Florida Sentinel Bulletin

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION HONRS MAJOR ‘ROCKY’ RATLIFF

            Major Roosevelt Ratliff, III, retired from the Tampa Police Department on August 17, 2018, after 30 years of service to the community. Family members and friends joined Major Ratliff, better known throughout the community as “Rocky,” at a retirement celebration. The event was held at TPepin Hospitality Centre. Retired Major Ratliff and his wife, Tasha Ratliff, center, are shown with: Jade Hansberry, Angela Ratliff, David Harris, Dena Ratliff, Shanita Henry, Zakiya Grier, Laverne Hansell, Arthur Cole, Markayla Leggett and Yolanda Davis.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

VICTORIOUS LIVING WOMEN’S CONFERENCE HELD

            On Saturday, August 4^th, Victorious Living Women held their 2018 Conference. The event took place at the Embassy Suites Hilton Tampa USF. The Conference once again allowed women to come together in a powerful movement of God. The event featured powerful orators, teachers, panelists, poets, praise dancers, and soloists from throughout the Tampa Bay Area. The Conference was designed to empower women to become spiritually, physically, and financially fit. Ms. Chanetta Burnett, CEO of Happy Days Plus, Inc., was the host. (Photograph by Toby Scott, of Chow & Scott Keepsakes).

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY HELD AT PK-8 ACADEMY

            On August 9^th, members of the community gathered at the new Dr. Carter G. Woodson Pre-Kindergarten through 8^thGrade Leadership Academy for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was planned to introduce the “new” school and the educational programs it offers to the community. The Dr. Carter G. Woodson Leadership Academyn came into existence after the Hillsborough County School Board approved the combination of Cahoon Elementary School and Van Buren Middle School during the last school year. The ribbon cutting was attended by school board officials, district representatives, parents, students, and members of the community. Shown from left to right are: Assistant Principal Joseph Eberhard, Assistant Principal Dipa Datta-Reid, Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins, Principal Ovett Wilson, Assistant Principal Brandi Anderson, and Assistant Principal Kosal Chea.

CHURCH, SCHOOL HOLDS 6^thANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL BASH

            Victory at St. James A. M. E. Church (Progress Village) held its 6^thAnnual Back To School Bash in partnership with Progress Village Middle Magnet PTSA. The event was held Saturday, August 4, 2018, at the school.  Assisting with the event were: Roosevelt Lawrence, Lafe Thomas, Bernadette Joseph, Carla Miller, Tawan Thompson, Jessica Bennett, Dedee Williams and Michael Jamison. (Photograph by Chow and Scott Keepsakes)

PARENTS CELEBRATE SON’S 24^th BIRTHDAY

            Mr. and Mrs. Marvin (Nina) Lancaster, Jr. recently celebrated their son’s 24^thbirthday with a host of family members and friends. It was two and a half years ago when the Lancaster’s son, Marvin, III, and one other person were gunned down in a club on Nebraska Ave. The shooter has not been arrested. Those who joined Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster, center, for the Memorial Celebration were: Jackie and Henry Dupree, Sr., Phekila Johnson, Braylon Hardy, Isaiah Mitchell, Ursula Dupree, Zakyra Dupree, Tish Dupree, Henry Dupree, Keila Dupree, Doshe’nae White, Kenny Siplin, and Margaret Ventura.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

COMMUNITY PARTNER PRESENTED $1,000 CHECK

            When the Winn-Dixie Grocery Store held the Grand Re-Opening of the store located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and North Nebraska Ave., the business presented checks to several of its Community Partners. Heaven’s Destiny Church received a check in the amount of $1,000. Shown at the store for the presentation are: Katina Torres, Marion Orr of Winn-Dixie, Pastor Tom Jones, Gail Reared, Stephanie Sanders and Keith Newberry of Winn Dixie. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

HART RECOGNIZES BUS OPERATORS FOR MILLION MILES OF SAFE DRIVING

            Thirteen HART operators, joined by their families, were recognized on Tuesday, July 31, during the Authority’s Third Annual HART Million Mile Safe Driver Awards Luncheon in honor of those who achieved outstanding safety milestones in safe driving and service. Driving 14 consecutive years without a preventable accident, the Authority’s newest Million Mile operators are Kenneth Beach, Rufus Blake, Theresa Briseneau, Tito Goicochea, Marc Henry, Dinesta McBride, Henry Morales, Gustavo Pachon, Jimmy Suarez, Bridget Williams, and Tyran Williams. HART bus operators Cosme Garcia and Tony Hernandez  join the prestigious two million mile club. From left right are: Tyran Williams, Tony Hernandez, Marc Henry, Henry Morales, Theresa Briseneau, Kenneth Beach, Jimmy Suarez, Tito Goicochea, Rufus Blake, Bridget Williams, Dinesta McBride, and Cosme Garcia. Not pictured:  Gustavo Pachon. (Photo courtesy of HART)