Drugs And Weapon Found During Raid At Daycare In Roseland

Photo by Chicago Police Department

On Thursday, September 15, a weapon and drugs were found during a raid at a daycare in Roseland area. As reported by the police, one person has already been arrested and taken into custody.

According to the Suntimes, the police reported on Facebook that the incident occurred around 6p.m. when the Chicago police carried out a search warrant at a daycare in the 500 block West of103rd street. Upon the search they found a 9mm pistol, over 50 rounds of ammunition, 375 grams of marijuana and 63 grams of cocaine. 

No further information has been given regarding this news. 

However, a similar incident occurred in early January when drugs and a loaded gun was found at an in-home daycare which lead to four arrests. This incident occurred in the 14400 block of Kimbark Avenue in Dolton, Illinois.

At what point do people start caring about the children who are affected by the immoral things they do? A daycare is suppose to be a safe environment for infants and children to come to and be taking care of properly. 

What would you do if your drugs and guns were found in a daycare your child was in?

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

Family and Friends Pays Tribute To The Late Playboy At Rainbow Beach

Joseph Eric Lewis aka Playboy

Video Tribute to Playboy at Rainbow Beach Chicago

On Sunday, June 26, the family and close friends came out to Rainbow Beach to celebrate the birthday of the late Joseph Eric Lewis aka Playboy. Members of Notorized Inc. and All Stars Non Profit Organization came out to pull off a successful memorable event. They contributed food including bbq chicken, hot dogs, burgers, ribs and steak, spaghetti, mac n cheese and green beans with white potatoes. Desiree Billups also came out to support and sell cookies as part of a fundraiser.

The fellas of Notorized Inc and Family

Sandra aka Dee, Tamara Anderson and Stephanie Smith

Raven Parker

Nina Perkins

Playboy passed away in November 2014. He was age 39 at his time of death. He was described as an outgoing, happy person who was always smiling and willing to help others. During the celebration the deejay played a never released single called "Pump Up". Family and friends also paid tribute to Playboy where balloons were released in the air following a speech by Alfred Jackson.

Alfred Jackson and Melinda Sims

Rainbow Beach was filled with nothing but love in honor of Playboy! Noone got hurt, noone got shot , noone went to the hospital. People showed up and showed out in a positive way and that's what it's all about!

Playboy and Joann Koen

Dante Wilson and Playboy

R.I.P. Joseph Eric Lewis aka Playboy!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla

Violence in The Neighborhoods: Young Adults Biggest Challenge in Society

How would you feel if your 19-year-old son who was a college student was found shot to death or beaten until he took his last breath? What would you do if your 21-year-old daughter was raped and brutally beaten to where she was lying in a coma? So many of our young males and females’ lives are interrupted due to the extreme violence in the neighborhoods. This kind of activity is making our communities unsafe, leaving young adults and the upcoming generation less hope of survival. Young adults are faced with many challenges as they develop into the next phase in their life. Peer pressure, poverty, racial diversity, seeking employment and family abuse are just some of the issues young adults are coping with today. However, violence in the neighborhoods is one of the biggest challenges young adults face in today’s society.

Although drugs and alcohol play a big role in young adults lives, the violence in the neighborhoods has become a worldwide epidemic in the communities. Violence is the leading cause of deaths among young adults. Young adult males can’t even walk down the street, go to the store or even stand at the bus stop without fearing he would be physically assaulted or gunned down. One of my worst fears came to light when my 19-year-old son was physically assaulted by four unknown males. He had just landed a new job and I was happy for him. My frown quickly turned into a frown when I received a phone call saying my son was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital. He suffered injuries to his head, upper and lower ligaments. I am grateful my son is alive but I still fear he or his younger brother may become a victim of gun violence.

According to the United States Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, eighty percent of deaths are due to injuries and violence to people ages 30 and younger. It also states that the other twenty percent is based on chronic disease infections. Researchers from New Jersey came to the conclusion that it is normal for those who are exposed to violence to develop PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs in a significant minority of people exposed to circumstances that causes any kind of threat towards survival. Symptoms that could lead to PTSD include sexual assault, physical assault and indirect or direct exposure to violence.

Based on statistics African Americans are more likely to be exposed to violence in the neighborhoods than Caucasians. Science World reports, wealthy Caucasian Americans and those living in the suburbs are not as affected by violence like those living in poverty, rural and urban communities. Statistic also show that African American young adults males are mostly affected by violence in the neighborhoods where females are more affected by domestic and family violence. 

Young adult males are the primary targets of gun violence. Getting shot is a young males biggest fear of violence. There is no safe zone no matter where they go. Young males are more at risk of losing their life than young adult females. In Chicago as of February 21, 2016, eighty-four males were killed and 325 wounded. For the females there were only eight deaths and 30 wounded in the same time frame.

Of all the cities with high crime rates Chicago has the highest crime rate and murder rate in this country. Last year nearly 3,000 people were victims of gun violence. This year the number of shooting victims have reached nearly 500, with one-third of those victims being young adults. With only two months in the new year the number of homicides have almost doubled with eighty-eight murders compared to last January and February when there were only fifty-two. This is what you call de ja vu. In 1997 there were over 100 homicides within the first two months of the year. That year ended with close to 800 deaths. If there is already been over 400 shootings and more than 100 murders in Chicago, the numbers could reach over 1000 by the end of August. 

Violence in the neighborhoods has proved to be a hindrance in young adults. How can they move forward in their lives when they don’t feel safe? Do they need to start carrying guns and knives for their own protection? Young adults who have graduated from high school who are reaching for higher goals are stripped from a fair chance at survival. Violence comes in different forms but it all has an effect on everyone in the community.

Families, community residents, community leaders, community organizations need to work together to help build a safer environment for our communities. I was born and raised in Chicago. There may have been shootings and people getting beat up and robbed, but the crime rate was nowhere nearly as high as it is today. Chicago has become a dangerous place to live, especially for children and young adults.  Cook County’s State Attorney Anita Alvarez predicted 700 murders in 2016. Instead of predicting the number of dealths we need to come up a solution to protect our youth from being massacred and prevent the murder rate from growing. We need the up and coming generation to have something positive to look forward to. Many of our young males become violators because they feel they have no other outlet. It is time to make a change starting today. 
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla

The Shrine Will Close Early Following Shooting

Photo by Google Images

The Shrine nightclub which was set to close in March following Busta Rhymes concert will be closing it's doors after a shooting this past weekend.

According to DNAinfo.com, on Saturday at The Shrine located at 2100 South Wabash a group of people were thrown out of the club when one of them walked back into the club around 2 a.m. and opened fired. A 29-year-old female was shot in the head and a 34-year-old male was shot in the right leg.

Both victims were rushed to Northwestern hospital. The female is currently in critical condition while the male is in good condition.

The Shrine is just one of the few nightclubs in the South loop that has been forced to close due to fightings and shootings. Clue E2 formerly known as The Clique closed in 2003 after a shooting left 21 dead.

The Shrine has had many artists and great legends over the years including 50 Cent, Al. B. Sure, ASAP Ferg, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Black Thought, Chance The Rapper, Estelle, EPMD, Floetry, Jagged Edge, Jazzy Jeff, K. Michelle, Chrisette Michelle, Maxi Priest, Nas, Mystikal, SWV, Tink, Rakim and more.
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla

Megabus From Chicago To Minneapolis Catches Fire On Highway

Photo by Google Images

Sunday, February 21 the Megabus coming from Chicago caught fire on the highway in the northern suburbs of Chicago. 

As reported by NBC news the bus driver and  40 passengers were forced to evacuate the bus which blew up in flames in the southbound lane of Route 41 between Route 176 and the Lake Forest Hospital entrance.

A New York Times travel columnist named Lucus Peterson tweeted that the bus caught on fire after the bus driver turned around and a tire blew. Thank God no one suffered any injuries but the passengers luggage was incinerated as they evacuated the bus. One of the passengers said he lost his social security card and other items.

This is a major problem for Megabus. With cases like this it makes it impossible for people to even want to travel using their services. Although noone was hurt it could have been worse.

What does this mean for Megabus? They could face losing loyal customers who ride Megabus on the regular. I for one happen to be a regular Megabus rider and it scared me to the point where I don't want to use their services anymore. Going back to riding Amtrak might be my choice if they can't guarantee me safety!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Set To Raise Age Requirement For Purchasing Tobacco Products

Photo by Google Images

Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel could be raising the age requirements for purchasing tobacco products.

According to the Chicago Tribune, last Wednesday Emanuel proposed a plan to raise the age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. This news comes after the mayor proposed a plan to raise taxes on cigars, smokeless tobacco products and papers used for tobacco.

Hawaii and other cities including New York and Cleveland have already changed theirr age minimum for buying tobacco products to age 21.

The reason for the change in age requirements is because most tobacco smokers begin smoking before the age of 21.

What do you think of this proposal? Will this reduce the number of cigarette smokers? Do you think it will prevent those under 21 from smoking?

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla

Chicago Bulls Weekly Update-January 18, 2016

Photo by Google Images

The Chicago Bulls went 3-4 last week losing to teh Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks.

In a comeback as Derrick Rose sat out, Jimmy Butler scores a career high of 53 points against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Chicago Bulls are now the third seed with a 23-16 record.

In other news Jimmy Butler has been selected as one of the 30 finalists for USA Basketball's 2016 Olympic team, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

By: Isaiah Anderson