Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Although the program has been around for several years, it is still a new concept for some students. It’s called the Star Academy and it allows students who are one or two years older than average 8^th graders to “skip” a grade.

The students who sign up for the program attend either Giunta or Webb Middle Schools. They sign up during their 7^th grade year. To enroll, the student must be 15 years old by December 31^st, must score Level 2 on the FCAT, must make certain scores on other tests, and must complete an interview process with his or her parents.

If the students successfully complete 8^th grade, then they advance to 10^th grade the following school year. The students refer to this as “skipping” a grade. However, the teachers said the students actually cover all of the course requirements for both 8^th and 9^th grades in a single school year.

On Tuesday evening, the Hillsborough County School District held a celebration for the students who have successfully completed the program. Ms. Allison Edgecomb served as the Mistress of Ceremony.

Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb represented Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and the Hillsborough County School Board. “These students had the opportunity to say “yes” or “no” and they said “yes.”

She reminded the students that they had reached the end of one chapter of their lives, but their journey did not end there. She encouraged them to embrace the future.

All of the students were presented certificates of completion.

Giunta Middle School students who completed the program are: Lavardice Alexander, Rebecca Allen, Coral Aponte-Romero, Nardina Baker, Jo’Quan Cannon, Cesar Carrera, Myrenna Colon, Matthew Colwell, Alexis Cortez, Zechary Fauber, Romillio Fields, Joseph Figueroa, Zugey Galarza, Ismael Garcia, Richard Garcia, and Genesis Gomez.

Other students who completed the program are: Victory Gomez, Emily Grajales, De’Shauna Hamilton, Aaron Hannum, Jose Hernandez, R’Claudia Hicklin, Quartez Higgins, Ashley Hunter, Jovany Irlanda, Terence Lewis, Rosa Macias, Morgan Mahaffey, Miguel Marrero, and Justin Mathis.

Sergio Mendoza, Natalia Miller, Nora Montalvo, Abram Munoz, Jayson Nunez, Maria Orlando, Omar Ramirez, Jesus Ramones, Travion Reid, Deion’Dre Sanders, Christabelle Sedita, Calob St. Cyr, Dyllan Tanner, Anthony Wallace, Kevis Warren, and Marcus Williams also completed the program.

Webb participants are: Broc Abrahms Josiah Allen, Kevin Anderson, Tyrek Anderson, Reinaldo Arrieta, Brandon Barrett, Krista Bartow, Joshua Buenano, Jephan Chambers, Iris DeLeon Ruano, Sabino Delgado, Christopher Estevez, Armando Fernandez, Sebastian Fundora, Francis Day Gonzalez, and Destiny Hayes.

Others are: Isabella Hernandez, Noslen Hernandez, Timothy Herret, Kimone Kryzun, Rosemercy Lebron, Doralis Leon, Angelo Lopez, Victor Lopez, Luisander Marrero, Rafael Martinez, Ediel Navarro, Jose Ortiz, Jeremiah Paulino, Daylin Perez, Dennis Perez, Jayanna Powell, Alejandro Rivera, and Andrew Rivera received certificates.

Certificates were also presented to: Ana Ruiz, Manuel Serrano, Warren Thompson, Alexsandra Torres, Taylor Treanor, George Urbina, Lizbeth Velazquez, Jose Vera, and Sherreana Williams.

Others who appeared on the program were Matthew Rothenberger, Director of the Star Academy; Michael Bobo, Principal of Giunta Middle School; Marcos Murillo, Principal of Webb Middle School; and Michael McHugh.

Pictured: Some of the Giunta Middle School students participating in the program shown are: Alexis Cortez, Jose Hernandez, Jovany Irlanda, Terence Lewis, Miguel Marrero, Sergio Mendoza, Christabelle Sedita, Anthony Wallace, and Kevis Warren. (Photography by BRUNSON)

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Wednesday, June 5^th, the City of Tampa Neighborhood Enhancement Team will gather at the Al Barnes Park (corner of 18^th Street and E. 21^st Avenue to meet members of the community. The purpose of the meeting is two-fold.

Sal Ruggiero, Manager of the Neighborhood Enhancement Department, said the team be available to meet the community so they will be familiar faces in the area. “We want the public to be comfortable seeing people in the area. This will help build a better working relationship and help residents to take pride in their neighborhoods.”

The Neighborhood Enhancement Division came into existence after Mayor Bob Buckhorn recently combined the Code Enforcement and Clean City Departments as part of his reorganization plan.

In addition to the meet and greet, the Neighborhood Enhancement Team will also trim trees and pick up debris in the area. They will concentrate on the area within the area bound by N. 40^th Street, N. 50^th Street, E. Columbus Drive, and E. 21^st Avenue.

Ruggiero said this program is not to be confused with the yearly cleanup conducted by the Clean Streets Department, where residents are encouraged to place unwanted items to the curb for pickup.

“What we are trying to do is clean up items that are already there, such as dumped furniture. Each month, we will visit a different neighborhood and will provide attention where it is needed.”

He also stated that in addition to coming out to meet the team, anyone wishing to volunteer is welcome to join in.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A federal judge sentenced a 25-year-old Tampa woman to serve time in federal prison. She was charged with misprision of a felony in a case where two police officers were killed.

On Monday, U. S. district Judge James Moody, Jr., sentenced Ms. Cortnee Brantley to one year and one day in prison.

Federal prosecutors had sought to get Ms. Brantley a 36-month prison sentence.

Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., who was court-appointed to represent Ms. Brantley said her incarceration ranged up to 36 months in prison.

Judge Moody said he had to “balance the tragedy of what occurred, including Ms. Brantley’s failures, with the rights she had to remain silent.”

Ms. Brantley will not report to prison immediately. She qualifies for a minimum security housing facility and will be allowed to self-report upon designation. It is likely that both the government and Ms. Brantley will appeal, Attorney Irvin said.

Attorney Irvin argued that the 30-36 month sentencing calculation was flawed and the judge agreed.

In January, 2013, a jury convicted Ms. Brantley, 25, of misprision of a felony, a rarely used federal charge that means concealing a person from arrest.

On June 29, 2010, Ms. Brantley was driving when police conducted a traffic stop on her vehicle. She pulled to the side of the road at the intersection of N. 50^th Street and E. 23^rd Avenue.

Dontae Morris, 27, was identified as the passenger in her vehicle. Morris is alleged to have shot both Officer Jeffery Kocab and Officer David Curtis, both 31, at close range when they attempted to arrest him on a worthless check charge originated in Jacksonville.

Both officers died.

After the shooting, Ms. Brantley fled the scene in her vehicle and Morris fled on foot. However, prosecutors used cell phone records to prove she remained in contact with Morris after the shooting.

Her first trial ended in a hung jury. During a second trial, the jury found Ms. Brantley guilty of the charge. At the time of the jury verdict, Judge Moody questioned whether the prosecution had proven its case against Ms. Brantley.

In February, Judge Moody issued his 12-page written decision, and stated, “The Court concludes that, by the thinnest of legal threads, the jury’s verdict is supported by the evidence.”

Morris has been linked to the murders of five people, including the two police officers. He was convicted of killing Rodney Jones, 41, who was killed outside of the Cotton Club in West Tampa on May 31, 2010.

Morris was convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison.

Hillsborough County Judge William Fuente has set a tentative trial date of November 4^th, for the murder trial of the police officers. It has not been determined if Judge Fuente will select an Orlando jury to hear the case.

The murders of the police officers were the last murders Morris is accused of committing. No trial dates have been set in the murders of Derek Anderson, who was killed on May 18, 2010, or Harold Wright, 25, who was killed on June 8^th.

Morris is accused of killing both men as well.

A Hillsborough County man who failed to update his information as a sex offender is being held on a $1.2 million bond. He was arrested after a 12-year-old girl told her mother that he had molested her more than a dozen times.

Tampa Police arrested 48-year-old Edison Leonard Balcom last Thursday and charged him with sexual battery on a child, lewd and lascivious conduct, and failure to report as a sex offender.

Police stated that Balcom allegedly admitted to the girl’s mother that he had touched her during a telephone call recorded by investigators. He was arrested in the 400 block of W. Platt Street.

A popular Tampa Bay Area businesswoman and wife of a former radio station owner died suddenly. Mrs. P. J. Benton Danzey was the widow of the late J. Eugene Danzey, former of WRXB Radio Station.

Mrs. Benton Danzey opened her first McDonald’s Restaurant franchise in St. Petersburg, in 1984, and a second three years later. She also operated three other establishments under the P.J.J.D. Enterprises, Inc.

Her husband died May 29, 2012.

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1^st and ends November 30^th. U. S. weather forecasters predict an extremely active season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said there is a 70% likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms, of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes.

This year, the theme is: “Survive, Thrive, Stay Alive.”

As you prepare for the hurricane season, several items should be included in your survival kit. Some of those basic items are:

Water — at least 1 gallon per day, per person for drinking and sanitation

Food — Every home should have enough non-perishable food to last 3 to 7 days

Radios — Battery-operated or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

Flashlight and extra batteries

First Aid Kit

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask to help filter contaminated air

Moist towlettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Can opener for food

Clothing for each family member

Cash – if the electricity is out, ATMs will not work

Toys, Books and Games

Cell Phone — fully charged cell phone with extra battery and charger

Vehicle — fill tanks before the storm

Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type

Compass and local map

Matches in a waterproof container

Important family documents kept in a waterproof, portable container

If you live in an evacuation zone — LEAVE WHEN ADVISED TO DO SO!

Pets — Make arrangements for pets in advance

Special Needs Shelters

Hillsborough County provides a shelter program for those residents requiring special medically related care. Special needs shelters will be available for persons requiring more skilled medical care than available in a public shelter, but not a hospital.

If this type of extended care is needed, contact the Hillsborough Info Line at 813-272-5900 to be considered for registration into this program.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

When the Tampa Bay area was awarded an NFL franchise in 1976, no one was happier than Albert Perry. He automatically became a Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan, and rarely missed a game.

In 1978, when the Bucs reached out to Grambling State University and brought in quarterback Doug Williams (pictured), Perry was full of pride and admiration.

“There weren’t many Black quarterbacks around in the 1970s. We were lucky to get Doug to come to Tampa, and it didn’t take long for him to reward us.

In the five seasons Williams played for the Buccaneers, he led the team to three playoff seasons, and two division titles. He also set records, and was voted as the team’s MVP two straight years.

In 1982, Williams played his last season with the Bucs, but for the fans, he left an everlasting image as a winner.

The Bucs have started putting former players in the stadium’s Ring of Honor for the contributions they’ve made to the franchise.

In the ring are the late Lee Roy Selmon, Paul Gruber, Jimmie Giles, and Warren Sapp. But no Doug Williams.

Perry wants to change that. He’s started circulating a petition demanding Williams be put in the Ring of Honor, and he plans on submitting it to the NFL, the Glazers, Tampa Sports Authority, and anyone else who has a say in who gets enshrined.

“I think ignoring the things Doug did for this team is disrespectful. There’s no excuse for it. He’s done as much for this franchise as the people they have put in the Ring of Honor.

“Williams was supposed to finish his career in Tampa, but the ownership at the time had different ideas, so he went to the USFL, then later to the Washington Redskins, where he not only won a Super Bowl, but was the game’s MVP.”

Perry said he’d like to enlist the help of others in petitioning for Doug Williams to be in the Ring of Honor.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A Tampa attorney has filed a lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on behalf of former employees. The lawsuit alleges that the employees were not paid overtime compensation.

According to the court documents filed by Attorney Tanya P. O’Connor, the action is for recovery of unpaid overtime compensation. She is reportedly attempting to collect the back wages on behalf of 28 individuals who served as Child Protective Investigators for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Attorney O’Connor stated in the documents that the Child Protective Investigators were paid an hourly wage and are entitled to overtime compensation for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

However, she stated that during a three-year period, her clients worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Their duties as Investigators of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment crimes required that they act within certain time frames.

One of those requirements in some instances is that the Investigators make contact within 3 hours of receiving a complaint. They were also required to document their risk assessment and close or resolve the case within 45 days. Those deadlines resulted in the Investigators working more than 40 hours a week because of the extremely high volume of cases.

Despite the timeline requirements, the Investigators were reportedly told that there is no overtime to complete the work, but it must be completed, the lawsuit stated.

Attorney O’Connor alleges that the Sheriff’s Office “knowingly and willfully failed to pay overtime compensation.”

She is seeking compensation for the hours the former employees worked before and after their shifts ended, time they worked from home on a county-owned laptop or cell phones, etc.

When contacted by the Sentinel, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated in a written release, “HCSO is aware of the ongoing litigation and have been defending it in the past. Furthermore, we believe the allegations to be unfounded.”

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office located an elderly man within 17 minutes using an electronic tracking system. He was been reported missing on Thursday.

According to police, 76-year-old Barrington “Barry” Robinson walked away from his residence shortly after 5 p.m. Robinson reportedly suffers from dementia and police listed him as endangered.

Robinson’s family had also reported him missing in February. He was located after several hours.

When Robinson’s family reported him missing on Thursday, police were informed that he was wearing a SafetyNet bracelet. Deputies were able to obtain the frequency number for Robinson and relay the information to other deputies possessing the SafetyNet tracking equipment.

The Sheriff’s Office used a helicopter equipped with a LoJack SafetyNet receiver and was able to determine Robinson’s location. The helicopter then notified patrol units who located Robinson at the intersection of Anderson Road and Elmfield Drive.

In September 2009, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Tampa Police Department launched Project Lifesaver. The program is designed for citizens with cognitive disorders. The program drastically reduces the time and manpower involved in locating people who have been reported missing.

Each Project Lifesaver client who is monitored by LoJack SafetyNet, has a transmitter attached to his or her wrist known as a “Personal Locator Unit.” When that person cannot be located, deputies who are specifically trained to utilize the equipment are contacted to conduct the search.