Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Andre Cadilla said he often takes the same route on his way home, navigating the roundabout at 40th Street and Hanna. He also said he’s seen his share of near accidents as people plow through the roundabout.

On Monday morning at 9:25 a.m., Cadilla was again on his way home when he entered the roundabout. Cadilla was driving in the part of the roundabout that doesn’t require him to yield.

A second vehicle, also traveling through the roundabout, was going through the section that does require you to yield. She didn’t, causing Cadilla to impact the driver’s side of her vehicle.

“After I hit her, she got out of the car and kept asking didn’t I see her. I did see her, and I expected her to obey the yield sign and not keep driving. However, she just barreled through and didn’t even slow down.”

A Tampa Police officer at the scene was overheard telling the woman driver repeatedly that she was supposed to yield going through the roundabout.

Cadilla’s car had to be towed from the scene, and the woman driver was cited in the accident.

Pictured: This was the damage sustained to Andre Cadilla’s vehicle.

Mrs. Stefeney Black is asking the community for help in locating her missing daughter, Tiffany Williams.

Williams, 16, was last seen the morning of December 6th, first at a school bus stop at 30th Street and Diana, then later at 30th Street and Flora.

Mrs. Black said according to what he’s been told, her daughter was displaying erratic behavior, and she’s very concerned about her welfare.

“Her state of mind wasn’t that good when she left the house that morning and from what I’ve been told, she was acting even more out of character later.”

Williams has not contacted any member of her family since she disappeared. Mrs. Black said it’s not like Tiffany to disappear and not call her brother or sister to let them know she’s alright.

Williams was last seen wearing black tights, a black leather jacket, carrying a large black bag and wearing white heeled sandals.

Tampa Police have been contacted, and anyone who knows her whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Brack at (813) 276-3516, or the District II Headquarters, (813) 931-6500.

On Wednesday, a judge sentenced a teenager, Javon Cooper, 18, to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation for the August 2009 Ybor City parking garage attack of a woman. Cooper had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Cooper was 16 years old when he reportedly grabbed a woman from behind and choked her in the Fernando Noriega Parking Garage on 13th Street.

Police said the woman passed out from the attack, and when she regained consciousness, she saw Cooper running away and realized her pants and underwear had been removed.

The victim was bleeding from cuts and her eyes were swollen when police arrived at the scene.

Cooper pled guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and attempted sexual battery with force.

Judge Chet Tharpe reportedly said if Cooper had gone to trial and been convicted, the sentence would have been much harsher.

On Wednesday, the first street light was installed on N. 43rd Street. A second street light and speed tables are designated to be installed before Christmas.

However, the city is still negotiating with the property owner and the installation of sidewalks may take place at the beginning of the year.

Last month, Ms. Monica Alvarez and Ms. Shanita Little were pushing their 1-year-old daughters in strollers down N. 43rd Street.

They were struck from behind and Ms. Alvarez, who was pregnant, and her unborn son, Angel, died. Her daughter, Imani, remains in a coma.

Ms. Little and her daughter, Marquisha, were also injured, but recovered. After the deadly accident, Ms. Nicole Walker, Ms. Alvarez’ sister, requested better lighting and sidewalks to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, December 10th, the City of Tampa will sponsor a gun buy back. City Council members unanimously approved a $25,000 to help remove guns from the streets in light of a recent rash of shootings and murders committed with guns.

The Tampa Police Department has taken steps to simplify the process for those wishing to surrender unwanted handguns. The host site for the buy back is the Seminole Heights Baptist Church, 801 E. Hillsborough Avenue, between 8 a.m., and 5 p.m.

Ms. Janelle McGregor, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “The guns must be operable, it can’t be a gun barrel or a part of a gun.

One person can turn in as many guns as he or she would like. We are giving $50 per gun, not per person.”

She further stated that in addition to the host site, if someone cannot get to the location, that person  can call the police at (813) 231-6130 Saturday only and an officer will come to you and pick up the gun.

“We want the people to bring the guns and there will be no questions asked. They can also drop the guns off at Greater Friendship Baptist Church, 4413 N. 35th Street on Saturday,” she said.

“We are accepting pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. We feel the more people we can encourage to turn in guns, the safer the streets will be.”

Police are requesting that anyone turning in a gun to make sure the weapon is not loaded and in a plastic bag. While transporting the weapon, it should be placed inside the trunk of the car or inside a box. An officer will either remove it or pick it up.

Ms. McGregor said that if the person is unfamiliar with the weapon or does not know how to unload it, safety is the first concern. If that person calls, someone will come and pick the gun up.

Residents planning to drop off a gun can also do so during the holiday meal at the 29th Street Church Of Christ, 3310 N. 29th Street, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Team members will be on hand to accept the weapons during those hours.

In addition to the press conference, a “Stop The Violence From Dope To Hope March” will take place Saturday, December 10th, 3 p.m., at Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, 4209 N. 34th Street. The march will end at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

A Candlelight Vigil will immediately follow.

Pictured: Mrs. Mary Reynolds, grandmother of 16-year-old Jamarie Hodges, spoke at a press conference Tuesday morning. Jamarie was fatally shot November 6th outside of his residence when he attempted to help a friend.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Nearly 14 years ago, Mrs. Cherylene Levy had a vision of owning a semi-professional football team. She became the owner of the Tampa Bay Bulldogs with the support and assistance of her husband, the late Eddie Levy, Sr.

Under the guidance of her husband, a few years after establishing the team, she created the Jr. Tampa Bay Bulldogs for younger athletes in the community. From the onset, Mrs. Levy has sought to use the team to give back to the community.

In addition to the teams, she is also active in numerous other activities including roller-skating. For the next two weekends, Mrs. Levy will collect toys for needy children through both not-for-profit organizations.

On Saturday, December 10th, from 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Sunday, December 11th, members of the community can visit United Skates of America, 5121 N. Armenia Avenue, and drop off an unwrapped toy. The toys are being collected by Movers & Skaters of Tampa Bay during their 4th Annual Toy Drive.

The following week, on Saturday, December 17th, the Tampa Bay Bulldogs and the Jr. Tampa Bay Bulldogs will host their 8th Annual Toy Drive. The event will take place at Nuccio Park, 4805 E. Sligh Avenue, from 9 a.m., to 12 noon. “We are asking members of the community to come out, bring an unwrapped toy and spend a portion of their day with us. They will have a chance to meet the players, obtain autographs, and enjoy refreshments,” Mrs. Levy said.

Since the death of her husband two years ago, Mrs. Levy said she has been forced to reevaluate many things in her life, including the football team.

The community will have an opportunity to meet her new staff including Head Coach, Nat Danley; Assistant Head Coach, Courtney “Peanut” Brown; Damian Bell, Offensive Line Coordinator; Ryan Patterson, Offense Line Coach; and Darnell Baker, who is the Running Back Coach at the toy drive.

“It’s been hard since I lost my husband, but the Bulldogs are still around and going strong. I hope the community will have a chance to come out and visit with them,” she said.

She further stated that former professional athletes Randy Crowder and Freddie Solomon serve as advisors for the team.

For more information about the toy drop offs or the team contact Donna at (813) 650-6199; or Ty Williams at (8130 900-6015.

A shooting in the Robles Park Public Housing Complex on Thursday has left one man fighting for his life, the mother of two children jailed without bond, and a third man sought by police.

According to Tampa Police, shortly before 3 p.m., Thursday, 22-year-old Dontavious Clark allegedly became engaged in an argument with Darnell Keyon Ammons, 21, while in the 400 block of E. Selma Street. Ms. Shamiria Hardrick, 22, was pushing her two children, ages 1 and 3, in the stroller and walking with Ammons.

Dontavius Clark

At some point during the argument, Ms. Hardrick allegedly handed Ammons a handgun. Ammons allegedly shot Clark more than one time in the upper body and both he and Ms. Hardrick fled the scene.

Clark ran to a nearby apartment and was transported to a local hospital. He was listed in critical condition following surgery, police said.

Following the shooting, police conducted a search of an apartment in the 200 block of Moore Street, but failed to locate either suspect. The Tactical Response Team and the Hostage Negotiators also responded to the scene.

Later in the evening, police located Ms. Hardrick and transported her to police headquarters. Following an interview, Ms. Hardrick was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, child neglect, and carrying a concealed firearm. She is being held without bond.

A warrant has been issued for Ammons for attempted first-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said.

Darnell Ammons

Police are asking anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of Ammons to call (813) 231-6130, or Crime Stoppers.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Local artist, Tom G., and his partners, Team Fetti, try every year to give something back to the community that has supported them.

This year, Tom G. and Team Fetti made an arrangement with a local car dealership to give a car away to a family desperately in need of transportation.

“We sat and interviewed a lot of people, and just about all of them were eligible to get the car. But, this one lady stood out from the others.”

The lady Tom G. is talking about is Jennese Tolbert. Ms. Tolbert is a single mother with 9 children she’s caring for, and has experienced some rough times over the years.

Ms. Tolbert is a native of Buffalo, New York, and came to Tampa as the wife of a military man. At that time, she had only one child. “As time went on, my family grew, and now I have 5 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and another child I’ve taken into my home to care for.

“Beginning in April of this year, we were staying in a home that was foreclosed on. We were served an eviction notice and we had nowhere to go. We filed an appeal, and got an additional 10 days, but we had to leave after that.

“We were homeless for a while, but later we found another place. I needed a lot of help to make it happen, and it was a struggle.”

Ms. Tolbert said at that time two of her daughters were expecting and for three months, she received public assistance.

“I feel blessed to be where I am. I had a car, but it broke down and it was hard not being able to get around. I felt so blessed when Tom G. and the other guys told me I had won their contest.

“When I got the news I had won, at first I was shocked. I was talked into entering the contest by my children, because the only thing I had done socially was attend church.”

Ms. Tolbert said she knew when she met the young men they were humble, and their words held so much weight.

“They really touched my heart, and now we can ride together. Things have really turned around for us, and all I have to say is to God be the glory, because without Him, it wouldn’t be possible. I have family members I can visit now, and we couldn’t’ be happier.”

Tom G. said the minute Ms. Tolbert sat and started talking with them, he knew she would be the winner of the contest.

“Her story really touched us, and I wish we could do more for her and her family. It just seemed to us she was the perfect fit as our contest winner, and we were honored to present her the keys and meet her family.”

Ms. Tolbert is a member of Tragedy To Triumph Ministries, under the watch of New Beginnings Church, Elder Elmer Williams, pastor.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Thursday, City Council members unanimously approved a $25,000 allocation from a trust fund for Tampa Police to use for a new gun buy-back program. Tampa Police requested the funding because of the recent rash of murders committed with handguns.

The gun buy back will start on Saturday, December 10th from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Seminole Heights Baptist Church, 801 E. Hillsborough Avenue. Those surrendering the guns will receive $50 per gun and the guns can be submitted anonymously with no questions asked.

Police are requesting that anyone turning in a gun must make sure that the weapon is not loaded and in a plastic bag. While transporting the weapon, it should be placed inside the trunk of the car or inside a box. An officer will either remove it or pick it up.

The Gun buy back comes on the heels of several murders that took place last month.[private]

Prior to the gun buy back, City Councilman Frank Reddick will host a press conference Wednesday, December 7th, at 10 a.m. The conference will take place at the Tampa Police District III Office, 3808 N. 22nd Street.

During the conference, Councilman Reddick, along with law enforcement and other community leaders, will address the increased violence in the community.

“With several young people dead and many other random acts of violent behavior within the City of Tampa, the community is responding with a “Stop The Violence” campaign,” Councilman Reddick said.

In addition to the press conference, a “Stop The Violence From Dope To Hope March” will take place Saturday, December 10th, 3 p.m., at Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, 4209 N. 34th Street. A Candlelight Vigil will immediately follow.

On January 5th, at 6 p.m., a follow up “Stop The Violence” meeting will take place at the CDC of Tampa, Inc., 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Suite 100, at 6 p.m.[/private]