Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Tampa Police Department is investigating an incident where a 3-year-old was left inside a daycare van. This marks the second time within weeks that the same child has been left inside the van.

According to a spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department, the child was discovered inside the Children’s Center Daycare, 6501 N. Central Avenue, van by a Hillsborough County Daycare Inspector. The inspector contacted police and reported the incident at 12:20 Thursday afternoon.

One of the windows in the van was slightly open.

Upon arrival, police said the child appeared unharmed, but Fire Rescue responded and evaluated him before he was released to his parents.

The case is being investigated as a Child Neglect case and the identity of the child will not be released, the spokesperson said.

The investigation is continuing and police have not determined if any charges will be filed.

Ms. Shenita Close, 20, gave birth to her first child, an 8-pound girl, last Friday. However, early Thursday morning, she discovered the baby was not breathing.

She woke her mother, Ms. Donna Diaz, and told her mother the baby, named Sariah, wasn’t breathing. They called 9-1-1, and before paramedics arrived, an officer came and tried to perform CPR on the newborn. Fire Rescue transported the newborn to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Ms. Diaz said the baby girl was perfectly healthy and the family is devastated by the loss.

“This is a shock to all of us, especially my daughter. Needless to say, this is not something we were prepared for, so we are scrambling to come up with the funds for a funeral and a service. We would appreciate any help we can get,” Ms. Diaz said.

Tampa Police Homicide detectives are investigating, and the exact cause of death is pending a Medical Examiner’s examination.

On Tuesday, Senator Arthenia Joyner and Senator Thad Altman filed an emergency lawsuit pertaining to the high Speed rail issue with the Florida Supreme Court against the Governor of Florida. The basis of the lawsuit states that Governor Rick Scott does not have the right to refuse the federal funding for the high speed rail project.

Some residents shared their opinions about the bold move by Senator Joyner.

Dr. Samuel Wright (right) said, “I was ecstatic to hear the report regarding the lawsuit Senator Joyner and Senator Thad Altman filed. …”

Mrs. Tina Wright

Mrs. Tina Wright said, “She should be commended for displaying the courage to question the lawful intent of a counterpart.”

Joe Robinson said, “We are so glad that Senator Arthenia Joyner had the courage to file the lawsuit to enforce the laws on the books concerning High Speed Rail.  We elected her to fight for the people in the State of Florida and she has done that over the years. …”

Jacquelyn Chaney-Wilson has spent much of her career at the new Blake High School.  In fact, alumni and current students say they can’t remember a time she wasn’t there.  Teachers at Blake thought enough of

Chaney-Wilson to select her ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 2007.

That’s why it’s so hard for students and parents at Blake to understand why Chaney-Wilson was abruptly removed from the classroom in late January, with little to no explanation from school administrators.

They turned to the Florida Sentinel to get answers.

Blake’s Principal, Jacqueline Haynes said she could not address the matter without first getting permission from the Hillsborough County School District.

Hillsborough County Schools’ spokesman Stephen Hegarty confirmed Chaney-Wilson had been suspended.

He responded, “We’re looking into something.  We’re doing an internal investigation, which may not result in any further investigation. If any further allegations are made, then we will check it out.  She [Chaney-Wilson] is not allowed back in the classroom until the investigation is complete.”

Educators tell the Sentinel they partly attribute Blake’s “A” grade last year to Chaney-Wilson.

After graduating from Middleton High School in 1952, Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller knew that she would become a teacher. She educated the children of Hillsborough County for 35 years, retiring in 1994.

Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller campaigned after Perry Harvey, Jr., was no longer able to run for the District 5 seat on City Council due to term limits. She became the second African American and the first woman to serve in that capacity. She also became the first African American to serve as Chairman.

During her 16-year tenure on the City Council, Mrs. Miller accomplished another “first” when she won the District 1 seat in 2003. The election marked the first time an African American won an at-large, citywide post.

At the end of the month, Mrs. Miller plans to close the political chapter of her life. Although she could have run for other seats, she decided the time has come for her to pursue other interests.

“I think I served my community well for 16 years. I plan to really retire this time and just enjoy life. I want to be able to go anywhere I want and not have to worry about getting back before Thursday,” she said.

The Sentinel salutes Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller in recognition of National Women’s History Month. The theme this year is “Our History Is Our Strength.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, two State Senators filed an emergency petition with the Florida Supreme Court pertaining to the High Speed Rail issue. Governor Rick Scott, who is named as the lone respondent, rejected the $2.4 billion from the federal government last week.

Senator Thad Altman

The lawsuit, filed by Senate Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) and Senator Thad Altman, (R-Melbourne), is asking the court to order Governor Scott to accept the funding from the federal government by the new deadline.

The petition further stated that the high rail system would provide employment for thousands of Floridians.

“The issue at hand is the ability to create a state of the art rail line, at no cost to the taxpayers, and put people to work now and in the future.

“Stopping this project not only went against everything the governor promised during his campaign, it goes against his constitutional authority as well. The money Florida taxpayers sent to Washington should return to benefit Florida.

“Unfortunately, litigation was the only way to make that happen,” Senator Joyner said.

Senator Altman said, “This issue is one of great constitutional significance.

“Our founding fathers created a system of three separate and co-equal branches of government. Clearly, the governor’s actions have exceeded his constitutional authority. To maintain the integrity of our democracy, it is incumbent that we assert the rights of the people who elect their representatives. And the Supreme Court is the proper venue to seek relief.”

Raymond LaHood, U. S. Secretary of Transportation, granted the State of Florida an extension until Friday, March 4th.

On Saturday night, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Alina’s Supermarket, 4501 West Hamilton Avenue in reference to a shooting.

When deputies arrived, they found Jason Bahamonde, 27, lying in the parking lot of the supermarket. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to witnesses, they saw two vehicles pull into the parking lot and words were exchanged between several people. They then heard shots fired. The two vehicles left the parking lot quickly, leaving Bahamonde behind.

Detectives said it appears Bahamonde was a passenger in one of the vehicles.

Howard W. Blake High School is set to make history. For the first time since the desegregation of schools, Blake’s Varsity Boys Basketball team is playing in the state final four championship.

As the team prepares to take on Leesburg High Friday afternoon at Lakeland’s Civic Center, their coach, Winston Davis, is recovering from a malignant tumor, will be there.

Coach Davis, who is the Head Coach of the Basketball team and said, “The kids are therapy for me.”

Dr. Charles Smith, Davis’ nephew, took a leave of absence from him job as a Pharmacist to dedicate all of his time to Blake’s boys basketball team at his uncle’s request.

The game is set for 2:30 p.m., Friday. If Blake wins, the team will play for the State Championship Saturday at Lakeland’s Civic Center.

The first African American to accept a longevity retirement from the City of Tampa Fire Department died last Wednesday. Mr. Lorenzo “Cookie” Holmes was 66.

Mr. Holmes served as a Driver/Engineer and Inspector for the Loss Management Office, (formerly known as Fire Prevention Bureau), and was assigned to Engine 10.

In 1990, after more than 20 years of service, Mr. Holmes retired from the fire department. He became the first African American to receive a longevity retirement from the department.

Funeral services for Mr. Holmes will take place on Friday, March 4th, 11 a.m., at Mount Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church. Harmon Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.