Author Archives: George Barnette

The Prince George’s County Council had a change in leadership for the 2012 legislative year as Andrea Harrison, D.-Dist. 5, was named council chair while Eric Olson, D.-Dist. 3, reprises his role as vice-chair. “Together as ‘One Prince George’s County,’ I believe that Prince George’s County Government can do even better by working smarter, more […]

An apologetic former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges. “I want to apologize to you for being here and giving up your time,” Johnson said to U.S. Judge Peter Messitte. “I want to apologize to the people of Prince George’s County. I […]

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker’s economic development efforts were dealt a major blow as the Walt Disney Co. pulled out of a deal to build an expansive resort hotel at National Harbor. Disney bought the site for $11 million in 2009, but the entertainment giant never committed to any set plans for the proposed […]

Former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife, former Prince George’s Councilwoman Leslie Johnson await sentencing amid new revelations after they both pled guilty to corruption charges. In a 76-page sentencing memo, federal prosecutors in Jack Johnson’s case detail not only how Johnson was maneuvering development deals for his friends and working to […]

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker finally signed into law his largest piece of legislation to date; the $50 million Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund. “Together, united as One County, working together as the executive and legislative branches, we have made a bold declaration to the state, region, nation, and the world that, ‘Prince George’s […]

Prince George’s County Public Schools has begun the budgeting process for fiscal year 2013 with the county still strapped for cash. After last year’s process, which saw a reduction in special education teachers and changes in busing, this budget process could lead to an elimination of other programs. In an attempt to save money and […]

An attorney for former WPGC radio personality Ranelle Sykes and a representative from CBS Radio, WPGC’s parent company, have confirmed that Sykes’ legal dispute with the station’s management has been resolved. Sykes, known as her on-air personality, Rane, was upset with what she thought was unequal pay for the same, and sometimes, more work as […]

The Prince George’s County Council has capped a turbulent year. It saw several council members make their debut with one having her term cut short because of legal troubles. The controversial CB-18 introduced in October by Councilwoman Karen Toles, D.-Dist. 7, designed to bring more safety and accountability to the county’s nightclubs, ruffled the feathers […]

The year will end with no clear vision on slots for Prince George’s County as a spirited hearing on Nov. 15 led to the tabling of a bill banning slots in the county and the passing of a referendum leaving the issue up to the voters. There were impassioned speakers on both sides of the […]

Prince George’s County now has its first solar powered school as Kenneth W. Richardson returned home to DeMatha to install 550 solar panels at the school. Richardson’s relationship with DeMatha began when his father pushed him and his brother to go to the school to take advantage of the school’s historic athletic heritage. “When we […]

Former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey has filed papers to challenge Rep. Donna Edwards for her seat in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District. Ivey, a popular state’s attorney, was part of the crime fighting force that helped Prince George’s County to a record drop in the crime rate. Ivey has been working as a […]