Author Archives: George Barnette

The jury in the Ulysses Currie corruption trial found the longtime state senator not guilty on extortion and conspiracy charges. The verdict ends a lengthy investigation stretching back nearly a decade in which prosecutors accused Currie of being paid close to $250,000 to use his influence to promote the interests of Shoppers Food Warehouse (SFW), […]

Joel Peebles, son of the late Apostle Betty Peebles and Bishop James R. Peebles, lost his court battle over the right to the church and its entities after a Prince George’s County Circuit Court judge ruled that the church rightfully belonged to its board of trustees. Judge Dwight Jackson ruled that Gloria Magruder, Denise Killen, […]

The Prince George’s County Council took on economic development Tuesday, looking for ways to improve the county’s viability for economic growth at length. The discussion opened with a look at metropolitan business plans, led by the Council of Governments and the Brookings institute in an effort to get the county on board with joining with […]

Laurel Mayor Craig Moe won a third term as mayor despite charges of fraud being thrown at him by former Laurel City Councilman Michael Sarich. Moe won with over 50 percent of the vote with Sarich finishing second with 26 percent and Laurel Ethics Commission member Valerie Cunningham in third place with 24 percent. Sarich […]

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed his proposed redistricting plan into law last week after the map garnered the approval of the Maryland General Assembly. “To the people of Maryland, thank you for your voice, your input and your suggestions, and to all of the members of the General Assembly, thank you for giving fair, open […]

The federal agency, General Services Administration (GSA), got in the county’s good graces recently as it donated computers to Suitland High School. “Today, we are proud to have the GSA as another partner with our schools that will be providing significant resources to our children that will help prepare them to be the workforce of […]

M. Andree Green’s appointment as acting county attorney in July passed with little fanfare. Now, however, the Prince George’s County Council is at odds with County Executive Rushern Baker over the pick. Baker has sung Green’s praises at every turn. He says her record of work before and since she’s been in office leads her […]

Prince George’s County Councilman Eric Olson introduced a bill to ban slots in the county, bringing back a hotly debated topic for the county and garnering remarkable support from many corners of the community. “County Councilman Eric Olson has introduced CB-49 (2011), a bill that would ban video lottery terminals in Prince George’s,” said Carl […]

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s state redistricting plan made it through a state senate committee vote, but triggered much handwringing over districts in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties where the minority vote would be affected. In O’Malley’s original proposal, many said the governor gerrymandered districts for Democratic gain. Groups like the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee, […]