Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

For several months, members of City Council have been grappling with the issue of panhandling. However, on Thursday, during their regular meeting, a new ordinance passed its first hurdle with a 6-1 vote.

Two weeks ago, Council members were unable to pass the ordinance because of a 3-3 tie vote. Council Chairman Charlie Miranda has been out ill for several weeks. Chairman Miranda had stated that he would vote by telephone to break the tie.

However, from the onset of the meeting, Vice Chairwoman Mary Mulhern and Council members began discussing whether Chairman Miranda could cast a vote based on the Roberts Rules of Order. Councilman Frank Reddick suggested that they bypass the Roberts Rules of Order and allow Chairman Miranda to vote by telephone.

However, before they came to a decision, Chairman Miranda arrived during the discussion to vote in person.

The new ordinance, which must have a final reading in two weeks is as follows:
Option 1 — Ban on street solicitation with exemption for newspaper sales; Option 2 — Six-day ban on street solicitation; and Option 3 — Ban on street solicitation with exemption for newspaper sales and allowance for expressive speech not requiring an exchange of objects.

BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

30 days. That’s the goal set by those working to return R&B and community talk show programming to the Tampa area.  The group overseeing the mission is hustling around the clock to make it happen.

The Tampa Organization of Black Affairs has spent the past month facilitating talks with potential investors to revive R&B, Classic Soul and community informational programming.

“Our goal is to wrap up in a 30 day window, if it is going to be done,” says James Ransom, spokesperson for TOBA.

WTMP was the area’s R&B leader for 57 years.  Original programming was abruptly brought to a stop five weeks ago when Davidson Media Group took over the lease of the station, along with the call letters, website, FM 96.1 and AM 1150 dials.

Ransom says it appears the quickest and least expensive way to get a format similar to the original WTMP back on the air is to enter into a Lease Management Agreement on another AM dial.  According to Ransom, “It literally takes seven to 10 days to get back on the air once everything is in place.”

Meanwhile, TOBA is still receiving letters of interest from potential investors.  Those letters should be mail to: TOBA – Economic Development Committee, P. O. Box 3485, Tampa, Florida 33601.

A 40-year-old Tampa man is facing life in prison after a jury convicted him. He was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. He will be sentenced in January. According to the U. S. Attorney’s Office, the jury found Dwain Denorris Wallace, III, guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of sawed-off shotguns.

According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, on the night of March 25, 2011, Wallace was stalking his ex-girlfriend. He had taken her car from her and refused to return it. At approximately 8:40 p.m., Wallace found his ex-girlfriend at a relative’s residence and began to argue with her. During the argument, Wallace pointed a loaded, twelve-gauge, Winchester sawed-off shotgun at her. Two calls were made to 911 reporting the incident. Wallace left before the Tampa Police Department could arrive.

However, within an hour, Wallace allegedly located the ex-girlfriend and her daughter as they were setting up for a family member’s birthday and graduation party at a local club.

Wallace allegedly confronted his ex-girlfriend inside the club. The daughter called 911 on her cell phone and the recording captured Wallace shouting at his ex-girlfriend and her pleas for Wallace to let her go.

He attempted to leave the scene before police arrived, but was apprehended by Tampa Police officers in the vicinity of the club. Officers recovered the sawed-off shotgun, which was loaded with three rounds of 12-gauge ammunition. When officers searched the car, they found a short sawed-off Ithaca 20-gauge shotgun with a spent shell in the chamber, three more rounds of 12-gauge ammunition in a duffel bag on the passenger seat, and a baseball bat on the floor of the backseat.

Prior to March 25, 2011, Wallace had been convicted of five state felonies, including attempted second-degree murder.

Tampa Police report that at 2:46 a. m. Sunday, Club Empire in Ybor City was closing and patrons were leaving when an unknown suspect fatally shot Leslie Jerome Jones, Jr., 20, in the club’s VIP room. Jones was struck in the head and died instantly.

According to a source, Jones was involved in an altercation with a patron and got the best of him during a fight. That patron allegedly left, somehow got his hands on a gun, and returned, shooting Jones and Ahmaud Black.

Black, 19, was shot in the chest and is recovering in a local hospital.

Jones’ sisters, Shacana Jones and LaShawn, said Jones really enjoyed driving his car and spending time with his children. Family members describe him as being a “very sociable person.”

Jones was the only boy of six children, and his sisters said they spoiled him terribly.

The family of Jones has contacted Gudes Funeral Home to help them with a service.

Ms. Eva Lumpkin said her son, Ahmaud, has been through a lot, and has been attending church frequently at Grace Mary M. B. Church, where she said he’s also participated as an usher.

“I’m really proud of how he’s turning his life around. He’s been through a lot, and now I think he’s finally growing up. It hurts me deeply the way he’s being portrayed by the media and the police. This is not the time for that and I think that’s very insensitive of them.”

Ms. Lumpkin said Ahmaud was shot four times by police in 2006 when he and some friends were involved in an armed robbery. He is still recovering from that.

Ms. Lumpkin said someone needs to try to reach these young Black males so they will stop killing each other.

Family members of Jones said he has four children, and was expecting a fifth when the shooting occurred.

Police are asking that any patron (witness) that has any information to contact Detective Kirlangitis at (813) 231-6130.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Monday, members of the community gathered in East Tampa for an announcement that will help revitalize the area. U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced plans for a redevelopment grant.

Rep. Castor, who hosted the press conference said, “This is great news for the East Tampa community. The Obama Administration deserves a lot of credit for diversity.”

She announced that a $750,000 federal grant will be utilized towards building a grocery store at the intersection of N. 22nd Street and E. Mallory Avenue. Rep. Castor worked with the Office of Community Services under the Department of Health and Human Services to secure the grant. She did not reveal the name of the change that would build the store.

The grant was awarded to the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., (CDC of Tampa, Inc.). 

Ernest Coney, Interim Executive Director of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., said, “We are just really excited about this opportunity for the community to come together and create jobs as well as opportunities for new business.”

Mayor Bob Buckhorn said, “This was a toxic site for drugs and crime. Now it has the opportunity for rebirth for this section of Tampa.”

Ms. Evangeline Best, East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership (ETCRP) said, “This is a great day for East Tampa and all eyes are on East Tampa. We hope to keep up the good work because jobs are on the way.”

Ed Johnson, East Tampa Development Manager for the City of Tampa said, “This is long overdue. This is a project that started in 2007 and hopefully with the success of the CDC receiving this grant, will help us to expedite a healthy food grocery store on N. 22nd Street.”

The new store will be located on the former site of Gene’s Bar, corner of N. 22nd Street and E. Mallory Avenue. In addition to employment, officials feel that a grocery store will also provide healthy choices for meals as opposed to less healthy choices.

Pictured: Among those in attendance at the press conference announcing the plans to build a grocery store at N. 22nd Street and E. Mallory Avenue are from Ed Johnson, East Tampa Development Manager, Ernest Coney, Jr., Interim Executive Director for the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Ms. Evangeline Best, ETCRP Chairperson, U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, and City Councilman Frank Reddick. (Photography by BRUNSON).

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The wife of a Tampa funeral home co-owner died at a local hospital on Saturday. Her death came after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Sarah Murray Northern, was married to David Northern, II, co-owner of Ray Williams Funeral Home, for more than 40 years.

In 1991, Jeff Rhodes and Northern became the owners of the funeral home and launched the partnership of Rhodes & Northern. Her daughter, Orathai, said Mrs. Northern was a great supporter of the funeral home.

Rhodes said, “Mrs. Northern was a key administrator and a great supporter of the business.”

Mrs. Northern was a member of College Hill Church of God in Christ and was very involved in the church. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was very active in that organization as well.

Mrs. Northern completed her education at the University of South Florida and became an employee with the Hillsborough County Public School District. She began her career as an Occupational Specialist in the 1973-74 school year and retired at the end of the 1995-96 school year.

Mrs. Northern earned certification in her field on the Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational level during her career, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County School District said.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Northern is survived by three children, Davina, David, III, and Orathai; three grandchildren, one great grandchild, other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Northern were incomplete as of press time. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A Hillsborough County deputy is recovering in a local hospital after being shot early Saturday morning. She was responding to a 9-1-1 call when the shooting occurred.

A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said they received a 9-1-1 hang up call Friday night. Their procedure is to dispatch a deputy whenever the call is interrupted.

Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux responded to the call at 4747 West Waters Avenue and met with Ms. Jessica Gipson, 28, the girlfriend of the suspect, in reference to a domestic violence complaint. She also met with the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Matthew Buendia.

Mattew Buendia

The spokesperson said Deputy De Veaux placed the victim in the back of her patrol car to conduct an interview. When Deputy De Veaux turned around, Buendia was too close and ordered him to step back.

At that point around 10:24 p.m., Buendia who was standing 3 to 5 feet from Deputy De Veaux, is alleged to  raised his hands and started backing away, then suddenly pulled a firearm from his pants and began shooting.

Deputy De Veaux was shot three times in the lower leg, the upper leg, and the shoulder. She was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was admitted in serious condition, but stable condition.

Deputy De Veaux is a five-year veteran with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. She has been assigned to Uniform Patrol District 3 since July 2006. She was listed in good condition on Monday.[private]

Suspect Barricades Himself In Apartment

After the shooting, Buendia fled to his apartment at the Inwood Park Apartment complex, where he barricaded himself inside.

Around 3:30 a.m., Saturday, deputies used an explosive charge on the door and a robot to gain entry. Once inside, deputies located Buendia in a small closet near one of the bedrooms.

Buendia was charged with battery, domestic violence; domestic violence by strangulation; tampering with a state witness; and attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm.

During a bond hearing on Monday, Buendia, a former Marine, was denied bond as the court reviews the issue. A hearing has been planned for Thursday afternoon. At that time, it will be determined if Buendia will receive a bond.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Children playing in North Boulevard Homes could have had even more devastating results on Monday after a gunman fired several shots at another individual. As it turned out, one child was hospitalized after a bullet struck her in the leg.

Ms. Lashaun Kinlock said at first, she thought someone was shooting off firecrackers in the neighborhood outside her apartment. Then she heard was her 3-year-old daughter crying and knew that something was wrong.

Ms. Kinlock said her toddler, Latavia Ash, was on the porch at her North Boulevard Homes apartment when she heard the shots and her daughter scream. A man was being chased and was trying to get into another apartment.

A bullet struck her daughter, Latavia Ash, in the back of the thigh in her right leg and traveled through the joint in her knee. “The doctor said her joint will bother her the rest of her life,” Ms. Kinlock said.

She stated that Latavia was taken into surgery and the operation lasted about an hour.

Jerome Parks

The man, identified as Jerome Parks, 21, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a local hospital, where they were treated for their injuries.

Ms. Kinlock said she has been a resident of North Boulevard Homes for two years and this is the first time something like this has happened.

Tampa Police said the shooting took place around 4 p.m., in the 1500 block of West Main Street. A vehicle pulled into the complex parking lot and a man exited. He reportedly began shooting at Parks. Parks ran into his apartment injured as the suspect continued to shoot at him.

The suspect fled the scene in a 1990s model burgundy colored Buick LeSabre with tinted windows.

Ms. Lillian Stringer, spokesperson for the Tampa Housing Authority said Parks ran into the Resource Office, jumped the counter, and collapsed in front of the Compliance Office after being shot. Employees called an ambulance for him.

She stated that his mother lives in the complex, but he is not on the lease and considered an illegal boarder. “His mother will be issued a 30-day notice because he wasn’t on her lease. The family moved into the apartment in March and the mother has already received 6 or 7 lease violations.

“This is an isolated incident. We have worked hard to make North Boulevard Homes a safe environment and we want to keep it this way.”

She further stated that the Tampa Housing Authority will assist Ms. Kinlock in relocating for safety reasons because the second suspect has not been arrested.”

Robert Fletcher

Information gathered during the investigation led police to issue warrants for 28-year-old Mario Maurice Williams and 21-year-old Robert Lee Fletcher.

On Wednesday, a tip led police to the Extended Stay, 1805 North Westshore Blvd. The Tampa Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, along with the U. S. Marshals, located Williams in Room 205 of the motel. Williams was arrested and transported to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

He was charged with possession of cannabis; two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; and attempted second-degree murder. Williams was also charged with violation of probation on a 2008 charge of escape from law enforcement custody.

On Wednesday afternoon, police locked down Jefferson High School after a man matching the description of Robert Fletcher was seen by an officer. Police searched the area, but were unable to locate the man.

Police are asking anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of Fletcher, who is the alleged shooter, call (813) 231-6130.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, a promotion ceremony for Tampa Firefighters will take place at the Firefighters Museum, 720 E. Zack Street, at 2 p.m. During the ceremony, the first African American female firefighter will be elevated to the rank of Captain in the department.

Fire Chief Tom Forward has promoted more than 65 employees since he became the Fire Chief. Five African Americans were among the most recent promotions.

Chief Forward has promoted Ms. Barbara Tripp to the rank of Captain. Captain Tripp is the first African American woman to attain the rank of Captain in the history of the department. She is a 14-year veteran.

Chief Forward also promoted Jonnie C. Benniefield to the rank of District Chief. Chief Benniefield is a 23-year veteran with the department.

Guye M. Bass, a 10-year veteran and Rodger M. Shipp, an 8-year veteran, were promoted to the rank of Driver-Engineer.

Jaisen J. Randolph joined the Tampa Fire Department 4 years ago. He is now a Paramedic with the department.