Slain EPA Officer Remembered

Last night we recalled the difficult events of two years ago... The photo is the widow of slain East Palo Alto officer Richard May at last night's memorial. The Palo Alto Daily News reports:

"Besides marking the beginning of a new year, the month of January in East Palo Alto has become a reminder of how quickly violence can take lives.

Two years ago Monday, police Officer Richard May was allegedly gunned down by Alberto Alvarez, a now 24-year-old member of the East Palo Alto-born and -bred Sacramento Street Gang. Alvarez was on parole at the time and is awaiting trial.

About 60 people gathered at the St. Francis of Assisi Church to remember May, a man who friends and family said cared deeply about East Palo Alto and the residents he was hired to serve and protect.

His widow, Diana, told the crowd that she was perusing his old laptop, on which he did all of his police work, when she realized how attached her husband had become to the city.

"He had plans for East Palo Alto," she said. "If he had not been killed, I believe he would have made some changes."

On the day he was killed, May was responding to reports of a fight at a University Avenue taqueria when he encountered Alvarez, who allegedly shot him after a short foot pursuit. The subsequent 14-hour manhunt for May's killer ended when police found Alvarez hiding in a car near the crime scene."

Comments

YWAMers Praised for Faith and Leadership

The Denver Post reports on the memorial service at the Denver YWAM base: "We're going to celebrate a life, we're not accentuating a death," said Faith Bible Chapel pastor George Morrison, in opening a memorial service today for two people killed at a missionary training school in Arvada . The service is called "A Celebration of Life for Tiffany and Philip." Philip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson died Sunday when a gunman opened fire at the school's dormitory. Youth With a Mission director Peter Warren said today both Crouse and Johnson embodied the spirit of the group. First the service focused on Crouse . "Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and was never the same again," said Zach, a friend of Johnson's who met him years ago at a youth ministry in Alaska. At the time, Crouse was tough and wouldn't let people get close to him. "Over the years, Phil became a humble, teachable, sweet guy" who was able to reach kids with rough e

Non Profit Payday Loans?

Here's a recent New York Times article sent to me from Katie at NCHM on payday lending. I know that the NCUD / CTCU-EPA partnership is going to have to create the right program addressing the needs for short term lending for low income families. We don't have the answers yet, but it's definitely on our radar. APPLETON, Wis. — This city of 70,000 has five McDonald’s franchises, three Pizza Huts, four Starbucks shops — and 19 payday loan stores, brightly lighted storefronts with names like EZ Money and Check Into Cash that offer two-week loans without credit checks. Peggy Truckey, 53, knows the allure. Last year she owed nearly $1,300 to four of those stores, and was paying about $600 a month in finance fees alone. “I thought I was going to have to take a second job just to pay off the interest,” Ms. Truckey said. Then she heard about a new nonprofit program operated out of a Goodwill thrift store, one of several hundred lower-cost payday loan products that are now bein

Samuel Liotti TV Interview about Obama's Nomination

Check this out this link! Samuel, his best friend Malik and other students at East Palo Alto Academy were interviewed on TV where they were asked about their views on Obama. The students has some interesting and revealing comments. With all the politics, it may be easy for some to overlook the significance and importance of the first truly viable African-American candidate for president. Obama's nomination to especially many young people in our community speaks volumes about who they are and what they can become. This is an exciting and important time in our history. Please join me in praying for both our candidates, but especially Obama. I've felt impressed that I should pray specifically for his safety during the next months. Follow the link and check out the interview! What about you? How significant do you feel is Obama's nomination?

NorCalUrban

Search This Blog