The county executives of three of Maryland’s largest jurisdictions are pressing the General Assembly for more money for building and repairing public schools in their counties. If Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III have their way, the state would become a partner […]
Author Archives: Courtney Jacobs
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inPrince George's County News
Young Musician Fatally Shot as Friends Played with Gun
Errick Lamar Pratt planned a career in music. But his hopes to make it big ended on Jan. 9 when he was killed in Brandywine in what police are calling an accidental shooting. Funeral services are scheduled for Jan. 17. According to Prince George’s County police, Pratt, 23, of Fort Washington, was among several people […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County, Md. Schools Chief Named Finalist for National Award
Prince George’s County, Md. Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell is one of four finalists for the 2014 National Superintendent of the Year award, the school system announced Jan 8. The prestigious award, bestowed by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), recognizes superintendents for their outstanding leadership, dedication to academic excellence […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Houston Father Faces Jail Time for Alleged Violations of Surprising Ct Orders
A Houston man faces up to 180 days in jail despite paying his required child support and visiting his son too often. According to Houston Fox affiliate KRIV, Clifford Hall faces as much as six months in jail despite having made good on a child support debt of approximately $3,000. Hall’s attorney, Tyesha Elam, told […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Metro Unveils Next Generation Rail Cars
Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, the D.C. mayor and congressional representative and regional elected officials braved a frigid January morning on the wind whipped platform at the Greenbelt Metro Station as the regional transit authority unveiled its latest hardware. Its silver-like coating gleaming, the Metro 7000 series passenger car eased onto the platform to the […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County Crime Rate in 2013 Declines
New Year’s Day had come and gone but for some of the state’s top law enforcement and elected officials gathered in Woodmore Town Centre a significant drop in crime meant there was still plenty to celebrate Jan. 2. “Today we are here to tell the region and the state that Prince George’s County is a […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s Students Holiday Break Included ‘Optional’ Homework
While Prince George’s County school administrators call the Dec. 23-Jan. 1 gap the Winter Break, what they really mean is “Testing is Coming! Get Ready!” Before classes were dismissed two days before Christmas, each student—elementary, middle and high school– received a “Winter Break Homework Packet” to be completed by the time classes resume Jan. 2. […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Guns for Gift Cards
Hundreds of people lined up outside First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) in Landover Dec. 21 to exchange lethal instruments for spendable ones. It was latest drive to persuade local residents to turn in guns—any guns, no questions asked– in exchange for an American Express gift card. Shotguns and Rifles turned in were worth $50, […]
Posted inSports
Most Popular NBA Jersey is.?
Miami Heat LeBron James’ jersey is once again leading the list of the National Basketball Association’s sales, according to rankings released by the NBA Dec. 19. According to ESPN, the rankings are based on overall sales so far in the 2013 sales year fourth quarter from adidas AG and NBAStore.com. The sales figures include activity […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Council to Consider Exempting Senior Homeowners from Property Taxes
(UPDATED 12/20/2013) Property tax relief for senior citizens who are long-term D.C. residents will be high on the agenda for the D.C. Council when it reconvenes in January, thanks to Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-at-Large). Bonds is the author of a bill to exempt city homeowners with annual incomes of less than $60,000 from property taxes […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Silver Spring Man Charged in Two Prince George’s Sexual Assaults
Emerito Chicas-Savala, 33, of Silver Spring, has been charged with two separate sexual assaults committed in October near Northwestern High School in Adelphi, Prince George’s County police officials announced recently. Chicas-Savala is from the 8700 block of Arliss Street in Silver Spring. One assault occurred on Oct. 29 when two women were approached at about […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County Executive Baker Signs Minimum Wage Bill
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III Dec. 17 signed a bill to raise the minimum wage in the county to $11.50 an hour by 2017. The bill cleared the council Nov. 27 without opposition. “Enacting a minimum wage here in Prince George’s County and throughout the region, really is just our responsibility as […]