Florida Sentinel Bulletin

TYCE KHALIQ HUNTER

JADEN KEISHAWN ROBERTS

JERDAVIUS DEANDRE STUBBS

JAMARIQ JAREQUEZ TRAVAN

     On Monday, April 22, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., officers in an unmarked car observed a 2020 Nissan Rogue traveling westbound on E. Hanna Ave approaching N.
43rd St., driving recklessly at a high rate of speed.

     As officers attempted to get closer to the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop,
the vehicle came to a stop, and occupants of the vehicle fired several shots
toward officers prior to officers activating their emergency lights. The
vehicle then fled again at a high rate of speed.

     Officers did not return fire, but engaged in a brief pursuit as a result of
the suspects having no regard for the lives of others. The pursuit quickly
ended in the area of N. 53rd St. and Nancy St., where the vehicle crashed into
bushes. Five suspects fled, three of whom fled into a residence located in the
7600 block of Sharon Dr.

     With assistance from the K-9 Unit, officers were able to quickly apprehend the
suspects and take them into custody.
As a result of the incident, 20-year-old Tyce Hunter, 21-year-old Jaden Roberts, and 20-year-old Jerdavius Stubbs were
all charged with one felony count of burglary of an occupied dwelling and one
misdemeanor count of resisting officer without violence. Twenty-0ne-year-old Jamariq
Travan was charged with one felony count of fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.

     Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said: “What our officers encountered last night (Monday) is another stark reminder of the
dangers of working in law enforcement and I’m fortunate that each of them was able to go home to their families.” Chief Bercawfurther stated, “Their swift action in apprehending the suspects is another example of our unwavering dedication
to keeping our city and its residents safe.”

     The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges may follow.

RODERICK WAYNE THOMAS

     Roderick Wayne Thomas, better known as “Wayne,” passed away after a brief illness. He was 63 years old.

     A graduate of King High School, Wayne passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, 11 a. m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel. (See Funeral Notices for additional information)

     With a very quiet and calming demeanor, Wayne spent 34 years at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club as an Expeditor.

      Along with his loving family, his many friends are also saddened by his passing. He enjoyed sports, reading, photography and mentoring his grandson.

A Letter To Our Friend

Dear Roderick,

    I met you during the early days at Sligh Jr. High in the 7th grade. From that first day, we all became best friends until the end. We were known as the “fellows.” High school days were a blur, because we had so much fun and made so much money having parties and fashion shows, people wouldn’t believe we did all that unless we did a Spotlight movie.

    I remember the day I was leaving for college and we looked at each other, saying -our hanging every day is coming to an end. I remember you saying, “Take care of yourself and I don’t think I will be going to college, but I will be bringing college to me.  A University which consists of buildings with books, I’m bringing books to me.”

  I can honestly say, Roderick Wayne Thomas read over 3,000 books. The man was simply a GENIUS… A Katt Williams like story. Really Unbelievable!  He would call sometimes and say, “I just read, “YEN: The Threat of Japan’s Financial Empire.”  Roderick was GOOGLE before the information website came about.  You can call Wayne about anything.

    Unfortunately, as we grew older and the fellows started having families and moving to other cities, the calls became less and less. The only times we’d see each other would be at a funeral.  We all would look at each other and say, “We need to check with each other on a regular basis.” It never materialized. “The Fellows” were no longer close. Drifted in the sunset. Now, here we are again…

      So here’s to you Roderick, ‘We love you brother’ – from Drew, Michael, Jose, Teddy P, Donnell, Bennie, Myron, James, Pete, Jerry, Claude, Terry, Dapp, Ernest, Tommy and Mark – We all say, ‘Rest in Peace, Roderick – Love you bruh.’

    Oh, tell my mother, father, Craig, Shelton, Byron, Dennis, Mike, Toby – Hello.

Students giving finger signals while holding a derogatory sign.

 
This post on social media has additional information.

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

     Two students from Sickles High School posted some derogatory information on social media, seemingly aimed at African-American students. The information posted seems to have something to do with the prom. The Sentinel received information and the photos via email on Thursday, April 11, 2024. We’re not sure when the post was made.

    In another of the same post, information and names have been added, stating that, “Yo sickles kids wild for this.” The post names Sean Lee, Ava Kmiec and Breanna Dazebrink as those who thought the “prom proposal was super funny!” It adds, “Make sure to repost and email FSU! Muahhh no college.” Those who made the poster added what appears to be a slice of water melon and possibly chicken wings.

     Two students in the post are at someone’s home where the social media was taken.

     The Sentinel was unable to find out the reason for this post. We reached out to Sickles Principal Ms. Krista Luloff and left a message with her secretary on Tuesday.

     School Board member Henry “Shake” Washington said he, too, had been sent that email posting. His comment on the posting, “we have to respect each other.”

     We also reached out to the School District and received this statement from Tanya Arja, Chief of Communications for the District: “Administrators swiftly addressed the incident as soon as they were made aware. Our district does not condone this behavior. We cannot share any other information as student discipline is a private matter.”

     Through various sources, the Sentinel learned that the Sickles students involved were suspended for 3 days and banned from attending the prom.

Administrator And Student In Altercation

     The Sentinel also learned about an incident at Lennard High School. An administrator or teacher was physically involved in an altercation with a student at the school. The Sentinel has not been able to gather details about the altercation.

     School Board member Washington said the Superintendent and his staff would deal with that type incident.

     Regarding this particular incident, Arja said, “This incident is under review by our Office of Professional Standards.”

     Lennard’s Principal, Ms. Denise Savino, was not available, but a message was left with the secretary.

     At press time Wednesday, we had not head back from the principals.

   Left to right. Andrew Francis, Landus Pemberton, George South, Denzel Brown, Dwayne Ifill, Bust of C. Blythe Andrews, Jason Grundy (Chapter President), Rank Carter, Steve Smith, Gabriel Solomon, and Nicholas Walker.

     Carrying bricks to identify the founders of Tampa’s Alpha fraternity: Andrews, Martin, Burney, II, Ervin, Yates, Avery, and Cousin.

     The Gamma Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., seated in Tampa, Florida, recently celebrated 79 years of service with a meaningful march to the bust of the late C. Blythe Andrews. Brothers C. Blythe Andrews, F. B. Martin, I. H. Burney, II, P. A. Ervin, Roland Yates, Eugene L. Avery, and S. A. Cousins received the charter that established Gamma Zeta Lambda chapter as the 172^nd House of the fraternity on March 21, 1945.

      During the celebration which took place on March 21, 2024, the brothers of Gamma Zeta Lambda Chapter marched from the parking lot of Tampa General Hospital to the Riverwalk area where the bust of C. Blythe Andrews is located.

     The celebration was led by Chapter President Jason Grundy through a ceremony of remembrance and recommitment, honoring the attributes of each of the chapter chartering members. The event culminated in the brothers posing for pictures with the bust of C. Blythe Andrews and joyfully “stepping” in celebration of the chapter and Fraternity.

        Since the chartering, the Gamma Zeta Lambda chapter has been an active member of Tampa’s Black community, advocating for Civil Rights, Education and Voting Rights.

      Additionally, the chapter partners with other charitable organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer Association and the March of Dimes/March For Babies to make a positive impact in the community.

The single-car vehicle that crashed in the roundabout landed into a tree in the center of the roundabout, that has since been removed.

     All parts of a Tampa roundabout were closed until Thursday afternoon after a fatal and fiery morning crash.

      Tampa police found a man dead when they responded to a single-car crash at 4 a. m. in the roundabout at the intersection of North 40th Street and River Hills Drive.

     The car was engulfed in flames and two adult females who were also involved were transported to local hospitals. One of them had serious injuries, police said.

     The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

LeBron James

Steph Curry

Team USA is finalizing a 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball roster that includes several of the generation’s iconic players, including the Lakers’ LeBron James, Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Suns’ Kevin Durant and 76ers’ Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Team USA managing director Grant Hill is keeping one roster slot open ahead of a July training camp and exhibition games in Las Vegas, sources said.

U.S. basketball is planning to formally announce this 11-man roster that also includes Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Suns guard Devin Booker, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, Boston forward Jayson Tatum, Boston guard Jrue Holiday, Miami center Bam Adebayo and Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, sources said.

Team USA coach Steve Kerr will be coaching Curry — his four-time championship and two-time MVP guard — in his first Olympic appearance.

Lindsey Harding … Head Coach of the G League’s Stockton Kings

       The Charlotte Hornets have been granted permission to interview Lindsey Harding, the daughter of Tampa native, Lillian Andrews Ponquinette, and the coach of the G League’s Stockton Kings. The Hornets are looking for a new head coach and want to speak with Harding for Charlotte’s head-coaching job.

     If the Hornets hire Harding, she would be the first woman to be named head coach of an NBA team.

      Harding, a former Duke standout whose No. 10 jersey was retired by the program, was named the Naismith Player of the Year in 2007. She was first pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2007 WNBA Draft. Last year, she became the only woman head coach in either the NBA or G League when she coached Sacramento’s G League team.

       Recently, Harding became the first woman to be named the NBA G League Coach of the Year after leading the Stockton Kings to a 24-10 regular-season record.

     Harding has also coached the Mexican women’s national team since 2022. She previously coached the South Sudan women’s team.