MIDWEEK: FEB. 13-16, 2019 PLAYOFFS CONTINUE Love is in the Air and Postseason action in prep shared with their basketball and soccer Valentines take center stage See Sports, Page 8 See People, Page 4 SANFORD HERALD LAKE MARY, LONGWOOD, WINTER SPRINGS, OVIEDO, GENEVA, CASSELBERRY, OSTEEN, CHULUOTA, ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, DEBARY Vol. 127, No. 54 • © 2019 READ US ONLINE AT MYSANFORDHERALD.COM Since 1908 HEADLINES FROM Central Florida Regional Hospital opens Seminole schools, Sheriff’s Office ASSOCIATED PRESS new Emergency Room in Lake Mary team up to improve school safety By Larry Griffin 2 PARKLAND MOMS NOW By Larry Griffin Herald Staff DIVIDED OVER GUNS Herald Staff A joint agreement between the Seminole Two women photographed A new free-standing emergency room County Sheriff’s Office and Seminole County in an anguished embrace dur- opened up on International Parkway will Public Schools is promising new security stan- ing the Parkland school mas- provide quicker service for Lake Mary dards at schools. sacre in Florida last year are residents who don’t have the time to In a press release put out Friday, Sheriff now at odds — like the nation drive to the Central Florida Regional Dennis Lemma and Superintendent Walt Grif- itself — over gun control. Hospital on Seminole Boulevard, offi- fin state that the refinements and tightening of cials say. IRANIAN-AMERICANS The hospital, which held a ribbon cut- See SCHOOLS, Page 7 NURTURE NEW ting Monday morning, is small and fea- GENERATIONS AFTER tures a host of rooms full of every REVOLUTION possible need: 12 patient rooms, X-Ray and CAT Scan rooms, a full hospital lab, Commission discusses Uber In the four decades since the an “isolation room” for patients who Islamic Revolution prompted Herald photo by Larry Griffin have airborne diseases, a pregnancy cen- deal, Midway water supply many to flee Iran, they have Officials with Central Florida Regional Hospital gathered for a ter, a bariatric room for patients over put down roots and are finding ribbon cutting at their new free-standing emergency room on In- 1,000 pounds and a resuscitation room, By Larry Griffin ways to pass their culture to ternational Parkway Monday morning. Herald Staff their American children and See EMERGENCY, Page 7 grandchildren. At Monday’s City Commission meeting, the Commissioners ended up tabling the issue of WHERE THERE IS AN EX- the Midway water rates for a future meeting, TREMIST RESURGENCE and spoke about what to do about their Uber agreement, the pilot project which ended last In Nigeria, with elections year. just ahead, the Islamic State West Africa Province — a Boko See COMMISSION, Page 7 Haram offshoot — has become IS' largest presence outside the Middle East with more than 3,000 fighters. Commission considers TOP PENTAGON OFFICIAL filing lawsuit against IN IRAQ TO DISCUSS US TROOP PRESENCE pharmaceutical industry Pat Shanahan, the acting sec- By Larry Griffin retary defense, wants to hear Herald Staff firsthand about the state of Iraq's fight against remnants of The City of Sanford could be filing a lawsuit the Islamic State group. against big names in the pharmaceutical indus- try, after a presentation at their 4 p.m. work- WHO IS BEING LAID TO shop meeting Monday. REST The presentation was delivered by lawyers Jim Vickaryous and Michael Kahn, who are Former Michigan Rep. John part of a team assembled in case Sanford Dingell, America's longest- ARBOR DAY DEDICATION serving member of Congress, Herald photo by Tommy Vincent See LAWSUIT, Page 7 will be eulogized as former City officials and members of Thelma Wilson Nathan Mike’s family dedicate a tree in Fort Mellon Park this Vice President Joe Biden and week in Mrs. Mike’s honor. Mike, who passed away last year, was well known in Sanford for her ministry work. other dignitaries are expected to attend. See what’s happening Celebrate Florida Hiking Trails Month: Get outside around Seminole County See page 4 STOCKS OF and explore Florida's vast network of hiking trails LOCAL INTEREST Special to the Herald SEMINOLE SMILE As of 3 p.m. Tuesday In recognition of Florida’s 7,000 miles of shared-use and hiking Allegiant $135.42 trails, February is celebrated as Florida Hiking Trails Month. Bombardier $1.58 The Florida Department of Envi- Faro $45.54 ronmental Protection encourages HCA Healthcare $140.14 residents and visitors to get active and take advantage of Florida's Invacare $5.25 natural beauty by enjoying its ex- NextEra $182.80 pansive trail network. Tractor Supply $95.47 "Florida is home to a vast net- work of trails and hiking is a great Toro $61.70 way to get active and enjoy Wells Fargo $49.22 Florida's unique natural re- sources," said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. "This is the perfect time to get out and explore the state's amazing trails and partici- Felicia and Mark Massie pate in their recreational opportu- Valentines Photo contributed February is Florida Hiking Trails month throughout the state. See HIKING, Page 6 See Page 4 for more PAGE 2 • Midweek: Feb. 13-16, 2019 SANFORD HERALD THE BULLETIN BOARD: Revelry: The Literary Voice of the Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association By Sheralyn Brinson Director for the Black Nativity (by Langston Hughes) Production and his contribution Revelry: The Literary Voice of the Gwen- produced a soundtrack for the play. dolyn Brooks Writers Association of Florida, After returning to Florida, Vernon served Inc., Call for submissions for Revelry 2019. as Minister of Music at New Life Church Submissions (typed/word-processed) must Ministries in Daytona Beach. be postmarked by Mon., Feb. 25, 2019; hand Every holiday, he would write and direct deliveries or electronic submissions will not special occasion plays/major music produc- be accepted. Any poet may submit up to tions for the church. Long-time family three poems. Each poem must be original friend, Marva Hawkins, stated, “Papa” used and unpublished and should not exceed 40 his God-given special gifts and talents to lines. honor and glorify God. He made an indeli- Please do not include any identification of Photo contributed ble mark in the communities where he author on submissions: Include a single Gwendolyn Brooks (vintage picture) served, especially in his hometown of San- cover page: containing titles of poems, au- ford.” thor’s name, address, telephone number, Vernon was also Director for the Sanford and one brief bio-paragraph, including any Community Workshop Choir and member literary accomplishments/publications. All ters, colleges and universities all over the of the Central Florida Musicians Guild. In submissions will be appropriately recycled country, encouraging young as well as ac- 1994, he recorded his final album, “It’s Photo contributed (Poets are encouraged to retain original complished poets and writers, particularly Going to Be Alright”, with the Sanford Com- Minister Vernon L. “Papa” Jones copies.) Notices of acceptance for publica- in Central Florida at Seminole State College munity Workshop Choir, featuring awesome tion will be mailed on or before March 15, where she was a frequent visitor. renditions of Gospel songs sung by talented 2019. The winner will be contacted by singers from Sanford. phone. Writers retain all rights to poems se- • Black History Feature. Minister Vernon They gained recognition and became a Vernon was an ordained Minister of the lected for publication and receive free copies L. “Papa” Jones, son of Ms. M.L. Jones and much sought-after group, bringing their Gospel, a magnificent singer-musician extra- of Revelry. Please mail poems to: Dr. Mr. Walter King, Jr., was born in Sanford, brand of contemporary Gospel music to ordinaire, and a masterful teacher and choir Stephen Caldwell Wright; Revelry 2019; FL. As a young boy, realizing he had a God- churches, social events, special programs, director. Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association; P.O. given talent, Vernon taught himself to play televised appearances and workshops He paved the way for many local and na- Box 724; Sanford, FL 32772. the piano by visiting the Georgetown homes throughout New England and nationwide in tional Gospel singers who benefited from The Thomas Burnett Swann Poetry Prize of family and friends that had pianos; and the same arenas as legendary Gospel artists, his teaching and were honored to be a mem- will be presented at an open reading of they would let him practice. He began play- i.e., James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Edwin ber of his choir. Music was his life’s work poems published in Revelry 2019 on Sat., ing and singing at special events throughout and Walter Hawkins, Bobby Jones, The and he gave God all the glory. Vernon April 6, 2019; at the Patio Grill Restaurant & the City of Sanford. Clark Sisters and The Mighty Clouds of Joy, passed away in 2002 at the age of 50. Lounge, 2900 S. Orlando Drive (US High- After graduating from Crooms Academy just to name a few. (www.orlandosentinel.com/news and way 17-92) in Sanford; 11 A.M.-12N; with in 1969, where he was a member of the They even sang backup, for the rock www.bethelamechurch/2018). the reception following. This event is free school choir, he attended Seminole Commu- band, Foreigner, on their hit song, “I Want and open to the public. Questions, call 407- nity College and later Yale University School to Know What Love Is”. • Valentine’s Day is Thurs., Feb. 14th. It 323-7184. of Music (New Haven, Connecticut). While Vernon received numerous Gospel awards is observed annually as a cultural, religious, Revelry is sponsored annually by the at Yale, he began working with various for his hit album, “All I Need Is A Touch”, and commercial celebration to express love Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association of church groups and community organiza- which led to a documentary film appearance by presenting flowers, candies and greeting Florida to celebrate the life and legacy of tions, i.e., the New Haven Arts Council, in “How to Prevent A Nuclear War”.