As a bus driver strike enters its second week in Prince George’s County, several hotly contested issues argued by Veolia Transportation and the drivers it employs remain unresolved. The company, which provides 40 percent of the bus service countywide, said several new rules and an on-bus camera system ensure safety standards are met, while many […]
Author Archives: George Barnette
Special to the AFRO
Posted inNational News
HUD Funding to Local Governments Looks to Curb Foreclosures
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continued its attempts to address the ongoing rise in foreclosures nationally during the week of Sept. 5 with another round of major contributions to state and local governments. The department’s $1 billion contribution will be the third round of funding through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Prince George’s County, Md. Candidates Make Final Push
As the Sept. 14 primary elections near, candidates for public office across Prince George’s County, Md. are gearing up for the last big push before Election Day. With the primary being the equivalent of a general election, it’s now or never for many of the candidates. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party voters, […]
Posted inNational News
Black Politicians in the Crosshairs
The rough year facing African-American Democrats nationally continued locally as Maryland Sen. Ulysses Currie, D-Dist 25, was indicted. Curry faces 18 charges in connection to what investigators say was a six-year conspiracy between him and local grocery store chain, Shoppers Food Warehouse (SFW). The indictment claims Currie used his position to advance the company’s interests. […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
County Executive Candidates Gear Up for the Home Stretch
The open Prince George’s County executive seat pits five challengers, with varying degrees of experience, against each other. The winner may be the person who makes voters believe he/she has the best plan to win. “The key here is who can bring the best ideas and best solutions to solving some of these old problems […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
PG Teacher Finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year
Tiffany Doster, a fifth-grade teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, has been named one of seven finalists for the 2010-2011 Maryland Teacher of the Year award. “We are extremely proud of Ms. Doster for being named a finalist for the most prestigious award for educators in the state,” said Prince George’s Superintendent […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Alsobrooks Endorsed by State’s Attorney and Women of Prince George’s
State’s Attorney candidate Angela Alsobrooks received two major endorsements this week from current State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey and also from a conglomerate of powerful women in Prince George’s politics. “She just has the right experience,” said Del. Jolene Ivey, D-Dist. 47, who’s also the wife of the state’s attorney. “If I thought that there was […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Harrison says Compassion Should be a Requirement for Office
While candidates across Prince George’s campaign on improving the commercial tax base and making the school system more competitive with the county’s neighbors; Sydney Harrison, candidate for the District 9 County Council chair, takes a more personal approach to politics. “I want to give back what was given to me,” Harrison said. “I’ve been helping […]
Posted inD.C. Community, Washington D.C. News
FedEx Ground Honors Local Businessman for Going the Extra Mile
Rico Calhoun has had an entrepreneurial spirit since childhood. He started working at a young age and was able to buy shares of a landscaping company while in his early 20s. That spirit coupled with hard work translated into winning the FedEx Ground Regional Entrepreneur of the Year award. Calhoun began a career in the […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Foreclosure Crisis: Protect Yourself
As Prince George’s County continues to lead Maryland in foreclosures, local, state and national legislators still have a cauldron of hurdles to overcome before the problem improves. But the burden does not rest solely with policymakers. Homeowners must also be proactive in protecting their residences from foreclosure. Donna Hurley, president and founder of Housing Options […]
Posted inD.C. Community, Washington D.C. News
Prince George’s Receive Grant to Help Ex-Offenders
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) presented the State Behavioral Health Award to the Prince George’s County Health Department in order to serve county residents who are re-entering society from incarceration. The three-year grant will go to support a “public health-public safety” partnership between the Prince George’s Health Department and the Department of Corrections […]
Posted inBaltimore News
First African American Woman Joins Court of Special Appeals
In a room full of local and statewide luminaries, Judge Michele D. Hotten was sworn in as Fourth Appellate Circuit Judge for the Court of Special Appeals – the first African-American woman in Maryland to make the Court. “Today is one of those days when we’ve achieved a better, stronger and more just future,” said […]