Earlier this year, we reported the disappearance and subsequent untimely death of the developmentally disabled Alexis Glover, who went missing from her mother's "care" for a few days. The Virginia tween's lifeless body was later found in a creek, eight miles from the library -- the last place she was seen alive, according to her mother.

A medical examiner reported 13-year-old Alexis' death to be a homicide. Despite accounts from neighbors who said they witnessed the aftereffects of physical abuse, most likely rendered by Alexis' adoptive mother, Alfreedia Leona Gregg-Glover, she denied any wrong doing. Last week, she finally confessed to killing this defenseless little girl who became another casualty on the list of helpless black children abused and murdered every day.

Could authorities have done something to save this blameless child?

UPDATE TO STORY BV NEWS BROUGHT YOU JAN. 14, 2009:

A medical examiner has now ruled 13-year-old Alexis Glover's death a homicide.

Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert said Wednesday that the medical examiner's report shows the cause of Alexis Glover's death was drowning and exposure to cold.

Although arrested and released from police custody a little over a month ago, Glover's adoptive mother, who initially told authorities that the girl had run away, has been arrested again.

After local police searched her property, she was charged with felony child neglect and filing a false police report. Further charges are "likely."

Stock Blogger: Melly Alazraki

Filed under: Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Dell (DELL), eBay (EBAY), General Electric (GE), Motorola (MOT), Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI), Citigroup Inc. (C), Sprint Nextel Corp (S), Alcoa Inc (AA), American Express (AXP), Boeing Co (BA), Whole Foods Market (WFMI), Research in Motion (RIMM), Merck and Co (MRK)

The following is a list of 15 large stocks that have plunged significantly over the past few months. It does not include the big names such as AIG, Wachovia, GM and so forth. These may very well be ones in which you have funds tied to, those that include major credit companies, telecommunications, computer companies and grocers.

By comparison, the Dow industrials is down 25% year-to-date, the S&P 500 down 28% during the same time and the Nasdaq Composite down nearly 30%. Over the past month (since the Fannie/Freddie takeover), the Dow declined over 11%, the S&P 500 declined nearly 15% and the Nasdaq declined over 17%.

One station owner in Atlanta, GA reportedly received 3,000 gallons of gas delivered to his Chevron station in suburban Atlanta on Saturday. By Sunday morning, all of the gas, priced at $4.39 per gallon for regular unleaded, was gone.

According to AAA, Atlanta's drivers are in for sticker shock when they do find a station with gasoline. The average price in metro Atlanta, as of Monday, for a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.02, nearly 30 cents higher than the national average of $3.74. Wonder Why?

The gas supply has taken a major hit as refineries in the Houston area try to get back up to full capacity in the wake of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, state and industry officials say. The Colonial Pipeline, which typically delivers 100 million gallons of gasoline, aviation fuel and other petroleum products throughout the southeastern United States, is not running at full capacity.

However, reports say gas prices have gone down.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Gas prices fell back, yet again, marking the sixth straight decline, according to a nationwide survey of credit card swipes at gasoline stations.

The average price of unleaded regular dropped 1.3 cents to $3.726 a gallon, from $3.739 a gallon, according to the survey released Tuesday by motorist group AAA.

While prices have now dropped some 13 cents and have stayed below the key $4 level for some time now. But prices still remain much higher from a year ago, when gas was selling for less than $3 a gallon. Current prices are still about 33% higher from a year earlier at this time.

At present only two states continue to report gas prices above $4 a gallon: Alaska and Georgia. Alaska bears the most expensive gas prices, at $4.319 a gallon. The cheapest gas can still be found in New Jersey, where gas cost $3.447 a gallon, according to AAA's Web site.

For those of us that do not live in New Jersey, we might do well to remember a tip I picked up. Make sure you keep your vehicle running at no less than half a tank. Not only will you get better performance, but most likely if your area suffers from a shortage you will not be caught out there without fuel. Especially in an emergency. This may be elementary to some but based on a 6:30 AM phonecall I received from a friend desperate to get to work but whose gas needle wouldn't budge above E, I figure some may still be uninformed.

***Update

Due to Atlanta's incessant smog problem, all gasoline sold in the metro Atlanta area must be of the low-sulfur variety. It has to be specially blended. However, news reports of late have broadcast that the government is now allowing Atlanta gas stations to offer a more "dirty-grade" gas, just to keep consumers going. Gasp! Wouldn't the repercussions out weigh the quick fix? The Atl is about to reap what the government seems to be sowing.

Last Friday, a nasty rumor spread in Nashville, TN that the city was running out of gas. Darwin's survival of the fittest and if I might add [fastest] theory took hold on the residents that swarmed to the nearest stations and filled up cars and trucks.

"Everybody has just gone nuts," said Mike Williams, executive director of the Tennessee Petroleum Council. He said he has no idea about the origin of a rumor that there was going to be no gas in Nashville. One reporter called him, saying she had heard that Nashville would be without gas within the hour, he said.

CNN called 13 Nashville gas stations at random. Only two reported having gas, and one said it was almost out. The stations said they were being told they would not get more until Monday or Tuesday.

Wow! Much like when folks hear of an impending snow storm, they typically run out to load up on milk, bread and other foodstuffs, raiding the stores of all its stock. No offense to anyone here. I've done it too. But basically because I want to make sure I have enough snacks in my house to tide me over until I can get back out again. Nothing like being snowed in, with no new DVDs or books and nothing in the fridge but water and condiments!

Are we that gullible to believe every rumor? Will we turn on one another just to make sure we have a tank full of gas? Here's the thing ... If there's no gas in the city, employers know it too. DON'T PANIC! We're all in the same boat -- albeit seemingly sinking -- if you have faith the size of a mustard grain, you'd know that the sun will melt the snow, more petro is coming & all WILL get better.

Discount retailer 99 Cents Only Stores says it will leave the Texas market, closing 48 stores because operations are unprofitable.

The company said it will focus on its 230 remaining stores, which are in California, Arizona and Nevada. Those stores bring approximately 90 percent of its total revenue. 99 Cents Only said stores in the "very challenging" Texas market were generating about half the revenue of its stores in other states.

The company said its Texas stores lost $15 million, or 15 cents per share, in the year ended June 28, while bringing in $120 million in revenue. It said the closures will cost $40 million to $45 million.

On Sept. 8, 99 Cents Only said it will raise prices for the first time ever, citing inflation. Prices will go to 99.99 cents, from 99 cents.

Say it ain't so!

It wasn't too long ago that the 99 Cents/dollar store saved me mucho dinero & time! With less than 24 hours before my wedding there were still so many little items to buy. Where could I get everything needed in 30 minutes -- the time left before I had to get back to the nail salon to pick up a bridesmaid, get home & shower, get dressed and get over to rehearsal at 6PM sharp?

(Finger Snap) The Dollar Store!

I made that sharp right turn into the shopping center, screeching on two wheels, parked the car and took off like a shot into the store! Snatching up a little basket, I headed straight to the party/wedding aisle. Jackpot!!! I found a ton of last minute decorations for our outdoor ceremony. Much to my delight, I even picked up a beautiful ribbon-clad, satin pillow for the ringbearer AND the placecards and only dropped about 17 bucks.

I'd hate to think last minute excursions like this will no longer be an option especially for many folks living in TX. In these critical times of financial crisis, one would think that the dollar/99 cents stores couldn't possibly suffer the crunch. Apparently they are. Various other retailers are closing their doors as well.

Will the economy bounce back? What do you think?

DETROIT (AP) -- Yasmine Toney describes herself as a "dark-skinned sista." So when she heard about a recent club promotion in Detroit, allowing all-night free admission to black women with fair or light skin, she was incensed.

"It's offensive," Toney said. "It continues a negative stereotype."

"I'm perceived to be aggressive, assertive, attitude-having ... a lot of things, because my complexion is darker," said the 24-year-old receptionist.

The party was canceled last week after its promoter, who is black, received dozens of complaints. But for Toney and other black women, the issue reopened old, deep wounds as word of the party spread through the Internet.

How black women are viewed - and treat each other - depending on the hue of their skin, eye color, and the length and grade of their hair has long been a point of contention for many in the black community.

Many women with lighter skin frequently are accused of believing they are better than those with darker complexions. Many women with brown or dark-brown complexions complain that they too often are not treated as well socially or professionally as those with fairer skin.

"I think they get to slide in a little easier," Toney, who is pursuing a master's degree in counseling, said of women with lighter skin. "They are assumed to be passive and nice and sweet. I feel I have to do a little bit more. Number one, I'm black. Number two, I'm dark and I have short hair."

CAR FOUND IN INDIANA

Nailah Franklin was last heard from by her family last Tuesday, Sept. 18. when she sent a "vague" message not indicative of her character, to friends and family saying that she was having dinner and that she'd call later. Sadly, later never came.

When Franklin didn't turn up for an important meeting with her boss at Eli, Lilly & Co., co-workers at the Indianapolis-based drug company called her family, and the family called police.

Franklin reportedly filed a police report last week about threatening phone calls she'd received but, for reasons un-uttered she declined to file an order of protection against the alleged offender, a man she dated at one time.

Are you kidding? Just one day after the rally in Jena, La., and the rally on the steps of City Hall in New York City in concurrence, more nooses are found outside a southeastern high school!

Four nooses were found Friday around the campus of Andrews High School in High Point, N.C., (where Fantasia Barrino once attended) police said. Two nooses were hung on a tree in front of the school, one was in a bus loop near the upperclassmen's parking lot, and one red noose was tied to the top of the school flagpole, High Point Police Capt. Margaret Erga said, citing a police report. School administrators discovered the hate symbols around 8:30AM and notified the authorities.

Extra police officers were brought to the campus and security was in force at Andrews High School for the remainder of the day. No charges have been filed however, it's still under investigation. No one is sure if this incident is related to Jena Six as some seem to feel it could also be a prank related to Andrews's football game with Asheboro High School last Friday night.

Regardless of who the culprits are, Andrews school system is vocally adamant that they will not put up with "this type of behavior." "These discriminatory acts will not be tolerated in or against our schools," the school board statement said. "Those found to be responsible for this criminal act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Another Jena Six?

The city will pay $1.43 million to settle claims by a black firefighter who said he suffered harassment and discrimination after co-workers served him spaghetti laced with dog food, officials announced Friday.

Tennie Pierce, a firefighter from Los Angeles, Ca was to go to court on Monday for what again can be termed a "hate crime," or at the very least discrimination. For Pierce, the battle surely seemed long. It was in 2005 when he sued the city. He said he suffered retaliation for reporting the incident as well as verbal slurs, insults and derogatory remarks, including taunting by firefighters "barking like dogs (and) asking him how dog food tasted."

As part of the settlement, Pierce will receive about $60,000 in back pay, City Clerk Frank Martinez said in a statement. Pierce, who has been on unpaid leave, also agreed to resign from the Fire Department and drop all claims against the city.

Not-so-surpising to some, Pierce's claim was only one of several lawsuits alleging a pattern of harassment and discrimination against women or minorities working for the department.

According to the Associated Press, the cases have cost Los Angeles taxpayers more than $15 million since 2005, including a record $6.2 million judgment to Brenda Lee, a black lesbian firefighter who said she was taunted and retaliated against for complaining.