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CAC Audited DECEMBER 20 – 26, 2018
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Grandmother graduates from UMSL at age 64 Learns how to better communicate with grandson who has autism Everlene Falconer, 64, waved to her family after receiving her diploma from the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, December 15.
By Shahla Farzan Of St. Louis Public Radio When it comes to her education, Everlene Falconer won’t let anything stand in her way. The 64-year-old received her Bachelor of Educational Studies on Saturday, December 15 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Falconer earned her degree in less than four years, while also working part-time, completing internships and caring for her five grandchildren. Falconer decided to return to school to learn how See FALCONER, A7
Vol. 90 No. 39 COMPLIMENTARY
‘It’s about racial justice and it’s about leadership’ Citizens complain that Webster Groves hired lawyer who represented Stockley and Wilson By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Outside Webster Groves City Hall on Tuesday, December 18, a crowd of about 100 people – almost all white – held Black Lives Matter signs and glowing candles. Inside, Neil Bruntrager – the attorney who represented then-police officers Darren Wilson and Jason Stockley in their highprofile cases for killing black civilians – took his seat at the City Council meeting as the city’s new attorney. Wilson was a Ferguson police officer who killed Michael Brown in August 2014 and was never charged after a grand jury reviewed the case. Stockley was a St. Louis police officer who killed Lamar Anthony Smith in Rev. 2011 and was found notAnthony L. guilty of murdering Smith McPherson in a bench trial. For more than an hour at the December 18 City Council meeting, Webster’s council members and mayor heard from community members who decried their decision to hire Bruntrager, saying that his presence does not make people of color feel safe or welcome in their city. “The moment that we face is about racial justice and it’s about leadership – and it’s telling me a lot,” said Adelaide Lancaster, a Webster Groves resident and Forward Through Ferguson board member. “It tells
Photo by August Jennewein / UMSL
See LAWYER, A6
Photo by Wiley Price
Savings from Santa Tishaura St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones handed out piggy banks to Carondelet Leadership Academy kindergarten students Jai’Den Carver, 5, and Ollie Lynch, 6, on December 18. Since 2015, the College Kids Children’s Savings Account Program that Jones initiated has opened savings accounts for kindergarten students in Saint Louis Public Schools.
october 5, 1932 – December 15, 2018
Alleged victim testified against Laddie Roebuck, judge ruled he poses threat
‘Jazz Guru’ transcends at age 86 Rich Henderson with his friend Wynton Marsalis at saxophonist Todd Williams’ nuptials at The Sheldon in St. Louis in 1989.
Jazz Jam/Tribute to Rich Henderson on Dec. 26 at Eddie Randle & Sons By Roscoe Crenshaw For The St. Louis American Richard Rogers Henderson – longtime St. Louis jazz promoter, educator and mentor – passed away Saturday, December 15 at age 86. A Jazz Jam/Tribute to Henderson will be staged at Eddie Randle & Sons Funeral Home, 4600 Natural Bridge Blvd., 4-7 p.m. Saturday, December 26. Drummer Lewis Nash and trumpeter Keyon Harrold are scheduled to attend and perform, along with other
players. The jazz families of St. Louis and New York are saddened by the loss of Henderson, who was known by many other names. There is dispute over who first called him “the Jazz Guru.” The late Dick Gregory, his schoolmate, called him “Hindu,” a play on his name. He also was called “Des,” due to his admiration for saxophonist Paul Desmond; “Hawk,” for saxophonist Coleman See HENDERSON, A6 Photo by Roscoe Crenshaw
Diabetic inmate who lost toe denied bail reduction By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Things seemed to be looking up last week for 59-year-old Laddie Roebuck, a diabetic inmate in the St. Louis City Justice Center who lost his toe to gangrene due to what he claims was medical neglect in the jail. A circuit court judge held an emergency bond reduction hearing for Roebuck on December 13 to discuss lowering his $40,000 cash-only bond amount. Roebuck, who suffers from chronic mental issues as well as a substance abuse problem, is charged with robbery without use of a weapon. He currently cannot walk because he had his toe amputated in late November, and he has had excessively high blood-sugar levels around 400 mg/dl for several weeks now, his See ROEBUCK, A7