Medal of Honor hero Vernon Baker dies at 90
Written by Associated Press
by Rebecca Boone
BOISE, Idaho (AP)—Vernon Baker, a Black U.S. soldier who belatedly received the Medal of Honor for his World War II battlefield valor after historians concluded he’d been wrongly denied the military’s top award because of his race, died at his home near St. Maries, Idaho. He was 90.
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| UNCOMMON VALOR—Vernon Baker of St. Maries is seen in this March 1, 2005 photo. Baker, the last living Black soldier who belatedly received the Medal of Honor for his role in World War II, died at his home near St. Maries, Idaho, July 13. He was 90.
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Baker died July 13 of complications of brain cancer, Benewah County coroner and funeral home owner Ron Hodge said.
President Bill Clinton presented the nation’s highest award for battlefield valor to Baker in 1997. He was one of just seven Black soldiers to receive it and the only living recipient.
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
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Vonetta McGee dies at 65
Written by Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP)— Vonetta McGee, who costarred in 1970s blaxploitation movies such as “Blacula,” has died at 65.
Family spokeswoman Kelly Nayo says McGee died Friday at a Berkeley hospital. She had been on life support for two days after going into cardiac arrest.
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VONETTA McGEE
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
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Carmelo Anthony, Vazquez wed in NYC
Written by Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP)—Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony and actress LaLa Vazquez have tied the knot in New York City.
Michael Gagliardo, a publicist for Vazquez, confirms that the wedding took place July 10 at the Manhattan restaurant Cipriani. He provided no details.
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| Left: LaLa Vazquez enters Cipriani’s for her wedding ceremony in New York. Right: Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony enters Cipriani’s for his wedding ceremony, July 10, in New York.
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
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This Week in Black History
Written by Robert N. Taylor
For the Week of July 23-29
July 23
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| W.E.B. DUBOIS
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1900—The first Pan African conference took place in London, England. Blacks from throughout the world gathered to plot strategies for bringing about rights for all people of African ancestry, independence from colonialism for African countries and international Black unity. This “conference” was the precursor of all the subsequent Pan African “Congresses.” Among the most prominent names present in 1900 were African-American activist and intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois and West Indian lawyer H. Sylvester Williams.
Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
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‘Purple drank’ moves from rap lyrics to sports pages
Written by Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)—A concoction known as “purple drank” has gone from rap lyrics to the sports pages with the arrest of former NFL No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell. He was charged in Alabama with possession of codeine syrup, a key ingredient in the drink.
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| EX-RAIDERS QB ARRESTED—Photo released by Mobile County Sheriff’s Office shows JaMarcus Russell on July 5, in Mobile, Ala.
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It typically includes codeine and the antihistamine promethazine, mixed with Sprite or 7Up, along with Jolly Ranchers or other hard candy. It has been growing in popularity over the past decade even if the average suburbanite hasn’t necessarily heard of it.
Russell is charged in Mobile with possession of a controlled substance. His attorney says the ex-Oakland Raiders quarterback will plead not guilty at his arraignment on July 20.
Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
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