SACRAMENTO – In 2007 Sacramento County residents who were once a part of the Rio Linda, North Sacramento, Del Paso and Grant Unified School Districts came together to unite under the Twin Rivers Unified School District Banner. Trustees were elected to represent seven trustee areas, but were selected by voters from throughout the entire district. The expectation was that this would create a school district that was accountable to the entire community. Today, many residents say that is not the case and want a change.

Tonight, the Sacramento County Committee on School District Organization is holding it’s second informational hearing on a petition that allow voters to change how voters within The Twin Rivers Unified School District Boundaries select their representatives. If the petition is approved, voters in the June 2012 election would be asked if the current method of election should be changed to trustee area elections, where voters elect one candidate who lives and runs in their trustee area.

Petitioners say that area elections would allow for more parent involvement and give all communities a greater reason to become more involved with their neighborhood schools.

If approved, Twin Rivers voters be allow to choose between the . the June 2012 ballot, whether they would prefer the current system, or would like to have candidates.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 6 pm and is being held at the former Grant District Office across from the Grant High School at 1333 Grand Ave., Building A-2.

Click Here for the notice of public hearing.

The local community is encouraged to attend a candlelight vigil for Whitney Houston tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Evolve the Gallery in Historic Oak Park.

Houston, the multiplatinum pop/R&B singer who ruled the charts for decades beginning in the mid-1980s died Feb. 11. She was 48. At her height, Houston was the music industry’s reigning diva, releasing chart-topping albums well into the late 1990s, and earning her place as one of the best-selling artists in the world. Her unparalleled voice and beauty propelled her onto the silver screen as well, with roles in the “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

Sponsored by Agile Entertainment and Evolve the Gallery, the event will be hosted by radio personality Lee Perkins. Evolve the Gallery is located at 2907 35th Street in Oak Park. For more information, call (916) 572-5123.

NEW YORK – Only 54% of Americans have more emergency savings than credit card debt, according to a new poll released today by Bankrate.com (NYSE: RATE). One in four Americans (25%) has more credit card debt than emergency savings and 16% have neither credit card debt nor emergency savings.

Bankrate’s monthly Financial Security Index held at 97.3, unchanged from January and tied for the highest level since June 2011. Any reading below 100 indicates a lower level of financial security compared with 12 months earlier.

Despite four straight months of improving sentiment, consumers’ overall financial situation is still seen as negative. Twenty-seven percent of Americans report a lower level of financial security now versus one year ago and 24% report a higher level. Thirty-eight percent of Americans are less comfortable with their savings now compared with one year ago; only 14% are more comfortable.

“Emergency savings remains a problem area for many Americans, which leaves them only one unplanned expense away from having high-cost debt,” said Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate.com’s senior financial analyst. “Long-term unemployment, stagnant wage growth and rising household expenses are all contributing to this trend. As difficult as it may be to boost savings, having an adequate emergency savings cushion is critical to maintaining financial stability, and Americans need to find ways to sock away more cash for a rainy day.”

Additional findings included:

Job Security

• Consumers are slightly positive, with 20% feeling more secure than one year ago and 19% feeling less secure (up from 17% in January).

Savings

• Consumers have reported less negativity about their savings in each of the past three months, with fewer feeling less comfortable and more feeling about the same as 12 months ago.

Debt and Net Worth

• Both were little changed from January and maintain essentially neutral readings.

Credit Card Debt vs. Emergency Savings

• Households with income of $75,000 or more per year, college graduates and retirees are the most likely to have more in emergency savings than credit card debt.
• Parents are the most likely to have more credit card debt than emergency savings.
• Those most likely to have neither credit card debt nor emergency savings are households with income of less than $30,000 per year, those with a high school education or less and the unemployed.
• In a similar Bankrate poll conducted in February 2011, 52% of Americans had more emergency savings than credit card debt. Twenty-three percent had more credit card debt than emergency savings and 19% had neither credit card debt nor emergency savings.

The new study was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) and can be seen in its entirety here: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/consumer-index/survey-shows-savings-triumphs-debt.aspx.

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PRNewswire

NEW YORK – The woman, the wonder, the legend….BET and CENTRIC honor the memory of Whitney Houston with a BET News special LIVE: THE HOMEGOING OF WHITNEY HOUSTON premiering this Saturday, February 18, followed by BET REMEMBERS WHITNEY , a one-hour special commemorating the woman best known as The Voice.

Beginning at 11:30AM ET/8:30AM PT, BET News and CENTRIC, along with on-air correspondents April Woodard and Lola Oguinake will bring viewers complete live, in-depth coverage of the legendary pop singer’s funeral from her childhood church, New Hope Baptist Church, in Newark, New Jersey. Later that evening at 7:00 PM*, BET News correspondent Bevy Smith sits down with confidants and colleagues of the Queen of Pop including Kim Burrell, Kelley Price, Faith Evans, Ledisi, India.Arie, Tisha Martin Campbell and Tichina Arnold to share tender memories of the superstar’s greatest qualities as a vocalist, mentor, mother and friend. BET REMEMBERS WHITNEY takes a deeply personal and heartfelt look at one of music’s most beloved and renowned artists and recalls the amazing force behind her meteoric rise to superstardom and her uncanny ability to inspire others in a powerful way –whether in the spotlight or far away from the cameras.

Additionally, LIVE: THE HOMEGOING OF WHITNEY HOUSTON will air internationally on Saturday, February 18 at 4:30PM GMT / 6:30PM CAT and BET REMEMBERS WHITNEY will air internationally on Sunday, February 19 at 7:00 PM GMT / 9:00 PM CAT.

Over the years, BET has celebrated Houston’s incredible talent with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural BET AWARDS in 2001; a BET HONORS Entertainer award in 2010 during which she was paid tribute by Kim Burrell and Jennifer Hudson and most recently, Houston performed “I Look To You,” alongside Kim Burrell at BET’s 2011 CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL.

SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento Area Black Caucus, Inc. will award its annual Rosenwald “Robbie” Robertson Scholarships this spring. The $500 scholarships are awarded to the students who best demonstrate the standards of academic achievement, leadership and service to the African American community which the late city councilman and community leader Robertson exemplified.

The deadline for completed applications is March 3. The awards will be made on April 5. Applicants must be graduates of a Sacramento area high school by the end of the spring term 2012, recent high school graduates and continuing college/university students are eligible. Previous award recipients are also eligible to apply. The application can be downloaded by visiting www.blackparallelschoolboard.com.

For more information, call SABC’s office at (916) 484-5025.

SACRAMENTO – St. HOPE Public Schools announced this week that the new Oak Park Prep Middle School will be open for the 2012-13 school year. The Oak Park community hasn’t had its own middle school since 1963, and demand for a nearby school with high-performance measures has made this new location necessary. The school will accept new applications until March 15th.

“We are excited to be able to offer the students of Oak Park access to a high-quality middle school in their neighborhood that will ensure all students are on track to succeed in high school, college and beyond,” said St. HOPE Public Schools Superintendent Jim Scheible.

Since the closure of Stanford Junior High fifty years ago following a fire, seventh and eighth grade students living in Oak Park and nearby neighborhoods have had to travel outside the area to attend middle school. The new school, Oak Park Prep, will be located in a separate building on the campus of Sacramento Charter High School.

“Oak Park Prep’s program is founded upon the belief that all students deserve a top quality education and that all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, can achieve academic excellence,” said founding Principal Paul Schwinn. “We don’t make excuses for why kids aren’t performing. We continue to work with students until they get it right.”

Oak Park Prep’s academic program will closely mirror the program and success of PS7, a K through eight charter school also run by founding nonprofit organization, St. HOPE Public Schools. PS7’s Academic Performance Index (API) is the fourth highest score in the Sacramento City Unified School District and one of the highest in the state at 911 out of 1,000. PS7 attributes much of its success to longer school days, a structured learning environment, and a focus on high achievement for all students.

ATLANTA – Earl Lloyd remembers when he suited up for the Washington Capitols more than 60 years ago as the first black to play in an NBA game and wondering if he would make a good enough impression to stick around.

Lloyd and the Capitols lost the game. But he played well enough to earn a roster spot and break the color barrier in a league that had only three black players in 1950 and now features the highest percentage of African-American athletes in any of the major professional leagues.

“Before the game, I was terrified,” recalled Lloyd, who scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Capitols in a 78-70 loss to the Rochester Royals on Oct. 31, 1950. “I had a fear of disappointing the people who depended on me. Luckily, letting people down was not a part of my DNA.

“I’m glad I was part of something that helped pave the way for others.”

Now, as part of Black History Month, the 83-year-old Hall of Famer will be honored for his breakthrough at halftime of the Atlanta Hawks-Miami Heat game on Sunday. The former West Virginia State standout along with six other African-Americans will be recognized at all Hawks home games this month.

“I’m blessed to still have my health,” said Lloyd, who also became the Detroit Pistons first black coach in 1971. “I know that there are a lot of people who didn’t make it to 61 years of age. So for me to be around this long and still get some recognition.”

Since Lloyd made history, the NBA has increased its number of black players to 78 percent, according to the league’s racial and gender report last year. About 83 percent of the players in the league are people of color.

These days, Lloyd said some of his favorite players to watch are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat. He personally met James a couple years ago, but has yet to meet Wade.

“They might be too busy with the game to come and see me,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve met LeBron before but hopefully if Dwyane slows down for a moment and decides to give me a high five, I’ll be sure to return the favor.”

Lloyd, who was drafted in the seventh round, was one of three blacks to play in the NBA in 1950. His debut was a couple of days before two other African-Americans who helped integrate the NBA _ Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics, the first black draftee; and Nat Clifton of the New York Knicks, the first black to sign a league contract.

The 6-foot-5 Lloyd had his best season in 1955, averaging 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds for Syracuse, which beat Fort Wayne for the NBA title. He and Jim Tucker became the first blacks to play on an NBA championship team.

Lloyd played in more than 560 NBA games in the league and became known for his defensive prowess. In eight seasons, he averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.

When Lloyd first appeared in an NBA game, he said he couldn’t have imagined the league as it is today. He gives credit not only to himself, but also to Cooper and Clifton for breaking the color barrier.

“The league has come a long way,” he said. “I’m happy that Chuck, Nat and myself helped pave the way for others.”

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By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown is allowing murderers to be paroled from California prisons at a far greater pace than his immediate predecessors, a development that raised alarm with victims’ rights groups.

After a little more than one year in office, the Democratic governor has allowed about 80 percent of the decisions by the state Board of Parole Hearings to free convicted killers.

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, allowed about a quarter of the recommended paroles to stand, while former Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, allowed just 2 percent.

Evan Westrup, a spokesman for the governor’s office, noted the courts often reversed those earlier governors’ decisions.

Last year alone, judges reversed nearly three-quarters of the 144 Schwarzenegger parole denials they considered, meaning those criminals will be released despite the former governor’s attempt to keep them behind bars, Westrup said.

Crime Victims Action Alliance, a Sacramento-based group that assists victims and lobbies for their rights, said Brown’s decisions put 331 murderers back on the street.

“It’s a huge jump,” said Christine Ward, the group’s executive director. “We’re talking about some of the most dangerous criminals that were put in prison for a very long time for a very good reason. That number is just very concerning to us.”

The group’s concern was prompted by a report on parole decisions the governor’s office sent Tuesday to the state Legislature. The report is required each year.

The governor considers public safety, the opinions of law enforcement experts on the parole board, and recent legal rulings in making his decisions, said Westrup.

He said the state’s ongoing budget deficit and a federal court order to reduce the inmate population by 33,000 by June 2013 do not enter the equation, noting that the freed murderers are a tiny fraction of the state’s 144,000 inmates.

“The governor has a duty to respect the law but also to uphold public safety,” Westrup said. “We think he’s struck a balance with these decisions.”

In a pair of rulings in 2008, the state Supreme Court held that governors who want to block paroles must show some evidence that a criminal serving a life prison term remains a danger to society and should not be released. It’s not enough to consider only the nature of the original crime in making that decision, the court ruled.

The court gave the governor some discretion to block paroles for inmates who have not taken responsibility for their crimes.

“When previous governors have flouted the law, their decisions have been routinely overturned,” Westrup said.

Ward said she fears the parole board, the governor and the courts are interpreting that standard too broadly.

She referred to disciples of 1960s cult murderer Charles Manson.

“They committed heinous crimes, yet some of the members of that clan, their behavior has been exemplary in prison,” she said. “If that’s the standard we have to go through then we’re eventually going to see some individuals convicted of committing the most heinous crimes imaginable being released from prison.”

Westrup said there is little danger that those freed will kill again.

He cited a Stanford Law School study last year on 860 murderers who were paroled in California since 1995. Just five were sent back to prison for new crimes, and none was convicted of killing again.

Brown reviewed parole recommendations for 405 murderers last year. He reversed 71, modified one and sent two back to the full board to reconsider.

“It just seems like he wants to open the doors and let everyone out,” said Harriet Salarno, founder and chairwoman of Auburn-based Crime Victims United of California.

“The magnitude of the crime should be considered,” said Salarno. “Just because they’re in prison and behave doesn’t mean they can conform to the outside world.”

Schwarzenegger received 1,909 recommendations for parole during his seven years in office. He reversed 1,163, modified nine, affirmed four, allowed 496 to proceed without a review, and sent 237 back for the full board to consider.

Davis received 374 parole recommendations, reversed 275, affirmed six, modified three, and sent 90 back to the full board during his nearly five years as governor.

Ward said the governor’s office has declined to release files on the 331 killers whose parole was permitted by Brown, and Westrup said there is no list of those freed during Brown’s tenure. A spokesman for the parole board also could not provide a list.

In a separate report to the Legislature, Brown said he issued 21 pardons last year to ex-convicts who have committed no new crimes since they were released from prison after serving their full sentences years ago. All were convicted of drug or property crimes.

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By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press

NEW YORK – Sacramento’s own DeMacus Cousins will join All-Star Blake Griffin and rookie guards Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio to headline the list of 18 players chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge to be held during All-Star weekend.

In this year’s new format, first- and second-year players will be mixed in the game on Friday, Feb. 24 in Orlando. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as general managers and draft players for their teams.

Other second-year players chosen Wednesday were John Wall (Washington), Landry Fields (New York), Paul George (Indiana), Gordon Hayward (Utah), Greg Monroe (Detroit), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio) and Evan Turner (Philadelphia).

The rookies joining No. 1 pick Irving and Rubio are Kemba Walker (Charlotte), MarShon Brooks (New Jersey), Brandon Knight (Detroit), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), Markieff Morris (Phoenix), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota).

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Associated Press

SACRAMENTO – Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will join Mayor Johnson to discuss the significant investments being made in job-creating infrastructure projects in Sacramento and around the country.

Secretary LaHood will discuss high-speed rail in California and how President Obama’s commitment to high-speed rail is spurring American innovation and creating quality American jobs.

Following the press event, Mayor Johnson will formally unveil the most recent renderings of the entertainment and sports complex and the intermodal transportation site.

Think BIG is a regional initiative launched by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to facilitate construction of a new entertainment and sports complex (“ESC”) that promotes job creation, economic growth, cultural development and civic pride across the greater Sacramento metropolitan area.

The event will take place today (February 9, 2012) from 1:30 – 2:00 pm at The Rail Yards.