Man Shot by Bloomberg Off-Duty Top-Cop Arrested in Queens

By Alicia Cruz

Staff writer,  Queens Insider

The man who filed a $5 million lawsuit against Mayor Bloomberg after he was allegedly shot by an off-duty police officer assigned to the Mayor's security detail has found himself in trouble with the law.

Officers from the 106th Precinct in South Central Queens stopped Lepaul Gammons' truck and learned he had 10 outstanding warrants for his arrest, and that his driver's license had been suspended 113 times, the New York Post reported. The Post did not report why Gammons was pulled over.

The 39-year-old man was charged with reckless driving, possession of a forged instrument (license plates) and driving with a suspended license.

On Nov. 15, 2010 off-duty cop, Leopold McLean arrived at the Jamaica, Queens home of his girlfriend, Assia Winfield where he found Gammons in the home.  McLean,46, and Gammons became engrossed in a verbal altercation inside the apartment, then began arguing outside. Winfield had an order of protection against Gammons and reportedly asked McLean to come to the house in response to her ex, Gammons, coming over.

Gammons says he asked McLean if he was going to shoot, and McLean replied, "I got something for you." At that point, the off-duty cop pulled a black handgun and pointed it at Gammons who fled.

The 17-year NYPD veteran began chasing Gammon down 119th Street and fired a shot hitting the banished former lover in the buttocks. A wounded and bleeding Gammons ran, hopped a fence and cowered behind a wall.

Following the shooting, McLean dialed 911 and told responding officers there was a break-in at Winfield's home, but failed to tell the officers about the shooting. Officials only became aware of the buttock-shooting after Gammons filed a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Security camera footage, and bullet fragments in a fencepost sealed the top-cop's fate when ballistics matched them to McLean's Kahr 9mm Luger. The officer was arrested and charged with assault in the first-degree, criminal use of a firearm, reckless endangerment and second-degree attempted murder. He posted a $25,000 bond, but lost his badge and gun and was placed on modified duty. His first court appearance was January 5.

Sanford Rubenstein, the attorney representing Gammons in his lawsuit said McLean’s behavior raises questions about his fitness for the force.

“Did the Police Department properly investigate this officer’s background and did they do an appropriate psychological evaluation of him?”

The questions seem appropriate considering the November 15, 2010 incident was not the first time Gammons claims McLean abused his status as a cop to abuse him. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2007,  Gammons claims Detective McLean drew a handgun while, again, off duty and told him “he didn’t have a problem with shooting me.” 

Gammons says he called 911 to report the incident, but police ended up arresting hims for harassing versus McLean. An NYPD police spokesman said the Internal Affairs Bureau looked into the claim and concluded the allegation was unsubstantiated.

McLean, who was off-duty at the time of the November shooting, maintains he shot Gammons in self defense, but forensics showed that Gammons was most likely running away from McLean when he was shot.

If convicted of the charges, McLean faces up to 25 years in prison.

Hip Hop Pioneer, DJ Kool Herc Ill, Fallen on Hard Times

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

He pioneered hip-hop and was instrumental in the Smithsonian Institution Museums commemorating the genre.

He's known as the "George Washington" of Hip Hop and he launched a campaign to save 1520 Sedgwick Avenue from developers by getting New York state officials to declare the apartment building a landmark - one of the birthplaces of Hip Hop.

Yes, we're talking about DJ Kool Herc, one of hip-hops founding fathers who has reportedly fallen on hard times.

He earned the title of "break beat" creator after he began using two copies of the same record to focus on the jarred, short part of the song: "breaking."  The move set the Bronx afire and introduced a new genre of music to the world.

Herc, born Clive Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica moved to the Bronx with his parents in 1967.

Campbell's height and presence on the basketball court earned him the nickname Hercules (shortened to Herc) at Alfred E. Smith High School in the Bronx. His graffiti crew, the Ex-Vandals later added "kool" to "Herc" thus giving birth to "DJ Kool Herc."

His dee-jaying days began in 1974 in the recreation room of the building he grew up in at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. He and sister Cindy began hosting small back-to-school parties there.

What began as neighborhood gatherings evolved into annual events that went down in history. The siblings had no idea their parties would become the spot for what History Detectives titled a "cultural revolution" called Breaking Dancing.    

This was where an extended an instrumental beat (breaking or scratching) would allow one to rap or break dance during the break/scratching portion of the song.

From then on, no one asked, "Who's Herc?" He was a household name and rising. From the West Bronx recreation room he moved on to the Twilight Zone, then on to the Executive Playhouse on 173 street in the Bronx, then high schools, community centers, and eventually, parks.

Speaking in his native tongue, Jamaican patois, Campbell explained: "My muddah roots come from St. Mary (a parish in Jamaica), yunno. A man named George inspirate I from Jamaica, yunno...and he lived pon Victoria Street, yunno... and used to come with the big sound system. It was devastating, cause it was open air,when it rained that's the dance.... I did a lot of things from Jamaica,and I brought it here and turned it into my own little style."

Herc on MySpace

Campbell went on to act in the 1984 motion picture Beat Street, starring as himself. The film depicted early 80s hip hop culture in New York City: break dancing, dee-jaying, and graffiti.
It was official, Herc was on top of the world.

Then, during the mid-80s crack craze era, Herc's downward spiral began when he became addicted to crack-cocaine after the death of his father.

"I couldn’t cope," said the 55-year-old, "so I started medicating."

Several web sites reported Monday that Campbell was suffering from an undisclosed medical condition and in "dire need" of financial support as he does not have health insurance. The hip hop pioneer was reportedly released from an un-named hospital Sunday and now faces a mountain of bills.

The Guardian's music blog read:

"[He] who we call the father of hip-hop, Kool Herc, is not doing well," DJ Premier revealed on his Sirius XM radio show this weekend. "Since he's very sick and has no insurance ... [he] needs to pay his bills so he can get out of hospital."

"We spoke today, and he needs some help to pay his bills for the hospital because he can't hold it down," Premier said. "And being that he is the man who set this whole culture off, ya'll should be wanting to do it any type of way that you can." Friends have provided an address for donations to the DJ, and while Kool Herc was released from hospital on Sunday, according to DJ Tony Touch, he is "still in dire need of financial aid."

XXL blog reported that a fundraiser, organized by DJ Tony Touch, was scheduled for Tuesday February 1 at the East Village’s Sutra Lounge in honor of Herc, but no further details were available.

If you would like to donate to the Herc's cause, you may do so by sending monetary donations to:  
Kool Herc Production PO Box 20472 Huntington Station, NY 11746.

Raleigh Man Who Shot Self in Front of Police Dies of Injury

 

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

 

The man who shot himself as he stood in front of Raleigh police last week at 4716 Parr Vista Court has died from that self-inflicted wound, Raleigh Police Department spokesman Jim Sughrue said Monday.

Authorities say the man, who has not been identified, agreed to voluntarily accompany Raleigh police to the home for reasons not made clear to the media.

While at that home, the man agreed to voluntarily accompany police to the Detective Division of the Raleigh police department, for reasons unknown. At some point, for an unknown reason, the man pulled out a personal firearm and fired one shot hitting himself in the head.

The victim was transported to WakeMed with injuries initially reported to be non life-threatening, but his condition later deteriorated and he died Saturday night.

Officials say police on the scene never discharged their firearms during the incident, but did deploy a taser in an effort to prevent the man from shooting himself.

The 7 p.m. suicide attempt occurred in the backyard of the Parr Vista Court home last Thursday.

Raleigh Police have not released the reason why the man shot himself, why the man was with Raleigh police officers to begin with or who lived at the home on Parr Vista Court.

The shooting remains under investigation.

NYC Gossip Girl Interviews Star For Sex, Cameras & Hip Hop

Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing Star from Star & Buc Wild for "Sex, Cameras & Hip Hop". We talked about everything from what Star likes in a woman, how long he lasts in the bedroom and how cumming is the lowest form of self being for a man!! Watch how it all goes down below:



I've got some other interviews coming for you guys very soon!! You won't want to miss out on this!!!

BREAKING NEWS: Former NCSU Guard Arrested on Felony Charges, Including Burglary

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Acting on a tip, Raleigh police arrested former N.C. State University basketball player Gavin Troy Grant Sunday afternoon at an apartment on the 5400 block of Summit Manor Lane.

Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue told The Black Urban Times Monday that patrol officers assigned to the Northwest District of the Raleigh Police Department’s were preparing to make a forced entry when Grant, who has been living in the apartment since before he was wanted by law enforcement in November, surrendered.

Grant, of the Parkchester section of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with one felony count each of first degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Investigators say Grant and an accomplice forced their way into 1723 Crossroads Arbor Way in west Raleigh on Sept. 24 around 10 p.m., and assaulted the occupants before attempting to rob them.

Eliza Jacobellis, the female occupant dialed 911 saying two men were "trying to take her boyfriend's money."

Media reports stated one of the men was armed with a handgun, but Sughrue declined to say whether investigators think Grant was armed. The victims were able to fend off the suspects who fled without robbing the home.

While Jacobellis was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, her boyfriend, Domonique Andrews Rodgers, could be overheard saying he knew the suspects.

While Grant was named as one of the would-be robbers, Sughrue said police have not identified his alleged accomplice, who was wearing a mask and described by the victims as being 6-foot-2, and approximately 175 pounds.

The day after the robbery attempt, police charged victim Rodgers, 23, with manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a dwelling and selling a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the News and Observer reported.

Grant, who played for NCSU Wolfpack from 2004 through 2008, caught the eye of college scouts while playing basketball at St. Raymond's High School in the Bronx.

Sunday's arrest isn't the first time the hoop-star has run afoul of the law. Beginning in 2005 the troubled player's life began a downward spiral that seemed to worsen with each passing year despite his stellar performance on the court.

Averaging 4.2 turnovers per game during 2007 helped Grant earn top ranking in the country amongst NBA draft prospects. Later he went on to star with the Utah Flash in the NBA Developmental League for almost two years, and was described by the team's owner as a promising player with a certain future in the NBA or European professional basketball player.

In 2005, Grant, who has resided in the United States since 1994, faced a deportation hearing in Atlanta after he was accused of having entered the United States illegally as a child.

Tom O'Connell, the Cary, NC ICE resident agent in charge, told The News and Observer of Raleigh that Grant apparently entered the United States from Jamaica after his mother. 

The judge in that case closed Grant's removal proceeding hearing in 2007, allowing him to apply for permanent resident status.

While playing with NBA Development League squad, Utah Flash in Salt Lake City in late 2008, Raleigh police issued a warrant for Grant's arrest stemming from a credit card transaction at Saks Fifth Avenue in Raleigh that led to the arrest of a store employee as well, but what became of that case is a mystery. There is no record of it in any state or county databases, and charges against a woman, likely the store employee, were dropped. Sughrue said the charges may have been dismissed.

The 6'7, Jamaican native is being held at the Wake County Jail in lieu of a $505,000 bond. A Wake County Criminal District Court clerk verified that Grant is scheduled for his first court appearance at 2 p.m. Monday.

Grant's immigration attorney, Anna Baird Choi, declined to comment on Grant's arrest, but did say Grant's application for permanent residency was still pending. Choi told The Black Urban Times that Grant married his high school sweetheart in October 2005, and the couple has a six-year-old daughter, Harmoney.

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NYPD Nabs Bronx Prostitute 'Rapist'

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

After barricading himself inside a Bronx apartment, the man police say is responsible for the rape of a Bronx prostitute last week was taken into custody.
NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers had to break down Michael Fishbein’s apartment door last week after an hour of unsuccessful talks with hostage negotiators at his Morris Park apartment.

Fishbein has been charged with raping a 27-year-old woman after she went to his Meill Avenue apartment for a sexual tryst on Jan. 21. 

The two met earlier in the day and planned to hook-up later for sex, but once inside Fishbein's lair things turned violent and Fishbein allegedly tied the woman up, and began beating and poking her with objects, The New York Post reported.

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Nic-Fit Responsible For Bronx Slashing Near Yankee Stadium

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

He wanted a Marlboro Light...really bad.

Muhammed Rashid took a short break to catch a smoke outside of the Subway Restaurant he worked at on East 161st Street near Yankee Stadium.
As he stood outside smoking, a man, dressed in all black, approached him asking for a cigarette. When Rashid told him it was his last, the goon yelled, "You lie!"
According to the New York Post, the unidentified hooligan had been arguing with a woman walking with him, he wanted her to hold his Nike book bag, when she refused, he threw the bag to the ground and moments later, the victim was slashed. 

 

Police have not released a sketch of the suspect, who fled the scene after stabbing Rashid in the neck.

 

The victim was transported to Lincoln Hospital where he was in stable condition. 

"I didn't realize what happened. For a moment, I was unconscious," Rashid told the New York Post.

Indonesian Pop Star Sentenced to Prison in Porn-Tapes Scandal

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

The famous Indonesian singer who shocked a nation after several homemade sex tapes went viral will spend the next three-and-a-half years in prison for violating his countries unsparing anti-pornography law, enacted in 2008 after considerable debate.

Nazril "Ariel" Irham, lead singer of the band Peterpan, was found guilty by Judge Singgih Budi Prakoso and fined $US25,000 ($25,300).

Ariel, who reportedly showed no remorse during his trial, claims he made the videos with two celebrity girlfriends and never intended for the videos to go public. However, Judge Prakoso said the singer did nothing to prevent the videos from being distributed throughout the Internet.

Ariel's sentence drew serious criticism from fans and they have posted the #freeariel hash tag on several social networks in support of the pop singer. After learning he would face trial, the singer, standing alongside actress and top model girlfriend, Luna Maya spoke with reporters in Jakarta saying he was prepared to face anything and thanked his fans for their support.

While Indonesia has become more open to democracy, the country remains quite traditional in many of it's conservative Muslim beliefs and pornography of any kind is not tolerated. The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation, according to Bizarre sex laws web site.

In 2003, Abdul Ghani Abdullah, Indonesia's director general of legislation, told the Associated Press that in response to the wishes of the people, the Muslim nation would propose a revamp of the Indonesian civil code deeming sex outside marriage to be a crime.

Evacuations Out of Egypt; Looters Raid Museum, Archaeological Sites

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Unidentified mummies, seen in this NY Daily News Photo, were defiled on the floor of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as the chaos in Egypt unfolded. Marauding looters have reportedly raided other museums, warehouse and archaeological sites around the country since unrest began in the Arab Republic nation last week.

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Off-Duty Sanford, NC Police Officer Charged in Fatal Wreck

 

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

 

A Sanford police officer has been charged in connection with an accident that left a 61-year-old man dead.

Reginald Petty, a Captain with the Sanford police Department, has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed.

The victim, William Thomas slowed to turn left into a business on Beal Blvd. off of route 421 when Petty, 47, driving a Cadillac, hit Thomas' Chevrolet pickup truck from behind causing it to spin into the northbound lanes of Hwy 421. The truck hit a vehicle driven by Nancy Pajdo, 47 and overturned. Thomas died on the way to the hospital. Padjo was not injured.

Capt. Petty, who was off-duty at the time of the accident, was transported to Central Carolina Hospital with unspecified injuries and remains on paid leave from the police department.

'Get Busy' with Jaysun & Fellow Dipset Members Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey

 

Check out this new track from hip hop artist Jaysun featuring fellow Dipset members Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey, titled "Get Busy."

Download stream here
Listen to radio edit version here

#RHOA: UPTOWN DISSED THEIR EMPLOYEES!! Peter Thomas of 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Has Uptown Restaurant and Lounge Shut Down - poponthepop.com

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Another Body Found Aboard Fort Bragg

 

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Fort Bragg officials are investigating the discovery of a body near Ardennes and Reilly Streets Friday, the Associated Press reported. Those roads have several different businesses such as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

Investigators with the Army Criminal Investigation Command have not released many details as of Saturday, but a news release obtained by The Black Urban Times stated the body of a man was discovered Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. in an area used by soldiers.

Officials would not disclose the race of the victim or whether he was a soldier or civilian employee.

The investigation continues.

This latest discovery is the third body found aboard Fort Bragg in the past four months.

In September 2010, the body of 31-year-old Angel Pesante was found in the woods aboard Fort Bragg north of Plank Road by soldiers who were conducting a site survey in the area for an upcoming training event.

Chris Grey, spokesman for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command said Pesante was not a soldier nor was he affiliated with the military in any way.

"We are working very diligently to determine how he ended up on Fort Bragg property," said Grey, who added that while the area where Pesante's body was found is a restricted area, it was not gated and therefore accessible by the public.

The Army CID stated they were treating the death as a homicide and were working with the Fayetteville Police Department to determine how Pesante, of the 1600 block of Derrydowne Court, died.

An autopsy was conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and the investigation into Pesante's death continues.

Earlier this month, a Fort Bragg solider found gravely wounded in a wooded area on the
All American Trail near Plank and King Roads, a seven-mile dirt path in the western part of the base, was determined to be the result of an accidental shooting.

Captain Jeremiah Sipes, 33, of Belgrade, Montana was accidentally shot by a hunter while he was jogging along the trail.

In a 911 call released by the Raeford/Hoke County Emergency Communications Center, a hunter, whose identity was not made public, telephoned 911 to report the shooting saying, "We was in here hunting, and the guy was running down the fire break. We jumped a deer, and this guy with me shot him. Shot the guy. We need some help quick."

The hunter told the 911 dispatcher that Sipes was conscious but badly wounded. He later died of a single gunshot wound.

The Fort Bragg Morale, Welfare and Recreation website shows the All American trail is closed during deer hunting season, which runs from October 2 until January 1, according to the Fayetteville Observer.

"No one may use the trail for any reason during this period," the site reads.

Fort Bragg spokesman, Tom McCollum said "Do not enter" signs are posted near entrances to trails not designated for running because hunters or soldiers conducting military exercises could be present.

When Spies was running in the area, depending on which side he entered from, he may not have seen signs indicating the trail was closed. McCollum said Fort Bragg officials are reviewing post policies to prevent future accidents of this nature from occurring

Sipes, an alumnus of Montana State University, joined the Army ROTC and graduated in 2006 and went on to become the squadron intelligence officer at the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Sipes was survived by wife, Heather, and children, Hallie, 4 and Kellan, 2.

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Tobacco company guilty of giving free cigarettes to children

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Blacks doubt death in small Southern town is a suicide--they want answers now

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GOP To New Black Panther Party Videographer: 'Don't F**K Up The Story'

"FOX wanted to play up the white fear of the black man. They never showed this video of cooperative citizens talking calmly with the police. It doesn't fit their narrative of scary Black Panthers intimidating white women at the polls. At last this story exposed for the lie it always was. That's why the Bush justice department declined to press charges despite all the righ wing hysteria over this non-incident."
disrxt 11 hours ago 17



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Drake & Nicki Minaj Kiss? Jay-Z & WIll Smith New Venture:Friday Hip Hop ...

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George W. Bush on his Future in Politics

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Rush Limbaugh Boycott Gains Steam

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THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED IT WILL BE ONLINE! Raw Video: Man Shot in Egypt Protest

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THE REVOLUTION WONRaw Video: Man Shot in Egypt Protest

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Knicks contain James, beat Heat 93-88 - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

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Navy, Norfolk Fire Departments Bring Warehouse Fire Under Control

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

 A fire aboard Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia has been brought under control, The Associated Press reported.

The three-alarm fire, which occurred at a mostly vacant 62,000-square foot warehouse on Aircraft Tow Way, was reported around 10:20 a.m. Thursday, said Base Spokesman Kenneth Tyndall.

Naval Base firemen and Norfolk firefighters worked together, bringing the blaze under control around 2 p.m. No injuries were reported and base officials say the warehouse, which was being renovated for a new tenant, contained only empty boxes and wooden pallets.

The Navy has not said how or where the fire began and the blaze remains under investigation.

Queens Fireman Sentenced in Marijuana Growing Case

 Ward/Daily News

 

By Alicia Cruz

Queens Insider

Staff Writer

New York City firefighter Patrick Murray appeared in Brooklyn federal court to be sentenced after his conviction last summer of conspiring to grow more than $500,000 worth of pot in a makeshift hydroponic marijuana farm.

Judge John Gleeson sentenced the former Engine Co. 292 fireman to five years in prison. Murray was also convicted of endangering the lives of three children who lived in the apartment building and were exposed to carbon dioxide gas and fertilizer fumes used in his growing process.

Prosecutors say Murray grew the marijuana in the basement of a Queens home owned by fellow firefighter and co-defendeant, Matthew Cody and was supplying a major drug-trafficking ring that had been under investigation by federal agents for about a year.

A 2009 anonymous call led police to arrest Murray after the caller claimed to have seen him removing lights used to grow marijuana out of the Queens Village home. When police arrived, they found approximately 100 marijuana plants worth about $5,000. Tenants at the apartment home complained that the basement reeked of marijuana.

Murray reportedly belonged to a drug gang called "The Master Race," but Gleeson prevented prosecutors from mentioning his alleged connection to the gang during his trial.

At one point during his trial, Murray testified in his own defense, he perjured himself and Judge Gleeson immediately revoked his $250,000 bail and scolded him for "arrogantly lying on the witness stand."

"He [Murray] has a constitutional right to take the stand, but not commit perjury the way he did," Gleeson said.

Testimony by Cody sealed Murray's conviction after Cody agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for avoiding jail time. Though both men were earning $90,000 a year as firefighters, Cody testified that when he fell short on money to pay his mortgage payment, Murray suggested growing marijuana to help make the ends meet. Cody rented apartment's in the building, but wasn't earning enough rent money to cover his mortgage.

During Murray's career at the Woodside, Queens Fire Department, he was awarded two citations for heroism.

Tami Roman Speaks Out About Her Decision to Have Smart Lipo

Tami Roman gives us the highs and lows on her decision to have smart liposuction. Check it out:

Most of you know that as a teenager on into young adulthood, I suffered from an eating disorder. I have been very open about my challenges with weight and I also have expressed, albeit vaguely, the reason for my warped sense of perception. Things from my childhood were embedded in my psyche and it lead to a very unhealthy thought process pertaining to weight. YOU WILL FIND OUT ALL ABOUT IT IN MY NEW BOOK #shameless plug LOL. In any event, I want to be completely clear – my getting SMART LIPO was not due to those issues. I got Smart Lipo because I wanted it…

I am 40 years old, have had two children, eat right, work out and my body was not having it. I had reached a plateau and the inches were not....MORE

Meghan McCain: Michele Bachmann 'A Poor Man's Sarah Palin' (VIDEO)

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State Sen. Leland Yee Receives Racist Death Threats After Calling For Limbaugh Boycott

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President Obama Takes Questions From YouTube (LIVE VIDEO)

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Why Porn Stars Love Twitter - The Daily Beast

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Sexting Leads to Sexing

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Mark Salter Is the Author of 'O'

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Old Spice | I'm Back

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Ohio.com - Kelley Williams-Bolar leaves jail but public outcry escalates

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Kelley Williams-Bolar: Jailed for Sending Kids to "White" School District

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Was it because of her race? Jailed for Choosing a Better School - NYTimes.com

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Drug Catapult Foundat Arizona-Mexico Border

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Kelley Williams Bolar Update: Petitions, Anderson Cooper 360, ABC News Jump In - BV on Money

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Valentine's Day is coming!!!!

Destinee Love, Author

Have you given any thoughts on what you would like to do for that special day?  Well, coming up soon I will post some great ideas that does not involve being materialistic or spending unnecessary money.  Who said Valentine's Day had to be about how much you spend on a gift, or given a gift at all?  Sure its nice, but isn't spending quality time with the one you love better than expecting the same old card and flowers every year?  Single?-Doesn't mean you have to let that worry you.  I have great ideas for you too!! Until then, please watch the "Man of Love" video - Turn off the Lights!. This will put a lot of great ideas in your mind. Stay Tuned...

Destinee Love, Writer of erotic poems & passages. 

Click on link to order: Expressions of Love, Passion, & Intimacy

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Boricua Ballin' with Nathan Peavy

Hi my name is Nathan Peavy.  I started playing basketball very young, learning mainly from my father (Terry Peavy), who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I think growing up watching him play, made  me want to pursue basketball and be the best I can be. My mother (Nila De Jesus) who is from Carolina, Puerto Rico, also played a big part in my participation in athletics. She swam for the Puerto Rican National Team and introduced me to swimming at an early age.

Growing up, I would always go to the island during the summer and see my grandparents and family. While visiting I would always catch BSN and National Team games on television. When the opportunity to represent Bayamon and the Puerto Rican National Team arose, it was very special.

I am currently playing in my fourth season in Germany. At the start of my season here, I was stricken with meningitis. I was able to overcome...MORE

Slickter's Scammed by Shady City Data Clerk

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

When something seems too good to be true, it's because it probably is. Or, in the words of Judge Marilyn Milian, "Producción barata de las cosas a ser costosa!" (the cheap comes out expensive)

They thought they were getting a real hookup, and now, thanks to a shady clerk, they're on the hook with additional fees and fines.

Karen Frazier wrote over $20,000 in bad checks with her parking ticket-fixing scam, which she ran out of a Brooklyn Bodega, the Manhattan District Attorney's office said.

Frazier, 43, worked for the city’s Department of Finance as a data clerk handling traffic summonses issued to commercial vehicles. She would meet ticketed motorists at the bodega, where she assured them she'd “take care” of their tickets in exchange for them paying her half the amount of their actual fine.

In actuality, all Frazier did was doctor record of the ticket, pose as the vehicle owner while attempting to get the fee reduced. If she was successful, she'd simply "pay" the fine with a rubber check. Duped ticket holders then went online to see if their fines were paid, and since Frazier would have doctored the paperwork or paid with a bad check, it appeared the fine was paid...until her check bounced. 

Prosecutors say Frazier pocketed the loot of twenty ticket owners, then left them high and dry. She pleaded guilty in October 2010 and is facing a year in the slammer for the ruse.

A probe, led by the city Department of Investigation uncovered Frazier's racket and led to her guilty plea to charges of fraud, official misconduct and tampering with public records, said DOI commissioner Rose Gill Hearn.

'Top Ranked' School Facing Board Ed Probe in Grade Fudging Scandal

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Last Fall, when Theatre Arts Production Company High School Principal Lynn Passarella announced the school ranked first on New York City's A-through-F progress-report ratings, students erupted...into laughter.

One student said, "We all know it's a bad school," the New York Post reported.
A senior at the "top ranked school" bragged to a New York Post reporter, "This week, my average is a 30; in three days I can bring it up to a 95."

A year after that rating, the school is now being probed by The Department of Education for its alleged guileless academic system that makes it so easy for students to pass a class that kids say "even a caveman could do it."

Students told the Post teachers hand out pre-composed test sheets, and "you can just copy them. It's for the school so it doesn't look bad with failing grades," said another unidentified student.

In November 2010, High School for International Business and Finance Assistant Principal Kalliopi Hatzivasilis came under investigation by the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation after she admitted to "mistakenly" boosting students’ grades in order for them to pass the corresponding Regents exam.  Hatzivasilis reportedly made changes to as many as 22 students' transcripts in some cases, three years after students had completed those courses.

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HERBERT LONDON: FRAUDULENT SCORING IN NYC SCHOOLS

Family to See Delayed Justice in 1993 Bronx Murder of Jessica Smith

 

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

She was four-years old when her mother was brutally murdered right before her eyes. That was 18 years ago. Today, her mother's killer is finally facing murder charges.

When police began investigating the April 6, 1993 disappearance of then 22-year-old Jessica Smith, Christina Smith, now 22, told the officers "Daddy shot mommy in the head."

Six days after the shooting, Jessica Smiths' body was found in a vacant lot.

The Bronx District Attorney's office, who would have prosecuted the case back then, were concerned about using the little girl's statement in order to seal the fate of Jessica's then-live-in boyfriend, DeJohn Hoffman and their number one suspect. Prosecutors declined to charge Hoffman, now 47, and the case went cold.

Then, in 2006, cold-case detectives re-opened the Smith homicide and visited Hoffman at his new address: The Eastern Correctional Facility in Napanoch, New York where he was serving time for a 1993 conviction in connection to a Brooklyn shooting of a bystander during an attempted robbery at a Brooklyn bodega.

Blood-stained clothing and the testimony of a former partner-in-crime
helped secure an indictment on two counts of murder against Hoffman back in December 2010, The New York Post reported.

Today, Christina Smith, having never gotten over her mother's death, resides in a New Jersey Mental Health facility suffering from Schizophrenia. Relatives say she has suffered with mental health issues since an early age.

"I don't think she understood what happened -- that her mother was dead," said aunt Kim Smith-Tippens, 49. "After that, she just shut down."

Michael Vick Inks 'Sizable' Endorsement Deal with Sporting Goods Maker

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

For the first time since his release from Federal Prison, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has signed his first endorsement contract, and it's a "sizable" one.

While Vick has officially scored the two-year contract with Sporting Goods Wholesale & Manufacturer company, Unequal Technologies, terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed and won't be announced until Thursday.

The deal will be the first paid endorsement for Vick whose television commercial appearance for a car dealership last month was unpaid. The company compensated the 30-year-old by allowing him the use of a Nissan sport-utility vehicle.

Unequal Technologies Chief executive officer Rob Vito told the Associated Press as far as the company was concerned, Vick paid his dues and they were excited about the relationship.

"Michael is good people," said Vito. "President Obama reached out to him. He deserves an opportunity. This is what makes America so great. He's moved forward. He's a whole other person."

In a statement released by the Associated Press, Vick wrote: "Unequal's protective power gives me a whole new level of confidence in my game. It makes me feel invincible."

Unequal Technologies makes several shock-blocking sports pads, including the ones Vick wore last season. When he returned to the gridiron after his rib injury, he was sporting a vest designed by the very company he would later become the first corporate spokesman for.

Vick, who said he would not play without wearing "his unequal" gear, was once the highest paid player in the NFL raking in approximately $25.4 million between his NFL salary and various endorsements during the six seasons he played for the Atlanta Falcons.

The four-time Pro Bowl selectee, who was drafted first overall by the Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft, lost everything following his 2007 guilty plea to federal felony charges of operating an unlawful interstate dog fighting ring. Vick served 21 months at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, followed by two-months of house arrest.


Mismanagement of his finances, bad investments, and lawsuits prompted Vick to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008 after lucrative endorsement deals waned and his NFL salary ended, rendering him incapable of paying bills or mortgages.

Despite negative press, Vick returned to the gridiron during Week 3 of the 2009 NFL season after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. On November 15, 2010, Vick became the first NFL player with 300 passing yards, 50 rushing, four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a game.

THE BLACK URBAN TIMES LAUNCHES NEW URBAN HYPERLOCAL BLOG- QUEENSINSIDER.COM

The Black Urban Times LLC parent company of THEBLACKURBANTIMES.COM in partnership with ConnectingDaily.com is proud to announce the launch of QUEENSINSIDER.COM. Queensinsider.com is a hyperlocal news website that will focus on all of the great news of Queens, NY, with an urban slant. The new site will focus on news from and about the community of Queens,NY that is being ignored by mainstream hyperlocals like patch.com and everyblock.com. The site allows members of the community to post pictures, stories, and announcements for and about the people of Queens, NY. Queensinsider.com is your new #1 source for events, news, community, places to eat and stay,movies, music, crime reports,sports, the latest bar for happy hour, and deals in real estate and rentals. Queensinsider.com will also have features interviews from celebrities from Queens, NY and other notables like politicians, business owners,and other members of the community. Please log on to www.queensinsider.com and check out the latest news from Queens,NY.
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Bergen County to Battle Snowfall with 'Pickle Juice' Concoction

By Alicia Cruz

The New Jersey Newsroom

With money tight, the City of Bergen is prepared to introduce new, and economical archery to battle Wednesday's expected snowfall, and it looks like...pickle juice.

The yellow-greenish solvent is a simple commixture of salt and water, which ran the City a mere 7 cents a gallon, unlike the salt which cost a whopping $63 per ton. Having used $3 of the budgeted $4 million for snow removal, City officials more than welcomed the cost-effective change.

“We’re still not in the red," said Bergen County Executive Director Kathe Donovan. "We’re in the black, but if we get a winter that continues like this, it’ll be very tough.”

New Jersey was allotted $20 million for snow removal, but that's gone. The Bloomberg administration reported having spent beyond it's proposed $38 million budget after the December 26, 2010 blizzard that buried the City under a foot of snow, and New Jersey under 30 inches in some places.

CBS2 meteorologist Elise Finch is calling for Wednesday's snowfall to begin as a mixture of rain and snow in the afternoon before falling as solid snow around 8 p.m. New Yorkers should expect winter weather alerts to go into effect Wednesday afternoon and last through Thursday morning for most of the Tri-State area.

Door on Metro North Train Malfunctions

(photo: CBS 2)

By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Metro North commuters from Connecticut took a scary 10 minute ride from 125th Street in Harlem to Grand Central Station Monday as a door on the lead subway car malfunctioned, CBS2 reported.

A spokesman for Metro North said “The footage in this video is very concerning to us and Metro-North is investigating the door malfunction. A door opening en route is an extremely unusual occurrence. Metro-North is in the process of inspecting all train doors and all doors will be retested before the initial run of the day.”

The video was taken by a passenger who said the train was packed with subway riders and that the conductor was notified but never arrived. The passenger says riders were able to close the train door just as the train was inside the tunnel approaching the Grand Central terminal. The Metro North train in question is no longer running as officials inspect it.

Click here for the full story

Queens Widow Files Lawsuit Against City of New York Over Husband's Death

 Dorris & Robert Hudson (Photo/CBS 2)  

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

Doris Hudson, the Queens woman whose husband died of a heart attack after he was allegedly forced to walk home by two NYPD officers, has filed suit against the City of New York.

Doris Hudson says on the evening of January 14, she and her husband of 52 years, Robert Hudson drove to Casson Pharmacy on Springfield Blvd in Queens Village to pick up Mrs. Hudson's prescription. As they pulled up in front of the pharmacy, Mrs. Hudson says she removed her seat belt to exit the vehicle and just as she did, two NYPD officers, Julio Orozco and Dominick Lettieri, approached her and accused her of not wearing a seat belt.

The officers told Mrs. Hudson she would be issued a summons and at some point asked her for identification, which she did not have.
 

Mrs. Hudson says the officers refused to allow her husband to drive to their home to get her identification, so he walked approximately half a mile to their home and then back to the pharmacy.

The trek took about 45 minutes, and by the time the 72-year-old retired Daily News delivery man returned, the officers had issued Mrs. Hudson the summons using information from her prescription. Mrs. Hudson says they drove about a block away from the pharmacy when her husband collapsed at the steering wheel and was transported to Franklin Hospital where he later died of a heart attack.

On Tuesday, along with her attorney, Bonita Zelman, Doris Hudson addressed members of the media about her late husband, a man she described as her soul mate and best friend.
"He was the love of my life," said Doris Hudson through tears. "And all I want is some justice for this."

"We don't need police officers who act with total depraved indifference," said Zelman, who added that the officers should be terminated from the police department for their actions.

Kim Royster, an NYPD Deputy Inspector, released this statement in response to Hudson's lawsuit:
"The officers never directed anyone to go home to get ID. To the contrary, they told both parties that they had sufficient ID at the scene. Hudson insisted on returning to his residence to retrieve additional documents."

Exclusive Interview “Aliesa Nicole”

So not to long ago I had the chance of sitting down with the music sensation Ms. Aliesa Nicole. She is one of R&B next big things of 2011. She is a young girl from the mid-west with a voice that she can take her all around the world.

Interview:

So what got you started singing, and what age?

“I started singing around the age four,I would watch my favorite television show. From there I started singing for my family and friends. I would sing when ever family came into to town.”

Who would you say is your favorite artist of all  times?

“Umm it’s a tough choice to say just one because I have a lot but I would have to say Beyonce. The reason is because she is a great performer and singer.”

What gave you the tittle for your mixtape SuchAFuckinLady?

“The idea came from my fans on Facebook . Lots of people on Facebook who were using the phrase and I thought it would be great.”

What made you do a collaboration with SODMG Arab?

“ Well my dj, DJ Stretch had brought the opportunity to me. I said yes he got on it, the next thing I knew we were in the studio.”

How do you think that your music impacts ladies?

“It’s about the things that they may going through with their man, just everyday issues that they may face.”

What are you working on right now?

“Well I’m working on a mixtape it’s called BadGirlsClub. Most people may think that I stole the idea from the show but I didn’t. The reason that I named it that is because there will be a lot of females working with me on this mixtape. I’m also working on my album which be dropping later on this year.

This young lady has lots of great things going for her shelf. She is a great person, with a amazing voice. Make sure you go download her mixtape SuchAFuckinLady , we make sure to keep you posted on what’s new with her.