Cocaine

Jun 10 2011

Former Orange County Sheriff Deputy

SANTA ANA, Calif.—The sentencing of a former Orange County sheriff's deputy who pleaded guilty to several DUI charges stemming from a collision that injured a 78-year-old woman was postponed today because he looked too intoxicated to go through with the hearing, a prosecutor said.

Allan James Waters pleaded guilty April 7 to charges related to the collision as part of a plea bargain approved by Orange County Superior Court Judge Frank Fasel. The judge told him he would not face a prison sentence longer than 15 months.

May 27 2011

Taken off life support

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Actor Jeff Conaway, best known for his roles in the television series "Taxi'' and the 1978 movie "Grease,'' died today at age 60.

Conaway, who appeared on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'' in 2008, was hospitalized earlier this month after being found unconscious in his home May 11 due to what was widely reported as a drug overdose. "Celebrity Rehab'' host Drew Pinsky wrote on his Twitter page that Conaway had not overdosed, but was suffering from a combination of pneumonia and sepsis.

May 26 2011

Follow-up on 2006 action

In the wake of a predawn raid accompanied by flash grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and conducted by a joint task force of federal, state and local law enforcement officials last Thursday, a spokesperson for the United States attorney general’s office said 21 alleged members and associates of the Black P-Stone gang were arraigned in federal court and trial dates have been set.

Feb 14 2011

Long time battle

SANTA MONICA, Calif.—R&B singer El DeBarge, who has battled drug problems for years, announced today that he has checked into a rehabilitation center.

"I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone,'' DeBarge, 49, said. "I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time."

Feb 1 2011

Federal racketeering

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Nearly five dozen people were arrested overnight by a multi-agency task force that targeted members and associates of the 38th Street gang.

Many of those arrested were named in a federal racketeering indictment that alleges violent crimes, large-scale drug trafficking and extortion of both drug dealers and legitimate businesses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Across Black America

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

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.