Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner has positively identified the human remains found in a burned car last week. The victim was reported missing by her family two hours before the burned care was discovered.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriffís Office, the skeletal remains were identified as Mrs. Gwendolyn Patricia Belcher, 43, through dental records. The cause of death is still pending and the investigation is continuing.

Mrs. Belcher’s family reported her missing around 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, September 16th.

During the course of the interviews, deputies learned that on the night of September 15, her husband, Christopher Keith Belcher, 43, had gone to a birthday party. When Belcher returned home, he and Mrs. Belcher became engaged in a verbal confrontation that turned physical.

About two hours after the missing personís report was filed, other deputies responded to Taylor Road and Pruett Road in reference to a burned vehicle. After arriving at the scene, police determined that the 2000 Nissan Maxima belonged to Mrs. Belcher and the care contained human skeletal remains.

Deputies arrested Belcher the following day, Monday, September 17th, and charged him with domestic violence. He is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond.

Christopher Keith Belcher

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

More than 20 years ago, a Tampa church saw the dire need to help children in need of homes. They decided the best way to accomplish this goal was to work in conjunction with the local governmental agency responsible for the children.

The origin of the Family Enrichment Center began in the secretary’s office of the College Hill Church Of God And Christ. The idea was to recruit African American families to become licensed foster parents.

The Center opened its doors on September 29, 1992.

On Thursday, September 20th, the Board of Directors, management, and staff of The Family Enrichment Center will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. The celebration will take place at the Tampa Airport Hilton, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The guest speaker for the event is Lucas Boyce, author of “Living Proof: From the White House to the NBA.” He will share his story of being a former foster child born prematurely to an alcoholic and drug addicted teenager.

The organization will also pay a special tribute to the late Mr. Freddie Solomon, a popular retired NFL star and local coach.

Ms. Olga Stirrup, Executive Director of the Family Enrichment Center said, “It is inconceivable to have our celebration and not talk about how much Coach Solomon meant to the agency and his heart, and our Grandparents Program. His widow, Mrs. Dee Solomon will join the agency that evening.”

Having served the community for the past 20 years, The Family Enrichment Center is the second largest provider of foster care in Hillsborough County.

Ms. Stirrup said, “It was our challenge to dispel a prevailing attitude that Black families would not step to the plate and provide safe homes for Black children who were disproportionately represented in the foster care system. And, we continue to respond to challenges.”

The Center continues to increase its services to the community. The most recent undertakings include: low-cost housing for individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS; a residential group home for siblings in foster care; case management, and the first support services for grandparents and other relative caregivers in Hillsborough County.

For additional information, contact The Family Enrichment Center at (813) 237-2530, extension 26; or see the ad in this edition of the Sentinel.

America’s first vegan bodybuilding champion, Kenneth G. Williams, is scheduled to be a guest speaker at the 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest. Kenneth will be speaking about achieving fitness goals on a vegan diet which includes no meat, dairy, fish or any type of animal products.

Kenneth made sports history at the 2004 Natural Olympia, finishing third out of two hundred competitors around the world and became the world’s first Vegan Bodybuilder Champion.

He is dedicated to educating people about using plant-based and raw foods to build one’s body to its highest potential in physical development.  Kenneth is a spokesperson for the animal rights group, In Defense of Animals, and is currently training for the 2013/2014 Natural Olympia.

The 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest is the Tampa Bay area’s only vegetarian/vegan festival which takes place in downtown Tampa on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m.

The 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest is a free event featuring guest speakers; healthy living and eco-friendly vendors; children’s activities; live music; films; animal adoptions and delicious vegan food.

Over 3,000 people attended last year’s event, and the 2012 edition is shaping up to be even bigger.

Veg Fest will once again take place at downtown Tampa’s Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park at 601 Old Water Street, across the street and to the south of the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Veg Fest is presented by Florida Voices for Animals, a Tampa Bay-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal advocacy organization that raises awareness of animal issues and educates individuals about how to make compassionate choices for animals. FVA also provides information about plant-based diets as a way to improve health while helping animals and the environment.

For further information, visit www.tampabayvegfest.org, or contact Isabelle Tassi at (727) 656-8368 or info@tampabayvegfest.org.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Sunday, September 16, 1963, members of the Ku Klux Klan placed a bomb at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. Sunday School had just been dismissed when the bomb exploded at the church that had hosted Civil Rights Movement meetings.

In its aftermath, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair (pictured) were killed. In remembrance of the 49th Anniversary of the murders, Benjamin Jealous, President of the National Office of the NAACP issued a call. Jealous requested that all churches to conduct Voter Register on the anniversary of the murders in memory of the victims and what took place at the church. The theme was “Sixteenth Street Baptist Church — Register 16 on 16.”

Rev. W. D. Sims, pastor of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church responded to the call. He conducted a Voter’s Register Drive in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP.

Rev. Sims urged those who were not registered to vote or those who needed to update their personal information to do so. He set up a table in the vestibule and Ms. Pat Spencer, Secretary of the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP, was on hand to register.

Rev. Sims said, “This was not a campaign effort for any candidate or issue, but to make available the opportunity to give every citizen of these United States of America.”

There will be another opportunity to register or update personal information at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 17th, at the noon Bible Study. The church is located at 2628 27th Avenue.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Shortly before 2:30 a.m., last Friday, a 24-year-old Tampa man was shot outside of an Ybor City club. He later died at a local hospital.

The Tampa Police Department is not releasing any additional information about the shooting that ended the life of 24-year-old Rickey S. Ligons. When officers arrived at Club Ice, 1704 N. 17th Street, in Ybor City, Ligons was laying in the parking lot. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he later died.

According to reports, a fight started inside the club and bouncers ejected several people. Ligons and a female were leaving when they saw two girls fighting behind the club. Witnesses said Ligons became involved after a young man began fighting with one of the girls and tried to stop him.

Ligons’ mother, Mrs. Odessa Marshall said, “He was trying to break up a fight. Two girls were fighting and a boy started fighting one of the girls. He told him he shouldn’t be fighting a girl and then he was shot.”

Ligons was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Marshall and Wendall Alexander. He was the grandson of Mrs. Carrie Ligons and the late A. C. Ligons. His uncle, Joe Ligons, is the lead singer of the popular gospel group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

He was the oldest of three children born to Mrs. Marshall. “I poured my whole life in to all three of my kids. I loved my son dearly and it’s just sad to see his light go out at the age of 24. He will always be loved and close to my heart and he will never be forgotten,” she said.

Ligons was a Tampa native who attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He one credit short of graduating with his Brandon High School class in 2008.

Mrs. Marshall said Rickey was planning to obtain that credit and was in the process of talking with a military recruiter. He planned to enlist in the U. S. Army. “He had just found out what he needed to do to go into the military.”

He was a member of New Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and was described as a typical young adult. He enjoyed playing football, music, and playing games on his Play Station 3.
His family is currently attempting to raise money for his funeral. Funeral services for Ligons were incomplete as of press time. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on Monday. And charged with one count of organized fraud, five counts of Florida communications fraud, and three counts of criminal use of personal information. He was released from the Pasco County Jail after posting bond.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Demetrius Lewis.

During an ongoing criminal investigation, investigators learned that Lewis was allegedly receiving and cashing fraudulent tax refund checks. The checks were issued to eight different people who had no knowledge nor gave permission to anyone to file returns in their names.

“The arrest showcases the collaborative law enforcement effort t to address this emerging problem. Similar cases are being developed,” FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said.

Agent Jim Robnett, IRS Special Agent in Charge said, “The successful arrest of Demetrius Lewis symbolizes the forward strides that the Alliance has made in combating identity theft-related tax fraud. It is through these joint efforts and the use of new tools such as the Identity Theft Disclosure Pilot Program that these successes are possible. These types of crimes impact everyone, from tax-paying citizens to the victims and their families whose identities were stolen.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A well-known Tampa businessman, union leader, and politician, died Wednesday morning after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Perry C. Harvey, Jr., would have celebrated his 82nd birthday (Friday) today.

Mrs. Barbara Harvey, his wife of 42 years, said Mr. Harvey had been ill since 2001, but there would be periods when his health improved.

Mr. Harvey was hospitalized in March 2012, and his health declined from that point. Mrs. Harvey said he died of renal failure.

City Councilman Perry C. Harvey addressed the audience at the Urban Bankers Reception in February 1993.

After serving four years in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, Mr. Harvey returned to Tampa and taught at Booker T. Washington Junior High School for three years. He then became an Administrator with the Pension and Welfare Fund of the International Longshoremen’s Association, (ILA), Local 1402. His father, Mr. Perry C. Harvey, Sr., was the president, and Mr. Harvey served in that capacity for several years. After his father died in 1972, Mr. Harvey was elected as President. He remained in that capacity until his retirement in 2009.

In addition to serving more than thirty years as head of the organization, Mr. Harvey also served as the Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the ILA. He was also one of 23 International Vice Presidents of the International Longshoremen’s Association, his wife said.

During his tenure with the organization, Mr. Harvey traveled extensively on union business throughout the United States. He also visited Japan, Italy, Mexico, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and other countries.

Mr. Harvey served as the President of the College Hill Pharmacy Corporation for several years. Established in the late 1950s, the pharmacy served the African American community until 2011.

In 1986, Mr. Harvey decided to seek an elected office and ran for Tampa City Council. He won the election and became the first African American to serve in that capacity. He served for two consecutive terms as the representative for District 5.

He was active in the community and appointed to numerous boards and organizations.

A native of Thomasville, Georgia, Mr. Harvey moved to Tampa at the age of two with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Perry C. (Mabel Tripp) Harvey, Sr. He was the older of two sons. His brother, Dr. Jerry Harvey, died several years ago.

Perry C. Harvey, Jr., returned to Morehouse College to attend the Morehouse College Region II Conference Dinner. He encouraged the Men of Morehouse to support the school.

Following graduation from Middleton High School in 1946, Mr. Harvey enrolled at Morehouse College, in Atlanta. He graduated with a degree in Biology. He completed his undergraduate work at Atlanta (now Clark-Atlanta) University.

Mrs. Harvey said her husband had aspirations of becoming a doctor prior to entering the military. She further stated that through the years, others have utilized his bound college thesis.

While a student, he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Harvey was also one of three African Americans to submit an application to the University of Florida, School of Medicine in the 1960s. The school accepted an African American female from among the three.

As a businessman, Mr. Harvey served as the Chairman of the Board of the Tampa Park Apartments Complex and Plaza. Mr. Perry Harvey, Sr., Mr. Cyril Blythe Andrews, Mr. Cyril Blythe Andrews, Jr., and Mr. Perry C. Harvey, Jr., signed the contract in 1968 to redevelop an area of Tampa just north of downtown. The complex consists of more than 300 apartments and a business complex.

The complex was sponsored by two African American organizations, The Lily Security Benefit Society and the International Longshoremen’s Association, Local 1402. Its purpose was to provide decent, affordable housing to the citizens of Tampa.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Harvey is survived by three adult children, 1 adult stepson, 3 grandchildren, step grandchild, numerous other family members and friends.

Mrs. Harvey said her husband was raised as a member of First Baptist Church of West Tampa. However, during the 1990s, he became a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Mr. Harvey will take place at 11 a.m., on Saturday, September 22, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Over 60 years ago, a young man decided that he wanted to become a physician. Now, Dr. William W. (Billy) Andrews has decided to end his career of nearly fifty years.

A Tampa native, Dr. Andrews and his brother, the late Mr. C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., were the only two sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Blythe (Johnna) Andrews.

When Dr. Andrews returned home to practice medicine in 1964, his father owned property at 3105 N. 22nd Street. Dr. Andrews launched his practice from that location. Several years later, he built an office on the property and demolished the house. Dr. Andrews said, “It allowed me to take care of the sick. It was a rewarding experience.”

At the time when Dr. Andrews began his practice, other African Americans were practicing medicine. Growing up in Tampa, he recalls Dr. A. L. Lewis as being one of the first. He said Dr. Lewis set his broken arm when he was a child.

Another childhood memory Dr. Andrews has is of becoming an Eagle Scout. “My brother and I were the first two Eagle Scouts for the Gulf Coast Ridge Council in 1944. Dr. Andrews said his brother, Blythe, was the first because he was older and had more badges, but they were chosen at the same time.

After graduating from Middleton High School in 1947, Dr. Andrews continued his education at Talladega College, in Talladega, Alabama. Armed with a degree in Biology, Dr. Andrews continued his education at Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine and graduated in 1955.

He then served in the United States Air Force. Dr. Andrews served as a Captain for two years. He then completed his internship and residency at several hospitals including Meharry Medical School, Hubbard Hospital, in Nashville, Tennessee, and Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital, in Chicago, IL. At that time, physicians were assigned to several hospitals as opposed to one.

Dr. Andrews launched his practice as one of less than ten board certified African Americans in the state. During this era, African American doctors were limited to practice at certain hospitals. Clara Frye Hospital, in West Tampa, and the Lily White Hospital in East Tampa, provided the solution for African American doctors in Tampa.

He has served as the former president of the Allied Medical Society, Tampa Branch of Florida Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Society. After integration, the organization underwent a name change and became the Bay Area Medical Association.

Since launching his career, Dr. Andrews has observed many changes in the medical field. He has also served as an inspiration for others to enter the field. Among them include his daughter, Dr. Sharon Andrews, and nieces, Dr. Susan Andrews and Dr. Nancy Andrews.

Investigators with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office have reported that the body of a Black female pushed from a bridge has been positively identified.

Investigators reported that 17-year-old Jerridedan Lakisha Bolds Froyer, known to her friends as KiKi, left Ybor City last Friday or Saturday night with two men and somehow found herself in Arcadia.

According to reports, Bolds Froyer was on a bridge Sunday afternoon in Arcadia’s Morgan Park when the men with her told her to jump into the water. She couldn’t swim, but was allegedly pushed into the water by one of the men.

Bolds Froyer went under, surfaced, and grabbed one of the bridge’s pylons. She later lost her grip and went under. Her body washed ashore Tuesday.

Deputies said Mark Huntley, Jr. pushed Bolds Froyer from the bridge. He has been charged with manslaughter. A second man, Andrew Skevington, was with Huntley and Bolds Froyer before she drowned and has been charged with manslaughter accessory after the fact.

MARK HUNTLEY, JR. & ANDREW SKEVINGTON

Authorities said Huntley and Skevington went into the water to help Bolds Froyer, but when they couldn’t find her, they took their belongings and hers, including her identification, and left the park before deputies arrived.

It was also reported that a boater helped the men out of the water and took them to shore before calling 9-1-1. The boater reported that Bolds Froyer had drowned, and when he was asked if Huntley and Skevington were with him, he said no, they had walked up towards the park.

The boater reported seeing both men grabbed their belongings and Bolds Froyer’s before leaving the park. He identified Skevington as one of the men he helped out of the water.

Skevington was released from jail after posting a $2,500 bond, and Huntley is still being held on a bond of $15,000.

Skevington allegedly was with at least three other people in Ybor City from the Arcadia area, and had never met Huntley or Bolds Froyer before.