Top New York radio personality and head of Dahved Levy Promotions Inc, Dahved Levy, in partnership with title sponsors, CaribbeanFever.Com will stage the third 'ICONS'- Mother's Day Reggae Festival, featuring - Buju Banton, Barrington Levy, Super Cat and Friends on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

The Wamu at Madison Square Gardens which has a capacity seating of six Thousand, will house the event.

According to Dahved, "Patrons are booking flights and have been flying in from different countries and across different states in the U.S." He added that, "People have not seen Super Cat in action for a long time and this has created a major buzz about the show."

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A teacher who resigned over a controversial video posted on YouTube denies making fun of a student.

Timothy Huber resigned from Mandarin High School yesterday.

The mother of a student in his class complained to the school board after seeing the video on YouTube. She claimed Huber made fun of her 15 year old son.

Huber talked to First Coast News by phone Wednesday morning.

"I would never, never mock one of my students," he said.

"It's a difficult time," he added. Huber said he couldn't say anything more on advice of legal counsel.

District investigators are still in the process of reviewing the classroom incident.

The video has been removed from YouTube.

The story has generated a flurry of comments in our Topix Talkback section.

Residents of a community in Portland are still desperately trying to find out what could have caused a respected Christian lady to have attempted to commit suicide recently.

The woman, the vice-principal of a prominent high school in her community, was reportedly found with her throat slashed and a knife in her hand, inside a bathroom at her home, police told THE STAR.

The Manchioneal police say the incident occurred about midday last Sunday, while the vice-principal was at home with her husband, brother-in-law and mother-in-law having a family meeting.

"She left to use the bathroom but because she had been in there a while, her husband went to check on her," a policeman from the station said. "When he went there, he reportedly found her in the bathroom with a knife in her right hand and a wound to her neck. She was rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital before being transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital."

Thorough investigations

The officer said they had intially logged the incident as an attempted suicide but would be conducting thorough investigations.

He said there were differing reports as to what might have triggered such an act. He said that on one hand, the argument was that the lady attempted suicide because she was depressed. While, on the other hand, some persons in the community were of the view that she tried to end her life because she was having marital problems.

An attempt to get a comment from the family was unsuccessful as they declined to speak on the matter, and several calls to the school and its principal were not answered.

Residents, in the meantime, say that the incident has left the community in doubt, as the Christian couple were seen as upright citizens and devout churchgoers who always had encouraging words for others. "It shake up the community, yuh nuh, because they are like role models in here," one said.

Since news of the near-fatal incident broke last week, residents say various stories have been circulating as to what could have led to the incident.

"I don't know which of the stories to believe, but all I know is that something must have gone wrong for her to do something like that out of the blue," another resident said.

Jamaican dancehall heavyweight Bounty Killer will be in the cool hills of Christiana, Manchester on Saturday May 17 satisfying his fans while bringing the town to life at the first staging of Victory.

The event, headlined by Killer, will be held at Sinclair's car park in the town and will also feature two of Dancehall music's best female deejays in the form of "Culture Queen" Sister Nancy & Lady G.

The Line is rounded out with a number of other talented acts such as seasoned campaigner Lisamaria formerly known as Lisa Dainjah who is also the promoter of  Victory, Timmi Burrell, Vengeance, Junie Platinum, Chetenge, Don Mafia, Muma Lek & Sister P. Music will provided by the ever popular Black Kat and Gangster Rock sound. MCs will be Elise kelly of IRIE FM & Mr. Wong. Victory is an IRIE FM BIG UP.

     


By PETER MUELLO, Associated Press Writer


Buzz Up PrintRIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP)Ronaldo went into hiding Tuesday after a run-in with cross-dressing prostitutes that prompted police to investigate whether to charge one with trying to extort money from the soccer star.

The AC Milan player, in Brazil recovering from a knee surgery, canceled two TV appearances, and local media said he will continue physiotherapy at his home.

Police said Ronaldo committed no crime, but he was accused by one prostitute of using drugs and not wanting to pay.

Prostitution is legal in Brazil.

It is necessary to clarify that no formal accusations were made against Ronaldo, read a statement on the players Web site. An advocate of social causes, Ronaldo has never used drugs and has always been admired by children in Brazil and around the world. There are indications of an extortion attempt in which the Milan striker is the only victim.


Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA player of the year, acknowledged to police he knew they were prostitutes but did not realize they were cross-dressers until getting to a motel early Monday morning, according to police.

Police released more details Tuesday, and the AP reviewed witnesses accounts to authorities.

The motel manageridentified only as Luisasaid Ronaldo, who was dressed and appeared to be sober, tried to get rid of the prostitutes after realizing they were men.

She told police Ronaldo offered the prostitutes $600 to end the incident but they would not accept dollars. The manager then converted the money into reals for Ronaldo, but before he made the payment one prostitute asked for 50,000 reals ($30,000) to keep the story from the media, according to the police document.

A motel waiter, who was not identified in the police documents, told police the prostitute went to the street and yelled the Phenomenon didnt want to pay.

Witnesses also told police the prostitute who asked for 50,000 reals ripped out the phone wires to keep Ronaldo from calling for help, and broke into his car to steal his belongings, according to police documents. That prostitute later showed local media a car document belonging to Ronaldo.

Police inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira said there was no evidence drugs were involved in the incident.

But he said Ronaldo and the prostitutes must return to the police station for further questioning next week. Nogueira added the one prostitute might be charged with extortion. Ronaldo will not be charged, Nogueira said, unless he threatened to physically assault the prostitutes, as one hinted.

The case made front-page headlines in several Brazilian newspapers Tuesday. And a brief video clip of Ronaldo at the motel, apparently taped by one of the prostitutes, became a big hit in Brazil after being uploaded on YouTube.

Its really a soap opera, said 48-year-old Luiz Mendes, a private chauffeur. Ronaldo has money to fill mattresses. He can afford the best and most beautiful women in the world. Why would he want to go out with these (prostitutes).

Some Brazilians defended the star.

Its no surprise they are on the front page of all newspapers, said 27-year-old Catia Lopes, a bakery-shop worker. But I dont think Ronaldos image was hurt. For me he is still the same person.

Ronaldos spokesman did not immediately return an e-mail from The Associated Press.

Ronaldo went out Sunday night reportedly to celebrate Flamengos 1-0 victory over rival Botafogo in the first leg of the Rio de Janeiro state final. Ronaldo is a fan of Flamengo and has said he wants to play for the Brazilian club before retiring. He was at Maracana stadium to watch Sundays match.

The player told reporters during the match that he could be back in action in six months if his recovery continues to go as planned.

Ronaldo has won two World Cups with Brazil, including in 2002 when he scored eight goals, including two in the final against Germany.

Associated Press Writer Tales Azzoni in Sao Paulo, Brazil, contributed to this report.

Spring Bling: Out of time, but not energy Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer Left: She struttted her stuff in fine style at the Common Sense Promotion presents Spring Bling Show. Right: Dancehall couture the Spring Bling way. This lady got loads of attention in this frothy outfit at the show.- Winston Sill photos The Common Sense promoted Spring Bling staged last Friday at the Constant Spring football field, St Andrew, not only defied the Noise Abatement Act, but also ran an organised schedule. Patrons were not able to get a performance out of their favourite artistes, as the palette of acts slated to perform was too much for the time allotted. This fuelled occasional attacks on the recent enforcement act. Ginjah, who succeeded Fanton Mojah on-stage at approximately 1 a.m. launched the first assault: "Yuh see dis 2 o'clock thing weh dem have, me nuh like it", he said out before deejaying Rough Times, Tough Times. The next set of acts followed quickly with Mystic Man, Captain Barkey and Wickerman, Tony Rebel, the One *lo** Brothers, and Shane-O appearing onstage in a 25 minute time slot that also accommodated MC Nuffy. Although this was good, there were still complaints from the stage managers about the time constraints, while artistes overstayed their time onstage. Nuffy soon addressed this saying: "Entertainers wi love unnuh to the max, but mek wi deal wid this in a orderly manner." Shane-O was one of the standout acts at Spring Bling Show, held at the Constant Spring football field, Constant Spring last Friday. Serani and Bugle of Daseca were greeted to an elaborate reception as they took the stage and brought on Biggy, from the duo Razz and Biggy, who provided them with some flawless mixing from the turntables. They managed to get a smooth run despite the 'cut and guh thru' strategy employed by the stage managers. Lutan Fyah perfromed Save The Juvenile, as reports of a one hour extension was announced. With a strong contingent of police on the inside and outside of the venue one would have guessed that there would be no leniency. I-Wayne took a swipe at the police with the lines; "nuff a dem a beast officer/ searching for ganja in the youths bf officer." Spanner Banner, a raving Richie Spice, and a smooth Sanchez followed. However, it was Spragga Benz who commanded the full attention of the patrons as he made his presence felt from the second he took to the stage. Spragga deejayed medley style as he targeted the girls. Sections of the crowd loved Aidonia, the ladies screamed for Anthony B, and the patrons embraced Mavado and later his 'daddy' Bounty Killer. Munga, who was called on by Bounty sounded a bit rusty and found it hard keeping up with the Killer and the 'Gully God'. It was 3:10 a.m. and the police were lenient enough to grant time to the 'Doctor', Beenie Man, who rocked the session as he had the girls 'jiggling dem body.' Shane-O was one of the stand out acts for the night. Dressed in a white suit, with some crisp lyrics to match, he treated the patrons to Crab Inna Barrel, Stone Broke My Window, and two other songs in five minutes. Overall, the session was good, and the time constraints probably aided in making more of the performances spicy. Left: Maybe she was thinking 'comfort' when she chose those boots, but what about the outfit. Right: You may need to wear shades in her presence, but at least she can't be hard to spot in a crowd.

Boy what a way Ele gwaan good inna Africa...well Uganda to be precise. YardFlex came across the review of the show he was described in AllAfrica.com as "a man of lighting, rapidity voice and action."

According to the report Elephant Man bumped and danced with Ugandan girl showing some real energy. "It was dancehall, and when the crowd got low, he had to go the extra mile to get the waves at the 10th anniversary of the Smirnoff Club Silk Street Jam. To him, f**k was as good as a 'hello' as it rolled off his tongue."

Every girl wanted to dance with him, but security shoved them off.

Well, YardFlex must say it's refreshing to get a positive report about dancehall.

Caleb Fleming is a freshman at Virginia Tech and is a news reporter for the student newspaper, the Collegiate Times. CNNU is a feature that provides student perspectives on news and trends from colleges across the United States. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of CNN, its affiliates or the schools where the campus correspondents are based.

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (CNN) -- The owner of an online firearms store that sold one of the guns used by Seung-Hui Cho in the massacre at Virginia Tech spoke there Thursday in support of carrying concealed weapons on campus.

Eric Thompson, owner of TGSCOM, a company based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, sold a Walther .22-caliber handgun to Cho, who killed 32 people and himself on April 16, 2007.

Thompson also sold two 9 mm magazines and a Glock holster to Steven Kazmierczak, who killed five people and himself at Northern Illinois University on February 14, 2008.

The event was sponsored entirely by the student organization Students for Concealed Carry on Campus and was strongly opposed by the Tech administration.

University spokesman Larry Hincker released a statement denouncing Thompson's visit.

"Free speech is a hallmark of university life," Hincker said. "Still, I find it terribly offensive to learn that the gun-seller of the weapons used in the Virginia Tech campus murders would set foot on this campus.

"Additionally, the organizers appear to be incredibly insensitive to the families of the victims who lost loved ones and to the injured students still recovering from this horrendous tragedy."

But Thompson was undeterred as he addressed the audience of more than 50 students and community members, almost all of whom support carrying concealed guns on campus.

Thompson's appearance failed to bring out a large crowd. The event was largely unpublicized, leaving many students with opposing viewpoints in the dark.

He said he was speaking at his own personal expense, on his own accord, as a result of an "unfortunate coincidence."

Thompson also directly addressed a protester in the audience.

Jessica Schmale, a junior political science major, sat wearing a homemade T-shirt reading, "Guns Kill" on the front, and "Protest Easy Guns" on the back.

"Guns kill, they certainly do, but so do cars and all sorts of other things," Thompson said. "What we need to do is focus on the person that's doing the killing."

Schmale later said she came to the lecture to represent the majority of students on campus who do not support carrying hidden guns, although she recognized her input at the event was marginal.

"I don't believe in concealed-carry [of guns] on campus, and I don't think that is a good idea for a university," Schmale said. "I thought the speech was respectful and I think that he did show that he had compassion for people.

"I still think a lot of it was slanted and very rights-oriented, and did not fully address the idea of what having guns on campus is going to mean for safety in classrooms and the environment in general of Virginia Tech," she said.

Thompson told the crowd it is a waste of Americans' Second Amendment right not to be able to exercise it. Thompson is of the school of thought that believes the Second Amendment protects Americans' rights to carry guns, concealed or otherwise.

"If you don't use your rights, you lose them," Thompson said. "You're in charge of your own life, and if you don't take charge of it, someone else will do it for you."

Throughout his address, Thompson stressed that his goal was not for everyone in the country to have guns, but rather to allow those who wish to own firearms to do so. See which states allow guns on campus. »

"What we need to do as a community, as a country, is to stop prohibiting people who do want to protect themselves," Thompson said.

And his sentiment was echoed by students in attendance.

"I'm glad that he didn't try to make it, everybody should have guns, because that's definitely not what we are for," said Kat Malone, a junior majoring in apparel housing and resource management. Malone is a member of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus organization.

Nina Camoriano, a junior double majoring in mechanical engineering and Spanish, said that one person who does not want to carry a hidden gun should not hurt the cause, because the protection helps those who are unarmed, too.

"The beauty of concealed carry is that you don't have to carry to be protected by it," she said. "You don't have to carry concealed, as long as your community allows that. In the worst-case scenario, there is somebody there, ready, and armed, and you aren't reduced to cowering."

THE parents of a baby girl mauled to death by their two rottweiler dogs were yesterday told by a coroner they were NOT to blame for the tragedy.

Amy and Lee Burchell wept as an inquest heard how they found five-month-old Cadey-Lee Deacon brutally savaged.

The horrified mum had clasped the *lo**ied tot to her, screaming: Shes dead, shes dead.

The couple had left her asleep in her Moses basket in their living quarters above a pub.

The dogs were kept on the roof and were not allowed inside unsupervised.

But the couple were busy moving out that day, a fire door was left open and the dogs, Bruno and Bess, got in.

Detective Inspector David Richardson told the Leicester inquest:There was no evidence to suggest the care of Cadey-Lee fell below an acceptable standard.

"Because of unusual events, the door was left open with tragic consequences.

Leicester Coroner Martin Symington recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He told the couple, both 26: I believe it was a tragic accident an unexpected attack in the hurly-burly of packing.

Lee, Cadey-Lees stepdad, was manager of the Rocket pub in Leicester when she was savaged in 2006.

Amy said in a police statement: Lee said, The babys not in the bedroom. The Moses basket was knocked over and there was *lo** on the floor.

I could see her body on the terrace and a dog lying next to her. She was covered in *lo**.

She added the dogs were family pets and had seemed to like Cadey-Lee.

 

A CHEATING husband battered his wife to death and hid her body in a car roof box in their garden, a court heard yesterday.

Andre Genestin, 48, is said to have bludgeoned Catherine with a mallet after she discovered his affair with a woman he met on the internet.

He first hid her body in a cupboard under the stairs then stuffed it into a large car roof box he ordered online.

Frenchman Genestin, of Brighton, then told their young daughter and their friends that Catherine, 38, had left him for a lover.

Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex heard Genestin carried on as normal until his daughter told a primary school teacher she was worried about her mum.

Explosive

 

She then told her father she was being bullied at school so he would meet with her teacher.

The school called in social workers who alerted police.

Prosecutor Christine Laing said the girl who cannot be named showed considerable ingenuity

Cops discovered Cath-erines body along with books on getting rid of evidence and dealing with police interviews.

Ms Laing said the couple had an explosive relationship and Catherine twice reported him to police for hitting her.

Genestin denies murder.

Trial continues

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A 10-year-old boy was arrested on charges of domestic battery and aggravated assault on Monday after attacking his mother with a hammer and fighting with his older brother, according to St. Augustine police.
Officers responding to a report of a domestic dispute in the 8500 block of Josiah Street about 9:30 a.m. were told by the boy's mother that the incident started when he refused to go to school and she stopped him from riding his bicycle.
She said the boy tried to push her over his bike, then went in the house and get in a physical altercation with his 13-year-old brother. When the mother got inside, she said the 10-year-old picked up a hammer and swung it at her.
The mother said she grabbed the hammer away from the boy, but he punched her in the back and sides, then went outside and took off on his bicycle.
Officers were there when he returned and took the boy into custody, booked, then turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice. His name is not being used because of his age.
According to the police report, the mother was not injured.

U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitive List

Washington, D.C. -- The heinous double murders of a young South Florida couple, whose bodies were discovered stuffed in the truck of a car, have landed alleged murder suspect, David Clarke, on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitive list. On June 16, 2007, Clarke and two other assailants, Clinton Dinnall and Anthony Bennett, waited for the couple, Chris Thompson and Cassandra Williams, at a home in Lauderhill, Fla., and brutally shot and killed them. According to witnesses, Cassandra Williams pleaded that she was a mother and had a 5-year-old son, but her pleas were answered with gunshots. The alleged assassins then stuffed the couples bodies in the truck of a car and abandoned the vehicle in Sunrise, Fla., where authorities made the discovery. Bennett and Dinnall were arrested a few weeks later and charged with first-degree murder; however, Clarke has yet to be found. Today, the U.S. Marshals are adding Clarke to its 15 Most Wanted Fugitive list. Being added to the Marshals 15 Most Wanted list is a wake-up call to all fugitives like Clarke to put them on notice that its only a matter of time before we come knocking, said U.S. Marshal Christina Pharo of the Southern District of Florida. Our reputation of being the best in fugitive apprehension can be backed up with results, and we are hoping to add Clarkes apprehension to the numbers. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to Clarkes arrest. Clarke, 26, is a black male and Jamaican national. He is six feet tall and weighs 210 pounds. He has a medium-brown complexion, hazel-brown eyes, and may or may not have dreadlocks. He also normally wears a beard. Clark has relatives and associates in Jamaica, West Indies and in south Florida. Anyone with information about David Clarkes whereabouts should contact their nearest U.S. Marshals Service office or the agencys toll-free number 1-800-336-0102. For more information, go to the U.S. Marshals web site at www.usmarshals.gov .

This one is hot! Apparently Ne-Yo is getting so sick of waiting for his royalties. According to mediatakeout.com word around Ne-Yo's camp is that he may be considering suing Beyonce over the royalties for her hit song "Irreplaceable."

A person familiar with the details spoke EXCLUSIVELY with the website on the condition of anonymity. That person explained, "Ne-Yo was never paid for writing the song Irreplaceable. There was just an understanding that he'd help out on [Beyonce's album] and when it was his time to make his album, Beyonce would return the favor."

But the insider reveals that Beyonce is now refusing to record a duet on Ne-Yo's upcoming album. The insider explains, "I don't know what's going on, but it doesn't b*o**dk like Beyonce's going to be working on the album...Ne-Yo could have sold that song for hundreds of thousands of dollars...I know that he's consulted a lawyer over what to do about things."

And according to the source "I'm not sure whether Ne-Yo will actually go through with a lawsuit. But I know he's furious about it...If she doesn't work on his album, I hope he does sue

Ce'Cile has teamed up with renowned producer Scott Storch in collaboration with Beenie Man on the track titled So Fly. The track is as a result of the relationship with Danger Zone and SoBe Entertainment.

Storch, known for his wicked instrumentals and credited with hits such as Lean Back by Fat Joe, Candy Shop and Just a Lil' Bit by 50 Cent as well as Baby Boy by Beyonce and Sean Paul, has also produced for a variety of artistes including Dr. Dre, Fat Joe, Nelly, Jadakiss, Christina Aguilera, Nas, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Brooke Hogan, The Game, Chamillionaire, Chris Brown and many more.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A former Broward County librarian condemned for fatally beating his girlfriend with a hammer has been found dead in his cell on Florida's death row.

William Coday, 51, bled to death at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford early Monday from what are being called self-inflicted wounds, one of his attorneys, George Reres, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

An autopsy was performed at the medical examiner's office in Gainesville, but a final report was not expected to be released for several months.

Coday had a history of suicidal behavior. He tried to kill himself while awaiting trial in 2000 at the Broward County Jail.

"He did have a death wish," Reres said.

Reres did not immediately return an e-mail or a telephone message left at his office early Tuesday.

The Florida Department of Corrections is investigating, but cannot disclose how Coday died, spokeswoman Jo Ellyn Rackleff told the newspaper.

Coday confessed to planning for a month to kill Gloria Gomez in 1997. She was struck 57 times with a hammer and suffered 87 stab wounds.

A jury convicted Coday of first-degree murder in 2002 and recommended a death sentence. The Florida Supreme Court overturned the death sentence in 2006, ruling that the judge shouldn't have disregarded testimony and evidence from six mental health experts who found Coday to be suffering from serious mental illnesses. The case went back to the same judge, who again in May 2007 sentenced Coday to die.

In 1978, Coday was convicted in Germany of fatally beating another woman with a hammer. He served 15 months in prison, less than half of a three-year sentence, and was sent back to the U.S. to get psychiatric help.

 

A SCHOOLBOY who was brutally knifed after being chased by a gang and their pitbull terrier is recovering in hospital.

The unnamed pupil, 16, was going home from school when he was pursued back into the grounds and stabbed in front of classmates.

The gang also allegedly set their vicious dog loose, terrifying pupils at Salesian College in Battersea, south London.

The lad was airlifted to hospital where his condition last night was stable.

A Met spokesman said six youths aged 13 to 17 and not connected with the school were arrested over Thursdays attack.

For Kevin, being the other man has nothing to do with destroying the marriage of his woman on the side.

The 35-year-old has been dating Joan, 42, for five years. She is a business executive who is married with children. They met through work. The relationship started with emails and phone calls. Then they discovered they attended the same gym and the rest is history.

"It wasn't a matter of convenience; we just found each other attractive," Kevin said, an attraction which went beyond the physical. He later added, "You see somebody who is clearly that attractive. You have to work around your relationship."

Trips abroad

An art they have learnt well, as Kevin also has a girlfriend of four years. Their romantic rendezvous are often taken abroad to avoid being spotted, as they are both popular executives. Locally, they take trips to rural areas to keep their relationship discreet.

But, is it this game of hide and seek that keeps the intrigue going?

"There's some of that, it makes the meetings more intense," he said, emphasising that it's not the sole reason they stay together.

They have an understanding where they are open about their other relationships. He is not allowed to have any other outside relationship apart from theirs.

"It's a special relationship. It might sound weird. We deal with the risks because we care about each other," Kevin said.

However, he admitted that if he were to find out his girlfriend were having an affair, he would be hurt.

"I'm not about to pretend it's all right," he said, making reference to his relationship with Joan. Pointing out that feeling hurt if a partner is cheating would be a natural reaction. "But it's (infidelity) a more regular part of life than we want to admit. I would dare to say 80 per cent of the women I've been involved with have been in relationships at the time," he said, adding he never intentionally targets women who are involved. Their involvement just does not act as a deterrent if he finds the woman interesting enough.

Out of need

Yvonne Laughton Foster, a counselling psychologist with Family Life Ministries, said all relationships develop out of some kind of need.

For some people, a marriage provides financial and relational security, as well as security for children.

Kevin insisted that for Joan, however, she doesn't indulge in their relationship because something is wrong with her marriage. And it's really not something where she would leave her marriage to be with him.

"There has to be a reason why she's married for as long as she has been."

Women's affairs

Laughton Foster said a woman's affairs are usually viewed more harshly than a man's.

"The need to stray is the same, but how society views it is the difference."

She advised couples on how to attempt to keep their relationships intact.

"Have open lines of communication. Have a relationship where you can say, 'I saw so and so and I was attracted to him or her'," she said, further explaining that being honest with your partner helps both parties to toe the line and prevent jealousy from being the first reaction.

*Names changed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A robber who shot a 50-year-old Jacksonville woman during a home invasion made off with just $1, according to police.
Shirley Graham told Channel 4 that she was getting ready for bed on Friday night when an armed gunman kicked down the front door of her West 16th Street home.
"I thought I was going to die," said Graham.
Terrified, she and her brother hid inside their bathroom, praying the armed robber wouldn't see them.
The first person the gunman found in the home was Graham's ex-boyfriend, who was asleep on the couch in the living room.
"He woke my ex-boyfriend up and put a gun to his head, and then came to the back and woke my roommate up and said, 'Get up. Where's it at? Get up,'" Graham said. "I got scared. Next thing I know, someone came in and said, 'Where's it at? Where's it at?'"
According to the police report, the gunman kept yelling at Graham's roommate to give up the money and fired one shot into the wall, behind which Graham was hiding.
"I heard a shot, and I felt something. My brother shielded me. I felt something funny like my funny bone hit. I didn't know I was shot," Graham said.
Not knowing Graham was on the other side of the wall, the gunman continued to demand money from her roommate. The roommate gave the man all he had in his pockets -- $1 -- and the robber left.
The lone shot fired during the armed robbery hit Graham's right thigh, came out of her leg and grazed her elbow, causing her arm to break. She was taken to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries.
Just out of the hospital, Graham said she wants to know why the robber struck her home.
"God just be with me. I pray he doesn't come back because I don't have anything to -- I don't have any money. I'm barely making it here," Graham said.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Roads in Saudi Arabia are among the world's most dangerous but one type of victim stands out: female teachers who are dying at alarming rates because of long commutes through the desert to reach remote schools.

The Saudi government appoints teachers to work in villages where local staff cannot fill all vacancies. But unlike their male counterparts, female teachers in this conservative Muslim country have difficulty living alone in the villages, forcing them to commute each day.

Nof al-Oneizi was so worried she would die that she wrote to education officials urging them to find her a school nearer to her home in the northern town of Jouf, rather than the one she was assigned to 108 miles away a three-hour drive because of the bad roads. Since women are forbidden to drive, she carpooled in a van with a driver along with several other female teachers.

Her fears came true before a solution to her problem could be found: The 28-year-old English language teacher died in a horrific crash last November. Five other female teachers, their driver and four people in the car they hit also were killed.

"We were devastated," said Suad Amri, al-Oneizi's aunt. "I still have her school papers, all splattered with *lo**. Her mom can't look at them. She can't absorb what has happened to her daughter."

Nearly 6,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2007 in this country of 27.6 million, according to the Saudi Traffic Department. That is a rate of about 21 deaths per 100,000 people one of the highest in the world. By comparison, around 14 per 100,000 people died in road accidents in the United States in 2006.

A study released in October by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, a Riyadh-based government research institute, found that female teachers commuting to their jobs have about a 50 percent greater chance of getting into car accidents than average Saudis. Its findings were based on figures from the late 1990s.

"The issue has become a national concern," said the study, which warned that the problem is growing with the rising number of teachers graduating and being assigned to remote schools.

There are no current statistics on how many female teachers die every year. But 21 female teachers were reported killed and 38 others injured in 11 accidents reported by Saudi newspapers since the school year began in September.

Accidents involving teachers often occur in areas where there is no cell phone reception or nearby medical help, leaving them vulnerable to dying from their injuries. It took 2 1/2 hours for the first victim from a deadly crash to reach a hospital last week, according to Al-Riyadh newspaper.

"It breaks my heart to hear of those deaths," said Suad al-Khalaf, a home economics teacher whose commute from the Saudi capital of Riyadh to her school 30 miles away in Dilim is 75 minutes each way.

"Every day, I'm on edge until I reach the school," she said. "I love teaching. But how can we be comfortable doing our job when we have to worry about getting to school in one piece?"

Many roads leading to the remote schools are windy, unpaved and full of potholes. Even on back roads, speeding is common and is even worse on straightaways through the empty desert. Many vehicles particularly buses and vans are old and poorly maintained.

Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, so the teachers must hire drivers sometimes sharing rides in minivans, leaving home as early as 3 a.m.

"It's as if Saudi (female) teachers are doomed to bid farewell to their families every day and embark on a journey they may not return from," Hasan al-Harthi wrote in Al-Hayat newspaper.

The Saudi Education Ministry appoints thousands of teachers to fill vacancies every year at government-run schools in remote areas. Ministry officials say they stipulate teachers should live near their schools.

But female teachers find it difficult to move because they need permission from a male guardian to live alone and have to find a landlord willing to rent them an apartment. Many take positions anyway and suffer through long commutes because job opportunities are scarce for women in Saudi Arabia, mainly limited to teaching and health care.

Education Ministry spokesman Abdul-Aziz Jarallah said in December that a ministry effort to build housing for female teachers appointed to remote schools had failed. None of the teachers wanted to live in the buildings, so the ministry shut them down, he said in remarks published in Al-Riyadh newspaper.

In 2005, four women made headlines when they decided to put an end to their hazardous commute: They married their driver and settled in a village near their school. Islam allows a man to take up to four wives at the same time.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Police said a 7-year-old South Florida boy faces grand theft auto charges after taking his grandmother's Dodge Durango for a joyride.
The eight-minute trek left a swath of damage in his Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood Friday. The boy smashed mailboxes, hit parked cars and signposts. He was unhurt.
Police say he literally drove until a wheel fell off. The right front wheel, to be exact, which broke off after the boy hit a sign.
The boy's mother said he apparently grabbed the keys to his grandmother's sport utility vehicle, backed it out of her driveway, and took off.
Police spokeswoman Ellen Lovejoy said the boy is unlikely to be prosecuted. They arrested him so he can get some help, noting the excursion was "unusual behavior for a 7-year-old."

Mavado finds Amazing Grace, stays on The Rock Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer Mavado Today we continue our in-depth interview series with David Constantine 'Mavado' Brooks, whose 'Symphony' (actually part of the name of his debut album on VP Records) has resonated with the dancehall audience. Yesterday Mavado spoke about his early years, ending with his singing in church. Mavado said the church was in Grants Pen. Just where? Mavado: Right in front a de stop light, Blue Ribbon it name, or suppen like dat. Years ago dat y'nuh me, Dads. Twenty-odd years ago me a tell yu bout y'nuh (laughter). From me a likkle yute (more laughter). Mel Cooke: So is a church-start den. Mavado: Yeah man. Yeah man. Mel: So a so Amazing Grace (one of his recent hit singles) come een? Mavado: Yu know sey how Amazing Grace come een, a me likkle cousin Chase Cross an a (breaks into song) "... Amazing Grace," y'nuh and "... bway dem a chase". An we deh deh an say dat 'bad'. An a so we start work pon it an' fix it up (breaks into song again) "...amazing grace shot fly tru face..." An' we jus' a sing it like a joke. An we jus' sey yu know me ago voice it. An' me voice it an me see it become a hit. An dem crucify me fe it. (Long laughter from all four men present. Mavado speaks again with a blend of laughter and contemplation) ... Wicked an' evil. (More laughter. Someone else says 'pastor dem call in'). Yeah, pastor dem call een pon radio station. After Jah sey don' judge no man. An me live fe hear pastor a judge me more dan one an' two an' tree time. Yu see it. De pastor a judge an' him grudge. Mel: So, yu ever feel sometime like you a get targeted differently? Mavado: How? Mel: Me a talk bout de lyrics an de pastor an de woman an de Reggae Academy Awards an dem ting deh. Yu ever feel like yu a get targeted differently, like somebody out fe you? Mavado: Out fe me like how? Mel: Like no want yu progress an ting. Mavado: People always out fe me. Yu nuh see it man. Even now man. People always out fe you man, cause when nobody nuh know yu nobody nuh out fey u y'nuh. As soon as de worl know yu, all who nuh know yu out fey yu. Yu have people nuh know yu an jus love yu. An yu have people nuh know yu an jus hate yu. Understan? So people always out fe you, but we nuh watch out fa. A Jah we shout fa (chuckles). Yeah man. Mel: Yu eva feel like yu woulda turn a Christian one day? Mavado: Nuh know wha de future hols. Is not a feel like. Is nuh feel like turn Christian. Jah jus' sey a your time, him call yu now. An it jus' happen. Is not a feel like ting. Nutten bout me inna life cyaa be feel like. It haffi real, 'cause tings jus' real as ever. Yu understan'. Cyaa be a feel like. Jah jus' haffi sey yow, y'know sey a time now, fe u come sing inna de church an dem ting deh an' den me jus' go inna de church. But fe now me jus' a gwaan love Jah an live an gwaan sing me song dem an we a gwaan sing bout de good, whe dem nah pay no attention to. An we a gwaan sing bout de gangster part a de ting, cause a tings wha happen in de streets we a sing bout y'nuh. A no tings whe we tell people we get up an' go do y'nuh. We sing bout' wha a gwaan inna de street. Yu understand. So need fe. If dem no waan we sing bout dese tings, den dem need fe clean up de society den. Dat mean sey de yute dem get work fe go, more school, more job, better education an' all a dem ting deh. An den we won' haffi see de yute dem a rob an kill fe live an dem ting deh. Yu understand. If de society better, den we haffi sing bout better. Look pon Sean Paul an dem yute deh. Dem haffi come sing bout party an nice tings because dem grow up uptown. An dem come an see dem parents mek dem alright an everyting nice an everyting. Yu understan'? So we now, come from offa de Gully whe we see man come kill man, me see police come kill man, we see all a dem ting deh, cause a jus' dem ting deh gwaan inna de ghetto so a dem ting deh we ago sing bout bredren. See whe me a sey. If we neva did a sing bout dese tings, picture me a sing bout bare partying an' bling bling an dis an dat, me woulda a tell lie bredren. Yu understand? So because we inna de gully an we inna de gutter an' we see wha a gwaan, we sing bout dese tings. Dats why we still come sing bout righteousness same way, dats why we come sey 'I'm on the Rock' an all dem ting dey. Because look how much tings wha a happen now. Me a try mek my life better an' people still a try draw me dung. Yu overs? Simple. Me a try mek my life better an people a try draw me dung. An everyting wha dem try Jah jus' mek me still dey ya same way. Dats why me come sey "I'm on the rock, higher dan high, Jehova guide me", yu see it dog, cause a real ting. An memba y'nuh, me come sey I'm on the rock from January, from de year start, cause it come een like me know all a dese tings whe a come reach me now y'nuh. Lucky ting me shout fe Jehovah from early an sey guide me. (Speaks directly to one of the other persons present). Yu see it. Yeah man, a lucky ting, or else me tell yu it woulda wicked pon me, me Dads. Mel: The line in that song whe sey "helicopter in de air" (Mavado says 'yeah'), yu deliberately tek it from Buju song from (Mavado interjects 'no!') dem time dehÉ Mavado: Me neva tek it from Buju song. Cause a real ting Buju did deejay seh, cause Buju was dere when it happen. Yu understand? Buju was there y'nuh when it happen. Dem time deh me tief out go a dance wid my bigger fren dem, dung a Red Hills Road. Mel: So a de same experience it come outta? Mavado: Yu understand. An den me keep my party now inna 2007 a Temple Hall Estate an' a de same ting me see appen. Helicopter in de air, bright light a shine dung pon people an dem ting deh. De people get scare. Mos' people sey dem tink a me a come outta helicopter. Special ting. (There is laughter all around). Mel: Shabba style. Mavado: Special appearance. Until we hear a man sey nobody move, nobody run, we are surrounded by the river an de sea an everyting (chuckles) an de bushes. So a wha really appen we tell dem inna de song. Tomorrow: Mavado , who will be appearing on the upcoming show, Rendezvous, on May 10, reacts to his exclusion from the inaugural Reggae Academy Awards and the relationship with his father.

In a bold move of their own, some deejays are placing a ban on Red Stripe, which earlier this month announced they would no longer sponsor live music events facilitating "violent and antisocial lyrics".

In justifying their actions, artistes say one good turn deserves another, and their ban whether personal or otherwise, is simply an equal reaction.

One such artiste, Mavado, held nothing back telling The STAR, "If dem ban we, we jus' ban dem back bredren! Simple.

"I feel like if dem a pull out from we, we suppose to pull out from dem. Dat mean sey we weh a go dancehall an' a go party, we no fe drink no Red Stripe den. An nutten whe dem mek. Simple."

Similarly, female deejay Spice says a ban on Red Stripe would only be a fair response.

"I don't think dancehall should have nothing to do with Red Stripe either. If they should withdraw from dancehall, I think dancehall should withdraw from them and call it quits," she told The STAR.

On April 4, Red Stripe issued a statement saying its main sponsorship beneficiaries, the annual Reggae Summerfest and Sting stage shows, will no longer have its support.

"Over the years, however, a very negative trend of glorifying violence has crept into some of the music, causing much consternation among well-thinking Jamaicans and others at home and abroad. This has far-reaching and damaging implications for the industry and for the country as a whole," the release stated.

In arguing that dancehall is responsible for the popularity of Red Stripe, Mavado continued, "When yu have Sumfes' an Sting, an all a dese tings, people no come fi see Red Stripe. A Mavado an' Killer an artis' dem people come fe see. A we mek dis produc' so big y'nuh ... none a dem products no sell nowhere else like how it sell a Jamaica."

Disapproval

Recently, during a performance at Word Soun's at Liberty Hall, King Street, Kingston, poet and broadcaster Mutabaruka also showed his disapproval of Red Stripe's recent decision.

"We realise is not really violence dem agains', is homophobia," Mutabaruka said. "Because violence was in de music long time ... Is true de gay guys pull out dem a pull out too. We sey dem is very hypocritical."

When contacted, Red Stripe's head of corporate relations, Maxine Whittingham-Osborne, told The STAR that the company is disappointed but will remain firm in the stance.

"That is sad to hear, but if that is the case, we are disappointed, but we will be standing by our decision," she said.

"To retaliate is not our modus operandi," said Wittingham-Osborne, before noting that Red Stripe would, however, be looking into the situation. "We will certainly be looking to see what initiatives could be implemented. We are not against the music industry," she declared.

April 29, 2008. MediaTakeOut.com has learned that Gary Dourdan, star of CSI (and former star of A Different World) was busted with heroin and other hard drugs. Here's how TMZ is reporting it: "CSI's" Gary Dourdan was busted in Palm Springs yesterday on suspicion of possessing heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription drugs. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the actor was asleep in his car at 5:21 AM when they approached the vehicle and made the bust. It's officially a wrap for his career....

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- According to a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office police report, inside a Westside home, stimulants used to increase endurance, scales, knives, trophies, and a sign saying, 'All States Humane Game Fowl Organization,' were found.

Investigators say 314 roosters used in a cockfighting ring were also found there.

"We arrived to find several hundred roosters couped up in ring," said an officer with Animal Control.

The officer can't be identified for safety reasons. He says people running those rings sometimes retaliate.

In the few years he's been working at Animal Care and Control, he says he's only had to process birds from a couple of operations.

"We know it's out there, it's pretty hard to infiltrate and get into, but we know it's out there," said the officer.

Along with the roosters at a home on the Westside, officers found razor blades attached to the legs of the roosters.

"We found slashers. They're used to cut each other when they fight. We also found mini fake spurs, they're used to wound the chickens when they fight each other," said the officer.

He says the blades were attached with superglue.

All 314 had to be euthanized because of their aggressive training.

"I'm still to this day surprised that people can do stuff like this and not feel bad about it," said the officer.

The officer says there were hundreds of roosters and hens on the property.

JSO said no arrests were made, but that the investigation continues.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Barack Obama angrily denounced his former pastor for "divisive and destructive" remarks on race, seeking to divorce himself from the incendiary speaker and a fury that threatens to engulf his front-running Democratic presidential campaign.

Obama is trying to tamp down the uproar over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at a tough time in his campaign. The Illinois senator is coming off a loss in Pennsylvania to rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and trying to win over white working-class voters in Indiana and North Carolina in next Tuesday's primaries.

"I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday," Obama told reporters at a news conference Tuesday.

His strong words come just six weeks after Obama delivered a sweeping speech on race in which he sharply condemned Wright's remarks but did not leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said was like a family member. After weeks of staying out of the public eye while critics lambasted his sermons, the former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago made three public appearances in four days to defend himself.

On Monday, Wright criticized the U.S. government as imperialist and stood by his suggestion that the United States invented the HIV virus as a means of genocide against minorities. "Based on this Tuskegee experiment and based on what has happened to Africans in this country, I believe our government is capable of doing anything," he said.

And perhaps even worse for Obama, Wright suggested that the church congregant secretly concurs.

"If Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected," Wright said. "Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls."

Obama stated flatly that he doesn't share the views of the man who officiated at his wedding, baptized his two daughters and been his pastor for 20 years. The title of Obama's second book, "The Audacity of Hope," came from a Wright sermon.

"What became clear to me is that he was presenting a world view that contradicts who I am and what I stand for," Obama said. "And what I think particularly angered me was his suggestion somehow that my previous denunciation of his remarks were somehow political posturing. Anybody who knows me and anybody who knows what I'm about knows that I am about trying to bridge gaps and I see the commonality in all people."

Although Obama leads in pledged delegates, no Democrat can win the nomination without the support of the superdelegates, the elected officials and party leaders who can vote their preference. The Wright furor forces those Democrats to wonder about Obama's electability in November.

Facing that reality, Obama sought to distance himself further from Wright.

"I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992, and have known Reverend Wright for 20 years," Obama said. "The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago."

The Illinois senator said of Wright's statements Monday: "All it was was a bunch of rants that aren't grounded in truth."

"Obviously, whatever relationship I had with Reverend Wright has changed," Obama said. "I don't think he showed much concern for me, more importantly I don't think he showed much concern for what we're trying to do in this campaign."

Obama said he heard that Wright had given "a performance" and when he watched news accounts, he realized that it more than just a case of the former pastor defending himself.

"His comments were not only divisive and destructive, I believe they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate," Obama said. "I'll be honest with you, I hadn't seen it" when reacting initially on Monday, he said.

Wright had asserted that criticism of his fiery sermons was an attack on the black church. Obama rejected that notion.

"He has done great damage, I do not see that relationship being the same," said Obama.

Wright recently retired from the church. He became an issue in Obama's presidential bid when videos circulated of Wright condemning the U.S. government for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. In the videos, some several years old, Wright called on God to "damn America." He also said the government created the AIDS virus to destroy "people of color."

Obama said he didn't vet his pastor before deciding to seek the presidency. He said he was particularly distressed that the furor has been a distraction to the purpose of a campaign.

"I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia explaining that he's done enormous good. ... But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS. ... There are no excuses. They offended me. They rightly offend all Americans and they should be denounced."

While Obama said he remains a member of the church "obviously this has put a strain on that relationship.

"There wasn't anything constructive out of yesterday," said Obama. "All it was was a bunch of rants that aren't grounded in truth."

At one point, Obama said he understood the pressures Wright faced but wouldn't excuse his comments.

"I think he felt vilified and attacked and I understand him wanting to defend himself," Obama said. "That may account for the change but the insensitivity and the outrageousness of the statements shocked me and surprised me."

Almost every entertainer has his/her unique way of building a 'vibe' before taking the stage to perform. However, where Bugle and Serani are concerned, they say things don't always go according to plan, so you have to be spontaneous at times.

"Basically, judging by the crowd, before I even go to the venue I think of what the crowd is going to be like. I approach a country crowd, different from a town crowd, garrison crowd, school crowd etc. So depending on the crowd, I would consider what order I will do my songs, how I will introduce the songs and even how I dress," Serani explained.

And although Serani says when he gets to the venue, he usually likes to see the crowd, "to get a feel of what the vibe is like," he says, "there are times when I reach the show and I don't actually get to see the crowd, because yuh reach an yuh have to just run on, so most of it is spontaneous. You need the ability to be spontaneous because a crowd can change on you instantly and you can't allow the crowd to throw you off."

Bugle also agrees, as he says, "sometimes yuh haffi watch the crowd reaction and even the type of artiste wey work pon di show, suh yuh haffi can change up yuh ting, yuh cyan always mek the fans dem can predict yuh."

But although Bugle is a celebrity to his many fans, that doesn't mean that he is never nervous before a show. But his preparation is usually enough to bring him through.

"Usually yuh haffi sey a word a prayerÉan we usually haffi decide how wi a guh start, if is a track show or bands, but wi jus deh deh an hol' a vibe, crack two joke sometimes, but right before the show, yuh normally get a little timid, but once yuh hold the microphone and chat two word, everything goes away," Bugle says.

DETROIT    A University of Michigan professor says he had no idea he'd given his 7-year-old son alcoholic lemonade at a ball game, and is furious at child-protection officials for removing his son from the home.

Christopher Ratte of Ann Arbor and his wife have filed a complaint against Child Protective Services.

Their son Leo spent two days in state custody. The father spent nearly a week outside his home before he was allowed to return.

He tells the Detroit Free Press that he'd taken his son to a Detroit Tigers game a few weeks ago. He didn't notice the $7 lemonade he bought contained alcohol.

A security guard noticed the boy drinking the spiked lemonade and called authorities. Leo was checked at a hospital. No trace of alcohol was found in his *lo**.

No charges were filed against the father, who says it was a case of "massive overreaction."

A man arrested Monday just minutes after a pre-dawn burglary of a Glynn County business is charged in eight different burglaries and suspected in others across three counties of southeast Georgia.
At 4:47 a.m., Glynn County Police Department responded to a burglar alarm at Thomas Coastal Properties on the Scranton Connector.
Less than 10 minutes later, police conducted a traffic stop of a Jeep Cherokee on Spur 25 at the Glynco Parkway. Officers said they clearly saw a crowbar and Atlanta Braves hat that they believe were used in several recent business burglaries.
Deddrick Shantel Jackson, 20, of Crescent, Ga., was arrested and charged with eight counts of burglaries and entering automobiles.
He is suspected in other burglaries in Brunswick, Richmond Hill, Darien and Hinesville. Additional charges are expected.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Beach police are looking for a man they said shot his wife three times Sunday afternoon while she was in a pickup truck with her three children and his brother, then took off.

Police said Levert Stewart got into an argument with his wife when they stopped at a beach access on First Avenue South about 5:30 p.m. Stewart allegedly got out of the car, walked around the car and fired several shots into the vehicle.

Lavonta Stewart survived the shooting -- two of the bullets struck her arm and one her let -- and was transported to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center, but her condition was not available.

The brother and children were not injured, although one of the bullets narrowly missed the youngest child.

Police said Stewart took off on foot northbound on a beachfront sidewalk.

Stewart is wanted on charges of attempted homicide, child endangerment, aggravated domestic battery and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

"He has a lengthy, violent background and people should take caution when trying to approach him," said Jacksonville Beach Police Department Sgt. Tom Bingham told Channel 4's John Dunlap.

Lavonta Stewart's mother told Channel 4's John Dunlap that Levert Stewart just got out of jail on Friday.

"It's just been a long history of this domestic violence with him," Regina Smalls said. "We have children here who are in fear, even though they are his children. He disregarded that when he shot up the truck with them in it."

Smalls said Levert Stewart also threatened his own brother's life if he said anything about the shooting.

Police describe Stewart as a black man between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet tall weighing 200 pounds. He wears his hair in loose-fitting braids and has numerous tattoos, including on both sides of his neck.

He was last seen wearing a multicolored shirt with florescent coloring, dark, knee-length shorts and white Nike shoes with lime green highlights.

Police said Stewart has a long history of previous arrests, including domestic violence and assault on a police officer. His wife and two other women have restraining orders out against him.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- After Shenna Johnson said she blacked out while driving over the state Road 312 bridge approaching state Road 207 early Monday morning. The next thing she knew, her feet were in water, she had to escape her sinking pickup truck through the window, then help rescue her 18-month-old son strapped in the back seat.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Johnson, 23, was went off state Road 312 about 2:30 a.m., her pickup went airborne, clipped a tree and landed in a retention pond by the St. Augustine Record.
Mark Holmes and a second witness -- both employees of the St. Augustine Record -- ran over and helped Johnson get the young boy, Jayden, out of his car safety seat just as the pickup sank under water.
Johnson called the fact that she and her son escaped without injury "a miracle."
"I panicked and tried to get out," she told Channel 4's Dan Leveton. "All I could think of is getting the baby out."
"We saw her when she came up in the air and hit the water, and then we just drove up here," he said. "She was screaming, 'help me.' She got herself out of the car and helped us get the baby out. So the baby was under water for about 10 to 12 seconds and when we got him out, the baby was breathing."
St. Johns County Fire Rescue transported the Johnson and her son to Flagler Hospital, where they were treated and released.
Johnson said she suffered a few bruises, but is otherwise fine.
"I had a little angel, Guardian Angel," Johnson said. "He was watching over me, that's for sure."

Surgeons said they are unable to reattach the severed arms of a seven-year-old Saudi Arabian boy because of the inadequate medical treatment he received right after his accident, reports the Arab News.

Al-Ashdaf Muhammad Al-Shararis arms were severed by the irrigation machine at a farm in Al-Jouf three weeks ago. The two hospitals he stayed at near his home lacked proper facilities and specialists to treat Al-Ashdafs condition.

He was recently transferred to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh where he is in stable condition.

However, surgeons at King Faisal said the inadequate medical treatment that Al-Ashdaf received right after the hospital has made it impossible for the boy to have his arms reattached because another infection would likely develop.

The transplant could not be done until the first infection cleared up, surgeons said.

Dr. Fuad Hashim, a consulting plastic surgeon at King Faisal, said the stump on Al-Ashdafs left side was infected so badly it may be beyond repair. However, once he receives a skin transplant, Al-Ashdaf may benefit from the use of artificial limbs.

MARION, Ill.   A southern Illinois newspaper carrier is credited with rescuing an elderly woman who apparently spent days trapped beneath her dead husband's body.

Blanche Roberts had been pinned by the body of 77-year-old Fred Roberts for at least two days before she was found by Bruce Pitts and his wife on Sunday, authorities said.

Pitts said he became concerned about the couple after seeing the Southern Illinoisan editions he'd delivered stack up in their mailbox.

He found Blanche Roberts when he went into the couple's home to check their well-being.

Williamson County Coroner Mike Burke said there's nothing suspicious about the death.

Blanche Roberts was taken to a hospital, but her medical status isn't being disclosed.

Fred Roberts' funeral arrangements are pending.

Beenie Man to fight tax evation charges - US$ 661, 000 News Brief beenieman_d%27angel_yardflex_876radiocom_1876.jpgOutAroad.com understands that Jamaicas #1 dancehall artiste Beenie Man who recently planned on settling his taxes with the government has now decided to fight the charges as the deejay strongly believe he should not be penalized for an error created by his former Management Team (Shocking Vibes). In recent reports it is stated that the controversial deejay owes the country J$47-million (US$ 661, 00) in taxes. In October last year (2007) a warrant was issued for the arrest of Beenie Man after he failed to appear in court to answer to several tax evasion charges.

A suspended middle school teacher out on bail for allegedly having sex with two students will be back in court Tuesday after police say they caught her having sex with one of them again.

Stephanie Ragusa, 29, was arrested for the third time in about six weeks on charges of sex with a minor, MyFOXTampa reported. She was being held without bond at the Orient Road Jail.

"I can assure you that we are doing everything we can right now to make sure that shes not out at liberty to do this again," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Lt. Fred Asteasuainzarra.

Officers discovered Ragusa and the now-16-year-old boy at his house about 12:20 p.m. Monday, the arrest affidavit states. Ragusa had gone to the teen's house to discuss the criminal case but wound up in bed with him, police said.

Detectives nabbed the woman as she was leaving and getting into her boyfriend's truck. Ragusa remained behind bars Tuesday, charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Ragusa was first arrested March 13 and charged with having sex at least three times with a Davidsen Middle School student, then 14, between January and May of 2007. During that relationship, police say she began another with a second Davidsen boy, who was 15 when they started sleeping together in February of 2007.

Ragusa and the second teen, who was one of her math students, had sex at least 20 times, according to the sheriff.

She was initially released March 18 after posting bail, but was re-arrested April 15 when investigators say they determined she'd had sex with a second student. She has been charged with several counts of lewd and lascivious battery.

Ragusa was previously arrested on charges of driving under the influence in 2005, according to police records.

She last taught at Martinez Middle School but remains suspended without pay, according to the Hillsborough County School District.

A Wah Reali a gwan yah so...me juss a see it me nuh kno of it post alredy!!

riddims the beats had jus gotten more and more crazy i dont knw where it will end do you?

Wat U guys Think?

Above: Bugle, David
Below:Serani, Craig - Ricardo Makyn

 

You have been getting to know DASECA over the past few weeks, now it's time to go a little deeper. The STAR sat down with the production and recording quartet and got answers to some serious questions.

STAR: What are your thoughts on the 2 a.m. lock off time for dances?

Serani: "First of all, its not stopping violence. It only leaves people with nutting to do ... you're giving them reason to think about stupidness. Why are they trying to mash up the music? My question to them is what are the people going to do now? Is a curfew then, 'cause when 2 a.m. time done. What must we do?"

STAR: What are your thoughts on Red Stripe's decision to stop sponsoring dancehall events?

Serani: "I don't have a problem, I guess dem do wha dem want to do. I hope they not promoting any gangsta movies, though, 'cause that would be a double standard. I hope they don't promote soca music cause it is very slack. But yuh know dem cyaan stop Jamaican dancehall music."

STAR: There is a perception that to make it in the business as a producer there has to be a certain 'badness' about you. Do you think that is true?

Serani: "Mi just a musician, still, I'm not a bad man, so, no, you don't have to be bad. It nuh mean we tek disrespect, still, but I'm a musician."

STAR: If there was one thing you could change about Jamaica, what would that be and why?

Bugle: "The way how corporate Jamaica, which is the higher part of society, looks on dancehall and reggae. Dem mek it look like sumting illegal like we a sell crack on the roadside. We need a 110 per cent help from corporate Jamaica, yet dem a try cut we out ... There are so many people dat mek a livelihood from a likkle dance. Yuh see ten jerk chicken men at dances - dem use dat fi sen dem kids go university. They need to broaden their perspective, a nuff people a benefit from it."

STAR: In your music you talk about overcoming obstacles. What are some of the bad things people have said to you that you have overcome to be successful?

Bugle: "People use to have me like I'm not an artiste. People see me like a yute who nah go mek it. Dem nuh give me a chance and hear me out. Mi see dem as obstacles not me a try to overcome dem, but they are motivation."

STAR: How important is image to the career of an artiste and what is your image?

Bugle: "An artiste's image is like a hit song - it sell yuh off of course. Inna every form as an artiste image works. If di people see yuh in di paper and yuh nuh look good, dem have a problem. People buy clothes, shoes based on wha dem artiste a wear. My image is very laid back, mi ting change by the occasion. I can dress up, but day today is a cap, simple shoes a jeans and a shirt. Also a chain, a watch and one ring as jewellery. But dat's just me."

STAR: How do you feel about producers taking sides in lyrical wars?

Craig: "It depends, sometimes you probably can't help it. In the business everyone has a camp like Big Ship wid their artistes, Corleon wid his artistes and we wid Bugle. If an artiste a throw word pon artiste in your camp, yuh almost haffi drawn into it. On a level, is a part of the business weh yuh have Bounty and Beenie a clash and so forth. Now and again we need that. But, we (DASECA) not into dat."

STAR: How much collaboration is done among studios and why?

Craig: "I don't think yuh have many producers working on a track together. Everybody just doing dem own ting. We have our own people and people like TJ Records who we par wid everyday. We don't find it hard to work wid dem. But is not a bad vibe is just everybody working on their own stuff."

STAR: As a producer, if an artiste comes to you with lyrics that you do not condone would you still produce the song?

David: "No is not a lot I don't condone. Me, personally, find some lyrics as entertainment. I don't have a problem with it. But there are some things I don't want to produce cause all the songs we do with Mavado is not the gun songs, is songs like Dying and Don't Worry. Cause I don't condone killing."

STAR: What subject matter would you consider to be off limits in a song?

David: "I don't like songs when people are singing against each other and I wouldn't voice a song where people a call up people name."

 

 

Members of DASECA, from left: David, Serani, Craig and Bugle.

All fans, this is your opportunity for a one-on-one chat with DASECA. Bugle, Serani, Craig and David will be at the Gleaner offices this Tuesday, April 29th for the phone and online chat. Persons can log on to www.go-jamaica.com/chat 5-6 p.m. for the online chat followed by the phone chat at 1-888-843-7827 between 7 and 8 p.m.

-- Edited by pengo at 10:11, 2008-04-29

MARION, Ill.   A southern Illinois newspaper carrier is credited with rescuing an elderly woman who apparently spent days trapped beneath her dead husband's body.

Blanche Roberts had been pinned by the body of 77-year-old Fred Roberts for at least two days before she was found by Bruce Pitts and his wife on Sunday, authorities said.

Pitts said he became concerned about the couple after seeing the Southern Illinoisan editions he'd delivered stack up in their mailbox.

He found Blanche Roberts when he went into the couple's home to check their well-being.

Williamson County Coroner Mike Burke said there's nothing suspicious about the death.

Blanche Roberts was taken to a hospital, but her medical status isn't being disclosed.

Fred Roberts' funeral arrangements are pending.

Etana - The new sound of the roots reggae genre

By: Kemesha Bolton

Down to earth, spirited and real are just some of the words that can be used to describe Etana. Introduced to music as a child by her late aunt, Etana would be called up to sing with her at every family wedding and or funeral. After growing older she developed a love for music and auditioned for an all girls rock group in America where she lived at the time. She was chosen and the dream seemed to be on its way to fulfillment.

The group met and Etana was told she had to braid or perm her hair; adamant that she would not perm, she agreed to the braiding. This was not the end as she was also asked to make her skirts shorter and blouses tighter. For her dreams, she complied, but the straw that broke the camel's back came in the form of an inappropriate move by a cameraman during a video shoot in which Etana was clad in pink Victoria Secret Lingerie.

Although she initially agreed to wear the costume, the cameraman's actions forced Etana to ask herself, "Is this what I really want," and the answer was, "No." So she left the group. And as for the present state of her locks, she was very open with YardFlex explaining that she was persuaded by her management to get it done professionally but by the next day pulled it out, "I love myself and I want to feel comfortable and it is my decision to let it grow naturally," she stated.

After leaving the American group Etana decided to start a business in Jamaica with a friend, but by the time she got to Jamaica the friend had other plans for her and with his connections he got an audition with Fifth Element Records and the rest is history.

A company called 24/7 Mobile Solutions announced a product called SIMable today. SIMable is a very thin chip that you attach to a standard SIM card. When the two chips are inserted into a locked mobile phone, SIMable makes the phone behave as if it were unlocked, meaning it can be used on different networks. SIMable does not alter the phone's software, nor does it void manufacturer warranties. Phones will be returned to their locked state as soon as the card is removed. Any phone unlocked with the SIMable product will retain all its working functions, including access to 3G networks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HhHHTM-RR0

Almost every entertainer has his/her unique way of building a 'vibe' before taking the stage to perform. However, where Bugle and Serani are concerned, they say things don't always go according to plan, so you have to be spontaneous at times.

"Basically, judging by the crowd, before I even go to the venue I think of what the crowd is going to be like. I approach a country crowd, different from a town crowd, garrison crowd, school crowd etc. So depending on the crowd, I would consider what order I will do my songs, how I will introduce the songs and even how I dress," Serani explained.

And although Serani says when he gets to the venue, he usually likes to see the crowd, "to get a feel of what the vibe is like," he says, "there are times when I reach the show and I don't actually get to see the crowd, because yuh reach an yuh have to just run on, so most of it is spontaneous. You need the ability to be spontaneous because a crowd can change on you instantly and you can't allow the crowd to throw you off."

Bugle also agrees, as he says, "sometimes yuh haffi watch the crowd reaction and even the type of artiste wey work pon di show, suh yuh haffi can change up yuh ting, yuh cyan always mek the fans dem can predict yuh."

But although Bugle is a celebrity to his many fans, that doesn't mean that he is never nervous before a show. But his preparation is usually enough to bring him through.

"Usually yuh haffi sey a word a prayerÉan we usually haffi decide how wi a guh start, if is a track show or bands, but wi jus deh deh an hol' a vibe, crack two joke sometimes, but right before the show, yuh normally get a little timid, but once yuh hold the microphone and chat two word, everything goes away," Bugle says.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of a Nassau County Sheriff's Deputy's shotgun.

Officers say the gun and a tactical vest were stolen out of the officer's car on the northside.

Several other cars in the area were also broken into Monday night.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Marine scientists in New Zealand on Tuesday were thawing the corpse of the largest squid ever caught to try to unlock the secrets of one of the ocean's most mysterious beasts.

No one has ever seen a living, grown colossal squid in its natural deep ocean habitat, and scientists hope their examination of the 1,089-pound, 26-foot long colossal squid, set to begin Wednesday, will help determine how the creatures live. The thawing and examination are being broadcast live on the Internet.

The squid, which was caught accidentally by fishermen last year, was removed from its freezer Monday and put into a tank filled with saline solution. Ice was added to the tank Tuesday to slow the thawing process so the outer flesh wouldn't rot, said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.

After it is thawed, scientists will examine the squid's anatomical features, remove the stomach, beak and other mouth parts, take tissue samples for DNA analysis and determine its sex, Diebel said.

"If we get ourselves a male it will be the first reported (scientific) description of the male of the species," Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at Auckland's University of Technology, told National Radio. He is one of the scientists conducting the examination.

The squid is believed to be the largest specimen of the rare deep-water species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, or colossal squid, ever caught, O'Shea has said.

Colossal squid, which have long been one of the most mysterious denizens of the deep ocean, can grow up to 46 feet long, descend to 6,500 feet into the ocean and are considered aggressive hunters.

At the time it was caught, O'Shea said it would make calamari rings the size of tractor tires if cut up but they would taste like ammonia, a compound found in the animals' flesh.

Fishermen off the coast of Antarctica accidentally netted the squid in February 2007 while catching Patagonian toothfish, which are sold under the name Chilean sea bass.

The squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep. Recognizing it as a rare find, the fishermen froze the squid on their vessel to preserve it. The national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, later took possession of it.

The previous largest colossal squid ever found was a 660 pound female squid discovered in 2003, the first ever landed.

Researchers plan to eventually put the squid on display in a 1,800 gallon tank of formaldehyde at the museum in the capital, Wellington.

Colossal squid are found in Antarctic waters and are not related to giant squid found round the coast of New Zealand. Giant squid grow up to 39 feet long, and are not as heavy as colossal squid.

-- Edited by pengo at 09:52, 2008-04-29