana, their usually brown and white feathers now jet black. Pelican......Full article

NYPD on The Hunt for Real-Life Female 'Cat Burglar'

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

NYPD is looking for the publics help in identifying a woman, disguising herself under a cat mask, during one of her robberies. Police say she is in her 20's and so far, she's wanted for at least three robberies in Queens and Manhattan.

The "Cat Burglar" allegedly targeted Arche shoe store in the East Village last Thursday, where she was caught on video. Meow.

Police say "Cat Burglar" walked around the store for an hour before she handed a note to the store clerk that read, "Give me your money. I have a gun," before grabbing her loot and fleeing the store.

The following day, "Cat Burglar" hit The Body Shop in Forest Hills. This time she told store employees that her husband would shoot everybody in the store if they didn't fork over the cash. Police believe "Cat Burglar" is responsible for a 2009 robbery in Queens. Hiss.

Police are asking anyone with information on these robberies to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers' website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

When Hatred For Us Comes From Within Our Inner Circle

By Ron Royce
For The Black Urban Times

In My Opinion

There are those who profit greatly off of the misery, chaos, misfortunes of Black people; people who wish for things to stay the same and never change.

No, these people are not just those outside of our race, but our fellow brothers and sisters. Our fellow brothers and sisters whose jobs, pockets, elections, relevance, grants, etc are dependent upon the continued conditions of a certain segment of the black community.

Poverty pimp or "professional poverty pimp" is a pejorative label used to convey that an individual or group is benefiting unduly by acting as an intermediary on behalf of the poor, the disadvantaged, or some other "victimized" groups.

Those who use this appellation suggest that those so labeled profit unduly from the misfortune of others, and therefore do not really wish the societal problems that they appear to work on to be eliminated permanently, as it is not in their own interest for this to happen.

The most frequent targets of this accusation are those receiving government funding or that solicit private charity to work on issues on behalf of various disadvantaged individuals or groups, but who never seem to be able to show any amelioration of the problems experienced by their target population.

Some even suggest that that if profit were eliminated as a factor, greater steps in the alleviation of the oppressive situations could begin to truly occur.

Fortune Hosts Mayor Bloomberg’s Press Conference Announcing Citywide Fatherhood Initiative

(Includes excerpts taken from the Office of the Mayor's official press release, available online. All photos courtesy of John Dalton.)

To learn more about the Fortune Society click HERE

Look for future exclusive interview with Fortune Society by The Black Urban Times

On Thursday, June 17th , The Fortune Society was honored to host Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for a press conference during which he announced the launch of a citywide fatherhood initiative to strengthen New York City families by helping fathers be active in their children’s lives.

The initiative includes more than a dozen programs that range from parenting classes offered at public hospitals and homeless shelters to educational activities for dads and their children at Housing Authority community centers. To oversee the effort, the City will hire its first-ever Citywide Fatherhood Services Coordinator.

The Mayor was joined at the announcement at The Fortune Society by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs, Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis M. Walcott, actor Malik Yoba, New York City Housing Authority Chairman John B. Rhea, Human Resources Administration Commissioner Robert Doar, Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav, President and CEO of the Fortune Society, JoAnne Page, and former Fortune Society client Francisco Gonzalez.

“Under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership, the City’s new Fatherhood Initiative will give men – many who grew up without fathers – a real chance to do better for their children,” said Fortune Society President and CEO JoAnne Page.

“At The Fortune Society, we work with formerly incarcerated men and those who come to us as an alternative to incarceration. Overwhelmingly, these men want to be there for their own children because they know what it's like to grow up without fathers as positive presences in their lives. Fortune provides the necessary skills, knowledge and support, to help them become responsible parents and avoid repeating the behaviors of their own fathers. Working together, the City and The Fortune Society can help these individuals learn the practical and emotional skills they need to be there for their children and support their families emotionally and financially.”

Prior to the conference, Mayor Bloomberg took a moment to join Betty Wilson’s Cooking and Nutrition Class for fathers, one of Fortune’s many Family Services offerings. “Miss Betty”, as she’s known by her students, helps formerly incarcerated men learn about basic diet and nutrition – often for the very first time.

We are so glad that Mayor Bloomberg had a chance to participate in this unique course for fathers, which has become a family tradition at Fortune over the past several years – Miss Betty even showed the Mayor how to cut zucchini!

Former Fortune client Francisco Gonzalez (seen above, speaking to Mayor Bloomberg) personally understands the critical need for services that support New York City fathers to become better parents and role models for their children.

“When I came to The Fortune Society three and a half years ago, I was not a man who my daughters could proudly call, ‘dad’,” said Francisco at the conference today.

“Thanks to The Fortune Society, I now understand what it takes to be a positive role model in my children’s lives. Today, I am a changed man – the kind of father who my daughters can yell from the rooftops, ‘that’s my dad.’ They’re proud to resemble me and I owe it all to The Fortune Society who believed in me and my capabilities to be a loving, loyal father.”

Mayor Bloomberg’s press conference announcing the new fatherhood initiative was featured on New York 1 Nightly News, as well as several other local news stations. It was also featured on the New York Times City Room blog, homepage of Mayor Bloomberg's official website, the New York Post, BlackRadioNetwork.com (Minority News), USA Confidential, the Neighborhood Retail Alliance blog, and several other New York news sources!

Millburn Teen Cops Plea in 2009 DUI Crash

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

A Millburn teenager pleaded guilty Tuesday in Newark Superior Court to vehicular homicide and drunk driving in the January 2009 death of a South Orange man.

Richard Chesler, now 18, took the plea agreement rather than risk being found guilty at trial and facing up to 30 years in prison. Essex County prosecutors were going to try Chesler an adult.

With his parents present in court, Chesler, who was 17 at the time of the accident, admitted to drinking six or seven beers before getting into his Jeep Grand Cherokee on Jan. 27, 2009. As he approached Long Hill Drive and Parsonage Hill Road around 5:30 p.m., his jeep collided with a Nissan driven Ari Vuotila, 39 of South Orange. Vuotila later died of his injuries.

Police said Chesler was driving more than 50 mph and had ran a stop sign when his car hit Vuotila's vehicle. The posted speed limit in that area was 25 mph, the New Jersey Newsroom reported.

Dressed in a white button down shirt, tan slacks and a blue blazer, the tall, lanky teen stood arrow straight in court as he responded to questions from his attorney about the January 2009 accident, the Star Ledger reported. When it was over, Chesler walked out of the courtroom, followed by his mother and father.

Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Shelton McCall agreed to drop the charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for Chesler’s guilty plea.

Closed Circuit TV Captures Jersey City Gunman on Video

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom.com

Images recovered from a closed-circuit TV have given police their first clue to the identity of the gunman who shot and critically wounded a Jersey City man yesterday on Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, the Jersey Journal reported.

Just before the 7:11 p.m. shooting, the footage shows a man running west on Stevens towards Martin Luther King Drive while holding a silver firearm before he turns north onto Martin Luther King Drive.

Footage from a second camera shows the unidentified man standing near the victim, then the man, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black sneakers, is then caught on video fleeing west onto Stevens toward Kennedy Boulevard after the shooting.

The 31-year-old victim, of Grant Avenue, told police that the man just ran up behind him and began shooting. He described his assailant as being dressed "in all black," the Jersey Journal reported.

Police arrived at the scene to find the victim lying on the sidewalk bleeding while a "large disorderly group" had assembled around the man.

The victim, shot a total of six times once in the left shoulder and once in right shoulder blade and twice each in the lower abdomen and left buttocks, was taken to the hospital and rushed into emergency surgery. He remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit Tuesday.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call the Jersey City police tip line at (201) 547-JAIL.

NJ Police Find Bundles of Cash in Tractor Trailer

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Two men from California are under arrest after New Jersey State Police say they found $3 million hidden in a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop along Interstate 95 in Ewing last week.

Police say they believe the money came from drug transactions and the the two men may have been headed back to California.

The hidden compartment within the tractor trailer contained more than a 120 bundles of cash. Gildardo Andujo of Hawthorne, California, 24, and and Edward Ramirez of Southgate, California 25 have been charged with conspiracy and money laundering and held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

NJ Dad Beaten to Death in Front of Wife, Sons

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Middlesex County police have three teens in custody they say are responsible for the beating death of a New Jersey father and computer scientist.

Police say the Friday night attack on Divvendu Sinha, 49, who was beaten to dearth as he walked with his wife and two sons in Old Bridge, does not appear to be racially motivated.

The three suspects, all of Old Bridge and all 17-years-old, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Their names have not been released because of their ages and prosecutors are still undecided on whether to charge the three as adults.

Officials say Sinha's two sons sustained minor injuries from the attack, but his wife was not harmed.

Bronx News Bits

Photo/Flickr Henry C

NYPD Find Man Shot to Death in Bronx Elevator
The NYPD says they have no suspect(s) in custody in relation to the death of a man found shot to death in the elevator a Bronx apartment building. Officers responding to a 911 call found the man in the elevator on the first floor. He had been shot multiple times.

NYPD Officer Injured Serving Warrant in Bronx
One NYPD officer suffered minor injuries and a suspect was fatally shot when officers serving a search warrant for guns and drugs came fact-to-face with a man armed with a 9mm high point firearm.
Police served the search warrant at about 9:15 a.m. when the suspect pulled out a gun in the back of the building. Officers fired, hitting the man once in the leg and abdomen.

Man Killed on Bronx Parkway, Driver Charged
A 2001 Saturn hit a guardrail before slamming into a tree on the Hutchinson River Parkway in The Bronx killing the male passenger and injuring the driver, 29-year-old Maria Lara shortly after midnight near the Orchard Beach exit.

Lara was charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated after she was transported to Jacobi Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.

The male victim, whose name was withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former Brunswick County Social Worker Gets Four Years in Prison For Looting Work First Program

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

A six month investigation by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation into an embezzlement scheme by a former Brunswick County social worker culminated in a guilty plea by April Shawnette Stuckes that will send the former social worker to prison for at least four years, says WWAY.

Prosecutors say Stuckes, 35, looted the Brunswick County Department of Social Services Work First program while she was employed as an income maintenance social worker, then hid her thievery with doctored paperwork and phony addresses. She pleaded guilty to one felony count of obtaining property by false pretense and was sentenced to between 48 and 67 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Stuckes was employed as a social worker for the Brunswick County Work First program when she signed up fraudulent and ineligible clients. Using the names of clients she stole from her former employer and the names of friends, Stuckes created phony case files and addresses for non-existent or ineligible clients in order to enroll them in the federal Work First Family Assistance benefits program.

Vincent Saponaro, a detective in the financial division of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, said Stuckes obtained the names from a master list of a previous employer near Richmond, Va., containing names of people who had received federal benefits there.

Stuckes would sign the individuals up for the program, some who didn't even live in Brunswick County, and in exchange for getting them the benefits, she would ask for half the money back, investigators said.

When the checks would come in, she would pick them up at the County's post office box for bad addresses, then cash them at a small business in Wilmington telling the owner that the recipients were either invalids or shut-ins who could not cash the checks themselves. The farce lasted almost three years before Stuckes and her accomplices was busted.

She later cashed the checks, in excess of $120,000, for herself.

Stuckes, who became employed the department of social services in January 2005, was fired in April 2008 after social service employees became suspicious and alerted the State Bureau of Investigation to the possible fraud. Prosecutors say Stuckes was the ring leader of the scheme that involved six other individuals.


Francine Bland Corbett, 55, of Burgaw, North Carlina, Sharazrd Crummy; Tameka Greene, 31; Wilhelmina Greene, 56; all of Wilmington were charged in relation to the scheme.

DeJuan Antonio Green, 29, Stuckes' live-in boyfriend, was charged with one felony "count of concealment" of fact and another count of welfare fraud.

The Work First program is designed to help AFDC recipients gain education, work experience, and work-related skills that will lead to gainful employment and self-sufficiency.

Three Held in Lakeview Robbery; Police Seek Fourth Suspect

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Three men have been detained by Moore County Sheriff's Deputies Tuesday in connection with an armed robbery and shooting at the Exxon Short Stop Food Mart at the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Camp Easter Road in Lakeview that injured three people Monday.

WRAL reported that Moore County Sheriff Lane Carter says store clerk, Grace Kelly, 75, her husband, Angus G. Kelly, 78, and one of the suspects were shot during the robbery. The men in custody are Leroy Medley, 20, of 1193 W. Indiana Ave. in Southern Pines; Demarcus Dennison, 18, of 572 School St. in Polkton; and Randy Williams, 17, of Southern Pines.

Grace Kelly returned to the crime scene with a bandage around her arm after she was treated and released from Moore County Hospital, then then drove herself to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where her husband was undergoing surgery. Angus Kelly was listed in fair condition. Williams was also treated at Moore Regional Hospital for a gunshot wound to his face.

According to police, Angus Kelly went to the store to pick up his wife, as he always does and walked upon the robbery in progress. When he noticed what was going on, he took a shotgun from his jeep and fired a shot through the store window, shooting Williams in the face.

One of the men fled the store, while the other two suspects grabbed Grace Kelly for cover in order to get out of the store. That’s when police say, the suspects and Angus Kelly exchanged gunfire that injured Angus Kelly when he was shot twice in the side and his wife being shot in the arm.

When police arrived at the scene, they launched searches by ground and air in conjunction with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Heat-seeking imaging from the helicopter helped locate two suspects near some railroad tracks behind the store, according to WRAL.com.

The apprehension and interviews of those two suspects led to the arrest of a third suspect at a residence in Southern Pines, police said. The fourth man, the getaway driver, escaped in a dark blue SUV. His identity has not been released. Police say the suspects may be responsible for three, possibly four, armed robberies from Moore County to Charlotte.

Medley, Dennison and Williams have all been charged with two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and one count each of first-degree kidnapping and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Medley and Dennison were being held Tuesday in the Moore County Detention Center under $250,000 bonds.

Former Newark Funeral Director Loses Parole Bid

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

Former Newark mortician Stephen K. Finley, one of several New Jersey funeral directors implicated in a multi-state ring that trafficked in stolen body parts for medical transplant, has lost his first attempt at parole.

Finley, who has served just over a year of his five-year prison term, will be eligible for parole again in 17 months.

The State Parole Board found that Finley, 47, continues to deny responsibility for his role in the sick scheme where he allowed teams of "cutters" to secretly harvest bones, organs, skin, tendons and other body parts for sale on the transplant market.

Prosecutors say Finley was paid $1,000 per corpse and that none of the harvested tissue was screened for disease. As a result, transplant recipients nationwide may have received tissue infected with cancer, HIV or other diseases. The scheme, which operated in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, was discovered by the Brooklyn D.A.'s office.

Finley, of Murray Hill, pleaded guilty to a single count of desecrating human remains and was sentenced to up to five years in prison in March 2009.

The board made their decision after meeting with Finely Friday. Their explanation of their denial read that Finley needed to "gain greater insight into his behavior. He makes excuses for his behavior and blames his father’s alcoholism." In the weeks leading up to the hearing, board members also met with family members of several victims.

The Star-Ledger reported that one of the people who testified before the panel called the board's decision a "step in the right direction." Robin Samoilow, who knew Finley through her church, hired him to handle the cremation of her father, Albert Teufel, in 2005. Just four months ago, Samoilow learned her father was among Finley’s victims.

"The images that are now in my head will probably never leave. Mr. Finley started this domino effect. It was a conscious decision on his part," Samoilow said.

After Finely's license was revoked, investigators from the state Attorney General’s Office learned he continued to make funeral arrangements for clients at Berardinelli Forest Hill Memorial Home (Funeraria Santa Cruz) where he offered clients cremation service known as Cremation at a Low Cost. He is set to stand trial in September for that charge. If convicted, Finley faces an additional 18 months in prison.

The parole board’s decision Friday came two days after acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino met with family members of nearly two dozen victims to apologize for his office’s handling of the Finley and Robert Maitner cases.

Maitner, who owned Kiernan Funeral Home in Belleville, was also convicted in the scheme. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to at tempted enterprise corruption in New York and served six months in Rikers Island. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office negotiated a plea deal with Maitner, much to the dismay of family members, and as a condition of his guilty plea in New York, he was permanently barred from the funeral industry.

Dozens of New Jersey residents didn’t learn the fate of loved ones whose remains were handled by Finley and Maitner until prosecutors in Brooklyn informed them this year.

Former 'Melrose Place' Actress Charged in Fatal NJ Car Crash

By Alicia Cruz

The New Jersey Newsroom

Trenton native Amy Locane, an actress who once starred opposite actors Dennis Hopper, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, and Ben Affleck has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and third-degree assault by auto incident after police say she killed a woman over the weekend.

Clad in a green jail outfit, Locane had tears running down her face as she appeared in Superior Court in Somerville Monday. Superior Court Judge Robert Reed set bail for the "Melrose Place" actress at $50,000, the APP.com reported.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said 38-year-old Locane was driving her 2007 Chevy Tahoe north on Cherry Hill Road in Montgomery, New Jersey around 9 p.m. Sunday when she crashed into the front passenger side of a 2010 Mercury Milan driven by Fred Seeman as he and his wife, Helene Seeman were turning into their driveway.

Helene Seeman, the passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene while Fred Seeman was flown to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with broken bones and internal injuries. His condition was reported as critical.

In a statement, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco, Jr., said moments prior to the "Cry baby" actress fatally hitting the Seeman family, Locane was seen driving erratically just before she rear-ended another vehicle. When the driver of that car called for police, Locane got back into her car and left the scene in her SUV. The driver followed her and told police she was "swerving and knocking down several mailboxes," the Houston Examiner reported.

Court documents say when police caught up to Locane, she confessed to having "several glasses of wine" prior to driving. The officers reported smelling alcohol on the actresses’ breath and added that Locane's eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and her speech was slurred. The officers also said that Locane appeared "uncoordinated." At that time, Locane was placed under arrest and transported to University Medical Center in Princeton, where she her blood alcohol content level was taken and she was treated for minor cuts to her right foot.

Locane, starred as one of the original cast members on the Fox TV series Melrose Place as Sandy Harling. Locane has been married to Mark Bovenizer, a wine specialist, for two years, they have two children, 3-year-old Paige Cricket and Avery Hope, 2 and reside in Hopewell.

Locane has appeared in such films as "The Heist," "Bad Karma," "Route 9 " and her most recent "No Way Up (Throttle)" in 2005. Her leading role in "Miss Connections" at Hopewell borough’s Off-Broadstreet Theatre, held a matinee Sunday.

If convicted of all charges, Locane, who was released on bail Monday afternoon, could spend five to 10 years in prison.

Family of Bojangles Manager Still Searching for Answers

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

With funeral arrangements set and visitation of their husband, friend and father set for this afternoon, the family members of Ken Leefe are still searching for answers to why he is dead.

Leefe was the manager at the Bojangles in La Grange. He was found shot in his car last Thursday night, one day before his birthday. Detectives at the Lenoir Sheriff's Office have no motive or suspect in custody and like Leefe's family and co-workers, they can't understand why anyone would want him dead.

Leefe, described by many as the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, was remembered by his daughter, Brandi Bittle as a man without a mean bone in his body. She told WCTI 12 how she felt hen her mother told her of her father's death.

"She's like Brandi it's true, your father was killed last night and I lost it," Brandi told WCTI with tears in her eyes.


"I just want to know why, because I just don't understand," said Brandi.

Leefe's high school sweetheart, his wife Penny said Leefe would do anything for anybody. "That's just the way he was," said Penny, who spoke with Leefe just a few hours before he was killed. When they talked about Leefe changing a spare tire on her car, they were laughing and joking and he said he would see her later that night. He never made it home.

Brandi spoke with her dad by phone Thursday and almost wished him a happy early birthday.

"Something in my head was like 'don't do it you are going to call him tomorrow'. I never got to tell him happy birthday," said Brandi, who says he has since wished her dad a happy birthday in her prayers and she will cherish the day he gave her away at her wedding.

Visitation for Ken Leefe will be held tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the Howard Carter Funeral Home in Kinston.

If you have any information that may help lead investigators to the killer or killers of Ken Leefe, please contact the Sheriff's Department in Lagrange.



Related Stories

Bojangles manager found shot to death in Lagrange

Funeral arrangements set for Bojangles manager

Krusher Exclusive with Tiara Nicole: The Crown Jewel Of Memphis

By: Krusher Kronkite
For The Black Urban Times

In a music industry that is contingent upon exploiting their young artists it is comforting to know there is a new generation of talent that are avoiding the pitfalls of becoming victim of the copious nature of sex and debauchery in today's music and translucent private lives .


Recently I had the wonderful pleasure of sitting down with one of R&B's rising stars Grand Hustle's First Lady Tiara Nicole. During our brief conversation I immediately became aware of her maturity far exceeded her recent birthday of 20 years on planet Earth.


Time didn't allow us to speak very long as she was scheduled to grace the stage to perform just minutes away from our brief conversation and with tape recorder in hand I wanted to make sure that I captured every syllable of this Memphis belle in all of her splendor.



Krusher: Hi sweetie, thank you for your time on such short notice. For all of those out there that would like to get to know you ; could you briefly give them some info please?

Tiara Nicole: I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and at the age of 5 I began performing around the city and statewide events.

Krusher: What initially brought you to the ATL and how long have you been living there?

Tiara Nicole: I wanted to move to Atlanta to pursue my passion in music and transfer to Clark Atlanta University and once I became enrolled I began going to school in the morning ,singing at SOHO's (restaurant) performing open mic's, and taking the train back and forth while working a part-time job at night. And I've been living here for two years.

Tiara Nicole with Trina

Krusher: Wow, I see that you're really grinding hard and I wanted to know how did you manage to get down with T.I.'s Grand Hustle and Killer Mike's Grind Time Official imprints?

Tiara Nicole: Actually Killer Mike and Myself share the same manager Joe Baker and he's been working with T.I. for along time and Mike is like a big brother that I look up to and take everything he says into consideration.

Krusher: How much input does T.I. and Mike have in your recording process and if so are they hands on?

Tiara Nicole: There are both hands on including my manager and they all have their input that I value dearly.

Tiara Nicole with Jermaine Dupri

Krusher: When I first came across your myspace and facebook page you appeared as if you were that girl next door with your single "Haters" remix Featuring Princess of Crime Mob receiving 20,000 plays and "Real Man" reaching 2 million. So I would like to know how are you adjusting to all of the attention?

Tiara Nicole: It feels really good to have so much support with so many Youtube plays and views and I am humbled and I appreciate it a lot and take the time to respond to all of my fans personally.

Krusher: Lets talk about your collaboration with Princess from the Crime Mob and the success of "Real Man". You come from a surprisingly mature perspective in that song despite your age and what are your opinions on the subject matter?

Tiara Nicole: Well I have to give credit again to my manager who introduced us and Princess is like a big sister that actually wants to get vocal training to be on one of my songs. I feel like even though i'm young I value a real man and I know what it feels like to want one. After I created the concept I sat down and wrote down everything I wanted and its crazy that alot of women agree and were waiting for a song like this to come out for a long time.

Tiara Nicole with Bryan Michael Cox


Krusher: Growing up in Memphis what are the differences between Atlanta and your home state?

Tiara Nicole: The only difference is Memphis is smaller and we have alot of talented artists that are paving the way for the future generation.

Krusher: What is your motivation in a business that can be rather difficult for a young lady to navigate in?

Tiara Nicole: I love empowering women and that was one of the reasons I created those songs. I want to let them know that you can be strong and stand on their own two feet and I would I love to establishment my own non-profit organization to give back by helping them get through some of the things that I went through.

Krusher: I agree, I strongly feel that there aren't enough mentors in our communities that will commit to the responsibility of encouraging and taking the time to listen to our young men and women to help find ways to reach their full potential.

Tiara Nicole: Exactly I totally agree. They need positive role models and images and I would like to lead by example by not putting out anything that will affect them negatively.

Tiara with Chaka Zula

Krusher: Who are some of your role models?

Tiara Nicole: My stylist Victoria Johnson who does my hair and makeup. I look up to her like you wouldn't believe and she keeps me grounded and keeps me humble.

Krusher: So please tell me when we can expect for you to drop some new material and see you in person?

Tiara Nicole: I have a mixtape dropping hopefully by the end of the summer entitled "The Journal" and you can visit my page to find out about my tour dates and appearances.

Krusher: Tiara I truly appreciate you taking the time out to sit and chit chat and I realize that you were pressed for time. We are rooting for your continued success and looking forward to hearing from you soon good luck on your performance.

Tiara Nicole: Thank you ,it was a pleasure talking to you as well and thanks for your support.

Finals Thoughts: I guess its safe to say that her royal bloodline of influences (Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King) also born from the rich Memphis soil is destined to be crowned with the glory upon her her success and Tiara is a name that radiates her natural essence. Happy Birthday!

Krusher Kronkite
Hands On Mentor " Source"


www.twitter.com/tiaranicole
www.youtube.com/tiaranicolemuzik
www.imeem.com/tiaranicolemuzik
www.myspace.com/tiaranicolemuzik
www.blogs.myspace.com/tiaranicolemuzik

Brooklyn Officers Suspended After Prisoner Hangs Self in Cell

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

An NYPD sergeant and officer have been suspended after a 46-year-old man hanged himself using a string from a pair of shorts he was wearing while in a holding cell at the 90th precinct in Brooklyn.

Police say the man had been booked on domestic violence charges Sunday and placed in a holding cell. Sometimes after 8:15 p.m. he was found dead, a man identifying himself as the prisoner's brother told the NY Post.

The NYPD has refused to identify the man or say how much time had passed since the 47-year-old man was last checked on when he was found dead.

The suspended officers have not been identified, but a police source said officers are required to check on prisoners every 30 minutes.

"I don't understand why he would do something like this, he has four children. I know for a fact he would never do anything like this to himself," the man's brother said. "I cried after I heard the news and I came here what exactly what happened to my brother."

Method Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion in New York

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Former Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man pleaded guilty Monday in a Staten Island courthouse to tax evasion.

Method Man whose real name is Clifford Smith was charged back in October 2009 for failure to pay state and personal income taxes from 2004 to 2007. The 39-year-old rapper, who reportedly owed about $106,000 to the State Commissioner of Tax and Finance, was sentenced to a conditional discharge, meaning the arrest would be erased from his record if he stayed out of trouble.

The "Yo Momma" actor, who lives in Staten Island, made a final restitution payment of $40,000 to New York officials and left court.

His lawyer Peter Frankel told the New York Post, "He’s a fine, upstanding citizen. He’s very happy that it worked and that he was able to take care of whatever mistakes were made. Unfortunately, he did not have the people to tend to his affairs the way they were supposed to."

In a statement, Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan said, “Failure to pay your taxes is not a victimless crime. In these days of massive budget shortfalls and service cuts, tax evasion is a crime against all New Yorkers. Whether you are a celebrity or an 'Average Joe,' you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted."

Housing Cop Found Not Guilty in 2008 Beating

David London, the housing cop charged in the 2008 baton beating of an unarmed Iraq war veteran was found not guilty of assault and of filing a false police report by the jury after one day of deliberations....full article here

Central New Jersey Fourth of July Events

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

Central New Jersey residents get ready to celebrate the birth of this nation's independence with concerts, fireworks and a blood drive at this year's Fourth of July celebration.

Somerset's blood drive will begin before the Independence Day festivities on Friday July 2 at the Franklin Municipal Complex, 475 DeMott Lane beginning at 2:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m.

Plan to start your Independence Day off with the "Let Freedom Ring'' ceremony, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial in the Municipal Complex. The bells will sound at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the event.

The annual Clothesline Art Show will begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 4 with vendors selling food and snacks, followed by the fireworks show at 9:00 p.m.

The Courier News and Ethicon are sponsoring the entertainment lineup, which will begin at 5 p.m. July 4, at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater.

Get set to jam to buffet and Caribbean tunes of Jimmy & the Parrots and dance with the Rhythm Doctors' followed by the hits of music wonders like Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and other Motown classics.

An appearance by the Hillsborough Rockettes is scheduled as well. For more information, visit the Somerset County Park Commission's Web site.

The Red Oak Grille at the New Jersey Golf Club in the Hills section of Bernards will have a fireworks display, scheduled for Sunday, July 11. The restaurant at 579 Allen Road is open to the public and has outdoor seating.

The fireworks display is set for 9:30 p.m. The rain date is Monday, July 5, or the first clear night at 9:30 p.m.

The annual Clothesline Art Show will begin at 6:30 p.m. Vendors will sell food and snacks, followed by a 9 p.m. fireworks show.

Hunterdon County will kick off their fourth of July festivities with the 63rd Annual Lebanon Borough Parade, which will feature a "Through the Eyes of a Child'' theme.

The fun begins at 1 p.m. Sunday July 4 at the east end of Main Street near Stewart's Root Beer on Route 22. Streets will close to traffic beginning at noon.