Monday, October 19, 2009 |
University of Connecticut starting cornerback Jasper Howard, 20, was fatally stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The Miami native, who was the first in his family to go to college, was about to become a father and had helped his team to a homecoming victory against Louisville on Saturday, just hours before his death. Police have not identified a suspect but are asking anyone with information to contact the campus police at 860-486-4800.
Known as “Jazz” to his teammates, Howard often talked about his tough time growing up in Miami and his dream to play professionally so he could support his family. According to the Hartford Courant, his mother, Joangila, worked many jobs to support him and his sisters, Keyondra and Jasmine, who is afflicted with meningitis.
“He was a good child, a wonderful, sweet, loving child. I just hope whoever did it turns himself in. [Jasper] didn’t deserve this,” Ms. Howard said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jasper’s friends and family.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009 |
Born a slave in Tennessee on May 15, 1832, Mary Fields grew up an orphan, never married and had any children. But she was admired and respected for holding her own and living her own way in a world where the odds were stacked against her. While African Americans and women of any race enjoyed little freedom anywhere in the world, Mary Fields enjoyed more freedom than most white men.
At the end of the Civil War, the 6-foot tall and 200 pounds Fields headed to Montana in search of opportunity and was hired to do heavy work for the nuns at a Catholic convent in Cascade. Fields carried a pair of six-shooters and a 10 gauge and loved the children of Cascade County. The tough, short-tempered woman had a standing bet that she could knock a man out with one punch, and she never lost a dime to anyone foolish enough to take her up on that bet. She was also the only woman of reputable character in Cascade allowed to drink in the local bar as ordered by the mayor. But this tough woman also had a caring side to her.
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Friday, October 2, 2009 |
Guess who jumped on the bar and performed at the Green the Block launch party recently. Hint: His self-titled album is scheduled for early next year, and he’ll be performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert later this year.
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Friday, October 2, 2009 |
President Barack Obama is introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama (who reportedly stole the show) before he makes a presentation in support of Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games on Friday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Obamas’ hometown is in a tight race with Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro as leaders from Spain, Tokyo and Brazil also headed to Copenhagen in hopes of their cities hosting the Olympics.
Previously, the White House said the first lady would be going, but the President felt that the health care issue is in a place that his absence for one day will not have a negative impact.
UPDATE:
The International Olympic Committee today eliminated Chicago and Tokyo as contenders to host the 2016 Games. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 games.
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Thursday, October 1, 2009 |
Students from four D.C. public high schools walked out of class earlier this week and met at the school system’s headquarters Monday because they’re angry about the way they say their teachers are being treated with impending layoffs recently announced by D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
The layoffs are the result of the city council’s recent freeze of the school budget, which forced the students to also rally against Mayor Adrian Fenty, who said he was impressed with their show of civic action.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 |
After exhibiting bizarre behavior at Geoffrey’s, a restaurant in Malibu, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested for not paying $89.21 for a dinner of Kobe beef steak and an Ocean Breeze cocktail.
When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found a small amount of marijuana in her car, impounded it and took her into custody on suspicion of defrauding an innkeeper and possession of the drug. According to the restaurant staff, Richardson “said she was from Mars and started speaking in a made-up language”. Restaurant owner Jeff Peterson said, “She did tell my valet at one point that she was here to avenge Michael Jackson’s death.”
Released on her own recognizance, Richardson had no car, no cellphone and no purse when she left the Los Angeles County sheriff’s substation in Calabasas about 1:25 a.m. That was September 17; she hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
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Monday, September 28, 2009 |
President Barack Obama (pictured with Education Secretary Arne Duncan at his address to the nation’s school children earlier this month) says American children spend too little time in school which puts them at a disadvantage with others around the world.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Duncan said, “Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today.” The Presidents wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go.
“Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas. Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom,” the President said earlier this year.
GOV. PATERSON SPEAKS ON MEET THE PRESS
NY Governor David Paterson said Sunday on Meet the Press that President Barack Obama never directly asked him to step aside, and he refused to discuss what presidential aides had told him confidentially.
Paterson, the state’s first black governor who’s also legally blind, said he’s heard the message from Democrats in New York and Washington: “I’m blind, I’m not oblivious. But I am running for governor. I don’t think I am a drag on the party. I think I’m fighting for the priorities of my party.”
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