St. Louis American endorses Busch Valentine, Page and Green in upcoming Nov. 8 election
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St. Louis American See editorial page A4
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Helping people navigate trauma and grief
Community comes together in wake of CVPA shooting
Vol. 94 No. 32 COMPLIMENTARY
It’s all on the line Black voters urged to get to polling sites on Nov. 8
St. Louis American staff Because of the stakes, the Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections could be unlike any in American history. As in the 2020 general election, African Americans can play a major role in delivering victories to candidates that share their concerns and political views. The future of Black history being taught in schools, the sanctity of school and public libraries, reproductive rights, and fairness and equity in employment could be decided on Nov. 8. “Your vote is your voice,” Mayor Tishaura Jones said. “Government works best when we work together” City voters have the option of either voting at their assigned precinct or stopping by one of 12 Vote Centers located throughout the city to cast a ballot. Eligible voters should have received a Notice of Election card in the mail informing them of the November 8 General Election and their voting options. Voters are also reminded that a photo ID is required. If a voter does NOT have a state of Missouri
See VOTERS, A6
Photo by Jennifer Sarti / St. Louis American
Luther Stewart (left) and Luther Lang (right) added flowers to the memorial in front of Central Visual & Performing Arts High School on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Lang said that with the school shooting, St. Louis “is a member of the club that no one wants to be part of.” By Danielle Brown and Ashley Winters St. Louis American The aftermath of the Oct. 24, 2002 school shooting at Central Visual Performing Arts High School includes ongoing healing, but the grieving also continues. A public viewing and funeral service for 15-year-old Alexzandria Bell will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Faith Church in Earth City, Missouri. Bell was shot and killed on Monday Oct. 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis. Health and physical education teacher Jean Kuczka, 61, also was shot and killed. The public viewing is from 8 to 10 a.m., and Bell’s funeral service follows.
n “It’s almost like getting news that your home got shot up and you weren’t there, that’s how I feel.”
She will be interred at Friedens Cemetery in Bellefontaine Neighbors. Pastors David and Nicole Crank are hosts. “The thought that I won’t be able to send her off to prom, I won’t see her walk the stage to grab her diploma at graduation, I won’t watch her pick a college, I won’t see her smile again and I’ll never hear her beautiful laugh and voice again will never settle with me,” Destiny Diamond wrote in a Facebook post. Diamond called Bell her “sweet little cous-
in.” Faith Church is located at 3590 Rider Trail South, Earth City, 63045. Friedens Cemetery is at 8941 N. Broadway, St. Louis, 63137. Kuczka was honored on Sunday night at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton. On Monday, a lengthy funeral procession traveled from the funeral home to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis where her funeral was held. CVPA alumni members organized a candlelight vigil on Friday, Oct. 28 at the campus to honor Bell, Kuczka, and those injured by a 19-year-old gunman who was killed in the school by police. Lauryn Brown is a 2017 CVPA graduate. “It’s almost like getting news that your home got shot up and you weren’t there, that’s
See SHOOTING, A7
The Execution of Kevin Johnson Part III
“If we believe that murder is wrong and not admissible in our society, then it has to be wrong for everyone, not just individuals but governments as well.” – Sis. Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking”
In a letter to his former high school teacher, Melissa Fuoss, convicted murderer Kevin Johnson, discussed his upcoming death sentence. In it, he wondered if he would feel the chemical sedatives used for executions coursing through his veins as he lay on the gurney. He also pondered who would be in the audience watching
HEALTH
Partnership helps bridge gap in youth dental care
him die “on the other side of that two-way mirror.” One person who has vowed to be present at Johnson’s execution is former County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch. In August, McCulloch told the Post-Dispatch that he plans to attend the execution in person. McCulloch personally prosecuted the cases against Johnson, who at the age of
‘Beyond Bars’ helps bond girls, incarcerated mothers Girl Scouts program proves worthy
Murder by another name
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Amber Rush and her twin sister, Autumn, posing with their mother, Mallory (center), have been part of the program since they were little.
19 murdered Kirkwood Police Sgt. William McEntee. There were two murder trials. The first ended with a hung jury arguing for a lesser, non-capital, charge. In the second trial, McCulloch sought and won a capital conviction. On Tuesday Nov. 29, Johnson is scheduled to be put to death at the state prison in Bonne Terre.
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American “Girl Scouts Beyond Bars helped a lot with me getting to see my mom. Some people have parents in jail and don’t get to visit them at all,” Amber Rush said. While she was in jail [my sister and I] were able to build a relationship with her.” Beyond Bars is a free program for girls in St. Louis with mothers incarcerated at Vandalia or Chillicothe Women’s Correctional Centers. Incarcerated mothers and their daughters have been building and strengthening their relationships on behalf of Beyond Bars since 1996. The program provides transportation for monthly meetings and
See JOHNSON, A7
BUSINESS
Using fairways to find fair ways to drive opportunity
CareSTL Health and BGCSTL have partnered to provide dental services to members at the location, where children and teens can receive routine dental exams, cleanings and fillings.
Jim Kavanaugh, CEO of sponsor WWT, calls the tournament “a platform to promote and educate the importance of a diverse and inclusive organization.”
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See GIRL SCOUTS, A6 SPORTS
Top area athletes tapping colleges of choice The area college recruiting scene has been very active with three athletes from different sports giving verbal commitments to schools.
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