DAYUMMMMMM!!! HOT WINGZ FROM FOR THE LOVE OF RAY J DOES A NEW LAYOUT . . . BUTT AZZ NEKKID!!! (WARNING - PARENTAL DISCRETION)

	***APPLEZZZ SEH*** MEDIATAKEOUT A HATER DI GYAL TING A SHOT !!!

Parents Busted For Tot Smoking Pot

Cops: Seized video shows mom, dad laughing as boy, 3, smokes pipe

MARCH 25--While executing a warrant at the home of a duo suspected of selling narcotics, Connecticut police discovered a Kodak camera with a video on it of the targeted couple's 3-year-old son allegedly attempting to smoke marijuana. According to the below affidavit filed this week in Middletown Superior Court, police went to the residence shared by Kristian Augeri, 23, and Thomas Way, 22, to execute the drug warrant early last month. Prior to showing up, two confidential informants told cops that the pair had "taken pictures of their toddler son smoking marijuana" and the boy "knew how to crush pills and roll dollar bills." During the search a detective discovered a digital camera and when he turned it on to make sure it was a functioning device and not just a hiding place for drugs, a video showing the tot "attempting to light a glass smoking pipe" began to play. Police seized the camera and later obtained another warrant to look more fully at the camera's contents and saw a video of the child, indentified as "JV1," holding a pipe in his left hand, a lighter in his right hand, and attempting to light the bowl while his father is "watching him and laughing." At one point in the video Way tells the child "he's getting spit all over it and takes it out of his mouth to wipe it down" before handing it back to the boy. Augeri, who is working the camera, is also heard in the background laughing. While the kid doesn't get the pipe lit while the camera is running, he does appear to officers "to inhale and then starts coughing." Both parents remain locked up on $150,000 bond charged with felony risk of injury to a child as well as various drug and weapon counts related to the earlier warrant. (3 pages)

Hollywood Police have arrested a middle school student accused of punching a 12-year-old classmate in the face. D'Angelique Coby said 14-year-old Sanchez Green attacked her on the school bus while on their way to McNicol Middle School Tuesday morning.

Coby said the attack came after she called off their relationship...

Quote:

"I had told him that I don't want to be with him anymore, and then he was screaming and stuff, and that's when, this morning, we went on the bus, and then I was like, 'You're never going to change,' or whatever, whatever, and then he hit me,"

Coby said several students tried to stop Green, but he kept hitting her.

Really? Middle school?

ANGELA SIMMONS AND ROBERT KARDASHIAN GETTING A TV SHOW!!

You could see this coming a MILE AWAY. A very well known TV producer tells us that a new reality show is in the works - starring Robert Kardashian and Angela Simmons.

According to our insider Rob's MOM-AGER has been pitching the idea through Ryan Seacrest's production company. And that the E! execs are "very interested" in picking it up.

So what's the show going to be about? "Their relationship" the insider told MediaTakeOut.com, ""which is 100 percent STAGED."

GEEZ LOUISE!! We knew that these Kardashian's would do ANYTHING for the fame . . . but ANGELA . . .what is up with that?????

(AP) In this photo taken May 13, 2009 a grower holds a marijuana plant being grown for medical purposes...Full Imagep {margin:12px 0px 0px 0px;}SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - When California voters head to the polls in November, they will decide whether the state will make history again - this time by legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults.The state was the first to legalize medicinal marijuana use, with voters passing it in 1996. Since then, 14 states have followed California's lead, even though marijuana remains illegal under federal law."This is a watershed moment in the decades-long struggle to end failed marijuana prohibition in this country," said Stephen Gutwillig, California director for the Drug Policy Alliance. "We really can't overstate the significance of Californians being the first to have the opportunity to end this public policy disaster."California is not alone in the push to expand legal use of marijuana. Legislators in Rhode Island, another state hit hard by the economic downturn, are considering a plan to decriminalize possession of an ounce or less by anyone 18 or older.(AP) In this photo taken May 13, 2009 marijuana grown for medical purposes is shown inside a greenhouse...Full ImageA proposal to legalize the sale and use of marijuana in Washington was recently defeated in that state's legislature, though lawmakers there did expand the pool of medical professionals that could prescribe the drug for medicinal use.And a group in Nevada is pushing an initiative that marks the state's fourth attempt in a decade to legalize the drug.The California secretary of state's office certified the initiative for the general election ballot Wednesday after it was determined that supporters had gathered enough valid signatures.The initiative would allow those 21 years and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, enough to roll dozens of marijuana cigarettes. Residents also could grow their own crop of the plant in gardens measuring up to 25 square feet.The proposal would ban users from ingesting marijuana in public or smoking it while minors are present. It also would make it illegal to possess the drug on school grounds or drive while under its influence.Local governments would decide whether to permit and tax marijuana sales.Proponents of the measure say legalizing marijuana could save the state $200 million a year by reducing public safety costs. At the same time, it could generate tax revenue for local governments.A Field Poll taken in April found a slim majority of California voters supported legalizing and taxing marijuana to help bridge the state budget deficit.Those who grow and sell it illegally fear legalization would drive down the price and force them to compete against corporate marijuana cultivators.Other opponents view marijuana as a "gateway drug" that, when used by young people, could lead them to try other, harder drugs. They worry that legalization would persuade more people to try it, worsening the nation's drug culture."We are quite concerned that by legalizing marijuana, it will definitely lower the perception of risk, and we will see youth use go through the roof," said Aimee Hendle, a spokeswoman for Californians for Drug Free Youth.The initiative is the second proposal to qualify for the November ballot. The other is an $11.1 billion water bond measure championed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature.

Black candidate Corey Poitier calls Obama `Buckwheat'

Almost a quarter of Republicans think Obama 'may be the Antichrist' as 14 states sue over healthcare reforms

Americans who suggest Barack Obama should rot in hell are apparently deadly serious.

Nearly a quarter of Republicans believe the Democrat president 'may be the Antichrist', according to a survey.

An even greater number compared him to Hitler.

Mr Obama was jubilant this week after securing his £626billion healthcare reform plan.

But his triumph seems only to have inflamed his critics among the evangelical Christians from America's heartland who kept George Bush in power for eight years and have demonised his successor.

More than half of the Republicans quizzed by Harris Poll, 57 per cent, believed the president was secretly Muslim, something he has consistently denied.

And 67 per cent of Republicans who responded believed Obama was a socialist, despite his central leanings.

The startling results came as lawyers representing 14 U.S. states filed lawsuits yesterday challenging an overhaul of the country's $2.5trillion healthcare system, minutes after President Barack Obama signed the landmark legislation.

One joint lawsuit by a dozen Republican attorneys general and a Democrat claims the sweeping reforms violate state-government rights in the U.S. Constitution and will force massive new spending on hard-pressed state governments.

Virginia went to court separately, while Missouri Republican Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder said he would like to join the suit.

The joint suit, led by Florida, was filed with a federal court in Pensacola, according to the office of Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

In addition to McCollum, the Republican attorneys general from Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington joined the suit.

The lawsuit says the law - which expands government health plans for the poor, imposes new taxes on the wealthy and requires insurers to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions - violates the Constitution's commerce clause by requiring nearly all Americans to buy health insurance.

Mr McCollum said: 'It forces people to do something - in the sense of buying a healthcare policy or paying a penalty, a tax or a fine - that simply the Constitution does not allow Congress to do.'

Mr McCollum, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Florida governor, said the healthcare reforms would add $1.6billion to Florida's spending on the Medicaid health program for the poor.

The Justice Department, which is responsible for defending U.S. law in court, pledged to vigorously fight any challenges to the new healthcare law.

'We are confident that this statute is constitutional and we will prevail,' said Justice spokesman Charles Miller.

The White House agreed the suits would fail.

'There have been hearings about the constitutionality of the law, and I think there's pretty much widespread agreement that it is constitutional,' Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said.

'I think we have governors who might be aiming for higher office who are starting to just send a message.'

The suits were filed just moments after Mr Obama signed the healthcare reforms into law.

But on the most historic occasion of his presidency so far, vice-president Joe Biden managed to put his foot in it.

Gaffe-prone Mr Biden inadvertently broadcast the F-word to America after he introduced the President to sign his much vaunted health reform bill into law yesterday.

After hugging Mr Obama at a a ceremony in the White House, Mr Biden leaned in and whispered in the President's ear: 'This is a big f****** deal.'

The remark was caught on microphones recording the event that was shown live across the country. By last night, the clip was being replayed all over the internet.

 

White House aides seemed to be unembar****ed, with press secretary Robert Gibbs later tweeting: 'Yes, Mr Vice-President, you're right.'

THURSDAY, March 25 (HealthDay News) -- Messages about the health-boosting powers of breast-feeding aren't reaching black American women as well as their Hispanic or white counterparts, a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests.

The researchers found that while more than 80 percent of Hispanic mothers attempt to breast-feed, and about 74 percent of white moms do, that number falls to 54 percent for black mothers. And one year after delivery, only about 12 percent of black women are still breast-feeding their child as recommended, compared to 24 percent of Hispanic women and more than 21 percent of white women.

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that babies be breast-fed exclusively for the first six months of life, and that non-exclusive breast-feeding continue for at least six months thereafter.

"We have seen before that there are racial/ethnic differences in breast-feeding," noted study coauthor Cria Perrine, from the CDC's division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

"Hispanics have the highest rates of breast-feeding closely followed by whites and there tends to be a pretty big gap with blacks," she said.

The report is published in the March 26 issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

For the study, Perrine's team analyzed data from the 2004-2008 National Immunization Survey on breast-feeding among different groups and also on state-to-state variations.

Breast-feeding among racial/ethnic groups also varied by state, particularly among black women, with the highest rates of breast-feeding among blacks seen in western states and the lowest in southeastern states, Perrine said.

The reasons for the disparities are not totally clear, Perrine said. "We definitely need more research in that area," she noted.

"There is some suggestion that blacks are more comfortable with formula feeding and prefer to formula feed. There is also some suggestion that blacks return to work earlier than whites after giving birth and maybe the work environment is not supporting them enough to continue to breast-feed," she said.

Among Hispanics, breast-feeding is the cultural norm, Perrine noted. "In their countries of origin, breast-feeding is just the natural way of life."

However, after coming to the United States there is some loss of that tradition, with more Hispanic women favoring formula feeding, she said.

"We probably need more public health messages about the importance of breast-feeding and more support for breast-feeding in general -- in the hospital, in returning to work," she said.

Dr. Lourdes Q. Forster, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said that the findings are "encouraging to some degree since we know that national estimates have improved since the 1990s."

Overall, the number of women breast-feeding is approaching the Healthy People 2010 goal of 75 percent of new mothers starting breast-feeding and 50 percent continuing for at least six months, she pointed out.

"But the most striking thing is, unfortunately, the rate in blacks hasn't really changed much," Forster said.

"The reason that's important is that breast-feeding has been shown to improve infant health as well as maternal health. It significantly reduces rates of infection for certain illnesses in infants. It reduces the amount of emergency room visits they may have. Overall, it's the perfect nutrition for the first six months of life," she said.

Efforts to get women to breast-feed should start right at the beginning of a pregnancy, Forster said. Women need to make the decision early and prepare for it and also be taught how to breast-feed, she said.

"If we are targeting babies once they're born, we're targeting too late," she said. "What we need to be doing is approaching moms with good prenatal health care and encouraging women from the get-go and giving them information about how important it is to breast-feed. Also, women just don't want to be told it's important -- they want to be shown how to do it."

The Member of Parliament for South East St Catherine, Colin @#$an, wants the Portmore Municipal Council to take immediate steps to rid the communities in the constituency of mosquito infestation.

According to Mr. @#$an, the absence of routine drain cleaning programme has compounded the problem.

He says the affected communities are Bridgeport, Portsmouth and Portmore Gardens.

He says the mosquitoes are affecting domestic animals with many of them infected with heart worm, which is a direct result of mosquito bites.

The St Catherine M.P. is also calling on the Ministry of Health to intervene in the matter.

Some of the happenings at Champs 100 tomorrow will be heard around the world on the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) World Service.

 

BBC Sports World Sports presenter Russell Fuller and veteran producer Jo Parsons have been in the island since Monday trying to find out, Parsons said, 'What makes Jamaicans run so fast?'

Parsons said to answer the question they will be using Champs as the starting point and were attracted to this year's meet because 'this is the 100th one'.

The BBC producer, who visited the National Stadium yesterday, is impressed by the level of organisation of the meet.

"Everybody is trying to mirror a major championships and to give the athletes a real experience of what they will face if they make it to the elite of track and field," Parsons said.

Tomorrow the first part of the programme, to be broadcast live from Kingston, 9 a.m. to noon on its regular frequency, 104.3 FM, will dedicate some time to other aspects of the track and field programme like diet and nutrition.

On Sunday, from10 a.m. to noon, the BBC World Service crew which has already done an interview with former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell, will reflect on the Championships.

The main focus of the BBC World Sports programme on weekends is the Barclays Premier League, which attracts a great deal of attention locally with champions Manchester United and other top-four teams Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs having thousands of supporters.

SPRINT sensation Usain Bolt has been hailed as a track superstar whose earnings should be in the region of US$15 million by now. But nearly two years after he burst onto the world scene breaking records in a dazzling exhibition of athletic prowess, his earnings have not reached the levels that they should. The swimmer Michael Phelps is expected to bag US$100 million for his eight gold-medal haul in Beijing and is on his way to do so whereas Bolt can barely get out of the blocks in the earnings race.

He has endorsement deals with Puma, Digicel and Gatorade which net him in total of somewhere in the region of US$3.5 million a year -- a pay packet a rookie American footballer takes home. His contract with mobile telephone service provider Digicel is reputed to be not that great; it is doubtful whether that brings in over US$2 million a year.

So why is an athlete who is a phenom, personable, clean- living and clean cut, telegenic and a marketer 's dream not minted in gold? Are his handlers asleep at the wheel? Sprint stars have inordinately short shelf lives and it is imperative that they maximise earnings while they can. It would be a sad state of affairs if Bolt was paraded out at supermarket openings in ten years time like some old racehorse sent out to pasture.

The top athletes of the day are: Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Lewis Hamilton Manny Packiow, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, David Beckham, Ronaldo, Alex Rodreguez, Lebron James and Bolt. Yet Bolt comes way down at the bottom of that list when it comes to earnings. Why?

It's called the Puma Theseus II, and it costs about US$40. It's probably better known as the golden running shoe that track athlete Usain Bolt displayed to millions of fixated viewers worldwide after turning the100 metres field of athletes into despairing spectators at the 2008 Olympics. If there was ever a more profitable return on investment for a sports endorser, then the head of that company must have gobbled up a ton of Microsoft stock in the late 1980s.

Despite German shoe and sportswear maker Puma's attempt to downplay the effect of Bolt's gesture on their worldwide sales, his unabashed enthusiasm for his sponsor provided mileage that few mega-athletes can ever hope to achieve. Yet while Nike immediately took out full page ads in China sympathising with injured hurdler Liu Xiang and Visa began tooting Michael Phelps' hydrophilic horn, Puma's push for the newly crowned 100-metre and 200-metre Olympic champion was surprisingly low-keyed. At the time Puma's marketing manager, Antonio Bertone, said, "When you do congratulation ads, are you doing it for Wall Street or the consumer."

Bertone's comment inspires the image of a company being truly passionate about the needs of their consumers, but what about the needs of their athletes? Usain Bolt's image and name are undoubtedly among the most recognisable in athletes around the world today and yet when it comes to athlete earnings he is scarcely a blip on the Forbes Radar. The fact of the matter is that "Wall Street" campaigns are what companies such as Nike Inc use to promote their athletes, not only to consumers but to other non-competing companies that want a piece of the gravy train.

Tiger Woods is the world's highest-paid athlete and even though his non-golf endorsements are considerable, his Nike Golf sponsorship is still the largest endorsement he enjoys. When Accenture became the first sponsor to drop Woods after the fallout from his recent debacle, the first thought that comes to mind is "Why does Accenture, a company that 95 per cent of the world doesn't know about do need a golfer to promote it?" The answer is that they don't need a golfer; they want to capitalise on his persona initially created by his primary sponsors. With Bolt's undeniable talent and increasing fame, the athlete should be positioning himself to break into the ranks of those athletes who earn millions of dollars yearly, even while nowhere close to the level of worldwide acclaim that Bolt has achieved.

Puma has increased their efforts, especially since Bolt's repeat success in Berlin this year, but in the end, can they do enough, will they do enough or do they have enough to give to potentially the biggest star the world has ever seen?

I am in pain reading this Wat a ting.

(Nov. 6) -- Allison Henry isn't the first to suffer from a horrifying medical condition that few women talk about. But her case was particularly bad, and she's just one of the few brave souls willing to come forward so that others will have the courage to seek help.

To put it bluntly, as Henry does: "My vagina fell out of my body."

The 39-year-old school psychologist from Kenmore, Wash., suffered from a rare combination of disorders that began when she was pregnant with her son, Kirian, and she writes an amazing account of her bizarre medical condition on MomLogic.com.

"I know it sounds like a science fiction movie," she told Sphere.com. "Every time I retell this story, I still tell myself, 'I can't believe this happened to me.'"

It began five years ago, when Henry was in her 10th week of pregnancy with Kirian, her second child. She had vowed that she wouldn't gain 60 pounds this time around, and she was practicing prenatal yoga in her home when she felt a sudden pain.

"It felt like someone rammed a pitchfork up my butt, so I stopped," she writes. "It was an intense, sharp paint, but it passed."

Later that day, while giving her daughter lunch, she ran to the bathroom, thinking she had to urinate, and found *lo** gushing instead. "It was the biggest scare of my life," she writes.

Her OB/GYN couldn't figure out what was wrong, and she kept bleeding. "I'd bleed through a maxi pad in 30 minutes," she says.

In her 25th week, she was put on bed rest in the hospital, where she stayed for three weeks. When she finally went home, she started bleeding again and had to go back.

"My husband and I were so worried," she says. "My son was born 6 1/2 weeks early. Thank God, he's OK now."

Doctors found that she had developed a hematoma outside her placenta, and they thought that was the root of her problem.

In fact, her problems were just beginning.

Continue

TEACHERS at the Clan Carthy High School in Kingston were Monday morning forced to halt classes for several hours and hastily evacuate students from classrooms after receiving a bomb threat from an anonymous caller.

"At about 7 yesterday (Monday) someone called the school and told officials that a bomb was on the school grounds," senior Vice-principal Ekle Bailey told the Observer.

As a result of the call, teachers stopped all classes and other activities, and the police were also called in.

"Police from the Protective Services carried out a search on the school premises nothing was found," said one teacher, who explained that cops warned officials at the school to be on the lookout and to keep their eyes and ears open.

"This is the first time something like this has happened at the school and it left several students (and) teachers a bit shaken up," said Bailey, who had been working at the institution since 1981.

"When I heard the news I was very scared," said one student who asked not to be named.

"I thought it was a fire drill," another student said.

A security guard at the school's main entrance was pleased with how the staff handled the situatiuon.

"As soon as the calls came for students to evacuate the school premises, the children and other officials responded quickly," the security guard said.

Meantime, the vice-principal said the incident will not affect the school's participation in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association Boys' and Girls' Athletic Championships 2010, which began yesterday.

The government has disclosed that it will cost taxpayers $9 million per week to house the 62 Haitians who landed on Jamaicas shores on Tuesday morning.

The minister with responsibility for information, Daryl Vaz told a press conference at Jamaica House this morning that attempts are now being made to contact the authorities in Haiti to ensure they are received on their return.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz says arrangements have been made to accommodate the Haitians at the Port Antonio Seventh Day Adventist Church for the next two weeks.

Mr. Vaz says funds will also be allocated to renovate a government structure to house them.

Three members of the group have been identified as prisoners and are in police custody.

Deejays Spice and Vybz Kartel. - Contributed.

WESTERN BUREAU:

After being provoked into responding to Lisa Hype's post-Sting 2K10 song, 'Sting Aftermath', which took a swipe at her and other female deejays, Spice now regrets she had countered with stinging counteraction, 'Lisa Swiper', which was racy at best.

"I wish that this thing with Lisa Swiper (Hyper) had not started because it has not done anything for my career," said Spice, following a dazzling performance at a recent concert in Orlando, Florida. "I get angry quite easily and I guess that is why I jumped to answer that song."

 

controversial song

With her international fan base growing by leaps and bounds, especially since her Billboard-chart success with the controversial song, Rampin' Shop - a collaboration with Vybz Kartel, Spice wants to keep her fans happy so she has no plans to be lured into any other negative situations.

"Taking that bait from (Lisa Hyper's song) has put me in a bad light with some of my fans and I can't afford to destroy the fan base I have been working so hard to build," said Spice. "I really don't want to get involved in any more of that 'passa passa' stuff, so I am now looking at seeking to getting some anger-management help."

With her Rampin' Shop effort positing her as an artiste to be reckoned with, Spice is now looking to the future with much enthusiasm as, in addition to seeking another hot hit to duplicate Rampin' Shop, she is now getting ready to drop the first in a three-album deal she signed with VP Records last year.

"I am trying to find another hit with the impact of a Rampin' Shop, so I am spending a lot of time in the studio recording," the deejay said. "I recently released a song titled Me Back Broad and I have several other singles working on."

Spice, who recently did a song with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Cliff, entitled I Want, I Do, I Get, is quite excited about her upcoming album, which she hopes will be a smash hit.

"After 10 years in the business, this will be my first album and I am really excited about it," said Spice. "I am putting a lot of effort into this album because I want to give my fans something very special."

While music takes priority in Spice's life, she said it has to share first-love status with her family and business endeavour Spicy Couture - a fashion store she owns and operates in St Andrew.

Spice - Contributed

 

"My family, especially my son (Nicholas Jr) holds a very special place in my life and I am really fascinated about the success of my store and, as you can see, the music is going great with this three-album deal with VP Records," noted Spice.

"I have a strong support system around me, so I have been able to manage these three most important facets of my life fairly well. To do well in life, you have to have good people around you.

While she has been engaged to her boyfriend Nicholas for quite a while, Spice said she has no immediate plans to rush into marriage as, according to her, when she does, she wants to get it right.

"I want to make sure that when I get married it is the right time ... marriage is about settling ... it is a big step, so it is not something to just rush into," said Spice, sounding quite stern. "I am basically taking my situation one step at a time."

 

biggest hit to date

Looking back at her career, Spice is happy that after she left school with eight CXC passes she chose music over a career as a chartered accountant - an idea she was toying with.

"During the whole Rampin' Shop controversy, I at times thought about whether or not I would not have been better off as a chartered accountant," said Spice. "But, looking back now, I have no regrets because it has turned out to be my biggest hit to date ... look where it has got me ... a spot on Billboard."

Quizzed as to how she would react should when her son grows up and listens to the lyrics in Rampin' Shop, Spice said she would just have to sit him down and explain the true situation to him in regards to the difference between music and real life.

"I would tell him that it was a big hit for mommy and it got her a place on the Billboard Charts," said a smiling Spice. "I would also tell him that it allowed me to buy many toys, a lot a clothes and a lot of food for him ... I will just have to get him to understand."

In looking back at the Rampin' Shop song and the controversy it created, Spice is adamant that she has no regrets about. In fact, she said she would welcome the opportunity to do another song with Vybz Kartel.

"Rampin Shop is my biggest song and it is also Kartel's biggest song, so it is quite clear that we have a good chemistry," noted Spice. "As I have said many times before, I have no regrets about doing the song and would like to record with Kartel again."

With what seems a secure future in music, a thriving business in Spicey Couture and a family situation that is quite stable, Spice considers herself a happy camper.

"I am quite happy that is why I want to stay out of the clash and other negative things," said the deejay. "When I get into clashes it helps the promoters, not me, so I just want to build my fan base and take my career to the next level."

Deejay Spice (left), her son Nicholas Lall Jr and his father, Nicholas Lall. - Contributed

NUH UHHHHHHHHHH!!! HOOD RICH DUDE GETS BURIED IN A CASKET . . . WITH 30 INCH RIMS ON IT!!!!

Well if you're going out . . . better to go in STYLE ...



...

CAUGHT SNITCHIN!!! RAPPER DRAKE TESTIFYING AGAINST MEN WHO ROBBED HIM!!!

MediaTakeOut.com just learned of an interesting piece of information. Word on the streets is that rapper Drake is a 'SNITCH'!!

Here's what happened. A few years back, Drake and two of his boys got ROBBED by some goons from Toronto. Drake and his boys then called the cops, and described the robbers.

The police later picked up the suspects - who were arrested and brought to trial. During the trial, MediaTakeOut.com learned that Drake took the stand and testified against the gunmen - who were later convicted and are currently serving LONG prison sentences.

Sounds like he did the right thing - right? Well not according to 'HOOD RULES.' Word is that the streets are upset that Drake cooperated with the police and have now labeled him a SNITCH!!!

OK . . . we're not sure we understand why people are so upset . . . aren't you SUPPOSED to call the police when someone pulls a gun on you? That ain't SNITCHIN . .. that's called being a RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN!!

He said he started the competition about a week ago.

"Basically, it's just a competition weh mi just a look fi some new talent. It has to be the whole hundred, the attitude, everything has to be right. It's not based on just a song," Corleon told THE STAR.

He added: "I am trying to groom young people who can make an impact on Jamaica. It can be an artiste from anywhere, no discrimination."

He said he decided to start the talent search based on the many requests he had been getting from people wanting to work with him. So, he decided to start the competition to help some of these aspiring artistes.

To enter the competition, the entrants have to send an email to doncorleonrecords talentsearch@gmail.com. In this email, the individual must include three of his or her best songs, a biography and why he or she wants to work with Corleon's record label.

Since starting the competition, which he first advertised on the social networking website Twitter, Corleon said he has received more that 300 emails from persons wishing to work with him. Despite the magnitude of entries after merely one week of opening the competition, Corleon said he plans to listen to all the entrants.

"I plan to listen to all of them. It's an opportunity for me to hear them. Same so when somebody give mi Pressure CD, if mi neva listen to it mi wouldn't discover him," he told THE STAR.

But Corleon says he wants the competition to be a continuous one. He said this first leg will be closed in June and then it will be reopened later. However, he said the persons who are not chosen will have to resubmit their entries. In addition, he plans to advertise the competition online and in the media.

In the midst of all this, Corleon is still keeping busy, as he continues promoting his 'Gala' rhythm, which was released on itunes and amazon on Tuesday night. It features artistes like Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Munga, Vegas, Brown Sugar, Natel, ZJ Liquid and Ce'Cile.

He said he is also working on a new dancehall rhythm called 'Baheba' and a one-drop rhythm that has not been named.

I have some important information about the rapper Cassidy that girls need to know. I met cassidy some time last summer at a concert he was doing in Philly. After the concert he invited me and my friends to play pool with him and his friends then we chilled at one of his homeboys house. The pictures are from this day we met. He wasnt anything less then a gentlemen that day so we exchanged numbers. We talked for a few months and saw each other when ever we could. It was usually at my apartment in Philly. A couple times I drove up and we met at a hotel in Hacknsack NJ. I was never able to go to his house because his babys mother and kids were there. The very 1st time we had sex he didnt want to use a condom but I insisted. After a while we built up trust and he convinced me not to use one. The BIGGEST mistake of my life. I learned I contacted HIV from him.

 

When I confronted him about it he denied it but could not hide that he seemed very worreid and admitted to having unprotected sex with other girls he said they were clean. I found out later to from a friend of mine who knows a philly stripper named Porsha that he has unprotect sex with strippers and video hoes on a REGULAR BASES. Well that was the last time I spoke to him ofcourse. I am the biggest IDIOT in the world for trusting and believeing this dirty lying a$$ hole. I KNOW it was from Cassidy he is the only one i had sex with near the time and the ONLY one I did not use a condom with.

Romain

Reggae artiste, Romain Virgo is ready to spread his musical wings when he leaves the island this weekend for his first promotional tour of the US.

Romain, who won the Digicel Rising Stars Competition in 2007 catapulted to the top of the local and international Reggae charts with the release of his first single and official hit, Cyaan Sleep. His follow-up singles, Love Doctor,This Love, Wanna Go Home, Rain Is Falling, Who Feels It Knows It and more helped him to garner even more international appeal, thus his recent signing with VP Records and thereafter, his video, This Love, landing a spot in VH1's regular rotation.

 

lasting impression

In reference to his tour, Romain says he has high hopes about making a lasting impression while overseas. "My overseas fans have been asking to see me on shows there for quite some time. They've seen my videos and seen performances of me on youtube, or if they've travelled to Jamaica for an event; but this will be the first time most of them will get to interview me or see me live, so I'm really happy and excited about that," said Romain.

The tour, which will take Romain across New York, Boston, Florida and a number of other areas, is packed with as many as seven media stops per day, but young Virgo says, "I'm ready man, this is what I've been waiting for. Music is my life and to do music, you have to be willing to not only perform but to promote it."

Romain, who is also a student at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, said his tour which ends next month will cause him to miss a few classes but he has made arrangements to pick up where he left off. In addition, he spoke of his upcoming self-entitled debut album, "The upcoming album will be filled with a lot of new music and styles people wouldn't necessarily expect from me. But I'm a lover of all kinds of music and I get inspiration from every genre, so people can look out for some reggae, dancehall, r&b and basically every style."

Romain's album is slated for release on the VP Records label in May of this year.

(CNN) -- When a rare form of cancer invaded Joseph Casias' nasal cavity and his brain, his doctor prescribed marijuana to help alleviate the daily pain.

Casias lives in Michigan, where medical marijuana is legal.

But his employer, Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, fired him in November 2009 after he failed a drug test.

Casias, 29, says he never came to work high. He's got a medical marijuana card to prove he's allowed to smoke legally in the state.

"I was angry they did this to me because I always tried my best," said Casias, who was employed at Wal-Mart for five years. He earned an Associate of the Year award in 2008. "I want my job back. I thought I was part of the Wal-Mart family."

To date, 14 states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana, which shield legal users from criminalization but don't protect them from them penalties enforced by their employers. As more people are being prescribed marijuana across the nation, they are wrestling with a caveat: They could be fired.

Health.com: Medicinal marijuana by state

Without laws defending medical marijuana users from employers' drug policies, Casias and a growing number of medical marijuana users are being let go from their jobs, says Keith Stroup on the legal counsel team of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He said his office, headquartered in Washington, receives about 300 e-mails and phone calls a year from medical marijuana users who have been fired or had job offers rescinded because of a failed drug test.

"Usually they talk about how they have lost their job," Stroup said. "And I tell them there's not a thing they can do about it."

There is no national estimate of how many medical marijuana users are at risk of being fired -- or of not being hired -- for using the drug as part of their treatment. Many employees, who have been fired for using doctor-prescribed pot, often remain quiet because they fear the stigma or threat losing their next job opportunity.

In California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana, 37,000 medical marijuana cards have been authorized since 2004. In Michigan, where Casias lives, the Department of Community Health reports about 10,800 people have medical marijuana cards.

Michigan is an at-will employment state, which means employers can terminate a worker for any reason except for being in a federally protected class such as race, gender and religion.

But medical marijuana users are not considered a protected group. If a company has zero-tolerance drug policies, then they can fire someone who uses medical marijuana, attorneys say. Labor law experts say most states operate this way, unless the employee has a specific employment contract that makes exceptions for medical marijuana use.

In 2008, the California Supreme Court backed up employers, ruling a private company could fire an Air Force veteran whose doctor prescribed him marijuana for his chronic and disabling back pain. The veteran was hired by a telecommunications company but fired several weeks after he tested positive for marijuana. The landmark case has many medical marijuana users fretting about their employment prospects, legal experts say.

But Michigan may be an exception to most states. Part of Michigan's law, passed in 2008, does address employers, saying a patient carrying a medical marijuana card cannot be "denied any right or privilege" by a "business or occupational or professional licensing board."

Some attorneys say Michigan's law could be fertile grounds for a discrimination suit. Casias hasn't decided whether he will pursue a lawsuit.

Some attorneys say Wal-Mart acted within legal bounds in Casias' termination. Although some states have legalized medical marijuana, the federal government still bans the drug. Many employers like Wal-Mart argue they are following federal guidelines.

"It's just an unfortunate situation all around," said Greg Rossiter, a Wal-Mart spokesman. "We are sympathetic to Mr. Casias condition, but like other companies we have to consider overall safety of our customers and associates, including Mr. Cassias, when making a difficult decision like this."

James Shore, a labor attorney in Washington who represents employers, says companies are afraid medical marijuana users may perform their job while impaired.

"The key thing for employers is to make sure they review their drug testing and human resources policies from top to bottom," Shore said. "They need to make a companywide decision and be consistent about it."

Dr. Lester Grinspoon, a professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School, explained the impairment issue: The high from marijuana usually disappears after a few hours. For patients, who medicate with marijuana frequently, they build a higher tolerance against impairment.

Casias said he never smoked right before his shifts. He had been using medical marijuana for about four months before he failed the drug test.

The debate on whether employers can fire medical marijuana users comes at a time when more states are expected to legalize medical marijuana. At least 16 states are considering the legalizing medical marijuana during this legislative session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Even states once considered to be conservative on drug policies, such as Kansas and Alabama, are reconsidering.

The push toward legalizing medical marijuana is gaining clout.

Last fall, the American Medical Association asked the federal government to review the classification of marijuana and move the drug into a less restrictive category. The AMA has not taken a position on supporting states that have legalized medical marijuana. A state lawmaker in Colorado this week wants to draft a law that would allow veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to access medical marijuana with a doctor's permission.

Jonathan Hogue, 27, believes the workplace should allowing for legalized medical marijuana users. The Portland, Oregon, resident suffers from arthritis and relies on marijuana to ease his back pain. A physician wrote a prescription for him, he says, but a few months ago a nursing job offer was rescinded because of his medical marijuana use. CNN contacted the private nursing company but did not get a response.

"It's straight discrimination," Hogue said. "I was trying to be completely honest with them about not trying to hide it because it's not illegal."

Supporters of medical marijuana also argue prescription drugs such as Oxycodone can be just as dangerous and widely abused.

"If you are a medical marijuana user, you're treated like a drug addict or a second-class citizen," said Douglas Hiatt, a labor attorney in Seattle, Washington, where medical marijuana is legal. He's encountered dozens of medical marijuana patients who have lost jobs. "What other medicine out there causes this much trouble?"

Trouble is what Joseph Casias, a father who needs to support his family, is facing after Wal-Mart let him go. He's already accrued $10,000 of debt from unpaid medical bills. Living on unemployment checks, he constantly worries whether his cancer will get worse since he can no longer afford treatment.

This month, a group of supporters have come to his side, holding rallies and forming a Facebook group "Let Joseph Casias Talk." Casias is thankful for all the support, but ultimately, he said, he just wants his job back.

With larger crowds expected at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships at the National Stadium today and tomorrow, organisers are assuring the public that they are serious about the matter of security and that everything is in place as they get set to welcome the sometimes over-exuberant masses.

It is understood that close to $10 million has been spent towards the championships security arrangements with organisers leaving no stone unturned during this special centenary celebration.

"ISSA is determined as always to make this a safe, incident-free event," said Dr Walton Small, president of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA).

"We are ready and fully prepared for the larger crowds that are expected and we are confident that we have the proper systems and security plans in place to deal with it."

Police teams are being supported by a cadre of private security firms as organisers brace for the influx of fans.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Jervis Taylor has been placed in charge of the constabulary's operations at the venue while Colonel Ashley Jones is the meet's security chief.

"Everything is in place at this moment, this is nothing new to us, we are used to the crowds and everything else, so we are well prepared," said Jones.

"I just want to remind everyone to avoid trying to take prohibited items to the venue, we will not allow these."

In the meantime, Small made a plea to patrons to get to the venue on time and to avoid loitering outside the venue.

"Once you're inside, I implore you to use your assigned seat, individuals will be there to guide you along so that we will have full compliance," said Small.

According to Small, while the National Stadium's grandstand was sold out, there were still many bleachers tickets available.

ANCHIONEAL, Portland: Sixty-two Haitians arrived in two boats in this east Portland district early yesterday morning, triggering speculation, held since the January 12 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, that Jamaica would experience an influx of refugees.

Fishermen and the Port Antonio Marine Police reported that they saw the first boatload of Haitians at about 3:00 am off the Manchioneal coast. The group, consisting of 24 men, six women and five children, was taken to the Manchioneal courthouse where they were processed by the police and fed by members of the Manchioneal community.

Five hours later, the Marine Police reported seeing another boat with Haitians off the Manchioneal coast. However, due to choppy seas they had to beach their 20-foot boat -- named Ebenezer #4 Anzdeno -- at Winnifred Beach.

This group consisted of 24 men, two women and one child.

"It was about three o'clock in the morning and it was dark as we were going fishing and we saw the boat in the sea so we called out to them," said fisherman Errol Richards. "We threw a rope out to them to help them and we then called the police and they came, so we took them in. One of them spoke a little English."

Denroy Palmer, who lives in Manchioneal and who spearheaded a community effort to refresh the Haitians, said: "We should respond to crisis and that is what we are doing until the other authorities come in. We have been doing this over the time they have been coming. We gave them a change of clothes and something hot to drink so they can be refreshed."

The January 12 magnitude-7 earthquake killed over 200,000 people, injured tens of thousands and left millions homeless. It also destroyed much of Port-au-Prince, triggering a worldwide relief effort.

Jamaica was one of the first countries to respond to Haiti's need for assistance, sending medical and military personnel, as well as tonnes of relief supplies. Jamaicans have also donated millions of dollars to the relief effort, and speculation was rife here in the days immediately after the earthquake that Haitians fleeing the devastation would end up on Jamaican shores.

That concern included a security component as approximately 3,000 convicts had escaped when the quake destroyed Port-au-Prince's main prison.

Yesterday, the Jamaican police said they were fully prepared to monitor the movement of the Haitians, as they would be housed in a section of Port Antonio prepared for that purpose.

"We have been travelling on the sea seven days. We left Wednesday," said one of the Haitians.

When asked if they were heading for the United States he said: "Wherever."

They were taken to the Fair Prospect Health Centre where they were processed and then moved to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Port Antonio.

"As soon as they arrived we made sure that they were screened and given the necessary humanitarian treatment and they will be accommodated at the Port Antonio Seventh-Day Adventist Church for about two weeks the most," said Denise Lewis, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management's parish disaster co-ordinator.

Prisoners who escaped from the Haitian National Penitentiary before arriving in Jamaica on Tuesday will be taken into custody and returned to Haiti to face charges there, the Government has revealed.

Daryl Vaz, the minister with responsibility for information, confirmed that there may be more than three prisoners in Jamaica and photographs along with fingerprints have been taken.

"I know that security has been a major concern and, as indicated before, there has been security screening of all the Haitians who arrived," Vaz said.

The Jamaica authorities are in touch with both Haitian and international authorities to track any criminals who may plan on leaving Haiti, which was affected by an earthquake on January 12.

Vaz said police personnel are at the Port Antonio Seventh-day Adventist Church, where 59 of 62 Haitians are staying. Security measures have also been stepped up with increased patrols over Jamaican waters.

The remaining three are under observation at the Port Antonio Hospital with fever, dehydration, gastro-enteritis and swollen feet.

Vaz confirmed that it will cost $9 million to maintain the 62 people. This includes daily expenses as well as transportation back to Haiti.

He said Jamaica could not host the Haitians for an "extended period of time" and it would be inhumane to turn them back.

"We have to be responsible to our Jamaican people," Vaz said, addressing the financial challenges the country is facing.

According to the minister, funds were earmarked as well as sourced from the private sector for this Haiti relief initiative.

Those who arrived were tested for malaria and the required vaccinations were given. The Ministry of Health is also stocking up on sundries and additional medical supplies, while The Salvation Army and Red Cross provide food and toiletries. Portland residents are also bringing in donations.

 

Diego Maradona says he would be happy if Lionel Messi surpasses him as a player, but the Barcelona forward has downplayed comparisons with the Argentine great.

Messi, who plays under Maradona for Argentina, has been in superb form recently and has scored a Spanish league-leading 25 goals out of 34 in all competitions this season.

Messi's hat-trick against Zaragoza on Sunday - his second in eight days - brought the comparisons with Maradona, who led Argentina to their second World Cup title in 1986.

"I don't like comparisons," Maradona said on Radio Cooperativa. "But if someone has to surpass me, then let it be an Argentine. If Leo is better, I welcome it."

In a separate radio interview yesterday from Spain, Messi said he was far from Maradona's level.

"Diego is Diego and millions of years can pass and he will still be the greatest in history for me," Messi said. "I intend to have my career, make my mark and get into the record books with things I have done. I'm not trying to be like Maradona."

The 22-year-old Messi has been criticised for failing to reproduce his club form for Argentina, but Maradona was in Europe recently and reassured the player that he was happy with his performances.

The Argentina coach also indicated that Messi's form at the World Cup in South Africa from June 11 could lift if he is allowed to play a roaming role on the field.

"I told him I'm fine with his level of play because his time will come," Maradona said. "He shouldn't take the criticism badly.

"I don't believe in fixed positions, much less with Messi. He has enormous potential and should have the freedom to move to be in contact with the ball."

Messi agreed that his form for Argentina needs to improve.

"What I want is to perform with that national team as I have with Barcelona," Messi said. "I know I have had good games (with Argentina), but I'm not at the same level as I am with Barcelona. I'm going to try to change that."

Argentina play Canada in a friendly on May 24 in Buenos Aires and then head to South Africa for their opening match on June 12 against Nigeria in Group B.

The St Elizabeth police say they are probing the possibility that a teacher from the parish could be linked to a car-stealing ring following her recent arrest.

The woman was charged after the police claimed that she failed to produce documents for a car which has allegedly been in her possession since 2007.

Investigators say Yulanda White, 37, was slapped with charges of larceny of a motor car as well as receiving stolen property after being questioned on Sunday.

She was picked up last Thursday after being found in possession of a Toyota Caldina for which she is alleged to have been unable to provide the documents.

She appeared in the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday and was released on a $200,000 bond after pleading not guilty.

The court was told that White has been in possession of the car for approximately three years now but is unable able to tell detectives how she acquired the car.

"There is a car-stealing ring being operated in sections of western Jamaica and we are investigating ... This car may just well be linked to that ring," one investigator told THE STAR.

A man who was caught driving his motor car with a different registration plate after it was stripped of the original ones, found himself $52,000 poorer.

Charged with fraudulent use of a registration plate, dangerous driving, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and no insurance coverage, is Michael Williams from Meadowbrook, St Andrew.

He was fined $25,000 or three months for fraudulent registration plates, $20,000 or 30 days for dangerous driving, $5,000 for unlicensed motor vehicle and $2,000 or 30 days for no insurance coverage.

The court learnt that on March 19, Williams was stopped by the police along the Spanish Town Bypass in St Catherine. It was observed that his car had on a strange looking pair of plates.

 

original plates

Further checks by the police, revealed Williams had driven away his motor car on March 8 after the Island Traffic Authority and the police had removed his license plate.

The investigating officer Detective Corporal Andre Smith told the court that the accused had driven away after his original plates were seized but when he was caught in the latest incident, he tried to trick the police into believing he knew nothing of it.

After being found guilty Williams told the court that he had served the New York Police Department (NYPD) for 20 years and he does not believe he committed an offence.

Presiding Resident Magistrate was Annmarie Nembhard and Clerk of Court was Floyd McNab.

Police are seeking Hip-Hop mogul Marion Suge Knight for allegedly beating and robbing Luniz group member Yukmouth. According to TMZ.com, police were called to Ralphs supermarket in the San Fernando Valley. Knight and an entourage of 10 men apparently accosted Yukmouth around 10:00 PM last night. They then allegedly stole $92,000 worth of jewelry from the Oakland rapper, who is best known for the hit I Got 5 On It" with The Luniz. Police are also seeking Knight for warrant over a previous misdemeanor offense.

Former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton clasped hands with residents of one of Haiti's massive tent cities yesterday on a tour of its quake-devastated capital and BBC footage of the meet-and-greet seems to catch Mr. Bush wiping his sweaty hand on Clinton's back.

The move came right after Bush shook hands with an unidentified Haitian man.

The two former leaders were tapped by President Barack Obama to spearhead U.S. fundraising for aid and reconstruction in Haiti after January's magnitude-7 quake, which killed an estimated 230,000 people. Another 1.3 million people are homeless, with many living in camps and temporary shelters prone to dangerous flooding in the April rainy season.

 

Clinton's Harlem-based foundation has donated more than 35,000 tents, 45,000 pounds of water and tons of medical supplies to Haiti as the nation struggles to shelter masses of people left homeless and injured.

This was Bush's first visit to the country since the earthquake, and speaking after a tour of the damaged presidential palace he said "It's one thing to see it on TV, it's another to see it firsthand."

While many of the homeless welcomed the presidents visit as a sign that the U.S. would continue to supply aid, some said they were disappointed the presidents did not bring anything more tangible.

"The visit is like no visit at all. They walked inside, it's to show off," said Rene Pierre, a 35-year-old homeless man.

Swift action by the St Catherine South police yesterday quelled what could have easily become a serious fight at a construction site when a vendor and a construction worker clashed over a bulla.

The hot-*lo**ed dispute, which began shortly after 10 a.m., involved two men who were clearly over their 30s. They exchanged harsh words through a fence that separated them at a worksite close to a housing scheme in Portmore, St Catherine.

"Yuh waan see de big man dem a shub stick thru de fence a try stab dem one another,"one woman laughed while relating the incident to THE STAR after we arrived on the scene. By this time the police were already issuing a warning to the vendor.

"All big stone dem a try fling thru de fence," the amused woman further stated. "Mi neva see nothing like this yet, de man dem a fight over bulla inna de sun hot."

 

tempers

When this newspaper went to the site, tempers were still somewhat heated as the worker who was on one side of the fence was still trying to clear his name.

"Mi nuh owe yuh fi nuttin. Mi pay yuh already," he said. The vendor, who was on the other side of the fence denied this, however, stating that the worker still owed him $60 for a bulla.

The police said that they were actually passing when they noticed the disturbance and stopped to investigate. The police said that both men indeed had a dispute over $60 and a bulla during which stones were thrown and sticks drawn.

The lawmen let both parties off the hook with a warning after speaking with the foreman at the site who promised that the fight would not go any further between his worker and the vendor.

Even as THE STAR left the scene, commuters could still be heard laughing while others were seen re-enacting the funny fight.

The nights have been long and the days have been cold for one Corporate Area woman, since the theft of her seven-year-old Shih Tzu Poodle, which was reportedly stolen from her Calabar Mews apartment complex in St Andrew last Sunday.

So desperate is the woman, Nadine Hamilton, for the safe return of the dog, which she describes as her only company at home, that she is offering $100,000 cash to anyone who brings back the pet safely.

"Mi want mi dog, mi nuh eat two days now, mi ah tell yuh de God almighty truth," the woman said yesterday when she was contacted by THE STAR. "Mi want back mi dog."

Hamilton explained that the dog, named Ashley, was definitely stolen from the premises as the animal is extremely trained and would not leave otherwise.

"Someone deliberately took her from the complex, she has lived here for four years and she has never left," the distressed owner explained. "A neighbour across the street said that he saw a light skinned guy walk through the gate (at the complex) and saw when he was leading the dog outside."

 

beloved angel

Hamilton further said that the neighbour, who was washing a car at the time, called out to the individual, telling him not to let the dog venture outside. The neighbour did not really pay much attention to them after that and the dog and the light skinned fellow have not been seen since. At present, this bit of information is the only clue that Hamilton has about the possible whereabouts of the 'new owner' of her beloved angel.

This information, she has already given to the Constant Spring police. When THE STAR contacted the police they confirmed that they have recorded a report about the stolen pet after Hamilton visited the station on Sunday. However, there have been no new developments in the case of the missing animal.

"I know right now she (Ashley) is distressed because she hardly goes outside, she is like a very 'stush' white girl, she is always in the house, she sleeps in a bed, she runs on a treadmill, she likes chicken and steak," Hamilton said. "I don't know if these people are going to cater to her lifestyle."

The owner went even further to express fears of the culprits mating her white angel with mongrels or even tying her outside like a stray dog.

Hamilton said that she is imploring anyone with information to call her 886-0169 or 562-3169. She said even if someone may have purchased the dog not knowing that it was stolen, they should still contact her.

And, in case you are in possession of Ashley and you are too ashamed to face the owner or the police, Hamilton is asking that you merely "open the side gate (at the apartment complex) and put her (Ashley) in the yard, she knows her apartment she's part of a family."

In the meantime, Hamilton said that she will be fasting and praying for her dog over the next nine days.

MY SUPER SWEET 16 . . . THE HOOD EDITION!!! PARENTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES TEEN THROW HIM A SUPER SWEET 16 PARTY . . . AND THINGS GO WAAAAAY LEFT!!!

Video analytics company Visible Measures - the one we work with to put out our monthly top 10 webisodes chart - curates a list of video called the "100 Million Club."

It includes all the web videos that have exceeded 100 million views. Lady Gaga has long been a staple of the chart, but now she's essentially in a club all her own: She's the first franchise to reach one billion views.

Gaga's music videos hold three spots in the 65-video 100 Million Club - one for "Poker Face" (374,606,128), one for "Just Dance" (272,941,674) and one for "Bad Romance" (360,020,327). Add them up and you get just over one billion views. She won't occupy the club alone for long, though; the Twilight saga is close behind with 980 million and Soulja Boy is at 860 million.

Gaga is primarily a hit on Vevo and YouTube; 25% of Vevo's visitors only have eyes for her. The pop star has attracted Internet attention elsewhere, too. A Facebook group of more than 100,000 people initiated National Lady Gaga Day about a month ago, and her latest Internet hit is her "Telephone" music video with Beyoncé.

The point is, you can't escape Gaga on the Internet. She's everywhere right now. We welcome speculation as to exactly why the web loves her so, so let us know in the comments if you have any ideas.

Another dancehall artiste has landed in trouble with the Tax Administration Department.

Elephant Man, whose given name is O'Neil Bryan, was on Wednesday night prevented from leaving the island by immigration officials due to tax related matters. It is understood that the artiste owes the government millions of dollars in unpaid taxes. RJR News understands that the artiste and his entourage arrived at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James enroute to England when he was told that a stop order had been placed on him. Members of his entourage were however allowed to leave the island. When our News Centre contacted the Tax Administration Department, Director of Communications Meris Haughton declined to comment on the specific case involving Elephant Man. However Miss Haughton noted that stop orders at the island's ports are being used as a strategy by the tax authorities as they intensify their drive to force delinquent tax payers to settle their arrears.

SHOCKING PIC!!! REMEMBER THAT GIRL WHO GOT HER FACE CUT WITH A RAZOR . . . WELL WE GOT PICS OF HER STITCHED UP FACE!!! (WARNING - EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGES)

Yesterday, MediaTakeOut.com told you the story of two BROOKLYN girls who were slashed in the face - after being HELD DOWN by a man.

Well here is the photo of one of their faces. . ..

The government has indicated that it will be seeking to return the country to growth during the next legislative year.

In his presentation of the Throne Speech during the opening of Parliament this morning, the governor general Sir Patrick Allen said creating the conditions for growth is the first goal of the governments medium term economic programme.

Sir Patrick says the growth being targeted will be one that is sufficient to create new jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and boost revenues to enable the country to move from deficits to surpluses and allow for investment in developing its human resources.

The government is also seeking to provide better infrastructure and improve the delivery of government services.

The governor general further noted that the transformation that is required cannot be completed in any one budget year.

He says its a process that must be pursued diligently and steadfastly so that as less of the country's resources are required to meet government expenditure, more will be available for real investment in the real economy.

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Haitians who arrived in Portland. Three of the 62 Haitian refugees who arrived in Portland, Jamaica by boat on Tuesday are now in police custody after it was discovered that they are prison escapees from the earthquake ravaged country. Following investigations by the intelligence arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, it was revealed that the three Haitians were among prisoners who were freed when January's earthquake destroyed correctional facilities. They were immediately removed from the rest of the Haitians on Wednesday and taken into custody. Inspector Steve Brown, Head of Constabulary Communication Network, the information arm of the police force, says it is unclear whether the escapees will be sent back to Haiti at this time. "We're not sure what will happen as the government had said we have two weeks with them but from a police perspective, we're doing what we're supposed to do," he said. Daryl Vaz, Information Minister, is to hold a press conference Friday morning to discuss the fate of the other Haitians who are presently being housed at facilities in Portland.

Crew

Alliance

• Bounty Killer (Leader- pioneer)
• Mavado
• Einstein (musician)
• Sakidie a.k.a M@D H3@D KiDi3
• Wayne Marshall
• Serani
• Bugle
• Demarco
• Bling Dawg
• Kiprich
• Dada
• Muskilla
• Foota Hype
• K-Queens
• Badd Cash
• Assailant
• stacious
• Prince Pin
• Ishawna
• Iyara
• Jinyus
• Flexx
• Predator
• Savage
• Jeru The Damaja
• Nymron
• De La Ghetto
• Fuze
• Jully Black
• Dutty Coolie
• Carlos Turner
• Abdul "Syrian Pitbull" El-Safadi
• Di Unusual
• Splinta
• Boom Steppa
• Munga Hounrable
• Lando
• Advance
• Anarchie
• Gabrille
• Venum
• Marlon Binns
• Future Fambo
• Angel Doolas
• Nitty Kutchy
• Elephant Man
• Chase Cross
• Dungle dee

Read

Tony Rebel

 

Popular reggae artiste is now involved in a court battle with his former common-law wife for increased child support.

Rebel, whose real name is Patrick Barrett, has been taken to court by his common-law-wife, Alicia Lawson.

It is reported that Tony Rebel is now paying approximately $88,000 monthly for the five children he has with Lawson. However, it is said that Lawson wants the amount increased to $128,000 monthly.

The kids that the two have together are said to range between 10 and 15 years old.

The matter came before the Supreme Court on March 16. The matter was adjourned on that date and is expected to return to court in June.

Rebel, came to prominence in 1989 with Fresh Vegetable. But his first release was the single Casino in 1988.

In 1992, he signed a deal with Columbia Records, who released Vibes of the Times the following year, and in 1994 he founded his own record label, Flames Productions. Throughout his career, he has done songs like Jah By My Side, Sweet Jamaica and Loyal Soldier. And yearly, he hosts Rebel Salute in St Elizabeth.

Tyrical - Contributed

In the introduction of his single 'Wah My Own', dancehall artiste Tyrical referred to himself as being 'one of the greatest' in Jamaican music. And he wasn't being conceited either.

List some of the big name artistes and their musical achievements, and then the name Tyrical can be found somewhere behind the scenes as one of the driving forces behind their musical success.

"A nuff things mi do inna dis business yah weh people nuh know bout," he told THE STAR recently in a telephone interview.

Those things he made mention of, included bringing the likes of Mr Vegas, Mavado, Sean Paul and others to public recognition. He also wrote Woman A Trail Me and Sufferer, two of Bounty Killer's signature songs.

 

baseless faith

Although the 18-year music veteran, born Michael Harris, exercised ample faith in others throughout the years, but the returns were not always forthcoming.

For almost two decades, the 33-year-old has had to wait patiently for his own musical breakthrough, even though his generosity had outplayed his personal cravings.

But, instead of being frustrated and resentful, Tyrical said he began to employ faith and determination as part of his daily regime. "If mi heart never clean, mi woulda run away long time and get 'badmind'. The only thing it do was to get me motivated," he said.

These days the singer, who grew up in the Barbican area, has been reaping the fruits of his generosity as he sits in the number one spot on Richie B's reggae music chart. And, as he continues to get increasing public attention, Tyrical knows that his time has now come.

 

latest deed

"This just makes me more humble. If a man come right now, and give me one million dolla or even two, it wouldn't make me feel happier. This is like proving to myself that it could happen," he said.

Tyrical's latest deed comes in the form of Money Maker, which is also voiced by Bounty Killer, an individual who he holds in high regards. "The general? If a never him mi low dancehall music longtime. Dem man deh mek yuh feel like an artiste," he said.

However, there's a lot coming up in the future for Tyrical, as he is currently working on the release of his first album this summer, and will boasts at least 15-18 tracks.

He also has a single out called I Know, featuring New York-based female artiste Terry Flavour. Tyrical expressedconfidence that the public will find the song attractive, as it gives one that 'feel good' vibes when listening to it. "It's a dancehall love song, and me know the public a guh love it," he said.

The cries in Wah My Own haven't gone unnoticed either, it has been getting favourable responses at many weekly dances, but most importantly, it has revived Tyrical's musical career.

Marcus Bryan stood in Spanish Town's busy business district with his hands on his jaws and seemed dazed. He was left stunned after he heard media reports that he would have to find an additional $60 daily to pay for bus fare between Kingston and Spanish Town round trip

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Mike Henry announced that passengers travelling on the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses would face an increase come April 1. On that day, the fare per trip will move from $50 to $80. This represents an increase of $30 per trip.

It is this massive jump that has stunned Bryan.

"I will be forced now to find an additional $300 per week because I take the bus to and from work," said Bryan, who lives in Spanish Town but works in Kingston. "That's an additional $1,200 monthly, and I have other expenses to think about on my low pay," he said.

Other persons with whom THE STAR spoke had similar views with some saying that the hike was too high and needed to be rolled back for the benefit of the travelling public.

"The fare is just too high man. We can't afford to go to school now as the parents done a find it very hard already to send the children to school; them certainly not rich," reasoned a male Donald Quarrie student.

 

complaints

He has reasons to complain too. The children and the elderly would be affected when their fares move from $15 to $20.

In a release on Tuesday, Reginald Allen, communication director of the JUTC, said the increase was necessary to help offset expenses and earn money for the company.

"Over the present fiscal year, the monthly subsidy to the company was reduced from $64 million to $54 million, which is set to be reduced to $50 million over the next fiscal year," the release said.

He added that "The average 46.7 per cent JUTC fare increase, the first in five years, amounts to less than the aggregate 50 per cent increase which was granted to taxi operators over the last two years, that has resulted in fares of $90 being charged in many instances ... The latest increase represents the Government's best effort to balance the need to recover the JUTC's operating costs and lower the level of public subsidy to the company, while maintaining affordable public transportation rates within the KMTR."

However, while the Government said the increase was necessary, commuters think that a smaller increase would have been more acceptable.

"Fi find $80 in a dem time yah wicked. If dem did seh $60 or $70, it wouldn't so bad. But $80 rough," said a man who gave his name as Junior, who said he lives in Spanish Town.

Deejay Bounty Killer is to appear in the Gun Court on July 12, when he is to be tried on illegal possession of a firearm and wounding charges.

The trial date for the deejay, whose real name is Rodney Price, was set yesterday when the matter was mentioned in court.

He was charged last year in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred in September 2007.

The allegations are that on September 27, an off-duty policeman left a club on St Lucia Avenue in New Kingston, St Andrew, about 4:50 a.m, but reportedly noticed some cars blocking a section of the road.

Several men including Price and the now deceased dancer David Alexander Smith, more popularly known as 'Ice', were allegedly at the scene.

The policeman is said to have tried to get the men to move the vehicles but was reportedly assaulted and fired at.

Don Corleon - Contributed

Although he is busy putting out rhythms, producer Don Corleon has set up a talent search with the aim of finding new artistes.

He said he started the competition about a week ago.

"Basically, it's just a competition weh mi just a look fi some new talent. It has to be the whole hundred, the attitude, everything has to be right. It's not based on just a song," Corleon told THE STAR.

He added: "I am trying to groom young people who can make an impact on Jamaica. It can be an artiste from anywhere, no discrimination."

He said he decided to start the talent search based on the many requests he had been getting from people wanting to work with him. So, he decided to start the competition to help some of these aspiring artistes.

To enter the competition, the entrants have to send an email to doncorleonrecords talentsearch@gmail.com. In this email, the individual must include three of his or her best songs, a biography and why he or she wants to work with Corleon's record label.

Since starting the competition, which he first advertised on the social networking website Twitter, Corleon said he has received more that 300 emails from persons wishing to work with him. Despite the magnitude of entries after merely one week of opening the competition, Corleon said he plans to listen to all the entrants.

"I plan to listen to all of them. It's an opportunity for me to hear them. Same so when somebody give mi Pressure CD, if mi neva listen to it mi wouldn't discover him," he told THE STAR.

But Corleon says he wants the competition to be a continuous one. He said this first leg will be closed in June and then it will be reopened later. However, he said the persons who are not chosen will have to resubmit their entries. In addition, he plans to advertise the competition online and in the media.

In the midst of all this, Corleon is still keeping busy, as he continues promoting his 'Gala' rhythm, which was released on itunes and amazon on Tuesday night. It features artistes like Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Munga, Vegas, Brown Sugar, Natel, ZJ Liquid and Ce'Cile.

He said he is also working on a new dancehall rhythm called 'Baheba' and a one-drop rhythm that has not been named.

Fom left: Cherine Anderson, Tifa, Denyque, Don Corleon, Kris Kelli, Ishawna and Stacious hanging out. -

Three weeks after seven-year-old Janelle Smith collapsed and died while playing at school, her family is still left with questions as a recently conducted autopsy was ruled inconclusive.

Janelle's mother, Danay Baker-Smith, told THE STAR that the autopsy was done last Thursday. The distraught mother, who had told THE STAR in an earlier interview that she needed closure in order to deal with her child's death, said yesterday, "We still haven't received any full closure, but we just have to work with it. We still can't even depend on the lab results cause they might not show anything."

Baker-Smith told THE STAR that samples from her daughter's body have been sent to the lab for further testing. She also revealed that Janelle's death certificate lists the cause of her death as 'pending lab results'.

Even though the family is in a great deal of pain, they have decided to bury little Janelle this Saturday.

On March 4, Janelle, a grade-two student of a primary school in St Thomas, collapsed while playing with her friends. The child was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Dallas P - Anthony Minott

Upcoming Portmore artiste Dallas P has called out Gabriel for a clash at the Settlement Show billed for the Kingston Polo Club on Saturday, June 12.

"Well, me a seh a bear things between me and Gabriel, at Settlement. People, dis one ya ago wikida than Kartel/Mavado War," an aggressive Dallas P told THE STAR in a recent interview.

Dallas P is with Blakshade Production, and Quarter is his producer.

Dallas P said he is currently promoting his new songs, Nothing inna Babylon System, and Bright and Beautiful.

"I am also working on a video for the song, Bun Bare Fyah and Nothing inna Babylon System, which will be shot soon," he said.

 

potential

Dallas P can be found at a studio in West Cumberland, and frequents weekly dances, such as Uptown Mondays.

Although Gabriel could not be reached for a comment, Tommy 'Brite Lite' Thompson, promoter of the show said that Dallas P had approached him about a clash with Gabriel, and he welcomed it.

He, however, said that nothing had been confirmed for the clash "but it is a possibility. Dallas P has shown potential and he's serious about this clash with Gabriel, he is really stepping up; but, there is nothing concrete yet for that clash".

Media reports had said that the last Settlement show on February 13, in Yallahs, St Thomas, saw Gabriel doing well against deejay veteran Merciless.

Thompson also stated that fans coming to this show will see an array of artistes, such as Popcaan, Blak Ryno, Deva Brat, DJ Face, Merciless, Lisa Hyper, LA Lewis, Mr. G and others. He also said there would be ample parking space for more than 1,000 vehicles.

"There was a high demand for the show because many patrons weren't able to attend (the last show), because of the rain. The show in June we are expecting a bumper crowd, because this is 'Settlement', the 'Unfinished Business'".

Thompson added that security would be tight, and the location is ideal for a stage show.

"The sponsors are showing good face, everyone is anxious to be a part of the show. We have $999 for general admission and $1,999 for VIP section. I set the cost so that everyone can afford to see the show; these are recession prices," Thompson said.

Music at the event will be provided by Stone Love, Brite Lite International, Metro Media and Sky Juice.

With natural talent and a lot of training, singer I-Octane is taking his voice to higher heights.

Being trained by Jamaica's leading voice trainer Georgia Schliefer for the last couple of years, he said the experience has been a great one.

He said, "yeah, it's definitely helpful. When I first started singing I was more aggressive, like in Stab Vampire, but now you can hear the difference in songs like Lose A Friend which has a softer melody."

In addition to doing voice training, the artiste is also learning to play the keyboard and would like to learn how to play the guitar.

And as for his voice, I-Octane says it is without a doubt a distinctive one.

"My voice is very unique, people go crazy when dem hear mi sing. Dem can identify me and know is I-Octane, but dem sey mi also remind dem of people like Sizzla and Lutan Fyah," he said.

- Krista Henry

Want to interact with STAR of the month I-Octane??

Well here's your chance!!

 

The singer will be at The Gleaner's North Street offices on Tuesday March 30th for the online and phone chat.

After reading all about the talented crooner throughout the month, fans will finally get a chance to hear his distinctive voice and to talk to him personally.

Persons can log on to www.jamaica-star.com from 5-6 p.m. to chat with Octane online or call 1-888-THE-STAR (1-888-843-7827) from 6-7 p.m. to speak via telephone.

This is the only chance to talk to the singer up close and personal ... so call or log on!!!!!!

A group of high school teachers in St. Elizabeth who have been awarded unaccredited masters degrees from an offshore university is crying foul after they were told that they cannot access tuition refunds through a special government facility. The teachers have turned up the heat on the International University of the Caribbean (IUC) after they found out the degree programme it administers is not accredited.  The teachers who hold senior positions at a prominent St. Elizabeth school are hopping mad, that they will not get back half of the tuition fees they spent with the University of Sheffield through the University College of the Caribbean because the masters degrees they were awarded are not recognised by the local authorities. They teachers who read for the Masters of Educational Studies over a two year period between 2006 and 2008 were advised two months ago that their applications have been rejected. The teachers spent close to five thousand British pounds in tuition fees over the course of their studies as well as $100,000 which was paid to IUC. The teachers are insisting that they were not advised by the administrators of IUC that the Master's degree has not been acknowledged by the local accreditation body, the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). "We have been given the runaround and it's not fair to us because they should have known that the course was not accredited but we went in with the expectation that it was. They should let people know what they are getting into," said a disgruntled teacher. An official at the Education Ministry's Teacher's Refund Secretariat confirmed to RJR News that the Masters Degree from the Sheffield University is not on its list of fully accredited academic programmes and its participants are therefore not eligible for the 50% refund. The government offers teachers a refund of half of their tuition when they complete a degree programme. It is still not known how many persons have been affected apart from the three teachers at the St. Elizabeth school. Meanwhile, President of the IUC, Reverend Maitland Evans says there has been a delay in getting the Master's degree programme from the London-based University accredited. The IUC president says that his institution should not be blamed for the delay, but noted that the University of Sheffield is working closely with the University Council of Jamaica to normalise the status of the academic programmes offered to local students. He also insisted that all students reading for degrees with overseas based universities are informed about the accreditation status before the courses of studies begin.

The 100th edition of Boys and Girls Champs began at the national stadium on Wednesday.

After two finals in girls section, Vere Technical leads with 16 points, three more than Wolmer's with title holders Holmwood Technical, St. Hugh's and St. Elizabeth Technical on nine each, Edwin Allen eight and St. Jago five. Two records have been broken so far. Calabar's Chad Wright threw 52.16 metres in the preliminary round of the boys class one discuss. This beat the previous best of 51.43 set by team mate Travis Michael last year. And Candice Bernard of St. Hugh's won the girls class one discuss final with a throw of 46.72 metres, bettering the 45.13 set by Salcia Slack of Holmwood Technical in 2008. In the only other final completed on Wednesday, Rochelle Farquharson of St. Elizabeth Technical won the girls triple jump in 13.20 metres, ahead of the Wolmer's pair of Samantha Francis and Janelle Facey. After three rounds of the boys class one long jump final, Ramone Bailey of Wolmer's leads with 7.38 metres followed by team mate Kamal Fuller 7.20.