Tree Of Life Planning For The Future

The Tree of Life is working with community members and an architectural firm for plans to move its congregation forward. KDKA's Lindsay Ward has the latest.

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  • Horrific: D.C. Sniper Boasts of Post-Shooting Sex With Accomplice in New Doc

    ViceIn I, Sniper, Lee Boyd Malvo speaks at length about the 2002 reign of terror he and partner John Allen Muhammad carried out in the Washington, D.C., area, resulting in ten deaths. Yet despite using audio clips from his phone calls as narration, Vice’s eight-part docuseries (premiering May 10) is most notable for putting its prime emphasis on the pair’s innocent victims, and the countless friends, family members and loved ones left to cope with unthinkable tragedy. To its admirable credit, it’s a true-crime affair that seeks to understand its “monsters” while simultaneously recognizing—and highlighting—the fact that such comprehension doesn’t necessitate empathy, especially when the atrocities in question are as inexcusably heinous as these.Spearheaded by director Ursula Macfarlane, I, Sniper’s calling card is those phone conversations with Malvo from Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, where he’s currently serving multiple life sentences. In them, the killer recounts, in exacting and chilling detail, both the sniper attacks he perpetrated as a 17-year-old, and the troubled upbringing in Jamaica that led him into the welcoming arms of Muhammad, a Gulf War veteran with a surplus of rage and a desire to unleash it on his homeland. Abandoned by his dad, abused by his mom, and eventually left to fend for himself, Malvo found in Muhammad a father figure who promised to love him as he did his own biological offspring. From the outset, though, theirs was a bond built on exploitation, with Muhammad becoming not only Malvo’s surrogate parent, but also his lover—as well as his mentor, pouring all of his long-simmering hate and resentment into the impressionable, desperate-for-acceptance teen.The Tragic End to Wrestling’s First Great ‘Madman’Muhammad’s gripes were many—he despised the military, white people, and just about every American institutional structure. However, he reserved his greatest enmity for second ex-wife Mildred, who dared to take back her kids after Muhammad had kidnapped them. The loss of his (abducted) brood seems to have been the proverbial match that lit Muhammad’s homicidal spark, and he soon began molding Malvo into his instrument of destruction. Friends and relatives suspected that something was up with their relationship, but no one foresaw what was to come: the cold-blooded murder of Keenya Cook, the niece of Mildred’s friend in Tacoma, Washington, followed by violent robberies, shootings and slayings in Arizona, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia. All of those initial acts were merely a test run for Malvo and Muhammad’s grand scheme in Washington, D.C., the epicenter of American power, and thus Muhammad’s venue of choice to strike fear into the heart of the republic by proving that everyone was vulnerable—even children.What transpired was a 22-day nightmare in which 13 individuals (white and Black, young and old, well-off and working-class) were shot, 10 of them fatally, in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Because Malvo and Muhammad’s intention was to terrorize in increasingly escalating fashion, each victim was chosen at random at gas stations, on street corners, and in parking lots that afforded the killers ideal vantage points and easy escape routes. They committed these crimes in a customized 1990 blue Chevy Caprice, with Malvo lying in the trunk and firing through the rear keyhole. It was a stealthy plot, and the two benefited from the fact that an early eyewitness said they’d seen a white box truck near the scene—thereby sending police, for the better part of the next three weeks, on a wild goose chase for the wrong vehicle. With no other ballistics-related leads, law enforcement was stymied, which proved to Malvo that Muhammad was right: no one could stop them from exacting their revenge.The question, of course, is revenge against what? I, Sniper connects the dots of Malvo and Muhammad’s troubled pasts and despicable 2002 presents, but no convincing argument is made that Muhammad—the mastermind behind this madness—had suffered losses that weren’t of his own making. Be it his unhinged military tenure, his marital craziness, or his transformation of Malvo into an assassin, Muhammad comes across as a man righteously angry over things that were his own fault. As for Malvo, his cold, clinical recitation of his murderous conduct (and claims of remorse) neuters any sorrow one might feel for his adolescent travails. His present-day compunction is far too little, too late, just as the case he makes for his own victimhood vis-à-vis Muhammad sounds like an accurate and yet insufficient explanation. He knew that gunning down men, women and children was dreadfully wrong, and yet in order to maintain Muhammad’s affection, he actively, and enthusiastically, chose to do it—and even got a thrilling kick from it, as he explains that post-shooting sex with Muhammad was exceptionally exciting.Malvo and Muhammad’s rampage of “retribution and punishment” was unforgivable; as Montgomery County Police Chief Charles A. Moose says, “There’s just no excuse for their behavior. None whatsoever.” To hammer home that point, I, Sniper consistently juxtaposes Malvo’s recollections with prolonged, heartrending interviews with the wives, brothers, aunts and friends of the duo’s victims, as well as some of those who survived their encounters. Those accounts turn out to be vital, providing an up-close-and-personal view of the anguish and trauma that Malvo and Muhammad brought about, and the lingering scars left by this ordeal. They’re the human face of this awful tale, stricken with grief, regret, guilt and fury over senseless crimes that robbed them of loved ones who were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.Comprised of news reports, crime scene footage, 911 calls, Malvo-penned illustrations, maps and chats with patrolmen, detectives, reporters and doctors, I, Sniper is comprehensive enough to earn the description “definitive.” Yet more than its insight into the mind of its young subject—and, by extension, Muhammad, who was executed in 2009 by lethal injection—what separates it from much of the true-crime pack is its dogged refusal to forget the real, incalculable horror at the center of its story. Malvo is frequently heard but never seen, while the countenances of his and Muhammad’s victims (and those close to them) remain front-and-center throughout. That directorial decision is critical and commendable, allowing the series to pay fitting tribute to the individuals who deserve to be remembered, while keeping its central villain largely faceless, in the dark and out of sight, where he chose to live and kill with his murderous mentor, and where he’ll now remain for the remainder of his days.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

  • Elon Musk calls the meme-crypto Dogecoin the 'future of currency,' predicts it will 'take over the world' on 'SNL'

    Musk also referenced the popular catchphrase "To the moon," popularized by the Reddit group Wall Street Bets.

  • India's Covid crisis delivers a blow to brand Modi

    Narendra Modi's carefully crafted image has taken a hit as India reels from a punishing Covid wave.

  • After days of uncertainty, Chinese rocket reenters atmosphere over Indian Ocean

    The U.S. Space Command said it could confirm that the rocket reentered over the Arabian Peninsula at about 10:15 p.m. EDT.

  • Obama announces the death of treasured family dog Bo: 'Our family lost a true friend and loyal companion'

    "Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives - happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between," Obama said.

  • Eyeing reelection bid, Macron looks to repair French economy

    A year before the next presidential election, Macron is focusing on saving jobs and reviving the pandemic-battered French economy as his country inches out of its third partial lockdown. The centrist president's ability to meet the challenge will be significant for his political future and for France — which is among the world's worst-hit nations with the fourth-highest number of reported COVID-19 cases and the eighth-highest death toll at more than 106,000. While he has not officially declared his candidacy, Macron has made comments suggesting he intends to seek reelection.

  • Photos show how the Obamas' family dog Bo was an integral part of their life at the White House

    The Obamas announced the death of Bo, their beloved family dog, on May 8. Bo joined the Obamas in April 2009 and quickly adapted to life as First Dog.

  • Elon Musk reveals he has Asperger's in his 'Saturday Night Live' monologue

    The 49-year-old Tesla and SpaceX CEO hosted the May 8 episode of the popular NBC comedy sketch series.

  • Sebastian Stan and Lily James are unrecognizable in their first photos as Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson for Hulu

    "Pam & Tommy" is a comedic take on the true story behind the release of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape.

  • Can the U.S. maintain leverage against the Taliban via Afghanistan's neighbors?

    Annie Pforzheimer, a longtime diplomat who has extensive experience working in Afghanistan, is concerned about President Biden's plan to withdraw U.S. troops from the country without any conditions from the Taliban by or before Sept. 11, 2021. In a piece for Politico published Saturday, she shares her not uncommon view that the U.S. exit will allow the Taliban an opportunity to "increase their territorial control and dictatorial rule," depriving Afghanistan of much hope for a "normal future." But, at this point, she acknowledges Biden's mind won't change, so she turned her attention to ways the U.S. can employ leverage without forces on the ground. Pforzheimer's ideas include remaining publicly committed to Afghan security forces, retaining old and imposing new sanctions on the Taliban until they're no longer a threat to Afghanistan's stability, and refusing to recognize a Taliban government if it "denies basic human rights to its citizens." She also argues the U.S. should make sure that "Afghanistan's neighbors, particularly Pakistan and Central Asia ... prioritize their existing trade and energy linkages and press for a peace process that will contribute to regional prosperity." Additionally, she writes, "the Gulf States and other former and current Taliban patrons should understand that a peaceful outcome is a top U.S. government goal." Read Pforzheimer's full piece at Politico. More stories from theweek.comHouse GOP campaign wing reportedly withheld bad Trump polling from lawmakers at retreat5 brutally funny cartoons about the GOP's shunning of Liz CheneyMore studies show Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines protect against worrisome variants

  • Marvel's Dave Bautista says he won't play Drax the Destroyer after 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'

    Dave Bautista told IGN that James Gunn once suggested a spin-off movie starring Drax the Destroyer and Pom Klementieff's Mantis.

  • "Constant, gentle presence": Obamas pay tribute to former first dog Bo after death from cancer

    Bo, the Obama family's 12-year-old Portuguese water dog, died of cancer on Saturday afternoon, the former first couple announced.The big picture: Bo was 6 months old when he arrived at the White House in 2009, having been gifted by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) to then-first daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.He soon became a celebrity and featured in the children’s book "Bo, America's Commander in Leash," written by Naren Aryal and illustrated by Danny Moore.What they're saying: Former President Obama tweeted that "For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives — happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between."Former first lady Michelle Obama said in a statement that Bo "was there when we flew on Air Force One, when tens of thousands flocked to the South Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll, and when the Pope came to visit."No one was "happier than Bo" during the pandemic, when "all his people were under one roof again — just like the day we got him," she added.He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/CHweCxwJ7a— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2021 Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.

  • Scottish Labour records worst result since devolution but Sarwar optimistic party has 'credibility again'

    Scottish Labour has recorded its worst-ever election result north of the Border since devolution, with the party down two MSPs to 22 compared with 2016. The party continued its downward trend finishing third behind the Tories and SNP, despite new leader Anas Sarwar enjoying strong personal approval ratings among Scots since taking over the top job. Mr Sarwar, who has only been in the leadership role for ten weeks, insisted his party is “on a journey” to build “a credible alternative to the SNP” and “back on the pitch” after an “energetic and enthusiastic” campaign. “We are significantly ahead of where we were just ten weeks ago, and I’m incredibly proud of everything our activists have achieved,” he said, adding that Scottish Labour has “a credibility again” and that people “aren’t embarrassed anymore to say they’re voting Labour”. After delivering a credible nine-point increase in his party’s vote share in Glasgow Southside but ultimately losing the seat to Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Sarwar will return to Holyrood via the Glasgow regional list.

  • Review: Elon Musk hosting 'SNL' was a gimmicky ratings grab — but not a disaster

    All in all, as 'SNL' goes, the mega-rich tech magnate made a decent showing, in part because the show went out of its way to ensure him one.

  • A Palm Beach attorney rejected a request from the city's residents to evict Trump, saying he can live there as an employee

    Residents have argued Trump violated a 1993 agreement, which says resort guests can't stay for more than "three non-consecutive seven-day periods."

  • Anti-vaxxer records himself stealing a vial of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to 'investigate' in a laboratory

    Thomas Humphrey shared a video of himself stealing a COVID-19 jab. He later claimed to have sent the stolen vial to an MD for investigation.

  • Scarlett Johansson, citing 'sexist' treatment, calls for Hollywood to 'step back' from Golden Globes

    Scarlett Johansson joins Hollywood callout of Golden Globes, slams 'sexist' questions from HFPA journalists.

  • For the first time, you can hear the sound of NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flying on Mars

    Ingenuity has surprised NASA scientists with its first four flights. Now, as it begins a new mission, they can hear it for the first time.

  • String of satellites baffles residents, bugs astronomers

    A string of lights that lobbed across the night sky in parts of the U.S. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday had some people wondering if a fleet of UFOs was coming, but it had others— mostly amateur stargazers and professional astronomers— lamenting the industrialization of space. The train of lights was actually a series of relatively low-flying satellites launched by Elon Musk's SpaceX as part of its Starlink internet service earlier this week. An email to a spokesman for SpaceX was not returned Saturday, but astronomy experts said the number of lights in quick succession and their distance from Earth made them easily identifiable as Starlink satellites for those who are used to seeing them.

  • Bill Gates spent one weekend a year with his ex-girlfriend under an agreement with his wife. Here's how to know if that would help your marriage, according to a therapist.

    Negotiating a monogamy exception agreement into your marriage is perfectly fine, but being on the same page is crucial, therapist Jennifer Mann said.