Two persons have been charged in the alleged murder of four people in Riverdale, near Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6. Tkeisha Nicole Gilmer, 18, and Darrell Lynn Bellard, 43, both of Dickinson, Texas, were each charged with four counts of first degree murder in the slayings. Police say 3-year-old Shayla Shante Sikyala and 4-year-old Shakur […]
Author Archives: George Barnette
Special to the AFRO
Posted inAfro Briefs
Family’s Missteps May Have Doomed Rep. Kilpatrick
Seven-term Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.), mother of disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, was defeated in that state’s Democratic primary on August 3. State Sen. Hansen Clarke will represent the party in November’s general election. Kilpatrick’s defeat is seen as collateral damage from her son’s missteps. Kwame Kilpatrick is currently serving a prison sentence […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Metro Brawl Leaves Four Injured, Three Arrested
More than 70 people were involved in a massive brawl on the Washington, D.C. Metro system’s Green Line in both the Gallery Place-Chinatown and L’Enfant Plaza stations on Friday evening, August 6. D.C. Metro Police responded to a report of disorderly conduct at the Gallery Place-Chinatown station at about 11 p.m. The crowd dispersed but […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Six Flags Grooming Policies to Face Opposition
In the wake of a spring controversy over Six Flags refusing two women employment because of their hair , a group known as Friends for Hair Freedom have started an online petition and are planning a boycott of the amusement park. “We’re just advocating for individuals who’ve been discriminated against in the workplace based on […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Equestrian Camp Exposes Kids to Farm Living
Over four years ago, the Rev. Robert E. Slade and some members of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Georgetown brainstormed about ways to make a contribution to the lives of young people. They decided to invite youth down to Slade’s farm in Upper Marlboro for a little country living. “It was a vision that […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Foreclosure Fallout: Dumping Mortgages
Over the course of the foreclosure crisis in Prince George’s County, the dumping of mortgages became a viable choice for some struggling homeowners. While many people fought through the process to save their homes and loss, some simply walked away from the mortgage and the property. “People have walked away from their mortgage and simply […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Accomplice in Trooper Brown Murder Indicted
Prince George’s County States Attorney Glenn Ivey announced that Anthony A. Milton II, one of the suspects in the murder of Maryland State Trooper First Class Wesley Brown, was indicted by a grand jury on five counts for his alleged involvement in the shooting. Milton, 28, of Seat Pleasant, Md., is charged with first degree […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
County Employees Unhappy with Jack Johnson’s Performance
As Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson concludes his last term in office, there are many who have a bad taste in their mouths about how he’s ending his tenure. Despite some of the gains the county has seen in school performance, public safety and commercial development, some are upset with the way Johnson has […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
PGCC Addresses Minority Business Shortage
Prince George’s Community College’s Center for Minority Business Development (CMBD) has a groundbreaking accelerator program which is helping to create minority business opportunities in Prince George’s County. The Peterson Co., which is building National Harbor, in conjunction with the Prince George’s County Council and the Office of the County Executive, realized that there wasn’t enough […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
First Lady of Prince George’s Joins the Family Business
Leslie Johnson, wife of Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and candidate for the Prince George’s County Council seat in District 6, has never held public office in Maryland, but she heads into the race as the candidate with the highest profile. However, she’s ready to let people know that behind that profile, is a […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Two Longtime Legislators Vie for District 24 Seat
Two legends in the Maryland General Assembly will go head-to-head in the state Senate race for District 24. Joanne C. Benson and Nathaniel Exum bring close to 55 years of legislative experience between the two of them. It’s a race that, according to the candidates, matches record vs. progress. Exum, who is seeking his fourth […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Predatory Lenders Found Their Prey in Prince George’s Residents
When the foreclosure rate went up in Prince George’s County, the ensuing crisis was created by many things. A main contributing factor was predatory lending, which took advantage of many homeowners in the county. “Certainly there were irresponsible lenders in the market that were qualifying lenders for way above what they should have,” said Michael […]