Man’s Death Follows Dispatch Difficulties; PGFD Violates PIA
(Editor’s Note: The News Review had hoped to be able to report on this incident with access to official documents. Following our Public Information Act (PIA) request, the Prince George’s County Fire Department (PGFD) was required under the Act to provide records or respond with a decision about them within 30 days. Despite our further […]
Panel Reviews Reparations Status, History and Future
On November 9 over 70 people attended a reparations discussion at Greenbelt Library, hosted by the Greenbelt Black History and Culture Committee. Panelists shared historical context, continuing efforts and the outlook for reparative justice for Indigenous and Black communities. Attendees came to learn, many bringing notebooks to record information they found meaningful. Emancipation? Committee Chair […]
Phonophobia: The ERHS Band That Took First Place at Festival
After winning first place at the Rising Stars Showcase at the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival on September 2, the student rock band Phonophobia has made quite the name for themselves. Composed of Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) seniors Braeden Keffer, Grayson Hough, Gus McComb and Jason Gallardo, the rock quartet, after winning that first place […]
Blitz – Stacking Up Reality Against a Movie’s Drama
The movie Blitz, about a young boy in World War II London, currently is on screen at Greenbelt Cinema. Sylvia Lewis may be the only Greenbelter who, as a small child, experienced the Blitz in the East End of London, where the docks and shipyards were a prime target. Lewis’ view of the period as […]
Mail-In Ballots Not Yet “Received” Cause Concern for Greenbelters
One Greenbelter visited the News Review office to share their concern about a returned mail-in ballot the day before the election. Others tracking the status of their mail-in ballots sent from Greenbelt are concerned they still haven’t been marked as “received” weeks later. A representative from the Prince George’s County Board of Elections says that […]
A Bike’s Eye View of Safety
I’ve been riding my bike around Greenbelt for decades. Over the years, the city has made some improvements, particularly in Greenbelt West. The new roundabout at Cherrywood Lane at the Greenbelt Metro entrance has made things much better for bike riders, walkers and drivers. The new section of the Indian Creek Trail that cuts from […]
Council Votes to Remove Armrests from City Benches
At the October 28 Greenbelt City Council meeting, Councilmember Jenni Pompi requested that council discuss removing armrests on four benches clustered around the Municipal Building, where the armrests were used as dividers to prevent anyone from lying down. Councilmembers Amy Knesel and Rodney Roberts agreed with removing the armrests, with Roberts feeling that if the […]
City’s JEDI Team Calls for Action Over Councilmember’s Behavior
On August 29, the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Action Team – a group of city employees that has 13 members, with all departments represented – sent a memo to City Manager Josué Salmerón. The memo was titled, “Addressing Adverse Behavior from Council Members During Council Meetings.” In opening, the team said they were […]
Council to Consider Alleged Unbecoming Conduct of Roberts
At the October 28 Greenbelt City Council meeting, the agenda included “Addressing unbecoming conduct of a councilmember.” Councilmember Kristen Weaver requested the item be on the agenda in response to a staff grievance. Council received a memo from the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Action Team to “express concern regarding the continued pattern of […]
New Deal Café “Experience” Begins Friday, November 1
On Friday, November 1, the New Deal Café (NDC) will open with new vendor Kenny Hilliard. Hilliard plans to debut “The New Deal Café Experience,” to offer more variety in memorable experiences, food choices with exhilarating flavors and new stage performances. Elements of the Café will remain the same, such as a cozy setting where […]