Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 1-5-18

2017 In Review
Grace,” this inspirational event features keynote speaker Grace Gealey Byers ‘06, a University of South Florida Honors College Theatre grad who now stars on the Fox hit music-industry se- ries Empire.
James Cole was a longtime Master Barber and firefighter. He died after a bout with PTSD and Agent Orange. He was the son of Madelyne and Robert L. Cole, Sr.
Law enforcement organiza- tions offered a $25,000 reward for information in the deaths of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, and Anthony Naiboa, all victims of a serial killer in Seminole Heights. The three murders took place October 9th, October 11th, and October 19th, respectively.
Mrs. Lee Dessie Burney,
a longtime beautician in the community, passed away. She was 98 years old.
The Florida Department of Education issued an ultimatum to the Hillsborough County School District. The letter, which was dated October 16th, gave the District a deadline of Friday, October 27th, (Phase 1) to provide the TOPs (Turnaround Option Plan) to be implemented into seven (7) failing schools.
The seven schools were: Fos- ter Elementary, Mort Elemen- tary, Oak Park Elementary, Potter Elementary, Sheehy Ele- mentary, and B. T. Washington Elementary Schools. Memorial Middle School is the only sec- ondary school on this list.
On October 27th, the Corpo- ration to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., (CDC of Tampa,
Inc.,) celebrated its 25th An- niversary with a Gala. The event took place at TPepin Hospitality Centre, 4121 N. 50th Street.
NOVEMBER
The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to name a library under con- struction in honor of former State Senator Arthenia Joyner. The library is slated to open in early 2018.
Mrs. Jan Platt, a popular former Hillsborough County Commissioner and community advocate died. Mrs. Platt was 81-years-old.
A popular barber and icon of the West Tampa community died. Mr. Nathaniel Foster was 78-years-old.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn se- lected Interim Chief Brian Dugan to fill the vacancy of Chief of Police created with the retirement of Eric Ward ear- lier this year.
Mrs. Mary Alice Dorsett,
a Tampa businesswoman, com- munity advocate and trailblazer passed away at the age of 91.
Among her lists of “first,” she was the first African-American woman to run for public office in Hillsborough County; founded Faith Mission (1962) that pro- vided food, shelter and guidance to the needy; first African-Amer- ican to own and operate a gen- eral employment agency and bail bonds (1960).
Mr. Alton Maurice White, Sr., 77, a popular Tampa icon passed. In mid 1960s, after completing his edu- cational quest, Mr. White em- barked on a career in government that would lead to his being the “first” African American to serve in various po- sitions.
DECEMBER
Mrs. Anna (Anitra) Ce- lestine Taylor Billings, a Spelman College graduate, cele- brated her 100th birthday.
The University Area Com- munity Development Corpora- tion (University Area CDC) appointed Jaree Ervin as Di- rector of Development.
Ms. Suling Lucas was hired in 2003 as Support Clerk in the City Clerk’s Office. On No- vember 20th, she was sworn into office as the Deputy City Clerk.
For the 28th year, Delwyn Collins purchased gifts for chil- dren in the Hillsborough County Foster Program. He is a kitchen assistant at Tampa General Hos- pital.
Hillsborough County State
Attorney Andrew Warren
announced plans to remove guns from domestic violence cases. His decision is based partly on the number of domes- tic violence related murders.
Mrs. Gladys Blount, 95, and her roommate, Mrs. Thelma Davis, 96, planned to spend the holidays quietly at home with family and friends.
City Councilman Frank Reddick was successful in ob- taining upgrades to a crosswalk near the River Pines Senior Cit- izens Complex, N. 40th Street and Pine Tree Lane. The site of a fatal accident, the upgrade completion date was slated for April 2018.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford (Christine) Stallworth wel- comed daughter, Janine, into the family. Janine was born
December 13th, 10 days ahead of schedule and was born in her parents’ vehicle.
A pilot program that would protect the rights of students was recently agreed upon by the Hillsborough County School District, Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, Hillsbor- ough County Public Defender’s Office, and Hillsborough County School Board.
The idea of having legal rep- resentation, provided by the Public Defender’s Office, pres- ent when students are being questioned on school property is the brainchild of School Board member, Ms. April Griffin.
Bernard Clark, Jr., a Tampa native and graduate of Leto High School, was named the head football coach at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Mr. Frederick “Freddie” Donald Walker was struck by a vehicle as he crossed E. Fowler Avenue near N. 15th Street. He died as a result of his injuries.
Brian Lamb was named Head of Wealth and Asset Man- agement at Fifth Third Bank.
Coach Billy Reed died after a lengthy illness. The leg- endary athlete and coach was 86-years-old.
Eleven-year-old
Shawn “Tre” Taylor intro- duced his first book entitled “It Was All A Dream.” It was il- lustrated by Ms. Ronika Hughes. In addition to work- ing for the Sentinel, Ms. Hughes is a local Graphic Artist and owner of Ambri’ance Graphic Design Studio.
T r e ’
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018