Headlines: Ben Carson’s Vetting Continues With Mannatech Revelations
This week in Adventist-related News Headlines:
Ben Carson’s Vetting Continues With Mannatech Revelations. Retired Seventh-day Adventist neurosurgeon and prospective Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson spent over a decade serving as a pitchman for Mannatech, Inc., a multi-level nutritional supplement company at the center of a false advertising lawsuit, according to reports. Carson currently appears in a promotional video on the Mannatech website, though his business manager contends that Mannatech is trying to use Carson to promote and to monetize the company’s website. From National Review, “Ben Carson’s Troubling Connection.”
Loma Linda University Offers Short Term Car Rentals Through Zipcar. In January Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) partnered with Zipcar to provide two cars–a Ford Focus and a Toyota Prius–for use by students, patients, faculty, and staff. The cars will help those who do not own cars as well as providing “environmental stewardship,” according to senior vice president Rodney Neal. Zipcar offers short-term rental vehicles by the hour or by the day to those with Zipcar memberships. From Highland Community News, “LLU Teams with Zipcar for car sharing.”
Central Malawi Conference Administrator Accused of Impregnating Niece. Executive Secretary for the Central Malawi Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Harrison Juwa, 50, is charged with molesting and impregnating his 13-year-old niece. The girl lived in Juwa’s home after his brother died in 2011. Jewa faces a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail. From Malawi Times, “Kaliati fury over Malawi SDA Pastor arrested for sexual assault.”
Florida Health Partners With Tampa General Hospital on New $60M Facility. Florida Hospital, part of Adventist Health System, has partnered with Tampa General Hospital to create a new $60 million outpatient facility in Brandon, Florida, launch a home care agency and create a hospice program. The partnership will be a 50/50 investment called West Florida Health that will allow Florida Hospital and Tampa General Hospital to better compete with BayCare Health System, the largest hospital system in Tampa Bay. From Tampa Bay Times, “Tampa General, Florida Hospital form new company to offer wider range of care.”
Trinidad and Tobago PM Calls Funding Churches a State Responsibility. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defended her government’s $55 million gift to Christian churches at Christmas last year. Persad-Bissessar believes that the government is duty-bound to provide financing to faith-based organizations because they are “are critical to stability and harmony” in Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister spoke at the South Caribbean Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists Vision One Million rally at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad. From Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, “PM on church funding- It’s a state responsibility.”
Pam Dietrich taught English at Loma Linda Academy for 26 years and served there eight more years as the 7-12 librarian. She lives in Redlands, CA.
