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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Volume 125, No. 62 Price 75¢ Across America Health Commentary Op-Ed Business
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SPORTS From Track to Graduation West Catholic alums place well in NCAA track event. 4B
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Lives Gone Too Soon
Feltonville tragedy continues with services, preliminary hearings
Larry Miller Tribune Staff Writer Donta Cradock and Ivan Rodriguez might be in custody for causing last week?s deadly car crash, but the stepbrothers are only two among the unknown number of young ticking time bombs in Philadelphia with criminal pasts. Who knows when the next pair will explode leaving grief-stricken families in their wake? According to investigators, Cradock had eight prior arrests, five of them for weapons offenses starting at age 12. His most recent arrest was on April 2, 2006, for the armed robbery of a six-pack of beer from a pedestrian. Rodriguez? last arrest was on May 7, 2009, when he was charged with theft, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He had five juvenile arrests and both defendants had bench warrants for failing to appear in court. The problem of youth violence in Philadelphia is frustrating and pervasive and unfortunately, hardly a day goes by without a young male trying to solve a dispute with gunfire. In spite of endless peace rallies and the efforts of community leaders, the Feltonville ? Page 6A
Odunde pleases; organizer?s tally for bill from city
Families in the Feltonville section of the city have been shattered and heartbroken by the tragedy and instead of planning summer fun are now planning funerals. ? PHOTO BY ABDUL SULAYMAN/TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Funeral services are set for victims
Larry Miller Tribune Staff Writer One suspect remains hospitalized and another awaits a preliminary hearing in connection with the horrific car crash that killed a young mother and three children in the city?s Feltonville section last week. Donta Cradock, 18, was partially paralyzed following the high-speed crash of the Pontiac Grand Am he was allegedly driving at Third and Annsbury streets on Wednesday, June 10. His stepbrother and alleged accomplice, Ivan Rodriguez, 20, was charged with four counts of murder, four counts of homicide by motor vehicle, robbery and related offenses on Friday. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled Tribune Staff Report Odunde organizers on Monday were adding up donations gathered to help keep the festival afloat. ?I?m in the midst of trying to calculate that now,? said Oshunbumi ?Bumi? Fernandez, executive director of Odunde Inc. The festival owed the city as much as $85,000 for city services used during the event. The first installment of $27,500 was paid on Friday, leaving a debt of more than $50,000. How or when the balance would be paid remained unclear. Fernandez has consistently referred questions about payment to City Representative Melanie Johnson who could not be reached on Monday Odunde ? Page 7A for Wednesday. Although the investigation is continuing, Cradock was allegedly fleeing the scene of a motorcycle robbery when the car he was driving jumped the curb on Annsbury Street, hitting four people just after 7:30 p.m. The victims are Latoya Smith, 22; her daughter, Remedy Smith, 11-monthsold; her niece Alicia Griffin, 6; and Gina Marie Rosario, 7, Alicia?s friend. Investigators said Alicia and Gina were killed instantly by the impact and were both declared dead at the scene. Remedy Smith died from her injuries Wednesday night at St. Christopher?s Hospital for Children. Latoya Smith died the next morning. Both families have been shattered Oshunbumi Fernandez Suspects ? Page 6A LIFESTYLES Tempting Election Tastes for Coverage Charity Honors for Real Men Cook event celebrates 20 years. 8B Tribune PABJ awards news team following history. 8B
Suspects in tragedy viewed as juveniles gone bad - giving back in the worst way
The problem of youth violence in Philadelphia is frustrating and pervasive and unfortunately, hardly a day goes by without a young male trying to solve a dispute with gunfire. ? PHOTOS BY ABDUL SULAYMAN/TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Obama issues U.S. doctors stern pitch
Steven R. Hurst WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama told American doctors Monday they must join him in fixing a crumbling health-care system, pitching an overhaul to a group deeply suspicious of government meddling. To a degree, Obama?s appearance Monday smacked of his having walked into the lion?s den. While American physicians are discouraged and even angry about a system that overburdens them with paperwork and allows private insurance companies too much power to dictate treatment, many doctors are even more concerned about government involvement in their relationship with patients. Denying yet again he wants to establish a government-run system of ?socialized? medicine, Obama told a meeting of the powerful American Medical Today P.M. Showers high: 76º low: 57º President Barack Obama addresses the American Medical Association during its annual meeting in Chicago on Monday. ? AP PHOTO/CHARLES REX ARBOGAST Association to beware of ?scare tactics and fear-mongering? from those with a vested interest in the current system. ?They?ll give dire warnings about socialized medicine and government Tomorrow Cloudy high: 74º low: 61º Health care ? Page 5A Thursday Scattered T-Storms high: 72º low: 64º COMING FRIDAY Plan your weekend with Entertainment NOW!
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Cheyney University President Michelle Howard-Vital talks to freshman Tarran Lovett on Cheyney University?s campus on Monday. ? HIROKO TANAKA/TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Cheyney U. takes steps to improve its standing
National leaders to help funding and expansion issues for oldest HBCU
Ayana Jones Tribune Staff Writer Throughout the years, Cheyney University has coped with challenges around low student retention and graduation rates. The school?s current president, Michelle Howard-Vital, said a lack of finances is a major factor in student retention. According to her, the average annual family salary for Cheyney students is $30,000, whereas tuition is $15,000. The university currently has a 30 percent graduation rate and is known for giving inner-city students who are less academically prepared a chance to obtain a college education. Speaking exclusively to The Philadelphia Tribune on Monday, Howard- Vital noted if one takes in a select group of students that have higher SATs or a solid high school experience, they?re probably Cheyney ? Page 4A
Airport getting new luggage screening
Eric Mayes Tribune Staff Writer Another $26.6 million in federal stimulus funds, earmarked for security improvements at the Philadelphia International Airport, is headed to Philadelphia. The funds would pay about half the cost of installation for two new automated baggage handling systems and explosive detecting systems serving terminals A-East and A-West. The remainder of the funds for the $50 million project would come from airport revenue and bonds. Federal, state and city officials ? led by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano ? made the announcement on Monday at the airport. Napolitano appeared with Gov. Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter and U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Robert Casey. ?What we see here at the Philadelphia International Airport is another example of how the recovery act signed by President Airport ? Page 7A The Philadelphia Tribune, a reflection of you. The Philadelphia Tribune
