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District Mothers Receive Heartfelt Metro Failed to Follow Safety Procedures Page 12 Tribute Page 5
VOL. 51, NO. 31 MAY 12 - 18, 2016
WELLNESS HEALTH MENT MAY 2016 ION SUPPLE & NUTRIT
MENTAL HEALTH S ES AWAREN
SEE OUR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPLEMENT - Center Section
Comcast’s Keesha Boyd Talks TV 8 Ways to Help Someone with Depression Page 20 for Blacks Page 16
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Vigil Held for Victims of Shooting Spree SPONSORE
Obama Urges Howard Grads to Continue Needed Change
By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
By Howard University News Service
Claudina Molina of Silver Spring had a beautiful smile with bright eyes and helped take care of senior citizens throughout Montgomery County. Malcolm “Mike” Winffel of Boyds loved to joke around with his family and friends, root for the Dallas Cowboys and help others. “We always knew he was a hero. We always knew if somebody was in need or in danger, he would not run away. He would run towards (a dire situation) to help and protect,” said Winffel’s wife, Norma, during a prayer vigil Monday, May 9. “I just want the world to remember what a super hero my Michael was.” Those are just a few of the many details family and friends shared to describe two of the three shooting victims at the vigil outside Goshen United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg. The Victims’ Rights Foundation, a volunteer nonprofit organization in Gaithersburg that supports families involved in violent crimes, organized the nearly one-hour somber event. Police charged Eulalio Tordil. 62, in the shooting spree last week in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Because he got arrested in Montgomery County, he remains in jail there. “We are here to honor and salute those who lost their lives and those who were wounded last week by a terrible person,” said Gregory Wims, founder of the Victims Rights Foun-
VIGIL Page 11
5President Barack Obama delivers the keynote speech during the 148th commencement ceremony at Howard University on Saturday, May 7 in Northwest. / Photo by Patricia Little
President Barack Obama told the graduates of one of the nation’s leading historically black universities that America is “a better place today” than it was when he graduated from college but that more work needs to be done and urged them to be involved in the political process if they want to see change. “When you don’t vote, you give away your power,” Obama said
OBAMA Page 8
Water in D.C. Schools Tested for Contaminants By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer There remain serious concerns about the drinking water in Washington, D.C., schools, and several officials are pressing for action to prevent a Flint, Michigan-like disaster here. “Following the alarming news about elevated levels of lead recently reported in 12 D.C. Public Schools, I share very serious concerns with parents and neighbors about making sure our children are staying safe and healthy,” District Council member (At Large) Elissa Silverman said. “All D.C. public schools will be retesting their drinking water,
and the Department of General Services will be updating parents on an ongoing basis,” Silverman said. “Several schools affected were in my own neighborhood, and I will be working with Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen to make sure concerns are addressed in a timely and comprehensive manner.” Reportedly, in the current academic year, 17 water sources at 12 D.C. public schools tested positive for elevated lead levels. And in recent weeks, the school system has come under fire for not communicating to parents when their children’s school test-
WATER Page 21
5Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) receives the Elie Wiesel Award during the 2016 National Tribute Dinner sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on Tuesday, May 3 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Northwest. / Photo by Patricia Little
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