Local News (10/5/09-10/11/09)

NYC Students Get Promoted, 10/10/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

Good news in education! The number of students being promoted in NYC schools is higher this year than last year.

Two Teens Hit by a Car, 10/10/09, NYDN

Angela D’Ambrose and Terrence Semler, a Queens couple, were hit by a car while crossing the street. Angela, 15, died while Terrence, 18, is still in the hospital. The driver, who stayed at the scene, is not being charged. I won’t comment on the age thing here, but be careful girls!

Funeral Held for Queens Boy Struck by Stray Bullet, 10/10/09, NYDN

Last week, Kevin Miller was struck by a stray bullet while walking home from school; the 13-year-old was killed. The two teens who have been arrested in the shooting are rival gang members. His funeral was held this week, with many community leaders speaking out about the violence and the senseless tragedy.

Teen Grazed by a Bullet in Class, 10/9/09, NYDN

An 18-year-old high school student in Long Island was grazed by a bullet while sitting in class at Mattituck HS. “Miraculously, she suffered only a scratch and was treated by the school nurse.” Seriously.

Brooklynites Back Home After Being Jailed in Antigua, 10/9/09, NYDN

Six friends from Brooklyn (four girls and two guys in their 20s) went to Antigua on vacay. While there, they got into an argument with a cabbie they thought was trying to overcharge them. He took them to the police department where they say cops attacked them and cops say they started a fight. They got locked up and detail the horrific conditions of the jail and its effect on their lives back home. smh…

Homeless Mom Sacrifices to Give Kids a Better Life, 10/8/09, NYDN

Herminia Rojas, a homeless mom from the Bronx, travels from a shelter there to Brooklyn everyday so that she can send her kids to school. Their morning starts at 5:30 a.m., so they can make the long trek on the D train through three boroughs.The single mom values education and wants her kids to have  a better life.

Ban on Texting While Driving?, 10/5/09, NY1

New York Senator Charles Schumer wants a nationwide ban in texting while driving. According to the article, “Schumer cites Department of Transportation statistics that show nearly 100 teenagers have died in the last five years in New York City and on Long Island in texting-related accidents.” Also, texting while driving is “already illegal in New Jersey; a ban in New York State takes effect November 1st.” Safety first, y’all.

Cops Shoot Teen, 10/5/09, NYDN

Peter Colon, a 19-year-old man, was shot in the stairwell of the Gouverneur Morris Houses in the Bronx by a city housing cop. The police say that Colon has a gun, which the cop tried to take from him; they fought; the female officer was hit in the face; Colon pointed the gun at her; and her partner shot Colon.  Colon’s brother-in-law, who said he saw the fight, disagreed with that report, saying “”They shot this boy,” he said. “He had no gun. They tripped him. They kicked him.” He is currently in the hospital.