Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Last Thursday, the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP elected new officers to serve for the next two years. Mrs. Carolyn Collins was chosen to serve as President of the organization for the next two years.

Others elected were Joe Robinson as 1^st Vice President; and Dr. Natasha Goodley as the 2^nd Vice President. Ms. Pat Spencer retained her position as Secretary, Ms. Ella Coffee was chosen as the Assistant Treasurer.

Executive Committee Members At-Large are: Ms. Pauline Cole, Al Davis, Rev. Shafter Scott, Ms. Saba Baptiste, David Denson, Carlos Gill, Dr. Arlessa Kubon, and Steve Marshall.

Mrs. Collins said the current terms expire at midnight on December 31, 2012. She said she will select appointees for vacancies in the organization and submit them for approval.

“I want to encourage people who have a passion about an area and who wants to work to contact the NAACP Office. There are people who really, really have a passion about certain areas and all they need to do is become a member of the NAACP and I will connect them with the area they want to work.”

Anyone wishing to contact the NAACP and volunteer cal call the office at (813) 234-8683 to obtain additional information.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

One of the buses belonging to an East Tampa church crashed into a wall and caught fire Monday morning. The accident took place after the driver apparently suffered an emergency.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the bus, belonging to the First Baptist Church of College Hill, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 4 in the center lane. The driver, identified as Martin Rufus Silas, Jr., of Seffner, lost control of the bus due to a medical emergency.

The bus veered to the left, then to the right before colliding with a crash attenuator, located near the entrance of ramp to the eastbound Florida Department of Transportation weigh station. After the collision, the bus caught fire and was partially burned.

Silas suffered minor injuries and was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the accident.

The accident took place around 11 a.m., while traveling on Interstate 4 between I-75 and Highway 579.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the accident.

The church did not release any information pertaining to the accident and referred all calls from the Sentinel to Rev. Evans Burrows, who was not available.

Tampa Police are looking for a suspect responsible for the hit-and-run death of a man early Saturday.

Police said at 3 a. m., Omar James Jeter, 22, was first seen walking through a parking lot before crossing Hillsborough Avenue. Police said as Jeter crossed the street, several cars missed him, but about 35 seconds later, a vehicle hit him, applied brakes, and then fled.

Witnesses reported that the vehicle, a dark colored compact, was traveling west on Hillsborough Avenue when it hit Jeter and fled. Jeter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Jeter was not crossing in a crosswalk, and after he was hit, several cars passed by, but didn’t stop.

Detectives said the vehicle that hit Jeter has extensive front end and windshield damage.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa Police or Crime Stoppers.

According to his Facebook page, Jeter is a native of Clermont, Florida, and a 2008 graduate of East Ridge High School. It is also indicated he was employed by FedEx Ground.

Federal authorities arrested a Wesley Chapel woman last week and charged her with tax fraud. The charges stemmed from the Missouri jurisdiction.

Ms. Tania Henderson, 27, is awaiting trial after she was connected to a $1.5 million tax fraud scheme. Last week, federal agents executed a search warrant at Ms. Henderson’s home. The agents said they found evidence of a tax fraud scheme.

Ms. Henderson, who once lived in Missouri, has been called the “ring leader” of the I. D. theft scheme. They also said a Jaguar and BMW were at the residence in addition to expensive electronics, unopened boxes of merchandise and stacks of shoes.

In addition to $5,000 in cash, agents also said they found a computer that held information files of nearly 200 false tax returns. The identity theft victims used are both living and dead.

Ms. Henderson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

SMG Music Group, a Tampa Bay production company, announced plans for a concert to benefit Who Cares? We Care! This event brings inspiration, hope, and community-empowerment culminating in a live national recording featuring the world’s greatest gospel icons. Scheduled for Saturday December 8, 2010, the live recording of “The Pen of a Ready Writer” will be hosted by Deeper Life Church in Tampa.

Gospel superstars scheduled to date for the live recording include: Dorinda Clark-Cole, Lucinda Moore, Sunday’s Best Finalist Danetra Moore, Lecresia Campbell, Rhonda McLemore, Shawn McLemore and many others. Stellar Award winner Myron Butler will produce for the live-recording to benefit Who Cares? We Care!, a local non-profit organization catering to down-trodden, displaced and destitute people.

About Who Cares? 

We Care!

After overcoming fibroid tumors, Dr. Brenda Jefferson, (pictured), stayed hospitalized for 17 days with blood clots in her lungs, heart and kidneys. One year later, a stroke almost claimed her life. She lost her memory and ability to walk and speak. She survived because her husband, Bishop M. B. Jefferson, and their natural and spiritual sons and daughters cared for, prayed and supported her. Dr. Brenda’s experiences inspired her to start Who Cares? We Care!, whose mission is “we care about your wellbeing”.

Over 62% of Floridians, or 12 million people according to the 2010 U.S. Census, are overweight or obese. Over $8 billion was spent on obesity related expenses in 2009. From 1995 to 2011, diabetes rose from 5.7% to 9.9%. Hypertension rose from 23.8% to 29% since 1997. Florida ranks 41st in obesity. The good news? Obesity in Florida only increased by 80% over 15 years, while it doubled in most other states. Dr. Brenda believes “obesity may be a battle, but victory is a mindset. You need to set your mind to be a winner. Your mind controls your habits.”

God inspired Dr. Brenda Jefferson to open a state of the art fitness facility to show people how to care for themselves by showing them someone else cares. Dr. Brenda says, “It’s all about CARING! People always want to know, “Who Cares? Well, We Care!” Dr. Brenda wants to show the entire community how much she cares with a full day empowerment fair.

The day includes a community health fair, blood drive, and pillow give away. According to 2011 estimates, Hillsborough County has over 17,000 homeless people. Dr. Brenda Jefferson said, “We have to meet natural needs as well as spiritual. Many homeless and indigent people receive basic necessities, but never pillows.  Pillows comfort. When people are going through, they need to be comforted. We want people to leave knowing someone cares.”

Live Recording

All songs being recorded were inspired by Dr. Brenda Jefferson’s latest book, “The Pen of a Ready Writer”. The live recording brings together the musical genius of producer Myron Butler and a conglomerate of gospel singers whose vocal skills, range, and techniques are untouchable to breathe life into Dr. Jefferson’s words, touch hearts, and change lives.

The recording is FREE and open to the public. Proceeds from CD sales will go towards helping Who Cares? We Care! help the community.  Doors open at 5:00 pm. The recording is being hosted by Deeper Life Church, located at 3300 North Nebraska Avenue in Tampa.  Everyone is invited to enjoy an unforgettable experience and encounter words of healing and hope from the pen of a ready writer.  For more information please call 813-229-6805.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

The Jefferson High School Dragon basketball team has welcomed new head coach, Eric Hayes, who is ready to embark on a new era at the school.

Hayes, who lettered in three sports while a student at Tampa Catholic High School, said basketball has always been his favorite sport.

“I think I was about 18 when my dad took me to my first professional basketball game. It was the Orlando Magic against the Portland Trailblazers, and after the game, I got an opportunity to meet some of the Trailblazer players. That is a great memory to cherish.”

After high school, Hayes attended the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, where he graduated with a degree in Information Systems.

“As far as being a coach is concerned, I knew this is what I’ve always wanted to do. Attending a lot of basketball camps really impressed upon me the desire to want to coach.

“I had a chance to coach at my high school alma mater alongside my high school coach. From that experience, I learned a lot and got a lot of encouragement. I also learned how to get along with the players, and the business side of coaching.”

Hayes began his coaching career as an assistant at Tampa Catholic from 1998 until 2001, and again from 2005 until 2006. From 2004 to 2005, Hayes was the head varsity basketball coach at the International Preparatory School in Cleveland, Ohio, the head coach at Brooksville Central High School from 2006 until 2009, and the head coach at Dunnellon High School from 2009 until 2012.

On getting the job at Jefferson, Hayes said he was contacted by a friend who asked him if he would be interested.

“I came in, met with the staff, and was involved in dialogue during the summer. During that time, I was working at basketball camps sponsored by the Orlando Magic for high school players. We also had athletes from other countries. After giving it a lot of thought, I accepted the job in July.”

Hayes said after he was named the head coach, the first thing he did was to see what kind of schedule the team was facing.

“I needed to see what kind of talent I had, and who was coming in. During an open gym situation, I got a chance to look at all the guys, except the ones that were playing football.

“Now, I know what I’m working with, and I know I will have to fine tune some of the fundamentals to get us ready.”

Hayes said his first goal is to be competitive ad restore or create a winning attitude with the players.

“All I know is winning, and I want the players to feel that. I want us to get better each game we play.”

Aside from being the head basketball coach at Jefferson, Hayes also teaches Algebra I and Geometry.

Eric Hayes is the eldest son of James and Gwen Hayes. He has three siblings.

On Tuesday, officials with Hillsborough County Animal Control along with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men for running a two-decade long dog fighting operation in Seffner.

Animal Control spokesperson, Marti Ryan, said they received a tip about the operation, and acted immediately.

“The call we received was about dogs with injuries or dead on the property. Prior to that call, we hadn’t received any complaints.”

Ryan said they recovered 7 dogs from the property at 6846 Stark Road, in various medical conditions. She said some of the dogs were in pretty good shape, but were being bound by chains weighing more than 25 pounds each.

“These people bait the animals by teaching them as puppies to attack each other,” said Ryan.

“One of the dogs was being used exclusively as a breeder. They were all mostly pit bulls.”

Vannie Franklin, (pictured right), 55, and his nephew, Russell Franklin, (pictured left) 41, were arrested and charged with various animal cruelty and baiting animal charges. Vannie’s bond is set at $57,500, and Russell’s bond is set at $14,000.

According to records, Vannie Franklin hadn’t been arrested in Hillsborough County prior to this incident. However, Russell Franklin had been arrested 29 times, dating back to 1995, on charges ranging from marijuana possession to carrying a concealed weapon.

Ryan said Vannie Franklin told investigators he had probably buried over 100 dogs over the past 20 years on the property.

“What we’ve found so far doesn’t verify that. We found drugs and weapons on the property, and fortunately none of the dogs needed to be euthanized. We also haven’t determined if the dead animals were tortured or just fought to death.

“I found it very unnerving how Vannie Franklin acted about the situation. He spoke about the incident without any remorse for the animals, and was very open and cavalier about the laws he’s broken, and the suffering of the animals. He acted as if it was all a natural thing.”

Ryan said as investigators were arresting the two men, a relative appeared and said she had warned them to stop the activity.

“The relative made reference to Michael Vick, and told them if Vick couldn’t get away with it, what made them think they could?

“What we learned was that the abuse and death of the animals in their minds was just the cost of doing business.”

Ryan said the property was very isolated and the roadway leading to the property was so soft, you couldn’t drive on it.

“You could only go so far in a vehicle before you had to park and walk the rest of the way. The property was so isolated that people in the area said they were stunned about what was going on.”

According to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s website, the property is part of the estate of Bertha Franklin. Authorities did not know her relationship with the two men, or if she was the family member who arrived during the arrests.

Ryan said Animal Control will petition the court for custody of the animals, and make a request that Vannie Franklin not be allowed to own dogs again. After that, they will proceed with the criminal phase.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

The investigation into the murder of a security guard led police to a teenager earlier this week. The teenager was in custody on other charges when the new charges were filed.

According t0 the Tampa Police Department, the 21^st murder in the City of Tampa took place when Critical Intervention Services (CIS) Security Guard Michael Valentin died during an attempted robbery. The murder took place at the Grand Oaks Apartments Complex, 2402 E. Hanna Avenue.

On Wednesday night, a week after the death, police have charged Larry Donell Brown, 16, who resides in the Moses White Estates, with first-degree murder, 2 counts of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, grand theft of a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brown is held at the Juvenile Assessment Center without bond.

The murder of Valentin took place shortly after 7:30 p. m., Thanksgiving Eve. Valentin was employed as an armed CIS Security Guard for the complex. Valentin, who was married and the father of two children, was working an extra shift that night.

According to the investigation, Valentin was the victim of an armed robbery gone wrong. Brown allegedly shot Valentin in the upper body and fled the scene, leaving his bicycle behind. When police arrived, they discovered Valentin’s body. His firearm was still in the holster.

Sgt. Bill Todd, of the Homicide Squad at Tampa Police Department said background information on Brown is limited because he is a juvenile.

Sgt. Todd said Brown has admitted to owning the bicycle, but not to committing the murder. Brown was reportedly visiting a female acquaintance who lives in the apartment complex.

“I have been a police officer for 29 years and it still amazes me to see these young children take the life of another human being like it’s a video game,” Sgt. Todd said.

He further stated that the gun was taken from someone who lives near Brown. The owner reported it to police on the same day as the murder.

Bicycle Abandoned

As the Homicide detectives began their investigation last Wednesday, they discovered a bicycle at the scene.   They determined that it might be linked to the crime and processed it for evidence. Police were able to develop a positive DNA match from the bicycle.

After the murder, the first robbery occurred on Saturday, November 24^th. Shortly before 10 p.m., that evening, 22-year-old Dwayne Jenkins was using an ATM machine in the 1700 block of East Fowler Avenue. The suspect walked up behind Jenkins, implied he had a gun, and demanded that Jenkins withdraw money. He then took Jenkins’ keys and cell phone.

Three days later, on Tuesday around 7:40 p.m., Husain Baaquel, 25, was using the same ATM machine when he was approached from behind. Baaquel also told police the suspect implied he had a gun, demanded money, took his cell phone, keys, and fled.

Police said it has not been confirmed that the suspect fled the robberies on a bicycle, and no bicycle has been recovered.

Police captured the image of the suspect in both robberies on video. Sgt. Todd said neither of the victims saw a gun, but the suspect placed an object up to their backs, and implied that he was armed.

In the interim, as the murder investigation continued, CIS offered a reward of $10,000 leading to information, the arrest, and conviction of the suspect.

On Tuesday night, police executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence and recovered additional evidence related to the murder and both ATM robberies. Police learned of the theft of the gun through witness interviews. They also said the gun used in the homicide has been recovered.

Sgt. Todd said Brown has been charged with murder as a juvenile.

Mark Cox, of the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said, Brown appeared in Juvenile Court on Thursday morning. The state has 21 days to charge Brown as an adult.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On December 1^st, the scholarship fundraiser for Collegiate 100 students at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida scholarship fundraiser will take place. The event will take place from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., at GameTime, 1600 E. 8^th Avenue, in Ybor City.

The event is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay. The organization has made annual scholarship awards to outstanding students at Hillsborough Community College for the past four years. During the scholarship fundraiser, the organization will award a scholarship to one at each of the HCC campuses. It will also offer a new scholarship to one student at the University of South Florida.

The Game Night Scholarship event presents an opportunity for friends and family to socialize, eat, drink and play, all for a good cause. Ticket purchases will provide access to unlimited food from a special menu, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, and a 2-hour game card.

The event will feature an appearance by “Hannah’s Boy” Stu Robinson from 95.7 The Beat.

The 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc. has taken a community leadership role on mentoring, education, economic empowerment, and health and wellness in the Tampa Bay area since 2002. The Tampa Bay Chapter is part of an international organization whose history dates back to 1963, and is dedicated to empowering and mentoring the next generation of leaders in our community.

The Collegiate 100 is an auxiliary organization that extends the 100’s mission on college and university campuses across America.

Male and female students, who are in academic good standing and who have a passion to mentor and deliver community service, are eligible to become members of a Collegiate 100 chapter.

For additional information about tickets visit the organization’s website at  www.100BMTB.org or through members of the 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Pictured:  SEAN DICKERSON, President of the 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay