Latest news with #Straughter
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rapper Rick Ross makes car show more wheelchair accessible after lawsuit
A wheelchair-bound man who filed a lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross is claiming victory. That's after the rapper agreed to make his popular car and bike show more accessible to those who are disabled. Darris Straughter told Channel 2's Tom Jones that he was excited when he heard the news. 'God is good,' he said. He had that reaction after he learned that rapper Rick Ross has agreed to make the new 'accommodations' for the upcoming car and bike show at his mansion he calls The Promiseland in Fayette County. 'I was happy with it. It brought me a lot of joy,' Straughter said. A lot of joy after he said he experienced a lot of pain and anger when he attended Ross' car show last year. 'It just broke spirit, man. Cause I did everything I was supposed to do,' Straughter said in a previous interview. RELATED STORIES: 'It just broke my spirit.': Man sues Rick Ross after having no wheelchair access to yearly car show Man suing Rick Ross saying he waited hours for accessible bus that never showed for car show Authorities praise rapper Rick Ross' controversial car show as thousands flood Fayette County Straughter said he flew to Atlanta from Miami after he was promised a wheelchair-accessible bus to get him to the event from a designated parking lot. He said he returned to his hotel after waiting five hours when one didn't show up. He filed a lawsuit. In that lawsuit, his attorney filed an expedited motion for a temporary injunction. John Hoover said it was an effort to make sure no other person went through what Straughter went through. 'We asked for five things, and we got all five of them,' Hoover said. A court document shows that Ross has agreed to provide roundtrip wheelchair-accessible shuttles to the car show venue in June. There will be designated handicapped parking spots in the designated parking lots. 'They're gonna be offering golf carts to every wheelchair user that wants to attend,' Hoover said. Ross will have ADA-compliant restrooms at the car show. The car show's website will have information about accommodations for the disabled. Straughter said he really appreciates Ross for recognizing he has to make his event accessible to everyone. 'My community is like amazed. Like, that's beautiful. I salute him for that. I really do,' Straughter said. Ross' attorney, in that court order, continues to deny he violated any laws. But said he reached this agreement to avoid any unnecessary disputes and costs. Straughter said he now plans to attend this year's event in June with the new accommodations in place.,
Chicago Tribune
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Malika Jenkins has big dreams. ‘WNBA is the main goal.' Sophomore guard has Merrillville thinking big too.
Merrillville's Malika Jenkins didn't rest on her laurels. After making a splash last season, the 5-foot-7 sophomore guard has continued to progress, impressing Darian Straughter, who is in her first year as the coach at her alma mater. 'MJ has definitely grown a lot over the course of this school year, this season,' Straughter said. 'I'm definitely very proud of how far she has come along. She still has a lot of potential and a lot of growth that can occur in the next two years.' As part of that growth, Jenkins has been learning to control her emotions and have a short-term memory. 'Just moving on to the next play,' she said. 'Don't get so frustrated and just keep pushing.' Jenkins has pushed forward to average 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Pirates (15-6) this season. She posted 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 steals as a freshman. Jenkins holds herself to a high standard. But she entered last season with an open mind. 'I didn't put too much pressure on myself because I knew how young I was,' she said. 'I just played freely and how I usually play, and it worked out well.' That approach involves unselfishness. 'I'm able to pass,' Jenkins said. 'I'm a pass-first player. I like to pass and see my teammates score. I can shoot, too, but I like getting assists.' Jenkins and the Pirates will play a Class 4A Chesterton Sectional semifinal against the host Trojans (14-8) on Friday night. Merrillville defeated the Trojans during the Duneland Athletic Conference season on Jan. 10. The winner would advance to play either conference champion Valparaiso (16-7) or Portage (10-12) in the sectional final on Saturday. Last season, the Pirates lost in a sectional final to Lake Central, the eventual state runner-up. They last won a sectional title in 2021. 'The goal last year was to get a championship,' Jenkins said. 'I wanted to have a good season overall and learn something from the older people as a freshman, making the jump from eighth grade to a freshman. 'This year, it's mentally just knowing that last season is in the past. Just move on and we can get farther and work harder and make more of a push. I like how we get through tough moments. If we want something, we can definitely get it.' Straughter believes Jenkins has that ability to lift a team. 'I'm hoping she can lead us to a sectional title this season and take us even further with the help of her other teammates, the seniors, the rest of the team,' Straughter said. 'She's a great athlete, a great student in the classroom. We're just waiting to see what schools will come after her.' Jenkins has time to draw such attention. But she has those kinds of aspirations. 'I would love to play college basketball and see how far it could take me,' she said. 'The WNBA is the main goal.'
