hit, run, vehicle, human remains, impact, victim, Dallas, Texas

by Rafael Pena

December 18, 2023

Hit-And-Run Victim Found Dead In Vehicle that Allegedly Struck Him

A man was detained by the local police after being found in a car with a deceased person suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run.

A man was detained by the police in White Settlement, Texas, December 16 after being found in a car with a deceased person suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run in Dallas earlier that evening, according to KENS5.

The White Settlement Police responded to a welfare check at a Jack in the Box parking lot following a call received at 11:13 p.m. about a driver slumped over the steering wheel of a Kia Forte. The car exhibited extensive front-end, hood, and windshield damage. Upon inspection, an officer discovered a human body in the front passenger seat next to the unconscious driver.

“As the officer shined his flashlight in the vehicle looking for alcoholic beverages that might be in plain view, stuff like that, he noticed what appeared to be a human body in the passenger side of the vehicle,” said White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook during a Sunday press conference.

Medics confirmed the passenger’s death. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Nestor Lujan Flores of Arlington, was then questioned by the police.

Lujan Flores claimed that he had struck a deer in Dallas and continued driving to the parking lot, approximately 40 miles away, without alerting first responders. Based on evidence, authorities believe the victim in the passenger seat was a pedestrian hit by the vehicle. The impact was so severe, officials said, that the individual was thrown inside the car and came to rest in the passenger seat.

“So, we believe that the driver struck a pedestrian somewhere in our region, and that impact forced the pedestrian inside the vehicle and ended up came to rest in the passenger seat,” Cook said. “Very unfortunate that he did not realize that this was a human being–to stop, render aid and call for help.”

White Settlement police, in collaboration with other jurisdictions, identified a crash site near Cockrell Hill Road in Dallas. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating the incident, and officials believe the crash happened in Dallas, with human remains found near the scene.

“In all my 28 years [on the job], I have never really worked a case like this,” Cook said.

Lujan Flores is in custody at the White Settlement Jail on a pending charge of intoxication manslaughter and potentially failure to stop and render aid. The victim’s identity will be released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office once the family has been notified.

Nurse Alice: 5 Last-Minute Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

by Nurse Alice Benjamin

December 18, 2023

Nurse Alice: 5 Last-Minute Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

Scrambling for holiday gift ideas? Here is a healthy twist on last-minute gifts.

Originally Published Dec. 23, 2016

‘Tis the season! Christmas is right around the corner, and some of us may still be scrambling for that last-minute holiday gift. But no worries–you don’t have to come empty handed. Here is a healthy twist on that beat-the-clock holiday gift. How about a wellness gift for the mind, body, and soul.

What’s the one gift we all want but can’t really buy?

GOOD HEALTH!

Now, although we can’t box that up, all is not lost. There is still time to buy that special someone a gift and make it meaningful. Make your gift count by giving the gift that keeps on giving. Many times we want to be healthy, eat healthy, and live healthy, but when it comes to the bottom line and bills, often those healthy items fall last on our shopping list to buy. So, this is where your wellness gift can make the difference.

Here are five holiday gifts with a healthy twist.

Gym Bag With a Water Bottle and/or Weight Gloves

These are vital gym basics to get started. Get your friends and family organized with a stylish gym bag. The gloves provide hand protection for lifting weights–and they look stylish. You can drop a little note in the water bottle, reminding them to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Yoga Mat With Resistance Bands

This is the perfect mobile or stationary exercise station. Resistance bands fit easily into any purse or backpack, so it’s great for those that travel often. Add a note with exercise examples.

Essential Oils or Scented Candles

Aromatherapy in the form of essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. You can smell it, rub on the skin, and even ingest some (but check with your doctor first).

Here are some favorites:

Lavender: Helps you get better sleep and manage stress
Grapefruit: Reduces the appetite
Sweet Orange: Helps with anxiety
Tea Tree: Wards off andÂ fights infections
Peppermint: Puts a stop to headaches
Cedar wood: Helps prevent hair loss and skin irritation
Rosemary: Better focus at work
Ginger: Relieves nausea

Mix-and-Match Neck Pillow or Gel Cooling Eye Mask, Paired With Earplugs

Sleeping less than six hours per night can lead to long-term health consequences. It’s important to keep ourselves energized, so give the gift that promotes rest for good health.This gift can help them get better sleep and helps to create a restful and comfortable sleep environment.

One-Month Gym Pass

One major barrier to getting to the gym is how expensive it can be at times, so this is a great way to introduce someone to the gym. There are tons of holiday specials right now, so you have a lot of options to get a great price. Even if they don’t stick to the gym, they can use it for what it’s worth, and hopefully build in the healthy lifestyle of exercise.

Gear friends and family up for those 2024 New Year’s health resolutions, with any of these cool gifts.

RELATED CONTENT: Nurse Alice: 5 Healthy Gifts for Dad

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 18, 2023

TikTok Reveals ‘What’s Next’ For 2024 Trends And Game-Changers

TikTok's "What's Next Trend Report" for 2024 is detailing all the growing ways users want to interact with brands and influencers on the popular social media platform.

TikTok is getting a head start on the new year’s trends. The social media platform has revealed its “What’s Next Trend Report” for 2024 to inform growing influencers as they adapt to evolving audiences.

The detailed report revealed what its users gravitate to in their content consumption. The newly established idea of “creative bravery” is emerging as a critical idea for 2024. Users wanting to stay ahead and grow their fanbase must take risks in their storytelling techniques, including being vulnerable, to maintain and expand upon viewers’ attention. According to the report, the concept “drives impact by piquing global curiosities, flipping traditional story arcs, and deepening trust between brands and their audiences.”

The first “trend force” mentioned is to peak users’ curiosities. Introducing viewers to products they didn’t know they needed or ideas they never thought about is a growing trend that benefits content creators willing to engage others in this capacity. The second was the idea of unhinged storytelling, which encourages creators to think outside the box when sharing new information about themselves or a concept. Using unorthodox storytelling could grow one’s viewers and keep them on their videos for longer, plus for advertisers.

Lastly, the inclusion of trustworthy voices is critical for engagement as well. Brands or influencers on the platform who are willing to speak openly and directly to consumers make users more inclined to interact, which can lead to buying products. This directly impacts TikTok’s buying influence, as seeing an ad on the platform makes users 41% more trusting of the company.

Utilizing TikTok to promote a brand or oneself as a brand can lead to higher visibility online and growing sales. However, staying on top of how viewers best connect to videos is essential to benefit the most from the platform.

Stephanie Synclair Couldn’t Find Her Dream House In The U.S., So She Purchased A 4,000 Sq. Ft. Home In Italy For $62K

by Stacy Jackson

December 18, 2023

Stephanie Synclair Couldn’t Find Her Dream House In The U.S., So She Purchased A 4,000 Sq. Ft. Home In Italy For $62K

The mom and her six-year old son went to Italy to purchase a home after mortgage costs skyrocketed in the U.S.

Stephanie Synclair started house hunting in 2021, and like many Americans, low mortgage rates during the pandemic initially sparked her to search for homes. However, the rapid increase in home prices made it difficult for Synclair to find a home within her $450,000 budget, which led to a purchase in Italy.

“I started looking outside the country for just what was available,” Synclair said. “It was more so just curiosity, just looking. I don’t think in that moment that I knew it would lead to a purchase,” the 41-year-old woman said, according to CNBC.

She learned of Mussomeli’s cheap fixer-uppers after browsing a Facebook group for American expats in Europe. It wasn’t long before Synclair purchased a “historic” three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 4,000-square-foot house for 59,000 euros, approximately $62,000 U.S. dollars.

After closing on her home in March 2022, Synclair budgeted $21,000 to transform the place while preserving the original architectural details. The DIYer found special meaning in renovating the house herself, aware her 500-year-old-plus dwelling had sheltered generations of Sicilians before her.

In Sicily, Synclair’s basic costs are minimal. She does not have to make mortgage payments and pays lower utilities prices. In Atlanta, she pays $2,275 a month for the home she is renting and over $1,000 monthly for her vehicles, according to the outlet. She is fascinated with the opportunity to indulge in Sicily’s fresh, inexpensive produce, keeping grocery bills around $63 per trip, versus Atlanta’s $100 minimum. “I live more than comfortably on my current salary, even with Atlanta being a lot pricier than it is here in Sicily, because I live for almost nothing here,” the homeowner said.

Despite feeling financially behind, Synclair has made strides to save and invest in recent years. In October 2023, she had $14,000 in savings, over $30,000 in retirement accounts and nearly $1 million in a brokerage account. Settling in Sicily allows her to have a comfortable retirement. She would only need around $450,000 instead of $2.5 million in the U.S. Synclair aims to retire abroad once her 17-year-old son Caden graduates high school. She visits Sicily every three months while running her tea company stateside. She’s still adjusting to cultural differences as an outsider, like learning Italian.

“I will always be an American on foreign land — I will always be an outsider,” Synclair says. “And I think that’s really important to remember when you’re coming into others’ cultures.”

Synclair believes as she continues to respect the culture and show she is there to learn their ways, Sicilians will continue embracing her as one of their own.

by Lauren Nutall

December 18, 2023

EBONY ALERT: Urgent Search For Jacob Parker, Missing Atlanta 16-Year-Old

An urgent search for a missing 16-year-old boy in Atlanta has ensued after the boy left his home following an argument.

A 16-year-old Atlanta teenager has been reported missing after leaving his home on Saturday, Dec. 16, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Jacob Parker left his home on Old Georgian Terrace NW at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. His father, Joe Parker, reported him missing that night after he did not return home. Parker was last seen on Sunday evening at a MARTA station in Midtown Atlanta around 8 or 9 p.m. while wearing a black shirt and black sweatpants.

Jacob Parker, missing child, Ebony alert — PHOTO: ATLANTA POLICE DEPT.

Parker is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. He has black curly hair and may or may not be wearing glasses. If anyone has seen him or knows his location, please contact 911, the Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at 404-546-4260, or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) as soon as possible.

While the search continues, the Atlanta community has rallied around Parker’s family, hosting a prayer vigil for the missing North Atlanta student at the Atlanta Westside Presbyterian Church, according to Sportskeeda. Jane Gilbert, a family friend, has called for the boy’s safe return and revealed that he left his home without a phone or wallet.

“Our friends Kelly and Joe Parker are searching for their son who left the house at 11:am yesterday, Saturday 12/16,” Gilbert wrote on Facebook.

“Jacob Parker, a sophomore at North Atlanta, is missing and there is a Missing Person filed for him. He left without a phone or wallet. He is wearing this shirt but no glasses. Please call 911 if you see him or know anything and please share this and please pray!”

Additional efforts were made by Elizabeth Irwin and Rayford Davis, who sent a mass text out to their network of family and friends, urging them to keep an eye out for Jacob and to spread the news further. Joe, Jacob’s dad, provided BLACK ENTERPRISE with an updated photo of the teen.

Atlanta residents are encouraged to keep a watchful eye out for the missing teen.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 18, 2023

Tabitha Brown Wins Her First Children’s & Family Emmy For Outstanding Host

Tabitha Brown is officially an Emmy award-winning star after taking home her first Children's & Family Emmy for Outstanding Host.

Tabitha Brown is officially an Emmy-winning star after taking home her first Children’s & Family Emmy for Outstanding Host.

Tab Time won big at the 2nd annual Children’s & Family Emmys that took place in Los Angeles over the weekend. Brown’s YouTube Original series was up for Outstanding Host and beat out five other shows on Food Network, Noggin, and Nickelodeon for the win, Variety reported.

The New York Times best-selling author took to Instagram on Sunday, Dec. 17 to celebrate her first Emmy award.

“OOOHHH GOD I THANK YOU🙌🏾 I WON😭😭😭🎉🎉🎉 #EmmyWinner,” she captioned a red carpet photo where she held up her gigantic Emmy award.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

She followed up with a video clip of her acceptance speech where she thanked God and admitted that she didn’t expect to win.

“I would like to say thank you to my husband, my son who is here, Quest. My family, my team,” she continued.

Brown went on to sing the opening to her show’s theme song to close out her speech.

“Come on inside the room. Open your heart and mine. You never know what you’ll find. If you let a little love inside,” she sang to the audience. “If we all just let a little love inside, we never know what we find.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

She also gave a shoutout to her small-town upbringing in Eden, NC before thanking the audience “for seeing me” and encouraging them to have a good night and good day.

“And even if you don’t have a good day, don’t y’all go messing up nobody elses,” Brown added.

It was a huge turnaround from the 2022 Children’s and Family Emmys where she was nominated in two categories but ended up losing both. Now Tabitha is officially an Emmy-winner and she couldn’t be happier.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

by Rafael Pena

December 18, 2023

Minimum Wage Will Increase In 22 States On Jan. 1, 2024

In a significant development for workers across the nation, the minimum wage is poised to increase in 22 states as of Jan. 1, 2024.

According to AXIOS, the minimum wage is poised to increase in 22 states, a significant development for workers nationwide as of Jan. 1, 2024. The impact of this wage hike extends beyond those directly affected, as the adjustment often prompts employers to raise the pay scales for workers earning slightly more than the minimum wage.

According to the outlet, this move comes as part of a broader trend, with an increasing number of states mandating wages of $15 an hour. States such as New York, Maryland, and New Mexico are set to adopt this threshold, marking a milestone for the Fight for $15 campaign, which initiated the push for higher wages 12 years ago.

However, due to the impact of inflation, the real value of the dollar amount attached to the current wage has diminished. Notably, 13 states are witnessing this increase because their minimum wages, including California, Ohio, and South Dakota, are indexed to inflation.

The federal minimum, which has been stagnant at $7.25 since 2009, remains a point of contention, prompting individual states to take action to address the evolving economic landscape.

By Jan. 1, seven states and Washington, D.C., will boast a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour. Noteworthy increases include New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, where salaries are set to rise to $16 an hour, while the rest of New York will adhere to a $15 minimum wage.

In addition to state-level changes, certain cities and regions have implemented higher minimum wages to account for variations in the cost of living and rising inflation.

According to USA Today, among the 22 states increasing their minimum wages in 2024, notable adjustments include Alaska, moving from $10.85 to $11.73, California increasing from $15.50 to $16, and Florida rising from $12 to $13 (effective Sept. 30).

The Department of Labor reports that 78.7 million workers aged 16 and older, constituting 55.6% of all wage and salary workers, receive hourly rates. Within this group, around 1 million workers are paid at or below the federal minimum wage, comprising 1.3% of all hourly-paid workers.

Fantasia Accuses Airbnb Host Of Racial Profiling After Her Family Was Removed For Being ‘Loud’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 18, 2023

Fantasia Accuses Airbnb Host Of Racial Profiling After Her Family Was Removed For Being ‘Loud’

Fantasia called out an Airbnb host in North Carolina who forced her and her family to leave a property for allegedly being too "loud."

Fantasia Barrino used the power of social media to call out an Airbnb host in North Carolina who forced her and her family to leave a property for allegedly being too “loud.”

The Color Purple star made the rounds across social media on Sunday, Dec. 17 after calling out the Airbnb host who kicked her family off their property at midnight. Fantasia was in her hometown of North Carolina celebrating her son’s 12th birthday when she was asked to leave the rental due to the party supplies the owners took notice of.

“The host accused us of having a party with loud noises outdoors because they saw balloons being dropped off and a game truck with no generator in the early part of the day,” she wrote on Twitter/X.

According to the singer, she was never told she couldn’t host a party at the property and from the size and layout of the home, it was obvious that parties have been held at the lake house before.

“They never said we weren’t allowed to have any company over!!” Fantasia continued.

My stomach is so uneasy this morning as I’m riding back to my home in the cold and rain. I don’t say much when people do me wrong, but I can’t stay quiet on how my family and I were just treated from a host with @Airbnb @airbnbhelp trying to kick my kids and I out at 12:00…
— Fantasia Taylor (@TasiasWord) December 17, 2023

“It’s evident from the sayings on the wall, to the outdoor fire pit/jacuzzi and a well equipped game room in the garage/poker table that people Hosts parties and/or gatherings here on the lake often as there were weights with balloon ribbon left in the garage from a previous party at the house. It’s evident to me this was racial profiling and the treatment we received was due to the color of our skin.”

Fantasia took to her Instagram Live while packing up to leave the property to provide more context on the situation. According to the American Idol winner, it was the neighbors who complained without any prior warning. Fantasia was having a “sip and paint” with hot chocolate for the children and outside by the fire pit they told scary stories where maybe the neighbors heard “one or two screams.”

“The kids were in the bed by 9 o’clock,” she said.

Yet, somehow, neighbors claimed there was a party bus and other commotion that allegedly never took place. As a result, Fantasia and her family were forced to leave the property in the wee hours of the morning, despite paying money to stay throughout the night.

“It feels like a color thing, I’m being honest,” Fantasia said. “I’m confused y’all. It feels like a Black thing.”

https://twitter.com/BLKLiberation84/status/1736502770692177959

The encounter has motivated Fantasia to buy her own property to rent out instead of resorting to Airbnb, where she felt she might encounter another instance of racial profiling.

“Own your own. Buy your own,” she told her followers.

RELATED CONTENT: Fantasia And Danielle Brooks Earn Golden Globe Nominations For ‘The Color Purple’ Despite Best Motion Picture Snub

IRS Announces Jan. 16 Deadline For Taxpayers

by Rafael Pena

December 18, 2023

IRS Announces Jan. 16 Deadline For Taxpayers

As the 2024 tax filing deadline looms, the IRS is issuing a timely reminder: act by Jan. 16 to sidestep potential penalties.

As the 2024 tax filing deadline looms on the horizon, the IRS is issuing a timely reminder to certain taxpayers to act by Jan. 16 to sidestep potential penalties. This early deadline is specifically aimed at taxpayers who fell short in their 2023 tax payments. By submitting a payment on or before the January date, individuals can avoid additional fees, possibly manifesting in the form of an unwelcome tax bill, according to The Hill.

While most individuals have taxes automatically withheld from their paychecks throughout the year, those who are self-employed or function as independent contractors bear the responsibility of remitting their tax payments directly each quarter. Jan. 16 signifies the end of the fourth quarter and the deadline concerning tax payments to the IRS, making it a critical date for those needing to catch up on their financial obligations to the government.

According to the outlet, the IRS highlights that individuals who found themselves owing taxes in the previous year often encounter a similar situation at the close of the subsequent year. Various factors contribute to this scenario, including a failure to adjust tax withholding, income derived from non-wage sources such as dividends, or involvement in complex financial situations.

The scope of taxable income is broad, covering a range of financial inflows. According to the IRS, taxable income includes, but is not limited to, unemployment income, refund interest, and profits from the sale of goods. Even workers participating in the “gig economy” are not exempt from the requirement to declare income earned through side hustles.

To facilitate the payment process and ensure compliance with tax obligations, taxpayers are encouraged to visit the IRS website for detailed information and guidance on making timely payments. While the general tax filing deadline for 2024 is still a few months away, this early deadline serves as a crucial checkpoint for those seeking to avoid penalties and stay on top of their financial responsibilities.

NBA G League Player Arrested For First-Degree Kidnapping

by Rafael Pena

December 18, 2023

NBA G League Player Arrested For First-Degree Kidnapping

G League basketball player Chance Comanche has been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of Marayna Rodgers.

G League Stockton Kings basketball player Chance Comanche has been arrested by an FBI apprehension team for an alleged connection to the disappearance of Marayna Rodgers, a 23-year-old medical assistant from Washington State, according to ESPN. Comanche, 27, was arrested on a warrant for first-degree kidnapping issued in Las Vegas Justice Court, according to 8NewsNow. He is being held in Sacramento County Jail without bail. Rodgers was last seen on Dec. 6 while visiting Las Vegas with friends.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arizona Basketball (@arizonambb)

The G League Stockton Kings released Comanche on Friday, and the team declined to comment further on the matter. Marayna Rodgers’ disappearance has led to the arrest of a second individual, Sakari Harnden, 19, who faces a first-degree kidnapping charge. Harnden is currently detained in a Las Vegas jail on $500,000 bail.

Loved ones of Rodgers have emphasized that she had a good job and would not willingly leave her family and dogs behind. The criminal complaint against Harnden alleges that she held or detained Rodgers against her will and without her consent for the purpose of causing harm or death. Harnden’s bail conditions include high-level electronic monitoring, and she is due for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 28.

In a separate case in Las Vegas Justice Court, Harnden faces a theft charge unrelated to the kidnapping case. She is accused of stealing at least one Rolex. A status check for the theft charge is scheduled for Dec. 19. The arrest warrant for Comanche was issued by Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Diana Sullivan, who had also set bail for Harnden.

Comanche is scheduled to appear in court in Sacramento County on Tuesday afternoon. The Stockton Kings played against G League Ignite in Henderson, Nevada, on Dec. 5, a day before Rodgers went missing. The circumstances surrounding Comanche’s visit to Las Vegas remain unclear.

Jasmine Lee, CEO and founder of the Dock Ellis Foundation, an organization advocating for missing and murdered people of color, stated that the foundation is looking into Rodgers’ missing persons case. Las Vegas Metro Police encourage anyone with information to contact them at (702) 828-3111, and anonymous tips can be submitted through Crimestoppers at (702) 385-5555.

Comanche, a 6-foot-10 center, played college basketball at Arizona and appeared in one NBA game with the Portland Trail Blazers on April 9. His arrest has raised concerns and drawn attention to the broader issue of missing and murdered people of color, prompting advocacy efforts by organizations such as the Doc Ellis Foundation.