December 28, 2017
City News Service
Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas announced Wednesday he is resigning, effective in four days, for unspecified health reasons.
“While it has been a great honor to serve as a member of the California State Assembly for the past four years, I have decided to resign from my post effective December 31, 2017. The reason for this difficult decision is that I am facing persistent health issues,” the 30-year-old Democrat said in a statement posted to his website. “On December 18th, I underwent surgery for the fifth time this year. Although I expect a full recovery, my physicians advise that I will need an extended period of time to recuperate.”
Ridley-Thomas, the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, represents the 54th Assembly District, which includes Westwood, Culver City, Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills. He was elected to the seat in 2013 after previously working for the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., and serving as public policy director of the Senate Fellowship Program.
His father released a statement, saying their “family is dedicated to public service, and Avis and I are extremely proud of how our son, Sebastian, has represented California’s 54th State Assembly District and served as a role model for the greater African American community and his generation. Yet we, more than anyone, have seen him struggle with health challenges this year, and we fully support his decision to step down from the state Legislature so that he can recuperate with complete rest, in accordance with his doctor’s orders.”
A special election will be held next year to fill Ridley-Thomas’ seat. No date has been set.
Two other Los Angeles-area assemblymen — Democrats Raul Bocanegra of Pacoima and Matt Dababneh of Woodland Hills — recently gave up their seats after allegations of sexual misconduct that both men have denied. The election for Bocanegra’s seat will be held on April 3, with a potential runoff on June 5. A special election date has not yet been set to fill Dababneh’s seat.
December 21, 2017
Special to the LAWT
Brotherhood Crusade thanks its partners for attending and supporting the 49th Annual Pioneer of African American Achievement Award Dinner on Friday, December 8th at the Beverly Hilton.
The event theme was "Be A Champion For Success", which highlighted the impact that every donation of time, funds, mentoring and opportunity counts towards making an impact in the Brotherhood Crusade's work to bring relief and empowerment to the community. Proceeds from this year’s event will support 3,000 South Los Angeles students.
This year’s highly esteemed honoree was CBS2/KCAL9 Sports Director, Jim Hill. Hill is one of the nation’s most respected sports directors. He appears on the station’s weekday 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts and also anchors the weekend editions of “Sports Central” – Southern California’s most comprehensive sports newscast.
Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO, Charisse Bremond Weaver said, “Congratulations again to our highly esteemed honoree Jim Hill. Brotherhood Crusade was so proud to shine a light and celebrate the lifetime achievements of this true community champion.”
Hundreds of corporate and community leaders attended the prestigious award ceremony. Bremond Weaver said, “Thank you to all of our partners, donors and friends who sponsored or purchased tickets and tables for this important fundraiser, which makes it possible for us to carry out our strategic plan to help the community.”
For nearly half a century, the prestigious Pioneer of African American Achievement Award Dinner has honored individuals that have made significant contributions in their respective industry and made an impact in the community through improving the quality of life for youth and families through education, advocacy and community building.
We hope that you will continue to support the Brotherhood Crusade throughout the coming new year and we look forward to seeing you at our 50th Pioneer of African American Achievement Award Dinner next year!
December 21, 2017
City News Service
The owners and operators of a South Los Angeles duplex alleged to be a crime-infested gang stronghold are the targets of a lawsuit filed Wednesday by City Attorney Mike Feuer.
The property at 1331 E. 43rd St. is an alleged stronghold for the 38th Street and Vernon Hood Locos criminal street gangs, and has been the site of shootings, drug use and possession, gun possession and loud parties, according to Feuer.
“We allege that for too long, a toxic combination of gangs, guns and drugs has made the property a dangerous hazard in this neighborhood,” he said. “We’ll continue to hold property owners responsible for these unacceptable conditions as we take back our communities.”
The abatement lawsuit names Miguel A. Valencia and his mother, Senorina Lara, who have owned, operated and resided at the property since 2002, according to Feuer's office.
The duplex, which includes two structures on a single lot, is located within close proximity to three public schools: Ascot Elementary, Jefferson High School and Roberti Early Education Center, as well as two public parks and several churches, city prosecutors said.
“This action signals another key step in a safer, more prosperous South Los Angeles, and a major victory for a community that has suffered for far too long,” City Councilman Curren Price said. “Thanks to the incredible efforts and tough-on-crime leadership of City Attorney Mike Feuer, our children, families and senior citizens can have more peace of mind and greater opportunity to live happier, more productive lives.”
The lawsuit alleges the property has been the site of multiple shootings, including an incident in November when a gang member at the property fired at a passerby in broad daylight, and in August, when the property was hit by a hail of gunfire in the middle of the night.
The lawsuit also alleges the property has been the site of several gang-related late-night parties over the last two years which resulted in vehicles blocking the streets, illegally amplified music and illegal narcotics consumption.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting gang and criminal activity on the property, comprehensive physical and managerial improvements, and a court order enjoining the defendants and their associates from permitting loud noise on the property.
December 14, 2017
By Cora Jackson-Fossett
Contributing Writer
A hit-and-run accident took the life of the Rev. Arturo Da’Naire Frazier, a youth pastor at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Compton.
According to the L.A. County Coroner, Frazier, 39, had just left church when a driver on Atlantic Avenue struck him on Dec. 11. Friends reported that Frazier was at the Southern California Annual Communion Service and had posted an inspiring video on Facebook “after hearing Bishop Kevin Willis Sr., speak at the services.”
The impact occurred around 8:38 p.m. underneath the 710 Freeway overpass. When emergency crews arrived, they found Frazier unresponsive and soon pronounced him dead.
Overwhelmed by the news, Frazier’s pastor, Bishop Richard D. Sanders, posted on Facebook, “God help me…my son…I can’t trace the sense in this tragedy, but I can trust the sovereignty of my God!”
In an email message, the Rev. Xavier Thompson, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of L.A. and Southern California, said, “This sudden and tragic event shatters our sense of order and thrusts us into a world forever changed. In times such as this, let us always remember that the Sovereign Savior is looking for us to look at Him. Please keep Rev. Frazier's mother, sister and family in your prayers.”
A popular preacher in the Los Angeles area, Frazier was born and raised in Compton. In a Sept. 2006 L.A. Sentinel profile, he revealed that he received his call to ministry during his freshman year at Southern University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2003.
At Mount Pilgrim, Frazier directed the church’s Save Our Youth Today and Tomorrow program. He also worked as a liaison for then-Councilman Isadore Hall III, a project manager for Los Angeles Urban League, and a field representative for District 62 of the California State Assembly.
Funeral arrangements were pending at press time.