CBS Atlanta

Former Georgia Tech And NBA Player Javaris Crittenton Back In Jail

larissamendoza410 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:14:04 +0000

RIVERDALE, Ga. (AP) — Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton is back in jail.

Out on bond on charges that he killed a woman in an August drive-by shooting in south Atlanta, authorities said he was jailed on Wednesday after being pulled over for speeding and refusing to get out of his Porsche.

The former Washington Wizards player was pulled over for going more than 60 mph in a 45-mph zone, said Riverdale police Maj. Greg Barney.

The former Georgia Tech star initially refused to get out of his “fairly new” black Porsche and refused to sign the speeding ticket, forcing the officer to call for backup, Barney said.

“He was very argumentative,” Barney said of Crittenton, 24. “Initially, he just did not want to cooperate with the officer.”

A message left for Crittenton’s attorney, Brian Steel, was not immediately returned Wednesday night.

Police have said the former first-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007 was retaliating for being robbed of $55,000 in jewelry when the Aug. 19 shooting happened. He is accused of killing Jullian Jones, a 23-year-old mother of four, outside her house. A trial date for that charge has not been set.

Crittenton was with the Wizards in December 2009 when he and Arenas had a dispute over a card game. Two days later, Arenas brought four guns to the locker room and set them in front of Crittenton’s locker with a sign telling him to “PICK 1.” Crittenton then took out his own gun.

Crittenton pleaded guilty in January 2010 to a misdemeanor gun charge and received a year of unsupervised probation. Arenas entered a guilty plea on Jan. 15, 2010, and served a short time in a halfway house.

For most of his career, Crittenton played little with Los Angeles, the Memphis Grizzles and Washington. After the Wizards declined to re-sign him, he signed a non-guaranteed contract with Charlotte last year but eventually was waived.

He then played five games in China for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, averaging 25.8 points.

After the incident with Arenas, there wasn’t much demand in the NBA for Crittenton, who averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 assists during his four-year career. He also played for the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards, averaging 14.3 points in 20 games last year.

President Obama Sings The Blues

ddavis36 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:18:08 +0000

Last Tuesday, President Obama was invited on stage by blues sensation, B.B. King, to sing “Sweet Home Chicago” during a blues explosion at the White House. It was during the final moments of the PBS Blues Special scheduled to air February 27th. To get a glimpse of what you missed, click below to see clip.

For more news visit www.robreddingnewsreview.com

Third Suspect in Video Beating Identified

jean103 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:50:32 +0000

ATLANTA (WAOK)-The FBI has identified the “third” suspect in the attack on 20-year-old Brandon White at 1029 McDaniel Street. White, a gay man, was “jumped” by three men in front of the convenience store in Southwest Atlanta on February 4th, 2012. The beating was videotaped and posted on the internet.

The FBI says Dareal Demare Williams, is currently hiding out in the Erie, Pennsylvania area. Williams is a known member of the “Pittsburgh Jack City Gang”. He is believed to be staying with friends and relatives in the Erie Area. The “Pittsburgh Jack City Gang” also known as “Jack City 1029” is a violent street gang based out of Atlanta, Georgia. An arrest warrant was issued for Williams for aggravated assault and robbery in the case. Williams is a minor but faces charges as an adult for his role in the robbery and assault. Two other suspects have already been arrested. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Williams should call the Erie FBI office at 814-452-4516 or after hours 412-432-4000 or the Erie Police Department.

If you have any information on this person you can also call either Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-472-8477. You will be eligible for the $25,000 being offered for information leading to Williams’ arrest and conviction. As always, anyone providing information may remain anonymous.

photo from Atlanta Police Department

Dove Award Nominees Announced

jean103 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:09:54 +0000

Atlanta, GA- (February 22, 2012)-The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced the43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees at a press conference held at The Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, GA.

Nominees were announced by GRAMMY nominated R&B artist Montell Jordan, known for his iconic hit “This is How We Do It,” BET “Lift Every Voice” host CoCo Brother, Daytime EMMY nominated comedian Chonda Pierce, and World Heavyweight Champion wrestler AJ Styles.

Atlanta will host the Dove Awards for a second time at the Fox Theatre on April 19, 2012, following a sold-out show in 2011 hosted by Sherri Shepherd which aired on the Gospel Music Channel and garnered 1.5 million viewers.

The Dove Awards have featured performances and appearances by some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports, including Whitney Houston,Tim Tebow, Sherri Shepherd and Kathie Lee Gifford. It has showcased many of the nation’s leading Christian music artists, including Amy Grant, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Kirk Franklin, Casting Crowns, Mary Mary, Third Day and more.

“The GMA is excited to again honor the artists, songwriters and creative individuals in our community through the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards” saidJackie Patillo, GMA’s Executive Director. “This event not only celebrates great work, but provides a platform to further our mission of exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music.”

The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees include:

Male Vocalist of the Year

Chris August, Chris Tomlin, Jason Crabb, Kirk Franklin, Steven Curtis Chapman

Female Vocalist of the Year:

Francesca Battistelli, Kari Jobe, Laura Story, Mandisa, Natalie Grant

Group of the Year:

Casting Crowns, David Crowder*Band, Gaither Vocal Band, NEED TO BREATHE, The Isaacs

For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org andwww.hearitfirst.com.

Grandmother, Stepmother Charged When Girl, 9, Dies During Running Punishment

willmcguinnesscbs — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:53:43 +0000

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — The grandmother and stepmother of a 9-year-old Alabama girl who died after witnesses said she was forced to run for three hours as punishment for lying have been charged with murder and are being held in jail.

Witnesses told deputies that Savannah Hardin was told to run and not allowed to stop for three hours on Friday Feb. 17, an Etowah County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said. The girl’s stepmother, 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin, called police at 6:45 p.m., telling authorities that Savannah was having a seizure and was unresponsive.

Authorities are still trying to determine whether Savannah was forced to run by physical coercion or by verbal commands only.

Savannah Hardin died Monday at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Authorities said Jessica Mae Hardin and Savannah’s grandmother — 46-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard — were both arrested and charged with murder after the death was ruled a homicide by a state pathologist.

The sheriff’s release says the autopsy report showed the girl was extremely dehydrated and had a very low sodium level.

The sheriff’s office received calls from concerned citizens who had witnessed the incident. No other details were released, and spokeswoman Natalie Barton said the investigation is ongoing.

“It’s sad when a family is grieving over the death of a daughter and granddaughter and so soon to find out that the death could have been prevented,” Etowah Sheriff Todd Entrkin wrote in the release. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

Garrard and Hardin are being held in the Etowah County Detention Center, each on a $500,000 cash bond.

Barton said Savannah lived in an Attalla, Ala. home with her father, Robert Hardin, and Jessica Hardin. Garrard lives nearby.

Court records show that Robert Hardin filed for divorce from Jessica in August of 2010. In his complaint, he asserted Jessica was bi-polar and of had alcoholic tendencies. He accused her of previously having run off with the couple’s own child, Gavin.

In her response, Jessica denied all of Robert’s allegations.

Five months after filing for divorce, the two asked a judge to dismiss their case.

Savannah Hardin was a 3rd grader at Carlisle Elementary School. Superintendent Alan Cosby said her desk had been turned into a makeshift memorial where her classmates could leave notes and mementos. He said counselors and social workers were made available for students.

“This is obviously a very tragic, devastating, heartbreaking situation,” Cosby said. “Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

Rev. Sharpton To Appear At March Rally

jean103 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:41:11 +0000

ATLANTA (WAOK)-Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder of National Action Network, is preparing to lead a march from Selma, to Montgomery, Alabama re enacting the march by Dr. Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders to commemorate “Bloody Sunday” and a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The march is scheduled for Sunday, March 4 in Selma and will end in Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday, March 9, with a rally at the state capital.

On Thursday, February 23, Rev. Sharpton will be joined by Dr. Gerald L. Durley, Pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Marcus Coleman, Founder, Atlanta Chapter-National Action Network, Members of the Atlanta Chapter of NAN, Clergy, Union Leaders, Elected Officials and Community Organizers, at a rally to support the March.

The rally will take place at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive in Atlanta beginning at 6 pm.

100 buses will depart from the Atlanta area to participate in this historic event on March 4.

Buses will also depart on March 9th for Montgomery and return the same day. Tickets may be purchased for $30. For more information please contact the Southeastern Regional Office at 678-732-0405 or log onto http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net

Black History Month Parade

jean103 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:41:54 +0000

Atlanta (WAOK)-Entertainers, politicians, civil rights icons, and humanitarians are preparing to culminate the celebration of Black History month by participating in Atlanta’s Black History Month parade.

The Black History Month parade is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at noon beginning at downtown Atlanta’s Peachtree Center, onto Auburn Avenue and ending at The King Center at Boulevard and Auburn Avenue, NE.

Parade coordinators Khalil Islam and Earl Little said, “Atlanta — as the ‘cradle of the civil rights movement’ — is the perfect site to highlight and show appreciation to those who have blazed the trails in various occupations.” Along with prominent individuals themselves,” added Islam and Little of Atlanta, “trailblazing African-American businesses will be acknowledged which also assisted in Atlanta rising into the ‘city too busy to hate’ in the New Millennium.”

Confirmed participants include Congressman John Lewis, R&B Singer Angie Stone, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, the Historic Butler Street YMCA Kids, “America’s Got Talent” Kid Sensation David Militello, Bernice A. King or Martin Luther King 3rd and Tia Norfleet, NASCAR’s first African-American female driver.

V-103 and WAOK will bring you all of the highlights of this historic event.

Picture Of Whitney Houston In Casket?

dbtalk — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:25:19 +0000

According to Reuters.com, In a classy move certain to enrage fans while boosting sales, a popular gossip magazine has published a photo of Whitney Houston’s open casket this week.

The image of the late pop diva was purportedly taken during a private viewing at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J. Do you think this is right? Take our Poll!!!

Oscar History?

princessmonique — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:23:29 +0000

More “black history” may be made this month on Sunday Feb. 26 as the 84^th Academy Awards take place in Hollywood California. Best actress nominee, Viola Davis and best supporting actress nominee, Octavia Spencer are both in the running for Oscar’s for their performances in the movie The Help. They could very well make history by being the first African American females to win Ocar’s from these categories on the same night. This wouldn’t be the first time that the Academy has given two African Americans their most prestigious awards. Halley Berry won the award for best actress and Denzel Washington won for best actor in 2002. If Spencer and Davis win, this will be the first time two African American women take home the gold! Do you think they will do it? I’ve crossed my heart, fingers and toes with the hope that these ladies will crack open the Academy door just a little further.

Lawmakers Pass Amendment On Charter Schools In Georgia

vac872 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:56:29 +0000

ATLANTA (AP/WAOK) – The Georgia House has passed a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to create charter schools.

The measure passed 123-48 Wednesday, garnering the required two-thirds majority. It now goes to the Senate.

The constitutional amendment would clarify state law after a state Supreme Court ruling outlawed the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. The court found the commission was illegally creating charter schools over the objection of districts.

A House vote on the bill earlier this month fell 10 votes shy of the required two-thirds majority to approve it. If the bill passes the Senate, it must get voters’ approval in November.

Opponents say the state should not create charter schools when public school districts are facing $1 billion in state cuts and steep declines in local property tax revenue.