Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A police chase in East Tampa Friday morning, left a stolen car destroyed, a HART bus scraped, and two people slightly injured. But the suspect escaped and remains free.

According to police, the chase ended after the stolen 1995 Nissan Altima scraped a bus and slammed into an electric pole. The suspect then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.

Although area streets were blocked and police used Air Service and K-9 Units, the suspect managed to escape.

Ms. Latonia R. Murray-Davis, of Clearwater, who was a passenger on the bus, and Ezell Collins, of Tampa, who was waiting on the bus stop received minor injuries.

Ms. Ebony Henderson reported her vehicle stolen around 6:45 a.m., Friday, about the time police initiated the chase.

For more than 30 years, the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame has been recognizing individuals in the sport for their outstanding commitment and dedication.

On Friday, January 7th, David D. Bowden became one of five individuals honored with their induction into the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Bowden, a 1962 Middleton High School graduate, attended the ceremony at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona.

A 36-year-old Tampa man was arrested last week and charged with sexual battery and impregnating a minor.

Hillsborough County deputies arrested Moses Carter and accused him of having sex with a 14-year-old relative and impregnating her. Detectives said a DNA test determined Carter is the father of the girl’s baby.

He was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail on a bond of $252,000.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Wednesday, February 9th, at 11 a.m., a ceremony will be held that will officially rename the College Hill Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd.

The library will be renamed the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Public Library during the ceremony. Mr. C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Chairman of the Board of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, died after an illness on January 12, 2010. He was 79.

A Tampa native, Mr. Andrews graduated from Middleton High School in 1946, at the age of 16, and ranked third in his class. He continued his education at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, and earned his B. A. Degree in Economics in 1950.

Mr. Andrews spent the next year enrolled at Boston University, School of Journalism. After serving a stint in the U. S. Army, Mr. Andrews returned to Tampa and obtained employment in the family business.

He worked in every facet of the business and earned several promotions. Mr. Andrews assumed the reins of the business as the publisher after his father, the late Mr. Cyril Blythe Andrews, died in 1977.

During his lifetime, Mr. Andrews nurtured the newspaper as it grew in popularity throughout the state. Tampa natives who relocated to other cities subscribed to the Sentinel to keep in touch with their former communities.

As a member of the community, Mr. Andrews earned the respect of politicians on a local, state, and national level. The Sentinel became recognized as the most prestigious and successful African American owned newspaper in the state.

As a community activist, Mr. Andrews served on numerous boards and committees. He also served as the voice of the community ensuring that the African American community was included in the governmental decision-making process.

To ensure that the underserved received adequate medical attention, Mr. Andrews served on the board of Trustees at Tampa General Hospital for several years. He was the Board Chair and Vice Chair of the Tampa Park Apartments. He was also the Grand President of the Lily Security Benefit Association.

The renaming of the library pays tribute to the memory of Mr. Cyril Blythe Andrews Jr., the contributions he made to the community, and the legacy he left behind.

His wife, Mrs. Gloria Andrews, children and family will represent the late Mr. Andrews.

Tampa Police charged 23-year-old Dwayne Poole Wednesday with aggravated child abuse. The charge was filed after medical personnel at St. Joseph’s Hospital determined the toddler’s injuries weren’t the result of an accident.

Police said Poole reportedly threw 16-month-old Ronderique Anderson on a bed, causing his head to hit the wall or dresser. He also allegedly hit the baby with an open hand and a belt that caused bruising on his buttocks and legs. The punishment was reportedly for playing near an electrical wall socket.

Ronderique suffered a skull fracture causing his brain to bleed and according to doctors, it appears he won’t survive his injuries.

The grandmother of the toddler, Tashia Nunn-Scott, said when they got news of her grandson’s injuries she and her daughter (the child’s mother), Fredrina Scott, rushed to the hospital.

“All of us were sitting in the waiting room for the intensive care unit when we were told visiting hours were over and we had to leave. We were told to go downstairs to the lobby and wait there. We tried explaining to them the severity of Ronderique’s injuries, but that didn’t make any difference. Later, we were told to leave the hospital without any explanation of why.”

Ms. Nunn-Scott said Poole was given full custody of his son in December 2010 in spite of her objections.

“I contested that, and we were waiting for a court date to contest that and allow my daughter to prepare herself to care for her son.”

Ms. Nunn-Scott said DCF has custody of Ronderique now, and won’t allow them to see him.

“I’ve reached out to the hospital’s medical director in an effort to get this resolved. We’re hoping we will be allowed to see Ronderique before it’s too late.”

Tampa Police spokesperson, Andrea Davis, said detectives will be with the State Attorney’s Office to decide if the charges should be upgraded if the toddler dies.

Moses Knott, well known throughout the Tampa area as an outspoken man who cares dearly for his neighbors, passed away Thursday morning. He was 74.

Mr. Knott was known as a familiar face and voice at Tampa City Council meetings, and was not afraid to speak his mind. He had been at odds with city officials for years for the demise of his junk business and the loss of some of his properties.

Mr. Knott was diagnosed with cancer some time ago, and according to his daughter, Lucian, had spent time in Hospice.

Before Mr. Knott passed, he had been working as a longshoreman in Manatee County, and made that drive from Tampa daily in spite of his health. He recently stopped making the trip and had officially retired.

Mr. Knott is the father of 10 children.

Wilson’s Funeral Home has been contacted by family members to assist them with arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last year, former Senator Les Miller, Jr., campaigned for the County Commission and won the seat in November. His wife, Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller, who is currently a longstanding member of City Council, served as his campaign manager.

Commissioner Miller recently found himself justifying the hiring of his wife as his campaign manager. He stated during a telephone interview that she was paid in a lump sum after the campaign ended with left over funds.

“She ran my entire campaign for two years. She handled the volunteers, the walks, the telephone banks, everything. If I had to pay a campaign manager, I would have paid a minimum of $1,000 per week for the 104 weeks of the campaign.

“I didn’t raise that kind of money during the campaign. I paid her $10,500 for two years of work. I paid my campaign treasurer, and I made donations to some not-for-profits. If there had not been any money left over, she would not have received one dime.”

Commissioner Miller further stated that the person he hired to serve as his campaign manager in the past, retired and he wanted someone with experience to run the campaign. Mrs. Miller plans to retire at the end of her term as City Councilwoman. She has been re-elected for 4 terms on the City Council.

Panhandling Issue

During their regular County Commission meeting on Wednesday, the Commissioners discussed the issue of panhandling, but did not make any decisions. Currently, the panhandling ban in Hillsborough County prohibits all panhandling on county roads. There is currently a movement to have the ordinance inclusive of all state roads as well.

Commissioner Miller said some of those in attendance at the meeting wanted a designated period for the sale of newspapers.

“One newspaper company wanted a carve out for weekends for the sale of the newspapers. But I pointed out that the Florida Sentinel Bulletin publishes on Tuesdays and Fridays and that would put the Sentinel in limbo. “The amendment is moving forward and there is not going to be any carve out. Police will continue to enforce the ordinance,” Commissioner Miller said.

Discover for yourself – you don’t just see an Ailey performance, you feel it. The Dance Company will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 8 P.M. [private]

Acclaimed ambassador of American culture and part of the Ruth Eckerd Hall dance tradition, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has uniquely enriched American modern dance.

A segment of the mixed repertory program celebrates 50 years of Revelations, an enduring classic seen by more audiences than any other modern dance. What makes this company so special is the incomparable sense of joy, freedom and spirit shared by dancers and audiences.[/private]

Nicole Robinson was a beacon of light for her entire family. She spent her time raising her 14-year-old daughter and caring for her ailing father, Iray Hobley. Early Sunday morning, Ms. Robinson, 33, was killed in a traffic accident.

According to the Tampa Police Department, at 12:35 a.m., Ms. Robinson was traveling north on Nebraska in her 1992 Lexus when another vehicle traveling south on Nebraska tried to turn left into the parking lot of the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union.

Police said Ms. Robinson’s vehicle hit the other vehicle in the side. When officers arrived, Ms. Robinson was unconscious and later pronounced dead by Tampa Fire Rescue personnel. The driver of the other vehicle and the passengers all received minor injuries.

The driver of the second vehicle is identified as Anthony Phillips, 40, of Orlando.

The case is still being investigated, and no charges have been filed at this time.

Ms. Robinson [private]had been married for a year to Arthur Jordan. Her sister, Teresa Lundy, said Ms. Robinson was picking her daughter up from a party when the accident occurred.

Ms. Lundy said her sister loved to attend family gatherings. Her nephew’s birthday is on February 27^th, and she was looking forward to that event.

“She really loved to cook. She was very outgoing and was open and friendly to everyone.”

Ms. Robinson had taken the kids to the Gasparilla Parade Saturday, and was very excited about the time she spent with them.

Ms. Robinson is a native of Tampa and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. She is survived by one sister and three brothers, a mother, Sonya Harper, and stepfather, Willie Newsome.

Ms. Lundy said they have contacted Ray Williams Funeral Home to handle arrangements for a service.[/private]