FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 28, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report submitted.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While patrolling the Yellow River WMA, Officers Mullins and Roberson observed a vehicle parked on a wood line without a tag. They positioned themselves so that they would see the vehicle pull back onto the trail and conducted a traffic stop for no tag and transitioned into a resource inspection once they determined the subject had been hunting. It was discovered that the subject was hunting with a center-fire rifle during the archery/muzzle-loader season. They subject was issued a misdemeanor notice to appear for hunting with a center-fire rifle during archery/muzzle-loader season only and a warning for no tag.
While on patrol in the north end of Eglin WMA, Officer Ramos conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that appeared to be road hunting. A strong odor of cannabis came from the driver’s window while Officer Ramos was speaking with the driver. After further questioning, the driver admitted to having a “one hitter” in his pocket and promised that was all he had. With the driver out of the vehicle, Officer Ramos continued to smell the odor of cannabis and eventually the driver admitted to having more than just the “one hitter” in his pocket. Officer Ramos recovered nearly nine grams of cannabis, four various smoking devices with cannabis residue and miscellaneous paraphernalia from the vehicle. The man was cited accordingly and given a notice to appear in court.
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.
Ernest Ward Students Praise Chromebooks In Superintendent Meeting
February 28, 2017
Chromebooks are hit at Ernest Ward Middle School.
That’s the word from several Ernest Ward students that recently had the chance to take part in an impromptu meeting with Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas about the program that puts a Chromebook computer in the hands of every student.
“They give the power to us,” one student said, “the power to access the information we need when and where we need it.”
“I love having everything in one place,” another student told Thomas. Several students said they like having all of their school books on one computer, rather than dragging around heavy printed books for each class.
When asked about internet access issues, one student said she does not have internet access for her Chromebook at one parent’s house. But she said she uses the internet service on her phone to run the Chromebook and do her assignments.
Students with no home internet access are able to download assignments and needed materials at school before they head home each day.
The students at Ernest Ward Middle School have had their Chromebooks since Christmas break.
Pictured top: Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (left) listens to a group of Ernest Ward Middle School discuss their new Chromebooks. Pictured inset and below: EWMS students work on their Chromebooks in the cafeteria before school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Top Northview Essay Writers Win Bicycles From Century Prison
February 28, 2017
Five Northview High School students recently won bicycles donated by Century Correctional Institution in an essay contest.
Students were given the opportunity to write an essay on “What It Means to Be a Northview Chief’.
Winners were (pictured L-R) Emily Heard, Lexxi Baggett, Savannah Steadham, and Alyssa Bell. Not pictured is Kristen Johnson.
To read two of the top essays, click the student name below:
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Wrestling Takes Third At Regionals, Advances To State Finals
February 28, 2017
Tate High School placed third at the Region 2A Region 1 wrestling tournament this weekend.
First place went to Lincoln High with 14 wrestlers competing. Second place was Pace High with 12 wrestlers competing. Tate, in third, had just seven wrestlers competing.
Cantonment Woman Trapped Under Overturned Vehicle At Kingsfield Bridge
February 27, 2017
A Cantonment woman was critically injured in a single vehicle crash into a ravine Sunday night.
Bonnie Judson, 30, was westbound on Kingsfield Road just after 7:00 p.m. when she ran off the roadway in her 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer and hit a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The vehicle continued to travel westbound and hit the guardrail again, causing the vehicle to become airborne.
Judson was ejected and came to rest under the vehicle off the Eleven Mile Creek Bridge. Firefighters, including an Escambia County Fire Rescue Special Operations Team, worked for over half an hour to free the Judson from under the wreckage after securing the vehicle to keep it from further overturning.
Judson was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”.
The accident remains under FHP investigation.
For more photos from the dramatic rescue, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Institution Inmate Assaults Officer
February 27, 2017
An inmate recently assaulted a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jaylin Y. Rue became combative and bit the officer on the knee. Staff responded appropriately, and the Rue was subdued, according to DOC.
Medical staff examined the officer and noted minor injuries. Rue will receive a disciplinary report for this assault, according to corrections staff.
Rue was serving an eight year sentence out of St. Lucie County for robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
FWC Offering Hunter Safety Class In Molino
February 27, 2017
A hunter safety class will be offered Wednesday, March 1 at the Molino Branch Library at 6 p.m.
All hunters born after 1975 are required to take a hunter safety class to get their hunting license. This class requires completion of the FWC’s free online hunter safety course before attending class. Go to myfwc.com/HunterSafety to register and take the online course.
Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Hunter Safety Instructor at 850-982-8070 for more information.
Appeals Court Tosses $23 Billion Escambia County Tobacco Verdict
February 27, 2017
In a sharply worded ruling, a state appeals court has ordered a new trial in the death of a smoker whose estate initially won a more than $23 billion verdict in Escambia County against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, in an 18-page ruling, blasted an attorney for the estate of Michael Johnson Sr., pointing to the “depth and pervasiveness” of improper closing arguments in the Escambia County case.
“It is clear from the record that Robinson’s trial strategy was to utterly vilify their opponent,” appeals-court Judge Thomas Winokur wrote, referring to the personal representative of the estate named in the lawsuit.
“In addition to accusing opposing counsel of participation in a scheme of deception, counsel for Robinson denigrated Reynolds as an unrepentant, anti-military, criminal predator, whom the jury must fight and destroy.” The jury initially awarded nearly $16.9 million in compensatory damages and $23.6 billion in punitive damages.
But the trial judge later tossed out the punitive-damages award as excessive and ordered a new trial for R.J. Reynolds on punitive damages. The ruling will require a new trial on the overall issues in the case, not just punitive damages.
“This case concerns the boundaries of proper closing argument,” Winokur wrote, in a ruling joined by judges Brad Thomas and Harvey Jay. “Plaintiff’s counsel crossed those boundaries repeatedly, flagrantly, and often in defiance of the trial court’s admonishments. The depth and pervasiveness of these improper arguments compel reversal of this case for new trial.”
The case is one of thousands in Florida that are known as “Engle progeny” cases. Such cases are linked to a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that established critical findings about the health dangers of smoking and misrepresentation by cigarette makers.
Gulf Power Warns Of Continuing Scam Against Customers
February 27, 2017
Scammers continue to target Gulf Power customers in a scheme where business owners and residential customers receive calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power and demanding payment — or their electric service will be cut off.
Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, but the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent months. Customers are being told their electric bill is past due and that their electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment or other forms of immediate payment.
Gulf Power advises customers that:
• Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
• Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
• All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
Cantonment Man Trapped In Early Morning Crash
February 26, 2017
A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover crash early Sunday morning
The Florida Highway Patrol said 43-year old Daniel Goodale lost control on Jacks Branch Road near Old Bridge Road, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert about 12:15 a.m. Officials said 2003 Nissan Altima then went airborne for almost 100 feet before crashing into a ditch. Goodale was trapped in the vehicle after it came to rest on its side. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and free the driver.
Goodale was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Any charges in the crash are pending, according to the FHP as they continue their investigation.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
