Avery Lee is 8 years old and he knows he deserves to be treated fairly, and even though it's been more than 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died, he knows what the man fought for.

"Without Martin Luther King Jr.'s thoughts, black people cannot be treated like this. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke so everybody could be treated fairly," Lee, of Wilkes-Barre said.

Lee, with his dad, aunt and cousins, was one of about 75 people who attended the annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance program at the Luzerne County Courthouse Thursday night, hosted by the Wilkes-Barre NAACP and the Luzerne County commissioners.

Along with speeches, the program included music by the Mount Zion Baptist Church Youth and Young Adult Choir and 13-year-old pianist Sienna Tabron. Not only did the music capture the attention of the audience, but also of people standing upstairs for the Lamont Cherry murder trial.

Wilkes-Barre NAACP President Ron Felton called for an "I have a dream" rally in 2012, as a way to push Wilkes-Barre City into recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a city holiday.

Felton said he didn't want Thursday's program to just be a symbolic memorial, but a reminder, a call, for people to continue seeking equality. He pointed to how there are only a handful of black teachers in Wilkes-Barre Area School District and a handful of black employees at the Luzerne County Courthouse or Wilkes-Barre City Hall.

Marion Mason, Lee's aunt, said she was a juror at the courthouse last year and she walked around the courthouse and noticed the lack of racial diversity. The family came to pay their respects to King, who "paid the ultimate price," she said. His work paved the way for schools to become integrated so her daughter, Amber, was able to attend and graduate from Duke. She now works at Wilkes-Barre Area schools.

"We just have so much to be thankful for and I just believe he's looking down on us and I think it makes him happy to see that he's not forgotten. And there's a lot of work to be done. The struggle's not over," Marion Mason said.

Commissioner Thomas P. Cooney read a resolution, as Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla was not able to attend as originally planned. Cooney said it's events like the observance program that help keep King's message alive and tangible for all generations. The county is trying to embrace more diversity, starting with the Diversity Commission and members of home-rule transition committee tried to bring more racial diversity onto the committee than it has, he said.

Michaela Cunningham, president of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP Youth Council, shared some of King's history and recognized the work that has been done. But she also said there is still work to be done.

"One thing is certain, when we are ready to end segregation, that will be a powerful moment in history," she said.

Avery Lee is 8 years old and he knows he deserves to be treated fairly, and even though it's been more than 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died, he knows what the man fought for.

"Without Martin Luther King Jr.'s thoughts, black people cannot be treated like this. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke so everybody could be treated fairly," Lee, of Wilkes-Barre said.

Lee, with his dad, aunt and cousins, was one of about 75 people who attended the annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance program at the Luzerne County Courthouse Thursday night, hosted by the Wilkes-Barre NAACP and the Luzerne County commissioners.

Along with speeches, the program included music by the Mount Zion Baptist Church Youth and Young Adult Choir and 13-year-old pianist Sienna Tabron. Not only did the music capture the attention of the audience, but also of people standing upstairs for the Lamont Cherry murder trial.

Wilkes-Barre NAACP President Ron Felton called for an "I have a dream" rally in 2012, as a way to push Wilkes-Barre City into recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a city holiday.

Felton said he didn't want Thursday's program to just be a symbolic memorial, but a reminder, a call, for people to continue seeking equality. He pointed to how there are only a handful of black teachers in Wilkes-Barre Area School District and a handful of black employees at the Luzerne County Courthouse or Wilkes-Barre City Hall.

Marion Mason, Lee's aunt, said she was a juror at the courthouse last year and she walked around the courthouse and noticed the lack of racial diversity. The family came to pay their respects to King, who "paid the ultimate price," she said. His work paved the way for schools to become integrated so her daughter, Amber, was able to attend and graduate from Duke. She now works at Wilkes-Barre Area schools.

"We just have so much to be thankful for and I just believe he's looking down on us and I think it makes him happy to see that he's not forgotten. And there's a lot of work to be done. The struggle's not over," Marion Mason said.

Commissioner Thomas P. Cooney read a resolution, as Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla was not able to attend as originally planned. Cooney said it's events like the observance program that help keep King's message alive and tangible for all generations. The county is trying to embrace more diversity, starting with the Diversity Commission and members of home-rule transition committee tried to bring more racial diversity onto the committee than it has, he said.

Michaela Cunningham, president of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP Youth Council, shared some of King's history and recognized the work that has been done. But she also said there is still work to be done.

"One thing is certain, when we are ready to end segregation, that will be a powerful moment in history," she said.

The death of Adrienne Nicole Martin (photos below) inside August Busch’s mansion has prompted an investigation Thursday. Adrienne Nicole Martin’s death has also prompted backlash against the law enforcement agency that did not report the death until the news media uncovered the story. Now that the story has broke, police are still refusing to grant news interviews about that matter.

What’s going in Frontenac?

Adrienne Nicole Martin’s death tonight remains the most commented story on the news site that broke the story. The comments are overwhelming negative against the Frontenac Police Department, especially.

Martin died inside Busch’s mansion in affluent Huntleigh, a suburb of St Louis under the jurisdiction of the Frontenac Police Department. Despite Martin’s death last weekend, her passing was not reported by the Department.

Why? The Department says it was under no responsibility to report the death until sought for comment by the news media. The Department also claims it needs to get approval from the City Attorney before confirming a death.
The story was unearthed first by St Louis’ Post Dispatch Thursday. When the paper sought comment from the Becker, he refused.

Again why?

Instead Becker issued a first news statement, then issued a second correcting the date of death, then issued a third correcting the date of death again. In fact, online reaction tonight is skeptical about Adrienne Nicole Martin’s time and date of death.
Becker confirmed, by statement, that his Department received a 911 call at 1:15 PM Sunday of an “unresponsive person”. Becker would not confirm who made the phone call, whether Martin had been alone in the home, or how long after her death was the matter reported to police. Becker confirmed, that upon arrival, officers found Martin dead.

August Busch IV, who is 46, was reportedly dating Martin, 27, claims the Post Dispatch. But Busch has yet to issue a statement about his own reported girlfriend’s passing.

Rather his attorney Art Margulis, who does criminal defense cases, spoke about Martin’s passing stating “I can tell you there is absolutely nothing suspicious about her passing, and it’s a tragic and untimely death of a young person. A very kind young person, by the way.” Margulis did not state if his client was in the home with Martin, nor why his client has yet to comment about the death of someone he was reportedly dating.

Both Martin and Busch are single.

While Margulis says Martin’s death was not suspicious, Margulis doesn’t indicate if he actually knows Martin’s cause of death. If he does, he didn’t tell news today about it.

Suzanne McCune, administrator of the medical examiner’s office, says she doesn’t know the cause of death. There was no evidence of illness nor trauma says McCune. The Post Dispatch
says a “law enforcement source” reported that “the death was initially being investigated as a possible overdose.”

As a city enters the Christmas weekend, this story remains the most commented news story on the Post Dispatch website and most shared on its Facebook profile recently. As one reader writes “So the Frontenac Police have no accountability to the public or the news media unless someone specifically asks them a question? What century are they operating in?”

Really?

Frontenac Police Chief Tom Becker was not clear why he needed authorization from the City Attorney to inform the news media about Martin’s death. Becker did not indicate if that is custom practice of the Department.

The death of Adrienne Nicole Martin (photos below) inside August Busch’s mansion has prompted an investigation Thursday. Adrienne Nicole Martin’s death has also prompted backlash against the law enforcement agency that did not report the death until the news media uncovered the story. Now that the story has broke, police are still refusing to grant news interviews about that matter.

What’s going in Frontenac?

Adrienne Nicole Martin’s death tonight remains the most commented story on the news site that broke the story. The comments are overwhelming negative against the Frontenac Police Department, especially.

Martin died inside Busch’s mansion in affluent Huntleigh, a suburb of St Louis under the jurisdiction of the Frontenac Police Department. Despite Martin’s death last weekend, her passing was not reported by the Department.

Why? The Department says it was under no responsibility to report the death until sought for comment by the news media. The Department also claims it needs to get approval from the City Attorney before confirming a death.
The story was unearthed first by St Louis’ Post Dispatch Thursday. When the paper sought comment from the Becker, he refused.

Again why?

Instead Becker issued a first news statement, then issued a second correcting the date of death, then issued a third correcting the date of death again. In fact, online reaction tonight is skeptical about Adrienne Nicole Martin’s time and date of death.
Becker confirmed, by statement, that his Department received a 911 call at 1:15 PM Sunday of an “unresponsive person”. Becker would not confirm who made the phone call, whether Martin had been alone in the home, or how long after her death was the matter reported to police. Becker confirmed, that upon arrival, officers found Martin dead.

August Busch IV, who is 46, was reportedly dating Martin, 27, claims the Post Dispatch. But Busch has yet to issue a statement about his own reported girlfriend’s passing.

Rather his attorney Art Margulis, who does criminal defense cases, spoke about Martin’s passing stating “I can tell you there is absolutely nothing suspicious about her passing, and it’s a tragic and untimely death of a young person. A very kind young person, by the way.” Margulis did not state if his client was in the home with Martin, nor why his client has yet to comment about the death of someone he was reportedly dating.

Both Martin and Busch are single.

While Margulis says Martin’s death was not suspicious, Margulis doesn’t indicate if he actually knows Martin’s cause of death. If he does, he didn’t tell news today about it.

Suzanne McCune, administrator of the medical examiner’s office, says she doesn’t know the cause of death. There was no evidence of illness nor trauma says McCune. The Post Dispatch
says a “law enforcement source” reported that “the death was initially being investigated as a possible overdose.”

As a city enters the Christmas weekend, this story remains the most commented news story on the Post Dispatch website and most shared on its Facebook profile recently. As one reader writes “So the Frontenac Police have no accountability to the public or the news media unless someone specifically asks them a question? What century are they operating in?”

Really?

Frontenac Police Chief Tom Becker was not clear why he needed authorization from the City Attorney to inform the news media about Martin’s death. Becker did not indicate if that is custom practice of the Department.

Christy Martin, 42, was driven to a hospital’s emergency room by a motorist she had flagged down near the Deer Lake Subdivision in Apopka, deputies said. Doctors said Martin had stab wounds to her upper torso and left leg, and had been shot.
She's in the hospital with serious wounds and her husband and business partner is on the run, reportedly suicidal, deputies said.
Investigators said Martin was conscious and alert when they arrived and was able to tell them that she had been stabbed by her husband, 66-year-old James Martin.
Martin had returned to the couple’s Apopka home after being gone for two days. She told investigators that her husband confronted her inside their home with a knife and handgun and they began to fight. She told deputies she was able to get out of the house after being stabbed and flag down the motorist, who drove her to the hospital. Martin told officers she did not realize she had been shot during the altercation.
Investigators said two people who were driving by on Thompson Road stopped to help Christy Martin. One called 911 and the other took her to Florida Hospital North.
The sheriff's office is not releasing the call or the name of the people who helped her.
Deputies said they went to the couple’s home and attempted to locate her husband. The deputies saw evidence of a violent struggle inside the home, however the James Martin could not be located.
Investigators are still looking for him and said he is a suspect in the attack on Christy Martin.
James Martin is described as a white man, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 165 pounds, bald and has brown eyes.
Prior to the alleged attack, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said that deputies responded to the home of James and Christy Martin at 1:11pm Tuesday in response to an out-of-state call from an acquaintance of James Martin.
Deputies said the caller feared that James Martin was contemplating taking his life and that there might be firearms inside the home. Officers made contact with James Martin at his home and after investigating the concerns of the caller, determined that there were no legal grounds take him into custody or deprive him of his property.
"We would like him to turn himself in obviously, or if anybody in the community who knows where he might be please provide us with that information," said sheriff's office spokesman, Jim Solomons.
Deputies said Martin showed no signs of irrational behavior nor did he show any indication that he might harm himself or another person.
James Martin was in the company of a neighbor when deputies arrived. The neighbor stated that he had been with James Martin for a couple of hours and he showed no indication that he was contemplating suicide or violent behavior.
Orange County court records show the couple's house went into foreclosure in 2009. Mediation was scheduled with the bank in October.
The sheriff's office said they are using a helicopter to search for him and have the felony squad out as well. Officers said they were concerned for his well-being.
Christy Martin began her professional boxing career in 1989. She holds a record of 49 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws, with 31 wins by knock-out.
She's faced the biggest female boxers across the country, including Laila Ali, the daughter of boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
Her most recent fight was September 2009, where she beat Dakota Stone.

Christy Martin, 42, was driven to a hospital’s emergency room by a motorist she had flagged down near the Deer Lake Subdivision in Apopka, deputies said. Doctors said Martin had stab wounds to her upper torso and left leg, and had been shot.
She's in the hospital with serious wounds and her husband and business partner is on the run, reportedly suicidal, deputies said.
Investigators said Martin was conscious and alert when they arrived and was able to tell them that she had been stabbed by her husband, 66-year-old James Martin.
Martin had returned to the couple’s Apopka home after being gone for two days. She told investigators that her husband confronted her inside their home with a knife and handgun and they began to fight. She told deputies she was able to get out of the house after being stabbed and flag down the motorist, who drove her to the hospital. Martin told officers she did not realize she had been shot during the altercation.
Investigators said two people who were driving by on Thompson Road stopped to help Christy Martin. One called 911 and the other took her to Florida Hospital North.
The sheriff's office is not releasing the call or the name of the people who helped her.
Deputies said they went to the couple’s home and attempted to locate her husband. The deputies saw evidence of a violent struggle inside the home, however the James Martin could not be located.
Investigators are still looking for him and said he is a suspect in the attack on Christy Martin.
James Martin is described as a white man, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 165 pounds, bald and has brown eyes.
Prior to the alleged attack, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said that deputies responded to the home of James and Christy Martin at 1:11pm Tuesday in response to an out-of-state call from an acquaintance of James Martin.
Deputies said the caller feared that James Martin was contemplating taking his life and that there might be firearms inside the home. Officers made contact with James Martin at his home and after investigating the concerns of the caller, determined that there were no legal grounds take him into custody or deprive him of his property.
"We would like him to turn himself in obviously, or if anybody in the community who knows where he might be please provide us with that information," said sheriff's office spokesman, Jim Solomons.
Deputies said Martin showed no signs of irrational behavior nor did he show any indication that he might harm himself or another person.
James Martin was in the company of a neighbor when deputies arrived. The neighbor stated that he had been with James Martin for a couple of hours and he showed no indication that he was contemplating suicide or violent behavior.
Orange County court records show the couple's house went into foreclosure in 2009. Mediation was scheduled with the bank in October.
The sheriff's office said they are using a helicopter to search for him and have the felony squad out as well. Officers said they were concerned for his well-being.
Christy Martin began her professional boxing career in 1989. She holds a record of 49 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws, with 31 wins by knock-out.
She's faced the biggest female boxers across the country, including Laila Ali, the daughter of boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
Her most recent fight was September 2009, where she beat Dakota Stone.

DEAN Martin’s former housekeeper is searching for the schoolchildren who helped save her life.
Two weeks ago Hilda Bertenshaw woke up feeling ill and called the ambulance.
But the paramedics could not find her block of flats on Hoghton Street so she struggled out of her home to try and find them.
The 91-year-old made it into the lift, but as she opened the front door to the flats she collapsed.
“I was being sick,” said Hilda. “How the hell I got down in the lift I don’t know. I couldn’t stand up anymore.
“I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know if it was a stroke or what.”
As Hilda lay on the freezing floor a bus pulled up outside her home and she started to rattle her house keys against the window of the door to attract the driver’s attention.
Four school children were waiting to get on the bus and spotted the retired cook.
“I was looking for the ambulance,” said Hilda. “Then I saw these kids getting on the bus not knowing what to do. I called for help and they all came off.
“They dithered to try to convey to the driver. He should have got off really.”
Hilda, who worked as a housekeeper in America for Dean Martin in the 60s and 70s, said four girls and a boy knelt down beside her, called the paramedics again, directed them to the flat and got her bag for her.
The children made sure Hilda was taken safely to hospital, where she was given two pints of blood and diagnosed with anaemia.
Since coming out of hospital last week Hilda has been searching desperately to find the children.
“I could hug them to death,” she said.
“I asked what school they were from, but I cannot remember,” she said. “I’ve stopped three buses since then and I have asked the driver but they don’t know.”
Hilda was almost unconscious at the time and cann’t even remember the colour of the children’s uniform but thinks they were around ten-years-old.
“They must have been late for school,” said Hilda. “I would have given them money for a taxi.”

DEAN Martin’s former housekeeper is searching for the schoolchildren who helped save her life.
Two weeks ago Hilda Bertenshaw woke up feeling ill and called the ambulance.
But the paramedics could not find her block of flats on Hoghton Street so she struggled out of her home to try and find them.
The 91-year-old made it into the lift, but as she opened the front door to the flats she collapsed.
“I was being sick,” said Hilda. “How the hell I got down in the lift I don’t know. I couldn’t stand up anymore.
“I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know if it was a stroke or what.”
As Hilda lay on the freezing floor a bus pulled up outside her home and she started to rattle her house keys against the window of the door to attract the driver’s attention.
Four school children were waiting to get on the bus and spotted the retired cook.
“I was looking for the ambulance,” said Hilda. “Then I saw these kids getting on the bus not knowing what to do. I called for help and they all came off.
“They dithered to try to convey to the driver. He should have got off really.”
Hilda, who worked as a housekeeper in America for Dean Martin in the 60s and 70s, said four girls and a boy knelt down beside her, called the paramedics again, directed them to the flat and got her bag for her.
The children made sure Hilda was taken safely to hospital, where she was given two pints of blood and diagnosed with anaemia.
Since coming out of hospital last week Hilda has been searching desperately to find the children.
“I could hug them to death,” she said.
“I asked what school they were from, but I cannot remember,” she said. “I’ve stopped three buses since then and I have asked the driver but they don’t know.”
Hilda was almost unconscious at the time and cann’t even remember the colour of the children’s uniform but thinks they were around ten-years-old.
“They must have been late for school,” said Hilda. “I would have given them money for a taxi.”

Martin just posted the following message on his official website: "Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment ... These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."

He ends his post with, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."

Martin just posted the following message on his official website: "Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment ... These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."

He ends his post with, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."