FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 9, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 1 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
While on water patrol, Officer Cushing conducted a fisheries inspection on a recreational fishing vessel entering Bayou Chico. A large red drum was protruding from a cooler, and he confirmed who caught the fish and that they had knowledge of the regulations. The red drum measured 35 inches and a citation was issued for the violation. Another individual was issued a warning for an undersized red snapper.
While on vessel patrol aboard the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Vigilance, Officers Cushing, Land, Nelson and Rockwell conduced an inspection of a commercial shrimping vessel in the Pensacola Bay area. During an inspection of the vessel’s Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), it was revealed that one of the nets being fished had a TED that had the netting around it sewed in a manner that would not allow a turtle to pass through the TED and out of the net as intended. The appropriate action was taken in regards to the violation and the TED was fixed by the shrimping vessel’s crew prior to departure of the officers.
While on vessel patrol in Big Lagoon State Park, Officers Clark and Long approached a vessel after noticing the operator throw a cigarette into the water. They initiated a vessel stop and while talking with the operator, he showed signs of impairment. Officer Clark conducted field sobriety tasks and determined the operator was impaired. The operator was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample. The operator was booked into Escambia County Jail and cited for BUI and refusal to submit a breath test. He was also issued a warning for littering.
Lieutenant Hahr was working in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at Fillingim Landing and saw several subjects drinking beer. Two of the men smoked a cannabis cigarette and placed it in a backpack. As they were leaving, Lieutenant Lambert stopped them in the parking lot. The officers located three cannabis cigarettes and issued the two men a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Clark, Hutchinson and Long were in Blackwater State Forest checking fisheries and alcohol violations when they approached two individuals on a sand bar. One male was fishing and could not produce a valid freshwater fishing license. They also saw open containers of alcohol. Officer Long found the subjects in possession of 8 grams of Methamphetamine, numerous pills, cash and paraphernalia. Both subjects were placed in custody and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. They were charged with a total of seven felonies, three misdemeanors and two infractions.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater River State Forest at a primitive campsite when he saw an adult male, adult female and two children camping. The officer saw alcoholic beverages and glass containers within their campsite, and explained to them that those items were prohibited in the area. The children were sleeping in the tent, and the officer could smell a strong odor of cannabis emanating from the tent. The officer explained the odor to the adults. The adult female retrieved cannabis and paraphernalia items from the tent and stated that the items belonged to her. Officer Lewis seized the cannabis and paraphernalia from the female, and issued her a notice to appear for possession of cannabis not more than 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The officer issued them both warnings for the alcoholic beverages and glass bottles.
Officers McHenry and Ramos were patrolling the Perdido River WMA and saw two Jeeps enter the WMA. Almost immediately after leaving the paved road, they began to fish-tail and drive in a careless manner. When they came across a large clearing used for horse trailers, each of the vehicles began cutting donuts in the sand, leaving large ruts and destroying the recreation area. The officers stopped both vehicles and citations were issued for the violations. One of the suspects did not have a valid driver’s license and received the corresponding criminal citation.
While on vessel patrol in Escambia Bay, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) notified Officer Ramos that they had received a distress call from a woman on board a sailboat. She stated that her husband, who was operating the vessel, was extremely intoxicated and she was fearful for her safety. The USCG reported that they heard the man make multiple threats to his wife while she was speaking. The USCG relayed identifying information of the vessel to Officer Ramos, enabling him to locate the vessel underway in open water approximately 20 minutes later. The USCG launched a cutter to assist Officer Ramos at the sailboat. Officer Ramos conducted a BUI investigation of the operator of the vessel. The vessel operator was highly uncooperative and subsequently taken into custody due to extreme signs of impairment. He was transported to a nearby boat ramp and taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail where he was booked for BUI.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Library Brings Taiko Drums To Reading Program (With Gallery, Video)
June 9, 2017
Kids taking part in the Summer Reading program Thursday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library had the chance to be a little bit loud while learning a Japanese culture.
They were able to get hands on and learn about the exciting Exercise the power of annexation traditional Japanese performing art of Taiko drumming and see big Taiko drums. (See video below.)
Ron Collins will bring his Tampa Taiko program to three more libraries:
- Friday, June 9, 7 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
For a photo gallery, click here.
Mystery Photos Found At Century Town Hall: LuAnn Has Been Found
June 9, 2017
UPDATE: The young lady in the photographs has been located, and the photos have been returned.
Do you recognize this young lady?
These photos fell out of a recycle file folder at Century Town Hall, and town officials would like to return them to family. According to the photo backs, the two pictures on the left were taken September 4, 1980, at a birthday party for “LuAnn”. The photo on the right was take in October 1981 and is “LuAnn & her birthday present”.
If you know who LuAnn is and how to contact her or her family, call the Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.
Photos provided by Town of Century for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Capture Sixth Straight Series
June 9, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won its sixth straight series thanks to clutch two-out singles by third baseman Josh VanMeter and center fielder Gabriel Guerrero in the third inning to overcome the Mobile BayBears Thursday at Hank Aaron Stadium.
VanMeter singled to right field to drive in second baseman Alex Blandino, who lead-off the third inning with his 17th double of the season. Left fielder Tyler Goeddel, who had walked moved to third base and then VanMeter stole second base to put runners at second and third with Guerrero up to bat. He singled to right field to score both Goeddel and VanMeter, giving Pensacola a 3-0 lead in the third inning.
It would be all the runs the Pensacola pitching staff would need to pull out a, 3-2, victory over Mobile. Now 10-13 in one-run games, the Blue Wahoos captured the series, 3-2.
The victory improved the Blue Wahoos record to 34-26 to keep them in first place in the Southern League South Division. The team has been in first place for all but six days in the first half. It is vying to become the first Southern League team to win four straight halves since the Tennessee Smokies did it from 2009-2011.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Castillo earned his second win in a row to improve his record to 3-3 and he now has a 3.00 ERA. Castillo worked six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks and struck out eight.
Castillo retired the first six batters he faced before giving up a lead-off solo home run to right center field in the third inning by Mobile catcher Wade Wass, a Catholic High School product. It was his 10th homer of the season.
Mobile’s only other run came in the fourth inning when first baseman Zach Houchins singled to center field to score center fielder Michael Hermosillo. Houchins led the BayBears offense, going 7-18, or .389, with 10 RBIs.
Pensacola relievers Robert Stock, Ariel Hernandez and Jimmy Herget protected the Blue Wahoos one-run lead by pitching a combined three scoreless innings. They gave up three hits, a walk and struck out two.
Hernandez earned his Southern League-leading eighth hold, while Herget got his Southern League-leading 16th save of the season. He has 43 strikeouts in 29.1 innings on the year.
Fire Destroys Industrial Park Building
June 8, 2017
Firefighters from two counties were battled a major fire at an industrial building the Ellyson Industrial Park Thursda afternoon.
The fire was at “Custom Wood designs” in the 3300 block of Addison Drive.
Dozens of fire units from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were called to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brewton Sex Offender Arrested For Murder Of Naomi Jones
June 8, 2017
A convicted sex offender from Brewton, AL, has been arrested for the death of Naomi Jones.
Robert Letroy Howard, 38, is being held in the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola. He is charged with first degree murder, kidnapping and failure to register as a sex offender.
Authorities say Howard was living with his girlfriend in the same apartment complex in which Jones lived in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue. He lived in a nearly adjacent apartment to Jones. She was last seen May 31 in that apartment complex.
Jones likely died within 24 to 36 hours after her May 31 disappearance, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. Her body was then later dumped into Eight Mile Creek, some 4-5 miles away, where it was found days later by two men looking for a fishing location.
Morgan said investigators believe Howard acted alone.
Howard was convicted in 1999 on two counts of first degree rape to two adult females in Escambia County, AL. One of the victims was 19-years old at the time. He served 15 years.
Century’s ‘Cash Cow’ Is No More As Gas Department Revenue Declines
June 8, 2017
The Town of Century’s gas department used to be a “cash cow”, creating a very profitable revenue stream for the town, according to their financial advisor. But now that revenue is decreasing, expenses are increasing and the future of the department could be in question due to a huge decline in customer base.
The concerns were expressed by the town’s accountant, Robert Hudson, at a recent town council meeting. Hudson said the gas department lost $16,000 during the first six months of the fiscal year. What’s worse, he said, is that those six months — October through March — are the coldest of the year when customers use the most natural gas.
Hudson said the town is at a “bare bones” level to maintain the system. Years ago, he said, Century had some 1,300 natural gas customers, but with only 500 customers bearing the cost of the system now, things are much more difficult.
The declining revenue is being blamed on an increasing number of customers switching to electricity and the loss of a number of homes in the town, primarily due to the February 2016 EF-3 tornado.
The town’s water and sewer department showed a $46,860 deficit during the first six months. The town recently raised water and sewer rates by $200 per year for the average family to help eliminate shortfalls, and the town has sent an additional $31,000 bill to the prison to cover increases allowed under contract.
Overall, the town’s financial picture showed about a $47,000 revenue shortfall the first half of the year, but the town expects to offset that loss with the increased prison water bill, a more accurate water meter at the prison, some $18,000 from the state for mowing the Highway 29 right of way, and increased rates.
Due to the gas department shortfall, the Century Town Council voted to make a $33,000 gas department debt service payment using economic development funds.
Alicia Jernigan, water and sewer department head, last month identified $430,000 needed to fix “critical” problems with town’s water and wastewater facilities. The town council voted in May to transfer $172,000 from a $229,000 reserve fund to make some of the critical water and sewer system repairs.
Pictured: The Century Correctional Institution is town’s biggest water, sewer and natural gas customer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two Inmates Airlifted After Altercations At Century Prison
June 8, 2017
Two Century Correctional Institution inmates were airlifted in serious condition to Pensacola area hospitals Wednesday after two apparently different incidents of violence at the prison.
The first inmate, who was reportedly stabbed multiple times, was airlifted from prison grounds about 3 p.m. The injuries were the result of an apparent inmate on inmate alteration, according to Ashley Cook, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections.
“The incident is currently under investigation by the Department’s Office of the Inspector General. Due to the open and active investigation into this incident, this is all of the information currently available,” she said.
Escambia County EMS and Fire were called back to the Century Correctional Institution about two hours later for another inmate assault victim. That victim was also airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola area hospital.
Further details on the second incident were not immediately available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Boat ‘Runs Aground’ Outside Lake Stone
June 8, 2017
A boat “ran aground” outside Lake Stone Wednesday afternoon near Century.
The boat was being towed on a trailer, when the trailer broke free from a vehicle and struck the rock “Lake Stone Campground” sign. The boat then left the trailer, striking a wooden fence in front of the lake caretaker’s residence.
There were no injuries reported in the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Senate Votes To Override Scott Higher Education Vetoes
June 8, 2017
In a rebuke to Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Senate on Wednesday voted to override vetoes of some $75 million in higher-education projects, although House leaders appear reluctant to back the move.
Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said Scott’s $410 million in line-item vetoes in an $82 billion budget passed last month “disproportionately” impacted the higher-education system.
“The Senate has every intention of looking at ways to make sure its higher-education priorities get funded,” Negron said before the Senate took up the veto overrides early Wednesday evening.
The largest veto overrides, which require a two-thirds vote, sought to restore funding for two $15 million building projects at Florida International University and Florida Gulf Coast University.
The overrides also sought to restore $5 million for a gymnasium project at Miami Dade College and $13 million in building projects at Florida State University, including $5 million for STEM teaching lab.
Medical marijuana research projects at the Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of Florida were also supported in the override votes.
But the override votes, which were the first for the Republican-led Senate since Scott took office in 2011, will not be successful without the House’s support.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, and House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, said they have little interest in overriding the vetoes, saying they agree with the governor’s call to use the vetoed funding to support the public-school budget.
“The governor has the prerogative to veto anything he sees that is not in the best interest of Floridians,” Trujillo said.
Trujillo said the 2017-18 budget passed last month by the Legislature put “hundreds of millions” of dollars into higher-education initiatives, including construction projects. He said the governor’s vetoes would allow lawmakers to shift some of that money to the K-12 system, which Scott said was inadequately funded in the budget.
“That’s a bona fide, legitimate policy position to have,” Trujillo said.
Scott called a special legislative session, which started Wednesday, to boost spending on public schools and economic development. The special session is scheduled to end Friday.
The Senate veto overrides were opposed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, and Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville.
Lee, a former Senate president and budget chairman, questioned the strategy of carrying out a series of override votes that are not likely to be successful.
“A veto override is an extraordinary measure. I think we’re unnecessarily escalating conflict at the plaza level (Scott’s office) and with the House of Representatives, which isn’t inclined to take up any of these veto overrides,” Lee said.
“You’re just legislating for your exercise here. This isn’t going anywhere. Why insult people and make it harder to prosecute your business?” he added.
Scott vetoed nearly $60 million of university construction projects in the annual Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program.
Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said she supported an override of Scott’s decision to reject $15 million in PECO funding for Florida International’s School of International and Public Affairs. She said the funding is linked to a private donation to carry out the project. “That’s why it’s really important,” she said.
Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said the 15-member Democratic coalition would support broader override votes encompassing more than just higher-education projects.
“We had a budget that we voted for and now $410 million of it is gone,” Clemens said. “From our perspective, there is a reason why (the vetoed projects) were in the budget. They were good ideas then and they’re still good ideas.”
Scott vetoed most of the higher education projects saying there were not the top priorities of the university or state college systems.
He vetoed the medical-marijuana research projects at the Moffitt Center and the University of Florida because he said the schools could fund the projects out of sizable increases that they are receiving in the new budget.
Prior to the higher education veto overrides, the Senate in a series of votes earlier Wednesday overrode Scott’s veto of $11.4 billion in state funding for the $20 billion public school system. Scott’s veto of that money was part of the plan to increase school funding during the special session.
But the K-12 overrides, like the higher-education overrides, will not take effect unless the House agrees. The last successful overrides occurred in the final months of former Gov. Charlie Crist’s administration in 2010.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida