Digital Network Group (DNG), a company located in the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation’s Technology Assistance Center, and it’s educational outreach program, Kinetic Potential (KP) Scholars, has announced a partnership with Cricket Wireless to provide underprivileged students in the Washington, D.C. area with Internet access and refurbished computers. The first distribution of the Internet service and […]
Author Archives: George Barnette
Special to the AFRO
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Two Sisters Step Out on Faith to Make Maryland Laugh Out Loud
In Waldorf, Md., two sisters are trying to create a business model that has seldom been seen in the Washington, D.C. area. Regina Bethea, 45, and Dorthy Cayard, 49, are the principle owners of Laugh Out Loud Stations, a place where the entire family can have fun. The concept for the business was born out […]
Posted inSports
Strasburg Meets Expectations in Washington
A month ago, Major League pitching legend Curt Schilling told ESPN that Stephen Strasburg would “immediately potentially be the best pitcher in the game.” What seemed like hyperbole at the time became reality on June 8 as Strasburg put on one of the best debut performances in Major League Baseball history. “I can’t put it […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Baker Introduces Jobs and Economic Development Plan
Former Del. Rushern Baker, candidate for Prince George’s county executive, is using the momentum of new labor union endorsements to lay out his new jobs and economic development plan. Over the past few weeks, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local 24 and the United […]
Posted inD.C. Community
Northwestern High Alums PLAY for the Community
HYATTSVILLE — On May 29, the organizers of Partners in Lifting Athletic Youth (PLAY) held a three-on-three basketball tournament to benefit high school students in Prince George’s County. PLAY was founded by seven graduates of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville. The friends had gone off to college—most to play college football. They hardly ever saw […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Justice Served in 2009 Double Murder
On May 26, a Landover man was convicted for his role in a brutal double murder which took place exactly one year ago. Lawrence Thomas Covington Jr., 35, was convicted of first-degree murder and six other related offenses. This was a retrial of the case. In December, after a two-day deliberation, the deadlocked jury led […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Law Signed to Curb Violence at County Nightclubs
On May 21, Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law a bill that would require all nightclubs in Prince George’s County to provide security plans before being issued any entertainment permits. House Bill 558 was sponsored by Del. Michael Vaughn, D-Dist.24, and Melony Ghee Griffith, D-Dist. 25, to curb the violence which has plagued Prince George’s […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Haitian Native Perseveres through Tragedy
During the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti in January, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) student Jemima Pierre-Jacques was powerless to help any family or friends affected by the disaster in her homeland. The death of her father and over eight other family members shook her too her core, but she never stopped. A highly religious […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Ehrlich to Halt Purple Line Project if Re-Elected
Robert Ehrlich (R), former governor of Maryland, recently made comments that have ruffled the feathers of many officials in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Ehrlich, who announced a bid for the state’s top office last August, opposes the Purple Line light rail project that many local and statewide politicians have worked hard to bring to […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Pr. George’s Bus Driver Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
Scott Smallwood, a 27-year-old Upper Marlboro resident and bus driver for Prince George’s County Public Schools, was arrested on May 21 at a Prince George’s County bus depot in Brandywine on charges of child pornography. According to court documents, a cell phone memory card was found at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Clinton, Md. The […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Duncan Praises Pr. George’s Public Schools for Student Achievement
In a visit to Bladensburg Elementary School today, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praised Prince George’s County for its commitment to improving school performance. “What they’ve done here in Prince George’s County has been great example of the type of applicants we’d like to see more of,” said Duncan in a call with reporters after […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Six Flags Stages a ‘Lock Out’
Six Flags America may be facing a lawsuit over what two women say are discriminatory hiring policies. Janet Bello and Jackie Sherrill are crying foul because theme park representatives allegedly said they could only work there if they changed their dreadlocked hairstyle. Bello said she went to the park to pick up an application for […]