Louisiana cemetery ends “Whites Only” contract after Black Sheriff’s deputy’s Death

The Board of Oaklin Springs Cemetery held an emergency meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2021 to correct the legal language in the sales contract since the cemetery’s founding in late 1950’s, which specified that the cemetery would be open “for the burial of the remains of white human beings.”

This emergency meeting came together after board president H. Creig Vizena learned that the cemetery had refused the burial of Allen Paris Sheriff’s Deputy Darrell Semien, as he was Black.

Karla Semien explained that she was shocked to find out and refused to believe it until the employee showed her the contract.

Darrell Semien was 55 when he passed away and had served as a police officer for the Reeves Police Department and Allen Parish Sheriff’s Officer for 15 years. He was diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago, and found out it had returned on December 15. He was sent for hospice care and passed away on Sunday. Mr. Semien had chosen Oaklin Springs Cemetery as it was close to their home and the police station. They now plan to bury him tomorrow at a cemetery 15 miles away instead, and she would always remember how he could not rest at the place of his choice simply of his race.

Board president Vizena stated that the woman that had turned the Semiens away was his aunt, who is in her 80’s. She was relieved of her duties at this time. He explained that the language had never been changed as no person of color had ever sought to be buried there since its inception.

He expects that there are likely to be several plots that have the same languages in them.

Democrats Promise $15 federal minimum wage by 2025

Unified, Democrats in the House and Senate have reintroduced the bill on Tuesday to raise the US minimum wage to $15 per hour, as it holds control over Congress and the White House. The raise would occur gradually and any future increase would be tied to median wage growth; this also ends tipping for those working below the minimum wage.

The Democrats attempted to pass a similar bill in 2019, but it never passed the Senate. However, the Democrats now hold a narrow but definite majority in the Senate, and the majority Leader Chuck Schumer also supports this move. President Biden supports this effort as well. That being said, 10 Republican votes are needed to pass the bill out of Senate. It is not yet sure whether the Democrats can do this.

The advocates are also excited for its potential to cut into racial and gender inequality, stating that 23% of workers that would benefit is for Black or Latina women.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2020, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

Snow and Sleet Makes January 26 DC Metro Commute More Dangerous

Snow and sleet coated parts of DC to the north, and parts of DC to the south saw sleet. Nonetheless, many roads and sidewalks were already slick, as the storm began during the evening when the temperatures were already dropping.

DC will not get the amount of accumulation forecasted previously, but the freezing rain is possible overnight, which can worsen conditions north and west of DC. Of course, DC will treat the roads with salt to get the roads to be as safe as possible, but until this happens, it will take more risk and time to get to where one needs to go tomorrow.

Overnight, temperatures will range between 28 to 32 degrees. The federal government’s Office of Personnel Management will keep the government open but is allowing unscheduled leave for anyone needing to work in the city.

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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

First Major Snow Storm Coming to DC area on Monday

A wintry mix is in the forecast for Monday, as the weather gets colder over the weekend. However, there will not be accumulation of snow due to atmospheric conditions being too cold.

The weekend is forecasted to be significantly colder than the previous week, with wind chills in the 20s and 30s on Saturday, but with wind chills in the 40s on Sunday.

The current forecast is showing that the wintry mix conditions might extend to early Tuesday.

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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

Highlight of the Inauguration: Bernie Sanders’ winter coat and mittens

During the 46th inauguration, a familiar figure with a familiar coat stood, social distancing and with mittens with white and brown patterns. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont’s bundled up photo went viral almost immediately.

Many people captioned something along the line of warmth or the “this could have been done via e-mail” line, and his photo was photoshopped into many different photos for a meme.

In fact, those on Twitter were busier talking about Bernie Sanders than Pres. Biden.

The winter coat he was seen wearing is the same coat he was wearing for his infamous “I am once again asking…” campaign video in 2020.

Sen. Sanders defended his choice, citing that those in Vermont dresses for warmth, and that if everyone is talking about what their politicians are wearing, they are not focusing on what is truly important.

In the meantime, now ex-President Trump left the White House on the morning of the 20th by helicopter prior to the Inauguration.

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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

Unseasonably Dry and Warm weather causes Wildfire in CA

Several wildfires occurring on Northern California on Tuesday were most likely due to powerful winds, warm and dry vegetation in the middle of winter according to Weather.com.

More than 270,000 homes and businesses were out of power and about 1,250 people had to evacuate from Santa Cruz County. These wildfires have already consumed more than 200 acres off State Road 166 in the Wind Wolves Preserve, about 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Kern County Fire Department stated.

National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Los Angeles, Ventura Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties through Tuesday night. Yosemite National Park is closed due to downed trees and power lines.

RV travelers moved out from their temporary settles where they parked at the camping sites, and temporary evacuation center was set up at Corralitos Community Church. Several trailer-trucks toppled over in the high winds in the road sides.

As variant Coronavirus began its spread in the US, and with a current death toll of nearly 400,000 in U.S., these unexpected and unseasonable fires bring more unbearable situations that people can’t avoid.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2020, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

Man will pay $70 million for permission to search for bitcoin

A British man accidentally threw away a hard drive loaded with bitcoin into the trash. As such, he has offered more than $70 million if the local authority will allow him to excavate the landfill site. The IT worker James Howells had a digital store of 7,500 bitcoins which he had mined 4 years prior when it held little value. However, when the bitcoin went up in value, he realized he had mistakenly thrown out the hard drive out with the trash.

Therefore, he has approached the Wales’ Newport City Council to ask for permission to dig a specific section of the landfill site where he thinks the hard drive ended up. He plans to pay a quarter of the current value of the bitcoin, which is $70 million.

At the moment, a single bitcoin is trading around $37,000.

The Council however, has reported that it is not allowed to permit the excavation, as it is not possible under the licensing permit, and the excavation would have a huge environmental impact on the surrounding area; in fact, just digging up the landfill, storing, and treating the waste could cost significant amount.

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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

GameStop Stock Soaring high in the midst of Pandemic

According to Yahoo Finance, GameStop shares saw an increase of 57% on Wednesday. This skyrocketed price was influenced by new board members from RC Venture as well as the game market in Holiday season. Wall Street had a big momentum with over the 50% gains of the share.

Young adults and teens eagerly gobbled up the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles upon release. Some computer gamers found that their games were not in stock due to increased demand during the pandemic.

It seems that under the pandemic, consumer trends have changed and have skewed to release their stresses first using forms of entertainment: such as PJs and video games over office clothing, and finding ways to talk to people playing video games. This make more sense to them.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2020, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.

USA Requires Coronavirus Negative Documentations for Entry

Before departure to fly to US, foreigners should carry their coronavirus negative test result and proof documents from health care providers or public health officials.

According to a new federal policy, this will impact travelers who are heading to US from Jan. 26, 2021.

The new policy requires all air passengers, who should have test result from health care provider or public health official within three days before their departure to US.

If the traveler had a positive test result in the past, but the traveler no longer has symptoms then the passenger should have the positive testing result and a letter from a health care provider or a public health official stating that the traveler has been cleared for travel.

The C.D.C currently recommends that all air travelers including those flying within the United States, get tested one to three days before travel, and three to five days after the trip is complete.

Last week, all Major U.S. Airlines required all passengers to get tested between the destinations. The Major U.S. Airlines are backing a policy and welcoming this policy to expect opening borders with reasonable and rational way.

However, the variant mutation virus from the U.K. is fast spreading and there has been at least 10 states in U.S. that have shown signs of this new strain, alarming all living in the U.S.

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6 Inmates Escape from California Prison on Saturday, STILL AT LARGE

The 6 inmates escaped the Merced County Jail on Saturday night, using bedsheets as makeshift rope and accessing a 20-foot night roof.

They were identified as Jorge Barron, 20, of Atwater, California; Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19, of Atwater; Manuel Allen Leon, 21, of Vallejo, California; Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21 of Planada, California; Fabian Cruz Roman, 22 of Los Banos, California; and Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22 of Portland, Oregon.

All but one was charged with violent felonies, including murder, and they are considered to be armed and dangerous.

The county is working with local, state, and federal officials to track them down.

If anyone spots any of them, they should not be approached or engaged with; you can call: 1-877-WANTED-2 (1-877-926-8332) or you can visit US Marshals website.

A reward of up to $5,000 is offered per escapee for any information leading to their arrest.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2020, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part with out the express written permission.