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Lighting The Road To The Future Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” Data Zone Page 4 “The People’s Paper” August 17 - August 23, 2013 48th Year Volume 15 www.ladatanews.com Life After Ahlittia Lisa North in Data News Exclusive Interview Page 2 State & Local Home Style Back to School Gardening in Extravaganza the Shade Page 7 Page 5 Page 2 August 17 - August 23, 2013 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com LifeLisa North After in Data News ExclusiveAhlittia Interview Lisa North, mother of Ahlittia North, the six year-old little girl who was brutally murdered last month, discusses her daughter and the aftermath of her murder with Data News Weekly Editor Edwin Buggage. the sad reality is that things are always not so dumpster near the home of her mother Lisa by Edwin Buggage easy in the Big Easy . The death count contin- North and stepfather Albert Hill in the New Editor ues to rise, and many of the victims are young Orleans suburb . people . In July, a murder occurred that tugged On this day, I met Lisa North, the mother A Mother Mourns at the heart strings of people around the globe . of Ahlittia, in a small cramped motel they call As a City continues to grapple with crime Ahlittia North, a precocious six year-old girl, home since vacating their apartment . Ms . and violence, where nearly every day one can was reported missing, and days later her dead North sits on the edge of the bed while her 11 see reports of another person killed . It seems body was found stabbed multiple times in a month-old daughter Trinity crawls about and Cover Story, Continued on next page. DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 | Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 INSIDE DATA editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors CEO/Publisher Dwight Brown Glenn Jones Edwin Buggage Cover Story . 2 Commentary . 6. Al Crusto VP Advertising George Curry & Marketing MG Calla Victoria Edwin Buggage Art Direction & Production Data Zone . 4 State & Local News . 7 Editor MainorMedia.com Calla Victoria Editorial Submissions Executive Assistant [email protected] June Hazeur Advertising Inquiries Home Style . 5 . Accounting [email protected] Please call 504-309-9913 for subscription information or to obtain a back issue of the paper ONLY. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story August 17 - August 23, 2013 Page 3 Cover Story, Continued from previous page. I want people to know Ahlittia was a very caring and loving person,” says her mother During happier times husband Albert Hill with children enjoying a day in the pool with the kids. Lisa North. “I don’t know if I will ever have closure, but I know I have to live for my other two chil- “If there is anything you would like to do with your children or say to them do it now. dren Trinity and Albert Jr.” Don’t wait until something happens to them and say I wish I would have said this, just go ahead and do it’” says North. her nearly two-year old son Albert police had to say, but I still can’t a lady who lost a child in a fire and it was true she was not with me disability and working part-time .” Hill Jr . is peacefully sleeping and believe it . I am still believing and she spoke about how counseling for most of her life, I was young After their loss they are still hold- her husband Albert is close by . hoping that one day she is going helped her through the grieving and I wanted her to have a nice ing onto hope that their fortunes “I feel upset; I have a lot of anger to come back and maybe they had period . I believe I do need coun- life, better than I had, so I knew I will soon change . Lisa and her inside me . I still can’t believe this the wrong person, I just can’t be- seling and she is going to help me couldn’t provide for her because I family are not looking for a hand- happened to her I am just con- lieve it .” with that .” couldn’t get a job at that time . So, out but a hand-up . Anyone who is fused right now . I am just really People from across the City and I let her go with people I trusted willing to help can email Lisa at angry,” she says shaking her head the globe were moved by Ahlit- From Struggle to Strength so she could get the things in life ardencytasks@yahoo .com . They and speaking in a somber tone . tia’s story . Contributions came in After Ahlittia’s body was found, she needed . Before this incident, say that any help is greatly ap- Ms . North is a young woman from all over to help the family, police arrested Matthew Flu- I was trying to get her enrolled in preciated . “Any time frame that of amazing strength and courage . none of which went to Ms . North gence, 20, who confessed in the school so that she could be with they can help us for with housing, As we begin our conversation she directly .” Initially, I brushed off stabbing death of Ahlittia North . me and all the kids could be to- whether it is permanent or tempo- recounts the person we all came the money; I don’t know if there Flugence is the nephew of step- gether .” rary we are willing to work with to know from her tragic story, was monies left over after the father Albert Hill and has on sev- anyone who is willing to help,” a beautiful little girl with an in- funeral, right now all I know is eral occasions babysat Ahlittia . Starting Over says Lisa . nocent face smiling in her green where and how we are living, I In many instances when kids are At the beginning of the sum- Lisa is also looking to enter the dance costume . “She was a very could use help to take care of me harmed it is by a loved one or ac- mer, Lisa looked forward to re- job market, and is looking for vi- loving and caring person, she and my other children given how quaintance . Lisa North now feels uniting her kids and beginning a able daycare options, but remains could just see you and she didn’t we were forced to move from our leery about the safety of her two new life being a full-time mother wary about her children’s safety . have to know you and consider prior residence after Ahlittia’s other children and hopes other of her first born . Reflecting with “A job would be a considerable you a family member . She loved death .” parents can learn from this trag- a mix of sadness and regret she option, but because of the situa- people and she was kind, full of Lisa North mentions an ac- edy . “I think that people need to says, “I wanted her to be with tion just happening, I am kind of energy and had a great spirit,” re- count she has set up for those be careful when leaving their kids me and her siblings and for us to afraid for my other children . But marks North, remembering her who want to help out the family with people, even those who are grow as a family and I feel like if a daycare would be ok and a job, daughter . in this time of grieving and tran- family members . Today, I tell oth- I thought for a second something but first I would like to find a day- sition . “I have set up an account er parents to please be mindful of like this would happen I would care that would be secure for my So Many Tears for people who still want to help, whom you leave your child with . have left her in Donaldsonville . At kids because I just can’t take it if The loss of a loved one at any because after her death which We never suspected that he would least there I could talk to her and something would happen to my age is tough, especially when the was bad enough, now we have to do something like that .” go to see her and right now I have other children .” loved one is a child . While still deal with keeping a roof over our Lisa North has had quite a life to say this really hurts .” early in the grieving process, we head for our other two children . journey and displays poise and Again speaking of their pres- Living for Today Because speak on whether there will ever I set up the donation fund at Re- maturity beyond her years . Giv- ent living arrangement and their No One is Promised be a time of closure for her on the gions Bank, in the benefit of Ahlit- ing birth to Ahlittia in her early plans for the future that presently for Tomorrow loss of her daughter Ahlittia . “I tia .” Speaking of the outpouring teens, she made what she thought remains uncertain, “We still have Young Ahlittia touched a don’t think I will ever get any clo- of kind words and support she’s was the best decision at the time grief, and now we have to be con- lot of people’s lives and Lisa is sure .