Compton Herald

ADVERTISMENT

The hidden story that binds African and Mexican Americans in a shared history few knew about until now! - GLOBAL AFRICAN DIASPORA

ANOTHER RAP STAR FALLS

Coolio 'Gangsta's Paradise' rap star Coolio dies in LA of cardiac arrest.

Rapper Coolio dead at 59

LOS ANGELES (CNS)—Coolio, the Compton-raised rapper who achieved international fame with the 1990s Grammy-winning single "Gangsta's Paradise," died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 59.

The rapper's manager told TMZ.com that Coolio—whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr.— collapsed in a bathroom at a friend's house. When he didn't come out of the bathroom, the friend went inside and found the rapper on the floor.

According to the website, paramedics were called but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Born in Pennsylvania but raised in Compton, Coolio sold more than 17 million records during his career, powered largely by the 1995 smash "Gangsta's Paradise," which was featured in the film "Dangerous Minds." The song earned him a Grammy for best solo rap performance and was nominated for song of the year.

According to his official website, Coolio's music was also featured in films including "Space Jam," "Clueless," "The Big Payback" and "Half-Baked." He also wrote the theme song for the Nickelodeon series "Kenan & Kel." During his career, he collected an American Music Award, three MTV Music Video awards, two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, two Billboard Music and a World Music award.

As an actor and portraying himself, he appeared in a variety of films and television shows over the years, including "Martin," "The Nanny" and "Charmed." He later appeared on reality shows including "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Ultimate Big Brother," and his talents as a chef led him to appear on the reality TV show "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off."

In 2009, he released his own cookbook, "Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price," dubbing himself a "ghetto gourmet." He also appeared in a web series titled "Cookin' with Coolio."

Third suspect nabbed in the murder, robbery of PnB Rock

LOS ANGELES (CNS)— A third suspect sought by police in the shooting death of rapper PnB Rock at a South Los Angeles restaurant was arrested in Las Vegas Sept. 30.

Freddie Lee Trone, 40, was located and arrested about 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was booked in Las Vegas and is pending extradition to Los Angeles.

Freddie Trone and his 17-year-old son, who was arrested Tuesday in Lawndale, are charged with one count each of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts each of second-degree robbery involving the Sept. 12 killing of 30-year-old Rakim Allen at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles at 106 W. Manchester Ave., where he was eating lunch with his girlfriend.

The teen, whose name has not been released because of his age, made his initial court appear- ance Thursday in a Compton juvenile courtroom, according to the District Attorney's Office. He is due back in court Oct. 19 for a pretrial hearing.

A third defendant, Shauntel Trone, 38, was charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact. ABC7 reported that she is the teen suspect's stepmother.

Police said a male suspect walked up to the couple, drew a handgun, demanded PnB Rock's jewelry, and shot him. The rapper died at a hospital.

TMZ and Fox11 reported that Freddie Trone is believed to have been the getaway driver following the shooting, allegedly carried out by his teen son. TMZ reported that the pair later burned the vehicle used during the crime.

TMZ and Fox11 both reported that Trone and his son were already in the restaurant parking lot when PnB Rock arrived, contradicting earlier suggestions that social media posts by the rapper and his girlfriend showing his jewelry and tagging their location led to the robbery and shooting.

Witnesses said the suspect and the rapper argued during the heist, culminating in the shooting, which was captured on the restaurant's video surveillance system.

The shooting and its apparent link with an Instagram post was reminiscent of the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke in the Hollywood Hills. In that case, the rapper had made a series of social media posts revealing his location and valuables he had in his possession.

On Twitter, singer Nicki Minaj lamented PnB Rock's killing, writing,

"After Pop Smoke there's no way we as rappers or our loved ones are still posting locations to our whereabouts. To show waffles & some fried chicken????! He was such a pleasure to work with. Condolences to his mom & family. This makes me feel so sick. Jesus.''

In a statement announcing the criminal case, District Attorney George Gascón said, "The murder of Mr. Allen dimmed a bright light in the lives of his fans, friends and most importantly his family. The accused individuals' alleged actions in this case were heartless and cruel and robbed the world of Mr. Allen's talents."

US 988 Suicide Lifeline now live

ROCKVILLE, MD (MNS)—Effective July 16, the US transitions the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988—an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.

The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the US Depart- ment of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need. This initiative is part of President Biden’s comprehensive strategy to address our nation’s mental health crisis, and is identified by US Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra as a top priority at HHS.

Since January 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has made unprecedented investments to support the 988 transition, investing $432 million to scale crisis center capacity and ensure all Americans have access to help during mental health crises.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, signed into law after the passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020, authorized 988 as a new three-digit number for suicide and mental health crisis. All telephone service and text providers in the US and the five major U.S. territories are required by the FCC to activate 988 no later than July 16.

"988 is more than a number, it is a message: we’re there for you. Through this and other actions, we are treating mental health as a priority and putting crisis care in reach for more Americans," said Secretary Becerra, who has been meeting with states across the country about the transition to 988 as part of HHS’ National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. “There is still much work to do. But what matters is that we’re launching, 988 will be live. We are looking to every governor and every state in the nation to do their part to make this a long-term success."

The Biden-Harris Administration increased federal investments in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by 18-fold - from $24 million to $432 million—to scale up crisis centers and back-up center capacity, and to provide special services, including a sub-network for Spanish language speakers.

The $432 million included $105 million in grant funding to states and territories, provided by the American Rescue Plan, to improve response rates, increase capacity to meet future demand, and ensure calls initiated in their states or territories are first routed to local, regional, or state crisis call centers. Prior to this investment, the Lifeline, which has existed since 2005, had been unfunded and under-resourced.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

"Recent investments made in the Lifeline have already resulted in more calls, chats, and texts answered even as volume has increased, but we know that too many people are still experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support they need," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA.

"Over time, the vision for 988 is to have additional crisis services available in communities across the country, much the way emergency medical services work." Delphin-Rittmon said. "The success of 988 depends on our continued partnership with states, as the federal government cannot do this alone. We urge states and territories to join us and invest further in answering the call to transform our crisis care response nationwide."

FCC staff first proposed 988 in a report to Congress in August 2019 as the nationwide, easy-to-remem-ber, 3-digit dialing code for individuals in crisis to connect to suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules designating 988 for this purpose. Recognizing the need to better support at-risk communities in crisis, including youth and individuals with disabilities, the FCC adopted additional rules in November 2021 to expand access to this important service by establishing the ability to also text 988.

"All across our country, people are hurting. They need help. The good news is that getting that help just got a lot easier. The 988 hotline will be available nationwide for individuals in crisis, and their loved ones, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline more easily," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

"This cross-government effort has been years in the making and comes at a crucial point to help address the mental health crisis in our country, especially for our young people."

VA administers the Veterans Crisis Line through the Lifeline’s national network. Because of VA’s partner- ship with the Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line is affected by this transition to a new number. Veterans and their loved ones can now Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

"988 has been a long time coming and will serve as a critical resource during a crisis when every second counts. The new, shorter number will help ensure Veterans have easier access to the Veterans Crisis Line," said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "This launch is a whole-of-government approach in line with the president’s call to prioritize mental health by strengthening access to crisis services, and preventing Veteran suicide, our top clinical priority."

In 2021, the Lifeline received 3.6 million calls, chats, and texts. That number is expected to at least double within the first full year after the 988 transition.

The US had one death by suicide every 11 minutes in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-14 and 25-34. From April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful.

The 10-digit Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will continue to be operational after July 16 and will route calls to 988 indefinitely. Veterans, service members, and their families can also still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, or by chat or text to 838255.

More information on 988 is available at www.samhsa.gov/988 and https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs. B-roll and soundbites are available for download here: https://hhstv.orangedox.com /20220716988BitesandBroll