Measles, whooping cough, influenza and other infectious diseases were once believed to be largely contained and/or erradicated in America. Now some parents, teachers and medical pratictioners are at odds over what are the best safeguards against communicable illness while maintaining a balance of community wellness and personal choice.
Author Archives: Merdies Hayes
Posted inNews, News-OW
Two months of storms not enough to end drought
The storms that wafted their way through the Los Angeles Basin this month–with more light showers expected today–have not had a discernible effect on the drought now entering its fourth year.
Posted inCovers
‘Roots of the Soul’ takes audience on search for identity and place
In a nod toward service to his community, noted actor/director Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter on Feb. 21 will host the Caribbean American Repertory Theatre West’s production of the play “Roots of the Soul” at Palmdale’s Legacy Commons senior facility. The production, set for 2 and 7:30 p.m., is part of Palmdale’s continuing Season of Service campaign as well its celebration of Black History Month.
Posted inFeature
Foreign places, familiar faces:
Within some American communities, the foreign faces of terror can look familiar. Last week in Paris two brothers, Said and Cherif Kouachi, and a lone gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, brought the city’s most famous thoroughfare, the Champ-Elysees, to a standstill. In the end, these latest converts to jihad had murdered 18 persons as part of their fight against Western imperialism, shouting proudly that their deadly campaign was both commissioned by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and consecrated by God.
Posted inCovers
Arts education provides outlet for free expression, ownership
Friday morning was something to look forward to. Not only did the weekend beckon, but on that day Dorothy Hansen provided a one-hour respite from the daily academic grind. A little blue-haired lady wearing those “cat-eye shaped” spectacles popular among women then, Mrs. Hansen was a stern taskmaster and a virtuoso on … the autoharp.
Posted inNews, News-OW
Slow but steady gains half a decade after Haiti quake
Five years after the devastating earthquake in Haiti that killed more than 200,000 people and destroyed a minimum of 100,000 buildings, there are small but positive signs of hope that the impoverished island nation is rebounding.
Posted inCovers
Lancaster ‘Season of Service’ offers volunteer opportunities for all ages
Lancaster continues to be among the leading Southland cities in supporting community outreach. This year its Eighth Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service will include 30 projects designed in still community pride while providing residents an opportunity to enhance not only their neighborhood, but also to begin the year with a renewed spirit of service.
Posted inCovers
Civilian oversight commission may add stability to Sheriff’s Department
In a widely anticipated move, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week voted 3-2 to establish the first-ever civilian oversight commission to periodically review the embattled Sheriff’s Department.
Posted inNews, News-OW
McCarthy leads delegation to Middle East
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy earlier this week returned from leading a congressional delegation to the Middle East to examine the unfolding campaign against ISIL and to confer with some of America’s partners about regional security threats.
Posted inHealth
Covered California unveils latest efforts to boost Black enrollment
Thousands of Angelinos each week continue to enroll in California Covered, the Golden State’s version of the Affordable Care Act, but African Americans locally remain just on the fringe of regular health care services, even as the process is being continually tailored to include more persons of color into its ranks.