Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On Thursday, August 11th, a local organization will host a meeting concerning juvenile justice. The meeting will take place at the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. M. L. King, Jr. Blvd., beginning at 6 p.m.

Ms. Carolyn Ransom, spokesperson for Families Seeking Justice said a recent law passed turns over the Juvenile Detention Centers to the Sheriffs of each respective county. However, her organization feels that individuals who work with adults have not been trained to work with juveniles.

She further stated, “Through the efforts of Sherriff Grady Judd in Polk County, Senate Bill 2112 recently passed allowing Sheriffs in all counties to operate their?local Juvenile Detention Centers in the adult jails. What does this mean for our community?”

“He (Sheriff Judd) is trying to get control of Hillsborough County, Sarasota, Polk County, and others in the area. If you know anything about him, then you know we don’t want him in charge of our children.

“The Sheriff’s Department refuses to apply Department of Juvenile Justice standards that recognize the? difference between adults and children; the Florida Sheriffs Association thus far has rejected attempts to maintain juvenile specific standards; and our children are at risk of being maced, tasered, or injured by officers who are not trained to work with children.”

She also stated there are many roles that parents can fill including making telephone calls or flyers.

The event is free and open to the public. Dinner will also be served. Anyone who would like to obtain additional information can call or text (813) 957-2748.[private]

Several guest speakers, including the Southern Poverty Law Center and local political leaders have also been invited to attend the meeting.

“We must take a stand for our children. We actually believe that our children are our future. If we really believe this, then we are going to have to step up! We are calling on parents who have children in the system to come out and voice their concerns and share with us. We cannot, not do anything, we have to do something.”

Ms. Ransom further stated that the meeting is not just for those who feel that something wrong took place while their child was in the system. She wants to hear from those who are satisfied with the manner in which their child was treated.[/private]

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

Several noted gospel artists will be in Tampa next weekend to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. Arthur T. Jones.

Pastor, author, songwriter, Grammy nominee, Stellar Awards nominee and visionary are some of the many titles that can be placed before the name of this ‘Living Legend.’ On Sunday, August 14, 2011, famous music artists and others in the gospel arena will present “In Tribute To Rev. Arthur T. Jones: The Man, The Music, The Message.” Recording Artist/Gospel Commentator Edna Tatum of Los Angeles, California will emcee the event.

The 4:30 p. m. tribute will be held at Bible-Based Fellowship Church, 4811 Ehrlich Rd. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the church at (813) 264-4040 or www.bible-based.org.[private]

Among the performers will be Bishop Albert Jamison, Gospel Music Workshop Of America President, New York; Rev. Milton Biggham, Malaco Records Producer, New Jersey; Rev. Norma Pender, Detroit; Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music, Baltimore; Bishop Richard White, Atlanta; The James Sisters, Chicago; The Florida Mass Choir “Original,” Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale; and special guest, Rev. James A. Forbes, New York.

Rev. Jones, a native Tampan, Senior Pastor of Bible-Based Fellowship Church, Inc., co-founded the church in 1989. In the gospel arena, he co-founded the Florida Mass Choir, whivh yielded 10 LPs and videos. He was the writer of many of the popular songs, such as “Jesus Is Mine,” “Have A Little Talk With Jesus.” “Speak For Me,” the title of his latest solo CD, was released in 2002.

The album, “Been There, Done That,” was Grammy nominated as Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album in 1999.

Dr. Jones also served as Executive Producer for 3 successful cultural summer youth productions, “Don’t Give Up On Your Dream,” “Til Victory Is Won” and “What’s Going On.”

Dr. Jones also has 3 published works: “What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do,” “Four Words For Tough Times: Have Faith In God,” and “Just Let God Be God.”

Dr. Jones and his wife, Doris have 2 daughters, Shonda and Natalie and 2 sons, Arthur T., II and Darren.[/private]

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

Last Wednesday, a federal judge said no to a request by former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White and his co-defendant, George Hondrellis, to move their September 26th trial to a later date.

White and Hondrellis face charges including bribery and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. White is also charged with lying to an FBI agent.

GEORGE HONDRELLIS

Authorities have said White solicited bribes from Hondrellis, who owns a towing company, in exchange for help in getting his company on a list used by law enforcement agencies. White is the former chairman of the county’s Public Transportation Commission.

The motion to delay the trial was made by Hondrellis’ attorney, but White later joined the request.

The request was made by the defense teams who said they were having technical challenges in downloading 169 tapes that investigators said support their charges against both men.

Tampa Police have arrested a 30-year-old man after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old.

Nehemie Fontagne, 30, was pulled over by an officer and arrested early Thursday morning after leaving work and driving home.

Authorities said Fontagne gave the 16-year-old a ride to a job interview. After driving the teenager to the interview, the victim told police Fontagne took her to his apartment, held her down on the bed, undressed her and sexually battered her against her will. Police said the victim told Fontagne no and asked to leave his apartment, but was not allowed to do so. When the victim did get away, she told her guardian who contacted authorities.

During an interview with Fontagne after his arrest, detectives said they learned he had committed sexual battery on the same victim in March 2009.

Police said Fontagne had access to the victim because he’s known by the victim’s family.[private]

Fontagne is charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and false imprisonment. He is currently being held without bond on the charges.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Wednesday evening, Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced he would allocate funding to repair an East Tampa swimming pool. The pool closed three years ago.

During the regular City Council meeting last week, residents in the area criticized the city for not making repairs that would allow it to meet federal law requirements.

Santiago Corrada, Chief of Staff for the City of Tampa said, “We had always allocated $6.5 million to deal with some of our aquatic centers. That was never in question. We were waiting for a consultant to let us know exactly what was wrong and how much it would cost.”

Corrada further stated that although the pool has been closed for three years, the consultant only began looking into the cost in May 2011.

“The consultant gave us specific issues of what is wrong with the pool and an estimated cost of $1.2 million for the renovation. We could save money by not doing some things, but if we are going to do it, we’re going to do it right the first time.”

After hearing the cost of making the repairs, Corrada said Mayor Bob Buckhorn felt it was a reasonable amount. “He said, ‘Let’s move on it. Let’s get it fixed.’” [private]

Frank Reddick

Councilman Frank Reddick, who was very vocal about the issue during last week’s meeting said, “I am happy Mayor Buckhorn realized the Williams Park Pool is a valuable asset to that entire community and made the decision to get it repaired.

“I’m a very happy man right now. Before, I was very frustrated because I couldn’t understand why, after three years, nothing had been done to repair the pool. Now, everyone is happy the Mayor stepped up.”

Corrada also stated that the timeline in which the repairs are made also depends on the Hillsborough  County Health Department’s Building Department.

He also stated that some of the confusion occurred because there were two studies, the pool issue and a broader study of Williams Park, being conducted simultaneously. [/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

The country’s largest youth sports franchise organization, i9 Sports, has began a campaign to address concussions among youth involved in youth league football programs. Former National Football League player, Brad Culpepper, has pledged his support and was quoted as saying “I won’t let my kids play tackle football.”

Graham Chapman, Media Spokesperson for i9 Sports, said debates have began   on concussions among youth involved in contact sports and both sides have had a lot to say.

“We’ve taken a stand with the issue of youth concussions. We want to create awareness in an attempt to limit sports related concussions among youth athletes.”[private]

Orlando Gudes, who founded the Unity Youth Football Program in Hillsborough County in 2005, said he’s aware that youth concussions have become a topic of discussion.

“I think it’s a trickle-down effect from what’s been going on in the NFL. I’ve received e-mails from insurance companies asking if I needed to get coverage for concussions.”

New state laws on sports concussions are being discussed to protect the athletes, and to mandate the increase of liability insurance.

A number of groups have recently lobbied Congress and state legislators for the passage of concussion protection laws.[/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

Before Ms. Sarah Jackson Robinson passed in 2005, she wanted to make sure her family’s legacy, the Jackson House on Zack Street, would be preserved along with its rich history.

Her son, Willie Robinson, has worked diligently since his mother’s passing to first get the house registered as a historic structure, then legislate for funds to have it restored.

After lobbying with local elected officials and community leaders, Robinson said it appears the process will finally begin on restoring the Jackson House.

“I wish my mom was here to see this materialize. The house has so much history. People like James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackie Wilson, B. B. King, Bobby Bland and others either lived there or visited at one time or another.”

Robinson said the process has been long and tedious, but now he can see a starting point.

“It will begin this Saturday with a cleanup party. That will involve removing anything outside the house that shouldn’t be there or is dead, like a lot of the palm trees.”[private]

Bracken Engineering and their project engineer, Matthew Depin, will be in charge of the cleanup this weekend as well as restoration of the house.

Depin said he anticipates it will take 9 months to a year before the structural repairs begin, and at least 2 years before everything is done.

The cleanup will start at 9 a. m. at the Jackson House, 851 Zack Street, just west of Nebraska Avenue. [/private]

Two people were fatally wounded Saturday after shooting erupted at a party that swelled to more than 400 people. Both of the victims are believed to be innocent bystanders.

Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to a clubhouse at 5020 Highway 41 South, in Riverview, owned by the Local 439 of the International Chemical Workers Union.

Deputies began to search for victims and discovered that Ms. Iesha Washington, who had turned 18 twelve days before. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Craig Thomposon

As the search continued, deputies also discovered that 22-year-old Craig A. Thompson had been shot as well. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Dep. Larry McKinnon, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived there were more than 1oo people at the scene.

Dep. McKinnon further stated that there was security at the party, but was told by some witnesses that there were 400 to 500 people at the party at some point.

One Arrested, One Sought

On Sunday, detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tampa man and charged him with the double murder. He has been identified as Tyrell Sidney Bragg. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and is being held without bond.

Tyrell Bragg

Bragg was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ms. Washington. Police also recovered a .380 handgun believed to be the murder weapon. [private]

The investigation is continuing as police seek a second shooter. During the investigation, police located empty shell casings from a second handgun of a different caliber. Investigators believe the second handgun may have been used to fatally shoot Thompson.

According to the arrest affidavit, Bragg, who turned 21 on July 21^st, attended the party at the clubhouse Friday night. At approximately 12:36 a.m., Saturday, Security ordered Bragg to leave after an altercation took place. Once outside, Bragg allegedly armed himself with a handgun and fired several shots into the crowd.

A witness positively identified Bragg as the individual who fired the weapon that killed Ms. Washington. A second witness was interviewed and positively identified Bragg as the person firing a handgun into the crowd, the affidavit stated.

Police said a third witness stated that on Saturday afternoon, Bragg allegedly “stated that he attended a party the night before and that he (Bragg) “slumped” someone. The witness described this term means “killed someone,” the affidavit stated.

Police said the witness gave them a .380 caliber “Bryco” firearm. The witness told police Bragg had asked him to hide the gun and the witness hid it outside of his residence.

Bragg admitted to police that he attended the party, but said that once he was told to leave, he heard gunshots outside and ran. However, Bragg denied having a gun or shooting during the incident, police said.

Thompson was the son of Ms. Nicaka Walker and Craig Thompson, Sr. In addition to his parents and siblings, he is survived by grandmothers, Ms. Darele Norman, and Ms. Gwendolyn Lingo, other family members and friends.

His father said that the family does not have any life insurance and are in need of donations to help with the burial. He stated that once his son turned 18, he (Craig, Jr.) was automatically dropped from his insurance.

Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling his arrangements for Both Ms. Washington and Thompson.[/private]

On Thursday evening, shortly after 8 p.m., a Tampa teenager died after being struck by a pickup truck. The truck was driven by 31-year-old Cornelius Williams, of Seffner.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on U. S. Highway 301 near Bloomingdale Avenue. Police said 14-year-old Morris Taylor, Jr., and Elijah Anderson, Jr., 15, were riding their bicycles single file on U. S. 301.

Morris reportedly crossed into the path of the 2008 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Williams. Morris was thrown from the bicycle and died at the scene. Williams received minor injuries.

Anderson left the scene after the accident, but returned a short time later with a parent.  He also received minor injuries in the accident.

The accident report stated that neither of the bicycles was equipped with lighting required by law. It also stated that boy teenagers were wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident.

No charges have been filed against Williams. However, the accident remains under investigation.

A native of Tampa, Morris was the son of Mrs. Vicki Taylor Wallace and Morris Taylor, Sr.

He would have been attending Brandon Academy in the fall as an 8^th grade student. He also attended Hood’s Temple CME Church.

Mrs. Taylor-Wallace said her son did not have insurance and the family is in need of assistance from the community. The funeral has been tentatively planned for Saturday, August 5^th.

Anyone wishing to contact Mrs. Taylor-Wallace can reach her at (813) 900-1537.

Harmon’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.