Ken Ward, TV reporter, was set to drive Wednesday from Charlotte, N. C. to Tampa Bay, Fla. to start his new job at an ABC affiliate.

Instead, the 44-year-old was found dead early Wednesday morning at his home before the journey even started, leaving colleagues and viewers wondering what happened to the promising reporter.

His former news station, WSOC-TV, issued a brief statement Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. local time.

“We have lost a former member of our family here at Channel 9,” the message read in part.

The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which Ward was a member, said in a statement that the TV reporter died around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, but didn’t give other details.

An autopsy at the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will be performed to determine the cause of death, according to reports.

However, published reports suggested the Ward died of natural causes.

“This should have been a great day for him, and it’s sad that this has happened,” co-worker Ken Lemon, told Qcitymetro, a newspaper that covers the African American community in Charlotte.

“Ken was a very nice co-worker,” Lemon added. “He was very active in doing community events… He had a very pleasant demeanor. He was the kind of guy that anytime you saw him at work, he had a smile and a handshake – from the first day he came here until the last time I talked to him. And to know that we’re not going to see his smile or get to shake his hand again is very heart-breaking.”

Ward not only had the new job to look forward, but on Saturday, he and wife Letitia Ward celebrated their one-year anniversary.

Friends and family took to social media to express their condolences.

“R.I.P. Cousin nothing but good childhood thoughts of U!! Prayers of love and support Auntie, Sterlin, Donald and Leltia,” wrote Cheryl Ward, who currently lives in Harlem, N.Y.

A student at Jarvis Christian College claims fraternity members damaged his kidneys and opened wounds on his butt by beating him with heavy wooden paddles, then welcomed him to the fraternity’s “‘Century Club’ … reserved for those who could withstand at least 100 blows during this initiation process.”

Xavier Foster sued Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and four of its members – Sadallie “CJ” Cole, Waymon Humphrey, Bruce Nance and Omar McElroy – in Federal Court. Foster says when he enrolled in the Christian college in Hawkins, Texas in August 2009, friends and coaches encouraged him to pledge membership with Kappa Alpha Psi.

He says at the on-campus “intake meeting,” fraternity members and school representatives went over the pledge process and told him “the sole requirements for membership in Kappa Alpha Psi were a minimum grade point average, approval by current members and successful completion of a written examination on the history, rituals and traditions of the fraternity.” At that meeting, Foster says, frat members and school officials said they did not tolerate “physical or psychological hazing of pledges.” Foster says he fulfilled all requirements to join the fraternity by paying membership fees, and passing its written exam on April 24, 2010.

But his new brothers had other plans for him, Foster says, and on April 30, 2010 a frat member told him to report to CJ Cole’s apartment in Hawkins for further initiation into the national fraternity and its local chapter. ”There, defendants CJ Cole, Keith Humphrey and Bruce ‘BJ’ Nance physically and psychologically assaulted Foster,” the complaint states. “These defendants stood at attention and peppered him with questions regarding the history, traditions and rituals of the fraternity, punctuating each incorrect answer with blows from heavy wooden paddles and rods. ”CJ Cole, Keith Humphrey and Bruce ‘BJ’ Nance further represented to Foster that membership in the fraternity’s ‘Century Club’ was reserved for those who could withstand at least 100 blows during this initiation process.”

Later that evening, Foster says, the defendants ordered him to report to a second apartment in Hawkins for more initiation.
There Cole, Humphrey and Nance were joined by the frat’s “dean of pledges” Omar McElroy, and they all set to “striking Foster about his legs and buttocks with paddles, rods and boards for approximately two more hours,” according to the complaint. ”Finally, after more than five hours of non-stop beatings, verbal and psychological abuse,” the four frat members welcomed him into Kappa Alpha Psi, and “pronounced him a member of exclusive the ‘Century Club.’”

The complaint continues: “Within days of the beatings, Foster began to succumb to his injuries. His legs and buttocks were predictably inflamed and swollen. More unexpectedly, he began to suffer nausea, cramping in his hands and feet and loss of appetite. He began to vomit and could not eat. ”On May 3, 2010, Foster’s family doctor diagnosed Foster with acute renal failure and admitted him to the hospital where doctors confirmed the admitting diagnosis through a kidney biopsy and began an immediate course of dialysis. In the meantime, the wounds on Foster’s buttocks had grown so severe that they ruptured and required complete debridement and ongoing treatment of a wound care specialist.”

He was released from the hospital 8 days later, but needed “continued medication and monitoring of his kidney function and a wound vacuum for the still-healing wounds on his buttocks.”

“Since his release, Foster has undergone surgery to place skin grafts over the wounds on his buttocks.

“The damage to Foster’s kidneys was so severe that he now suffers from a permanent loss of 10 percent of his renal function. As a result, doctors have placed him on three separate medications to control his blood pressure to prevent further damage to his kidneys. ”Foster continues to be under the care of physicians because of the injuries inflicted on him. He is at increased risk of future kidney damage. He has pain with sitting for long periods of time. His legs and buttocks are scarred and disfigured.”

He seeks damages and punitive damages for negligence, gross negligence, assault and battery, and pain and suffering.

President Barack Obama has a new, moneyed supporter in this new year — a super PAC dedicated to mobilizing black voters in key swing states.

Calling itself 1911 United, the super PAC is aiming to raise $1.5 million during the election cycle and train its efforts on Colorado, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, committee treasurer Sinclair Skinner told POLITICO.

“He needs a boost,” Skinner said of Obama. “And we want to use all the means possible to support him, including a super PAC. Black political participation is still evolving, and what we hope to do is get as many voters active in the process as early as possible.”

The committee is backed by two large, historically black fraternities, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi, both of which celebrated their centennials last year.

The 1911 United super PAC will likely work to “organize and deploy” black voters — particularly potential first-time voters — in support of Obama, said Skinner, a long-time Washington, D.C.-based political organizer who’s a mechanical engineer by trade. He notes that the group intends to make significant use of phone banking and social media to achieve this goal.

Broadcast media messages are a possibility, but “we’re really going to focus on working with the people directly,” he said.

Super PACs, formally known as independent expenditure-only committees, may raise and spend unlimited sums of money in support of, or in opposition to political candidates, so long as they don’t directly coordinate with campaigns.

These committees have become major forces in the 2012 presidential election, with numerous super PACs spending millions of dollars to promote and attack Republican presidential candidates in early caucus and primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. Many of them are run by the presidential candidates’ former staffers, and thanks to loopholes in election law, they’ve largely avoided disclosing their funders ahead of early primary and caucus contests.

This is the first presidential election in which super PACs have existed. They sprung into existence following a pair of 2010 federal court decisions, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission, which prompted their legality.

To date, Priorities USA Action, run by a pair of Obama’s former White House aides, is the largest super PAC to back the president during his re-election bid. Almost all of its more than $306,000 in expenditures so far this election cycle have gone toward attacking Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

While most students had already gone home for the holiday, some stayed behind to celebrate, but their party quickly turned tragic.

The NIU community woke to a shock early Wednesday morning, after receiving a text reporting that a student was shot while at an off campus party.

“This was an isolated incident that occurred as a result of an argument,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

Feithen says 19-year-old Chaz Thrailkill of Markham, IL was arguing with 22-year-old Steven R Agee II, at 809 Edgebrook Drive in DeKalb.  When Thrailkill pulled out a gun and shot Agee multiple times in the chest.

“During that exchange is when the victim was shot,” said Feithen

No one else at the party was hurt, Thrailkill was arrested several hours later near the DeKalb campus.

“Talking to witnesses, we were able to identify the suspect,” said Feithen.

Friends of Agee say they were over come with emotion when they heard he had been shot, and don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt him.

“I didn’t believe that Steven was involved in it, until I showed up with the ambulance and actually saw him,” said Agee’s fraternity brother Paris Harbour.

“A leader, very academically sound, just a great guy to be around,” said Agee’s fraternity brother Turan Crockett.

Agee was the president of Kappa Alpha Psi, and his fraternity brothers say he will be greatly missed.

“We stick close together and everything, we know everything about each other, like I said, we’re loosing a big part,” said Harbour.

NIU says it is doing everything it can to protect students, but can’t control what happens off campus.

“We are very much concerned about safety, we got very strong engaged involved police force,” said Vice President of NIU Relations Kathy Buettner.

Thrailkill is not a NIU student and is in jail on a 3-million dollars bond.  He’s charged with first degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University Presents The 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show Sponsored By City Year Milwaukee

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University once again brings you Wisconsin’s largest step show- and this time it’s BETTER THAN EVER. Featuring the organizations of the Divine Nine: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta.

With a special guest host, music by Marquette’s very own DJ Poizon Ivy, and the most talented, most LIVE step crews from across the Midwest all on the Riverside Theater stage, the 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show is sure to be one show you don’t want to miss.

Tickets will be available beginning Friday, December 9, 2011 at noon. General admission tickets are $20 (+ taxes and applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased online at www.pabsttheater.org/show/2012BrewCityStompDown, in person at either the Riverside Theater box office (116 West Wisconsin Avenue) or Pabst Theater Box Office (144 E. Wells Street) Monday through Friday from noon until 6:30pm, or through the box office by calling 414-286-3663.

Like in previous years, this event is guaranteed to sellout- plan to get your tickets early! For the latest updates on the show be sure to follow us on twitter: @brewcitystomp.

Please direct any questions or concerns to brewcitystompdown@gmail.com.

Services for Willie H. Clark will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Oliver Gaines officiating. Interment will be at Clearview Cemetery.

Willie better known as “Clark” was born in Ardmore on June 25, 1945 to Dorothy Clark and the late Willie H. Clark, Sr. He attended Ardmore Douglas High School and later graduated from Langston University. In pursuit of furthering his career, Willie moved to Washington, D.C. in 1971 and became a professor at the University of D.C., where he met and fell in love with his wife Marie of 37 years.

Willie’s business mind, personality and passion for assisting people gained him the #1 top position as an insurance agent. Although Willie was at the top of his game in insurance, he was best known as the “tax man”! While doing years of taxes, many would say that he was known for getting you that “American Dream.”

Willie served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves – 3345 Tech/Unit 3369. He was also a member and brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Willie was “cool” and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a people person, high-spirited and liked to have fun. He loved his cars, jewelry, hats, and his three-piece suits. He also liked traveling, but most of all he loved his family.

Willie had a close relationship with his brother Norman and sister-in-law Alice. He had a special love and bond with his mother Dorothy. He was loved and highly regarded by all. He was also a man of wisdom to his friends and family.

Willie was a spirit-filled man and was studying to become a Jehovah’s Witness. Willie leaves to cherish his memory: his loving mother, Dorothy; wife Marie; his children Angela (Nelous), Antonio, Lovie, Dwayne and Sherry; brother Norman (Alice); 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins and other relatives and friends. The family visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.craddockfuneralhome.com.

Most college students are trying to endure the daily challenges and tribulations of higher learning, but Ryan Gibbs is a man with a plan — and his own book.

Gibbs, a senior at USC Aiken double majoring in psychology and communications, wrote a self-help book entitled, “Idle Time.”

Those who knew Gibbs were rather questionable of him writing and publishing a book as an undergraduate.

After much hard work and perseverance, Gibbs’ book is available on websites such as Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and E-Books.com.

Gibbs has more books lined up, however, the titles and concept will remain a secret until readers catch of glimpse of what he has to offer.

Thomas L. Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana has recently been included in Strathmore’s Who’s Who Registry for his outstanding contributions and achievements in field of Religion.

About Thomas L. Brown

Dr. Thomas L. Brown has been the Pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church since 1980. Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church has many ministries including Youth and Teen Ministries, Prison Ministry and Bridging the Gap Outreach/HIV/AIDS Support Services. Dr. Brown received a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Church and Community from Northwestern University. Dr. Brown is an Educator, Pastor, Yoga Practitioner and Community Organizer and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Dr. Brown enjoys cooking, travel and hiking.

Kappa Frater Alan Jones of the Eta Rho chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was crowned 2011 Central Michigan University Homecoming Gold Ambassador. Alan is a senior studying psychology  preparing to enter grad school continue his education in social work.

Ariel Bushel, Adrienne Boone and Ebonie Coley were three of many Wake County high school juniors named Kappa Scholars this spring by the Kappa Charitable Trust of the Raleigh Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

The Kappa Scholars program recognizes 11th-grade African-American students who have maintained a 3.0 or better GPA.

The awards ceremony took place at the Raleigh Marriott City Center in conjunction with the Raleigh Alumni Chapter’s 26th Annual Beautillion Militaire.

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