City News Service

Dec 18 2010

Kevon L. Gulley writes book in 93 days

CARSON, Calif.—A one-time foster child, juvenile delinquent and felon from Compton will sign copies of his debut novel today at a Carson bookstore.

Kevon L. Gulley, 34, completed "Just Like Compton'' in 93 days while serving an 8-year sentence in Kern Valley State Prison for fraud and receiving stolen property, publicist Jasmyne Cannick said.

Today at 3 p.m., he will be signing copies of self-published book at Smiley's Bookstore at 20220 S. Avalon Blvd.

Dec 18 2010

“The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network,” and “The Fighter” earn most nominations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—“The King’s Speech,” a historical drama about a British king with a stammer, earned a leading seven nominations for the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, including a best dramatic film nod.

The film was nominated for best dramatic picture along with “The Social Network,” “Black Swan,” “The Fighter” and “Inception.”

Dec 18 2010

Lonnie David Franklin Jr.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Five of the women in photos found at the home of the suspected Grim Sleeper serial killer have been tentatively identified, but their status could not be confirmed pending further investigation, a police detective said.

Hundreds of photographs were found at the home Lonnie David Franklin Jr. after he was arrested July 8 on suspicion of killing at least 10 young women and one man in South Los Angeles between 1985 and 2007. The killer was dubbed the Grim Sleeper because of a long gap between killings.

Dec 16 2010

Boosting students' performance

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education approved a proposal to start the school year about two weeks earlier than usual in hopes of boosting students' performance on standardized tests.

The board voted 6-1 to begin classes at most elementary, middle and high schools on Aug. 15, starting next year, and end on June 1. The school year has traditionally started immediately after Labor Day.

The proposal does not effect the small number of campuses on multi-track, year-round schedules.

Dec 15 2010

Confidential information

WEST COVINA, Calif.—Magnetic tape containing Social Security numbers, medical information, investigative reports and other data mailed from a state Department of Public Health office in West Covina was missing today.

The tape included information on as many as 2,550 people, state Department of Public Health employees and health care workers in the Southern California area, and the data is not encrypted, a department spokesman said.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”