(AP) Charismatic pop star-turned-president Michel Martelly took over Haiti on Saturday, promising to rebuild its earthquake-devastated capital, develop the long-neglected countryside and build a modern army.
The 50-year-old performer known to Haitians as "Sweet Micky" was swept to power in a March 20 presidential runoff by Haitians tired of past leaders who failed to provide even basic services, such as decent roads, water and electricity in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.
Martelly was sworn in during a power outage in front of dozens of dignitaries including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti, and Edmond Mulet, head of the U.N. mission that has maintained order in Haiti since 2004. Also present was Desi Bouterse, the president of Suriname who is on trial for the 1982 executions of 15 political opponents.
Former Haiti President Rene Preval took off the presidential sash and put it on Martelly as they shook hands and embraced, but did not say anything to each other. Martelly's wife, Sophia, then came on stage and adjusted the sash as their four children joined them.
Martelly did not speak as he left Parliament for the National Palace, where was to deliver a speech.
Outside the gated Parliament, more than 1,000 Martelly supporters gathered.
"Today is a party for us, for the masses, because the country is destroyed," said Esaue Rene, a 28-year-old mechanic who has high hopes for Martelly. "I would like him to bring jobs so that people aren't sitting around in public plazas because they don't have anything else to do."
Martelly appealed to young voters like Rene because he is the antithesis of Preval, who is seen as aloof and uninspiring. Martelly is effusive and charming. He once joked that he'd dance naked atop the National Palace if he were elected president.
But the challenges Martelly faces in fulfilling his ambitious promises were clear Saturday. He was sworn in front of the country's collapsed National Palace and a shantytown filled with thousands of people displaced by last year's magnitude-7.0 earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000 people.
During his campaign, he promised to build houses in the capital; bring economic development to the countryside; provide universal education for children; develop agriculture; and replace the discredited armed forces with a modern army capable of responding to natural disasters. The previous discredited army was disbanded by ousted former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1995.
Political observers say speeding up the multibillion-dollar reconstruction effort is paramount. That means
Martelly's administration must make progress building houses for the more than 600,000 people still living in settlements; stem a cholera epidemic that threatens to spread during the rainy and hurricane seasons; and strengthen the judiciary. And a parliament controlled by political opponents from Preval's party could make passing bills difficult.
He must he do all this quickly.
"His administration will have to show progress fairly quickly in order to provide confidence to the population," said Mark Schneider, senior vice president of the International Crisis Group in Washington, D.C.
Martelly will lead a country still divided over the presidential election itself. He was initially excluded from the runoff in favor of a candidate backed by Preval, only to be restored after the international community challenged the results.
One sign of the division: Martelly's opponents have recently alleged that he holds dual Haitian-U.S. citizenship, which would disqualify him for the presidency. He denies the allegation.
In what some view as a reconciliation effort, Martelly has invited to the inauguration both Aristide and Jean-
Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, the former dictator who made a surprise return to Haiti in January. Neither of them attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Since Duvalier came back, the ex-despot has been charged with embezzlement and human rights abuses, and advocacy groups have criticized Martelly for inviting him.
"Martelly's facing the need to knit together a polarized country," Schneider said. "Haiti just went through an election which was riven by discord, disagreement, and unhappiness. And given the makeup of the parliament, he has the major task of forging a national government."
In the weeks since Haitian authorities declared him the winner, Martelly has toured the countryside to learn more about reconstruction projects, announced ways to finance free education, and formed a transition team, led by Duvalier's former social affairs minister, Daniel Supplice.
Martelly was well-known as an entertainer. But what kind of leader he makes, many in Haiti aren't sure.
"He's unpredictable," said Patrick Elie, a defense minister under Aristide and an adviser to Preval. "He's got teeth that can both smile and bite. He's shown that."
*Haiti has a new "Prez." I guess we should be jumping for joy, but on the other hand we should be skeptical, given the how the past President's have performed.
The country has been through enough turmoil and natural devastation. It's time for a leader to lead Haiti and bring it out of it's confines of war, drugs, bad leadership, and poverty.
Who knows maybe Martelly is the guy to just do the job, but with that comes alot of responsibility and opposition.
One thing about it, we will be watching, as Haiti has become a pet project for the world.*
Diva's Nation
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Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reality TV star Flavor Flav arrested in Las Vegas!
(AP) Police in Las Vegas say rapper and reality television star Flavor Flav was arrested on four outstanding misdemeanor warrants for driving offenses.
Las Vegas police Officer Marcus Martin said Monday the entertainer whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton was arrested Friday night after a traffic stop east of the Las Vegas Strip.
Martin says Drayton had two outstanding warrants for driving without a license, one for driving without insurance and one related to a parking citation.
Martin says Drayton is no longer in custody.
It wasn't immediately clear whether he had a lawyer or when he is due in court.
Flavor Flav was a member of Public Enemy, and has remained in the spotlight in recent years through appearances on several cable reality shows.
*Will Flavor Flav ever learn? He is the most getting arrested person I know! He should know that he can't drive around without a valid license period! This is what you call an idot stuck on idot stupid. Las Vegas should of kept his ass in jail to teach his ass an idiot lesson.*
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Las Vegas police Officer Marcus Martin said Monday the entertainer whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton was arrested Friday night after a traffic stop east of the Las Vegas Strip.
Martin says Drayton had two outstanding warrants for driving without a license, one for driving without insurance and one related to a parking citation.
Martin says Drayton is no longer in custody.
It wasn't immediately clear whether he had a lawyer or when he is due in court.
Flavor Flav was a member of Public Enemy, and has remained in the spotlight in recent years through appearances on several cable reality shows.
*Will Flavor Flav ever learn? He is the most getting arrested person I know! He should know that he can't drive around without a valid license period! This is what you call an idot stuck on idot stupid. Las Vegas should of kept his ass in jail to teach his ass an idiot lesson.*
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Sunday, May 1, 2011
Obama mocks Trump's presidential ambitions!
(AP) President Barack Obama exacted his revenge Saturday after weeks of attacks from his would-be Republican challenger Donald Trump, joking that the billionaire businessman could bring change to the White House, transforming it from a stately mansion into a tacky casino with a whirlpool in the garden.
With Trump in attendance, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock the reality TV star's presidential ambitions. The president said Trump has shown the acumen of a future president, from firing Gary Busey on a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" to focusing so much time on conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace.
After a week when Obama released his long-form Hawaii birth certificate, he said Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"
"No one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than 'the Donald,'" Obama said, referring to Trump's claims the same day that he was responsible for solving the issue.
For Trump's decision to fire actor Busey instead of rock singer Meat Loaf from his TV show earlier this month, Obama quipped: "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir."
And then, as a coup de grace, Obama showed a screen with his vision of how Trump could bring change to the White House. "Trump" was prominently displayed in glittery letters and girls could be seen with cocktails on a Jacuzzi-augmented front lawn.
Trump chuckled at some of the earlier jokes, but was clearly less amused as comedian Seth Meyers picked up where Obama left off.
"Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising," said the Saturday Night Live actor, entrusted with providing some of the comedy for the evening. "I just assumed he was running as a joke."
Trump stared icily at Meyers as he continued to criticize the real estate tycoon.
Obama and Trump found themselves in the same room after an intense week of attacks from Trump, who has piggybacked on the birther conspiracies and even Obama's refusal to release his university grades to raise the profile of his possible presidential bid.
And the birth certificate was clearly the key punchline for the evening, which typically offers the president a chance to show off his humorous side and a town consumed by politics and partisanship to enjoy a light-hearted affair.
Obama's presentation started after the wrestler Hulk Hogan's patriotic anthem, "Real American," played.
Images of Americana from Mount Rushmore to Uncle Sam were shown on the screen, alongside his birth certificate. And then he offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King."
On the serious side, Obama took time to thank the troops for their service overseas and noted that the people of the South, especially Alabama, have suffered heart-wrenching losses.
"The devastation is unbelievable and it is heartbreaking," he said. He encouraged the journalists in the room to help tell the stories of those who have been hurt by the storms and saluted those who lost their lives while covering the news.
Other possible Republican presidential hopefuls in attendance were former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rep. Michele Bachmann and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. And stars such as Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson also were among the more than 2,500 people who attended.
The association was formed in 1914 as a liaison between the press and the president. Every president since Calvin Coolidge has attended the dinner. Some of the proceeds from the dinner pay for journalism scholarships for college students.
Several journalists will also be honored at the dinner:
• Dan Balz of The Washington Post and Jake Tapper of ABC News, for winning the Merriman Smith Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure. Balz won for coverage of an unexpected appearance by Obama and former President Bill Clinton at a White House briefing, and Tapper won for revealing that Obama would ask Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair to resign.
• Peter Baker of The New York Times, for winning the Aldo Beckman award for sustained excellence in White House coverage, for stories dubbed "the education of a president."
• Michael Berens of The Seattle Times, for winning the Edgar A. Poe Award for excellence in coverage of news of national or regional significance. Berens uncovered flaws in a health care plan for seniors that resulted in neglect, abuse and even death.
*WOW! What a humorous event for people who attended the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner. President Obama really showed his humorous side. Donald Trump should have known better than to mess with a true "maverick" like President Obama. The President has shown what it is to be serious and to be funny. Sometimes you have to get loose in order to take the edge off. We here at "Diva's Nation" give this President a thumbs up!*
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With Trump in attendance, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock the reality TV star's presidential ambitions. The president said Trump has shown the acumen of a future president, from firing Gary Busey on a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" to focusing so much time on conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace.
After a week when Obama released his long-form Hawaii birth certificate, he said Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"
"No one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than 'the Donald,'" Obama said, referring to Trump's claims the same day that he was responsible for solving the issue.
For Trump's decision to fire actor Busey instead of rock singer Meat Loaf from his TV show earlier this month, Obama quipped: "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir."
And then, as a coup de grace, Obama showed a screen with his vision of how Trump could bring change to the White House. "Trump" was prominently displayed in glittery letters and girls could be seen with cocktails on a Jacuzzi-augmented front lawn.
Trump chuckled at some of the earlier jokes, but was clearly less amused as comedian Seth Meyers picked up where Obama left off.
"Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising," said the Saturday Night Live actor, entrusted with providing some of the comedy for the evening. "I just assumed he was running as a joke."
Trump stared icily at Meyers as he continued to criticize the real estate tycoon.
Obama and Trump found themselves in the same room after an intense week of attacks from Trump, who has piggybacked on the birther conspiracies and even Obama's refusal to release his university grades to raise the profile of his possible presidential bid.
And the birth certificate was clearly the key punchline for the evening, which typically offers the president a chance to show off his humorous side and a town consumed by politics and partisanship to enjoy a light-hearted affair.
Obama's presentation started after the wrestler Hulk Hogan's patriotic anthem, "Real American," played.
Images of Americana from Mount Rushmore to Uncle Sam were shown on the screen, alongside his birth certificate. And then he offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King."
On the serious side, Obama took time to thank the troops for their service overseas and noted that the people of the South, especially Alabama, have suffered heart-wrenching losses.
"The devastation is unbelievable and it is heartbreaking," he said. He encouraged the journalists in the room to help tell the stories of those who have been hurt by the storms and saluted those who lost their lives while covering the news.
Other possible Republican presidential hopefuls in attendance were former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rep. Michele Bachmann and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. And stars such as Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson also were among the more than 2,500 people who attended.
The association was formed in 1914 as a liaison between the press and the president. Every president since Calvin Coolidge has attended the dinner. Some of the proceeds from the dinner pay for journalism scholarships for college students.
Several journalists will also be honored at the dinner:
• Dan Balz of The Washington Post and Jake Tapper of ABC News, for winning the Merriman Smith Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure. Balz won for coverage of an unexpected appearance by Obama and former President Bill Clinton at a White House briefing, and Tapper won for revealing that Obama would ask Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair to resign.
• Peter Baker of The New York Times, for winning the Aldo Beckman award for sustained excellence in White House coverage, for stories dubbed "the education of a president."
• Michael Berens of The Seattle Times, for winning the Edgar A. Poe Award for excellence in coverage of news of national or regional significance. Berens uncovered flaws in a health care plan for seniors that resulted in neglect, abuse and even death.
*WOW! What a humorous event for people who attended the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner. President Obama really showed his humorous side. Donald Trump should have known better than to mess with a true "maverick" like President Obama. The President has shown what it is to be serious and to be funny. Sometimes you have to get loose in order to take the edge off. We here at "Diva's Nation" give this President a thumbs up!*
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation*
Friday, April 29, 2011
Garden Tea Party at Oscar de la Renta Bridal!
(FWD) There was something enchanting in the air at the Oscar de la Renta showroom where he presented his Spring 2012 bridal collection on Monday, April 11, in New York.
Always one to put on a show and create something awe-inspiring, de la Renta this season set the scene to something you would expect little girls to conjure up if they let their young and vivid imaginations run free.
Always refined of course, these little women could be found hosting a tea party in the garden out back surrounded by freesia and lavender scents as they sip tea, or at least gesture as such, in little white gloves and paint pictures for each other envisioning their fantastical wedding dreams.
With the youthfulness to the collection came an understated elegance that only de la Renta could pervade. Long silhouettes with bodacious skirts composed of ruffles and organza florets gave the illusion of a woman running through a patch of petals as they joined together to adorn her body. Rabbit hair on a white feathered bolero and scarf meshed perfectly with the springtime garden fauna.
Offering something novel to the bridal repertoire, de la Renta utilized the neckline in square shapes and more angular cuts. All 37 designs were white except for a couple of degrade silk organza gowns in pink and a tea length version in pale blue.
*Beautiful as ever! Oscar de la Renta's work will always be sophisticated and classic. This is one designer who is alway at the of his designing game.*
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation*
Always one to put on a show and create something awe-inspiring, de la Renta this season set the scene to something you would expect little girls to conjure up if they let their young and vivid imaginations run free.
Always refined of course, these little women could be found hosting a tea party in the garden out back surrounded by freesia and lavender scents as they sip tea, or at least gesture as such, in little white gloves and paint pictures for each other envisioning their fantastical wedding dreams.
With the youthfulness to the collection came an understated elegance that only de la Renta could pervade. Long silhouettes with bodacious skirts composed of ruffles and organza florets gave the illusion of a woman running through a patch of petals as they joined together to adorn her body. Rabbit hair on a white feathered bolero and scarf meshed perfectly with the springtime garden fauna.
Offering something novel to the bridal repertoire, de la Renta utilized the neckline in square shapes and more angular cuts. All 37 designs were white except for a couple of degrade silk organza gowns in pink and a tea length version in pale blue.
*Beautiful as ever! Oscar de la Renta's work will always be sophisticated and classic. This is one designer who is alway at the of his designing game.*
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation*
Sunday, April 24, 2011
HAPPY EASTER!!
Happy Easter to all who celebrates it! Hope your day was filled with wonderful goodies and lots of Easter bunnies!!
Diva's Nation
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Diva's Nation
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Saturday, April 23, 2011
C.J CALETT IS BACK WITH MORE BITCHITUDE!
(Beware Of My Bitchitude Blogspot) Hey hey bitches, my girl C.J. Calett is back with another installment of "Beware of My Bitchitude: More Bitchitude For The Bitch's Soul."
This little ebook mini is sure to be on fire just like the first. C.J. has really out done herslf this time as she dives into the angry bitch's soul this time around.
She talks about how bitch's from all walks of like, skin color, background and everywhere else can be as angry as the next bitch.
You don't want to miss out on this ebook mini at all bitches!!
(By the way it's a mini, so it shouldn't take you bitches that long to read through it)!
Anyway it should be available on the kindle in the next few days.
Give it a try and find out what this up and coming author is all about.
It will be available through amazon's kindle!! Hurry and inquire and get your copy today!
Diva And Her Bitchitude from "Beware Of My Bitchitude Blog"
This little ebook mini is sure to be on fire just like the first. C.J. has really out done herslf this time as she dives into the angry bitch's soul this time around.
She talks about how bitch's from all walks of like, skin color, background and everywhere else can be as angry as the next bitch.
You don't want to miss out on this ebook mini at all bitches!!
(By the way it's a mini, so it shouldn't take you bitches that long to read through it)!
Anyway it should be available on the kindle in the next few days.
Give it a try and find out what this up and coming author is all about.
It will be available through amazon's kindle!! Hurry and inquire and get your copy today!
Diva And Her Bitchitude from "Beware Of My Bitchitude Blog"
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
NJ woman chides NYC smoker, gets stabbed with pen!
(AP) A New Jersey woman was stabbed in the face with a pen on a New York City subway train after she tried to stop a man from lighting a cigarette.
The assault occurred on a crowded No. 3 train near the Chambers Street station during Tuesday's morning rush.
Witnesses told the Daily News and the New York Post that an argument quickly escalated when Evelyn Seeger asked the man not to smoke. The witnesses say two riders were trying to restrain the man when he pulled out a pen and slashed Seeger's face.
Seeger, of Nutley, N.J., was treated at a hospital and released.
Police charged the man with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
*What in the hell is this woman doing trying to stop anyone from smoking? Is she insane or just plain dumb? Her ass was asking for trouble when she decided to put her two cents in that man's business. Even if the man was trying to light a cigarette, Evelyn Seeger should of just did nothing. What was she looking for fame or a prize by trying to stop this man from smoking? If so, she got now because the media whores are eating it up.
"WAY TO GO EVELYN!"
Nine times out of ten; when you try to stop someone from doing something they obviously want to do, you will get your ass whooped. "I'm just saying!"*
Diva's Nation
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The assault occurred on a crowded No. 3 train near the Chambers Street station during Tuesday's morning rush.
Witnesses told the Daily News and the New York Post that an argument quickly escalated when Evelyn Seeger asked the man not to smoke. The witnesses say two riders were trying to restrain the man when he pulled out a pen and slashed Seeger's face.
Seeger, of Nutley, N.J., was treated at a hospital and released.
Police charged the man with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
*What in the hell is this woman doing trying to stop anyone from smoking? Is she insane or just plain dumb? Her ass was asking for trouble when she decided to put her two cents in that man's business. Even if the man was trying to light a cigarette, Evelyn Seeger should of just did nothing. What was she looking for fame or a prize by trying to stop this man from smoking? If so, she got now because the media whores are eating it up.
"WAY TO GO EVELYN!"
Nine times out of ten; when you try to stop someone from doing something they obviously want to do, you will get your ass whooped. "I'm just saying!"*
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation*
Sunday, April 17, 2011
OC Republican allegedly sent offensive Obama email!
(AP) A Southern California Republican Party official was under fire Saturday after allegations she sent an email that included an altered photo depicting President Barack Obama as an ape.
An e-mail reportedly sent by party central committee member Marilyn Davenport shows an image, posed like a family portrait, of chimpanzee parents and child, with Obama's face artificially superimposed on the child. Text beneath the photo reads, "Now you know why no birth certificate."
Davenport, when reached by The Associated Press, said she would provide a written statement with her response, but several hours later she had not issued one.
The alternative newspaper OC Weekly first reported the story, and was told by Davenport that the e-mail was "just an Internet joke." She also asked the Weekly, "You're not going to make a big deal about this are you?"
Republican Party of Orange County Chairman Scott Baugh told The Associated Press on Saturday that he wants an ethics investigation into the incident.
"It's just highly inappropriate, it's a despicable message, it drips with racism and I think she should step down from the committee," said Baugh.
Baugh said it could be several days before it's known whether the ethics committee will agree to investigate Davenport.
At the very least, Baugh said, Davenport should be apologizing for what she's done rather than attacking whoever leaked the email to media, referring to an email Davenport sent after the story broke calling on "the coward" who leaked the email to come forward.
Davenport, a tea party activist, represents the 72nd Assembly District in Orange County on the central committee.
She represents Brea, Placentia, Fullerton and portions of other Orange County cities to the county committee tasked with fundraising, campaigning and debating policy for the Republican Party.
*Is this broad crazy or what? Sending a "RACIST AND DEGRADING" photo around like that is ridiculous! For her to be upset at who leaked it, is dispicable and shows how dumb she truly is as person and as a politician. If she thinks that's going to get her some points, she should think again. If her ass doesn't get called out on the carpet then we know what we've sensed all along; AMERICA AIN'T SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL AND IS FULL OF RACIST JACKASSES."
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation"
An e-mail reportedly sent by party central committee member Marilyn Davenport shows an image, posed like a family portrait, of chimpanzee parents and child, with Obama's face artificially superimposed on the child. Text beneath the photo reads, "Now you know why no birth certificate."
Davenport, when reached by The Associated Press, said she would provide a written statement with her response, but several hours later she had not issued one.
The alternative newspaper OC Weekly first reported the story, and was told by Davenport that the e-mail was "just an Internet joke." She also asked the Weekly, "You're not going to make a big deal about this are you?"
Republican Party of Orange County Chairman Scott Baugh told The Associated Press on Saturday that he wants an ethics investigation into the incident.
"It's just highly inappropriate, it's a despicable message, it drips with racism and I think she should step down from the committee," said Baugh.
Baugh said it could be several days before it's known whether the ethics committee will agree to investigate Davenport.
At the very least, Baugh said, Davenport should be apologizing for what she's done rather than attacking whoever leaked the email to media, referring to an email Davenport sent after the story broke calling on "the coward" who leaked the email to come forward.
Davenport, a tea party activist, represents the 72nd Assembly District in Orange County on the central committee.
She represents Brea, Placentia, Fullerton and portions of other Orange County cities to the county committee tasked with fundraising, campaigning and debating policy for the Republican Party.
*Is this broad crazy or what? Sending a "RACIST AND DEGRADING" photo around like that is ridiculous! For her to be upset at who leaked it, is dispicable and shows how dumb she truly is as person and as a politician. If she thinks that's going to get her some points, she should think again. If her ass doesn't get called out on the carpet then we know what we've sensed all along; AMERICA AIN'T SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL AND IS FULL OF RACIST JACKASSES."
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation"
Ohioan tells 911 dispatcher he killed wife, 3 kids!
A part-time farmer told a 911 dispatcher that he killed his wife and three young children and was "getting ready to kill myself" inside their farmhouse on land tended by his family for at least four generations.
His grandmother, who lives just steps away, watched through her blinds as deputies swarmed around the house. She desperately tried to reach 31-year-old Alan Atwater by phone just after midnight on Saturday after hearing on a police scanner that her grandson had shot everyone inside.
She then went to the home with the sheriff in hopes they were alive.
"They were all gone," said Joan Atwater.
Deputies in northern Ohio said the bodies of Atwater and the rest of the family were found together with gunshot wounds in an upstairs bedroom. The youngest, 1-year-old Brady, was in a bed. The other children, Ashley, 4, and Isaac, 2, were found on the floor near their mother, Dawn, 30.
The only hint of trouble came recently when Atwater confided in Joan Atwater's husband that he and his wife of five years were having marital problems.
It was nothing, though, that caused any alarm, Joan Atwater said.
"Who doesn't have marital problems," she said, clutching photos of her smiling great-grandchildren. "We'll never know what really brought this on."
Atwater had no criminal record, and the Ottawa County Sheriff's office wasn't aware of any disputes between Atwater and his wife, a stay-at-home mother.
Relatives said that Atwater could have turned to plenty of family members for help nearby. At least four live within sight of their farmhouse.
A sign on an old wooden barn behind the house bears the family name. Around the corner, another red barn reads "D. Atwater 1904."
Atwater helped his grandmother's husband often around the farm and would come over to their house to help fix her computer. They had just been together the night before, she said.
She described him as a smiling, "happy-go-lucky kid" who kept any troubles to himself.
The 911 call came in just after midnight, the sheriff's office said.
"There has been a terrible accident at my house. My wife and three children are dead," Alan Atwater said in a calm, steady voice in the 911 call, according to the sheriff's office. He told the dispatcher he had shot them.
Deputies arrived within minutes at the farmhouse in Oak Harbor, about 25 miles southeast of Toledo. They didn't enter the home until two hours later, after they'd tried to contact the people inside by phone and through a loudspeaker.
The farmhouse, with a wooden swing set in the yard and two small utility barns, sits next to a field and in the shadows of the Davis-Besse nuclear plant, where Alan Atwater worked in the maintenance department.
Authorities said there was no indication anyone else was involved or that the killings were planned, and they were not sure Saturday whether Atwater left any type of note.
*This is truly sad! This guy shot his family and then offed himself. It's sad when you feel that's your only way out of any problem. The saddest part of this whole tragedy is the kids; they surely didn't deserve to die the way they did. So sad.
Diva's Nation
*Join The Conversation*
His grandmother, who lives just steps away, watched through her blinds as deputies swarmed around the house. She desperately tried to reach 31-year-old Alan Atwater by phone just after midnight on Saturday after hearing on a police scanner that her grandson had shot everyone inside.
She then went to the home with the sheriff in hopes they were alive.
"They were all gone," said Joan Atwater.
Deputies in northern Ohio said the bodies of Atwater and the rest of the family were found together with gunshot wounds in an upstairs bedroom. The youngest, 1-year-old Brady, was in a bed. The other children, Ashley, 4, and Isaac, 2, were found on the floor near their mother, Dawn, 30.
The only hint of trouble came recently when Atwater confided in Joan Atwater's husband that he and his wife of five years were having marital problems.
It was nothing, though, that caused any alarm, Joan Atwater said.
"Who doesn't have marital problems," she said, clutching photos of her smiling great-grandchildren. "We'll never know what really brought this on."
Atwater had no criminal record, and the Ottawa County Sheriff's office wasn't aware of any disputes between Atwater and his wife, a stay-at-home mother.
Relatives said that Atwater could have turned to plenty of family members for help nearby. At least four live within sight of their farmhouse.
A sign on an old wooden barn behind the house bears the family name. Around the corner, another red barn reads "D. Atwater 1904."
Atwater helped his grandmother's husband often around the farm and would come over to their house to help fix her computer. They had just been together the night before, she said.
She described him as a smiling, "happy-go-lucky kid" who kept any troubles to himself.
The 911 call came in just after midnight, the sheriff's office said.
"There has been a terrible accident at my house. My wife and three children are dead," Alan Atwater said in a calm, steady voice in the 911 call, according to the sheriff's office. He told the dispatcher he had shot them.
Deputies arrived within minutes at the farmhouse in Oak Harbor, about 25 miles southeast of Toledo. They didn't enter the home until two hours later, after they'd tried to contact the people inside by phone and through a loudspeaker.
The farmhouse, with a wooden swing set in the yard and two small utility barns, sits next to a field and in the shadows of the Davis-Besse nuclear plant, where Alan Atwater worked in the maintenance department.
Authorities said there was no indication anyone else was involved or that the killings were planned, and they were not sure Saturday whether Atwater left any type of note.
*This is truly sad! This guy shot his family and then offed himself. It's sad when you feel that's your only way out of any problem. The saddest part of this whole tragedy is the kids; they surely didn't deserve to die the way they did. So sad.
Diva's Nation
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