HOMICIDE OFFENDER CHARGED IN HOUSE PARTY MURDER

Emmanuel Pickens, 20, is charged with felony Murder & felony Attempt Murder for the shooting of two men at a house party. One man died from his wounds.

Area 4 Violent Crimes Detectives arrested and charged Emmanuel Pickens, 20, of the 4200 block of West Wilcox Avenue with one felony count of Murder and one felony count of Attempt Murder for the shooting of two men at a house party in the 4200 block of West Wilcox Avenue in the early morning hours of March 27. A 20-year-old male died as a result of his injuries.
    At approximately 1:00 AM on March 27, officers responded to a call of a person shot on Wilcox and arrived to discover the victim lying face-down and unconscious on the parkway suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. It was later discovered that a second victim was driven to an area hospital by an unidentified party.
    Upon further investigation, police learned that a fight had broken out in the house and subsequently spilled out onto the sidewalk. Once outside, shots rang out, resulting in the injuries to the two victims. Detectives arrived and obtained a positive identification of Pickens as the offender.

AREA 4 DETECTIVES CHARGE MAN WITH LAWNDALE MURDER

Brian Thompson, 19, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Lawndale man and the wounding of a juvenile.

    Chicago Police arrested and charged 19-year-old Brian Thompson of the 4100 block of West 21st Place with one count of first Degree Murder for the March 2010 killing of an 18-year-old victim who was shot several times and later died of his injuries. The homicide took place on the 1900 block of South St. Louis Avenue. In the incident, a juvenile victim also sustained a gunshot wound. He was treated at an area hospital.
    Area 4 Detectives identified Brian Thompson as the offender based upon information they gathered during the investigation. An Investigation Alert was issued and the Gang Enforcement Unit located Brian Thompson in the 3000 block of West Cullerton, where he was taken into custody without incident. Detectives are continuing their investigation into this matter.

CHICAGO POLICE SMASH CICERO AVENUE DRUG RING – SEIZE WEAPONS & HEROIN

The Chicago Police Narcotics Section conducted an undercover buy operation
on Cicero Avenue near Walton Street. The drug sales occurred within 1,000 feet of Ronald McNair Academic Center. A total of 12 undercover controlled narcotics purchases were conducted by police.
    Officers arrested 8 of the 12 offenders. One was arrested during the commission of a burglary and another was arrested for a gambling offense. One offender was a juvenile and four remain wanted.
    In conjunction with the round-up, a search warrant was executed in the 900 block of North Waller Avenue, resulting in the seizure of a small amount of heroin, two handguns, and a shotgun.
    Persons arrested are:

Deron Collins
Delivery of a Controlled Substance

George Compton
Delivery of a Controlled Substance & Gambling









Gregory Brown Delivery of a Controlled Substance & Burglary

Jamarl Williams
Warrant-Delivery of a Controlled Substance

James Lostion
Criminal Drug Conspiracy

Pledge Diming
Warrant-Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Sisterhouse: When it rains, it pours…

By Bonnie Johnson

Like many homes in the Chicagoland area, Friday night’s rains left our basement underwater at SISTERHOUSE.  This is an ordinary occurrence at any house in the Midwest, but the response was indeed extraordinary.  The ladies in our facility promptly responded: cleaning out basement, removing all damaged items, and sanitizing the space.  We’ve indeed been blessed, because these basement floods are very uncommon and infrequent.  More so, we’ve been blessed with some amazing women. 

Our residents, especially the women in Phase I and II of our program, work closely with job coaches, tutors, training instructors, and various agencies in town when they begin their job search.  The response to a simple household crisis proves that we have a group of highly employable and hard-working women who took no time to complain amidst the heavy lifting and unsettling conditions.  The community building, team-work, and common effort was a great introduction to the spirit of SISTERHOUSE and it serves as a reassurance that the life skills they learn here will no doubt carry them to great places as they move up through our phases and on to become independent and productive members of the greater Chicago community.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG STUDENTS END A MAGICAL SCHOOL YEAR

Renowned magician The Spellbinder makes a table magically float across the floor as Louis Armstrong students whisper to each other, “How is he doing that?” (Photo by Isaac Jones)

Principal Mrs. Demetrius Bunch calls up outstanding Louis Armstrong students for special recognition at the year-end assembly. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

The Spellbinder adds a little salt and hot sauce as students sing, “Uh-Uh, Uh-Uh, That’s NOT the way we do it!” (Photos by Isaac Jones)

A mischievous Spellbinder lights the whole mess on fire, covers it with a lid, and turns it into a pan of wrapped hard candy. “How’d he do that?” (Photo by Isaac Jones)

Louis Armstrong students watch The Spellbinder in disbelief as he works his magic directly in front of them. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

POLICE CHARGE GARFIELD PARK MAN WITH HOME INVASION & ATTACK ON AN OFFICER

Jerrell Arterberry, 24, of West Garfield Park, is charged with an armed home invasion on the South Side.

Chicago Police charged Jerrell Arterberry, 24, of the 3200 block of Fulton Street, with one count of Home Invasion-Armed with a Firearm and one count of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer. Arterberry is a convicted felon. On May 14, Gresham District officers responded to a “check the well-being” call initiated by OnStar in the 300 block of West 79th Street at approximately 4:30 AM. Upon arrival, officers were met by two victims inside a currency exchange who stated they had been robbed and identified Arterberry as the offender. As officers attempted to place Arterberry under arrest, he became combative, striking one of the officers in the face with his fist. Arterberry was subdued and placed in custody.
    Police later learned that Arterberry had robbed the victims at gunpoint at their home in the 7400 block of South Harvard earlier that evening. He then forced them at gunpoint to drive him to the currency exchange in an attempt to cash the victims’ checks. Police recovered a semi-automatic gun at the scene.

The Voice on TV!

Youth workers from THE VOICE Newspapers appeared on the CAN-TV/Channel 19 public affairs program SPEAK ON IT, with hosts Dr. Kofi Maalik & Boise Edwards. The topic was community violence. The show may be rebroadcast on Channel 19 and can be viewed on YouTube by typing RetroCurrent Team in the Search Box. The young men shown with historic African American relics are: (from left) Kewanis Tynes, Lovelle Jordan, John Hobson, James Tynes & Lovon Jordan, with VOICE Associate Editor Brad Cummings. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP & CEDA PRESENTING FREE ECONOMIC STABILITY SEMINAR AUG. 17

The Prevention Partnership, Inc., West Side elected officials, an array of local agencies, and THE VOICE Newspapers are sponsoring another session of the unique Economic Stability Seminar at Frederick Douglass Academy High School, 534 North Waller Avenue, on Tuesday, August 17, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Participation is free and includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
    Topics addressed in the seminar include personal goal setting, developing job readiness skills, job seeking techniques, resume writing, interviewing strategies, communication skill development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and hints for dressing for success.
    To reserve space at this valuable event, call Novella Bates at 773/378-4195, ext. 11. Each seminar is limited to 50 participants.

25th DISTRICT POLICE INVITING RESIDENTS TO GRAND & CENTRAL FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Residents of the 25th Police District are invited to gather at the Grand-Central station, 5555 West Grand Avenue, for a summer celebration of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 3, 6:00-8:00 PM. There will be free refreshments, live entertainment, music, and fun.
    National Night Out originated as an occasion for local residents to turn on porch lights and gather on each block with neighbors to demonstrate their solidarity in taking back their communities from gangs, drug dealers, and criminals by showing they weren’t afraid to come out of their houses. In recent years, it has become a meaningless excuse for a party away from home.

HEALING TEMPLE INVITING COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SAY NO TO DRUGS PARADE JULY 31

Healing Temple COGIC is holding its 22nd Annual Dr. Arthur Lockhart SAY NO TO DRUGS PARADE & HEALTH FAIR on Saturday, July 31. Individuals, organizations, businesses, and churches are invited to enter a car, van, bus, drill team, drum line, or a float.
    Registration is at 8:00 AM, and the parade steps off at 9:00 AM from 4941 West Chicago Avenue. The Jesse White Tumblers are scheduled to participate, as is the South Shore Drill Team. A health fair follows the parade. For information, call 773/378—9649.

10TH ANNUAL GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY COUNTY FAIR SET FOR SEPT. 18

Experience the excitement and fun of a county fair in the middle of the city. Chicago’s original urban hoedown is being held on Saturday, September 18, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. Admission is $5. Ages 3 and under are free.
    The Garfield Park Conservatory’s County Fair celebrates the harvest and healthy communities in an urban setting on Chicago’s West Side. The connection between plants, food, and American heritage are highlighted through a variety of activities, demonstrations, and entertainment. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, games, a petting zoo, pony rides for $1.00, compost demonstrations, a harvest showcase, beekeeping demonstrations, live music, food, a farmers market with fresh produce from local farms, and much more.
    For more information, log onto www.garfield-conservatory.org or call 773/638-1766, ext. 18.

DANNY K. DAVIS HOSTING BACK-TO-SCHOOL PARADE & PICNIC AUG. 21

Mark your calendars and start decorating your floats. Congressman Danny K. Davis and an array of community sponsors are planning the 2010 Back-To-School Parade & Picnic for Saturday, August 21. To contribute, volunteer, or reserve your space in the parade, call 773/626-8481.

LORETTO HOSPITAL HOLDING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR ALL BABIES BORN THERE

On Saturday, August 7, Loretto Hospital, 645 South Central Avenue, is hosting a party for all people born at the institution since it opened. The party starts at 3:30 PM and runs until 9:00 PM. There will be entertainment, food, and fun. Persons planning to attend are asked to respond by August 3 to 773/854-5063. Free parking is available for this event in the Flournoy Parking Lot. Persons attending have the opportunity to win a 32-inch Flat Screen LCD Television.

GET WELL WISHES

CHARLES WEEKS, Dean of the Breakfast Club that meets 6 days a week at the North & Laramie McDonald’s, and a friend of THE VOICE Newspapers, is currently hospitalized. We wish him a speedy recovery.

WINNING POWERBALL TICKET SOLD AT GRAND & CALIFORNIA SERVICE STATION

While no one won the $67 million Powerball jackpot on Wednesday, July 28, a 2nd Place winning ticket was sold at Grand Avenue Station, 2601 West Grand Avenue in Chicago. The 2nd Place ticket was sold as a quick-pick and matched all 5 numbers, but missed the Powerball. The winning numbers were 1, 11, 20, 25 & 27, with a Powerball number of 2 and a Power Play of 5. The 2nd Place ticket is worth $200,000. If the winner had chosen a Power Play, the ticket would have been worth $1 million.
    At press time, the winner has not come forward. The Powerball jackpot has rolled to $85 million. The next drawing takes place Saturday, July 31, at 9:59 PM CDT. For information, visit www.illinoislottery.com.

EYES ON AUSTIN SIGNING UP APPLICANTS FOR CEDA SUMMER COOLING PROGRAM

Eyes On Austin, 5519 West North Avenue, is registering local residents for the CEDA Cooling Program. Qualifications are: Persons must be 60 years old, household members receiving Disability payments, households with children 2 years old or younger.
    Documentation needed includes an award letter from SSA or SSI Monthly Income (2010), Social Security cards for all household members, and a current electric bill.
    For information, call 773/479-1596.

WRIGHT COLLEGE HOLDING FINAL KIDS CAMPS OF SUMMER

Two Summer Camps for Children – a Dance Camp and a Computer Camp – are still open for registration at Wilbur Wright College, 4300 North Narragansett Avenue.
    Rainbow Dance Connection is being held August 10-12. This 3-day camp teaches dance forms, including jazz, tap, hip-hop, and ballet. The one-hour daily session for ages 4-6 costs $30; the 75-minute session for ages 7-12 costs $35.
    Wright’s Computer Camp teaches children how to use computers for more than just IMs and YouTube. This 5-day camp for 9-15-year-olds covers website design, graphics, and animation. It is being held August 9-12 and August 14 for $110.
    To register for either of these Summer Camps, call 773/481-8800 or e-mail Family College Director Diane Prosser at dprosser@ccc.edu.

INDEPENDENCE & ARTHINGTON COMMUNITY REUNION SET FOR AUG. 21

The 2nd Community Reunion on Independence & Arthington for all current and former residents of the neighborhood is being held Saturday, August 21. The planning committee is still seeking people to help make this year’s event even bigger and more fun than last year’s. The next meeting is August 7. Anyone interested should call Robbin Robinson at 773/653-7378. They are in process of ordering custom-designed Tee-shirts and are trying to secure donations of book bags and school supplies for the kids.

CPS HOLDING FREE BACK-TO-SCHOOL FESTIVAL IN COLUMBUS PARK JULY 31

Track E year-round schools open Monday, August 9, and, to prepare Austin residents, the Chicago Public Schools are hosting a Back-To-School Festival in Columbus Park on Saturday, July 31. This event is being held at the Field House, 500 South Central Avenue, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
There will be health screenings for students, book bags, school supplies, other prizes and giveaways, plus fun and games. Everyone is invited to attend. Theme of this school year is: SHOW UP! First Day and Every Day. For information on Track E schools, call 773/553-1000.