Man Arrested in Nicaragua For The Murder of Two, Also Wanted in Wilmington, NC

William Adolfo Cortez (PanamaGuide.com/Don Winner)

Intro by Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

The man facing murder charges for the deaths of two Americans in Panama is a North Carolinian wanted by the Wilmington police department for selling a home he didn't own.

Authorities say the life of William Dathan Holbert, who is featured on the "America's Most Wanted" web site, seemed to nose dive after 2004 following his separation from his wife. Holbert filed for bankruptcy, began participating in white supremacy activities and in 2005, Wilmington police issued a warrant for the father of three in connection with the fraudulent sale of a home. Holbert also has another warrant out for his arrest out of Polk County for failure to pay child support.

On July 30, Holbert and his new wife were arrested in Nicaragua, and deported to Panama, to face charges of killing two Americans. Police say the couple are also suspects in the disappearances of 5 other people. When Holbert and his wife were arrested in Nicaragua, investigators say he was identified as William Cortez. Later, he allegedly claimed his name was actually William Dathan Holbert...More on Crimesider

Have You Seen Mitrice Richardson?

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mitrice Richardson is asked to call the LAPD's Missing Persons Unit at (213) 485-5381 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 after business hours or on weekends or your nearest law enforcement agency.

Click HERE for Video on Mitrice Ricahrdson's disappearance

Complete Coverage of Mitrice Richardson at Crimesider.

Investigators pleaded publicly Thursday for information about Mitrice Richardson, the 25-year-old California woman who disappeared after walking out of a Malibu sheriff's station 10 months ago, and are offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to her.

PICTURES: Mitrice Richardson Missing

Los Angeles police Capt. Kevin McClure told reporters in Las Vegas that more than 70 waitresses, bartenders, security officers and others in Nevada and California have told investigators they think they've seen Mitrice.

A man who once dated Richardson reported seeing her in early June at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, just off the Las Vegas Strip, McClure said. She turned away, but the man told authorities he was sure it was Richardson.

"Mitrice, if she is listening, is not in any kind of trouble," said Capt. Dave Smith, head of the Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide bureau.

"She is not subject to any kind of arrest...We are concerned about her welfare," he continued. "Mitrice, if you're out there, please contact us."

MORE

THE BLACK VALLEY *NOT SILICON* Chamillionaire talks social networks at Techcrunch

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Snooki of 'Jersey Shore' arrested in NJ beach town

Body of Second Sailor Recovered in Afghanistan

Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A second U.S. Navy Sailor who went missing in a dangerous part of eastern Afghanistan was found dead and his body recovered, a senior U.S. military official and Afghan officials said Thursday.

The family of Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, a 25-year-old from the Seattle area, had been notified of his death, the U.S. military official said on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to disclose the information.

Newlove and Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley went missing last Friday in Logar province. NATO recovered the body of McNeley -- a 30-year-old father of two from Wheatridge, Colo. -- in the area Sunday....MORE

NAS OUT WITH HIS NEW PIECE..AMY WINEHOUSE!! ITS ALL GOOD FAM..KELIS MAKES IT OK | WTFOMGNEWS.COM

NAS OUT WITH HIS NEW PIECE..AMY WINEHOUSE!! ITS ALL GOOD FAM..KELIS MAKES IT OK | WTFOMGNEWS.COM

WTF!! DR. CONRAD MURRAY SEEN RELAXING ON A MIAMI BEACH!! | WTFOMGNEWS.COM

WTF!! DR. CONRAD MURRAY SEEN RELAXING ON A MIAMI BEACH!! | WTFOMGNEWS.COM

Poet's Corner: "Bully Complex"

Puffed up grand delusions
blind them
and bind them
in the bully complex.

Peacock feathers spread,
strutting
and clucking
around a fenced in
prison
of their own metaphors.

The oppressed
seek to be the oppressor:
so they fortify their own
insecurities with the brick
and mortar they raid
from others.

Their creativity
and strong voice
are but shallow cries
for attention:
"Notice me!"
Because they
beg you to,
entice you with superlatives,
claiming to be the best
when they have yet
to view all their competition.

These bully peacocks,
slow strutting with feathers spread,
are only easier to pluck,
because they expose all their feathers proudly
and prance contently around their cage
like kings of the world,
or Satan in Hell.

By A. Jarrell Hayes

Get featured! Submit to the Poet's Corner: email 1 - 3 poems, with brief bio, to ajhayes@theblackurbantimes.com

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HHGS Exclusive: Hip Hop Princess "Kyah Baby"

Just a few hours ago I made my way over to Manhattan to meet a young lady by the name of Kyah Baby. Kyah Baby is a 19 year old female MC hailing from Queens and she is taking the music industry by storm! She is the first female artist on Selfish Music Group which is run by DJ Self of Power 105. Kyah Baby has already worked with the likes of Jim Jones, Lil Kim and Lloyd Banks just to name a few. So it shocked me that I was heading out to her very 1st photoshoot!

With my lil ones in tow and everything, I was ready to meet the girl who was dubbed the "Princess of Hip Hop". I had my cameras ready, questions in hand and diaper bag on the side just in case my lil one had an accident and this is how it all went down below:



Now, if you are not familiar with Kyah's joint alongside Jim Jones, Lil Kim and Lloyd Banks called "Standing On Couches" check it out below (she comes in around the 1:58 mark):



And here is Kyah Baby's first official video for her joint called "Silky Freestyle" below:



Feel free to post your thoughts!

Book Giveaway: "Queen Pin"

Queen Pin: A Memoir  

By Jemeker Thompson-Hairston & David Ritz

We're giving away a copy of the memoir Queen Pin by Jemeker Thompson-Hairston, with David Ritz!

Queen Pin is the true life account of Jemeker, one of the most successful drug dealers in the '80s/'90s. This is her struggle to keep her drug business afloat after the death of her husband, how her empire crumbles, and how her faith in God saved her from a life of crime.

In order to enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment saying why you love The Black Urban Times. As simple as that! One winner will be picked at random. Be sure to leave a valid email address in order to receive notification if you're the winner! Contest ends August 7, 2010.

Contest open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. boxes, please.

Book review of Queen Pin coming soon!

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PS22 Chorus "JUST DANCE" by Lady Gaga

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Jailhouse smuggling ring busted in Essex County

Corrections officers, teacher and probation officer among 13 arrested

BY ALICIA CRUZ NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A five month investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Professional Standards Bureau and Intelligence Units has led to the arrest of 13 people, including two Essex County jail corrections officers, a Cedar Grove teacher and a Union County probation officer, in what investigators are calling a jailhouse....full article

Exclusive Pics!! The President comes to Jersey talking small businesses and eating sub sandwiches (click here)

By Ziti

The Breakup 2.0: Is Facebook to Blame?

Jeremy Hsu
LiveScience Senior Writer

Lovers still see a face-to-face encounter as the ideal way to break up their relationship in the complicated age of Facebook and cell phones, according to a researcher's interviews with college students and middle-age adults.

Such widespread agreement on breakup etiquette stood out in the midst of social complications and confusion described in a new book, "The Breakup 2.0: Disconnecting over New Media" (Cornell University Press, July 2010). But far fewer people seem to practice what they ask for - just one complication among many in today's relationships.

"I got really interested in....full article

Gunman Kills Three, Self in San Antonio Gated Community

By The Associated Press

A 69-year-old man pulled two handguns from a briefcase and killed his stepfather, another man and a mother as the woman's children played nearby, in an upscale gated community in San Antonio, authorities said Thursday.

The gunman then shot himself, San Antonio police Sgt. Chris Benavides said. But apparently not before the children — startled by the gunfire — ran back into the house and escaped through the front door. They fled to neighbors for help.

"One of the juveniles ran over to the window and saw him holding the weapon," Benavides said.

The shooter was identified as Joseph Ray McDonald the stepson of the homeowner, Arthur DeBaun. Debaun, 88, was found dead alongside Heather Monroe, 40, and 41-year-old Jeffery Monroe. The relationships between the Monroes and McDonald or the Monroes and DeBaun was not immediately clear.

Police were still trying to determine a motive Thursday.

Benavides said McDonald may have coaxed the children to play outside before opening fire on the adults inside.

The children — ages 14, 10, and 8 — were placed with family members Thursday.

The shooting happened...full story

Nicki Minaj Explains Concept For "Your Love" Video

MTV recently caught up with Nicki Minaj while she was shooting for yet another music video out in L.A. I'm not sure which song she's shooting a video for but by the looks of her get up, I'm sure it's something for us to look forward to. Anywho, in the clip below, Nicki explains why she chose to get killed in her new video for "Your Love". I know I didn't expect her to die in her own video but hey! Whatever works right? Check out what Nicki had to say about the video below:

MTV Shows

Dow: 'No Separate Investigation Into Dean Gaymon Shooting Death

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

There will be no separate investigation into the July 16 shooting death of prominent Atlanta banking official, DeFarra "Dean" Gaymon, State Attorney General Paula Dow's office announced Wednesday.

After meeting with her top officials Wednesday afternoon, Dow concluded there was “no indication of a conflict with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office handling this case fairly and impartially,” spokesman, Paul Loriquet said.

Afterward, Dow called the Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino to discuss the decision, The Star-Ledger reported. Laurino’s office will present its investigation to a grand jury, which may take several weeks.

Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey made a formal request asking that Dow open an inquiry into the Gaymon shooting that they feel "demands" the "legitimacy that only an external review can provide,” considering the seriousness of the incident and many unanswered questions.

Gaymon's family members dispel the Detective's version of the alleged confrontation that led to Gaymon's death inside Newark’s Branch Brook Park. The detective, Edward Esposito, was investigating complaints about people engaging in sexual acts in the park when he says he was approached and proposition by Gaymon, who was unarmed. When Esposito showed his badge to Gaymon, he allegedly panicked and tried to flee, then lunged at the undercover detective before trying to disarm him, The Star-Ledger reported.

That's when Esposito fired a single shot, hitting Gaymon in the stomach. He died hours later. The Gaymon family has called on the FBI to investigate the shooting.

ACLU-NJ executive director Deborah Jacobs called Dow's decision not to investigate "a huge missed opportunity.

"Every law enforcement official knows it’s essential to have an external review when the public fears a cover up," she said. "Whether the corruption is a perception or a reality, an external review is the way to address it."

Gaymon, who was chief executive officer of a Credit Union in Atlanta, was in New Jersey to attend his high school reunion at Montclair High School.

Pentagon Has 'Main Suspect' in Leaked Documents Scandal

CNN.COM

The Pentagon is focusing on jailed Army Pfc. Bradley Manning as the main suspect in the leak of tens of thousands of secret U.S. military documents related to the war in Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official told CNN Wednesday.

Manning, 22, is believed to have accessed a worldwide military classified Internet and e-mail system to download tens of thousands of documents, according to the official, who did not want to be identified because of the ongoing criminal investigation of the soldier.

The FBI is assisting in the Defense Department investigation as well, FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday.

"We're currently...full article

Former Virginia Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges

CNN.COM

A former high school teacher in Virginia was charged Wednesday with transporting and possessing child pornography, a discovery that was made after he was accused of engaging in sexual acts with a 16-year-old male former student, according to court documents.

Kevin Garfield Ricks, 50, was arrested in February at Osbourn High School in Manassas, Virginia, after authorities were notified of the alleged sexual misconduct, according to the criminal complaint filed against him Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Another student apparently reported the alleged offense to police after seeing a Facebook message from Ricks posted on the 16-year-old's Facebook page that read...full article

California Docs Not Facing Charges in Death of Michael Jackson

CNN.COM

None of the seven doctors and one nurse investigated by California authorities will face criminal prosecution in the death of singer Michael Jackson, the state attorney general's office said Wednesday.

Investigators did not find sufficient evidence to recommend criminal prosecution of any of the medical practitioners, said Christine Gasparac, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jerry Brown. But a doctor who prescribed drugs to the pop singer using a fake name shortly before the singer's death could be disciplined by the California medical board, Gasparac said.

She would not identify the doctor referred to the medical board or the others who were cleared.

Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician when he died a year ago, was not part ...full article

Body Found in Memphis Believed to Be Former NBA Player Lorenzen "The Howl" Wright

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

The search for missing former NBA player Lorenzen Wright ended with the discovery of a body in a field in Memphis, Tennessee.

Channel 3 news, Memphis, reported that a body found near Hacks Cross and Winchester appears to be that of Wright who had been missing since July 18 when he was last seen by ex-wife, Sherra Wright at her Collierville home. She told officials that Wright was planning to fly out of Memphis and return to his home in Atlanta when he suddenly disappeared.

Channel 24 in Memphis reported that on July 19, at approximately 1:00 a.m., a Germantown dispatcher received a 911 call from Wright's cell phone. The dispatcher heard a garbled male voice utter an expletive, then at least 10 gunshots."

A spokesperson in Germantown told WREG News Channel 3, "Germantown has turned over a 911 tape to the MPD in reference to the Lorenzen Wright case."

Penny Hardaway, who also played for Memphis, was on the scene where Wright's body was discovered Wednesday to share his condolences with Wright's family.

"When the reports started that he was missing, and he didn't come out and say, 'Hey, I'm OK,' That's when I started to worry," said Hardaway, who described Wright a good friend who was a "warrior" on the basketball court.

Memphis Police are not releasing any details about the body found in the wooded area, except to say that it is the body of a male, and the area where the body was found is not far from where Wright was last seen on July 18. WREG reported that sources say detectives found Wright's identification along with his body.

Wright, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, had been having financial problems, his family told WREG. They say the University of Memphis graduate had two homes, one in Memphis and one in Atlanta, foreclosed on.

Police, following up on a lead that Wright was seen at a Southeast Memphis Barber shop Monday where he had his hair cut, visited the barber shop, but that did not produce any further leads. Wright lived in Atlanta, but was in Memphis to see his children. When he disappeared, police say he left behind his phones, vehicles and there had been no transactions on his bank account.

"He wasn't able to spend the night because he wasn't here that long. He ran out and he never came back," said Sherra Wright, who added that her former husband was "fine" and in "good mental condition" when he left her home Sunday.

During his sophomore year at the University of Memphis, Wright, a native of Mississippi, was selected Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. He was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 1996 NBA Draft out of the University of Memphis before moving on to the Atlanta Hawks from 1999 to 2001.

The Memphis Grizzlies welcomed the 6'11 forward center from 2001 to 2006 before he returned to the Hawks. The Sacramento Kings acquired Wright as a free agent in September 2008 before he joined the Cleavland Cavaliers the same year until 2009.

Throughout his 13 years in the NBA, Wright played in 67 games, starting 31. During the 2006-07 season he averaged 2.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 15.4 minutes per game. He had career averages of 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. While attending the University of Memphis, he was nicknamed "The Howl" because of his tendency to yell after an exciting play.

Wright, who was the father six children: Lorenzen Jr., Loren, twins Lamar and Shamar, Lawson and Sofia, established the Sierra Simone Wright Scholarship Fund following the tragic death of his infant daughter in March 2003.

Federal Judge Nixes Part of Arizona Immigration Bill

Just hours before the new immigration bill in Arizona was set to go into effect, a federal judge blocked a portion of the measure, which has had much of the Latino community up in arms. Unfortunately, this isn't the end.

Read more....

It sets up a lengthy legal battle that could end up before the Supreme Court — ensuring that a law that reignited the immigration debate, inspired similar measures nationwide, created fodder for political campaigns and raised tensions with Mexico will stay in the spotlight.

Protesters who gathered at the state Capitol and outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City cheered when they heard the news. The governor, the law's authors and anti-illegal immigration groups vowed to fight on.

"It's a temporary bump in the road," Gov. Jan Brewer said.

The key issue before U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton in the case is as old as the nation....full article

USC Giving Reggie Bush The Boot?

Part of incoming USC president Max Nikias’ initiative to clean-up the overall image of the school after the NCAA sanctions was to return Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy, take down his jersey and pictures of him at Heritage Hall, the Galen Center, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

And apparently that means striking out any reference to Bush in the 2010 USC media guide.

This tidbit comes via the Dr. Saturday blog, apparently their are two USC media guides. The one on the left was published first and features the correct number....full story

USC stripped of 2004 BCS title? That's so last month

Los Angeles Times - Chris Dufresne

Despite the appeal to NCAA launched in June, USC effectively forfeited the BCS title when it accepted that Reggie Bush was ineligible when he played in the ...

Mims Says He's Going To Punch The Next Rapper That Says His Name!

Awhile back my husband did a video for rapper Mims. The video was called "Donkey Booty" and literally brought Mims back to the forefront. Whether you had something good or bad to say about Mims, everyone was saying something for a good 2 weeks about Mims and his new video. Well, unbeknownst to me, there was some behind the scenes footage of my husband and Mims talking about rappers who had things to say about Mims being a one hit wonder. Although my husband shouts me out, as well as my site, check out Mims message to other rappers below:



Wow!!! I'm sure this message is going to be responded to but I'm wondering who will do the responding?! I'm sitting in front of my computer with some kettle korn.....waiting! ;-)

Young Jack Thriller & Natalie Nunn Get At Lil Duval

How can I start this? Let me see. I got it! Here it goes. Last week on the Star & Buc Wild show, Star interviewed Natalie Nunn of the "Bad Girls Club" and comedian, Young Jack Thriller. During the interview Natalie Nunn brings up the topic of comedian Lil Duval. Young Jack Thriller blurts out that he used to write for Lil Duval while Natalie Nunn suggests that Lil Duval is getting it in with T.I.!!!!! You heard right! Natalie Nunn suggests that Lil Duval is getting it in with T.I. Don't believe she said all that? Check out how the interview went below:



I have no words!!!

Kanye at FACEBOOK HQ performing songs off his new album

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Oakland Raiders Jack Tatum Dead at 61

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

They called him the "Assassin."

He was Jack Tatum. Well known for being one of the hardest hitting defensive backs in the NFL, Tatum, a Pro Bowl safety for the Oakland Raiders, took out players from tight ends to wide receivers during his playing career.

Tatum, who grew up in Passaic, died Tuesday in an Oakland, California hospital of a massive heart attack. He was 61.

Tatum's career on the gridiron began during his sophomore year at Passaic High School, where he played as a running back, fullback and defensive back. As a senior, he was selected All-American and was also selected first-team All-State. In 1999, The Star-Ledger named Tatum one of New Jersey's top ten defensive players of the century.

His collegiate tenure in football began at Ohio State University under the guidance of coach Woody Hayes, who recruited the former New Jerseyan as a running back.

Tatum went pro after he was drafted in the first round pick in 1971 for the Oakland Raiders, where he spent nine seasons of his career starting 106 of 120 games and helped the Raiders win the 1976 Super Bowl.

Tatum's pro-career culminated the same year he was traded to the Houston Oilers, 1980. Though his tenure with Houston was short-lived, he played all sixteen games that season and recorded career-high seven interceptions to finish with a career total of 37, which he returned for 736 yards. Tatum also holds the record for the longest fumble return in NFL history.

Sadly, Tatum's career highs matched their lows. In 1977, during the Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings, in a helmet-to-helmet hit, Tatum knocked the helmet off of Vikings wide receiver Sammy White sending it flying 8 yards from where the players landed. It was a massive hit, but White never lost the ball. The Raiders won that game 32-14.

Tatum's other notorious hit came in 1978 when he bore down on New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley in a head-on collision during a preseason game. The hit knocked Stingley unconscious, instantly paralyzing the former high school running back, compressing his spinal cord, breaking his fourth and fifth vertebrae.

Stingley eventually regained limited movement in his right arm, but was confined to a motorized wheelchair until his death in 2007 from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.

The two players never spoke of the incident and Tatum was ridiculed for allegedly not ever having apologized to his fellow player for injuring him. Media outlets reported quotes from both players and their camps over the years since the fateful clash that indicated agonistic feelings towards one another.

It was reported that Stingley was hurt that Tatum never attempted to see or make amends towards him afterwards.

Tatum claimed he tried, but was turned away by the Stingley camp and as for an apology, the former Buckeye said he did nothing wrong that warranted an apology.

"People are always saying, 'He didn't apologize.' I don't think I did anything wrong that I need to apologize for. It was a clean hit," Tatum was quoted as saying.

Tatum dealt with his own disability, which eventually relegated him to a wheelchair after his right leg had to be amputated below the knee in 2003 due to an arterial blockage. Later, doctors were forced to remove the toes on his left foot because of a staph infection caused by diabetes, The MercuryNews.com reported.

His struggles led Tatum to educate others about the dangers of diabetes as well as establishing the Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes, which finances diabetes research, serving as co-chair of an annual fundraiser for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and Celebrities for Diabetes, which is held during the week of The Ohio State-Michigan game in Columbus, Ohio.

After his retirement from the gridiron, Tatum, who later became part owner of a restaurant in Pittsburgh, California, moved into real estate becoming a land developer. He penned three best-selling books, "They Call me Assassin" (1980), "They Still Call Me Assassin" (1989), and in his last book, "Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum" (1996), Tatum wrote: "I was paid to hit, the harder the better. And I hit, and I knocked people down and knocked people out. ... I understand why Darryl is considered the victim. But I'll never understand why some people look at me as the villain."

"We are deeply saddened by the news of Jack Tatum's passing," the Raiders said in a statement. "Jack was a true Raider champion and a true Raider warrior. ... Jack was the standard bearer and an inspiration for the position of safety throughout college and professional football. Our thoughts, prayers and well-wishes go out to his wife Denise and family," The MercuryNews.com reported.

Tatum, who was inducted into College Football Hall of Fame and Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, played 136 games during his NFL career and recorded 37 interceptions. He started for the Raiders in their first Super Bowl victory at the end of the 1976 season.

"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes," current Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. "When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."

After learning of Tatum's death, Raiders safety Michael Huff tweeted: "R.I.P. Jack Tatum the assassin. One of the best safetys to ever play this game, his legacy will live forever."

Tatum leaves a wife, Denise and three children to mourn his passing.

HHGS Exclusive: Flo From The Bad Girls Club

Just yesterday I got the chance to interview Flo from The Bad Girls Club! The Bad Girls Club was a reality show on the Oxygen network (just in case you didn't know). Anyway, Flo always seemed to come off as the outcast on the show and I wanted to get to the bottom of that. So we talked about everything from her getting on the show, to her fight with Natalie Nunn, her cursing out Perez Hilton and her relationship now with the other girls. Check out what Flo had to say about all of that below:



And if you are interested in Flo's new joint called "Tear It Up", check it out below:



Feel free to leave your thoughts!

They Say.......

Chris Brown and Usher have been working on a duet! I'm not sure exactly how true this one is but I wouldn't doubt it since the two were seen in Jamaica together performing at Sumfest. According to Sumfest's organizer, Johnny Gourzong, both Usher and Chris Brown recorded the collabo over a two day span.

Whatever the case is.....I'm hoping both Usher and Chris Brown make the rumors become a reality! This would be a good look for R&B. What are your thoughts?

In more Usher news, I've been hearing this old school joint a lot lately on the radio. The joint "You Don't Have To Call" is one of my favorite Usher joints to this day!! Enjoy the video below:

Rick Ross Tells Michael Jordan To Lay Off Lebron

DJ Clue recently sat down with Rick Ross and asked him about his thoughts on Lebron James coming to the Miami Heat. Along with asking Rick Ross about Lebron, Clue asked Ross what he felt about Michael Jordan having something to say about Lebron's decision to come to the Heat. Here is what Rick Ross' response was below:

Throwback Memories of The 70's and 80's

Take a trip with me back to the days of old.

Remember:

Jelly jackets and Jelly shoes?



Sheepskin coats and Gazelle glasses?

Name plates, belts and webo belts?

Leg Warmers and bolero jackets?

Playing Scully in the square.

Playing Hopscotch with my friends.

Remember Operation? Monopoly? Sorry? trouble? Life? Kerplunk? Bobbie Trap? Twister?

I Loved the Smurfs. I loved my Baby Alive doll. My Barbie Dream and Townhouse. My barbie Corvette and my Tree Tots.

I was ecstatic when I got my first Tasty bake Oven!



The worse thing we did when I was little was play spin the bottle and everybody would ohh and ahh as you kissed someone.

Judy Blume novels were as close as I came to sex until I met my husband. Remember:
Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself Then Again, Maybe I won't Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great Superfudge Iggie's House and who could forget Wifey and Forever?
We passed those books around in school. Both were my first taste of sexually suggestive reading material.



The Menudo mania? I loved Ricky and Carlos. Who were your favorites? The walls in my room were filled with their fotos!!

The four wheel roller skates? Mine were white with yellow wheels and I got yellow pom-poms with bells. Back then I was a regular at the Fever and could skate my ass off!! LOL

Kangol hats? The brothers wore them low on their heads; sometimes they only showed their eyes. LOL My boyfriend (later became my husband) was wearing a royal blue one with his Lee jeans when I met him. He was a cutie!!

Jordache, Sergio Valente, Gloria Vanderbilt and Devil jeans? I had a pair of powder blue GV's, blue Jordache' and Devil jeans with the red lining.

The bubble jackets and leather bombers? I had a Red bubble jacket and a black bomber that I cherished.

Wearing pants with permanent creases in the front and back? My ex-husband's sister, Vinnia could sew like an expert. Once she learned how to make the permanent creases...all of my jeans had them! Love you, Vinnia.

Buffalo sandals, penny loafers, ocean green Pumas, Adidas shells and Lotto sneakers?

And who could forget the Miami Vice craze? Can you believe I dated a guy that had the whole Crockett and Tubbs look going? What was I thinking?! LOL



Swatch watch?

The Asymmetric hair style? I called myself cutting my hair and ended up looking like a Chemo patient for a few weeks! My hair was looking bad, chicas.

The Sugar Hill Gang, Afrikka Bambata and the Soul Sonic Force; Kurtis Blow, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, The "Real" Roxanne and Roxanne Chante; Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam?

Dating or knowing someone who was a "member" of The Zulu Nation, Latin Kings or the Five Percenters?

All the hype after movies like: Fort Apache - The South Bronx, Krush Grove, Fame and The Warriors?

The Smurfs, Josie and The Pussycats (pre-millennium), Magilla Gorilla, Dastardly and Mutley and The Mickey Mouse club? I liked Alexandra and her smart-ass cat. LOL

Watching Good Times, Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days?



Keeping cool in the summer from the water through the fire hydrants? That is, until the NYPD or NYFD came along and shut it down.



The coquito and Icee man? LOL The coquitos came in those little white paper cones (and they were the bomb) and they cost $.25? The ices’ came in bigger white paper cones and the icee man would pull back his white towel and begin to scrape this big huge block of ice with a shaver. 'Scratch, scratch, scratch,' his shaver went as he fixed whatever flavor you wanted. I liked Coconut myself and they were $.50.

Wearing white skippies?

Wearing underoos? I loved my Wonder Woman underoos. LOL

When Raggedy Ann & Andy and Holly Hobby were all the craze?

When the Baby Alive and Tuesday Taylor dolls; Barbie dream house, Barbie corvette and the Tree Tots were on just about every girls Christmas List?

Twister, Parcheesi, Chinese checkers, Monopoly, Clue, Trouble and Family Feud games were all the rage?

I LOVED the Mickey Mouse Club and even had a set of ears.
M-I-C - See you real soon! K-E-Y - Why? Because we like you! M--O--U--S--E



Trying to catch your favorite song to record on WBLS (quiet storm hour) or 98.7 Kiss (or was it 102??) or 92 WKTU with your cassette tape player? DJ Roscoe was my favorite DJ and I loved it when he played "Try it Out" by Gino Soccio.

Remember the song Pac Jam, I'm Ready (by Kano), Don't make me Over, Keep on Movin', To The Limit, Just want to Hold you Tight, Fascinated, Situation, The Bee Gees, Prince, Club Nouveau, Morris Day?

I wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer

I actually thought Deney Terrio was cool

Yes, I used to like Copacabana...LMAO

When videos first came out? They were plain, but everybody (kids and adults) could watch them and there was no soft porn videos.

Betamax and those other video machines? We had the one that played those long, square tapes that you inserted into the machine and pulled out to play. The first ones we got were: 'An Officer & A gentleman,' 'Flash dance,' 'Thriller,' and something else I can't recall right now.

When you cut up your old sweatshirts to have one shoulder hanging off just like Jennifer Beales' in 'Flash dance'?



Where you were when the first Shuttle blew up? It was January 24, 1985. I was in New York - hospitalized at St. Vincent’s with a Kidney infection. I thought it was actually apart of the launch, but soon realized it was a tragedy happening right before the eyes of the world.

Where you were when you heard that former President Regan had been shot? I was in Catholic school and had just stepped in the door when I heard Mami yelling to Papi that the President had been shot.

What you were doing on July 13, 1977? I was 8 years old. It was really hot and muggy out. I was in front of my stoop playing with my cousins and friends when suddenly, we heard "boom," then what sounded like a large generator shutting down and all the lights around the park started going off. Traffic lights were out.......cars were screeching to a halt and people were running through the park screaming.

As the night wore on we could hear the glass of near-by stores breaking as mass looting began. People were driving brand new cars off the lots of near-by dealerships, 'Crazy Eddies' was hit hard as people broke in and stole TV's, radios, CB's, you name it; some Bodegas were stripped while others withstood - - primarily because the owners stood out front with locked and loaded weapons; fires broke out all over Harlem and the Bronx. We slept on the floor all night because there were people shooting in the projects.

At first daylight, three of the five boroughs looked like war zones in third world countries. It was so sad. A reported 3,776 arrests were made and 1,037 (approximately) fires burned throughout the night.

1977: It was the "Summer of Sam" (aka David Berkowitz). The city's fiscal crisis and extremely high crime rate added to the woes of the working poor and the "night of terror” as the NY Daily News put it, only threw NYC into a deeper State of Emergency.

But I digress.

I loved Madonna's movie "Desperately Seeking Susan"



I listened to Duran Duran, Milli Vanilli (yeah, yeah, yeah), U2, John Cougar Mellancamp, Bruce Springsteen, Guy, Freddie Jackson, Atlantic Star, Lisa Lisa, Full Force, Anita Baker, Tiffany, Boy George and Wham!

Remember Tab and Shasta soda and the bubblegum flavored sodas?

Remember hanging out and eating at the Cuchifrito stand?

I was enthralled by Charlie! and Enjoli and Gloria Vanderbilt and Ralph Lauren perfumes.

I thought the Nair commercials were kinda racy back then and Madonna was beyond controversial.

I remember my Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox that my friends thought was so cool.

I absolutely adored my Wonder Woman Halloween costume and wanted to be Isis...O MIGHTY ISIS!
Isis, dedicated foe of evil, defender of the weak, champion of truth and justice! I wanted to turn into Isis and exact revenge on my big brothers for all those times they stuck my head in their funky sock hamper whenever I was being a pest.

I was an expert at the video game Galaxian and Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, Kangaroo and Centipede. I could spend hours at the arcade in the bodega!

And as much as I hate to admit it, I owned a black and red jacket like the one Michael Jackson (may he rest in peace) wore in the video Thriller. You couldn't tell me I wasn't cute in my pleather jacket, pants and black pumps.


I vividly remember the Challenger Shuttle disaster, Reaganomics, and the stock market crash of 1987.

I cried like I lost a relative when I saw the Rocky movies.

I never went back into the ocean after I saw Jaws...but I kept going back to the theatre for Jaws2, 3....

I remember Baretta was one of the top TV shows. I remember wondering "Who shot JR?" I remember the General Hospital craze when Luke and Laura got married.

I fell in love wih Billy Dee Williams after I saw Star Wars.

I fell in love with the movie Fame and it fueled my audition at Fiorella H. Laguardia: The high school of the Performing Arts.

Me 1989

I was just beginning to come into my womanhood (and enjoyed every minute of it!!) back then in the 80's and with the help of Maya Anglelou's poems, Sade's sultry tunes, Madonna's dance your a** off beats, Pat Benatar's "Love is Battlefield," those mini skirts that turned every head, fashion shows, a shot at modeling, college, Professor Ryan who told me that one day I would be a powerful force in the media/human service industry if I applied myself and forged ahead, Raven, Raymond and all the other people that rode the waves with me....I am who I am. Thank you!
Me in 1986
I miss the 80's, but at least I have the memories and the music!

Those were the great 80's. I'm a child of the 80's and proud of it. I came into womanhood in the late 80's and enjoyed every single minute of it!

Me in 1988

'Monica's Law' To Better Aid Victims of Domestic Violence

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Four New Jersey lawmakers are pushing for tougher legislation aimed at providing greater protections for victims of domestic violence victims and their children after a man gunned down his former girlfriend in front of their child at the YMCA in Montclair in 2008, The Daily Record reported.

"The passage of Monica's Law is so important," said Joanne Paul, the mother of the victim the bill is named for. "We must bring the light of hope into the darkness of domestic violence and pass tougher laws, which will ultimately save many precious lives."

See Nicholson v. Scopetta case: The Shawrline Nicholson Story

Legislator's say "Monica's Law," named for Monica Paul who was fatally shot in June 2008 by her former boyfriend, Kenneth Duckett, would give a mother the right to withhold visitation rights from the father of her children if there are documented instances of domestic violence, such as hospital or police reports. Visitation rights would be reinstated after the father undergoes an at-risk assessment analysis.

The law, which would also mandate a three- to five-year prison sentence for restraining order violations (currently, offenders only receive up to 18 months in prison), would create a pilot program in Essex and Passaic counties that mandates at-risk assessments to be conducted before visitation rights are awarded in cases where domestic violence is an aggravating factor, or where the accused has threatened to kill the victim or their child, or allegedly used or threatened to use a weapon against them and would apply in all cases where a final domestic violence restraining order has been issued and the victim and the accused have a child together.

The assessments would be performed by an expert designated by a judge handling the case and will examine the likelihood that the person against whom the final restraining order has been issued will commit violence against the victim or their child.

In June 2008, Paul was with her and Duckett's children in the observation area of the Helen & Bill Geyer YMCA Family Center on Glenridge Avenue watching their 4-year-old son, Noah during his swim class. With her 11-year-old daughter, Essence standing by her side, Duckett, of Orange, walked into the room, approached Paul and shot her several times at close range.

Court records show the couple had a tempestuous relationship that forced Paul to file two domestic violence complaints in 2007 and then a restraining order in October 2007 against Duckett. He was under that same restraining order barring him from having any contact with Paul at the time of the murder.

However, he had visitation rights with their children. Those records show Duckett has violated an earlier protective order in November 2007 and was charged with contempt of court.

Partisan proponents of the measure include Assembly Democrats Thomas Giblin of Clifton, L. Grace Spencer of Newark, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver of East Orange and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein of Hamilton (Mercer County).

"The issues surrounding domestic violence are complex and each case is unique," Greenstein told the Associated Press. "Conducting risk assessments when children's visitation and custody is involved will help keep victims and their families safe."

Giblin asked a state legislative committee to fast-track Monica’s Law, which he said was a "tragic loss for Montclair," and peaked his awareness of domestic violence cases, he said at a community meeting hosted by 4th Ward Councilwoman Renée Baskerville, the Montclair Times reported.

Under the pilot program, people filing domestic violence complaints would have to complete a questionnaire that would include such questions as:

— Whether they and the accused have any children together.

— Whether the accused has ever used or threatened to use a weapon.

— Whether the accused has ever made specific threats of violence against the victim or their children.

Giblin requested that Assemblywoman Greenstein, who is the chair of the state Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, give Monica’s Law priority over other legislation reviewed by the committee so that some form of the law would have passed through the Legislature by the end of 2009. The legislation (A-3137) was introduced this month and referred to the committee, but a hearing had not yet been scheduled.

A Mother’s Pain: Slain mom's letters to children read at her funeral

The Monica Paul web site

Celebs Born or Living in New Jersey

SOURCE

Celebs Who Live in New Jersey
· Danny Aiello (b. New York City, New York), lives in Saddle River
· Alan Alda (b. New York City, New York), lives in Leonia
· Muhammad Ali (b. Louisville, Kentucky), lives in Cherry Hill
· Paul Anka (b. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), lives in Tenafly
· AZ (b. New York City, New York), lives in Englewood
· Brian Baldinger (b. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), lives in Cherry Hill
· Jesse Barfield (b. Joliet, Illinois), lives in Tenafly
· Yogi Berra (b. St. Louis, Missouri) lives in Montclair
· George Benson (b. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), lives in Englewood
· Mary J. Blige (b. New York City, New York), lives in Cresskill
· Andre Braugher (b. Chicago, Illinois), lives in South Orange, NJ.
· Vince Carter (b. Daytona Beach, Florida), lives in Saddle River
· Connie Chung (b. Washington, D.C.), lives in Middletown
· Sean Combs ("Diddy") (b. New York City, New York), lives in Alpine
· Damon Dash (b. New York City, New York), lives in Alpine
· Jay-Z (b. New York City, New York), lives in Alpine
· Jevon Kearse (b. Fort Myers, Florida), lives in Moorestown
· Jason Kidd (b. San Francisco, California), lives in Saddle River
· Lil' Kim (b. New York City, New York), lives in Alpine
· Mario (b. Baltimore, Maryland), lives in Teaneck
· Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels (b. New York City, New York), lives in Wayne
· Donovan McNabb (b. Chicago, Illinois), lives in Moorestown
· Eddie Murphy (b. New York City, New York), lives in Englewood
· Randal Pinkett (b. Philadelphia, PA), lives in Somerset
· Maury Povich (b. Washington, D.C.), lives in Middletown
· Aidan Quinn (b. Rockford, Illinois), lives in Englewood
· Geraldo Rivera (b. New York City, New York), lives in Middletown
· Chris Rock (b. Andrews, South Carolina), lives in Alpine
· Ja Rule (b. New York City, New York), lives in Saddle River
· Gary Sheffield (b. Tampa, Florida), lives in Alpine
· Lito Sheppard (b. Jacksonville, Florida), lives in Moorestown
· Brooke Shields (b. New York City, New York), lives in Englewood
· Joseph Simmons (b. New York City, New York), lives in Saddle River
· Kimora Lee Simmons (b. St. Louis, Missouri), lives in Saddle River
· Russell Simmons (b. New York City, New York), lives in Saddle River
· Wesley Snipes (b. Orlando, Florida), lives in Alpine
· Paul Sorvino (b. New York City, New York), lives in Tenafly
· James "J.T." Taylor (b. Laurens, South Carolina), lives in Franklin Lakes
· Dave Winfield (b. Saint Paul, Minnesota), lives in Teaneck
· Stevie Wonder (b. Saginaw, Michigan), lives in Alpine


Celebrities Who Were Born in New Jersey

* John Amos (born 1939), actor (Newark)
* Roscoe Lee Browne (1925–2007), actor (Woodbury)
* Sam Coppola (born 1935), actor (Jersey City)
* Danny DeVito [2](born 1944), actor (Neptune City)
* Ernest Dickerson (born 1951), film and television director (Newark)
* Gloria Gaynor (born 1949), singer (Newark)
* Lauryn Hill (born 1975), singer/rapper/songwriter (South Orange)
* Cissy Houston (born 1933), singer (Newark)
* Whitney Houston (born 1963), singer/actress (Newark, grew up in East Orange)
* Derek Jeter (born 1974) baseball player (Pequannock, New Jersey)
* Queen Latifah (born 1970), singer/actress/rapper (Newark)
* Jerry Lewis (born 1926), actor/comedian/director (Newark)
* Ray Liotta (born 1955), actor (born in Newark, raised in Union Township)
* Shaquille O'Neal (born 1972), professional basketball player (Newark)
*
* Joe Pesci (born 1943), actor (Newark)
* Keshia Knight Pulliam (born 1979), actress (Newark)
* Kelly Ripa (born 1970), actress/television host (Stratford)
* Dennis Rodman (born 1961), former professional basketball player (Trenton)
* Richie Sambora (born 1959), guitarist for rock band Bon Jovi (Perth Amboy)
* Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. (born 1934) U.S. General (Trenton)
* Frank Sinatra (1915–1998), singer/Academy Award-winning actor (Hoboken)
* Soraya (born 1969), Colombian-American singer–songwriter (Point Pleasant)
* Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), singer/songwriter (Freehold)
* Martha Stewart (born 1941) lifestyle guide, entrepreneur (b. Jersey City, grew up in Nutley)
* Alfred Stieglitz (1864–1946), photographer (Hoboken)
* Meryl Streep[5] (born 1949), Academy Award-winning actress (Summit)
*
* John Travolta (born 1954), actor (Englewood)
* Frankie Valli (born 1937), singer (Newark)
* Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990), singer (Newark)
* Malcolm Jamal Warner (born 1970), actor (Jersey City)
* Vernee Watson-Johnson (born 1954), actress (Trenton)
* David West (born 1980), power forward for the New Orleans Hornets (Teaneck)
* Stylez G. White (born 1979), defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Newark)
* Wendy Williams, radio/television host (born in Asbury Park, grew up in Ocean Township)