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Daily News

January 8, 2011 by · Comments Off on Daily News 

Daily News, (AP) – A new senior executive at National Public Radio which played a key role in the firing commentator Juan Williams has resigned, NPR said Thursday in announcing the completion of a review of the controversy Williams.

The radio network said in a statement that senior vice president of News Ellen Weiss has resigned and outside directors of the NPR Board also recommended new internal procedures for handling personnel decisions and disciplinary action after reviewing the dismissal Williams in October.

The statement said NPR general manager Vivian Schiller has also accepted the responsibility as a senior and all the council has expressed his confidence in his leadership for the future, he voted against a bonus for its mid-2010 on “concerned through its role in the termination process. ”

“We took this very seriously and the Council considers that these recommendations and corrective actions in response to concerns raised in connection with the termination of the contract Williams,” the chairman, Dave Edwards, was quoted as saying.

NPR fired Williams, after saying on Fox News that he gets nervous when he sees people on a plane with clothing that identifies them as Muslims. Long troubled by the dual role of Williams as fox analyst, NPR had said then that his comments violated its standards of not having people on air to give advice.

Williams, who has since taken a more prominent role with Fox, said it was hurt by the suggestion he is a bigot.

Weiss has joined NPR News in 1982 and was the executive producer of 12 years of its new daily magazine program “All Things Considered,” NPR’s online biography states. She had a role in the coverage of major events and national NPR foreigners, before rising to the top ranks of news management in 2007.

Weiss also served as senior producer, editor, producer and director of field NPR News, among other positions. The Associated Press could not immediately reach her for comment in spite of attempts to contact her.

Williams, as a contributor to Fox News, was quoted on its website Thursday that the media applauded the announcement. He was quoted as saying by the website of Weiss, “I think it represents a culture … in this institution that is not open to not only different ways of thinking, but anger against the fact that I speak or even be on Fox. ”

Shortly after Williams was fired, Schiller said management maintains its decision. But Schiller was recognized NPR does not support the firing perfectly. She wrote that Williams, who was fired in a telephone conversation, deserved a meeting face-to-face.

The statement by the Board of Directors declared outside counsel has contributed to the review, which also included interviews with many NPR staff past and present and contractors. He said attempts were made to reach Williams, but “unfortunately, these efforts have failed, and Williams was not questioned.”

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Ed Reed S Brother

January 8, 2011 by · Comments Off on Ed Reed S Brother 

Ed Reed S Brother, The authorities of St. Rose, Louisiana were searching the Mississippi River on Friday for the brother of Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed after jumping to escape the police this morning.

The Sheriff’s Office St. Charles Parish said Brian Reed, 29, was questioned by MPs after a report of a black car running another off River Road. A vehicle matching the description of the car was found parked beside the road and the police questioned the man inside the car was reported stolen on the radio, Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange said.

While being handcuffed, the man jumped into the river near the border between Kenner, Louisiana and St. Charles parish and does not resurface, LaGrange said. The Coast Guard and Port Authority of seeking man.

Reed mother, Karen, said her son had problems with drugs and alcohol.

Ed Reed, whose eight interceptions in 10 games led the NFL this season, has been preparing for Sunday’s game in the AFC Wild Card Kansas City Chiefs.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Reed family,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “We just pray that Brother Ed’s OK and that’s all we can do right now. I like Ed Reed and I know he is fighting something right now and I hope this thing will prove to be OK. He has our prayers. He has his hands full right now. ”

Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/01/report-la-police-searching-mississippi-river-for-brother-of-ravens-s-ed-reed-/1

Oakland Tribune

November 6, 2010 by · Comments Off on Oakland Tribune 

Oakland Tribune, Dennis J. Oliver, a veteran police reporter for several newspapers and the environment now owned by the company, has died after a brief illness. He was 47.

Oliver began with the Alameda Newspaper Group (now Bay Area News Group-East Bay) in June 1981 and initially worked in the Tri-Valley Herald in Pleasanton and Hayward daily review of both places as award-winning police reporter. He moved to the politics of environmental information, and writing, research news and special projects for the Oakland Tribune and other papers Alameda Newspaper Group, where he remained until 2000. More recently he has worked in the environment of public affairs.

Oliver, of Incline Village, Nevada, died in a hospital in Carson City, Nevada, after an illness of a month.

After leaving newspapers, Oliver worked as director of communications for the Sacramento-based California Alliance for Jobs, where he focused on the promotion of public infrastructure projects. Over the past three and half years, he worked as public information officer for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, or TRPA, a colleague said.

“Dennis made a great impact on Lake Tahoe during his time here,” said the director of external affairs agency, Julie Regan, his supervisor and colleague. “We will remember her smile, her extraordinary talent and especially his strong commitment to the restoration of Lake Tahoe.”

While he was a reporter, who won numerous awards, covering a variety of breaking news

stories and writing research papers

In 1988, while working at the Hayward Daily Review, Oliver and his fellow journalist Karen Welk were honored by the Press Club of San Francisco with a first-place award for reporting under pressure within 03 1987 murder of police officer Ben Hayward Worcester. The two wrote a story about violent death and its impact on the lives of families and people involved, which fell within a few hours of slaughter.

Don Buchholz, editor of the night before the daily review that worked with Oliver in the 1980’s and early 1990, remembered him as “a bulldog of a reporter who gave 111 percent effort in everything that made our police reporter. He had an outstanding work ethic … and a really excellent job. ”

In 1990, Oliver earned a second place award in the category of research for The Associated Press Executives Council of California and Nevada for a story about bus drivers working without a license for AC Transit.

His reports and the interests of life were varied.

Oakland Tribune reporter and columnist Angela Hill worked with Oliver between 1993 and 2000 in the Tri-Valley Herald and the Oakland Tribune. Oliver said she loved a good mystery. When Hill was an internship at the Tri-Valley Herald, Oliver was a writer, experienced staff. One day the two were sent together to find a severed leg that an anonymous caller had reported seeing up in the desert, winding Mines Road in Livermore.

“We never found the leg, and neither did the police, it was disappointing to Dennis, who hoped to become a ball great news,” said Hill.

The two crossed paths again when Oliver was an assistant city editor at the Herald, and again in the Tribune as a reporter of the environment. “He was always solid and deep, and immersed himself in what he did, at work and in other parts of your life,” he said.

Oliver loved nature and the outdoors and wrote two regional travel guides, nature and outdoors, “Inside Out Northern California” (1999) and “Camping! Northern California” (2001). He supported the arts and enjoyed painting in his spare time. He was an avid poker player and supported many charity poker tournaments in casinos near his home, said a friend.

Chris Campos, a designer with the San Jose Mercury News, Oliver knew for more than 30 years. “I was surprised to hear of the death of Dennis. Dennis was a professional news experience enormous talent and determination.”

“I met Dennis in the Hayward Daily Review where he initially worked as an employee of wire for me. When I moved to the metro desk, I was able to promote its first reporter position. Was a decision that never regret. He learned ropes and quickly became one of the most prolific and tenacious journalists of our staff. I worked with him at various functions and places in the next 20 years and was very sad to see leave newspapers for the public sector. As a colleague and a friend, greatly miss him. “

Mehserle Verdict

November 6, 2010 by · Comments Off on Mehserle Verdict 

Mehserle Verdict, Mehserle Johannes, a former BART office of the police, is likely to serve seven months in prison for the murder of Oscar Grant III, the ruling of a judge said Friday that dismissed a jury verdict key, but could be confusing landed 28 years in prison for longer.

In making its decision, the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry acknowledged that his sentence will go to Grant’s family and possibly the Bay Area, but said “I did the best I could with this case .

Perry said that the evidence presented at trial was “simply overwhelming” demand for Mehserle he made a mistake in Hayward shooting the 22-year-old, confusing his gun to his Taser. He added that several examples of the prosecution claimed, pointing to a fabricated story was “insufficient”.

Taking into account their views about the evidence and the jury’s verdict of manslaughter, Perry said “not decided on the facts reasonably could have concluded” that Mehserle intention to use his gun the day before New Year 2009 .

As a result, said Perry, who was required by law to dismiss a jury finding that Mehserle is guilty of a weapon upgrade and it immediately fell Mehserle possible prison term to four years.

However, Perry said the four-year term was too harsh for a defendant who, contrary to the beliefs of the family of Grant, has shown no remorse. It was also too harsh a penalty for a defendant in a case that is not solely responsible for the crime or a defendant who has no history of violence, “said Perry.

“Many people contributed to the tragedy in this case,” said Perry listed several figures in the case, including the grant for fighting in the BART train and not to train its officers properly. “I made the decision because I think it is fair to do so.”

Cephus Johnson, Grant’s uncle, felt otherwise.

“Today we saw the best example of what we thought,” said Johnson. “It’s a racist criminal justice system. There can be no peace without justice.”

Perry Como predicted Michael Rains, the lawyer for Mehserle defense, said he was not satisfied with the decision.

The rains had argued his client should receive probation and said immediately after sentencing he will appeal the conviction for manslaughter.

“Some of you might think we have a reason to be happy, Johannes Mehserle is still in custody, he is still behind bars,” said Rains. “I will not rest until he is out.”

Although Perry Mehserle sentenced to two years imprisonment, is likely only serve about seven months behind bars because of credit for time served.

But the rains, said to argue on appeal that Mehserle should be released on bail during the appeal process and that the jury’s verdict of manslaughter should not stand.

The rains also took a shot at the office of the Alameda County District Attorney is saying that is “the biggest culprit in setting the city ablaze” as unnecessarily fact that residents into believing that the intention of taking Mehserle his gun and kill Grant.

“It was an act of irresponsibility,” Rains said the decision to accuse his client of murder. “The district attorney’s office in Alameda County should be ashamed of himself.”

The District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Alameda County issued a statement calling for calm.

“It is the sincere hope of the District Attorney’s Office that our community can continue to build on our strength and our commitment to equal justice for this tragedy never happens again,” said O’Malley. “The District Attorney’s Office, along with partners in law enforcement, community leaders and community members, promote the dialogue that strives for peace and nonviolence.”

Perry’s decision came after more than four hours of legal arguments and emotional testimony of Grant uncle, aunt, mother of the bride, and her sister. It also came after Mehserle spoke and after lawyers for the defense and prosecution argued on various legal issues surrounding the potential verdict and sentence.

Perry Grant family Mehserle asked to give the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, saying he still believes was a murder and never felt Mehserle apologized.

At one point, Johnson was cut by Perry when he began to shout their disapproval with the judge who, at that point, had indicated that it erred in allowing the jury to consider improved Mehserle gun and can not afford to stand .

“To lose the right to justice because of judicial error raises important questions about our criminal justice system,” Johnson said as his voice rose and tears formed in her eyes. “We must not lose this case because of you.”

other relatives of Grant also questioned the equality of the criminal justice system and talked about how the loss of the grant has been damaged emotionally.

Perry said he understood the pain of the Grant family had endured skepticism and communities for a long time to many minorities feel toward the criminal justice system, but said he could not solve the problems of a ruler.

“I can not change law enforcement, I’m just one of many judges judge the best of me,” said Perry.

“I heard a real pain in the voice of Mr. Johnson that there was a possibility that the court could fail,” continued Perry. “Mr. Johnson, we’re doing the best we can.”

Perry also said he was disappointed to see that the community was polarized by the murder and that the race remains a factor in the emotions of the people despite the evidence in the case showed the race played no role.

And the judge said he was upset because people continued to state the facts of the case that were not true.

“It is clear to this court that the community is very polarized and I think that is a tragedy of this case,” said Perry. “I can not and will not allow the consideration of race from my point of view of impact;. Based on the evidence that this is not a case about race”

Some young people joined a small crowd in the center of the city of Oakland in the hours after the former officer Johannes Mehserle BART received a sentence of two years for the murder of Oscar Grant. Check out below what they had to say about Johannes Mehserle verdict.

Mehserle Sentencing

November 6, 2010 by · Comments Off on Mehserle Sentencing 

Mehserle Sentencing, Store owners boarded up windows and residents gathered in front of City Hall as news of a sentence in the trial of Johannes Mehserle began to spread through Oakland on Friday afternoon. The two-year sentence handed “by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry is the lightest possible penalty of imprisonment for conviction of manslaughter Mehserle. Many Oakland residents were waiting for a maximum period of 14 years, while others wonder how they will react in Oakland as the day unfolds.

“That’s not right, he killed someone, there should be longer than that,” said Abdul Kasiv, 29-year-old student standing Laney College in Frank Ogawa Plaza. “Probably going to be another riot.”

Mehserle Oscar shot and killed Grant III in a BART platform in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2009. Mehserle erroneously stated that fired his gun in the subsidy back in place of his Taser. The incident was videotaped and sparked protests in Oakland in the weeks after the death of Grant. Grant Mehserle is white and was African American.

A peaceful demonstration by supporters of Grant filled the amphitheater across from City Hall Friday afternoon to listen to speakers and music. Signs saying “murderers prison officers” lined the square.

Oakland officials said they are ready as a reaction to the verdict today continues to develop.

In a press conference in the afternoon, the Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts called the scene around City Hall “quiet, and we continue.”

Batts said that police officers will remain on alert throughout the night. “You never know the volatility of what can potentially happen,” said Batts. “We are waiting to see what happens after dark.”

Although Batts refused to say how many police officers are on duty today, he said they had been sent to “many places that are not visible, and do not want them to be visible.” Officials are under orders, he said, to “surgically remove anyone who is dysfunctional in a crowd.”

In a statement to grant supporters outside Oakland, Batts called for respect and calm. “For those who are outside the city of Oakland, once again, this is where we live and work to school,” he said. “We are left with what is left at the end of this.”

After the verdict of manslaughter in July, the peaceful protests of the city-culminating in the center of Oakland turned violent with at least 12 businesses destroyed and 78 people arrested, including many non-Oakland residents. The office of city attorney has filed a lawsuit against four suspected looters.

The press conference started today with Mayor Ron Dellums urged the citizens to express their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. “It is my hope that this self is not destructive to ourselves and not destructive to our community,” he said.

Oakland residents and officials are preparing for the possibility of another night of protests concerning the death of Grant. In January 2009, protesters set fire to cars and trash cans and smashed windows in downtown Oakland. More than 100 people were arrested.

Elisha Jaimes, owner of La Bonita Taqueria near Broadway and 22nd Street, closed its restaurant and boarded up windows in case the noisy crowds as they did in July when protesters broke a window of your business.

“That’s why I addressed,” said James, while the interior of the guard at the restaurant.

Robert Reed, owner of Grand Lake Scooters on the corner of 20th Street and Broadway, decided not to close the shop in preparation for sentencing.

“Today feels like a holiday because there is nobody here,” said Reed. “All businesses are closed around me, but I do not. I do not dare to close the doors just for a potential riot. It’s just a lot of people taking advantage of a situation to get free stuff. The only thing I do otherwise is to not turn the lights on my bike on the windows. That’s like offering a piece of meat to a hungry dog. ”

BART spokesman Linton Johnson told reporters today that there will be no increase in train service, and recognized the feelings of the community of Oakland.

“Our answer is the same it has been for the past two years, which assumed responsibility from the start to this,” said Linton. “We mourn the loss of life, we told the family and told the public and we regret this terrible tragedy.”

Despite rumors that Bart was experiencing the closure of some stations in the same, a BART spokesman said that no stations are closed and not expected to be closed.

Street parking is limited today throughout the Oakland City Council. Oakland police spokeswoman Cynthia Perkins says there is no street parking from 17 to 12 between Franklin Street and mud.

Some businesses and office buildings in the city center closed and workers sent home early. The Federal Building in downtown Oakland have sent all employees home soon after sentencing Mehserle. Officials of the Oakland Board of equality provided an early closing at noon while the American Cancer Society Webster Street was scheduled to close at 2 pm.

Meanwhile, Oakland residents again expressed his frustration with the sentence. “They shit on us to give the manslaughter conviction, disrespect us even more by giving us this,” said Toussaint Dubois, 26. “This is not the sentence, we should be together now.”

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