Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A popular minister from the Tampa community died on Friday evening at Bayfront Medical Center. He was 60 years old.

Elder Clarence Warren, whose death is attributed to congestive heart failure, celebrated his 60th birthday on February 27th.

Elder Warren’s walk in the ministry started about 35 years ago. His first assignment was Mt. Zion in St. Petersburg. After a short stint, he came to pastor Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church. He later returned to Mt. Zion, where he has served continuously for more than 20 years.

Elder Warren has served on several levels of the Primitive Baptist Church, his daughter, Valinda Warren Lloyd, stated.

Funeral services are being handled by Aikens Funeral Home. Wake services will be held on Friday, March 16, at Mt. Zion P. B. Church, 3700 22nd Ave. So., St. Pete. Viewing begins at 5 p. m. and the services are 6-8 p. m.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, 11 a. m., at Bethel Metropolitan M. B. Church, 3455 26th Ave. So., St. Petersburg.

In addition to his daughter, Elder Warren is also survived by sons, Clarence, III, Cedric Prince, Christopher Warren and Chandler Houston. He also has 2 granddaughters, Jada Nicole and Nadia Simone Lloyd.

On Monday, a transgendered woman surrendered to Broward County authorities for giving illegal butt injections. One of the victims was reportedly from Tampa.

Authorities said Oneal Ron Morris (pictured), 31, allegedly gave the women various toxic chemicals in injections for buttock enhancement. Some of the mixes included cement, super glue and fix-a-flat.

According to reports, two women, Lournise Linton of Tampa, and Ophelia Parker of Vero Beach told police they met with Morris on May 26, 2009 at a Motel 6 to receive the injections. They reported that Morris wore a nurse’s uniform, gloves and a photo ID.

One of the victims told police the substance used for the injection was stored in a Pedialyte bottle, and the other woman said she couldn’t remove the cotton ball placed over the injection site because of the super glue that was used. The women paid between $3,000 and $4,000 for the procedure.

Morris made her first appearance in a Broward county courtroom this week.

A political storm for a local politician that began with his election to City Council ended on Monday afternoon. U. S. District Court Judge James Whittemore sentenced Kevin White to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervision.

Judge Whittemore had a wide range available for sentencing. He could have sentenced White to probation because he has no criminal record or the maximum, which calls for up to five years on each of the seven counts.

The Federal Prosecutors were asking for a sentence ranging from 51 to 63 months, (4 years, 3 months to 5 years, 3 months). The U. S. Probation Office filed a report stating that the guidelines called for 41 to 51 months, (3 years, 5 months to 4 years, 3 months). Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., who the court assigned to represent White, asked for a sentence of 21 to 27 months, (1 year, 9 months to 2 years, 3 months).

Family, friends, and supporters filled the courtroom. Attorney Irvin had filed a motion requesting more than the allotted 30 minutes for White’s supporters to speak. Judge Whittemore denied that request, but did allow White’s sister-in-law to translate for his wife’s parents, who wanted to speak on his behalf.

Beginning Of The End
White’s life and political career began to unravel when federal agents converged on White’s home in June 2011 and charged him with several crimes including bribery, wire fraud, and lying to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. He was convicted on seven of the charges in November 2011.

The Investigation
Federal agents had launched an investigation into corruption in 2009 after learning that White was using his political clout as the Chairman of the Public Transportation Commission and taking money to get things done.

According to a federal indictment, White offered to help get one company on the rotational towing list for a price. He also made telephone calls in order to bring about that end. He received thousands in cash during the course of the investigation.

The indictment stated that as part of a conspiracy, George Hondrellis, 46, opened a towing company and was place on the list for County rotation. He conspired with others to bring about the same results.

The federal investigation began in September 2009, when Hondrellis met with a Confidential Informant and said that the PTC was giving away towing certificates for money.

The towing certificates allowed companies to be eligible for placement on the rotation list for wreckers used by law enforcement in Hillsborough County. The list is closely monitored and maintains a strict number of towing companies.

The indictment further stated that in November 2009, the Confidential Informant met with Hondrellis and paid him $1,000 in cash for the CI’s half of the $2,000 payment previously made to Gerald White, Kevin White’s father.

Hondrellis introduced the CI to Gerald and Kevin White in January 2010.
The indictment further said the CI gave Gerald White a Lincoln Navigator, of which Gerald White paid $1,500 and stated that his son could assist the CI and his company.

On April 29, 2010, Kevin White was introduced to a “Darryl,” an African American man who turned out to be an undercover federal agent.
The first meeting took place at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. The two men discussed getting the towing company on the rotation list and “Darryl” gave White $1,000 in cash after the meeting.

A few days later, in May 2010, White told “Darryl” over the telephone that his application was approved. “Darryl” gave Kevin White $5,000 in June during a luncheon.

On June 18, 2010, White called the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and attempted to ensure that the Tri County Auto Towing, Inc., (“Darryl” and CI’s company), be placed on the Sheriff’s rotation list.

The charge of untruthfulness came about following a meeting March 2, 2011, White had with two federal agents. During the meeting, White denied “Darryl” had given him any money and never solicited his influence for helping him.

Kevin White, 47, and George Hondrellis, 45, were both charged with conspiracy to commit bribery; 4 counts of bribery; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; mail fraud, and wire fraud.

White was charged with making false statements to law enforcement.

Standing Alone

White and Hondrellis were not the only defendants in the case. White’s father, Gerald White, was also named as a conspirator.
However, White is the only one of the three to stand trial. His father died on May 23, 2011, weeks before his arrest took place.
Hondrellis has been court-ordered into a facility for mental evaluation. No trial date has been set for him.

After his conviction, the federal government wanted White to repay the $9,000 given him during the bribery case. White agreed to repay the $6,000 he received. His father had gotten the other $3,000.[private]

Controversial Career
White became a public figure in 2003 when he won a seat representing District 5 on the Tampa City Council.

The controversy that seemed to engulf his political life began during his campaign. He was fined and ordered to repay $6,100 of campaign money used to purchase suits. When questioned about the money, he lied.

Two years after defeating his aunt and winning the seat, White and Rose Ferlita resigned from their respective seats on City Council to run for County Commission. Both won.

In April 2008, Alyssa Ogden, a former Administrative Aide, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against White and Hillsborough County. He denied any wrongdoing, and said he fired her because of incompetence.

The County hired an outside law firm to represent them. The County insurance company refused to represent White.
Rose Ferlita led the charge to file a lawsuit against White to recoup the money the County spent that was not covered by the insurance policy.

In August 2009, a jury ruled in favor of Ogden and awarded her $75,000.

U. S. District Judge James Whittemore also ruled that White was to be reimbursed any money that he had spent and that the insurance company was to pay his attorney’s fees.

As a Hillsborough County Commissioner, White earned a salary of $92,000 a year.[/private]

***Look for full story in Tuesday’s Sentinel***

After six hours of deliberation, a jury found a 19-year-old Tampa man guilty of two counts of attempted murder. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Debra Behnke will sentence him on April 24.

Khayri Rashaad McCray is facing 30 years in prison on each count. He was on trial for three counts of attempted murder.

The charges against McCray stem from a shooting two years ago at a graduation party, that left 18-year-old Devante Dallas dead. Dallas died at the scene after a bullet struck him in the chest.

The party was a celebration, but was crashed by uninvited guests.

The Shooting
On May 23, 2010, a group of teenagers and adult chaperones gathered at Winthrop Barn, 11349 Bloomingdale Blvd., in Riverview, for a high school graduation party. Police said more than 100 people attended, when fights broke out.

During one of the fights, McCray was hit in the face. Police said McCray left the party as the chaperones were ejecting the fighters and returned with a handgun. He allegedly fired several shots into the crowd.

Three people were hit after the shooting started. Two of those injured were chaperones Jeffrey Thomas, 44, and 23-year-old De Ron Richardson.

Thomas suffered a gunshot to his lower back. He was treated and released at a local hospital. Richardson received a gunshot to the upper right chest area, but survived the injury.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and began their investigation. Information obtained from witnesses identified McCray as one of the shooters. McCray had fled the scene before police arrived.

Later that day, McCray and his parents contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in reference to the shooting. After being interviewed, McCray was arrested.

McCray, who was a senior at Spoto High School, was charged with Dallas’ murder. However, that charge was dropped after ballistics reports proved that McCray’s gun was not the murder weapon.

During the trial, witnesses testified that several people, including the chaperones were shooting.

No one else has been charged with Dallas’ murder.

The family of a Tampa woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning has filed a lawsuit. The death came about after a man left his vehicle running in the garage all night.

In September 2011, emergency personnel responded to the Vista Grande at Tampa Palms, 5720 Cypress Palms Lane, after a maintenance man smelled an odor and began evactuating the residents.

During the evacuation, three women were taken to University Community Hospital after being overcome by the gas. It was later determined that the three had been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ms. Rebecca Hawk was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her roommate, Ms. Kashunda Joyner, 20, was admitted to the hospital in stable condition. A 62-year-old woman was treated and released.

A native of Jacksonville, Ms. Hawk graduated from the University of South Florida and was hired by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as a Child Protection Investigator. She completed her training on August 26, 2011.

She had been employed for 10 weeks and was in the first week of field training at the time of her death.

Police learned that their neighbor, Andrew Grywalski, 22, parked his 2011 Gray Mazda in the garage at 8:30 p.m., and left the vehicle running. The car ran for about 12 hours.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office determined that it was an accidental death and did not file any charges.

The lawsuit alleges that the owner and management failed to maintain a separation wall between the apartment Hawk lived in and didn’t keep the garage in good repair.

The lawsuit names Grywalski, the landowner, the management company, and several others. A Jacksonville law firm is representing the family.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

A West Tampa community activist group, Occupy Tampa, West Tampa business owners, and residents will join forces on Saturday, March 17th for a Community Support Rally.

The rally is being held to gain community support and in-put into plans for the redevelopment of West Tampa and the future of the North Boulevard Homes Public Housing Complex.

Scheduled to speak at the rally are Rev. Charles McKenzie (pictured), President of the Tampa Rainbow Coalition; Dr. Carolyn Collins, President Tampa NAACP; Dwight Bolden, Community Activist; Ashley Midkiff, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Tatiana Denson.

Dr. Collins said she will be addressing the issues of civil and voting rights at the rally. “I am aware of the situation involving the North Boulevard Homes, but I haven’t had the opportunity to talking directly to anyone with the Tampa Housing Authority. Whatever the plans are, we have a representative working with housing that will keep us informed.

“Anytime you talk about displacing people, you also change the voting power o that community. Once people are displaced you destroy that commonality. It’s important to get people registered to vote in that area, but after they are dispersed, it changes the dynamics.”

Dr. Collins said she grew up in the North Boulevard Homes Complex and admits they have changed.

“I see the complex as a very solid structure, and I do see where some modifications can be made to maintain those buildings north of Main Street. We need to have some kind of community forums to find out exactly what the intent is for the redevelopment of West Tampa.

“The time has come for us to build West Tampa the same as East Tampa without tearing everything down.”

As far as realtor Ed Turanchik is concerned, Dr. Collins said his intent does not reflect or respect the interests of the people of West Tampa.

“Ed Turanchik does not live in West Tampa, and has shown from the past through his involvement with Civitas what his interest is in the area. It’s all about business and we must unite as a community for the future of West Tampa.”

Dr. Collins said the voting population of West Tampa needs to be looked at, and they need to know what the voting age population is in public housing.

The rally will be held in the parking lot just east of the ZanziBar Lounge, and will feature entertainment by DJ Pun, Soultry and Floyd Joy. The rally will begin at 11 a. m.

Tampa Housing Authority spokesperson, Lillian Stringer, said they will not be participating in the rally, and had no knowledge their logo had been used on flyers announcing the rally.

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Right now its name is “Hep-Loc Dry Mitt.” Hopefully, it won’t be long before the invention that Ms. Gloria Wood found will be in use in hospitals and in stores for purchase.

A Registered Nurse with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Ms. Wood set out to find an easier way that patients can keep an IV site dry.

According to Jarett S. Rieger, Esquire, MBA, Director, Office of Technology Management and Commercialization (OTMC) and Associate General Counsel, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, the invention presented by Ms. Wood is the first from a nurse.

“That is very significant,” he stated in a telephone interview. “Our office has been in existence since 2003 and we’ve executed 67 licenses and formed 9 companies. There have been 40 new inventions from staff,” he explained. Most of the inventions are cancer related.

The mission of this office is to protect new inventions and commercialize the cancer related discoveries made at Moffitt Cancer Center, Rieger said.

The Hep-Loc Dry Mitt is a glove of thin plastic that can be placed on the hand/forearm while a patient is bathing or showering. Or, it can be used by someone who has a hand/forearm wound.

This invention has been with the U. S. Patent Office since 2009. Currently, Ms. Wood and the OTMC are working with a medical device company to develop samples to insure that the project is useful.

Realizing that the latex/vinyl material used in current gloves because it’s too tight and too thick, Ms. Wood says that was her inspiration to come up with an idea for something better. Working in various hospitals and with outpatients, Ms. Wood says it’s difficult to keep IV sites dry. “The arm is sometimes wrapped in plastic, trash bags or plastic bags placed over the hand to keep the site dry,” she said.

After talking about her idea to friends, she was encouraged to seek a patent. She has been working on that ever since.

The native of Wadley, Alabama, after high school, Ms. Wood graduated from Southern Union State Junior College, University of Alabama and Florida State University. She has had several papers published and lectured on a number of other occasions.

Ms. Wood is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, New Hope M. B. Church (Health Care Ministry and Gospel Choir) and Faces of Courage Support Group (committee member).

On Friday March 9th, the Belmont Heights Little League will host their Opening Ceremony. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Popular professional baseball player Gary Sheffield will be the guest speaker. Sheffield is a former Belmont Heights Little League player.

During the event, the major league field will also be named in his honor. All teams in the leagues will be introduced along with their coaches, managers, and sponsors.

Dr. Manuel L. Myers, 62, of Long Beach, Calif., died suddenly on Sunday, March 4, 2012 of a heart attack.

He came into the world March 22, 1949, in Tampa, the seventh of 11 children born to Jessie and Arlene Marie Edgecomb Myers.

Manuel lived in Tampa until age 16, when he went to live with his older sister, Marie Myers Thornton, and her husband, John, in San Diego, Calif. He graduated from high school in San Diego in 1967 and matriculated as part of the first class at University of California San Diego’s Muir College, where he also was the only Black student to enter as a Biology major. He was the first Black man to complete a bachelor’s degree in the sciences at UCSD.

In 1977, he celebrated both his graduation from medical school at the University of Florida and the birth of his daughter, Tikvah. He returned to California for a one-year internship in the department of internal medicine at Los Angeles County – University of Southern California Medical Center.

After the birth of his son, Kazi, in 1979, he continued his training for two more years at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. When he completed that training, he was offered a position in the center’s department of internal medicine.

Throughout his career, Manuel remained committed to the practice of medicine and the care of patients. He devoted more than 30 years to Kaiser Permanente.

He saw patients at the Kaiser Inglewood Medical Building, which allowed him to live his dream of giving back to his adopted community. His patients appreciated his caring and gentle demeanor and commitment to their health and well-being.

His numerous professional accomplishments include serving more than 10 years as the Physician-in-Charge at the Kaiser Inglewood office and co-founding the Sickle Cell Anemia Team. Outside his practice, he was a frequent speaker at community events and took several trips to Honduras to serve as a physician volunteer.

Manuel deeply valued his family and considered his brothers and sisters to be his best friends. Those who knew and loved him will cherish and remember his sense of humor; deep, booming voice; sense of integrity; generosity and great infectious laugh.

He is survived by his children; four grandchildren; his wife, Priscilla; sisters, Marie Thornton, Diane Friday and Justine Myers; brothers, Hewitt Myers, Charles Myers, Harvey Myers, Rudolph Myers, Eric Myers and Michael Myers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He will be memorialized in a service on Saturday, March 17, at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 West Dayton St., Pasadena, Calif.