Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 1-2-18

2017 Violent Deaths In Review FYI
TECO Seeks To Increase Rates Following Hurricane
The Tampa Electric Company has filed a request to increase monthly electric bills. The com- pany is making the request because of Hurricane Irma.
According to TECO, in the past three years, its customers have been affected by two tropical storms and three hurricanes. Restoring power after those storms has exhausted the company’s storm reserve, which was established to pay for damage from named storms.
Last week, Tampa Electric filed with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to seek re- covery of costs to restore power after Hurricane Irma and several previous storms; Tropical Storms Erika and Colin, and Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew.
The company is seeking about $88 million. For the average customer, who uses 1,000 kilo- watt-hours (kwh) a month, that would add $4 to their monthly bill.
A spokesperson for the company said, “The temporary “storm surcharge” would take effect in March and continue throughout 2018, when it would likely be reduced. It would cover the company’s storm expenses for the past three years and replenish the storm reserve for future events. Even with the temporary surcharge, Tampa Electric’s bills will remain among the lowest in Florida.”
The PSC and consumer groups are expected to review and discuss the prudency of the costs in early 2018.
The death of Cesar Felix remains under investigation. He died at 3302 Maple Mex Street, in Wimauma, on No- vember 12th.
No one has been arrested in the shooting death of Kemar Officer. Officer was killed at the Island Grille, corner of N. 34th Street and E. Lake Avenue, on November 13th.
Hillsborough County Sher- iff’s detectives referred the shooting death of Chike Tim to the State Attorney’s Office. Tim was shot while on Rivage Circle, on November 28th.
Jontreeal Gainous was shot while in the 900 block of E. Fowler Avenue, on December 3rd. No arrests have been made in the case.
Ecru Richardson, 21, died December 7th, after being shot in an apartment complex during an alleged drug deal. His friend, Daudrea Lamar But- ler, was arrested and charged with his murder. The person
who actually shot has not been taken into custody. The investi- gation is continuing.
The shooting death of Eric Norton that took place on De- cember 21st has been referred to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for a ruling. Arthur Divi, 41, reportedly shot Norton after Norton en- tered the City Pawn in East Tampa with two guns.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting death of Brian Ves- sel, who died on December 28th, the day after his 46th birth- day. The case remains under in- vestigation.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31- year-old Jack Junior Mont- gomery and charged him in the beating death of his step- son. Brice Russell, 7, was pronounced dead at the Mas- ter’s Inn Hotel in Seffner.
Tampa police responded to 1806 N. Nebraska Avenue Sat- urday evening in reference to a shooting. When they arrived, they discovered Larry Cotton, 43, and Ms. Frances Helms, 58, had both been wounded by gunfire. Cotton died as a result of his injuries.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13