LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Former HL&T editor shares experience as a summer foster care host family. P. 3
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Columnist Julia Gasper-Bates learns about an Angolan neighbor. P. 10
In Memoriam: Gary Lester, a Hyattsville original
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Life&Times
By Fred Fleisher
Gary Lee Lester died on July 20 at the age of 60. He is survived by his wife, Linda Lester; his sons, Peter, Stephen and Matthew; his grandchildren, Matthew, Jacob, Joshua, Benjamin, Delyla, Kolt, Jersey and Drew; and his sister, Elfie Winstead. Gary Lester is predeceased by his parents, Earl and Ruth Lester. The following was adapted from a eulogy for Gary delivered by Fred Fleisher: Who was Gary Lester? He was many things to many people: a brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, coworker, teacher, mentor, bass player, writer and friend, but to us, he was our family. Gary came to work at our store, Fleisher’s of Maryland, in the mid ‘80s as our new service manager. We had so much in common, from liking the same bands, authors and movies, and don’t even get me started on our discussions about “Star Trek” or Monty Python. I still laugh when I think about how Gary said he was going to teach his grandson to say “Nih” from “The Holy Grail. “ Gary received his graduate degree in gemology and started his own business as an LESTER continued on page 4
Vol. 15 No. 8
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
August 2018
Armory Apartments to bring big change to Rt. 1 By Krissi Humbard
COURTESY OF URBAN INVESTMENT PARTNERS An artistʼs rendering of the proposed Armory Apartments on Route 1.
A new apartment development planned for Route 1 will change the landscape of downtown Hyattsville in a big way. Urban Investment Partners (UIP), a D.C.-based real estate and development company, presented plans for Armory Apartments to the city council in July. The development would be a mixed-use retail and residential complex — that includes public park space — spanning Baltimore Avenue from Hamilton Street to the Crossover Church. The plans include 284 apartments: 25 studios, 174 one-bedroom apartments and 85 two-bedroom apartments. The proposal also includes 32,000 square feet of retail ARMORY continued on page 13
Beloved police Sgt. Knox loses battle with cancer By Krissi Humbard
The city announced the passing of beloved Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Knox on July 17. Knox had been battling cancer since 2016. Knox joined the HCPD on Jan. 25, 2006. Prior to his service with HCPD, he served with the Town of Edmonston Police Department and the
Department of Defense Police, and in the United States Army. “Today, the City of Hyattsville Police Department lost a true hero,” said HCPD Interim Chief Amal Awad. “Sgt. Knox taught us all what moving through adversity with dignity and strength truly means. He never wavered; he never quit. He came to work with an exceptional level of commitment and passion every day.”
As Knox ascended the ranks, he consistently displayed dynamic leadership. According to the city’s press release, he earned these highly coveted departmental awards: Silver Medal of Valor, Bronze Medal of Valor, Police Officer of the Year, Lifesaving Award, Leadership Award, and several other commendations. KNOX continued on page 12
CENTER SECTION: AUGUST 7, 2018 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILLE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383
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