R.I.S.E. Newspaper Hits the Streets!!! Resources Information Services Employment

Blackstonian Exclusive

During this past Juneteenth/Father's Day Weekend Distribution started throughout the streets of Boston with a new survival guide just for you! R.I.S.E. Resources Information Services Employment was created to give you all the information you need in a one shot deal!



Get yours online here (PDF format):
DOWNLOAD THE R.I.S.E. Community Survival guide

AND Visit these Community Locations:
A Nubian Notion (Dudley Sq.)
Everything is Real Barber Shop (Dudley Sq.)
Roxbury Boys & Girls Club (Dudley Sq.)
Roxbury YMCA (Warren & MLK)
24/7 Variety Store (Grove Hall)
Mattapan's Finest (Grove Hall)
Mecca's Boutique (Grove Hall)
Back To The Roots (Grove Hall)
Peace Convenience (Codman Sq.)

READ MORE - R.I.S.E. Newspaper Hits the Streets!!! Resources Information Services Employment

Quincy developer pleads not guilty to rape, drug rap

Quincy developer pleads not guilty to rape, drug rap
By Laura Crimaldi and O’Ryan Johnson  |   Tuesday, May 10, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Matt Stone

An elderly Quincy developer posted $150,000 cash bail and sped away from the courthouse yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to sordid charges of raping a teenager and trafficking cocaine.

William O’Connell, 71, dodged reporters’ questions after he was led out of a back door of Quincy District Court.

He is charged with two counts of aggravated statutory rape, two counts of soliciting sex for a fee and one count of cocaine trafficking.

“The charges speak for themselves,” said Andrew DiCarlo Berman, the special prosecutor appointed by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. “They’re some of the most serious charges that I think can be lodged against a defendant, and it’s something that we take very seriously.”

The alleged offenses took place in the spring and summer of 2009 and on various dates until March, Berman said. The alleged victim is not a prostitute, the prosecutor said. He noted the aggravated statutory rape statute applies to victims who are 14 to 16 years old.

O’Connell’s spokesman, George Regan, issued a statement last night, but refused to answer questions.

“This is going to be resolved in a judicial process,” he said. “At first blush, this may not be what it appears to be.”

Following the hearing, a court officer escorted a handcuffed O’Connell into the clerk’s office to take care of administrative matters after Judge Mark Coven told the defense he was not going treat the developer differently than any other defendant.

“I’m going to treat him the same way we treat every other person,” Coven said.

Coven impounded a police report, and details of the accusations against O’Connell were not revealed during his arraignment. Berman said he requested the report be impounded to protect the alleged victim’s identity.

O’Connell and his brother, Peter, are major Quincy developers who started their business with $450 in 1958 and went on to build many of the city’s landmark developments. They’re perhaps best known for Marina Bay, a massive, upscale condo-and-retail complex whose residents over the years have ranged from New England Patriots [team stats] star Tom Brady [stats] to television newscaster Chet Curtis.

“They helped build Quincy,” said Peter Forman, president and CEO of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Forman said the family is “very much part of the community. They’re very much liked and respected.”

Yesterday, O’Connell was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and witnesses, surrender his passport, have no unsupervised contact with anyone younger than 16 and not leave the state without permission.

It’s not the first time O’Connell has faced a judge. In 2003, he was sentenced to six months probation on charges of negligent motor boat homicide after an accident resulted in the death of his best friend.

The current investigation is ongoing, Berman said.

Berman also is prosecuting O’Connell’s nephew, Robert, who is free on $500,000 bail on an attempted murder charge. He is accused of shooting Milton firefighter Joseph A. Fasano.

Jerry Kronenberg contributed to this report.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1336837

READ MORE - Quincy developer pleads not guilty to rape, drug rap

Go fish! Jamaica Pond restocked with trout and salmon

Go fish! Jamaica Pond restocked with trout and salmon

Photo by Mark Garfinkel
By Colneth Smiley Jr.  |   Friday, April 15, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Sink your hooks into Jamaica Pond, where state environmental officials yesterday released more than 1,000 fish in an annual rite of spring for fishermen looking for a fresh catch within city limits.

MassWildlife released hundreds of trout and more than a dozen salmon into Jamaica Pond as part of a stocking program funded by state fishing licenses.

The fish —15-pound Atlantic salmon and up to 14-inch tiger trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout raised in state hatcheries — were poured into the 60-foot deep natural pond, which is home to an array of other wildlife, including eels, crayfish, snapping turtles, and other fish such as perch, pickerel and a few large-mouth bass.

A state fishing license is required to fish, but watching was free for the kids.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330910

READ MORE - Go fish! Jamaica Pond restocked with trout and salmon

2 teens charged with assaulting MBTA bus driver

2 teens charged with assaulting MBTA bus driver

By O’Ryan Johnson and Richard Weir  |   Thursday, April 14, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Two teens were arrested last night on charges of assaulting an MBTA bus driver Monday afternoon, in an incident that ended with a bizarre crash that injured five and trapped one suspect’s foot under a bus tire, Transit Police said.

Felix Garcia, 18, and Michael Baptista, 19, both of Roxbury, face charges of interfering with a bus driver and assault and battery on a public employee. Baptista also is charged with threats to commit a crime. The interference charge is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Police said it all started when the driver told a smoker on the bus to snuff it. Witnesses told police as many as five people attacked the driver, who lost control of the bus. It hopped a curb, knocked down a crosswalk signal and slammed into a barber shop.

Police said Garcia was the teen who was pinned by the bus for about 40 minutes, and loudly thanked the crowd and rescuers as he was wheeled away by Boston EMS on a gurney. Boston firefighters used a powerful jack to lift the bus off his foot. A total of five people were injured, including a 9-year-old girl whose head slammed into a bus fixture during the crash.

MBTA Deputy Superintendent Joseph O’Connor said police do not believe the driver purposefully hit Garcia with the bus.

“We don’t believe there was any intent to pin or assault Mr. Garcia,” O’Connor said. “We believe this was all part of his exiting which caused him to get pinned.”

Deputy Transit Police Chief Lewis Best said, “They punched (the driver) repeatedly and pushed his face into the window. He was briefly knocked unconscious. The bus was in gear and his foot came off the brake as these two individuals tried to run off the bus.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330664

READ MORE - 2 teens charged with assaulting MBTA bus driver

YouTube video eyed for clues in bus attack: VIDEO HERE

YouTube video eyed for clues in bus attack

By Richard Weir and Laura Crimaldi  |   Wednesday, April 13, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

T Police are analyzing a YouTube video of the chaotic aftermath of Monday’s MBTA bus crash as they continue their criminal probe into the gang attack on a bus driver who was pummeled after asking a group of young male passengers to stop smoking.

“We’re certainly taking a good, hard look at that video and others,” said a police source with knowledge of the investigation, who described one of the men seen in the clip “as a person of interest.”

Police said yesterday they had made no arrests in the assault on the 39-year-old driver, who lost control of his bus, which jumped a curb, knocked down a crosswalk pole, rammed a vacant barbershop and pinned the foot of a man whom cops suspect was with the group that attacked the driver. It took firefighters with a hydraulic jack 40 minutes to free the teen, who was cheered by onlookers as he left on a stretcher.

“We have a very active investigation. We’re interviewing all witnesses. It was a crowded bus,” said Transit Deputy Police Chief Lewis Best.

The bus driver called for police help just before he was jumped, according to radio calls released yesterday.

“I got a situation I need to deal with right away . . . I got a couple of unruly passengers. I got a couple of kids smoking cigarettes. I’m at Dudley Street and Hammond Street. Please get ‘em down here right away,” the unidentified driver told a Bus Operations Control Center operator.

Moments later, he told the operator: “I was just assaulted. Got knocked out. Got my head smashed into the window. I’m still at the same location. There’s a kid with his foot underneath the bus. About 10 of these kids jumped me.”

A passenger who called 911 said, “He’s being assaulted by a bunch of teenagers on the bus. . . . They were hitting them. I left the bus because they were smoking. I have asthma.” After the 911 operator told the woman police were en route, she said, “Oh my God. It was unbelievable.”

Monday’s attack comes among a rise in assaults on T bus and subway operators, with 66 total assaults reported in 2010, including 31 against bus drivers, compared with 58 overall assaults in 2009, including 29 against bus drivers. And assaults this year are on pace to exceed last year’s, with 20 reported so far, 10 of which involved bus drivers.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330308

READ MORE - YouTube video eyed for clues in bus attack: VIDEO HERE

$2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

$2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

By Dave Wedge  |   Wednesday, April 13, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

The city is pulling 30 staffers out of five community centers and bracing for potential layoffs in the schools and possibly other departments as part of a tight $2.4 billion spending plan set to be unveiled today.

The budget calls for the Boston Centers for Youth and Families to stop running city-funded programs on June 30 at the Kent School in Charlestown, Tynan School in South Boston, Harbor School in Dorchester, Orchard Gardens School in Roxbury and the Mason Pool in Roxbury.

“I’m greatly concerned about losing another resource,” said state Rep. Nick Collins, who represents South Boston and parts of Dorchester. “I have received some calls from constituents about it. With summer coming, this is a great concern.”

The city hopes to avoid closing the five community centers by bringing in non-profit groups to run programs.

The budget, which Mayor Thomas M. Menino will present to the council this morning, also figures in the elimination of 240 school jobs, many of which will be cut through retirements and attrition, as well as staffing changes due to the department’s closure of nine schools and merging of eight others into four. Officials said there could be school layoffs but just how many will be unknown until the fall.

“There are still challenges, and we’re asking each department head to do more with less,” said Councilor Mark Ciommo, head of the council’s Ways and Means Committee. “We’ve laid the groundwork the past couple years toward sustainability, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Most departments will be funded at the same level as 2011 under the plan, but the Police Department would see a $2 million cut, shutting down one of the department’s “neighborhood interaction units” — a civilian call center for non-emergency calls.

Despite the cuts, the city is bringing in a new police class in June and is planning to hire 35 new cops.

Health-care costs continue to hamstring the city and are due to hit $315 million in 2012 — a $17.5 million increase — while city officials project state aid cuts of up to $37 million.

The budget also includes $8 million toward the design of Menino’s highly touted redevelopment of the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square, a $115 million project that will transfer hundreds of city workers to new digs in the Roxbury neighborhood.

— -dwedge@bostonherald.com

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330366

READ MORE - $2.4B budget eliminates programs, jobs

Rape suspect ordered to stay away from children

Rape suspect ordered to stay away from children

By Laurel J. Sweet  |   Wednesday, April 13, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

A Dorchester man was held on $10,000 cash bail yesterday and ordered to stay away from children after pleading not guilty to eight counts of rape of a child.

The charges involve a 13-year-old girl who prosecutors said was lured to his home for play dates with the suspect’s son. Between November and December, Edgar Soares, 33, “invited the victim over to play with his 8-year-old son. When she arrived, (Soares) would take her cell phone and sexually assault her,” said Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley.

Prosecutors sought to hold Soares on $75,000 cash bail, Wark said.

A law enforcement source said Soares works for the Department of Correction. Soares’ attorney, Jonathan Scott Lauer, referred questions to DOC, which was not able to confirm his employment as of last night.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1330361

READ MORE - Rape suspect ordered to stay away from children

Columbus Avenue in Jackson Square could get indoor skating rink and rec center

Columbus Avenue in Jackson Square could get indoor skating rink and rec center
By adamg - 4/12/11 - 7:38 am

What the building could look like.

Urban Edge yesterday submitted plans to the city to build the recreational facility at 1562 Columbus Ave. as part of its Jackson Commons mixed-use development.

The space was originally meant for a DYS treatment program, but the state agency pulled out of the project in 2008. The new center would allow for skating in colder months and indoor turf sports the rest of the year in a 39,000-square-foot building:

FULL STORY HERE
http://www.universalhub.com/2011/columbus-avenue-jackson-square-could-get-indoor-sk

READ MORE - Columbus Avenue in Jackson Square could get indoor skating rink and rec center

Hub MCAS exams may have been tampered with

Hub MCAS exams may have been tampered with

By Colneth Smiley Jr.  |   Saturday, April 9, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

An investigation into the MCAS exams of a Hub “turnaround school” uncovered testing irregularities including “erasing marks from incorrect answers to correct answers on tests that led to higher scores,” according to a schools spokesman.

MCAS exams from the Blackstone Elementary School in 2010 were scrutinized in an eight-month investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and showed tests taken by third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students may have been tampered with to gain higher ratio scores.

“It is troubling that someone might think they are helping students by attempting to falsely inflate test scores. It’s also unacceptable,” Superintendent Carol R. Johnson said in a release. “Thankfully, we have put strong systems in place to detect these anomalies, so we were able to act quickly to review the irregularities in these scores,” said Johnson.

Questions were raised about the exams last fall by the newly appointed principal Stephen Zrike after he noticed scores seemed higher than anticipated. Zrike left the Blackstone in December for a job in Chicago’s public school system.

Although the investigation by DESE was inconclusive in determining whether the tests were tampered with and could not pinpoint the source of irregularities, the exams were voided because of their unusually high scores.

“Students involved won’t retest, and it won’t effect their grades or progress through Boston Public Schools,” said schools spokesman Matthew Wilder.

Blackstone Elementary receives benefits from the Education Reform legislation after it was identified by the state as one of Boston’s 12 turnaround schools in January of 2010.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1329440

READ MORE - Hub MCAS exams may have been tampered with

Bobby Brown says his high life’s over

Bobby Brown says his high life’s over

By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa with Megan Johnson  |   Thursday, April 7, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  The Inside Track

Photo by Sandra Rose/ Getty Images
Roxbury bad boy Bobby Brown was so horrified by his bizarro behavior on his reality show “Being Bobby Brown” that he quit doing drugs and turned his life around.

The former New Edition singer tells People magazine that he’s been sober for six years after overindulging in cocaine and heroin during his roller-coaster marriage to Whitney Houston.

“When I used to get high, I wasn’t there for my older kids. I always had a drink in my hand or disappeared,” said Brown, who was repeatedly hauled into Norfolk Family Court in Canton over the years for non-support of his two kids with Kim Ward of Stoughton.

Bobby says he’s now determined to make up for it with Cassius, his baby son with wife/manager Alicia Etheridge.

“My past has made me the man I am now. I had to grow. I got my passion back for music, for loving myself. I’m a better person, so I can be a better partner and father.”

The “My Prerogative” singer also addressed the controversy over Bobbi Kristina, his 18-year-old daughter with Houston. She was photographed allegedly snorting what looked like cocaine in the National Enquirer.

“She was hanging around some bad people and isn’t around them now,” he said. “I trust my baby.”

But a source close to Bobby said he was “devastated” by the situation.

“He and Whitney both love Bobbi, but she’s been living like an adult for years,” the source said. “She does what she wants.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1328930

READ MORE - Bobby Brown says his high life’s over

Ex-WRKO Reese Hopkins out on bail after mistrial

Ex-WRKO Reese Hopkins out on bail after mistrial

By Jessica Heslam and Laurel J. Sweet  |   Tuesday, April 5, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Ex-WRKO host Reese Hopkins, whose child rape trial ended in a hung jury, posted bail and walked out of jail over the weekend after 2 1⁄2 years in a New York City clink, sparking outrage from the family of one of his alleged young victims.

“It is not only distressing that he is out on the street but also that anyone would see a mistrial as vindication,” said a family spokesman for the then-11-year-old girl Hopkins is accused of forcibly raping.

“The judge precluded significant evidence against Hopkins. The real question is, ‘Why would two young girls whose testimony was largely corroborated by each other and other witnesses . . . make this up?’ Hopkins has no good answer to that question,” the spokesman added.

Hopkins’ bail was lowered to $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond last week after his child-rape case ended with a mistrial because of a hung jury. Hopkins was sprung Saturday, said Stephen Morello, spokesman for the New York City Department of Correction.

Hopkins’ attorney, David Cohen, would not disclose his client’s whereabouts but said he would be back in court April 13. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office had no comment.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1328423

READ MORE - Ex-WRKO Reese Hopkins out on bail after mistrial

Sat. 4/2 Brothers For Boston March & Facing Love IV

On April 4th, 1968 They Killed the Dreamer who dared to Dream.....
On April 2nd, 2011 Brothers For Roxbury and Facing Love IV Continue The Dream...

READ MORE - Sat. 4/2 Brothers For Boston March & Facing Love IV

More expired food found in Boston schools

More expired food found in Boston schools

By Associated Press  |   Tuesday, March 22, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

BOSTON -- The director of food and nutrition services for Boston’s public schools has been reassigned after inspectors found 280 cases of out-of-date food in 40 cafeterias.

It was the second time this month that food beyond expiration and "use-by" dates has been found in city schools.

School officials also said Monday they have set aside more than 3,000 cases of food in a privately operated supply warehouse in Wilmington because records do not show expiration dates or "best-if-used-by" dates.

Deputy School Superintendent Michael Goar tells The Boston Globe that the discoveries do not necessarily mean students were served expired food, but does show problems in the good management system.

Federal authorities say properly frozen food can remain safe after expiration dates, but it can deteriorate in taste and nutritional value.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1325153

READ MORE - More expired food found in Boston schools

25 yrs. After Crack: The Effect of Crack on Boston's Black Community Sat. 4/9

25 Years After Crack;
The Effect of Crack Cocaine on Boston's Black Community
(1986-2011)

Sat. April 9th, 2011
9am - 4pm
Hibernian Hall 184 Dudley St. Roxbury (Dudley Sq.)
sponsored by: Greatest Minds, National Black College Alliance

READ MORE - 25 yrs. After Crack: The Effect of Crack on Boston's Black Community Sat. 4/9

FACING LOVE IV - Sat. April 2nd - A Discussion on Black/Latino Male/Female Relationships

Saturday, April 2nd

1pm - 7pm

Hibernian Hall 184 Dudley St. Roxbury (Dudley Sq.)

For More Info:

JOIN OUR GROUP ON FACEBOOK

RSVP TO OUR EVENT ON FACEBOOK

WWW.FACINGLOVE.COM

READ MORE - FACING LOVE IV - Sat. April 2nd - A Discussion on Black/Latino Male/Female Relationships

Ray Allen Delivers a New Computer Lab to Students

Ray Allen Delivers a New Computer Lab to Students

Ray Allen at the Tobin K-8 in Roxbury

READ MORE - Ray Allen Delivers a New Computer Lab to Students

President Obama pushes education revival

President Obama pushes education revival
By Hillary Chabot  |   Tuesday, March 8, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Angela Rowlings

President Obama told a rambunctious crowd in Dorchester this afternoon that he would push to make America’s education system tops in the world — and told the crowd at TechBoston Academy to honor their teachers.

Obama’s urging comes as Wisconsin teachers continue to protest a controversial push to eliminate collective bargaining.

“You know, in South Korea teachers are known as nation builders,” Obama told a crowd of roughly 400 people crammed into the pilot school’s auditorium. “It’s time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We have to reward good teachers.”

Obama made no mention of the continuing struggle in Wisconsin, but he has expressed support of the teachers in the past. The president, who is also in town for a fundraiser, said he visited TechBoston “so that the rest of America can see how it’s done. You guys are a model.”

The pilot school, created partly by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has a higher attendance rate and graduation rate than other schools in the community, said Obama. He vowed to continue to spend on education during his roughly 20 minute speech despite tipping his hat to Republican cries of overspending.

“We need to come up with a budget that forces government to live within its means,” said Obama. “A budget that sacrifices our commitment to education is a budget that sacrifices our children’s future and I will not let it happen.”

Obama will be speaking at a fundraiser dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts later tonight.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1321929

READ MORE - President Obama pushes education revival

NYC prosecutor: former WRKO host Reese Hopkins abused 2 girls

NYC prosecutor: former WRKO host Reese Hopkins abused 2 girls
By Associated Press  |   Tuesday, March 8, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Herald (file)

NEW YORK — A Manhattan prosecutor says a former WRKO radio host who called himself the "Crossover Negro" sexually abused two 11-year-old girls in 2004 and forcibly raped one of them.

One of the girls was the daughter of radio personality Edward Maurice Hopkins’ companion and the other was her best friend.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ferrari said Tuesday Hopkins had the two girls masturbate him as he lay on his back in his Manhattan apartment and that he later raped the friend.

Hopkins’ attorney, David J. Cohen, said the charges were false.

Cohen said Hopkins was a good father figure to his companion’s two children, including the girl he is charged with abusing.

The two lawyers made opening statements Tuesday in Hopkins’ trial on rape and sexual abuse charges.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1321922

READ MORE - NYC prosecutor: former WRKO host Reese Hopkins abused 2 girls

Community Education Forum TONITE! 5:30 PM

Union of Minority Neighborhoods  AND
Association of Haitian Women Presents...

A Community Education Forum

Today, February 23rd 2011
5:30pm-8pm
330 Fuller Street in Dorchester

Learn about the current state of public education
And voice your concerns...
What does a quality education mean to YOU?
Also...
Get a chance to talk to

Rev. Gregory  G. Groover Sr.
Chairman of the Boston Public School Committee

For more information please contact
Guerdine for UMN at 617-830-5084 or
Rose for AFAB at 617-287-0096

READ MORE - Community Education Forum TONITE! 5:30 PM

TEEN JOBS AT THE ZOO!!! Wed. 2/23

Wednesday February 23, 2011

11 AM - 3 PM

ECO Center at Franklin Park Zoo

DOWNLOAD A TEEN JOB APPLICATION HERE (PDF)



DOWNLOAD A TEEN JOB APPLICATION HERE (PDF)

READ MORE - TEEN JOBS AT THE ZOO!!! Wed. 2/23