Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A lucky Tampa Man is $1 million richer today after claiming his prize from the Florida Lottery.

According to lottery officials, Artur P. Prus, 39, won the Florida Millionaires Club scratch-off game. Prus accepted a one-time lump-sum payment of $700,000.00.

The winning ticket came from the Sweetbay Supermarket on Temple Terrace Highway.

Mrs. Sartura Smith submitted a letter to stating why her family should be chosen to appear on the popular television show, ‘The Family Feud.’
Last September, the family traveled to Orlando for the taping of the show at Universal Studios.

The family members who competed are Mrs. Smith, her husband, Derek, and her cousin Ms. Nicole Bostick. Mr. and Mrs. Ollace (LaShaun) Conner, who are Derek’s cousins, rounded out the five players.

The first of the four shows aired on Friday, February 18th. The next three shows will air on March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, on Channel WTTA, at 2 p.m.

The Smiths fell short of winning the new car and $20,000, but won 4 of the 5 games during the competition.

The Smith Family members appearing on Family Feud are from left to right, Derek Smith, his wife, Sartura Smith, host Steve Harvey, her cousin, Nicole Bostick, and his cousin and her husband, LaShaun and Ollace Conner.

On Tuesday, Tampa Police arrested the caretaker of a 13-year-old male and his female companion and woman charged them with child abuse.

Deonjhane Menifield

Police said a week ago, Christopher Lewis, 22, purchased a stun gun. Since that time, both Lewis and Deonjhane Menifield, 19, had been allegedly using the stun gun as a form of discipline against the 13-year-old.

Police said the victim told an employee at his school about the discipline and police were notified.

The victim is state custody.

A popular Tampa realtor died on Monday following an illness. Mr. Willie Ray Mason, Jr., was 63 years old.

A Tampa native, Mr. Mason attended the public schools of Hillsborough County and graduated from Middleton High School, Class of 1965. He was a drummer with the Middleton Tigers Band, a member of the basketball team, and a member a swim team.

Mr. Mason became a licensed real estate broker in 1993, and established Mason & Associates Realty, Inc. He was a member of several professional real estate organizations.

The brother of Rev. Earl Mason, of Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace, Mr. Mason is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marva Mason; 5 children; 8 grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Mason will take place on 10 a.m., Saturday, February 26th.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

For the third consecutive year, Ms. Jasmine Roberts, 17, was among those who captured trophies at the Hillsborough Regional Science & Engineering Fair on February 14th and 15th. She won 1st Place in the Medicine & Health Category and she won MVP ‘Best Of Science Fair Projects’ of the entire competition.

Ms. Roberts is the first Wharton High School student to represent the State of Florida at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair for 3 consecutive years. She is also the first Hillsborough County student to win 1st Place and the MVP Awards 5 times during the last 6 years.

On the morning of February 5th, Ronderique Anderson died at a local hospital. Two caseworkers have been suspended in connection with his death.

The 16-month-old toddler had been placed in the custody of his father, Dwayne Poole, 23, on July 8th, by Ms. Kathleen O’Connor and Ms. Laurie Vincent, case managers with the Children’s Home Society of Florida.

According to a report released last week, both caseworkers visited Poole’s home and spoke with his girlfriend. Poole was not at home at the time. The two caseworkers allegedly left the child with his father without court approval.

The court had ruled that both the child and his mother, Fredreda Scott, who is also a minor, could not to move in with her grandmother because of an incomplete home study.

A month later, the court granted conditional approval and the judge ordered monthly visits because of Poole’s criminal background. His background was not discussed in court, although it had been provided for the judge.

In November 2010, the report said, the workers recommended the court give Poole custody without supervision. The court followed their recommendations.

On March 1, voters will again cast ballots to determine the next Mayor and City Council members.

During the last election, all of the libraries were open for Early Voting, which began on Saturday, February 19th. However, during this election, only 5 libraries will be available for voters to cast ballots.

Anyone wishing to cast a ballot at the library can do so from 10 a.m., to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Two other locations have also been made available for early voting.

Early voting will end on Saturday, February 26th.

Tampa Fire Rescue units were called to a fire Friday night on 7th Avenue and 39th Street.

According to the report, someone passing by the Integrity Funeral Home saw flames and reported the fire. When fire crews arrived, they reported flames coming from the rear of the building. The fire was under control in 40 minutes and no one was injured.

An investigator with the Tampa Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire started in the air conditioning unit on the outside of the building due to an undetermined mechanical failure. The fire spread up and into the attic space of the building.

On Saturday, Tampa Police arrested a man who allegedly kidnapped a woman he knew and raped her.

On Friday morning, police said Pierre Larkin, 25, went to the apartment of an acquaintance, put a knife to her waist and allegedly forced her out her window.
According to the report, Larkin drove the woman to his home, where the second offense occurred.

Larkin was charged with armed kidnapping and sexual battery after the victim identified him as her attacker.