Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Like many other areas around the country, Hillsborough County has always had its share of people battling poverty. However, in recent years, the number of people affected by the economy has risen.

Pastor Moses Brown, Th.D, founder of Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc., feels conditions will continue to deteriorate for many families. “There are some tough times ahead, but we will be able to conquer every obstacle if we keep our trust in God, and unite together as one community family.”

For several years, Pastor Brown, founder of Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc., has brought the community together for Thanksgiving. This year, the 25th celebration will take place Thursday, November 17th, at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreation Center, 1601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., in Plant City.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. It will be a Tri-City Extravaganza serving residents of Tampa, Lakeland, and Plant City.

Those in attendance will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by the parents of Brandon’s Boy Scouts Pack 690 and Christina and the Band will provide entertainment.

One family with the most children from each city will become the recipient of a $50 Wal-Mart gift card. Additionally, the name of one person who registers on the organization’s website will be chosen during a drawing. That person will win a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. Children in attendance will receive toys.

For more information contact Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc., at (813) 784-1021, or visit the website at www.FeedOurChildren.org.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, November 19th, the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP will host its first “Business Tax Boot Camp 101.” It will take place at the NAACP Branch Office, 308 E. Dr. M. L. King, Jr., Blvd., Suite “C,” from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

The purpose of the event is to help small businesses prepare for the upcoming 2012 income tax season. Ms. Sharon Niblack, Empowerment Center Manager and Facilitator, said, “This is the first time we have hosted this event. It’s a workshop for business to get ready for 2012.

“We hope to get vendors and entrepreneurs from the entire county to attend the workshop to ask questions and get their taxes prepared. We are telling them to get their receipts out of the bag and into the book.”

Ms. Niblack said this new initiative will help them to become prepared so that they can submit applications for loans, grants, and other financial opportunities.

A certified public accountant will be in attendance to answer questions from the business community. She further stated that the workshop is free and open to the public.

She further stated that seating is limited and suggest that those planning to attend RSVP early.

For additional information, contact Ms. Niblack at (813) 234-8683, or by email at thee308@yahoo.com.

Plant City Police arrested 18-year-old Abel C. Dimas in connection with a murder and shooting that occurred Saturday morning.

Police said at 8:48 a. m., officers responded to the 800 block of East Laura Street on a call of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found 51-year-old Laronia Fay Bowers and 59-year-old Edward Mincey with gunshot wounds to their upper body.

Bowers and Mincey were transported to a local hospital, but Bowers later died. No information on Mincey’s condition was released.

Within minutes of the shooting, a police officer saw a maroon SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle. A felony stop was made and contact was made with the occupants, one of them, Abel C. Dimas.

Dimas was taken into custody on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. He is being held without bond.

Wednesday afternoon, a 15-year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy was reported missing from Progress Village Middle School. She was located about 6 hours later by a custodian on the school campus.

Mrs. Carolyn Collins, President of the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP, said, “My telephone began blowing up from anonymous callers last night while I was in a meeting. People were concerned that the proper action had not been taken in handling the missing child.

“I was told that school personnel left before this child was safely located. I put forth the effort to contact the Chairman of the School Board, the School Administration, and I contacted the school. I was told there was an emergency going on at the school, when I called.

“But, as of this conversation, I have not been able to talk to anyone about what happened.”

On Thursday morning, an anonymous caller contacted the Sentinel and said that the child was upset because she had received an unacceptable report card. When her father arrived to sign her out of school, the secretary contacted her classroom, but the child never came to the office.

The caller said the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and sent a helicopter, but were told that the girl had probably run away.

The caller further stated that the school personnel left at the end of the day before the child was located. Around 7 p.m., a custodian found the girl inside a room adjacent to the gymnasium. The caller said the child was unconscious when located and taken to the hospital.

Larry McKinnon, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, said that 8 or 9 deputies searched the area for the child for a couple of hours. He further stated that the room where she was located had been searched early and she was not there at the time the search was conducted.

Ms. Linda Cobbe, spokesperson for the School District said she was told that the girl had quarreled with her father over a cell phone and was upset.

“The school personnel and deputies searched the school and went into that room three times, but she was not there. The principal and another person went on the bus and talked to other students.”

Ms. Cobbe said it is untrue that everyone left because the school is never unoccupied. She also said that her book bag was located and given to her father, who was in the office the entire time the search was underway.

“She was found in the Harp Room by a custodian around 6:30 p.m., huddled under a blanket in the corner and she was not immediately responding. But, she did respond to EMT personnel. The school’s Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor were there when she was found.

“The school took this incident seriously and they are convinced that she was hiding. She was back in school today and the principal did speak to her,” Ms. Cobbe said.

The Sentinel was unable to contact the family of the student.

A popular community activist for East Tampa has lost her battle with cancer. Mrs. Betty Wiggins was 78 years old.

Mrs. Wiggins had semi retired from activism and told this reporter on many occasions, “It’s time for you young people to take over and learn how to do things. I’m getting older, now.”

Several months ago, this reporter contacted Mrs. Wiggins just to check on her welfare. It was about that time she informed me that she had something to share with me, but would do so in a future conversation. During the next conversation, she shared the news about the bone cancer diagnosis.

Mrs. Wiggins had fallen and had gone to the doctor. It was then she learned of the cancer.  Mrs. Wiggins died on Wednesday evening in the care of hospice. She was living with her daughter, Mrs. Deborah Brown Randall, at the time of her death.

A native of Monticello, Mrs. Wiggins graduated valedictorian from Howard Academy High School at 16. Following graduation, she attended Florida A & M University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She continued her education at the University of Florida, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education.

Mrs. Wiggins served as an educator in the Hillsborough County Public School District from 1957 until 1968. She was employed at the General Electric Pinellas Plant for nearly 17 years, where she became the first African American woman to hold a manager’s position.

Mrs. Wiggins began her leadership roles in the Progress Village community for more than 20 years. After moving into East Tampa, Mrs. Wiggins once again became an integral part of the community.

During an 18-year period with the East Tampa Business and Civic Association, Mrs. Wiggins served as secretary, president, CEO and Public Relations Director. She also served as an Interim City Council member for a year.

A Life Member and “Golden Soror,” of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mrs. Wiggins was the recipient of numerous awards and other forms of recognition.

She launched B. P. Brown Enterprises, Inc., a printing and public relations firms, in 1984, and became the first African American woman in the community to enter and succeed in the field.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Wiggins is survived by her son, Donald A. Brown, grandchildren, siblings, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12th, 11 a.m., at Allen Temple A. M. E. Church. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

Tampa Police received a call at 9:50 p. m. Wednesday of a domestic dispute in the 300 block area of East Woodlawn.

When officers arrived, they found a man laying in a yard at 315 East Woodlawn in the Robles Park Public Housing Complex. He had been shot nine times and was transported to Tampa General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to reports, Leah Waring called 9-1-1 to report that she and Charon Shaw, 39, were involved in a domestic incident. Waring told police Shaw, her ex-boyfriend, was outside her home.

Waring later called 9-1-1 again, this time, operators heard her crying and screaming “Get your hands off me,” police said. When officers arrived they found Shaw.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene where it was learned the new boyfriend and suspect, Damien Townes, was responsible for the shooting.

Police arrested Townes, 33, charging him with second-degree murder.

Shaw is the son of popular area bails bondsman, George Shaw, who said he’s only gotten bits and pieces of what happened.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, members of the Hillsborough County School Board voted unanimously to approve the contract of a mentoring program targeting young women. The program’s existence was drawn into focus after a board member stated she had received complaints.

Last month during the regular meeting, Board member Susan Valdes stated that she had received complaints about the “Black Girl Speaks” Mentoring Program, operated by Ms. Talitha Anybwele.

The program mentors girls of all ethnic backgrounds to help them build self-esteem and express themselves through poetry or other forms of positive expression.
Supt. MaryEllen Elia called for the investigation conducted by Ken Otero, Deputy Superintendent for the Hillsborough County Public School District.

“When contacted by the Sentinel, Otero said, “She (Ms. Anyabwele) did exactly what she was contracted to do. She worked from the copy of the signed contract that she had.”

He said that during the 2009-2010 school year Ms. Anyabwele received $75,000 to work with young ladies at Middleton, Blake, and Chamberlain High Schools. The contract was approved in December 2010.

Her contract for the 2010-2011, slated for approval in December 2011, does not include Chamberlain High School, and is for $35,000.

However, the copy of the contract school board members received included Chamberlain High School. Otero said the confusion came about after someone cut and pasted a portion of the previous contract in the most recent document.

“This error created a situation in which the provider worked from a different description of services than what the Board approved and expected. The result of the error, along with errors made in the completion of both TSAs is indicative of district staff needing to create a better means of developing and proofing future TSAs,” Otero wrote in his report.

Several people were on hand to support Ms. Anyabwele at the school board meeting. Some of those included young ladies she has worked with as part of “Black Girl Speaks.”

Ms. Anyabwele said, “I am so humbly thankful to the School Board for lending an ear to the many voices from the community who spoke in support of Black Girl Speaks at Tuesday’s meeting.  Their approval of this program is an affirmation for my students that they are valued by the entire School Board.

“I am especially pleased that the truth was revealed about the merit and importance of Black Girl Speaks and its positive impact on so many young women.  Courageous advocates used their voices to speak and it proved to be powerful and effective,” she said.

Ms. Jacqueline Haynes, Principal of Blake High School said, “It works great. It is one of the best programs we’ve ever had here. She does an excellent job and has the support of students and parents. She had done a phenomenal job.”

Owen Young, Principal of Middleton High School said, “It is an invaluable program at my school. It is one of the highest sought after programs for girls on the campus.”

Former Mayor Pam Iorio issued a proclamation declaring February 19, 2011 as “Black Girl Speaks Day.”

A telephone call from the Sentinel to School Board member Susan Valdes was not returned.

On Sunday in the 3900 block of East Ellicott Street, a 16-year-old teenager was shot at least twice and later died at a local hospital.

Tampa Police said Jamarie Lavon Hodges was shot across the street from his house.

According to his family, Jamarie was inside his home with his brother, Jaylen, when he heard noises outside. According to witnesses, a close friend of Jamarie’s named Poocho, was involved in a fight, and had been knocked out.

Jamarie and Jaylen reportedly ran outside to aid Poocho when another person fired several shots from a handgun, striking Jamarie twice.

Jose Guillermo Torres-Melvin

Tampa Police Homicide detectives have issued a warrant for the arrest of Jose Guillermo Torres-Melvis, 19, on a charge of first-degree murder.

Jamarie, along with two of his brothers, Jaylen and Javon, lived with their grandmother, Mary Ann Reynolds, who has had custody of them since 2002.

According to Ms. Reynolds, Jamarie had attended Middleton High School, and was trying hard to join the school’s football program. “He really loved football and free-hand drawing,” said Ms. Reynolds.

Ms. Reynolds said she wasn’t home when the shooting occurred, but at a church function. “I got a call, and came straight home. That’s when I was told what happened.”

Jamarie was known to put in a little work at Harmon’s Funeral Home, and the owner, John Harmon, said Jamarie helped him recently with a funeral service.

Jamarie was the second oldest of 4 boys, the youngest being 7-year-old Jimmie Jordan.

Jamarie had no insurance coverage at the time of his death, and anyone who wants to make a donation to help the family is asked to contact Harmon’s Funeral Home at (813) 626-8600.

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Residents of several public housing developments have filed suit against the Tampa Housing Authority and its CEO/President, Jerome Ryans, City of Tampa and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Tampa Division. The case was filed on Friday, November 4, 2011. Judge Richard Lazzara will hear the case.

The civil suit, filed through the Law Office Of Kaydell Wright-Douglas, Esquire, states that residents in Central Park Village (currently being redeveloped), Ponce de Leon (now known as Belmont Heights Estates), College Hill Homes (also known as Belmont Heights Estates) and Riverview Terrace (currently known as The Oaks of Riverview) did not receive their utility allowances as stipulated by HUD. The suit covers a period from 1999 to 2007.

With the assistance of community activist, Michelle Williams, the residents filed the suit. She contends that the residents did not receive their utility allowance. She has been working with the plaintiffs since 2009. The plaintiffs are asking for $65,000 money damages, costs of attorneys’ fees and utility reimbursement.

Persons listed as plaintiffs are: Annie Bright, Patricia Brown, Brenda L. Catuy, Maryse Codeio, Bernestine Cotton, Doniquisha Donaldson, Wanda L. Anderson-Gilchrist, Carol A. Harley, Hannah Williams-Johnson, Ruby Scott, Mattie Shine and Ruby Williams. This group represents a class of 1,892 tenants and their families.

Lillian Stringer, spokesperson for the Tampa Housing Authority, said the agency has not been officially served or notified about a suit, therefore she could not comment.

The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial.