elgin_jones_web_13.jpgPOLITICAL CLOWNS
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced multiple moves intended to spur growth, jumpstart the economy and decrease unemployment.

Bernanke’s decisions resulted in robust stock gains around the globe. Here in the U.S., the stock markets soared to their highest levels since the start of the financial meltdown in 2008. Even in the face of this wonderful news, Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan criticized the efforts during a stop in Tampa just days later.
 
It seems the GOP is against any positive news for the country and are gripped with hatred for President Barack Obama. It makes you wonder what kind of clowns are representing the Republican Party these days. It shows how out of touch Ryan and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are with common folks and plain old common sense.

Palm Beach County

ATHLETE’S FORECLOSURE
Former National Football League Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle is facing a $4 million foreclosure lawsuit on his Delray Beach home. JPMorgan Chase Bank filed the lawsuit this month. The 14,000-square-foot home sits on 2.5 acres and has a full-size basketball court and other amenities. Rolle attended Florida State University and was a 1998 second-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans. He went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens until he retired in 2010 due to a neck injury.

ADDICT ARRESTED
While under the influence of alcohol and drugs last year, Frank Barrucco hit and killed a motorcyclist. A judge ordered him to stay away from drugs and alcohol as a condition of being released on bond after being charged with DUI manslaughter. Last week, Barrucco, 27, called Delray Beach police to the motel where he was staying to report someone had stolen $70 from him. When they arrived, he let them in and didn’t bother to remove the bath salts, cocaine and marijuana that were on the dresser, police said. When questioned, police said, he told them he had not used any drugs on that day. Asked if he had any weapons, Barrucco replied no and then explained he had only a pipe he used to smoke crack, police said. He was arrested.

WELFARE FRAUD
Brenda Charlestain, 28, of Green Acres pleaded guilty in federal court to committing nearly $24,000 worth of food stamp fraud since March 2010. She told the judge she used the money to pay for plastic surgery, a car stereo system and a custom paint job for her car. While she was collecting $1,100 per month in welfare, she was making $85,000 a year in tips as a stripper.  She apologized and asked for house arrest but U.S. District Judge William Zloch sentenced her to 18 months in federal prison.  Charlestain must also repay the money and has until Nov. 30 to surrender to begin serving her sentence.

Broward County

SLUR PROTEST

Vicente Thrower, a community leader in Pompano Beach, has joined a group of residents who are protesting and boycotting Snappers, a seafood takeout restaurant located in the 1500 block of Hammondville Road. Ali Juma, the son of the owner, is accused of using a racial slur during a confrontation with a black businessman. Khair Juma, the owner, denies his son used the degrading term but has offered to meet Thrower and residents to resolve the issue.  

BACK BEHIND BARS
Lawrence Rice, 26, of North Lauderdale, was out on bond awaiting trial on armed carjacking charges. He is now back behind bars. Fort Lauderdale police said they witnessed him wreck a car and then jump out and run off. As it turned out, two people had just reported being ordered out of their car and forced to lie on ground by a man who then stole their vehicle. Rice is now facing federal carjacking and weapons possession charges which could send him to prison for life.

ACCUSED THIEF

Brandon Sanchez Brinson, 24, of Pompano Beach, was pulled over in Lee County for speeding. He gave sheriff’s deputies a false name and it was discovered his driver’s license was permanently revoked, according to the arrest report. Deputies said they smelled marijuana and a search of his car turned up several notebooks with the identifications, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, bank accounts and other personal information of 54 people from Broward County. A bag of marijuana was also found. He is being held in the Lee County Jail awaiting extradition to Broward County. The names of the 54 people whose identities he had possessed have yet to be released.

SALESMAN ROBBED
Charles Edward Nealy, 28, is accused of visiting the Sensei Auto Sales dealership in West Park under the guise of shopping for a car and committing a robbery. Police said he went inside to complete paperwork but instead pistol-whipped the salesman and demanded cash while holding a gun to the man’s head. He got away with the salesman’s cell phone, jewelry, wallet and electronic equipment. Parts of the violent robbery were captured on surveillance video.

JOB FAIR
Bishop Victor T. Curry, who pastors at Greater St. Ruth Baptist Church in Dania Beach, as well as New Birth Baptist Church in Miami, will host a job fair. It will take place on Friday, Sept. 28 from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at Greater St. Ruth, 145 N.W. Fifth Ave. in Dania Beach.  For more information call 954-922-2549.  

Miami-DadeCounty

WHISTLEBLOWER VICTORY
Former Golden Beach Police Officer Tammy Valdes filed a whistleblower lawsuit after she was fired upon reporting co-workers who were double-dipping. A jury awarded her $233,000 in back pay and reinstatement to her job. The town must also pay her legal fees and costs. Valdes reported officers who were working off-duty jobs at the same time they were supposed to be on duty and were being paid by the department. Her lawsuit claimed she was demoted, harassed, given humiliating assignments and eventually fired in 2009.

STUDENTS’ PLEDGE
Miami-Dade County School Board Chairwoman Perla Tabares Hantman joined students at American Senior High to lead the “No Texting While Driving” pledge this week. Hantman has been on a campaign to raise awareness among teens about driving safety, including the dangers of texting while driving.