European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 17, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday june 17, 1992 the stars and stripes a Page 7 California professor gee rat Permela recipient of a Macarthur Fellowship Grant has been Blind since age 3. Blind scientist Black mayor among Genius Grant winners Chicago apr an evolution expert who is Blind and the first Black woman mayor in Mississippi Are among 33 winners of Macarthur fellowships which come with no strings attached. Twyla Tharp the dancer and choreographer also got one of the so called a Genius Grants a which recognize Talent and creativity. Gee rat Vermeil 45, a professor at the University of California Davis said he was a a thunderstruck by the $280,000 Grant for his study of predators and their prey. He has been Blind since age 3. The foundation cited the dutch born Vermeil for a lasting discoveries about How animals protect themselves against predators about factors affecting extinction and what happens when natural barriers separating species Are removed. A a in be done a great Deal of fieldwork and i do it with a great Deal of assistance. But so do other people who do fieldwork a said Vermeil who has written two books. He said his discipline requires knowledge from a thousands and thousands of books a and his wife Edith Zipser and an assistant have read Many to him. This Vearus awards went to More women than men a 17 to 16 a for the first time since the John d. And Catherine t. Macarthur foundation began doling the awards out in 1981. A i am honoured a said Unita Blackwell who in 1976 became the first Black woman mayor in Mississippi when she was elected in Mayersville population 500. I represent the Black and the White and the Green and the polka Dot a she said. A but As a Black woman in America it is a  Blackwell 59, has been president of the National conference of Black mayors for two years. She received $350,000 in recognition of her work in the civil rights movement efforts to raise Money for Basic services such As water sewage and housing and for receiving a masters degree in regional planning at age 50. The awards Range from $150,000 to $375,000, depending on the recipients age and Are paid Over five years. In addition winners receive health insurance. They Are free to use the Money As they wish with no restrictions or reporting requirements. Tharp 50, of new York received a $310,000 Grant in recognition of More than 20 years of innovation in dance and choreography including a combining modern vocabulary of movement with classical Ballet a the foundation said. A her Early work with major Ballet companies and other choreographers represented a turning Point in american dance a the foundation said. Winners also included Robert Blackburn 71, Dirc Toi of the printmaking workshop in new York for establishing a nurturing environment for the Art of printmaking Amy Clampitt 71, of new York for poetry and essays and Wes Jackson 55, founder and president of the land Institute in Salina kan., for exploring sustainable agriculture and alternatives to mass production farming. Dog thrown from overpass in Dallas Dallas up a a Man threw his dog off a 45-foot overpass onto a Busy Street monday halting traffic while frantic police officers tried to Comfort the severely injured animal. Officers in a nearby storefront sub station said they heard the Impact of the body striking the pavement and rushed outside to see what had happened. Shocked Drivers stopped to watch the dramatic efforts to save the still conscious full grown female Golden retriever. Police quickly arrested Charles Gibbons 30, who is homeless. They said he admitted tossing his dog Over the Side of the overpass because something made him angry. A the just continued walking. It did no to seem like he cared he just tossed it Over a one police officer said. A it just sent chills that someone would actually have the heart to do that to an  the officers placed a Blanket under the dying dog to lift it off the pavement and took it to a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals facility where it was destroyed. A the animal probably sustained internal injuries legs broken was probably in Shock suffered major trauma a an Spca veterinarian said. A people should understand that these Are living  Gibbons was charged with animal cruelty and jailed in lieu of $2,500 Bond. Other homeless people in the area said they often saw Gibbons with the dog adding that he apparently took Good care of the animal and never mistreated it. A it just hurts inside to see someone do that to an am mat a the officer said.  pose As police to steal from Motorist from wire reports Fairmont . A robbers using a car with a Blue Strobe Light stopped a Motorist hit him Over the head and stole $120, authorities said monday. Larry Hoy of Carolina told officers he thought he was stopping for police when he stepped out of his car sunday morning. Hoy struggled with his attacker and received a slight Stab wound before the robber fled with an accomplice in a car with Ohio License plates. Marion county sheriff Junior Slaughter said. Authorities had no suspects. Slaughter said. Hoy was treated at a Hospital and  nomination Washington a president Bush on monday announced he will nominate Robert s. Sil Berman As assistant Secretary of the army for manpower and Reserve affairs. He would succeed g. Kim Wincup if confirmed by the Senate. Since 1990, Silberman h As been principal Deputy assistant Secretary of defense for Force management and personnel. Silberman 34, is a former Deputy administrator with the . Maritime  bursts floods town Holliday Texas a a water tank used by the City As a Reserve burst near Homes monday spilling 200,000 Gallons and flooding streets. No one was Hurt but about 10 Homes sustained Yard and siding damage mayor Grady Graves said. The cause of the Accident was under investigation he said. The ground level tank was about 15 years old and received a maintenance overhaul two months ago Graves said. It is used to hold water from nearby Wichita Falls before the flow is pumped to an overhead Tower for distribution through the town of 1,500. Water from the burst tank eventually ran off into the sewer system and  to blame stress California to. A a Man accused of killing three Law officers and a sheriffs wife pleaded innocent monday and his lawyer said the Many a Vietnam combat experiences will be a key element of his defense. James r. Johnson 43, of nearby Jamestown entered the innocent pleas a because he suffered from Post traumatic stress syndrome and Wasny to culpable of any action a his lawyer Michael k. Williams told reporters. Williams and prosecutor John Kay each said they expected the trial wont Start until next year because of various Legal proceedings. Williams said he May change Johnson a pleas to innocent by reason of mental defect Ana also May ask to move the trial outside Maniteau county. Kay is seeking the death penalty for the killings dec. 9-10.governor s recall urged Baton rough la. A an organization began collecting signatures monday to Force a recall election of gov. Edwin w. Edwards partly because of Casino gambling. Fed Schirmir a Baton Rouge attorney and head of recall 92, filed papers with the Secretary of states office in Hopes of unseating Edwards who is serving an unprecedented fourth term. Schirmer has 180 Days to collect 740,000 signatures or one third of the states 2.1 million voters to Force an election. Schirmer said Edwards Cut his political base of support in half by a ramming the Casino Down Orleans parishes  the legislature approved a Bill to allow a Casino in new Orleans. A recall failed in 1984 during Edwards third term when he was tried on Federal racketeering and fraud charges. Edwards was ultimately acquitted of ail charges. Asked if he thought he will be recalled Edwards replied laughing a i think