NPC Digital Edition 12.5.18

America’s best weekly

Mica Dawkins

Esther Bush

Investing in Pittsburgh neighborhoods

Take charge of your health today

Celebrating Recovery

Health A6

Business B1

Lifestyles A8

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

Vol. 109 No. 49

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Two Sections

Published Weekly

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

‘Things will be handled decent and in order’

Moriarty proclaims innocence against Medicaid fraud charges

by Christian Morrow and Rob Taylor Jr.

willfully or knowingly commit those acts.”

Between January 2011 and April 2017, Moriarty Consultants and three related companies that provide in-home Medicaid services received more than $87 million for service-related claims it submitted to the federal government.

Last week, a federal grand jury released a 22-count indictment charging that part of that money was fraudulently obtained through a conspiracy among company heads Arlinda Mori-

Courier Staff Writers

The lawyer for Arlinda Moriarty made it clear to the New Pittsburgh Courier his client’s position—not guilty.

“Arlinda has pled ‘not guilty’ and she will explain her position at trial,” Attorney Kerry Lewis told the New Pittsburgh Courier, Dec. 3. “And her position is that she is not guilty of any of the alleged criminal acts and did not

arty, her sister Daynelle Dickens and 10 of their former employees.

Lewis told the Courier he is still reviewing information in ARLINDA MORIARTY the indictment and awaiting the U.S. Attorney’s terial.” discovery material.

What’s in that boatload, said “You saw the indictment—it’s U.S. Attorney for the Western 36 pages. So there’s quite a bit,” District of Pennsylvania Scott he said. “In fact the U.S. Attorney SEE MORIARTY A5 described it as a ‘boatload’ of ma-

For Black youths who are dark-skinned, colorism still exists

$1.00

74 of 108 homicides Black lives

November homicides: Four of eight victims African Americans

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

In 2017, 78 of the county’s 110 homicide victims were Black.

With one month left in 2018, there have been 108 homicides as of Nov. 30, 74 of those victims African Americans. While those ratios are nearly identical, if not for the 11 victims massacred at the Tree of Life synagogue,

Flake’s book remains relevant 20 years later

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Sharon G. Flake had no idea that she would be writing a book that would stand the test of time.

The proud native of North Philadelphia, who, she says, “didn’t dream big when she was little,” was working at the University of Pittsburgh when she penned, “The Skin I’m In,” a book about a Black teenage girl who had problems with students at school because she was dark-skinned and wore homemade clothes.

The year was 1998 when the book was released.

And today, 20 years later, it’s still relevant.

“It is still as powerful to me as it was then.

It still speaks to many of the same issues I see young Black women having, young Black males having,” said Joyce Broadus, the for“THE SKIN I’M IN” was released in 1998. The book received the mer Children’s Librarian at Carnegie Library’s Homewood Branch.

Coretta Scott King Book Award in 1999.

During a Nov. 28 event at the library en-

SHARON G. FLAKE titled, “Reflections of Our Complexions: An Evening with Sharon G. Flake,” Broadus told the engaged crowd of 50 supporters how much the Carnegie Library’s Homewood Branch attempted to get “The Skin I’m In” into the hands of Black youths in Pittsburgh. “We made sure that the book we gave out that year (to the summer reading club) was SEE FLAKE A4

Blacks would account for 76 percent of Allegheny County’s homicides so far this year.

One victim is one too many, more than 75 percent of all victims being Black is an outrage, especially when—with the exception of police officer Michael Rosfeld’s shooting of Antwon Rose II and a homeowner shooting burglar Daniel Johnson—in the cases where culprits were jailed for killing African Americans, they, too, were Black. So, more than 150 lives have been irrevocably changed, half of them permanently.

NOV. 1—Daniel Johnson, a 33-year-old Black male, was fatally shot by a homeowner in Mt. Oliver during an attempted SEE HOMICIDES B7

Heinz Endowments giving $10 million for criminal justice reform ‘Disparate treatment’ for Black people… ‘has devastating effect on the community’

times as much as White students, it didn’t come as a surprise to those at the Heinz Endowments, which funded the study.

“We weren’t happy, but we weren’t surprised, either. It was confirmation of what we expected and that members of the community have been telling us for some time,” Carmen Anderson, the CARMEN ANDERSON is the Heinz Endowments’ endowments’ director of director of equity and social justice. equity and social justice, told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interby Rob Taylor Jr. view, Nov. 29.

Courier Staff Writer School suspensions, in the eyes When a report released earlier of the Heinz Endowments, largethis summer from the Univer- ly contribute to the disproporsity of Pittsburgh’s Center on tionate number of African AmerRace and Social Problems found ican youth that end up in the that Black students in Alleghe- criminal justice system.

That factor, among others, is ny County are suspended seven

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 134

why the Heinz Endowments is making a nearly $10 million commitment over the next three years to invest in programs that could ultimately reduce the number of Pittsburgh-based African Americans in the criminal justice system and reducing the “school-to-prison” pipeline.

“Disproportionate numbers, disparate treatment for Black people in the (criminal justice) system is still a primary issue, and we know it has a devastating effect on the community,” Anderson said. “Certainly the African American community, but I don’t think you can separate the impact from the broader community.”

The numbers speak volumes— Just 12.5 percent of Allegheny County’s 1.2 million people are Black. But 49 percent of Allegheny County’s jail population is

Black, according to a 2016 report by Pitt’s Institute of Politics’ Criminal Justice Task Force.

Anderson outlined three areas of focus for what Heinz is calling “The Restoration Project—A Justice System Reform Strategy:” reducing the use of both the Allegheny County Jail and Shuman Juvenile Detention Center; improving the health and safety conditions for those who are confined to the jail; and expanding opportunities for those who are released from jail and back into the community.

An issue of concern for the endowments is those who are unable to pay the fines and court costs associated with a crime.

That’s a major reason why many African Americans with lower incomes end up in jail— and a major reason the endow-

J. Pharaoh Doss on

ments has already approved a $150,000 grant to the American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania. “We know that one of the issues that affect people dramatically is the inability to pay fines,” Anderson told the Courier. “We’re looking at addressing that part—not the seriousness of the crime but the inability to pay the fine associated with it.”

A $500,000 grant was approved to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation to continue behavioral health services for youth in the criminal justice system; $100,000 was awarded to the Jail Collaborative Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation for programs that can keep those out of jail for good after being released; and $75,000 was apSEE HEINZ A4

Marc Lamont Hill: No country has the right to exist?

Forum B6

A2

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

INTERNATIONAL

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

Week of December 5-11 December 5 1775—A memorial is dedicated to Salem Poor in Cambridge, Mass. Poor was a slave who had bought his freedom and became a hero fighting in the American Revolutionary War for independence from England. He so distinguished himself in battle, including at Bunker Hill, that he won the praise of 14 officers.

1784—The amazing poet Phyllis Wheatley dies in Boston, Mass. Wheatley was kidnapped in Africa at age 7 and sold to a prosperous Boston family, which placed a high value on education. By age 12, she was reading Greek and Latin classics. In the 1770s she became a sensation in the city because of her amazing ability to write poetry. A London company published her first book of poetry. Sadly, she died PHYLLIS WHEATLEY in poverty before she could find a publisher for her second book. That second volume has never been found. Although some letters she wrote during this period were recently discovered and sold at auction.

1870—Legendary Black cowboy William “Bill” Pickett is born in Travis County, Texas. Standing only 5’7” SHARING SPACE—In this Aug. 7, 2010 file photo, soccer and basketball games overlap as boys share and weighing 145 pounds, he is considered one of the space on a basketball court local residents say was built several years ago by the Charlotte Bobcats’ toughest men every to be called a cowboy. He became faDasagana Diop in the neighborhood where he grew up in Dakar, Senegal. (AP Photo) mous in the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Shows where he performed dare devil feats and invented the rodeo sport of “bulldogging.” He is thought to have been WILLIAM ‘BILL’ PICKETT of Black and Indian descent. He died at age 70 in Ponca City, Okla.

1870—Alexandre Dumas (pere) dies in France. Dumas, one of the most famous trading post, is now a league on the continent.”

French writers of the 1800s, was a Black man born to a French marquis and a slave

by Ken Maguire getaway spot for Dakar’s This season began with woman on the island of St. Domingue (now Haiti). DuAssociated Press Writer upper class and is home to 13 African-born players on mas wrote such noted works as “The Three Musketeers” SALY, Senegal (AP)—Tim- many French people.

NBA rosters. and “The Count De Monte Cristo.” othy Ighoefe is an intimiThe two parquet courts Africa lacks good infra1932—The “King of Gospel” Rev. James Cleveland is dating defender at 6-foot-11 were imported from the structure, but Tatum cited born in Chicago, Ill. and 245 pounds. Still, the United States. Simply the new Dakar Arena, as 1932—Flamboyant singer-performer “Little Richard” Nigerian knows he must being indoors and with well as Rwanda’s plan for is born and raised in Macon, Ga. He becomes one of the improve if his decision to air conditioning probably a new facility, as incentive founding fathers of rock-and-roll. His dynamic stage perplay basketball instead of makes it the best basketfor the NBA to bring games formance and homosexuality often landed him in trouble. soccer is going to pay off and ball facility in Senegal. A here.

But he remained a major force in the music field. take him to the NBA. fabric, tent-like covering is South Africa hosted the 1955—The historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery, The 18-year-old Ighoefe stitched together over steel first three NBA Africa exAla. The Black boycott of city buses was set in motion has committed to play for trusses, and repurposed hibitions but West African when civil rights heroine Rosa Parks refused to surrenPatrick Ewing at Georgeshipping containers facing countries like Senegal and der her seat on the bus to a White man. The law at that LITTLE RICHARD town University next seathe courts are used for Nigeria appear more eager time required her to give up the seat. A young minister son, only three years after weight training. to embrace basketball. named Martin Luther King Jr. was called upon to lead switching to basketball in The academy is one of Soccer is by far the most the boycott launching his career as the national civil rights leader. his hometown of Lagos. seven around the world, popular sport in Africa. The 1957—New York becomes the first city to pass a law banning racial or religious dis“I need to work on my with three of them in likes of Liverpool and Barcrimination in housing with the Fair Housing Practices law. speed, running down the China. It features fulltime celona boast fan clubs all December 6 floor baseline to baseline,” schooling and training. It over the continent, and the 1849—Harriet (Ross) Tubman escapes slavery in Maryland.

Ighoefe said this week can accommodate 24 boys European start times make But she becomes perhaps the greatest “conductor” on the Underat the unveiling of a new selected from English- and it easier to watch live. ground Rail Road returning to the South 19 times and helping training facility at the French-speaking African Ighoefe catches highlights an estimated 300 slaves escape. Despite a serious head injury NBA’s African academy in countries. The NBA holds of his favorite player, Joel received from an angry slave master when she refused to beat anSenegal. “My left hand, I camps for elite African Embiid of the Philadelphia other slave, Tubman was one of Black America’s greatest examples need to improve, to finish girls, but there’s no center 76ers, on the mornings of courage and determination. During the Civil War she also spied with my left hand.” for them yet. after games. He watches on the South and relayed the information to Northern generals.

In other words, there’s “All you have to do here on YouTube and follows 1870—Joseph H. Rainey (1832-1887) is sworn in as the first potential but it’s a work in is just focus on basketball the Cameroonian star on Black to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He representprogress—just like Africa and school,” Ighoefe said.

Instagram. ed South Carolina—the state in which he was born a slave. But itself for the NBA. “You don’t have to be worAfrican kids can play sochis father—a barber—managed to raise the money to purchase “It’s a continent with ried about anything else. In cer with just a ball and any HARRIET TUBMAN his family’s freedom. Earlier this year, the portrait of Rainey was over a billion people, with Lagos, it’s different. There bit of space, even a street. finally hung in the House of Representatives. a fast-growing economy, are a lot of distractions.”

But finding a basketball 1949—Blues legend Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter dies. Ledbetter was born in fast-growing young urban The teenage boys begin court, even just a cement 1885 near Mooringsport, La. But he had a quick temper and a violent streak. Thus, population. That’s a good their days with a light half-court and a rim, is he stayed in trouble with the law. Indeed, his musical genius was discovered in jail by recipe for the NBA long workout at 5:30 a.m. Then hard. a visiting White folklorist. Upon release from prison, he moved north and became a term,” said NBA deputy it’s breakfast, school, Ibrahima Ndiaye, director sensation performing in the U.S. and Europe. commissioner Mark Tatum, lunch, school, gym. They’re of Flying Star academy in 1961—Revolutionary psychiatrist and writer Frantz Fanon dies in Washington, D.C., also in Senegal for the coached by former NBA Dakar, which has produced where he had gone for medical treatment. In his writings, the Martinique-born Fanon training facility opening. and NCAA players and several NCAA Division explored the psychological aspects of racial oppression and Black liberation. His most The NBA has big plans have traveled to Australia, 1 players, said the NBA famous works were “Black Skins, White Masks” and “Wretched of the Earth,” which was for Africa. An office was Europe and the United can dramatically increase considered by many “the handbook for Black revolution.” established eight years ago States for tournaments. youth participation by December 7 in South Africa. There’s an Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA building courts—a lot of 1931—Comer Cottrell is born. Cottrell founds the Pro-Line annual exhibition game vice president and manag- them. hair care products company. He also becomes the first Black to featuring NBA stars. ing director for Africa, said “That’s what is needed own part of a professional baseball team when he buys into the Now, the NBA’s top brass the NBA is building from here in Africa to develop Texas Rangers in 1989. says Africa is ready for the grassroots, like the Jr. basketball in all neighbor1941—Dorie Miller shoots down three or four Japanese more. Tatum said they’re NBA programs expanding hoods,” Ndiaye said in a war planes during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harcreating a pan-African across the continent. phone interview. “We need bor. Miller was a kitchen worker on the USS Arizona who had league that will involve “We are only scratching more and more usable learned to operate the ship’s weapons. After his death he was existing professional clubs, the surface,” said Fall, infrastructure. It’s the only awarded the Navy Cross. and that NBA pre-season a Senegal native who way to increase the numDecember 8 DORRIE MILLER and regular-season games founded the nearby SEED ber of kids who practice.”

1850—Lucy Ann Stanton graduates from Oberlin College in will be held on the contiAcademy, which works “We’ve been in China Ohio. She is believed to be the first Black female college graduate in America. nent “in the next couple of closely with the NBA’s for 30 years,” Tatum said, 1936—The Gibbs v. Board of Education in Montgomery County, Md., decision is years.”

African operation. “We are adding some perspective. rendered. It was the first of a series of court rulings, which eliminated the practice of Another step is the new empowering young people “We opened up our office paying White teachers more than Black teachers. training center, built on through basketball and here on the continent, in December 9 the campus of a soccer in the process elite talent South Africa, only eight 1872—P.B.S. Pinchback begins serving as the first Black governor of Louisiana. He academy in a coastal resort is going come out and get years ago.” served for a little more than a month. Pinchback, son of a White plantation owner and town 45 miles south of the into the NBA, and also Tatum said that figure a former Macon, Ga., slave, was a major force in Louisiana politics after the civil war Senegalese capital Dakar. feed other leagues across of 13 African players on and during Reconstruction. He was also instrumental in the 1879 establishment of Saly, a former Portuguese the world, and our future NBA starting rosters could Southern University. double within a decade.

1875—Carter G. Woodson is born in New Canton, Va. In 1926, Woodson started the “For us,” he said, “it’s a first Negro History Week which grew to become Black History Month. long-term investment and December 10 long-term play.”

1846—Norbert Rillieux invents the “multiple effect pan evaporator” which revolutionizes the sugar industry and makes the work much less hazardous for the workers. Rillieux was born “quadroon libre” in New Orleans, La. His father was a wealthy THE French plantation owner and his mother a former slave. He was sent to Paris, France, NEW PITTSBURGH to be educated in engineering. He also researched Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is no COURIER record that he ever returned to the U.S. after the 1850s. He died in Paris in 1894.

PUBLISHING COMPANY 1854—Edwin C. Berry is born in Oberlin, Ohio. In Athens, Ohio, he co-founds the City Restaurant and builds the Hotel Berry which was to become one of the most elePublication No.: USPS 381940 gant hotels in the entire state. By the time he retired in 1921, he was one of the most successful Black businessmen in America. He dies in 1931.

315 East Carson Street 1950—Ralph Bunche becomes the first African-American awarded the Nobel Peace Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Prize. Bunch was born in Detroit, Mich. But his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then Los Angeles, Calif., where he showed academic Phone: 412-481-8302 genius and won a scholarship to Harvard. His fame came when Fax: 412-481-1360 he worked out a temporary settlement between the Palestinians and the Jews after the state of Israel was established in 1948 on The Palestinian lands. It was that work which won him the Nobel New Pittsburgh Courier Peace Prize.

December 11 is published weekly 1917—Thirteen Black soldiers were hanged for their participation in the so-called Houston riot. The “riot” had occurred in periodicals August of 1917 when Whites objected to the presence of Black paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. soldiers in the city. Racist insults and mistreatment began.

PRICE $1.00 Then a Black soldier intervenes in the arrest of a Black woman. A Black corporal inquires with the police about the arrest RALPH BUNCHE of the soldier. A fight breaks out between the corporal and the (Payable in advance) police. A rumor spreads that a White mob was marching on the Black camp. Roughly 6 Months.....$25 100 Black soldiers grabbed rifles and marched onto downtown Houston. Within two hours they had killed 15 Whites including four police officers. They returned to camp 1 Year....$45 but military officials pressured seven soldiers to snitch on the others. Their snitching 2 Years...$85 resulted in the convictions and hangings of 13 Black soldiers.

1917—The Great Jazz Migration begins when noted musician Joe “King” Oliver 9 Month School Rate $35 leaves New Orleans, La., and settles in Chicago, Ill. He is soon joined by other early Jazz greats. Their presence in Chicago laid the foundation for the Southern Black music POSTMASTER: Send genre (with heavy sexual overtones) to become a national obsession. Actually, the “miaddress changes to: gration” may not have been quite so romantic. Instead of being forced by the closing of the New Orleans Storyville district, Jazz greats probably left New Orleans for Chicago New Pittsburgh Courier for the same reason other Blacks left the South—failing crops forced the disappearance of jobs while Northern factories recruited Blacks for work to produce arms and other 315 East Carson Street goods for World War I. Nevertheless, many historians view Oliver’s relocation to Chicago Pittsburgh, PA 15219 as the start of New Orleans Jazz migrating to the rest of the nation.

NBA making a ‘long-term play’ in Africa

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NATIONAL

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

To the shock of many, progressive hero Barbara Lee defeated for House leadership post

by Lauren Victoria Burke

to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries who beat out Rep. Barbara Lee to be Democratic Caucus Two years ago, Rep. Chair. He’ll do a fine job, no Barbara Lee (D-CA) ran for doubt. Disappointed though a leadership post, House that this means there will Democratic Caucus Chair, be no Black women in the against Rep. Linda SanDemocratic Leadership chez. Sanchez barely won ranks. Actually, more than over Lee by a margin of disappointed ...more like less than five votes out of angry. Angry and tired. We the more than 190 memare the majority-makers but bers of the Democratic have no seat at the deciCaucus. The position is the sion-making table. I’m tired. fourth highest for House So tired.”

Democrats.

Daughtry is also a co-auWhen Lee announced thor of the best-selling in July she would run for book, “For Colored Girls Democratic Caucus Chair Who Have Considered again she appeared to Politics.” have a lock. Lee is well Fellow California Rep. known for her singular Jackie Speier indicated vote against the Iraq War she believed that ageism during the Bush Adminisand sexism played a role tration. She is also highly in Barbara Lee’s defeat. regarded as a champion of Saying members should progressive issues and a have the “courage” to vote fighter for the poor. in a public way in House There has never been a leadership races. Currentwoman in the position of ly, the votes are taken by House Democratic Caucus secret ballot.

Chair. The first African “There’s this game that American to hold the posisome of my colleagues play tion was the late Pennsylwhere they say one thing to vania Rep. William Gray in one member and then say 1989. something else to another The position may be a member,” Speier said. little-known intra-party Many viewed the defeat title to some, but the House of Lee over Jeffries as a triDemocratic Caucus Chair umph of monied interests job is widely viewed as a over progressive values. stepping stone position Though Tom Watson, for Speaker of the House. founder of CauseWired, As former Speaker of the pointed out on Twitter that House Nancy Pelosi, 78, Jeffries voting record is faces questions about her just as progressive as Lee’s. leadership many are ask“I love Barbara Lee, but ing who will come next. this concerted—and inacOn November 28, two curate—attack on Jeffries members of the Congresby many in the Sanders sional Black Caucus ran orbit is pretty damned against each other for the capricious. The guy is an position. They were Lee A-rated progressive literaland Rep. Hakeem Jeffries ly on same page as Lee on (D-NY). To the surprise of voting record,” wrote Watmany, Lee lost to Jeffries son a journalist and author 123-113. Democrats who based in New York. are friends with Rep. Lee Regardless of the defeat, were taken by surprise Lee released a gracious as were many political statement on the results onlookers. and what she plans to do Former DNC CEO and moving forward.

Howard Dean Chief of Staff, “I want to congratulate Leah Daughtry, wrote on Congressman Hakeem JefFacebook, “Congratulations fries on a hard-fought race.

NNPA Newswire Contributor

DAVIS TO PRODUCE AND STAR—Viola Davis will portray legendary politician Shirley Chisholm in a feature film for Amazon Studios. Chisholm was the first African American woman in U.S. history to be elected to Congress.(Photo: Twitter)

Viola Davis to portray Shirley Chisholm in film by Amazon Studios

by Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent

Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis will portray legendary politician Shirley Chisholm in a feature film for Amazon Studios. Chisholm was the first African American woman in U.S. history to be elected to Congress.

The announcement regarding the film landed on the same day as news of a Shirley Chisholm statue in New York City’s Prospect Park was announced by New York’s first lady Chirlane McCray on the last day of November.

November 30 would have been Chisholm’s 94th birthday.

The film project is currently entitled “The Fighting Shirley Chisholm.” According to Deadline Hollywood, “Davis will produce and star as the U.S. Representative.”

Amazon Studios won a bidding war for the rights to produce the Shirley Chisholm film. The project is the first Amazon Studios production deal emerging from the partnership between Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions and Amazon.

Maggie Betts will direct the movie. Her feature film “Novitiate” was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017.

Chisholm represented parts of Brooklyn which made up what was then the 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983.In a historic move, Chisholm ran for president in 1972. She was the first African American to mount a major party run for President as well as the first African American woman to run. Chisholm passed away in 2005 in Florida at the age 80.

Viola Davis won an Oscar in 2017 for supporting actress in her role with Denzel Washington in the film version of August Wilson’s play “Fences.”Davis also won a Golden Globe and SAG award for the performance.

Betts, who will direct the Chisholm biopic, is represented by Homegrown entertainment which is focused on “creating content by and about women and people of color with authentic stories, depictions and representation.”

I look forward to working with him to advance a progressive, inclusive agenda for the American people.

While I didn’t win today, I hope my candidacy will

woman elected to Congress.

She used to tell people, ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.’ My vision is a leadership table where

“It is a profound honor to follow in the footsteps of my late mentor, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who made history as the first African American woman elected to Congress. She used to tell people, ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.’”

REP. BARBARA LEE inspire other women, and women of color in particular, to run for elected office and seek leadership positions. Our Caucus can only succeed when every voice is represented in leadership.

It is a profound honor to follow in the footsteps of my late mentor, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who made history as the first African American

folding chairs are no longer required. And I will keep working, alongside my colleagues, to realize that future,” Lee wrote after losing to Jeffries.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst and communications strategist. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke)

REP. BARBARA LEE (D-CA)

A3

A4

METRO

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Pitt alumna Lia Petrose named 2019 Rhodes Scholar

Lia Petrose (A&S ’17), who earned degrees in neuroscience and economics at the University of Pittsburgh, has been named a 2019 Rhodes Scholarship winner.

Petrose, of Laurel, Maryland, is the eighth winner of the esteemed scholarship to have received a Pitt undergraduate education.

She is among 32 American scholars to receive the prestigious award according to the Rhodes Trust, which recently announced the winners.

“As the eighth Rhodes Scholar from the University of Pittsburgh, Lisa is part of an elite group,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “At the same time, her success is rooted in the everyday practice of rolling up her sleeves, stepping out of her comfort zone and daring to innovate. I have

no doubt she’s bound for a bright future, and I wish her the very best.”

The Rhodes Scholarship, one of the oldest international study awards available to U.S. students, provides two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England. Rhodes winners are chosen on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity and leadership potential, among other attributes.

Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Petrose immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. She arrived at Pitt in the fall of 2013 under the support of the University’s Helen S. Faison Scholarship. A 2016 Harry S. Truman Scholarship recipient, Petrose received bachelor of science degrees in neuroscience and economics with a minor in chemistry from the Kenneth P. Dietrich

School of Arts & Sciences in 2017. She served in a number of leadership roles during her time at Pitt, including as a member of the Student Government Board, a University Honors College student advisor to the dean and as a representative to the committees of the Board of Trustees, the provost and the University Senate Council.

She plans to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in computer science and philosophy at the University of Oxford.

Petrose is currently a research assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Professor Heidi Williams with whom she investigates pharmaceutical research development and innovation. Prior to that, she worked as a data scientist at the Harvard Laboratory for Systems Medicine exploring

LIA PETROSE the use of machine learning algorithms to glean insights from electronic medical records.

“I am absolutely thrilled for Lia,” said Honors College Dean Brian Primack. “When I first met her last year, I knew that she would do remarkable things and would undoubt-

edly succeed in her goal of optimizing healthcare systems for the underserved. Her enthusiasm for her work was absolutely infectious. I was also struck by her remarkable character; for someone so accomplished she was extremely humble. I am more pleased than I can

say that the Rhodes Committee bestowed upon her this honor.”

Petrose applied for the Rhodes Scholarship with assistance from Pitt’s Honors College, which advises Pitt undergraduates and alumni who are interested in pursuing national and international awards.

For Black youths who are dark-skinned, colorism still exists “The Skin I’m In” remains relevant 20 years later FLAKE FROM A1

your book,” Broadus told Flake. “We made sure that we had this be a part of our community experience, and it worked. There were lots of conversations, there were lots of parents who made sure they went out and bought this book. We really tried to make it our own and I think we did a really good job at that.”

When Flake wrote the book, she had a daughter of her own (Brittney) who was dark-skinned. In the book, Flake named the 13-year-old seventh-grader Maleeka Madison, a tall, skinny girl who is constantly teased about her looks, primarily by another student, Charlese Jones.

Those who have read the book are also familiar with Maleeka’s love interest in the book, Caleb, Maleeka’s strong-willed mother, and an English teacher, Miss Saunders.

Then there’s John-John, Maleeka’s classmate.

“John-John says to me, ‘I don’t see no pretty, just a whole lotta Black.’ Before I can punch him good, he’s singing a rap song. ‘Maleeka, Maleeka—baboom, boom, boom, we sure wanna keep her, baboom, boom, boom, but she so Black, baboom, boom, boom, we just can’t see her.’ Before I know it, three more boys is pointing at me and singing that

song, too. Me, I’m wishing the building will collapse on top of me.”

In another excerpt from “The Skin I’m in,” Maleeka reveals: “It’s bad enough that I’m the darkest, worsedressed thing in school. I’m also the tallest, skinniest thing you ever seen. And people like John-John remind me of it every chance they get. They don’t say nothing about the fact that I’m a math whiz, and can outdo ninth graders when it comes to figuring numbers. Or that I got a good memory and never forget one single, solitary thing I read. They only see what they see, and they don’t seem to like what they see much.”

Flake told the audience she didn’t realize how big of a problem colorism was for young African Americans…until she traveled to different parts of the country promoting the book.

“You start listening to girls talk about how they would not put their pictures on Facebook because of what people might say about them. Girls who felt like they couldn’t get dates because they were darkskinned.”

Reflecting on “The Skin I’m In” a generation later, Flake said that Maleeka’s “voice” in the book is powerful and blunt, which attracts young people to her

character. “You can trust what she says,” Flake told the audience about Maleeka’s “direct” and “frank” way of speaking. “I think a lot of times we want kids to sugarcoat their experiences, what they think about teachers, kids, etc.,” Flake said. “This is her truth, this is her reality, and I think young people gravitate to that.”

It’s a book that caught the interest of Pittsburgh Colfax student Kashauna Smith, herself a writer.

“I didn’t know I had a gift until I met Sharon,” Smith told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I just wrote for fun, and then I brought her (Flake) my writing, and she said I had a gift and I have a voice.”

Smith, 14, is now taking writing even more seriously. Her friend, Aniyah Averytt, also 14, had a chance to meet Flake at the event.

Averytt told the audience that in elementary school, she used to ask her mother why she looked different, as she was dark-skinned.

“Now that I’m older, and since I go to church, I heard God say that I’m beautiful the way I am,” Averytt told the crowd, “so now it doesn’t matter what people think of me.”

As Flake fielded more questions and commentary from audience members, Lenora “Peachies” Freshley publicly thanked Flake for coming to her home in Penn Hills…nearly 20 years ago.

Freshley had read “The Skin I’m In” in the late ‘90s and thought the message

AUTHOR SHARON G. FLAKE, center, with Carnegie Library Homewood Branch employees Andrea McNeill, left, children and teen librarian, and Denise Graham, library service manager. was so powerful that she bought the book for her then-6-year-old daughter and other youth family members for Christmas.

Of course, Freshley recalls, the kids didn’t want a book for Christmas. They wanted toys, money, etc.

So Freshley contacted Flake and asked her to talk to the kids about the book.

A day later, Flake did just that, inside Freshley’s Penn Hills home. According to Freshley, the kids

had a newfound excitement about the message in the book, along with seeing a successful African American woman. Freshley proudly told the audience that Flake’s presence had a lasting, positive effect on the kids, as many of them have since graduated from college.

“That’s why I had to thank her,” Freshley told the Courier, “because she didn’t have to do that.”

“I think that every young

person this holiday season should have it (‘The Skin I’m In’) in their stocking,” added Broadus, who is now retired after also serving as Library Service Manager at the Carnegie Library’s Hill District Branch. “Encourage it, encourage young people to read it and talk about it and be a part of it, and see where it fits in their lives, because the issues (of colorism) are still the same. It hasn’t gone away, it’s still there.”

Heinz Endowments giving $10 million for criminal justice reform HEINZ FROM A1 justice system. proved to Duquesne UniThat’s only the beginning versity to serve as repre- of the grants, Anderson sentation for youth in the stressed. Heinz Endow-

ments is also looking to award grants to African American-led organizations in Pittsburgh that work with or have direct access to families who’ve been affected by the criminal justice system.

“Engaging the African American community, African American-led organiza-

tions will be an important part of the process,” Anderson said.

Heinz Endowments, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the U.S., has no problem putting their money where their mouth is. On a blog posted to the Heinz Endowments’ website,

written by Anderson, she clearly states that “the Heinz Endowments is committed to improving the lives of people who are impacted by the judicial system. We have created a major initiative to promote criminal justice system reform in both the Allegheny County adult

and juvenile justice systems, and increase community engagement and support.”

Anderson also stated in the blog post that “if African Americans and Latinos were incarcerated at the same rate as the White population, the prison and jail population in the country would decline by nearly 40 percent. While the paramount responsibility of the criminal justice system is to preserve public safety and protect individual rights, the system is deeply flawed and often our children pay the greatest price.”

Anderson told the Courier exclusively that the residents of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region shouldn’t sweep the issues surrounding minorities and the criminal justice system under the rug.

“Yes, this (Pittsburgh) is the most livable city, but not for everyone,” Anderson told the Courier. “I believe we have both an opportunity and an obligation” to strengthen all disenfranchised communities and give all families “a desire to have a healthy and productive community.”

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

A5

‘Things will be handled decent and in order’

Arlinda Moriarty proclaims innocence against Medicaid fraud charges MORIARTY FROM A1

in relation to a health care matter. In addition, Moriarty, Tamika Adams and Columbie-Abrew each are charged with multiple counts of aggravated identity theft.

Ex-employees Travis Moriarty, Tiffhany Covington, Brenda Lowry and Autumn Brown were indicted separately in October.

This past Monday, Dec. 3, in court, Travis Moriarty admitted to a conspiracy count.

By admitting to the conspiracy count, Travis Moriarty, in effect, admitted to fabricating timesheets for in-home services that were never provided, along with preparing false documents.

Brady’s office went further, saying fraud was committed through a variety of schemes. Among these were filing false claims for medical and transportation services that were never rendered; submitting timesheets for employees who did not exist, or for employees who were working other jobs or on vacations at the time; improperly using consumers’ personal identifying information; and billing for in-home services for indi-

viduals who were actually hospitalized, incarcerated, or deceased.

In a conspiracy case, Lewis said, the evidence against one defendant can be used to make a case against another.

“But to do that, you have to prove a conspiracy first.

There are instances in large companies where people underneath are doing things that are unknown to the director,” he said.

Arlinda Moriarty spoke with the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Tuesday, Dec. 4. The proud Garfield native, who graduated from Peabody High School in 1988 and later received her collegiate degree from Robert Morris University, said that although she could say many things, only one sentence needed to be said: “Things will be handled decent and in order,” Arlinda Moriarty said, citing a scripture from 1st Corinthians.

Arlinda Moriarty’s office sits on Perrysville Avenue on the North Side, a woman so regarded that the City of Pittsburgh proclaimed Jan. 10, 2017 “Arlinda Moriarty Day.” She was handed a proclamation at City Hall, complete with family and friends in attendance.

Courier reporter Diane I. Daniels interviewed Arlin“Arlinda has pled ‘not guilty’ and she will explain her position at da Moriarty just after she the proclamation trial. And her position is that she is not guilty of any of the alleged received last year. Daniels reported criminal acts and did not willfully or knowingly commit those acts.” that Arlinda Moriarty, who up in the Garfield KERRY LEWIS grew Heights housing projects Attorney for Arlinda Moriarty and was diagnosed as an Brady, is evidence gathered by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the IRS and the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office that outlines a “family crime conspiracy.”

“In terms of the scope of the fraud, the number of participants charged, the timeframe, and the amount of loss, it really is an incredibly significant case,” he told KDKA-TV last week.

Along with Moriarty and Dickens, the others charged with fraud were either employees of Moriarty Consultants or three other companies controlled by the sisters: Activity Daily Living Services; Coordination Care; and Everyday People Staffing. They include: Julie Wilson, Tamika Adams, Tony Brown, Terry Adams, Terra Dean, Tionne Street, Keith Scoggins and Larita Walls, all residing in and around Pittsburgh, along with Tia Collins, a resident of South Carolina, and Luis Columbie-Abrew, a resident of Georgia.

Moriarty, Dickens, Wilson and Tamika Adams are also charged with one count of concealing material facts

ARLINDA MORIARTY DAY—This photo, taken January 10, 2017, shows Arlinda Moriarty holding her proclamation from the City of Pittsburgh, surrounded by friends, family and elected officials. (Photo

by Diane I. Daniels)

Happy Holidays from the New Pittsburgh Courier!

A Courier subscrip- free, please turn to 412-481-8302, tion makes the per- page B5, or call us at 134! fect Christmas gift!

To learn how you can purchase a Courier subscription for someone and get your subscription for

ext.

ARLINDA MORIARTY adult with Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, never would take a backseat to success.

“I never let that or where I grew up define me,” Arlinda Moriarty told Daniels.

“The bottom line is Arlinda is wonderful person who’s done a lot for a lot

of people,” added Arlinda Moriarty’s lawyer, Lewis.

“She’s a real advocate for Attention Deficit Disorder, which she suffers from.

She’s never had any problems with the law. She’s just a good woman, and that’s self-evident to anyone who meets her.”

A6

HEALTH

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved.

Maternal and Infant Mortality

This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on maternal and infant mortality. Erricka Hager, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke about this topic with Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

EH: Good afternoon, Ms. Bush. When I heard that we’d be covering maternal and infant mortality this month, I knew that we’d be talking about a topic that is critical for the communities we serve.

EB: You are so right, Erricka. African American mothers and their babies are dying at an alarming rate. I’m not sure if anyone is paying attention. Some might think that this topic is important only for Black women who are having babies. But this is important to everyone—especially African American women—because health starts in the womb. The development of a child is influenced by the mother’s health during pregnancy.

that will not only help medical professionals listen to women’s pregnancy-related symptoms but also provide reliable health education to patients.

EH: I think so, too. I was also heartened EH: That’s important to mention because, when Gov. Tom Wolf demonstrated his conagain and again, the numbers show that Afcern for the increase in maternal mortality rican American women experience higher rates. The creation of the Maternal Mortality rates of both maternal and infant mortality Review Committee indicates some leaders here in the United States. According to the are beginning to listen and want to improve Centers for Disease Control and Preventhe health of Pennsylvanian mothers. I also tion, African American mothers in the encourage our readers to connect with the United States die at three to four times the Infant Mortality Collaborative at the Alleghrate of white mothers—one of the widest of eny County Health Department to not only all racial disparities in women’s health. Relend their voices and support but to share ESTHER BUSH searchers like Dr. Krishnamurti are listening their experiences as well. Participating in and realize that this is a public health crisis initiatives like the ones listed on this page that is affecting both families and commuexactly where to get information or even will help health care professionals to better nities. Yet, are we doing enough to ensure feel comfortable talking to their doctors understand the experiences of African that we are educating and reaching the about pregnancy-related symptoms. It’s American women. This will help prevent communities we serve? difficult and often confusing for mothers to more African American women and chilEB: That’s a great question, Erricka. keep up with not only their health needs but dren from dying.

Although researchers are listening, some also their children’s health. That’s why it’s EB: I second that. Thanks for having health care professionals are not. They important for us to continue to have these this chat with me, Erricka. We’ve provided simply are not paying enough attention to conversations about research and health some great information and ways that readthe concerns and needs of African Amerto continue to educate and empower the ers can take charge of their health today. I ican mothers and their children. African African American community. I think Dr. look forward to chatting with you next year American women might not always know Krishnamurti has developed a great tool as we dispel myths about immunizations.

TAMAR KRISHNAMURTI, PHD

Montia Brock (left) and Carissa Ashby (right) spend time with Ashby’s daughter on the front porch of Ashby’s Swissvale home. Brock, a community health worker and perinatal health policy specialist from Healthy Start, conducts home visits to Ashby. Healthy Start Pittsburgh is a local nonprofit that works to reduce infant mortality by strengthening maternal health. (Photo by Kat Procyk/PublicSource)

The State of Pennsylvania’s Mothers and Babies

by Carolyn Byrnes, MPH, and Loren Robinson, MD, MSHP

women. A first step in better understanding this crisis is a clearer, more accurate picture of what is happening in the lives of these mothers. Each woman’s medical The path to optimal health history and clinical care, for all Pennsylvanians leads as well as the environment to and through women. Maand social factors affecting ternal and infant health outher well-being, need to be comes are critical measures carefully collected and used by which the health of states in care plans before, during and nations is measured and after pregnancy. The and compared. While the better we understand what Pennsylvania Department of is and what is not working Health (PA DOH) works hard well for mothers and their to address the health needs CAROLYN BYRNES, MPH LOREN ROBINSON, MD, MSHP families, the better equipped of all moms and babies, we we are to respond. must place special focus on Pulling this information together and Similarly, infant mortality statistics in those experiencing significant dismaking recommendations to prePennsylvania mirror that of maternal parities in maternal and infant health vent maternal deaths is exactly what outcomes—our African-American and mortality. In 2016, the rate of infant Latinx moms and infants. These Penn- mortality among white infants was 4.6 the newly established Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee per 1,000 live births, while Latinx and sylvanians are dying at higher rates African American infants were dying at (MMRC) aims to do. The committee every year. It is time we reverse this significantly higher rates 7.4 and 14.6, was created by Act 24 and signed into terrible trend in the commonwealth. law by Governor Wolf on May 9, 2018. respectively). Just a few weeks ago, The maternal mortality rate, as The committee’s role is to review the March of Dimes’ Premature Birth defined by a governmental initiative cases of maternal mortality in PennReport Card was released. PennsylHealthy People 2020 (HP 2020), is sylvania and make recommendations vania was given a grade of “C,” with the number of birthing parent deaths an average of 9.4 babies born preterm on how to prevent deaths in the future. due to complications around pregout of all babies born in the state. We MMRC is made up of a diverse group nancy and labor within 42 days of a of experts representing various disciknow that preterm birth is one of the pregnancy per 100,000 live births. In biggest risk factors for infant mortality. plines from across the commonwealth.

2016, Pennsylvania’s mortality rate was 11.4 maternal deaths per 100,000 In Pennsylvania, the preterm birth rate Each is donating his or her time and among African American women is 46 expertise to make a difference in the live births. While the HP 2020 goal lives of Pennsylvania mothers. percent higher than that of any other is to reduce maternal mortality rate With the formation of MMRC, as well group of women. across the country to 11.4, a goal that as PA DOH’s continuous efforts to What we know from these mortality Pennsylvania has met, there is so care for the state’s maternal and child and preterm birth statistics is that they much more left to do. A closer look at are just the tip of the iceberg. For every health populations, we hope that we Pennsylvania’s data reveals a much can help change the way health care more concerning story. Much like what woman and infant who dies, there are is delivered to moms and infants. We even more who just barely survived. has been reflected in national headlines over the past year, Pennsylvania Since the late 1980s, the United States need to close the racial gap that is killing our most vulnerable populations. has seen an increase in maternal maternal mortality rates among white Carolyn Byrnes, MPH is special advimortality rates. Across the country, and African American women differ sor to the secretary of health, and Loren states are scrambling to respond to greatly. In 2016, White women had a Robinson, MD, MSHP is deputy secrethis data. Health officials are continumaternal mortality rate of 8.7. African ally evaluating the data and working to tary for health promotion and disease American women were dying at a prevention, Pennsylvania Department make pregnancy and delivery experate triple than that of White women of Health at 27.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. riences much safer for our nation’s

Allegheny County Infant Mortality Collaborative

In November 2012, the Infant Mortality Collaborative (IMC) was started to address the disparity in the infant mortality rate across different communities. It is our mission to give all babies born in Allegheny County a chance to celebrate their first birthdays.

Despite a decade of improvement in the overall infant mortality rate, there remain significant disparities in infant mortality outcomes by race and neighborhood. The Allegheny County Health Department released a report

in 2015 that included data from 20082012. This report concluded that while the infant mortality rate for Whites was 4.75, for Blacks it is nearly 2.89 times higher (13.73), with most of the difference being attributed to preterm births. The communities most affected include McKeesport, the City of Pittsburgh, Penn Hills and McKees Rocks.

IMC works to mobilize communities to create systemic change by building awareness and educating people about the factors that contribute to in-

fant mortality, especially in vulnerable communities. IMC aims to include a cross-section of community members, reproductive health experts, educators, faith leaders, transportation experts, public safety officials, parents, residents and human services advocates who can work together toward creating meaningful change.

The group meets four times per year. For more information, please contact Alysia Tucker at alysia.tucker@ alleghenycounty.us.

Infant Mortality…

A Public Health Crisis Pregnancy and infancy should be exciting, healthy experiences. But some infants do not survive what should be a cherished time in life.

The infant mortality rate is measured by how many infants out of every 1,000 born die within the first year of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider the rate of infant mortality to be a sign of the overall health of a society. The CDC’s most recent data reports that the United States has an infant mortality rate of 5.9.

The United States’ rate is much higher than that of comparable (in terms of size and wealth) countries. This is commonly described by health officials as a public health crisis.

Broken down even further, the infant mortality rate for White infants in the United States is much lower than those of every racial and ethnic group (other than Asian). In Allegheny County, the same disparity is exists—in fact, that the mortality rate is three times higher for African American infants.

According to the CDC, the leading causes of infant mortality are birth defects, preterm birth complications, sudden infant death syndrome, injuries and mothers’ pregnancy complications. To monitor any risks that may arise during pregnancy or soon after birth, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University developed the MyHealthyPregnancy app.

“My colleagues and I wanted to create a tool that monitors risk during pregnancy at the individual level,” said Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, and of clinical and translational science, University of Pittsburgh. “The app is a tool that picks up on risk and provides actionable, understandable feedback about those risks to patients. The goal is to reduce unwanted outcomes both during pregnancy and in the early period after delivery.”

In a pilot study of women using the MyHealthyPregnancy app, Dr. Krishnamurti and her fellow researchers were able to pinpoint multiple risks women were facing that were not revealed at their health care appointments. These risks included depression, drug use, intimate partner violence and preterm labor contractions. The MyHealthyPregnancy app—Dr. Krishnamurti hopes it will be available for download soon—prompts women every day with questions about, for example, how they are feeling and how their relationships are going. The answers are turned into data that can be modeled and translated to individual-level calculations for risk. The app provides women with feedback about their answers and pairs that feedback with resources to address any risks.

With high rates of smartphone ownership in the United States, the app reaches women who might face barriers to accessing health care. Dr. Krishnamurti points out that barriers are often logistical and in no way reflect the amount of time and interest women are willing to dedicate to their health care and pregnancy. One of the barriers is getting to health care appointments. During the first study of women using the app, attendance at health care appointments went from 50 percent to closer to 90 percent, Dr. Krishnamurti said.

“Mobile health is incredibly powerful in reaching patients,” she said. “In addition to monitoring risk, the app is a way to provide reassurance to women. It provides education so that women know whether or not a pregnancy or postpartum symptom is normal. Women were telling us that Googling answers to their pregnancy questions is stressful because it can be hard to know whether the information they find is true or false. We feel we’ve created an app that feels like a dependable friend as well as a trusted source of information.”

Until the app becomes widely available, or if you do not have a smartphone, discussing any pregnancy or postpartum concerns with a health care professional is a good first step.

ENTERTAINER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

City. Through the modern, self-expressive gaze of hip-hop culture, E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story is remixed and celebrates the magic of New Year’s Eve, a time for new beginnings.

A full-length production, “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” KURTIS BLOW stars in “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” playing at the Benedum Center, Dec. 11-12. features 12 dancers, an onstage DJ, electric violinist with hip-hop is an incredBlow began creating his Grigsby Trust Presents and of course, Blow. ible combination. I love own tracks under the name series, “The Hip-Hop “‘The Hip-Hop Nutcracker’ Nutcracker” will run at that sound. When I first Kool DJ Kurt but by the is an incredible play. It’s started with the play five end of the ‘70s he became the Benedum Center, Dec. rolling around the country years ago, I was working disenchanted because the 11-12. Tickets start at $30 giving up love and showing and can be purchased by on a song that had orchesmusic had lost its individuhow we all can get along. tra instrumentation and ality. So he started creating visiting www.trustarts.

It’s really about the magic Tchaikovsky’s music has his own rhymes and beats org. The show is directed of the holiday season that the big orchestral sound on his own turntable. In and choreographed by is the best time of the year, that I love.”

1979 at the age of 20, Blow Lucille Lortel and Bessie so all your family and your Born Kurtis Walker in signed a major record deal nominated choreographer, friends you can bring to with Mercury Records, Jennifer Weber, and execu- 1959 in New York, Blow this play, it’s a really good got bit by the music bug in becoming the first rapper tive produced by two-time mash up that just shows grade school while minsigned to a major record Tony-Award winning prolove,” Blow told the New gling with his mother’s label. The label released ducer Eva Price.

Pittsburgh Courier in an party guests and taking “Christmas Rappin” and “I wanted to be involved exclusive interview. Blow their music requests. By it sold more than 400,000 in something that was top performs a short set at the the time he was a teenager, copies. His sophomore of the line for hip-hop and start of the show before he had a fake ID and was album, “The Breaks,” went this is it,” said Blow, who rapping the introduction, “It got his start in the genre sneaking into nightclubs in gold. He has released 10 shows how you can use love almost 40 years ago. “We the Big Apple to hear DJs albums in 11 years and has to defeat hate and evil.” produced albums for The are part of a holiday classic spin their records.

Part of the Cohen & While still in high school, Fat Boys, Run DMC and and infusing that music

Wyclef Jean.

Blow is glad to be returning back to Pittsburgh with “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker.”

“Pittsburgh has always been one of my favorite cities. You guys have got some incredible sports teams,” explained Blow, a self-proclaimed sports fanatic and ordained minister. “I’m a big fan of Big Ben and the Steelers, man I’m telling you, that Steel Curtain goes way back! It will always be a part of my life and my history. I remember seeing them hit many people very, very hard. I’m glad to be bringing love to Pittsburgh because Pittsburgh has been a supporter of hip-hop since 1980.”

KURTIS BLOW

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A7

Legendary rapper brings ‘The Hip-Hop Nutcracker’ to Pittsburgh, Dec. 11-12

by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier

Kurtis Blow made his first appearance in Pittsburgh in 1980 opening for the Commodores.

“I came there and sang ‘The Breaks’ with the Commodores and the people showed me love,” Blow fondly recalls. “I have a buddy that lives there, he goes by the name of Paparazzi, he’s a well-known photographer.”

The legendary rapper will be returning to the Steel City this holiday season to present an updated twist on a Christmas classic, “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker.”

This ain’t your mama’s version.

Still set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, it tells the story of Maria Clara and the Nutcracker prince who go on a dream adventure when her parents first meet at a nightclub in 1980s Brooklyn in a colorful and contemporary New York

Actress Daphne Maxwell Reid coming to Steel City Comic Con ‘Fresh Prince’ stars Karyn Parsons, Tatyani Ali also to appear

by Genea L. Webb

Since then, Reid, who decades ago became the For New Pittsburgh Courier first Black homecoming queen at Northwestern Veteran actress Daphne University and one of the Maxwell Reid is excited first African Americans to show her Pittsburgh fans some love this holiday to appear on the cover of Glamour magazine, hasn’t season. slowed.

The “Fresh Prince of Bel Not only is acting and Air” star will be in town modeling a part of her along with some of her dossier with five books and other former co-stars for five calendars published, Steel City Comic Con at she became known as a the Monroeville Convennoted artist, designer, edution Center, Dec. 7-9. cation activist and fine art “It’s a signature signing event and we get to see the photographer.

“I like capturing a mofans who like us, share our photos with them and chat ment and sharing that with them,” explained Reid, with people and seeing that moment because as who famously portrayed Aunt Vivian on the beloved you go through life, getting sitcom opposite Will Smith. from one place to the next,

ple to see my mother give her love to us through all the things she did and all the things she taught us and how she loved to share her food with us.

“She did it so joyfully and that’s what food means to me,” Reid added.

The beginning of the book gives readers a glimpse into Reid’s childhood with photos that her father took, pictures of her throughout her career, the people that influenced her throughout her life. It is a collection of recipes of people that she has intersected with while on her life journey.

Before each recipe is a story sharing what the food means to her, where it came from and when she used the recipe. At the end of each one, she teaches readers what utensils will be needed to prepare that specific dish. She also DAPHNE MAXWELL REID, who played Aunt Vivian on the “Fresh teaches novices how to set Prince of Bel Air,” will appear all three days of Steel City Comic Con, Dec. 7-9. Tatyana Ali will appear Dec. 7-8, and Karyn Parsons will appear Dec. 7-9. Jaleel White, famously known as Urkel from the show “Family Matters,” will appear Dec. 8-9.

DAPHNE MAXWELL REID, on the cover of Jet magazine in 1967.

you sometimes miss the details,” explained Reid.

“With photography you get the details. I’ve always taken pictures of landscapes, flowers and architecture. I have a great time capturing what my eyes see and capturing the details of what my eyes see. Doors are fascinating to me and I’ve spent the past 10 years showing doors as a metaphor for life. Doors mean opportunity, passages, adventures or curiosity.

I want people to incorporate the idea of focusing on the details to make their life very rich.”

Reid’s photographic endeavors have taken her to such exotic locales as China, France, Venice and Cuba.

The host of the PBS Show, “Virginia Currents,” Reid recently expanded her publishing credits with her first cookbook, “Grace + Soul & Motherwit,” which offers many of her favorite recipes sprinkled with memories and reflections from her life and travels.

“It’s a mini memoir. I grew up in a house with a mom and a dad and two brothers and we lived in the projects but we weren’t poor in spirit or love,” Reid said. “It was a great exam-

tice and asked her to craft unique wares for them.

Now she weaves limited design Chinese silk brocade jackets for her custom clothing line, Daphne Style. The line wowed audiences at New York Fashion Week in 2017.

“I have to do it in limited design because I consider it wearable art,” explained Reid, who has been sewing since she was 9 years old.

“The price is high, there is limited access so I don’t get overwhelmed and I want these to be personal projects, not mass manufactured.”

Reid will be bringing copies of her cookbook and samples of her jackets to Steel City Comic Con at the Monroeville Convention Center. It is one of the largest Comic Cons in the United States with over 750 vendor tables. Attendees get to meet TV and film celebrities, experience

DAPHNE MAXWELL REID was one of the first African Americans to grace the cover of Glamour magazine. This edition is from October 1969. up a kitchen.

“I’m trying to encourage people to get back into the idea of creating meals, sharing your love through food and sharing your life at the table,” said Reid, who has had roles in “Frank’s Place,” opposite her husband, actor and director Tim Reid, as well as in “Hill Street Blues” and “Simon and Simon.”

As a young actress and model in the 1980s, Reid often made her own outfits and wardrobe. Soon friends began to take no-

celebrity question-and answer panels, celebrity photo opportunities, trivia contests, and costume contests. Tickets start at $23.

When she isn’t snapping pictures, stitching a jacket, or acting, Reid enjoys spending quality time with her husband, whom she married in 1982.

“It’s exciting to be married to someone who dreams as big as he does,” she says of Tim. “I’m proud to be his spouse and proud of the energy he gives me to follow my dreams.”

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

A8

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report What’s up with helium?

If you have been to a Dollar Tree or Party City lately you have seen the signs, “due to a global shortage we are out of helium.” At first I thought this must be a joke or maybe someone did not order a tank of helium for the store. Well this was months ago and just a week ago I was in the Dollar Tree again and they are still out. I noticed people coming in trying to buy balloons and they could not get them inflated, and then my great nephew was celebrating his birthday last week in Detroit and his mother went to the store to get balloons for his party, she was turned away due to the lack of helium. In order to solve the problem she went to Walmart and bought a small tank for $20.

This shortage needs some investigation. Here is what I found out on the Popular Mechanics web page. Helium goes into a lot more than balloons.

Because the gas is inert and has extreme melting and boiling points—both near absolute zero—scientists use it in cryogenics, high-energy accelerators, arc welding, and silicon wafer manufacturing. A severe reduction in the availability of helium could force hospitals to replace costly MRI magnets or restrict patient access to them. The federal government, which sets helium prices, announced in April that helium prices would spike from $75.75 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in FY 2012 to $84 per Mcf in FY 2013. (Last year, prices rose only 75 cents.) “Whoa, this is old information. I want to know what is going on now.”

It was difficult to find a simple explanation.

Here is what I was able to find out. Helium is a global commodity delivered though a complex supply chain and the helium business was caught without a Plan B and has a number of lessons to learn from the Qatar embargo that impacted upon helium supply markets in summer 2017, says esteemed consultant Phil Kornbluth. In order for me to find out more from this consultant and this site they wanted me to become a subscriber. I opted out. But I was able to find out that there is a Federal Helium Program, President Ronald Reagan tried to get rid of it and so did President Bill Clinton but from what I could find out the federal program is still a government program. With this in mind getting to the bottom of this issue was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. The bottom line is the shortage is real and you will have to find other ways to decorate or pay more for your helium. One of the biggest uses of helium is for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s is just around the corner, either you will not have balloons or you will pay a premium price to get them inflated.

Start making plans now on how you are going to decorate for parties and celebrations. The shortage is anticipated to last through 2019.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

WE ARE MESSAGE CARRIERS—Courtney Abegunde and Robin Spencer

WELCOME—Ashley Wilkinson and Gloria M. Brown

EVENT SUPPORTERS—Mario Lewis and Maxine Holmes

An Evening Celebrating Recovery

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

Recovery can be defined as the act, process, or an instance of recovering, the process of combating a disorder. On Oct. 25, at the Ace Hotel, Message Carriers of Pennsylvania Inc., held “An Evening Celebrating Recovery.” The mission of Message Carriers is to provide advocacy and recovery related services to individuals and family members impacted by the disease of addiction and/or mental health disorders.

With state Rep. Ed Gainey as honorary chairperson guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship, dining and a live auction with Message Carriers Board Member-turned auctioneer Steve Choder. The winner will enjoy dinner at Spoon and a night on the Allegheny on the Houseboat at Choderwood. Jason Snyder, regional director, Pinnacle Treatment Centers, delivered a message of hope. Snyder lost both of his siblings to drug overdose deaths and is in long-term recovery from

MESSAGE OF HOPE—Ed Gainey, Robin Spencer and Jason Snyder (Photos by Debbie Norrell) the disease of addiction. He said, “Treatment works and recovery is possible.”

After the message of hope the Cisco Award was presented to Vivian Witherspoon.

The Cisco Award was named

after a gentleman named Cisco who passed in 2009, he was a long-time volunteer and this award was a way to honor Witherspoon and her husband for outstanding volunteerism and assisting others in finding their way back into the community.

After silent auction winners were announced, Robin Spencer, executive director, Message Carriers of Pennsylvania, delivered closing remarks. Spencer has received recognition for her work in the community, mentoring our youth and a role model for many women in recovery. She sits on numerous advisory committees throughout the state and nationally. Spencer is currently on the PA state team for the National Academy for State Health Policy.

And she’s a New Pittsburgh Courier 2010 Women of Excellence awardee.

ENJOYING A GOOD EVENING—Kim Harriel Allen, Carol Ramsey EVENT SUPPORTERS—Minister Edie Smith, Apryle Davis and Rose Moriarty and George Fleming

AUCTIONEER—Steve Choder

CISCO AWARDEE—Carol Ramsey with awardee Vivian Witherspoon

MESSAGE CARRIERS BOARD MEMBERS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

RELIGION

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018 A9

Praise & Worship

Seed and Harvest Ministries Pastor becomes Bishop

by Jacquelyn McDonald For New Pittsburgh Courier

Church members, Pittsburgh pastors, friends and family of Seed and Harvest Ministries Inc., located at 3500 Fieldcrest Dr. in North Versailles, proudly observed, then celebrated the Consecration of their Pastor, Rev. Julius L. Ralph Sr. to the sacred office of Overseer in the New Jersey-based Bible-

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 10:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

way Deliverance Covenant Fellowship of Churches. The local Ministry welcomed five Associated Bishops led by the Presiding Prelate, The Most Rev. Wayne L. Johnson in conducting the Episcopal Investiture and Ordination ceremony, which included Solemn Prayers and Laying On of Hands according to their Holy Orders.

The service was held Nov. 16.

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

www.cathedralofhope.com Worship on Sunday: Journey Worship........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship........11 a.m.

Taize Prayer Service (Wed.) 7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

FIRST LADY LEONA DENISE, BISHOP JULIUS RALPH SR. (Photos by Jacquelyn McDonald)

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue http://www.quaker.org/legacy/pghpamm

Seminary at the Tabernacle 43 Belvedere St., Crafton, PA 15205 Sept. 10, 2018-May 16, 2019 Sr. Pastor Tony Armstead, MDiv Christian Leadership School (CLS) a Four-year Program currently offering Four non-credited courses in four years.

Teaching includes Doctorate and Master of Divinity Teachers.

When: Fluctuates Mon. or Thurs., 6:308:30pm Cost: $75 per class, plus any required books Contact: Rev. Marjorie Davis, Ph.D. 412335-2832

New Destiny CME Church THE CEREMONY—Prayer and Laying On of Hands

ELDER JULIUS RALPH II, Ceremonialist/Facilitator

PRESIDING BISHOP WAYNE L. JOHNSON

114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

CHANTAL BRAZIEL, Soloist

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! \We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

Send info to: NEW OVERSEER, JULIUS L. RALPH SR., seated. Standing, from left: Bishop David Brock, Bishop Peter M. Hallenbeck, Presiding Bishop Wayne L. Johnson, Bishop Keith Young, Bishop Nikolas Brown.

New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

A10

PEOPLE

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Who’s ready for the holidays?

THE TERRY FAMILY, FROM THE HILL DISTRICT

IT’S PITTSBURGH’S CELEBRATE THE SEASONS HOLIDAY PARADE! And Allderdice students Arbay and Asha Salim had the chance to see good ole Santa Claus during the Nov. 24 event, Downtown.

(Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

MR. MCFEELY!—Pictured is Catera Jennings with Mr. McFeely of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood...

THE PITTSBURGH SAMBA GROUP participated in the parade...

THE BRASHEAR HIGH SCHOOL BAND

HARLEM GLOBETROTTER ZUES

YOGI AND BOO BOO!—Pictured are Alexis, Cheyanne and Mykel Buchanan with Yogi the Bear and Boo Boo the Bear...

RALPH WILLIAMS, DONUS CRAWFORD JR.

THE KEYMAKERS

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

A11

Busted: 5 of the biggest holiday myths (BPT)—Holiday fantasies are not just for children.

If all the holiday prep and bustle is giving your inner Grinch a migraine, you may find yourself in very good company! A recent Coinstar survey, conducted among 2,000 adults by Atomik Research, uncovered some of these hidden attitudes toward the holidays. The findings revealed truths behind the following five myths we often cling to when it comes to the holiday season.

Myth No. 1: Regifting is in poor taste Many people have a secret stash tucked into drawers and stuffed way back into closets: Presents from the past they don’t really want but the guilt is too strong to let them go.

If you think regifting is a tacky solution to lightening the load, here’s a good secret you should know.

Nearly two-thirds of us (65 percent) do it anyway, according to the survey.

Myth No. 2: Sticking to a holiday budget is just too hard After past failures to make a holiday budget, you decided it’s just easier to close your eyes and dive into a credit coma until January. Because it’s impossible to keep up with the unexpected extras that keep popping up: added gifts, events, replacement decorations, holiday attire and food. Here’s a reality check. Some 68 percent of people stick to a holiday budget. Maybe past failures can be chalked up to not having enough information to create a good plan. Look back on last year’s bank and credit card statements to help you make a better plan for this year.

Myth No. 3: Adding spare change to your budget doesn’t add up These days, you think pocket change won’t even cover the cost of a cup of coffee. Which is why you may not be in the habit of counting on your change to fill out your holiday budget.

Remember this: Most people who cash in spare change have more than they think, and according to the survey that’s about $78 on average. So don’t discount the power of pocket change. Grab a container and explore the nooks and crannies of your house just to see what you find. Check handbags, car consoles, spare change jars, dresser drawers and sofa cushions.

With this new cash stash, you can easily knock out an item or two on your budget.

Myth No. 4: Spending time with family is what the holidays are all about No better occasion than the holidays to spend quality time with your family, eating a delicious meal, followed by opening gifts in the soft glow of the fireplace and twinkling lights. If picturing your extended family in this idyllic holiday scene is more than a stretch of the imagination, you’re not alone. One in five people say they’d rather bow out of the family celebration. In fact, they’d prefer to spend time with friends, be alone or go to work. But for those who enjoy family time, holidays are perfect for making new memories.

Myth No. 5: Gift-giving comes from the heart Ideally, every single gift is a pure expression of love and generosity from the giver, right? Wrong.

One quarter of Americans confessed to getting into an altogether different kind of holiday spirit when it comes to buying presents. They want to be the one behind the most talked-about, flashiest or best gift at the gathering.

Whatever the motivation, keep on giving.

Now that you know the truth behind some common holiday myths, give your holiday spending power a boost by visiting the nearest Coinstar kiosk. Cash in your extra change for cash or a no-fee eGift card for well-known retailers and get more gifts crossed off your holiday list.

The Joy of Giving: 4 Holiday Hacks for Stress-Free Shopping (BPT)—Whether you absolutely love shopping for gifts over the holidays or see it as a major source of stress, most people ultimately find gift giving rewarding.

It’s true that 51 percent of consumers worldwide get stressed over holiday shopping crowds and 49 percent feel frazzled deciding which gifts to buy, as informed by a recent Harris Poll commissioned

by Amazon. Still, there’s nothing like bestowing well-chosen presents to make your loved ones feel happy and appreciated; Pew Research shows 83 percent of Americans feel joyful at the thought of buying and receiving gifts, while 78 percent feel generous.

“As stressful as holiday gift giving can be, it might be a socially enforced tradition precisely because it makes people feel good in the end,” advises Bourree Lam in The Atlantic. “Psychologists have

argued gift giving might benefit the giver more than the gift receiver, and result in important non-material emotional gains. One study found spending money on others results in more happiness than spending on oneself.”

Luckily, smart shopping can easily put the fun back into your gift searches this season. Consider the following suggestions: •Take the guesswork out of gifting. Discover the best item for everyone on your gift list with curated gift guides online from sites like Amazon. Amazon helps shoppers pick the perfect present with its home, fashion, tech, business and toy gift guides. There are also guides at various price points.

Know your budget and browse a selection of top gifts under a certain spending amount. Amazon shoppers can also give the gift of reading with Prime Book Box, a

subscription service that delivers curated, hardcover children’s books every 1, 2 or 3 months.

The box is ideal for readers (and future book lovers) from baby to 12 years old. Now $19.99 per box, Prime members can save up to 40 percent off List Price.

•Shop deals online. No need to battle crazed shoppers in person; most retailers now offer the same deals online. That means you can still save massive money while shopping from the comfort of your couch. Americans clearly love that option; Shopify research indicates U.S. online sales this November and December will reach $123.4 billion, a 16 percent boost over last year.

•Look to Amazon first. The leading one-stop online shopping destination offers millions of different products, frequently at the best prices available anywhere, with

consumer reviews included to help with purchase decisions. Amazon shipping has always been reliable, but in an unprecedented move this holiday season Amazon removed its minimum purchase threshold for all shoppers to receive free shipping on hundreds of millions of items.

•Choose automatic gift wrapping. For a small fee, many online retailers can send your gift choices to you (or straight to the recipient) already beautifully wrapped. Save yourself time by opting in, and include a personal message that makes your gift even more meaningful.

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be just another task to cross off your list. Have more fun with the time-honored tradition of gift giving by planning your strategy ahead and using technology to help you make wise choices.

A non-DIYer’s guide to the holidays (BPT)—There are those who meticulously decorate dozens of sugar cookies for the office cookie exchange, give bottles of homemade Irish cream to coworkers for the holidays or send perfectly curated gift baskets to family and friends. And there are those who may want to do all of that, but don’t have the time or the creative flair. But that doesn’t mean their holidays can’t have that “homemade” charm. All it takes is a little help and savvy know-how, and your holiday celebrations can have the same love and care as if you DIYed them.

Here are some ways for you to make it look like a pro-DIYer was behind your holiday entertaining.

Semi-homemade hors d’oeuvres.

Combine pre-made phyllo cups with already-prepared deli items like tuna or chicken salad, chicken curry, barbecued beef or pork or anything else that appeals to your palate. Or fill them with cheese like cubed brie or gruyere and pop them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly, or use ready-made pie filling to make a sweet treat. You can even raid your pantry and fill them with what you already have on hand. They’re elegant and easy, a perfect combination!

Know when to outsource. Cooking dinner or heavy hors d’oeuvres for a crowd can be time-consuming,

but not everyone can use that time to prep for a party. The busy host or hostess knows the secret sauce of holiday entertaining is knowing when and what duties to outsource.

Dessert is one easy option and a big time-saver.

Even catering in your whole party becomes affordable when you factor in the cost of ingredients and the time you’ll spend prepping, cooking and cleaning up. Many grocery stores will even deliver a party to your door, hot, assembled and ready to go.

Hire a cleaning service. Kids and pets—and let’s face it, ourselves from time-to-time—tend to leave a swath of dirt, debris and clutter in their wake on the best of days, but around the holidays the mess seems to get magnified into epic proportions. Lucky for us, there are services like Merry Maids, which offers a variety of customizable cleaning services—from light housekeeping to disposing of those takeout boxes that have been in your fridge since the Clinton administration, to a deep clean of your entire house top-to-bottom.

Even though 53 percent of women and 44 percent of men claim to enjoy cleaning—according to research Merry Maids recently conducted—a majority (72 percent) would “happily outsource their house cleaning to a service if they could.” This is likely because two-thirds of them (68 percent) also agree that having a cleaning service alleviates stress, and there is already enough of that going around during the holidays.

Give homemade gifts. (Just not made in your home.) You can find anything online, from handmade ornaments to art and collectibles.

Etsy is one great site for finding creative gifts you may not have even known existed. It specializes in handcrafted, vintage and unique items, many that have been homemade. No one said they had to be made in your home. If you’re feeling creative, you can use Etsy and other online sites to find easy ways to personalize or DIY gifts you already have. One option is to make custom labels, which you can find on Etsy, for craft beer

or wine to give as gifts. Or take something as simple as a candle or quilt and customize it to make it that much more meaningful.

Don’t even think about making dough. Ready-made pie crusts make baking a pie child’s play.

One super easy recipe that will take you literally five minutes to assemble: Line a pie plate with one of the crusts. Mix 5 cups thawed or fresh blueberries with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, pop the mixture into the crust, top it all with the second crust and cut four slits in it. Fancy it up by brushing the top crust with milk and sprinkling a little sugar on it. Bake according to the directions on the pie crust box and boom, you’ve got pie.

(Secret tip: You can buy pie filling ready made in a can, too.)

With everyone’s lives being so hectic these days between work, getting the kids to school and their various activities, and finding a few minutes to connect with your loved ones on any given day, the holidays can kick stress up a notch. But celebrating with family and friends should be fun and relaxing, right? Give yourself a break and use these easy tricks to add a personalized, DIY air to your holidays, just without the added stress.

A12

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

City Game between Pitt and Duquesne draws thousands Sports B9

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-B5

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

B

Black AIDS Institute names new President & CEO

RANIYAH COPELAND

LOS ANGELES—The Black AIDS Institute (BAI) has named Raniyah Copeland as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Copeland will assume the role on January 1. Copeland began working at BAI in April of 2008 as the Training and Capacity Building Coordinator and currently serves as the Director of Programs. The announcement was made during the organization’s star studded Heroes In The Strug-

Longtime staffer selected from among 20 candidates after national 10-month search

gle gala at the California African American Museum (CAAM) this past Saturday.

Copeland, says, “We are bringing a collective of the nation’s brightest leaders who are modeling the way to end HIV in Black America through the provision of outstanding, Black-cen-

tric clinical care, and best practices shared across the country.”

As she reflects on more than 10 years with the organization she says, “I have grown from planning the details of one of our largest programs to leading the strategic direction of all of BAI’s pro-

gramming, including our newest entry into providing HIV direct services.”

She added, “In my tenure with the Institute I have had the pleasure of developing seasoned and meaningful relationships with significant individuals and institutions from federal leaders, to com-

munity organizers, and key funders. I have led our growth to currently having the largest staffed and skilled programs team we have had in 10 years.”

Copeland, who is 34, succeeds Phill Wilson who is not only the current President and Chief Executive Officer, but the organization’s founder. He announced his decision to retire at SEE AIDS B2

Breaking bad Neighborhood Allies provides money habits elements for healthy neighborhoods

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

To Presley Gillespie, president of Neighborhood Allies, a healthy neighborhood is a place where it makes economic and emotional sense for people to invest their time, energy and resources where neighbors can manage day-to-day issues and where residents feel excited and confident about their future.

Last month, more than 200 of Pittsburgh’s residents, representatives from community groups, resource partners and funders gathered in celebration of and to share examples of local work creating positive social impact in low-income communities.

“We are here celebrating the neighborhoods, the communities and the people who are making real and lasting change in our city and in their region,” said last year’s Ally of the Year recipient, Sallyann Kluz, Director of the Office of Public Art and Neighborhood Allies board member, during the second annual Healthy Neighborhoods Celebration and Awards Ceremony.

Awards were presented to the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (Quality of Life award); the Brashear Association’s Allentown Learning and Engagement Center (Community Ownership); the Afro American Music Institute (Neighborhood Image); the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (Market Confidence); and the Riverside Center for Innovation (Equitable Development). Henry Horn-Pyatt received the 2018 Ally of the Year Award.

Each awardee is representative of Neighborhood Allies’ Healthy Neighborhood Elements component.

The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh is improving the quality of life by providing job training and job

ALLY OF THE YEAR—Receiving his award from Sallyann Kluz, director of the Office of Public Art and Neighborhood Allies board member, and Presley Gillespie, Neighborhood Allies president, City of Pittsburgh employee Henry Horn-Pyatt, center, is known for genuinely partnering and collaborating to assist Neighborhood Allies achieve their collective missions and create healthy neighborhoods. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

DREAMS NOT DEFERRED—At age 29, Mica Dawkins, one of 15 2018 Real Estate Co-Powerment graduates, is set to invest in Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

placement to individuals from improvised backgrounds.

The Allentown Learning and Engagement Center is creating genuine community ownership with local youth by guiding them to learn about their neighborhood and actively change it.

The Afro American Music Institute has been celebrating the image and culture of Homewood for over 25 years.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh is creating market confidence in neighborhoods across the city through their comprehensive program and resource offerings.

The Riverside Center for Innovation is achieving equitable development by continuously providing a consistent growth culture, grounded in equity for small business owners.

Horn-Pyatt is labeled as a true ally to many, providing understanding, trust, thought-leadership and connecting to resources to help organizations, businesses

How would you grade yourself on your money habits? Would you go to the head of the class or end up with an incomplete? If you’d like to take some smart steps toward a better financial future, take this advice from the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

Focus on the positive Cutting back on spending may feel like a punishment, so from the beginning try to remember the many benefits the effort offers. For example, you’re more likely to end each month with a little extra money that you can put toward something special, such as a vacation or new car. If you’ve been living off credit cards, getting your spending in check can help you lower your balances and the amount of interest that’s being drained from your pocket each month. Remind yourself of all you’ll gain, and the cutbacks won’t seem too bad.

Pay with cash It’s hard to overspend when you use cash for all of your daily needs. For one thing, it will prevent you from putting more than you intended on a credit card through overindulgence. If this strategy is going to work, of course, it’s important to budget how much money you’ll carry with you each day and avoid dipping into an ATM when you run out of cash.

Pay as much as you can Don’t stick to the minimum 1 percent to 3 percent of your balance that many credit cards require you to pay each month. Instead, pay down your outstanding balances as quickly as possible to avoid running up months or years of interest payments. Look at it this way: Having a balance costs you money, so do whatever you can to get rid of it.

Pay on time Late penalties are another unnecessary cost that you can avoid by tackling your bills promptly. Missing payment due dates can also lower your credit score, which could force you to pay higher interest on all your borrowings.

Keep Track The best way to monitor and better understand your spending habits and needs is to write down everything you spend for a month. You may be in for some surprises about where your

SEE ALLIES B2

SEE BREAKING B2

Five guidelines for holiday tipping

by Liz Weston NerdWallet

Holiday tips are a way to thank the people who make your life easier. So why is it so hard to figure out whom to tip and how much?

Guides published by etiquette experts don’t always agree on what’s appropriate. What people actually do is another matter altogether.

Only about half of Americans give any holiday tips, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey, and those who do tip often give less than the amounts recommended by etiquette experts. For example, 56 percent of those who had housekeepers gave them a tip, and the median amount was $50. The manners mavens at the Emily Post Institute suggests the tip equal the cost of one visit, which according to HomeAdvisor averages at

$167.

Plenty of people don’t even realize that holiday tipping is a thing.

Others want to tip but struggle with budgets already strained by other holiday spending.

“From an etiquette standpoint, we try not to say, ‘You have to do it exactly like this otherwise it’s wrong,’” says etiquette expert Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute in Burlington, Vermont. “There are so many varied relationships that we have, or our budgets might not be able to accommodate it the way our hearts would like.”

Ideally, your holiday tipping list would include everyone who makes your life easier by providing you with regular service throughout the year -- but if you get a lot of help, that can get expensive. Here are some guidelines that may help you decide whom to tip, and how: 1. CASH IS OFTEN BEST,

BUT NOT ABS O L U T E LY REQUIRED If you can afford to give only a few dollars, a small gift or homemade item may be a better way of expressing appreciation. Post remembers her parents baking cookies and making candy for their mail carriers, garbage collectors and newspaper delivery folks. Of course, not everyone is good in the kitchen _ or welcomes homemade goodies.

2. MATCH THE TIP TO THE RELATIONSHIP The amount you give can reflect the quality and frequency of your interactions. You might tip an occasional babysitter the

equivalent of one evening’s pay, for example, while a live-in nanny could get a bonus equal to one week’s pay, or more. A small gift in addition to a tip is a nice touch when the relationship is more personal.

A tip roughly equal to the cost of a single visit might be appropriate for: •Housekeepers •Babysitters •Dog walkers and groomers

•Personal trainers •Pool cleaners •Snow shovelers •Hairstylists or barbers •Massage therapists, facialists and manicurist For others, Post says, amounts can vary: •Yard and garden workers ($20 to $50 each) •Trash and recycling collectors SEE HOLIDAY B2

B2

BUSINESS

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

Breaking bad habits BREAKING FROM B1

money is going, but the exercise will help you address bad habits. By tracking your expenses, you may find that takeout dining or happy hours are costing a lot more than you thought.

With an accurate breakdown, you can better decide how and where to trim expenses that are draining your bank account.

Don’t go cold turkey Even as you become more budget conscious, don’t deprive yourself of fun entirely. Go out once a week instead of several times.

Or maybe limit that special (but pricey) takeout coffee you love to only on Fridays as a way to celebrate the end of the week.

If you deny yourself all indulgences, there’s a better chance your good money management could go off track.

Don’t forget about saving

Are you putting off saving until you’ve got extra money to spend? It’s a better idea to include an amount for savings in your budget each month. Start small, if necessary. Your money will grow slowly but surely over time, and you will have an emergency fund if needed or the cash available for a dream goal.

Live within your means If you start out with a budget that includes your monthly income and expenses, it will be easy to see how much extra you have to spend.

Consult your CPA Trying to change your financial habits? Your CPA can offer expert advice and steps that will improve your outlook. Turn to him or her with your questions.

To find a CPA in your area or for more financial tips, visit www.picpa.org/moneyandlife.

Black AIDS institute AIDS FROM B1

the end of this year to the Board of Directors in 2015. The Board has been intentional about the search process and strategic planning. They conducted a 10-month national search and Copeland was selected from more than 20 candidates.

Prior to joining the staff of BAI, Copeland worked as a Crisis Cage Manager at Beyond Shelter, a Reproductive Health Assistant for Planned Parenthood Pasadena, and the Executive Director of the Black Recruitment and Retention Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Health from Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science.

Copeland is married to Bryce Copeland, a business manager for Sony Pictures Entertainment. They are the parents of Ahmad, 4, and Aydin, 1. They reside in the Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.

She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an AmeriCorp Alumni, and a

Co-Founder of the African Black Coalition. “As a Black cis-woman and mother, my intersectionality informs how I center people living with HIV, queer people, Black trans women, and folks in the Black communities who are marginalized because of who they are,” says Copeland.

Founded in 1999, as the only national HIV/ AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black communities, the Black AIDS Institute’s mission is to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing traditional Black Leaders, Institutions, and individuals in efforts to confront HIV/AIDS. BAI disseminates information, conducts trainings, offers technical and capacity building assistance, advocates for sound, inclusive, culturally responsive public and private sector health policies, delivers high quality comprehensive local primary care and treatment in Los Angeles, and provides advocacy and mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view. The motto is “Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution!”

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DeVos hid student loan repayment abuses for 18 months In February 2017, the to support the CFPB or any Consumer Financial Pro- of the multiple state attortection Bureau (CFPB) sued neys general who also sued Navient Corporation and Navient, the Education Detwo of its subsidiaries for al- partment never made the legedly using shortcuts and critical audit public. deception to illegally cheat As journalists would say, 12 million borrowers out of this story has legs: A Cabitheir rights to lower loan re- net secretary allowed a fedpayments. These practices, eral contractor to act as if a according to CFPB, led to an key public agency worked additional $4 billion in bor- for a private company. Adrower costs. ditionally, audit findings Forbearance is only one hidden for a year from the option available to borrow- public today impact 44 milers repaying their student lion student loan borrowers. loans. While other options The one encouraging deless costly to borrowers velopment in this still-unlike income-based repayment were Charlene Crowell available, Navient’s widespread use of forbearance boosted corporate profits by minimizing time spent advising distressed borrowers.

Navient’s profit-enhancing measures came at a great ex- folding scenario is that a pense to borrowers. For U.S. Senator is still waging example, three-years of de- an effort to protect consumferment on $30,000 in stu- ers. In a November 13 letter dent loans would cost a bor- this year from Sen. Warren rower an additional $6,742. to Navient’s President and A few weeks later and in CEO, the Massachusetts response to CFPB’s law- Senator was justifiably disuit, the Education’ De- rect.

“This report bolsters alpartment’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) division audited legations that Navient ilNavient from March 20-24, legally cheated struggling 2017, and later produced student borrowers out of a report of its findings on their rights to lower repayments…This finding is May 18, 2017.

But the audit remained both tragic and infuriating, secret until late November and the findings appear this year when the investi- to validate the allegations gative expertise of Associat- that Navient boosted its ed Press, aided by U.S. Sen. profits by unfairly steerElizabeth Warren (MA), ing student borrowers into finally led to public disclo- forbearance when that was sure of its devastating find- often the worst financial ings. Rather than incur option for them.”

My own review of the rethe wrath of consumers nationwide, and/or appear port’s hidden findings by the

Commentary

audit’s six-member on-site review team uncovered how Navient not only failed to advise student loan borrowers of all available options to repay their loans but believed that its servicing contract with the Department of Education did not require the firm to do so.

A section of the report entitled, ‘Servicer Response’ states in part: “We disagree with 168 of the 228 servicing opportunity determinations (call review and servicing history review)….

Nor are we aware of any requirement that borrowers receive all of their repayment options—IDR, deferment and forbearance—on each and every call…If FSA chooses to require all servicers to discuss IDR to all borrowers on all calls or to require all service representatives follow a common call flow, specific requirements should be provided in an approved Change Request.”

That’s a lot of corporate nerve.

Navient is supposed to work for the Department of Education, and by extension, the American people.

Further, if Secretary DeVos allows this major contractor to shape what will or will not happen on her watch, what kind of public steward of taxpayer dollars is she?

The FSA findings give even more credence to the earlier CFPB investigation undertaken before filing its Navient lawsuit. CFPB learned that many of the borrowers that incurred excessive charges includ-

ed military veterans who became disabled during their service to the country.

Federal law provides that military veterans whose disabilities were incurred during service to the country are entitled to loan forgiveness.

Navient also holds title to a related and dubious distinction: More consumers filed complaints about Navient than any other student loan servicer. Complainants identified dealing with the servicer or lender as the key issue, compared to nearly half at 34 percent whose problems were based on an inability to pay their loans.

“At every stage of repayment, Navient chose to shortcut and deceive consumers to save on operating costs,” said then-CFPB Director Richard Cordray at the time the lawsuit was filed. “Too many borrowers paid more for their loans because Navient illegally cheated them.”

“Too many Americans are struggling to make their student loan payments every month,” said Whitney Barkley-Denney, a policy counsel specializing in student lending with the Center for Responsible Lending. “While the Department of Education has created programs to help make monthly payments more affordable, those programs only work if servicers are actually helping eligible borrowers access them.

Servicers aren’t merely debt collectors - they can be a borrower’s lifeline to financial stability.”

Navient still has a chance to set its record straight.

Sen. Warren’s letter requests a written reply to the litany of concerns by December 4.

Stay tuned.

(Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications deputy director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

Five guidelines for holiday tipping HOLIDAY FROM B1

($10 to $30) •Handyman ($15 to $40) •Package deliverer ($20, if allowed; check with the company) •U.S. Postal Service mail carriers (small gift only; no cash, per USPS rules) •Day care workers ($25 to $75 each for those who work with your child; check with facility) •Newspaper deliverer ($10 to $30) •Building superintendents ($20 to $80) •Doormen ($15 to $80) •Parking attendants ($10 to $30) 3. NOT EVERY HELPER

SHOULD BE TIPPED If you tip someone regularly throughout the year, a holiday tip may not be necessary. Cash tips also aren’t appropriate for certain people, such as professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) and anyone who works for an entity that prohibits them. For government workers, for example, a tip can look like a bribe. Check with nursing homes, home health care providers, package delivery companies and day care centers, especially, before tipping individual workers. Post suggests that instead of tipping your

children’s teachers, offer to buy classroom supplies or go in with other parents on a gift or gift card.

4. MAKE IT PRETTY Fresh, crisp bills tucked into a card with a handwritten note? Classy. Wadded bills thrust at the service provider on your way out the door? Not so much. Ditto leaving an extra-large tip on a credit card receipt. Something’s certainly better than nothing, but putting some care into your presentation can demonstrate that you really do appreciate what they do for you.

5. TIP EARLY

In the past, I’ve scrambled to deal with holiday tips. This year, I started writing thank-you notes before Thanksgiving and plan to deliver the tips by early December. Tipping as early as possible in the holiday season means the people you’re trying to reward have extra cash for their holiday spending— which may include giving out their own holiday tips.

(This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet . Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.”)

Neighborhood Allies provides elements for healthy neighborhoods ing him for his licenses. “Then and individuals do their best work.

I met Joshua Pollard, who According to Neighborhood Allies reprewas running the Real Estate sentatives, the Healthy Neighborhoods CelCo-Powerment series and was ebration was adapted from David Boehlke’s invited to attend. Throughout Healthy Neighborhoods Approach. Neighthis course, I have learned borhood Allies believes that sustainable, about the importance of comscalable interventions that lead to increased munity engagement and how Market Confidence, Quality of Life, Neighto develop a real estate pro borhood Image, Community Ownership, forma. I also learned about and Equitable Development are the cornerthe alphabet of tax credits, stones of transforming the lives of the greatwhy it was important to have est number of vulnerable people and in the life insurance, landlord traingreatest number of distressed places. ing and much more. Josh had “While our event honors just six awardees, a dream of running a program we received over 70 nominations from the like this that would be able to community in 2018, representing 40 orgamake dreams like mine come nizations and individuals who are all gratrue. So, this afternoon I’m not ciously dedicating their time and passion standing here representing to making neighborhoods better, safer, and A BELIEVER IN HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS—Neighborhood Allies president Pres- myself. I represent a dream stronger,” explained Talia DePasquale, Se- ley Gillespie expresses gratitude to the six awards, Pittsburgh’s residents, represen- and a beacon of hope for peonior Program Manager for Communica- tatives from community groups, resource partners and funders for their support in ple that came up like me.” tions and Marketing, encouraging the au- neighborhood revitalization. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels) Pollard said Omicelo is dience to submit nominations for next year. celebrating its fourth coAnother highlight of the event included through books that were explain- my real estate licenses and build- hort, which represents 52 the fall 2018 Real Estate Co-Powerment ing how important it was to own ing my real estate business by in- graduates. series graduation ceremony. Operated by your own land. I went through a vesting in communities like mine.”

Entertainment for the Omicelo, a mission-driven real estate in- phase when all I read and watched Dawkins was released from prison event was provided by Havestment and advisory firm, the organi- on television was real estate-based. in August 2017 and one year later zelwood’s Center of Life zation offers a six-week real estate course. I started dreaming about obtaining passed the real estate exam qualify- Jazz Band, a product of an Meeting Joshua Pollard, the CEO of Omicelo, to Mica Dawkins was a godsend.

A 29-year-old dreamer, he explained that like many young area African American males he grew up in a neighborhood that was riddled with gang violence and drug activity and ended up doing time in prison. Making the best of a bad situation, he says, going through what he calls “stages of pregnancy of the mind,” Dawkins taught himself how to read, write, spell, “and I expanded my vocabulary. I ended up falling in love with real estate THE BEAT GOES ON—Hazelwood’s Center of Life Jazz Band provides entertainment for the Healthy Neighborhoods Celebration.

ALLIES FROM B1

organization with the mission to provide families and youth with the life skills, education, training and resources necessary to be strong and to make their communities strong.

Re-launched in 2004 as a new-and-improved, 21st-century community development intermediary with a renewed and revamped commitment to improving the social and physical infrastructures of Pittsburgh’s distressed and transitional communities, Neighborhood Allies’ mission is to support the people, organizations and partnerships committed to creating and maintaining healthy neighborhoods. Its vision is a Pittsburgh with healthy neighborhoods that are thriving, resilient and livable for all.

The group recently announced that they are calling for Letters Of Intent from local organizations seeking a Catalytic Grant ranging between $15,000 to $75,000 to support neighborhood revitalization projects that promote healthier, stronger communities in Pittsburgh.

Stipulations are that LOIs are only being accepted via their online grant management portal called Foundant, are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 31 to be considered for the spring 2019 round of funding. For more information, call 412-4713727 or email info@neighborhoodallies.org.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

B3

The devastation of voter suppression

Guest Editorial

Kane broke law, has to pay for it Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane reported early Thursday to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility to begin serving a sentence for leaking grand jury material and lying about it.

Kane was taken into jail just before 8 a.m. to begin a 10- to 23-month term for perjury, obstruction and other counts.

“I spoke to her this morning and I think she handled it with fortitude and dignity,” said her defense attorney, William J. Brennan. “It’s been a long, unpleasant process for Kathleen and many other people. She’s now serving her sentence. Ten months goes by quickly and she will come out, I predict, and lead a very productive, hopefully long life. This is not the end of Kathleen Kane.”

Kane’s rise and fall should serve as a hard lesson for elected officials. Veteran politicians and those newly elected this past November and taking office in January should learn from Kane’s political fate.

Kane went from being a little-known prosecutor from Lackawanna County to getting elected as the first woman and first Democrat to become Pennsylvania’s attorney general.

The 52-year-old Scranton native quickly became a rising star and was talked about for higher office.

That is now over.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, whose office prosecuted Kane, said Kane’s incarceration “closes this unfortunate chapter for the people of Pennsylvania.”

“As the jail door shuts her in, a strong message is being sent that no one is above the law. No one.

Not even the chief law enforcement officer of the commonwealth,” Steele said in a statement.

A county judge appointed a special prosecutor to investigate Kane after former prosecutors with the attorney general’s office alerted him that secret grand jury material had been leaked to a newspaper.

She resigned following her 2016 conviction, but was allowed to remain out on $75,000 bail pending appeals.

The state Supreme Court on Nov. 26 declined to take up her case, leading a county judge to revoke her bail.

Her once promising political career has now landed her in jail.

When she was sentenced, Kane had argued that the loss of her career, law license and reputation was punishment enough. She had asked the judge to sentence her to probation or house arrest so she could be home to raise her two sons.

“I really don’t care what happens to me,” Kane said. “There is no more torture in the world than to watch your children suffer and know you had something to do with it.”

Some say ego drove Kane to take down enemies and break the law. Others say her enemies took her down as an act of revenge for bucking the political establishment.

What is clear is that Kane broke the law and will now pay for her crimes.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune.)

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher

Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

fort they’ve put into working to make their campaigns succeed.

To the candidates who didn’t quite make it across the finish line this time, I would just say, “I, as well as many others, appreciate your valiant effort. Don’t give up if you want to try it again. If you want to run for public office again, many of us would still support your efforts. On the other hand, running for office can be a major sacrifice, so don’t just run again because others want you to run. You must be the judge of whether you want to do it again or not. There is normal life after any campaign. Yes, it takes awhile to realize that. What I found helpful after a devastating loss of less than 1 percent was to set a time limit of no more than six weeks to move on to the next phase of my life.”

Many of the people for whom we know were impacted by voter suppression, need our support most. It’s a characteristic of the so-called American democratic system to accept the results of whatever happened, and do nothing in between elections to deal with the problem. Let’s commit to change that and put voter suppression on our MUST RESOLVE list. I’m sure Congresswoman Marcia Fudge will be looking for ways to resolve this problem, so offer her your best thinking.

ence like theirs, knowing that against the greatest of odds, you’ve done everything you should’ve done even though you weren’t allowed to step across the winner’s line, there’s a lot of pain. It takes time to re-group and figure out what you’ll do next. All the people who were by your side every day, are no longer there. After the race, you often have campaign debts to pay, and no longer are campaign donations coming in as they did during the campaign. You have the work of closing out your campaign office, settling the bills, filing the required reports and it’s not easy.

If you supported those candidates those candidates mentioned, continue to support them; but remember the less well known, too. Many of them still have campaign debts—so they continue to need your financial support. They also need your emotional support. Call them. Send them notes.

Encourage them. Let them know (Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the Nayou appreciate their efforts, their time spent, personal funds and ef- tional Congress of Black Women.)

Supreme Court hears important civil forfeiture case (NNPA)—The Supreme Court this week is considering limiting the practice of civil forfeiture, which law enforcement has used since the War on Drugs mostly against African Americans, Hispanics and those in poor communities.

At the heart of arguments in the nation’s highest court are two questionable forfeitures.

The first occurred in October of 2016.

Alexander Temple, a Maine resident, was pulled over on Interstate 95 in New Hampshire for a routine traffic stop. Police in that state seized $46,000 from Temple, claiming they felt it would be used for illegal activity.

Even Though Temple was released without ever facing a single criminal charge, the police kept the cash.

The second is Tyson Timbs, a recovering opioid addict from Indiana who pled guilty to dealing drugs in 2013.

After he was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a fine, the state seized his $42,000 Land Rover in an act of civil forfeiture.

That despite the fact that Timbs proved that the funds he used to purchase the SUV were not from drug sales, but from a life insurance policy he received from his father.

“I’m feeling very good,” Timbs told ABC News as he entered the High Court this week. “This has been a very difference experience for me with so much attention.”

Timbs attorney Wesley Hottot argued the seizure of the Land Rover violated the 8th Amendment’s protection against excessive fines, a Constitutional guarantee that should be upheld in all states.

A majority of the justices reportedly seemed receptive to the idea. And, if they at least limit the practice of civil forfeiture, many a minority could regain previously lost property.

Civil asset forfeiture is the ability of authorities to seize private property used in a crime. However, most legal experts agree that the practice has enriched states and law enforcement and usually the forfeitures occur without a court hearing.

In the 26 states and District of Columbia that report forfeiture activity, law enforcement agencies collected more than $254 million in funds and property in 2012 alone, according to an analysis by the Institute for Justice, a non-profit libertarian public interest law firm.

“This is an incredibly important case,” said Christopher Riano, lecturer in constitutional law and government at Columbia University, told ABC News.

Stacy M. Brown

Commentary “Historically, whenever the court takes these types of cases, the court does usually move to incorporate the federal guarantees against the states.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that, since the advent of the War on Drugs, law enforcement agencies have used civil asset forfeiture laws to strip Americans of billions of dollars in cash, cars, real estate, and other assets.

Under these state and federal laws, officers are legally empowered to seize property they believe is connected to criminal activity—even if the owner is never charged with a crime.

In most states, the agencies are entitled to keep the property or, more typically, the proceeds from its sale.

An analysis by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that while federal forfeitures totaled $93.7 million in 1986, this revenue grew by more than 4,600 percent—to $4.5 billion a year—by 2014.

Forfeitures handled by states have also poured millions, perhaps billions, of dollars into law enforcement agencies.

As a result, there has been a massive transfer of wealth and assets from American citizens – and especially the most economically vulnerable – to police, who can largely use the funds however they see fit, the SPLC reported.

Many states do not even require local agencies to track or report seized property.

In civil forfeiture cases, as many as 80 percent of people who have their assets seized are never charged with a crime.

In most state and federal courts, the government is only required to show there is a preponderance of evidence—more likely than not—that

the property abetted a criminal act.

Homes have been seized from owners whose children or grandchildren were accused of committing drug crimes, even though the owners themselves were never implicated.

In one money-laundering case in Florida, SPLC officials noted that law enforcement seized approximately $49 million but did not bring a single indictment.

The drug war has unduly harmed racial minorities, and its civil forfeiture provisions are no different, according to the SPCL. Because of racial profiling, Black and Hispanic motorists are disproportionately searched and put at risk of having their cash assets seized, even though Black and White drivers are equally likely to be found with narcotics.

A 1993 investigation by The Orlando Sentinel revealed that nine of every 10 motorists who were stopped and stripped of their cash by police in Volusia County, Florida, were either Black or Hispanic, and three out of four were never charged with a crime.

In Philadelphia, where nearly 300 houses are seized annually, African Americans make up 44 percent of the population but 63 percent of house seizures and 71 percent of cash forfeitures unaccompanied by a conviction, according to the SPLC. Forfeiture is also most likely to affect economically disadvantaged communities: One study found that areas with high income inequality were targeted for civil forfeiture operations, likely because these police departments have limited funding and are inclined to use forfeiture to secure needed revenue.

The profile of suspects who have their assets seized, a researcher observed, “differ greatly from those of the drug lords, for whom asset forfeiture strategies were designed.”

Now, as the Supreme Court considers the law, many like Temple and Timbs wait with great anticipation.

“For ordinary citizens, the real-world consequences can be devastating,” Timbs’ attorney argued in a brief to the Supreme Court.

“The Excessive Fines Clause secures a single, unitary right: freedom from excessive economic sanctions that are at least partly punitive.

“To be sure, that right can be violated in countless ways, using countless tools; in this regard, governments are endlessly innovative, ‘with more and more civil laws bearing more and more extravagant punishments.’”

Letters to the editor for publication

Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdney Wire.com)—As we’ve looked at the races for U.S. Senate and Governors of States, many of us are absolutely certain the wrong person was credited with the victory.

Looking at all the voter suppression that so brazenly took place in the last Presidential race and the races mentioned in the most recent election, I am absolutely certain that these races don’t represent the majority of the people who voted.

No matter who was wrongfully given credit for the victories, we know the victories belonged to Stacy Abrams, Andrew Gillum, Beto O’Rourke, Mike Espy. There’s nothing else they could’ve done to get credit for being victorious. We believe there’re bigger and better things just waiting for them. They were skillful, brilliant, positive and made us proud with the races they ran. Having been through a Congressional race that was stolen from my campaign for Congress years ago, I can relate to how they feel knowing they were the best candidates in their races, but were not given proper credit for the races they ran.

Let us wrap our arms around them long past Election Day. They’re our heroes/sheroes. Why? Even though the word WINNER does not stand by their names, they remain in our hearts for their effort. Having been through it, I can tell you those few weeks following an election experi-

The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, BAYER CENTER FOR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

TRANSPORTATION PLANNER (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)

The Associate Director of the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management will be a senior member of the management team and accept responsibility for its programmatic and financial health. This position will be responsible for reporting on all financial and quality goals for more than 200 annual consulting engagements undertaken by the Bayer Center, maintain their own portfolio of clients as well as work with the team to create optimal client satisfaction.

Please visit rmu.edu/careers for additional responsibilities and qualifications.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT PROCUREMENT PROGRAM MANAGER (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)

Development, implementation, and administration of all programs and projects to provide information and technical assistance to promote small businesses seeking government contracts. Degree in Business, Public Administration or related. Minimum 2 years experience.

Details at www.spcregion.org.

EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/ Disability Employer

COMPENSATION PROGRAM MANAGER

Port Authority is seeking a Compensation Program Manager to be responsible for all aspects of compensation administration including data analysis, job evaluation and classifications performance management administrator position management and data processing and all other compensation functions. Serves as primary point-of-contact for compensation related data analysis and ensures that compensation is compliant with federal, state and local regulations. Serves as liaison between Human Resources and other departments. Makes compensation recommendations to senior staff.

Essential Functions: Utilizes PeopleSoft HRMS to perform the following Maintains and process employee compensation, transfer, job title, bids and other types of changes Creates and maintains job code and position information.

Maintains related plans, programs and structures within HRMS set-up tables coordinates related system modifications related to new provisions within Port Authority policies or collective bargaining agreements Provides overall support by researching and resolving compensation related issues Assist in the review, testing and implementation of HRMS upgrades.

Collaborates with functional and technical staff to coordinate application of upgrade or fix. Maintain HRMS tables. Document processes.

Develops, modifies, and runs queries and reports to generate data for compensation planning and audits.

Assists in developing job descriptions for positions within the organization ensures that job descriptions are up-to-date and in compliance with organization and classifies jobs for salary grade and FLSA exemption status. Does preliminary determination of safety sensitive and hazardous material handling prior to Safety Sensitive meetings.

Job requirements include: BA BS in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or directly related field from an accredited school. Directly related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Minimum of five 5 years of experience in the planning and administration of compensation programs.

Advanced knowledge and understanding of state and federal wage, salary, and hour laws.

Advanced experience in compensation analysis, job evaluation, and salary survey participation.

Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows, and Microsoft Word, and Excel.

Professional and effective communication skills.

Preferred attributes: Masters’ Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, or directly related field from an accredited school.

Certified Compensation Professional CCP designation and or professional certification SHRM, etc.

Training and experience in PeopleSoft Human Resources Management System HRMS .

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to Inez Colon Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 IColon@portauthority.org EOE

SONNY BOY

Assist development, implementation, and administration of various regional transportation programs.

Degree in Planning, Public Administration or related. Minimum 1 -3 years experience. Details at www. spcregion.org .

EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/ Disability Employer

3 9 6

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

StarsHR, Inc. seeks a Software Engineer to work in Pittsburgh office & unanticipated locations throughout the U.S. Responsible for participating in entire project lifecycle process, including designing, developing, modifying, reviewing, & testing computer application software or specialized utility programs. Send resumes to S. Walavalkar, 1700 North Highland Road, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

APPRENTICESHIP

The Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 2, Pittsburgh, PA is accepting applications for consideration towards apprenticeship in the Mechanical System Insulator and Asbestos Worker Trade. Applications are accepted without regard to Race, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, or Disability. Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of application have a high school diploma at the time of application or G.E.D. have a dependable form of transportation and must be physically fit to perform the work of the trade. Applications must be obtained in person Monday through Saturday December 3, through December 8, 2018 and Monday through Thursday December 10 through December 13, 2018 between the hours of 12 30 PM and 3 30 PM at the Insulators Training Center, 109 Pleasant Drive Suite B, Aliquippa, PA 15001. Photo identification is required and there is a $25.00 non-refundable application-processing fee, to be paid by certified check or money order.

NOTICE

POISE Foundation announces the availability of applications for the 2018 and 2019 Community Development Block Grant CDBG for District 9 of the City of Pittsburgh beginning, Friday, December 14, 2018. Councilman Ricky Burgess has engaged POISE Foundation to manage the assessment and selection of CDBG grant recipients for District 9.

For more information about CDBG for District 9 and to access the online application, please visit www.poise foundation.org. Completed applications must be submitted by using the online form by 5 00 PM on Friday, February 15, 2019 to be considered for funding.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of ANAND SESHADRI, Deceased of Moon Twp., PA No. 06878 of 2018. Ramya Sundararajan, Admrx., 216 Beagle Dr., Coraopolis, PA 15108 or to David M. Tkacik, Esq., Tkacik Law Office, P.C., 9500 Brooktree Rd., Suite 205, Wexford, PA 15090 Estate of JULIA K. WILLIAMS, Deceased of Pittsburgh, No. 021806976, of 2018.

Clarence Williams, or to c o Jacqueline H. Brangard, Esquire, Scolieri Law Group, P.C., 1207 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

0 4 5

1 2 7

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

PETITION NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, CIVIL DIVISION

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

In Re The Condemnation by the County of Allegheny of Two Parcels of Land, now or formerly of Charles M. King and Estelle V. King, husband and wife, and of John Bushak, Sr. and Anna Bushak, husband and wife, in the Borough of Rankin, Allegheny County, to reconstruct Kenmawr Bridge carrying South Braddock Avenue, in Swissvale Borough, and Kenmawr Avenue, in Rankin Borough, over Norfolk Southern Railway, to GD 18-003708 Charles M. King and Estelle V. King, husband and wife “Condemnee” , tax parcel identification number 236-B-287, 1,696 square feet of temporary construction easement, Plans - Miscellaneous Volume 173, Page 56, estimated just compensation: $810.00.

GD 18-003693 John Bushak, Sr. and Anna Bushak, husband and wife, “Condemnee” , tax parcel identification number 236-B-288, 1,517 square feet of temporary construction easement, Plans - Miscellaneous Volume 173, Page 56, estimated just compensation: $500.00.

TO Charles M. King and Estelle V. King, husband and wife, and John Bushak, Sr. and Anna Bushak, husband and wife, their heirs, successors or assigns TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Sections 307 and 522 of the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code, 26 Pa.C.S.A. 307 and 522, the County of Allegheny will on January 30, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. present to the Motions Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Civil Division, a Petition Requesting Order for Possession Upon Condemnor’s Tender of Estimated Just Compensation to the Department of Court Records. The identity of the Motions Judge then presiding can be ascertained in the City County Building located at 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 on the date of presentation either in the Department of Court Records Civil Family Division located on the 1st floor or in the Assignment Room located on the 7th floor. At the time of presentation, the County will request the Court to authorize the payment into Court of the County’s estimate of just compensation, as identified above, and the entry of an Order granting the County possession of the subject property.

The County’s Petition including a proposed schedule of distribution and proposed Court Order may be viewed in the Department of Court Records Civil Family Division prior to the date of presentation. Any moneys which the Court may direct be paid into Court will be held by the Department of Court Records Civil Family Division until further Order directing payment of said amounts to the Condemnees and or persons entitled thereto pursuant to 26 Pa.C.S.A. 521 and 522.

Andrew F. Szefi County Solicitor

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140

E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority. org).

Proposals bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on December 18, 2018 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 , for the following Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness. portauthority.org)

Bid Number Bid Name B180422AR Substation Equipment - DC Breakers B180957 Hi Rail Crane B181061 Bus Simulator B181062A Bus Batteries - Wet Type B181064A Connect Tix Smart Fare Media B181068A Rail Brake Replacement Parts B181069A Air, Oil, Fuel Filters

No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am December 5, 2018 at Port Authority’s Heinz location 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA . Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening.

These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation.

The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.

Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 412.237.3020 on the following items Bid Proposal No. 1039 – Upgrade Landscaping at Allegheny Campus A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site-visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. The assembly point will be KLI Science Center, top of Legacy Way off of Ridge Ave., 800 Block of Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

Due date 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https://www.ccac. edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx.

It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website “Bid and RFP Opportunities” and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda.

Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority Disadvantaged owned businesses.

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on January 8, 2019, until 2 00 P.M., local prevailing time for Pgh. Brashear High School Bridge and Driveway Repairs General Prime Pgh. Grandview PreK-5 Finish Floor Replacements General and Asbestos Primes Pgh. Perry High School Concrete and Retaining Wall Repairs General Prime Pgh. Pioneer Education Center Vertical Transportation Modernization General and Electrical Primes Pgh. Phillips K-5 Air Conditioning Offices Mechanical Prime Pittsburgh South Annex (Online Academy) Vertical Transportation Modernization General and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on December 3, 2018 at Modern Reproductions 412-488-7700 , 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9 00 A.M. and 4 00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 2 00 PM Prevailing Time December 20, 2018. Bids must be received in the hands of and stamped in by a PWSA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CSO Flow Monitoring Program PWSA PROJECT NO. 2016-424-101-0 The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority PWSA is seeking proposals for comprehensive CSO flow monitoring services for PWSA. This work consists of furnishing all the labor, materials, accessories, pre-cleaning, equipment, tools, transportation, services, and technical competence for performing all operations for maintaining flow monitors and ensuring proper flows and levels are recorded at the designated CSO diversions.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to procurement@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to Thoryn Simpson, Sr. Contract Specialist, via e-mail to tsimpson@pgh2o. com, no later than December 13, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

All Bidders interested in submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation are invited to attend a Pre-Proposal Meeting, to be held on December 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

No bonds are required.

The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin.

The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 90 days after the opening of the bids.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work.

CLASSIFIEDS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SONNY BOY

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 2 00 PM Prevailing Time December 20, 2018. Bids must be received in the hands of and stamped in by a PWSA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) As-Needed Sewer Flow Monitoring Program PWSA PROJECT NO. 2018-OPS-107-0 Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is soliciting proposals from firms that are financially and technically qualified to inspect, install, calibrate, operate, maintain, collect, and report data from flow monitors within a pipe sewer system throughout the PWSA wastewater and stormwater collection system. The data collected from this work will be used to support regulatory reporting, evaluation of stormwater best management practices BMPs , perform infiltration and inflow analyses, and other engineering analyses, as required.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to procurement@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to Thoryn Simpson, Sr. Contract Specialist, via e-mail to tsimpson@pgh2o. com, no later than December 13, 2018 at 4 00 p.m.

All Bidders interested in submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation are invited to attend a Pre-Proposal Meeting, to be held on December 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

No bonds are required.

The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin.

The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 90 days after the opening of the bids.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work.

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129 TO PLACE AN AD IN SOUL READERS Call 412-481-8302, Ext. 140 The deadline for all ads to be placed is Monday at 12 p.m.

All ads must be paid for in advance. We accept Money Orders, Credit Cards and Western Union “Quick Collect” payments.

Read us online at www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

Courier Readers...it’s the PERFECT Christmas Gift!

We invite you to purchase a 6 month ($25) or 1 year ($45) subscription of the New Pittsburgh Courier as a gift for...a relative, a friend, or a co-worker!

Then, as our Christmas gift to you, we’ll give you the same subscription (6 months or 1 year) ABSOLUTELY FREE! That’s right! Buy a subscription for someone else as a gift, and you get your subscription absolutely free!

A truly unbeatable Christmas deal!

And if you’re already a subscriber, we’ll just extend your subscription for free! (either by 6 months or 1 year) All you have to do is call the Courier’s Brenda Hill right now at 412-481-8302, ext. 134!

Be sure to give her the person’s name and address that you’re buying the subscription for.

The Courier’s informative, compelling, exciting, fast-paced, and exclusive.

And it’s all about OUR community. We thank you for your support over all the years.

Happy Holidays! From the New Pittsburgh Courier.

(New Pittsburgh Courier Christmas promotion ends December 28, 2018)

B5

B6

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

Early voting and expanded absentee voting are key to fair elections (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Georgia elections officials deployed a known strategy of voter suppression: closing and relocating polling places. Despite projections of record turnout, elections officials closed or moved approximately 305 locations, many in neighborhoods with numerous voters of color. Fewer polling places meant that the remaining locations strained to accommodate an influx of voters. Yet elections officials failed to supply sufficient, functioning voting machines and enough provisional ballots…Depriving polling places of basic tools needed for voting meant that voters who arrived at polling places anxious and excited to express their patriotism through the basic, fundamental act of voting were met with hours-long lines. Some lines were four hours long. Georgians who could not wait—because of disability, health, or work or family obligations—effectively lost the right to vote.” Fair Fight Action and Care in Action, plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against Georgia election officials.

Voter turnout in the 2018 midterms hit a 50-year high, with more than 47 percent of the voting-eligible population casting a ballot.

Across multiple media platforms, images of voters standing in long lines were used to illustrate voter enthusiasm.

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal While voter enthusiasm is great news, long lines at the polls are not.

They are a sign of voter suppression, and immediate action must be taken at the state and federal level to expand early voting, voting my mail and other measures to reduce voter wait times and end voter suppression.

Georgia was among the most egregious examples. In suburban Gwinnett County, voters waited four hours when officials opened the polls to discover that their voting machines were not working.

In downtown Atlanta, just three voting machines were provided for more than 3,000 registered voters, leading to wait times of three hours.

In many cases, long wait times at the polls are not the result of innocent mistakes, but part of a deliberate campaign to discourage voting, particularly in communities of color. According to a University of Pennsylvania study, minority voters are six times as likely as whites to wait longer than an hour to vote, even within the same town or county.

The study found that at least 200,000 people didn’t vote in 2014 because of the lines they encountered in 2012.

In crafting North Carolina’s notoriously racist “monster” voter suppression law, lawmakers researched which of the 17 days of early voting Black voters were most likely to use, then eliminated those particular seven days.

Fortunately, North Carolina’s law was overturned. But 13 states—even supposedly progressive states like Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York—have no form of early voting at all. In fact, New York is widely considered to have some of the worst voting laws in the country, holding its federal and state primaries on different days and establishing arbitrary deadlines for registration and party-switching.

After Florida’s chaotic 2000 Presidential recount, a wave of states adopted early voting in order to relieve pressure on election officials on Election Day. It worked. According to Demos in 2013, “Early voting has recently surged among traditionally underrepresented voters. The 2008 election marked a dramatic increase in early in-person voting among African American and Latino voters. And in Florida, where approximately 50 percent of ballots were cast early in 2012, African American usage of early in-person voting has exceeded White usage in four of the five most recent federal elections.”

It’s easy to see why early voting became a prime target for legislators determined to suppress the Black vote.

There’s simply no excuse for any state not to allow early voting. Control of the New York State Senate changes parties with the January session. There is no better way for the Empire State to demonstrate its commitment to its motto, “Excelsior,” or “Ever upward,” than to establish early voting and set an example for the remaining states.

FORUM

Marc Lamont Hill: No country has the right to exist?

Clarence Darrow ment if violence was told a story about a J. Pharaoh Doss used? young lawyer who I don’t know. It lost a case because would have been he didn’t know debatable if Hill when to shut up. rested his case, but The young lawHill continued like yer’s client was the young lawyer in charged with biting Darrow’s story. Hill a man’s ear off. The said, “We have an prosecutor called opportunity to not the lone witness just offer solidarity and told the witness to point the ear bit- in words, but commit to political action, er out to the jury. The witness pointed grassroots action, local action, and interto the young lawyer’s client. Then the national action that will give us what young lawyer asked the witness if he justice requires and that is a free Palesactually saw his client bite the victim’s tine from the river to the sea.” ear off.

Supporters of Israel took issue with The witness said no.

Hill’s stance that justice requires a “free At this point, Darrow said the young Palestine from the river to the sea.” It lawyer should have had no further ques- can be interpreted that Hill called for tions. But the young lawyer asked the the replacement of the state of Israel or witness if he didn’t see it how did he the complete destruction of Israel, beknow who did it? And the witness said cause the phrase “from the river to the because he saw his client spit the vic- sea” was the historic battle cry to elimtim’s ear out of his mouth. inate the Jewish state by groups like Recently, Marc Lamont Hill, a 39-year- Hamas. (A Palestinian Sunni-Islamist old Temple University professor, was fundamentalist organization) fired from CNN after he gave a speech Is this criticism over the top? I don’t at the U.N.’s annual international day of know. solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Hill responded via Twitter. He wrote: Hill is no stranger to controversy. He “I support Palestinian freedom. I supwas fired from Fox News years ago for port Palestinian self-determination. I alleged sympathies to “controversial am deeply critical of Israeli policy and figures like Assata Shakur and Mumia practice. I do not support anti-Semitism, Abu-Jamal.” (Supposedly, shareholders killing Jewish people, or any of the other confronted CEO Rupert Murdoch about things attributed to my speech. I have Hill’s reputation of “defending cop kill- spent my life fighting these things.” ers and racists.”)

But I don’t think Hill’s critics are going So, what exactly did Hill say? to believe him, because back in May Hill Hill made a case against the Israeli wrote an article called “7 Myths About government’s harsh treatment of the the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.” One of Palestinian people. Then Hill said, “Con- the myths was that Israel has the right trary to western mythology, Black re- to exist. Hill wrote, “No country has the sistance to American apartheid did not right to exist, only people do. By naturalcome purely through Gandhi and nonvi- izing the idea that nation-states have a olence, rather slave revolts and self-de- right to exist we undermine our ability fense and tactics otherwise divergent to offer a moral critique of Israel’s (or from Dr. King … were equally important any settler-colony’s) original story.” to … attaining freedom. If we operate in This statement give’s Hill’s critics a true solidarity with the Palestinian peo- stronger case against him and compliple, we must allow the Palestinian peo- cates my Darrow analogy. Because I ple the same range of opportunity and don’t know if Hill is like the young lawpolitical possibility.” yer who didn’t know when to shut up, or That’s a loaded statement. But, was if Hill is like the young lawyer’s client Hill calling for solidarity behind the use who bit off more than he could chew.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New of violence or was Hill suggesting an act of solidarity was refraining from judg- Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

Republicans: The party of Whiteness in 2018 (NNPA)—In 2018, air. all Americans Roger Caldwell But in 2016, a new would like to beideology of racisms lieve that racism is and xenophobia over, and the society took over American is moving toward politics, and Donequality and certain ald Trump became inalienable rights president. “Trump’s for everyone. Both victory was regardparties, the Demoed as the elevation crats and Republito the highest office cans should respect of a political misfit, every American based on the content of when it was actually a return to normaltheir character, as opposed to the color of cy. The permanence of the Trumpian distheir skin. But with the election in 2016, course, and the heyday of White nationPresident Donald Trump is the leader of alism under a president prone to stoking the Republican Party, and it is going in the flame of division and prejudice,” exthe wrong direction. plains Professor Serge Ricard, writer of Instead of the Republican Party work- the Trump Phenomenon. ing to be more diverse and reflecting Trump has connected with White the rainbows of the different cultures voters who are anti-immigration and and races in the society, the party has racially conservative, and the Repubbecome primary, exclusively White. This lican Party has made the president has created a division in the country, a mouthpiece for White nationalism. which appears to be growing.

There are times that Trump represents “When Thomas Jefferson wrote that ‘all almost 45 percent of Americans who men are created equal,’ he did not mean are White, and many of these resithat all men were equal in all respects. dents are motivated by racial resentIn other places he wrote with conviction ment. The rule of law under Trump is about the existence of a natural aris- about what you are able to get away tocracy among men, based upon virtue with, and between 6.7 million and 9.2 and talent,” says John Van Til, writer at million primary White voters switched Foundation for Economic Education. their allegiance and vote from Obama It was very easy for our founders to ex- to Trump, according to writer Zack tol the virtues of equality on one hand, Beauchamp of the Vox. and on the other hand own slaves, and The reality of racism is deeply enwhip a human being into submission. trenched in the alt-right, and the redBased on wealth, power, and violence, neck mindset of White America. White our great founders massacred an entire racial prejudice and bigotry has raised nation, as if they did not exist, and justi- its ugly head again, and the Republican fied their actions through religious, eco- Party is following their hero, leader, and nomic and political liberty. mouthpiece, President Trump.

When the president says something riHypocrisy has always been a reality in America, saying one thing and doing diculous and racist, the White Republianother. Once White men in America can Party acts as if the statement never realized they could abuse and enslave existed like slavery, or the destruction of people of color around the world, and no the Indian nation.

The challenge for the Democratic Parone would challenge their authority, the ty in 2018 is to speak the truth, and adgreat society was born.

America has always been a racist so- dress lies for what they are, when they ciety, but with civil rights, voter rights, are spoken. America must be elevated to political and economic rights, people of include the diversity of the entire councolor believed that equality and Demo- try, with all its colors and cultures.

How long will it take prejudice, bigotry cratic principles were just around the corner. There have been tremendous and White nationalism to be erased from strides in equality, in every aspect of the the Republican Party, with leaders like society, and with the election of the first Trump, and replaced with progressive Black president, there was change in the ideas and healing?

Commentary

Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication.

All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier, 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360 or via email to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Raynard Jackson

Commentary

Hypocrisy in the Democrat democracy The Democrat Party is supposed to be the “hip” party when it comes to the Black community. They have all the A-list Black celebrities from sports and entertainment in their back pocket and many of the supposed liberal Black “journalists” who claim to be objective in their reporting.

As opposed to referring to the Democrat Party as the “hip” party, I think a better term for them is the “hypocrisy” party when it comes to the Black community.

Eight years ago, I wrote a column about how the Democrat Party and its leaders constantly screw over Blacks when it’s time to reward Blacks for their loyalty.

The target of this Democrat racism always seems to be aimed at Civil Rights icon and South Carolina Congressman, Jim Clyburn.

I have known Congressman Clyburn and his longtime, extremely capable chief of staff, Yebbie Watkins for many, many years. They know that I am a Republican, but they have never let that get in the way of our friendship. They know if I can ever be helpful to them that I will always deliver for them; and they have always been willing to be helpful to me.

Clyburn is not a man of many words and rarely does a lot of media; so, when he does speak out publicly on any issue, it usually carries a lot of weight.

Last two weeks ago, Clyburn accused his fellow Democrats of using “racial dog whistles” in their attempt to defeat him in his bid to become Majority Whip of the House, a position he once held from 2007-2011.

In a McClatchy newspaper interview Clyburn stated: “I don’t know where it’s all coming from [the racial dog whistles]; but someone came to me over the weekend and told me that (they heard), when I was whip before, I was a figurehead.

What do you mean, I was a figurehead?

Nothing could be further from the truth. The little dog whistles that have been floating around this side for a long time [regarding him being a figurehead, thus implying that he was merely a token and not qualified for the job].”

Wait! I thought Republicans were the ones that was supposed to be racist and used dog whistles that have now morphed into bullhorns.

Radical liberal media outlets like CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post, the New York times, Black America Web, and the Huff Post have been portraying Republicans in this manner for decades. Liberal Black journalists and pundits have made a career of branding my party as racist.

Left-wing extremist groups like the NAACP, the National Urban League, National Action Network, and the Congressional Black Caucus see racism in everything Republicans do; but suddenly turn into Stevie Wonder when it comes to racism within the Democrat Party.

Conspiracy journalists like Roland Martin, Joe Madison, Joy Reid, Laura Coates, Karen Hunter, Jason Johnson and sista girl pundit Angela Rye seem to have an opinion about everything other than the racism that Clyburn is constantly subjected to by their own party.

Clyburn is a living legend and though we disagree on almost every political issue, I have nothing but supreme respect for him and his legacy.

The NAACP rightly criticized Republican senator from Mississippi, Cindy Hyde-Smith for her ignorant comment about hangings, but came down with a severe case of laryngitis when it came to Clyburn.

Derrick Johnson, Marc Morial, Al Sharpton, Cedrick Richmond, I know a doctor who specializes in treating those with political laryngitis. The typical cure for such a disease is taking a glass of courage.

Roland, Joe, Joy, Laura, Karen, Jason, and Angela, I know a doctor who specializes in treating people with Pelosi-itis. The typical cure for such a disease is called growing a spine!

Are these Blacks really that afraid of Pelosi and the Democrat Party? Why is Clyburn the ONLY candidate for House leadership that had a challenger? How is it that no white candidate for leadership had a challenger?

Hmmm!

Why is it that Pelosi nor Hoyer has made one public word of support for Clyburn? And our old friend Maxine Waters claims to be so big, bad, and tough; but she is too afraid to challenge her own party over racism that is quite obvious.

Where is Kamala Harris? She is supposed to be the champion of all things Black when it comes to racism by whites. She has not uttered one single word of support for Clyburn.

Oh, and where is our old pal Cory “Spartacus” Booker? He usually has verbal diarrhea; but now all of a sudden he seems to have a severe case of verbal constipation.

The Black Caucus has the largest voting block (48 members) in the Congress and has the power to determine who the next speaker is if they had any balls.

These media appointed Black leaders only see racism when it comes from Republicans; but can’t bring themselves to stand up on principle when the same racism emanates from within the Democrat Party.

When all is said and done, there is more said than done!

(Raynard Jackson is founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF).)

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

B7

74 of 108 homicides Black lives...4 of 8 November victims African Americans HOMICIDES FROM A1

armed burglary. Police said Johnson, armed with a rifle, climbed to a back porch to gain entry through a window. The homeowner heard breaking glass, grabbed his gun, encountered Johnson and shot him. He then called 911. The homeowner has not been charged.

NOV. 3—James Loughlin, a 23-year-old White male, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Uni Mart in the 700 block of Brownsville Road in Knoxville.

According to Pittsburgh police, Loughlin was standing next to a vehicle when his assailant came from the side of the building and shot him. On Nov. 16, homicide detectives arrested Tarue Davis, an 18-year-old Black male from Mt. Oliver and charged him with homicide. He is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

NOV. 6—Calvin Anderson, a 21-year-old Black male, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in a car along Alcoma Drive in Penn Hills. Police have not yet identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

NOV. 12—Brian Kelly Dalton, a 26-year-old Black male, was found shot multiple times lying in a drainage ditch along Beechford Road near Blackadore Street in Penn Hills. A car was seen fleeing the scene toward Blackadore Street, but police said there is no description. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

NOV. 17—Miranda Grimm-Gilarski, a 19-year-old White female, was found dead at the scene by police in a Munhall home. She had been shot 17 times. Darion Abel, a 20 year-old Black male and the victim’s ex-boyfriend, walked into the police station shortly afterwards and confessed to the murder. Police said he was angry about appearing in court due to a PFA the victim filed. He is now in the county jail.

NOV. 27—Michael Lahoff, a 66-year-old White male, died from injuries he sustained when he was shot and paralyzed during a robbery in the Smithfield-Liberty parking garage in 2003.

Marty Allen Armstrong confessed to the shooting and was sentenced to a maximum 30 years for attempted homicide. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala has now filed homicide charges against Armstrong and his accomplice, Lamont Fulton. Fulton turned himself in Nov. 29.

NOV. 27—Chammire Smith, a 15-year-old Black male, died from injuries he sustained when Taymar Smith, not related, also 15, shot him in the head at a home on Cliff Street, Nov. 18. Taymar Smith told police it was an accident, that he was “messing around” with a .22-caliber rifle and when he pointed it at Chammire, it went off. He is currently in the county jail and has been charged as an adult.

NOV. 30—John Benedek, a 41-year-old White male, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of J&M Automotive in the 2600 block of Fifth Avenue in McKeesport, which he coowned, after an argument with a customer over work done on a car. That customer, Eben Brown, a 46-year-old Black male, turned himself in at the McKeesport police station shortly thereafter and said he shot Benedek.

He is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

October Homicides (13) OCT. 1—Andrew Jefferson, a 26-year-old Black male, was found dead in the 1800 block of Forte Alley in McKeesport by officers responding to a shots-fired call. Allegheny County Homicide Lt. Andrew Schurman said he had been shot in the head four times. No suspect has yet been identified. Anyone with information is asked to call the county tipline at 833255-8477.

OCT. 3—Eric Turner, a 40-yearold Black male, was killed in the 500 block of Mullberry Alley in Clairton when a man he’d already shot twice took the gun from him and shot him in the head. Allegheny County Homicide Lt. Andrew Schurman said Turner and a 42-year-old male were in a heated

argument when Turner pulled a pistol and shot the other man in the arm and leg. A fight ensued during which Turner was shot. Schurman said witnesses corroborated the surviving victim’s account. The district attorney will determine if charges will be filed.

OCT. 13—Abdulganiyu Sanusi, a 56-year-old Black male, was fatally shot while delivering pizzas for Domino’s on North St. Clair Street in East Liberty. Pittsburgh police Spokesman Chris Togneri said a witness hear someone shout, “Give me your money” twice, then a gunshot. D’Ambrosse Garland, 18, and Timothy Walls, 17, were arrested five days later and have been charged with homicide. Both are in the Allegheny County Jail.

OCT. 27—Joyce Fienberg, a 75-year-old White female; Richard Gottfried, a 65-year-old White Male; Rose Mallinger, a 97-year-old White female; Jerry Rabinowitz, a 66-yearold White male; Cecil Rosenthal, a 59-year-old White male; David Rosenthal, a 54-year-old White male; Bernice Simon, an 84-year-old White female; Sylvan Simon, an 86-year-old White male; Daniel Stein, a 71-yearold White male; Melvin Wax, an 87-year-old White male, and Irving Younger, a 69-year-old White male, were all shot and killed at the Tree of Life synagogue on Wilkins Avenue in Squirrel Hill during an ethnically-motivated killing spree allegedly carried out by 46-year-old Robert Bowers. He faces the death penalty on 35 state charges including homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. He also faces the death penalty for some of the 29 federal charges he also faces related to the massacre. For reason they declined to disclose, federal authorities have moved Bowers to the Butler County prison where he will await trial.

September Homicides (6) SEPT. 3—Brashaun Green, a 21-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was found by police in a hallway at the Mifflin Estates housing complex in West Mifflin with multiple gunshot wounds. Allegheny County detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 1-833-255-8477.

SEPT. 4—John Faulk, a 45-yearold Black male, was fatally shot multiple times outside Lady Di’s bar in East Hills. One of the bullets went into the bar and struck a woman in the leg.

She is recovering. Pittsburgh police arrested 37-year-old Timothy Noel Jr. at his Wilkinsburg home, Sept. 7. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial on homicide and gun-related charges.

SEPT. 10—Khalil Andrew Logan, an 18-year-old Black male, was found

by Wilkinsburg police fatally shot in an abandoned building at 1679 Laketon Road. Patrol officers had seen an individual leaving the building just before the department received a 911 call about shots fired at that location.

Penn Hills officers detained 18-yearold Deshere Davenport of Hazelwood not far from the scene. According to Allegheny County police, Davenport claimed he thought Logan was going to shoot him, so he shot first. He is now in the county jail awaiting trial on homicide and gun-related charges.

SEPT. 17—Loxley Johns, a 65-yearold White male, died as a result of injuries he sustained when he was beaten and bound during a Sept. 5 home invasion robbery in Penn Hills. Charles Pershing, 35, who had already faced multiple charges related to the attack, has now been charged with homicide.

He remains in the county jail.

SEPT. 18—Emannuel Boneza, a 32-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times near the intersection of South Star and West avenues in Bellevue. County police charged 20-yearold Musa Muya with the killing. His accomplice, Salimu Salim, also 20, was charged with gun violations and evidence tampering.

SEPT. 22—Bronson Szallar, a 22-year-old White male, was found by police with a gunshot wound to the head in a car in the 1100 block of Grant Avenue in Duquesne. Police said witnesses saw two men running from the scene toward a nearby baseball field.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 1-833-255-8477.

August Homicides (9) AUG. 1—Richard Price, a 27-year-old Black male, was fatally shot during a brawl at the Hays Manor housing complex in McKees Rocks. Donta Nicotero, 17, was arrested, Aug. 24, and has been charged as an adult with the shooting. He is currently awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

AUG. 5—Robert Barnett, a 28-year-old Black male, died from a gunshot wound he received during a July 28 fight when Aamina Renee Woods, 36, and three friends went to Barnett’s Stowe Township home to retrieve a relative’s car. Woods was arrested fleeing the scene that evening and charged with attempted murder and assault. She is now charged with homicide and is in the county Jail.

AUG. 6—Lanny Hutson, a 57-year-old Black male, was shot 17 times by his grandson, 22-year-old Jhalil Rakwon Brown, at his Abraham Street home in McKeesport.

Hutson was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested Brown, who was standing outside the home when they arrived. He is now awaiting trial in the county jail.

AUG. 8—Tamon Hatchin, a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in broad daylight near the intersection of Brownsville Road and Marland Street in Knoxville after an altercation with 32-yearold Earl Jackson. His car was spotted in Elliott later, and after a two-hour standoff, SWAT team officers brought him out of the

Steuben Street rowhouse where he’d been hiding in a basement garbage can. He is now awaiting trial in the county jail.

AUG. 12—Elaine Pearson, a 63-year-old Black female, was found fatally shot as she sat in a silver SUV in the 1500 block of Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln-Lemington. Police have not yet identified a suspect and ask anyone with information to call city homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

AUG. 13—Donnell Demery, a 54-year-old Black male, was fatally shot after an argument with another patron inside the 1313 Bar in Duquesne. Carl Jones, 27, left and returned to the bar with a gun and shot Demery multiple times. After a week-long manhunt, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Jones at a home on Dinwiddie Street in the Hill District after a K-9 found him hiding inside. He is awaiting trial in the county jail.

AUG. 16—Antwon Jones, a 36-year-old Black male from Atlanta, died a day after a foot-patrol officer witnessed 40-year-old Lamont Pendleton shoot him in the 2400 Block of Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. The officer called for Pendleton to drop the gun, but he ran. After a brief chase, Pendleton was taken into custody, but by then had tossed the weapon. He is awaiting trial in the county jail.

AUG. 19—Dulane Cameron Jr., a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally stabbed in the neck on the North Shore. According to police and witnesses, a shirtless Joden Rocco—apparently motivated by his dislike for Blacks, confronted Cameron and a friend as they left a bar. Rocco then allegedly assaulted Cameron, stabbing him during the attack. Rocco is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial for homicide.

AUG. 31—Daniel Ling, an 18-year-old Asian male, was fatally shot during what Pittsburgh police said was an attempted home invasion on Monastery Avenue on the South Side Slopes. Police said Ling, who was armed, apparently entered the house intent on robbery but was met by the resident. During the ensuing struggle, the resident gained control of Ling’s gun and shot him.

No charges have been filed.

July Homicides (5) JULY 7—Ricardo Tobia, a 71-yearold White male, was found dead in his Carrick home having suffered multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the head. His dog had also been shot in the head and had its throat cut. On July 10, police charged his longtime companion, Joseph Martin, 35, with the killing. Martin had been committed to the psychiatric ward at Jefferson Hospital, but is now in the county jail.

JULY 8—Zack Moore, a 28-yearold Black male, was shot in the head and dumped from a rented car along East Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard between Dixon and Port Perry avenues. The car, rented by Darrell Hardy, 29 of North Versailles, was found on fire about 40 minutes after police discovered Moore’s body. Hardy has been charged with Moore’s death and is in the county jail.

JULY 16—Tyrelle Bowyer, a 15-year-old Black male, was found shot in the back of the head by Wilkinsburg police on a heavily wooded part of North Dell Way near Penn Avenue. One week later, police arrested 17-year-old Brandon McFarland for the shooting. He is currently awaiting arraignment in the county jail and will be tried as an adult.

JULY 28—Vera Williams Butler, a 54-year-old Black Female, was found by police in the 200 Block of Luray Street on the North Side having been shot multiple times. She died at the scene. Police have not yet identified a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the homicide squad at 412-323-7161.

JULY 28—Jassin Al-Maleky, an 18-year-old Black male, was fatally wounded while he and several other onlookers watched a fistfight between two people in Kennedy Township. At some point one onlooker pulled a gun and fired into the crowd, striking Al-Maleky.

He was treated at the scene and transported to Ohio Valley Hospital where he died of his wounds. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police tip line at 1-833-255-8477.

June Homicides (10) JUNE 1—Kevin R. Thompson, a 46-year-old White male, was allegedly beaten, stabbed multiple times, then dismembered by 42-year-old John Robert Dickson, who had been staying in Thompson’s Carrick home.

Pittsburgh police said Dickson admitted the killing to two witnesses and also wrote a confession in a notebook.

Dickson is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

JUNE 2—Mujahid Hanif, a 28-yearold Black male, was allegedly shot three times by 29-year-old James Glenn following a dispute over a dirt bike, according to Pittsburgh Police who found Hanif’s body stuffed under the rear steps to his home in the 600 block of Hillsboro Street in Sheraden.

Police said Glenn admitted to the killing during questioning and is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

JUNE 14—Major Troutman, a 3-year-old Black male who died at UPMC Children’s Hospital in February, was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, according to the county medical examiner. Jamal Williams, 21, who had been in jail on unrelated charges since Feb.22, has been charged with homicide.

JUNE 14—De’von Dozier, a 23-yearold Black male, was found with a gunshot wound to the leg at a home on Woodlow Street in Crafton Heights. He

was hospitalized but died of his injury.

Rashem Littleberry, 28, of Chartiers City was arrested and charged in the shooting, June 20.

JUNE 16—Daevion Raines, a 15-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when the stolen car he was driving was riddled with bullets near the intersection of Smoker and Newford alleys in Duquesne. A second, 17-year-old teen, who had been in the car and was wounded, was found nearby. Allegheny County detectives said the car was hit more than 15 times. The investigation is ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information to call the police tipline at 833-255-8477.

JUNE 18—Travon Smart, a 21-year-old Black male who went by the stage name Jimmy Wopo, was shot multiple times in a daylight, driveby shooting on Wylie Avenue in the Hill District. Another passenger in the car was also hit but survived. No arrest has been made. Pittsburgh Police ask anyone with information to contact them at 412-323-7800.

JUNE 19—Antwon Rose II, a 17-year-old Black male, was shot three times as he fled from a traffic stop in East Pittsburgh. East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld has been charged with criminal homicide in the case. Despite objections, Officer Rosfeld was granted bail and is under house arrest. Allegheny County Common Pleas Senior Judge Jeffrey Manning has been asked by multiple political and community members to revoke the bail.

JUNE 19—Deandre Bratcher, a 28-year-old Black male, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound in the passenger seat of a vehicle near the intersection of Hunter Street and Glenn Avenue in Wilkinsburg.

He died later at the hospital. County police are looking for a silver SUV in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the police tipline at 833-255-8477.

JUNE 20—Leryal Matthews, a 21-year-old Black male, was found by police in a Braddock apartment in the 500 block of Talbot Street suffering from multiple fatal gunshot wounds. No arrests have been made. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the police tipline at 833255-8477.

JUNE 22—Jazmere Brianna Custis, a 19-year-old Black female, was killed in a drive-by shooting as she and three friends sat in a car in the 1300 block of Margaret Street in Munhall. Police say Custis had pulled over to drop off one of the passengers when another car pulled up and gunfire erupted. County police are asking anyone with information to call the police tipline at 833-255-8477.

May Homicides (7) MAY 2—Dwayne Lamar Tolbert-McGhee, a 29-year-old Black male, was fatally wounded outside the Muhammad Mosque 22 in Wilkinsburg and died about three hours later at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital—but not before he and a witness who heard the shooting while in the mosque identified the shooter. Delvante Thompson, 30, of Penn Hills was arrested May 26 and charged with homicide. He awaits trial in the Allegheny County jail.

MAY 5—Stephen Drake Jr., a 47-year-old Black male, was fatally shot as he was driving his motorcycle on Fifth Avenue in Shadyside. Drake was a veteran anti-violence advocate, working with Richard Garland at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health’s Violence Prevention Initiative. The investigation into his death continues. Anyone with information is urged to call Pittsburgh Homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

MAY 7—Chad Rock, a 34-year-old White male, was fatally shot during a home invasion at his house on Terrace Drive in McKees Rocks. Allegheny County detectives said they are looking for three Black males who bound Rock’s two children and a female with zip ties and demanded money and drugs. A second male occupant was also shot in the robbery.

Detectives hope Rock’s surveillance cameras will help identify the killers.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Allegheny County tip line at 1-833-255-8477.

MAY 9—Taeshaun Caldwell, an 18-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot lying between two homes in the 500 block of Lowell Street near Shetland Avenue in Larimer. Police have not yet identified a suspect. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call 412-323-7800.

MAY 9—Lawrence Brown, a 26-year-old Black male, was gunned down in an apparent drive-by shooting on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District that left several cars riddled with bullet holes. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7800.

MAY 25—Matthew Anthony Zinnermon, a 32-year-old Black male from Chesapeake, Va., was shot multiple times on Park Hill Drive in East Hills. Police have arrested and charged 24-year-old Leonard Bernard Hill of Sheraden with the shooting. He awaits trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

MAY 27—Darrell Williams, a 48-year-old Black male, was found shot multiple times inside his home in the 500 Block of Farnsworth Avenue in Clairton. He died later at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. Police have no motive and are asking anyone with information to call the county tip line at 1-833-255-8477.

April Homicides (7) APRIL 1—Meliek Rashad Hemmingway, a 22-year-old Black male, was found by Pittsburgh police lying in Conemaugh in East Hills Easter morning with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have since released surveillance video of a man riding a bicycle away from the scene and are

asking for help identify the individual, who they are calling a person of interest. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 412323-7800.

APRIL 4—James Clayton Westover, a 56-year-old White male, was fatally shot in the driveway of his home by one-time friend, 62-year-old Lex Miller. Ohio Township police responding to call of shots fired, encountered Miller at the scene. After a brief exchange of gunfire, Miller shot himself in the head. The Allegheny County Coroner has ruled it a murder-suicide.

APRIL 7—Aaron David James, a 29-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in an alley behind the 1300 block of Franklin Street in Wilkinsburg. As yet, police have not identified a suspect or motive. Anyone with information is asked to all county detectives at 1-833-255-8477.

APRIL 11—Dolores Williams, a 39-year-old Black female, was found fatally shot in the head in her Stowe Township home. Her teen daughter was also shot but was stabilized at a local hospital. Police immediately began searching for 42-year-old Jamar Allen, who was also wanted for the home-invasion assault of a minor in March. He was found later the same day in his car in Homewood, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.

APRIL 11—The skeletal remains of Zackery Sheets, a 20-year-old White male missing for more than a year, were found by a hiker walking through the woods off Milltown Road in Penn Hills. The coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide based on information gleaned from the investigation into his disappearance, but it has not released an official cause of death. Anyone with information about Sheets’ death or disappearance is asked to call 1-833-255-8477.

APRIL 14—Shawn William Dillard, a 27-year-old Black male from Erie, was fatally shot in the head in the Hill District. City police found him in the 1800 block of Cliff Street. He was taken to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have yet to identify a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7800.

APRIL 26—Phillip Daniel Pryor, a 27-yeqr-old Black male, was gunned down after leaving his girlfriend’s house in Homestead en route to his grandmother’s house. Police said, as yet, they have no motive or suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-255-8477.

March Homicides (6) MARCH 11—Brenda Kay Zelenski, a 59-year-old White female, died in a Pittsburgh hospital as the result of knife wounds she received during an altercation with her husband, also dead, in Indiana County, March 3.

MARCH 16—Juan Green, a 31-year-old Black male, was fatally shot after getting into an argument outside Becker’s Café on Olivia Street in the McKees Rocks Bottoms. Police arrested 33-year-old Tyree Davis less than a day later at a home in Sheraden. Davis is awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 18—Tyrone Noaks, a 28-year-old Black male, died as a result of wounds he received when he was shot in McKees Rocks, Feb. 3.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Allegheny County Homicide Detectives at 412-473-1300.

MARCH 19—Shawn Brandon, a 22-year-old White male, was fatally shot at the corner of Eccles Street and Marengo Street on the South Side Slopes. Witnesses said he was leaning into the driver’s side window of a car when he was shot. He identified his killer as 21-year-old Amasa Camp. Police arrested Camp three days later. He is awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 24—Walter Smith, an 83-year-old White male, died after a tenant he was trying to evict from his West Homestead property struck him in the head and shoved him down a flight of stairs. Dominic Anicola, 57, was arrested and awaits trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 26—Hasan Ishmael Abdul-Rabb, a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in the 3200 block of Ward Street in Oakland in an apparent drug deal turned robbery. Shayne Craighead, 22, and Velmon Dowling, 21, were arrested after leading police on a chase in the victim’s rented car.

Both are in the Allegheny County Jail.

February Homicides (8) FEB. 4—Joseph Secora, a 39-yearold White male who allegedly had mental health issues, was fatally shot while trying to break into his sister’s house in Springdale. The victim’s nephew, 21-year-old James Cain, shot Secora once. He fled across Butler Road and collapsed between some houses. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No charges will be filed.

FEB. 7—Lewis Dunning, a 64-year-old Black male from Uniontown, was found by Pittsburgh police lying in the middle of Paulsen Street in Lincoln-Larimer. He had been shot once in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second individual, who police have not identified, was also found at the scene suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital and last listed in stable condition. The investigation continues. Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7800.

Callers may remain anonymous.

FEB. 10—Denard A. Burton, a 29-year-old Black male, was discovered by Pittsburgh police lying on the snow-covered sidewalk of the 7200 block of Stranahan Street in Homewood shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet identified a suspect. The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7800. Callers may remain anonymous.

FEB. 11—Mark Daniels, a 39-yearold Black male, was fatally shot by Pittsburgh police Gino A. Macioce and an unnamed recruit during a foot chase in which the officers said he fired at them twice. Allegheny County police said a .40 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene and is being tested. Daniels’ family said he didn’t own or carry a gun. They have called for the release of surveillance video and Shotspotter records that police said shows some of the pursuit.

Neither officer was wearing a body camera.

FEB. 16—Andre Lee, a 20-yearold Black male, was found by McKees Rocks police after they received a call about a shooting on Ella Street. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Allegheny County police are investigating. Anyone with information may anonymously call the toll-free Police Tipline at 833-255-8477.

FEB. 22—Keiauna Lynette Davis, a 27-year-old Black female, was fatally shot while walking home along Laketon Road in Wilkinsburg when a co-worker and two accomplices robbed her for her tax refund. Dane James Taylor and Laya Alana Whitley, both 21, and Kaijin Xavier Scott, 23, are in custody awaiting trial.

FEB. 26—Steven Pariser, a 71-yearold White male, and John Robert Van Dyke, a 54-year-old White male, were both allegedly killed by 58-year-old Vincent Smith after an argument over marijuana led to a fight. Smith then set fire to the Swissvale building where the killings took place. He was rescued by firefighters and arrested. He awaits trial in the Allegheny County jail.

FEB. 28—Mia Green, a 27-year-old Black female, was found by Pittsburgh police behind a home in the 7300 block of Hamilton Avenue in Homewood shot multiple times. She was pronounced dead at UPMC Presbyterian a short time later. Green had no children and no criminal record. Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7800. Callers may remain anonymous.

January Homicides (11) JAN. 9—Diron Lamonn Hopwood, a 25-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot by police after they received multiple 911 calls, lying in the 1400 block of N. Murtland Street in Homewood. He had been struck several times. Police have not identified a suspect. The investigation continues.

JAN. 12—Shevall Davidson, a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally shot multiple times shortly after he left the J & S Food Mart on Seventh Street in Duquesne. Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous, 412-255-8477.

JAN. 17—Louise Lewis, a 73-yearold White female, was found fatally shot on the porch of her Clairton home in what Allegheny County detectives said was a murder-suicide.

Her 72-year-old husband Robert was found inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

JAN. 17—Tiffany Korbelic, a 36-year-old White female, was found fatally shot in a home in on West Elizabeth Street in Hazelwood along with 55-year-old Raymond Furlong, in what county detective also said was also a murder-suicide. Furlong, they said shot her then turned the gun on himself.

JAN. 18—Anthony Bullock-Fields, a 29-year-old Black male, was shot and then run over at the intersection of Jucunda and Amanda Streets in Pittsburgh’s Knoxville neighborhood. Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect. The investigation continues.

JAN. 20—Albert Boxley, a 30-yearold Black male, was found shot multiple times at the intersection of Mullins and Dickson Streets on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, and with the help of an eye-witness, police arrested and charged 27-year-old Louis Campbell with the killing. He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail.

JAN. 22—Shayne Henderson, a 21-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in the basement of an apartment building on Everton Street in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. Henderson’s was the third fatal shooting on Everton in as many months. Police have not named a suspect. The investigation continues JAN. 28—Craig Rhodes-Mitchell, a 24-year-old Black male, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a home in the 1300 block of Centennial Street in McKeesport. County detectives have yet to identify a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the toll-free county Tipline at 833-255-8477.

JAN. 28—Robert Monti, a 42-yearold White male, was found by police shot multiple in the 1200 block of Broadway Avenue in Stowe Township.

He died a short time later at Ohio Valley Hospital. County detectives have yet to identify a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the toll-free county Tipline at 833-2558477.

JAN. 28—Devlen Prosdocimo, a 24-year-old White male, was shot multiple times, after being lured into a drug deal robbery on Wilner Drive in East Hills. Video shows, 17-year-old Malik “Lil Chief Keif” Johnson shooting Prosdocimo several times after he attempted to flee the robbery. Johnson is in the Allegheny County Jail.

JAN. 29—Tyqueon Goins, a 20-year-old Black male, was found shot multiple times in a car on Meadows Street in Larimer. Though Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Alicia George said initial reports indicated the shooting “may be gang related.” police have not yet identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier

B8

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

A Historic Meltdown

THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS came into Heinz Field, Dec. 2, and beat the Steelers, 33-30, thanks to a 16-point comeback effort, including a punt return for a touchdown. (Photos by Courier photographer Brian Cook)

After leading by 16, Steelers lose to Chargers, 33-30, marking the first time the Steelers had a 16-point lead at home—and lost

by Mike Pelaia For New Pittsburgh Courier

After the Steelers lost their second consecutive game to the Chargers on Sunday Night Football at home, Dec. 2, in a game they desperately needed to keep some distance between themselves and the second-place Baltimore Ravens, it became apparent to me, the Steelers aren’t beating good teams.

Of the seven games they’ve won this season, their opponents have a combined record of 35-481. None is better than 7-5, which happens to be the Ravens’ record, who have beaten the Steelers once this year.

Of the Steelers’ four losses, the teams have a combined record of 32-16.

Telling, isn’t it?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to recognize the Steelers aren’t winning against good teams. Period.

There are a multitude of problems with this team.

First and foremost, the defense isn’t good. It’s just not. They are incapable of getting off the field on third down, the pass defense can’t be counted on and if the front seven can’t get pressure on the quarterback, which they didn’t do against the Chargers, then the big plays happen. Oh, and by the way, they don’t create turnovers.

Championship defenses

don’t get two opportunities in the fourth quarter, at home, in prime time, to stop the opponent and prevent a loss and blow those opportunities both times.

Championship defens-

MIKE PELAIA COURIER STEELERS CENTRAL es don’t blow double-digit leads in the second half.

Championship defenses certainly don’t allow two, two-point conversions.

Yet all of that happened against the Chargers this past Sunday night.

“We just gotta play better,” quipped Cam Heyward after the game.

That’s an understatement, Cam. He continued: “We want to create an atmosphere where turnovers and sacks go hand-in-hand and we’re not getting them.”

If they don’t get them soon, they may find themselves sitting on the couch in early January once again.

Yet it’s not just the defense; special teams are killing this team, too.

Against the Chargers, the special teams missed an extra point, allowed a punt return for a touch-

The only reason it will down and jumped offsides don’t allow that to happen. have a shot at the playoffs.

If the Steelers continue three consecutive times on Since the Steelers do even be a victory is because game-winning field goal this trend, they are staring seem to beat the bad teams, Oakland makes more blunattempts by the Chargers. at two more losses for sure. I’ll give them a road win at ders than the Steelers do It was three times because the Chargers missed the first two kicks. Giving your opponent additional chances, especially on game-winners, is not what championship teams do!

So when does Chris Boswell get looked at as a problem?

When does a kicker tryout occur on the South Side?

Doesn’t it have to be soon?

If the Steelers are lucky enough to make the p l a y o f f s , JAMES CONNER was injured in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The official classification there are a is a sprained left ankle, and he’s been ruled out of the upcoming game against the Oakland Raiders, Dec. 9. few things they will certainly need—a How do they beat the Pa- Oakland this Sunday, but I and Oakland isn’t a quality defense that can create triots (Dec. 16) and Saints don’t think it will be easy. opponent.

However, if the Steelers do turnovers and get off the (Dec. 23)? It doesn’t seem The Raiders consistently give the Steelers fits and eek their way into he postfield and a kicker who can possible.

Assuming those losses until I see otherwise, I’ll season, the team(s) they make his kicks!

Boswell has missed nine occur, they must win at assume they’ll continue to face will have winning records (obviously) so at this kicks through the first 12 Oakland this Sunday, Dec. do so.

The Steelers will escape point, don’t expect much. games. Nine. Five of which 9, and close the season out are extra points. That can- with a “W” against the Ben- with a victory but it will be The Steelers just don’t beat good teams. not happen. Good teams gals, Dec. 30, in order to another close one, 24-21.

Steelers’ Super Bowl XIII and XLIII winning teams honored

“MEAN” JOE GREENE, the man who started it all…he was honored at halftime as a member of the Super Bowl XIII (13) team that won the championship after the 1978 season. Greene ended up winning four Super Bowls in all. (Photos by Courier photographer Brian Cook)

NUMBER SIX—Pictured are members of the Super Bowl XLIII (43) winning team, which beat the Arizona Cardinals in comeback fashion after the 2008 season.

SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

B9

Roethlisberger doesn’t bring his ‘A’ game after criticizing teammates Steelers are 7-4-1 with four games left

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

A few weeks ago, after the Steelers lost to the Broncos, there was a bunch of mindless chatter originating from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room, crap like, “there were certain qualifications that determined who was eligible to criticize the team,” etc.

After the loss to the Broncos, the chief critic, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, seemed to have concluded that there was no need for maybe nothing more than a little criticism disguised as “tough love” to plug the hole in the rapidly sinking

being a leader, being a captain, just understanding players. Sometimes you just grab them off to the side and sometimes you have to be honest with them. I think I’ve earned the right to be able to do that with as long as I’ve been here. I’ll be just as critical on myself in front of you guys, as well.”

In my most arrogant opinion, my friends, that statement uttered by “Big” Ben is B.S. in its purest form.

Roethlisberger has almost never totally criticized himself or taken full responsibility for his actions. He has almost always attempted to deflect the blame and responsibility to those that he considers as subordinates which usually include his coaches and teammates.

Please take heed that this AUBREY BRUCE is not some liberal leftto know how to motivate wing theory, this is a fact. different guys in different This past Sunday night, ways. I think that’s part of Dec. 2, the Steelers lost to ship of the Steelers’ playoff season.

Roethlisberger said, “Being around for a long time and dealing with a lot of different players, you have

Inside Conditions

the Los Angeles Chargers, 33-30. The Steelers scored 23 points in the first two quarters and 7 points in the remaining two quarters coupled with the fact that they received the ball first in the second half. Folks have spent the last few days saying that the Steelers took their foot off the gas pedal and that allowed the Chargers to storm back from the precipice of defeat to a hard-fought victory. My friends, this is an incorrect and very deeply flawed analysis. The Steelers not only removed the

tion on the field that helped navigate Chargers QB Phillip Rivers and his team to victory. There were a few occasions that the officiating crew that was assigned to call the game appeared to have had too many cocktails before the game or may have accidentally consumed some “magic mushrooms” during the pregame meal.

Now back to Roethlisberger. How can he pucker up his lips to even criticize the neighborhood Pop Warner team when, in spite of all of the weapons that surround

you in the second half in terms of coverages? He responded, “I don’t think so.

Maybe they switched up some coverages here and there. I just didn’t play enough.”

Is this the kind of game where you felt all the calls were going against your side? He continued on, saying, “We aren’t going to put it into the refs’ hands. We must play better football.”

And finally, did the interception slip? He simply said: “Yeah.”

There is no room for “slips of the tongue” as well as

MAURKICE POUNCEY, ANTONIO BROWN AND JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER celebrate after Brown’s touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nov. 30, at Heinz Field.

(Photos by Courier phographer Brian Cook) pedal from the metal, they parked the car, went in and had lunch and returned to an empty parking spot because their car had been stolen.

JAYLEN SAMUELS scored a touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth Oh, there was more than quarter. one culprit besides the ac-

him, he can only muster up 7 points in the second half of a season-altering game?

During his postgame news conference, Roethlisberger was asked a few questions such as; Did they change what they were throwing

“accidental” interceptions.

The Steelers are now facing crunch time—they are climbing a slippery slope trying to get to the postseason. Will they make it? As long as they don’t “slip” up they have a credible chance.

They call it the City Game for a reason!

12,000-plus watch Pitt outlast Duquesne, 74-53

by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier

:10—And the reason was most evident as 12,000-plus filled up PPG Arena Friday night, Nov. 30, to see Pitt and Duquesne do battle.

And do battle they did, well at least for the first 20 minutes. That second half was all the time Pitt needed to outlast Duquesne, while in the process, shaking off that loss to No. 14 Iowa a few days earlier. But, Duquesne showed they were serious about city bragging rights. :09—To be sure, Pitt won the game, 74–53, and if you got the score on ESPN the next day you would think blowout. But, it wasn’t as much that as it was a Tale of Two Cities. Pitt is just a deeper, more overall talented team. They can go seven,

(their second loss came this past Monday, Dec. 4, to Niagara). The X-man, Xavier Johnson, leads the Panthers and has zero fear about shot attempts and trust me, the best is yet to come from him. He’s joined by several talented swing men in Malik Ellison and Trey McGowens and they are a pick-your-poison trio. :07—Much the same can be said about the Dukes, but to a lesser degree. They have the goods and are an improving team under the tough and masterful direction of Coach Keith Dambrot. His hard-nosed, defensive style covers some loose ends, and the solid play of outstanding guard/ forward Eric Williams and guards Mike Lewis and Tavian Dunn-Martin promises a great season on the

PITT TAKES THE CITY GAME—Pitt’s Jared Wilson-Frame blocks a shot attempt by Duquesne’s Brandon Wade, in the annual City Game. Pitt won, 74-53, at PPG Paints Arena, Nov. 30. maybe eight men deep and stay in stride. But don’t get me wrong, Duquesne has a talented five, but not as talented as Pitt’s starting five. :08—And, that Pitt talent has been building and being talked about slowly but surely as Pitt has established a 6–1 record

Bluff for the Dukes. :06—Oh, BTW, a tremendous attaboy to the city folks and surrounding communities for coming out to support the City Game.

Basketball is back in Pittsburgh, big time! :05—Let’s get this PartTee started right! I need to

take care of…“The Locker Roomers,” my faithful readers and believers…yes sir!!!

First, you, my man Greg Brown in the locker room.

He’s been reading me while on vacation (you know, you know, you know!) and to the lovely Ms. Millie who I met this past weekend at the Reverend Darkins Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner (sweet little thing but knows her stuff). :04—I am going to have to give you this hard and fast cause we’ve got the late game and national spotlight so I am going in early.

Steelers and Big Ben take on the Chargers and Phil Rivers. And here are your five reasons. Why? Because I know you like “the lists.”

1. Needless to say and hell yea, Ben has to make up for that panic pass a few weeks ago against Denver that cost us the game. Not Conner’s fumble, BTW. 2. A.B. not saying or showing it, but trust me, he’s ticked off about the lack of passes and JuJu shining brighter. 3.

With any luck at all James Washington won’t be playing. 4. The Chargers’ record is better than the teams they beat. 5. Because… we are…Pittsburgh! Well, wouldn’t ya know…Ben throws a touchdown to A.B., but also a bad interception, our special teams can’t figure out which side of the ball to be on when it’s snapped, and the Chargers left town, Dec. 2, with a victory over the Steelers, 3330. Unbelievable! :03—The SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia was certainly the best I’ve seen all year. I mean good! A downto-the-wire, 35–28 win for the Tide. And a classic, legendary, miraculous finish that will forever lock quarterback Jalen Hurts into Bear Bryant football history forever more. If you don’t know, just Google it, man! :02—If you need to know, here’s your moviegoers list.

I know you love it, I know you need it, and I know you like those lists! 1. “Green Book”—a must-see true account of “when America was great!”...NOT!!!

2 “Creed II”—it’s just good, Rocky good. 3. “The Hate You Give”—but be ready to get mad. 4. “Robin Hood”—good, but not great; the wrong guy playing Robin. It should

have been Chris Pratt. 5.

“Bohemian Rhapsody”—if you lived through the music of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and, you know the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen, you will love it. Now go to the movies. You need a break. :01—If you’re reading this you need to be reminded that the last “Champions Live” Sports Talk Show at the Savoy will be this Thursday, Dec. 6. Before we break for the winter cold, Thursday’s show will feature former ABA and Pittsburgh Piper legend Cal Graham and members of that world champion franchise led by the late great Connie Hawkins. Also on the show, Connie Hawkins League Hall of Famers, Myron Brown, Gerald Lovelace, Mark Pinnix, Darelle Porter, Barnett Harris, and Bobby Franklin. Special

guests will be Tim Stevens and the All-Star team of

B-PEP. :00—GAME OVER.

MALIK ELLISON is a junior transfer who averages roughly 10 points per game for the Pitt Panthers. (AP PHOTOS)

B10

SPORTS

DECEMBER 5-11, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A stellar season for the Lincoln Rams

The Lincoln Rams and the West End Hurricanes met for the Youth Football Baby Twerp championship, Nov. 10, at the Wolvarena…and after a hard-fought game, it was the Rams that came out with the victory, and the 2018 Baby Twerp championship trophy. But it didn’t stop there. Then the Lincoln Rams traveled to the Washington, D.C. area two weeks ago and brought home another trophy in the first battle of the Interstate 95 (Maryland) vs.

Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania) classic.

That event was presented by the Metro League Sports Association.

Courier photographer Dayna Delgado captured the Rams vs. Hurricanes in pictures.

THE WEST END HURRICANES

PROPER SPORTSMANSHIP is an important part of youth football in the City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.