Los Angeles County

Dec 13 2010

Lowest since 1975

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The number of homicides over the past 12 months in Los Angeles County is down 12.5 percent compared to the same period last year, the sheriff's department reported today.

Between November 2009 and November 2010, 169 homicides had been reported, compared to 191 over the previous 12 months, continuing a trend that has seen a 50 percent drop in murders over the past five years.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the number of annual is the lowest since 1975.

Dec 8 2010

Los Angeles and Orange County schools receive distinction

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Eight schools in Los Angeles County and four in Orange County were nominated by the California Department of Education to be national blue ribbon schools.

The Los Angeles County nominees are:
• California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Long Beach Unified School District;
• Gertz-Ressler Academy High School, Los Angeles Unified School District;
• Renaissance Arts Academy, Los Angeles Unified School District;
• McGrath Elementary, Newhall School District;

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Dec 2 2010

Between the Lines

The upset for the California state attorney general’s office is a fait accompli as San Francisco district attorney, Kamala Harris, claimed victory over the purported favorite, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, last week in one of the closest statewide elections in California history.

Nov 30 2010

Enhancing Education through Technology Competitive Grants

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Dozens of schools districts and schools in Los Angeles and Orange counties were awarded more than $13.6 million in federal grants to bolster programs that help students prepare for "college and careers,'' it was announced today.

A total of 37 districts and schools in the two counties received Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grants.

Among the recipients were:
• Los Angeles Unified School District, $3 million;
• Long Beach Unified School District, $1 million;

Nov 29 2010

Fatalities, drunk driving

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Six people were killed on Los Angeles County streets and highways during the first 84 hours of the Thanksgiving holiday period, said the CHP.

That compares to five people who were reported killed on local roads during the same period last year.

There were 276 arrests for suspicion of drunken driving on the CHP-patrolled highways in Los Angeles County, one more than last year's total of 275.

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.”