Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Reginald Preston, Jr., has heard all of the negative talk about the way teenagers act. He has heard the stories of how fights start simply because of where a person lives.

However, Preston feels that teenagers can come together and have a good time without fighting. “Hopefully, this will show the teenagers that everyone can come together and have fun. We’re all from Tampa and it shouldn’t be any problems because of what neighborhood you live in.”

On Tuesday night, a woman was struck by a vehicle and the driver left the scene.

Tampa Police report that Penny Robinson, 42, was crossing Florida Avenue just north of Floribraska when she was hit by a northbound vehicle that had the green light.

A witness to the crash told police the driver fled after the accident, and another witness followed the suspect vehicle and called 9-1-1.

That witness stayed on the line with police dispatch while giving directions of travel. When they reached Sligh and Armenia, police moved in and the driver was arrested.

The driver, identified a Malcolm Fillmore, 29, was hospitalized due to an existing medical condition, and will be charged in the incident. His vehicle was also impounded.

Ms. Robinson was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, but was reported to be in stable condition. The accident is still being investigated.

Two employees of an East Tampa supermarket were arrested for allegedly beating a patron. The man was accused of stealing a $1 bag of peanuts.

The incident took place on Tuesday, May 10th at the B & D Supermarket, 4015 E. Hillsborough Avenue, shortly after 3 p.m.

According to the police report, during the interview Darwin McNish (right), 28, stated that this was his first time going into the store and that he had gone in to purchase peanuts that were on sale 2 for $1.

“I went through the checkout line and paid for the peanuts with my EBT card. … I did not take the receipt from the cashier. I did not want the receipt. I walked out of the store,” he told police.

He stated that the first manager who confronted him outside began punching him in the face several times. He was also allegedly struck at least twice with the bicycle cable lock, he told police.

McNish was not arrested after police determined during their investigation that he had paid for the peanuts.

JOSE AYBAR … Store owner charged with battery

Police arrested store owner Jose Aybar, 48, and charged him with battery. He was also charged with obstructing or opposing a police officer.

Richard Meregildo, 34, identified as a Stock Clerk, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Tampa Police detectives have arrested a suspect in a hit and run after developing leads that narrowed down the description the vehicle.

Police said at 12:43 a. m., Aaron Keith Cordes (right), 52, was pushing a shopping cart as he crossed 50th Street near Broadway. An SUV was traveling on 50th Street and had the green light for the intersection, witnesses told police.

Police said the driver of the SUV struck Cordes and continued traveling without stopping to render aid. Several witnesses did stop.

Cordes was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead several hours later.

After witnesses came forward, detectives were able to identify the vehicle and later they arrested a suspect.  Tampa Police have charged Jason Burnham, 30, with leaving the scene of a crash involving death.

Recently, a State Representative has sponsored a one-day trip to Tallahassee for some of Tampa’s young men. The trip took place during spring break.

During the trip, the young men had the opportunity to visit two college campuses. The youngsters are all members of the Men of Vision Mentoring Organization founded by Hillsborough County School teacher Ross Anderson.

This marks the fourth year that State Representative Betty Reed has sponsored the event. During their visit, the young men had the opportunity to witness passing of legislation and tour the campuses of both Florida A & M University and Florida State University.

Anderson further said, “I look forward to taking the young men to the State Capitol each year so they can see the process of how laws are passed that affect them. They must take an active role in state government when they turn 18 years old as well as exercise their voting rights.”

Pictured: Students who visited Tallahassee enjoyed lunch with State Representative Betty Reed. Cason Beard, Henry Tillman, Rep. Betty Reed, and Terrance Dorsey are shown seated. Standing from left to right are: Lamar Wood, Marqaviuos Hamilton, Rahjae Clark, Charles Davis, Dontavious Sims, Chris Webb, Shyheem Barthel, and Kezio Snelling.

For men, balancing a family and demanding careers aren’t easy tasks. There are plenty of requirements and responsibilities that come with being a good husband and father.

The Men of College Hill Church of God in Christ are hosting their 2nd Annual Triple H Men’s Conference and Breakfast on Saturday, June 4th at 9 a. m. at the College Hill Conference Center. The theme is “Recapturing the Head, Heart, Home, and Men Reconnecting with God.”

The Reverend Dr. Bartholomew Banks, pastor of St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker.

Elder Charles Davis (right), pastor of College Hill Church of God In Christ, said the men’s conference is about making a positive imprint on men of the future, too.

“It’s important that men recognize and operate as a role model,” said Davis, “because if you look around today boys are growing up without that role model. And if we are not careful we’ll have a lost generation of boys that aren’t God-fearing men.”

On May 10th, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies report that at 3:30 a. m., Romel Calledo was sitting in his pickup truck at the drive thru of a Sonic Restaurant on Bearss Avenue when a man armed with a large stick approached the driver’s side window.

That man, later identified as James Williams, 23, allegedly demanded that Calledo hand over the truck while threatening him with the stick. Calledo tried to drive away, but Williams began striking him through the window.

Calledo fled through the passenger side of his truck while Williams climbed into the driver’s seat. Calledo climbed back into his truck through the passenger side and began to kick Williams in the head. Williams reportedly fled from the truck and ran while Calledo took Williams’ stick and chased him for a short distance before letting him go.

Deputies said 25 minutes later, Williams approached a second vehicle with a woman sitting in her vehicle. Williams reportedly demanded her vehicle and when she refused, he began to beat her with a tree branch. Williams overpowered the woman and she was thrown from her vehicle. Williams then fled into Pasco County.

Deputies said 45 minutes later, they located the woman’s vehicle at a Circle K on Hale Road.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Williams is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

On Tuesday, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce installed its new officers. The newly installed Chairperson of the board is the first African American to serve in this capacity.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn installed Ms. Andrea “Mickey” White as the Chairperson during the organization’s Annual Installation Luncheon held at the Columbia Restaurant.

This marks the third time Ms. White has served on the board. She previously served on the Chamber’s Executive Board as Secretary and on the Board of Directors for two terms.

She will serve for a 1-year term. Ms. White currently serves as the Senior Manager of Public Affairs at Bright House Networks.

She is replacing Arturo Fuente, Jr., as the Chairperson of the 27-member board. She began her term on Tuesday.

Recently, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor promoted 20 officers at the department. One of those promotions was of an African American woman to a middle management position.

Chief Castor promoted Lieutenants Diane Hobley-Burney, Keith O’Connor, and Kenneth Morman to the rank of Captain. The promotions will go into effect on May 15th.

The promotion marks the first time in 16 years since an African American woman has served in this position with the department. Retired Assistant Chief Gilbertina (Tina) Wright was the first to reach the rank in 1994.

She joins Captain Roosevelt (Rocky) Ratliff as the second Black Captain in the department.

Lt. Hobley Burney is a 23-year veteran with the department.

She will be assigned to the Support Services Bureau and oversee the Training Unit, Evidence, Records, and Reserve Force. Her career has resulted in her working throughout the city.