Tuesday, August 20, 2013
The Underground Access featuring Janelle Monae
Lee Thompson Young passes away at 29
Lee Thompson Young -- who played the main character on Disney's "The Famous Jett Jackson" -- has committed suicide, TMZ has learned. He was 29.
Young's body was discovered inside his North Hollywood home Monday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources. It's unclear why Young took his own life.
Lee's publicist said, "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning ... Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed."
Young currently appears in the TNT show "Rizzoli & Isles" -- and we're told when he didn't show up to work Monday morning, staffers called Young's landlord to check up on the actor. That's when the landlord found him.
The executive producer of "Rizzoli & Isles" tells us, "Everyone at [the show] is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young."
She adds, "We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother."
Mama Wes, mother of Pimp C passes away at 66
Weslyn "Mama Wes" Monroe, the mother of the late rapper Pimp C, passed away in his hometown Port Arthur, Texas, allegedly due to serious illness Monday morning (August 19), the Houston Press reports. She was 66.
Bun B, who comprised UGK alongside Pimp C, announced the unfortunate news on Instagram.
"Thanks to everyone that has sent prayers and condolences," said Bun. "She was a great woman. Nurture us from boys to men and made us strong enough to handle this industry. She was the one that kept us going when we didn't wanna go anymore. She was the backbone of UGK, the definition of loyalty, the personification of unconditional love and the essence of what being Trill really meant. She's finally reunited with her son. God bless you both. RIP Mama Wes. You gave everything to make us Underground Kings."
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Fights at Fair Park II, this Saturday Aug. 10
J&G Boxing Promotions Present: "The Fights at Fair Park II"
1438 Coliseum Drive Dallas, TX
7 Exciting Boxing Bouts
at Fair Park Coliseum with doors opening at 6:00P.M.
Featured on the Card-Pro Boxing Texas Super Middle Weight Champ, TONY MACK.
Also on the card: Chris Jones, Corey Richards, Kenny Grammer, Ryan Mar, Juan Carlos De Leon, Chris Faz.
Portion of Proceeds Benefit The Military Justice League and The Wounded Warrior Project.
General Admission: $10
Reserved Floor Seats: $25 and $50
Ring Side: $100
For Tickets, Sponsorship, or Media Inquiries-Contact Krista Kelley PR: 972-953-8846 (call or text) email- info@KristaKelleyPR.com.
Catch the Zu Nation hitting the stage this Saturday at Kixpo
The largest sneaker and streetwear expo in the world. Kixpo is returning for it’s seventh annual event sponsored by Central Kia this year the event will be held at the brand new Irving Convention Center. Over 50,000 square feet of sneaker and street wear culture under one roof. Do not miss out on the hottest event in Dallas-Fort Worth this summer with special guest Ronnie Fieg!
- All ages welcome
- Come Buy, Sell and Trade Sneakers, Clothing, and Accessories!
- Come see sneaker displays from some of the biggest collectors in the game!
- Visit one time only pop up shops from local and national brands and boutiques
- Plus: Live music, raffles, giveaways, sneaker customizers, celebrity guest appearances, workshops and MUCH, MUCH, MORE!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Time Warner customers in 3 huge markets lose CBS
The war between CBS and Time Warner Cable intensified Friday afternoon when the cable company pulled the CBS stations in the New York, Los Angeles and Dallas markets.
CBS suspended the service around 5 p.m. Eastern time. Both sides then issued statements blaming the other for being unreasonable in the negotiations, which were extended from Monday.
The
decision means that viewers in those cities that subscribe to Time
Warner Cable will not be able to watch CBS programming until a deal is
reached. In the past, subscribers have reacted with anger at such
suspensions, but generally because they have missed specific programs.
In this case, the summer programming roster does not contain many highly
popular shows that may drive a settlement. CBS’s biggest appeal this
summer is from the show “Under the Dome,” which will not have a new
episode until Monday.
But the network does have the PGA golf championship coming in a week. Further down the road is the NFL season, which would surely stir outrage if viewers were denied access to the games.
CBS called the action “ill-advised” and “injurious not only to our many affected viewers, but also to Time Warner Cable itself.”
Time Warner Cable followed with its own statement, saying, “CBS has refused to have a productive discussion. It’s become clear that no matter how much time we give them, they’re not willing to come to reasonable terms.”
CBS also used tough language in its statement, saying the cable company had “conducted negotiations in a combative and nonproductive spirit, indulging in pointless brinkmanship and distorted public positioning.” CBS labeled Time Warner Cable’s charge that CBS was seeking a 600 percent fee increase as “fictional and ridiculous.”
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Florida woman sentenced in bizzare tax fraud case
A Florida woman received a 12-year jail sentence for tax fraud Tuesday (July 30). Tania Henderson, 28, previously pleaded guilty to stealing over $1 million from the government via identify theft.
Officials were able to intercept approximately $1.5 million of what was taken. She jacked the identities of 400 victims, many of whom were deceased, and was sentenced alongside two cohorts, Betty Kirkendoll and Jason Bibbs.
With the help of friends and family (to cash the checks), Henderson filed 236 fraudulent tax returns between August and November 2012. Authorities caught on to her scheme when an alleged accomplice, Patrina Taylor, tried to deposits a fake $7,500 IRS check.
Henderson is formerly of St. Louis, but her last known location was Wesley Chapel, Fla. "Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers," said Sybil Smith, special IRS agent in charge of criminal investigation. "Today's sentence should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct."
In addition to the sentence she's been ordered to pay the IRS $836,000. Her husband, Dwayne Denard Johnson, has been indicted on aggravated identity theft, and theft of government funds. He too is a Florida resident, and awaiting trial in Missouri.
Henderson isn't the only Florida woman to go down for tax issues as of late. Rashia Wilson, of Tampa, was sentenced to 21 years for a $20 million tax scheme which she boasted about on Facebook:
"I'm Rashia, the queen of IRS tax fraud,' the post stated. 'I'm a millionaire for the record, so if U think indicting me will B easy it won't, I promise you! U need more than black and white to hold me down N that's to da rat who went N told, as if 1st lady don't have da TPD under her spell. I run Tampa right now.'
Wilson, a mother of three, admitted to stealing $3 million. During her trial a psychologist argued that the Facebook post was a sign of bi-poliar disorder, an excuse that didn't fly with the judge. "She knew what she was doing was wrong. She reveled in the fact that it was wrong," Judge U.S. District Judge James. S. Moody Jr.
According to the Daily Mail, police "were alerted to the fraud in 2010 when they noticed a drop in drug dealing in the area."
Virginia mother arrested after her 4 year old dips into her cocaine stash
Carrie Ann Billups' neglect of her 4-year-old son (and cocaine supply) resulted in a five-year prison sentence for child abuse, Monday (July 30). The Chesapeake, Va. mother will actually spend roughly 12 months behind bars, because four years of her sentence was suspended.
Billups, 26, pleaded guilty to a single felony child abuse charge in April, and also received credit for five months of time served.
At her sentencing, Chesapeake Circuit Court Judge Marjorie Arrington blamed the incident on Billups' careless mothering. "I don't think a 4-year-old would know how to snort cocaine unless he's seen it done somewhere," Arrington scolded. "The court is concerned about what's going to happen to this child when you are release if you continue to use cocaine."
Deputy Public Defender A. Robinson Winn represented the mom, and was said to be content with the court ruling.
Police arrested Billups last November, days after her young son got his nose into a $10 cocaine stash hidden under a bedroom lamp. She woke up the next morning and found the boy snorting the drug, but didn't take him to the hospital for fear of legal trouble.
Bad idea.
The child eventually started vomiting, and was treated at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter. A unrine test revealed the presence of the drug in his system. He was released the next day.
"You Brought This On Yourself" Twain Gotti
A Newport News, Va. rapper who goes by the name Twain Gotti (born Antwain Steward) has been charged with a double homicide that dates back to 2007.
The Daily Press reports:
Lyrics in a rap song aided police in charging a Newport News man with killing two people on a spring afternoon in 2007, court records show.
Antwain Steward, 22, is charged with two counts of murder, malicious wounding and firearms charges in the deaths of Brian Dean, 20, and Christopher Horton, 16. The two were gunned down May 10, 2007, at 23rd Street and Orcutt Avenue. Steward was charged with murder July 9, according to court documents.
Steward is a local rapper who goes by the rap name Twain Gotti. Police believe that Steward referenced the double homicides in one of his songs, according to an affidavit for search warrant filed in Newport News Circuit Court. An excerpt from Steward's rap song was included in the affidavit.
"Everybody saw when I [expletive] choked him. But nobody saw when I [expletive] smoked him, roped him, sharpened up the shank then I poked him…had me crackin up so I joked him, it is betweezy six feet ova, told ya [expletive] with my money I'll roast ya," the affidavit states.
Besides the lyrics, there are witnesses that say Steward fought with the two men prior to their deaths.
Last year, a judge allowed Lil Boosie's lyrics to be used against him in a court of law. Steward is currently being held in Newport News City Jail without bond and his first hearing is schedule for October 2.
The song being referenced by authorities is no longer available but you can watch another of Twain Gotti's videos, for a song called "Hip Full Of Gun," on the flip.
So Mr. Gotti, this is for you:
Riley Cooper sent to sensitivity training for use of the N-word
PHILADELPHIA -- Now that he has been fined an undisclosed amount and made his apologies, Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper is being sent for sensitivity training and counseling, the team announced Thursday.
In a statement, the team said: "In meeting with Riley yesterday, we decided together that his next step will be to seek outside assistance to help him fully understand the impact of his words and actions. He needs to reflect. As an organization, we will provide the resources he needs to do so."
On a video published Wednesday on CrossingBroad.com, Cooper was caught using a racial slur in a confrontation with an African-American security guard at a Kenny Chesney concert in June.
In a video that has gone viral, Cooper said, "I will jump that fence and fight every (N-word) here, bro."
Cooper apologized on Twitter, then to the media, then to teammates on Wednesday.
"There was a confrontation and I handled it extremely, extremely poorly,'' Cooper said to reporters and local television cameras. "This is kind of the lowest of lows. This isn't the type of person I want to be portrayed as. This isn't the type of person that I am.
"I know no one in Philadelphia is happy with me right now. I accept that. I just hope they see the true me. And accept my apology.''
Later, quarterback Michael Vick said he accepted Cooper's apology, made one-on-one, to him.
"We understand the magnitude of this situation, we understand a lot of people may be hurt and offended,'' Vick said. "But I know Riley Cooper. I've been with him for three years and I know what type of person he is. That's what makes it easy, at the same time hard to understand the situation. I forgave him.''
Other teammates also said they had forgiven Cooper, who addressed the entire team after a Wednesday night practice.
"Riley Cooper made a mistake and life goes on,'' linebacker Brandon Graham told USA TODAY Sports via text Thursday. "Nobody is perfect. We all mess up sometimes. I forgive him and the team does, too. I think he will be good to go with us.''
Forgiveness might take time with other teammates who are still processing the racial epithet.
Receiver Jason Avant indicated he will take a wait-and-see approach after Cooper broke a bond among teammates with his incendiary comments.
"Does it hurt? Yes, it does,'' Avant said. "But I still will deal with it as a Christian, and I will always err on the side of mercy.''
Team owner Jeffrey Lurie, who gave Vick a second chance after the former Atlanta Falcons star was incarcerated 21 months for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring, said in a Wednesday night statement:
"We are shocked and appalled by Riley Cooper's words. This sort of behavior or attitude has no place in a civil society. He has accepted responsibility for his words and his actions. He has been fined for this incident.''
The NFL isn't expected to take any disciplinary action.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)