‘Vacancy bond issue’ on April 4 ballot in city
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Hail! Hail! Chuck Berry Rock and roll architect passes at 90 By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American “If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry,’” The Beatles’ John Lennon said on the Mike Douglas Show in 1972, just as he was able to jam with his idol on live television. The words of Lennon had special significance as fans n “If you bid farewell tried to to Berry this give Rock weekend. He passed away and Roll on Saturday another (March 18, name, you 2017) at the age of 90 in might call his St. Charles it ‘Chuck home. Berry.’” His death shook the – The world of Beatles’ music – and John the world in Lennon general. “Chuck Berry rolled over everyone who came before him – and turned up everyone who came after,” former President Barack Obama said via Twitter. “We’ll miss you, Chuck. Be good.” As condolences poured in, it became clear that no amount of words could do sufficient justice to the legacy of the St. Louis born and bred singer, See BERRY, A7
Vol. 89 No. 1
Oct. 18. 1926Mar. 18, 2017
Salute to Health Care
Putting children irst
Norman White receives award for work in mental health By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Saint Louis University professor Norman White identifies himself as a “developmental criminologist.” “I’m interested in how kids get to the point of being involved in the justice system and the factors related to that,” said White, associate dean for community engagement and partnership at SLU’s College for Public Health and Social Justice. For the past few years, Norman White’s work has focused White on the impact of school suspensions. “Kids are being suspended at a very early age in life and that puts them on the trajectory to later being involved in the justice system,” he said. In the fall of 2014, White received a grant to help train the teachers and principals at Chuck Berry, the father of rock and roll, died at his home in St. Charles County, Missouri on March 18, 2017 at the age of 90.
Suggs Scholar dances down her career path
St. Louis County seeks Prop P
Olivia Perez was first to receive Suggs Scholarship at Webster University
Half-cent sales tax increase for law enforcement
By Pat Matreci For The St. Louis American
dance at MJ Performing Arts Academy LLC and St. Louis Academy of Dance, and at “My true passion throughout Variety the Children’s Charity. my life has been “One of dance,” said my newest n “The Suggs Olivia Perez, Scholarship allowed administrative who recently roles is to edit me to finish school graduated the videos that when it would not from Webster go on CKDC’s University with a have been possible YouTube page, degree in media so I am very otherwise.” communications. excited to use “I am blessed to some of the – Olivia Perez already work in skills that I multiple avenues learned in school in the dance within the world right out dance world,” of college.” Perez said. “I plan to continue Perez currently works at a pursuing my dance career contemporary-modern company for the time being, and in called Consuming Kinetics the further future I hope to Dance Company (CKDC), incorporate film and video into where she is a resident my choreographic endeavors.” choreographer, educator and administrator. She also teaches See PEREZ, A6
See WHITE, A6
By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Kat Reynolds
Olivia Perez currently works at a contemporary-modern dance company called Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, where she is a resident choreographer, educator and administrator.
Additional police officers, police body cameras and dash-cams come at a cost – and to pay for it in St. Louis County, the proposal before voters on April 4 is Proposition P, a half-cent sales tax increase for law enforcement and public safety. The question reads, “Shall St. Louis County impose a one-half of one percent sales tax for the purpose of providing funds to improve police and public safety in St. Louis County and each of the municipalities within St. Louis County?” While the ballot wording is sparse, County Executive Steve Stenger said Proposition P would bring in $80 million in additional revenue annually, of which the County plans to keep more than half of it – about $48 million – and divide the remaining $32 million among its 88 municipalities, through a population-based state statute forSee PROP P, A7