FWC Law Enforcement Report: Fishing Violations And More
December 6, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Waters observed a charter boat parked near Mahogany Mill boat ramp with an individual cleaning fish. Upon conducting a resource inspection, the individual was found to be in possession of two 12-inch flounder. The individual was cited accordingly.
While investigating a beached boat near Big Lagoon State Park, Officer Waters contacted the operator, who was also found to be in possession of Spanish mackerel that were beheaded and not landed in whole condition. The individual was cited accordingly.
Officer Hahr was patrolling in Bayou Texar when he observed a fishing boat returning to the boat ramp. A fisheries check revealed an undersized spotted seatrout. The owner of the boat was cited accordingly.
Officer Hahr responded to a complaint regarding a fawn pursued by dogs in the complainant’s yard. Upon investigation, Officer Hahr determined the neighbor’s dogs attacked the fawn in the complainant’s yard. The dog’s owner stated he felt his dogs should be allowed to be free and hunt as they desired. He was charged with allowing dogs to pursue wildlife during closed season and allowing dogs to pursue wildlife on private property without permission.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Brown taught a hunter safety course with over 20 students. He covered local laws and regulations, focusing on key aspects such as hunting seasons, hunting methods, reporting requirements, and licensing. Officer Brown answered multiple questions and educated the students about responsible hunting practices, wildlife conservation, and safety measures to ensure a safe hunting experience.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Extension Among Top Collectors in Statewide Peanut Butter Challenge
December 6, 2024
Escambia County Extension ranked among the top collectors statewide for the annual Peanut Butter Challenge, collecting over 1,500 jars of peanut butter to earn fourth place in the state and second place in the district.
Escambia County’s peanut butter collections totaled more than 2,700 pounds.
The annual peanut butter drive is coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension, with donations collected to support local food pantries throughout the state.
Escambia County Extension Services Director Nick Simmons said the overall goal of the friendly competition between counties is twofold: Not only does it help feed families in need ahead of the holidays, but it also promotes a Florida-grown crop.
“Peanuts are one of our main commodities here in Northwest Florida, so this bridges the gap between agriculture and community needs,” Simmons said. “Hunger is a big need in the community, so this is a way we can bring both of those worlds together and promote nutritious meals while promoting the hard work that our farmers do.”
The peanut, which is produced mainly throughout the northern regions of the state including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, contributed $137 million to the state economy in 2023, according to the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service.
Approximately 400 jars of peanut butter collected in Escambia County through the Peanut Butter Challenge were distributed during the annual Farm to City food distribution event last month, which provides Thanksgiving meal boxes to local families in need.
Dorothy Lee, a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent II with Escambia County Extension, said the Peanut Butter Challenge is especially important because it provides one of the most-requested food items to local food banks during the busy holiday season.
“The goal is to collect the peanut butter and be able to share it with our community food banks, especially during the holiday season when they have a lot of requests for food items,” Lee said. “Peanut butter is the number one item that’s requested at food banks. It’s high in protein and a good meat substitute, so it can really help those who are experiencing food insecurity.”
ECSO: Woman Stopped With Meth In Vehicle On Muscogee Road, Tried To Smuggle Meth Into Jail
December 5, 2024
A traffic stop in Cantonment ended with a woman facing a drug trafficking charge for alleged drugs in a vehicle and found in her pants or underwear inside the jail.
Jamie Deloris Parker, 52, was charged with trafficking in amphetamine, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and introduction of contraband into a controlled facility. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $155,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Parker was a passenger in a Jeep Patriot they pulled over on Muscogee Road near Stennis Drive because the tag was actually registered to a homemade trailer, not a vehicle.
An ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of a baggie containing a substance that field test positive for meth under the front passenger seat where Paker was sitting, according to an arrest report. She was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
At the jail, a deputy found a “good amount of crushed crystalline substance” in the back seat sheriff’s office vehicle where Parker was sitting, the report states, and she reached into her pants and underwear to retrieve two more baggies of meth. Inside the jail, a full body scan found another object in her pants that turned out to be three more baggies of meth, ECSO said. The total weight of methamphetamine was 28 grams, plus an estimated five grams lost in the back of the vehicle and on the jail floor.
The driver of the Jeep received written warnings for operating a vehicle with the incorrect tag and driving while license suspended.
Cantonment Christmas Fest Is Saturday
December 5, 2024
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host the Cantonment Christmas Fest on Saturday, December 7 beginning at 2 p.m.
The event will include a Jingle Bell Walk (parade), which will line up at 1:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite costume, such as elf, drummer boy reindeer, etc.)
There will also a Christmas tree lighting, music, hot chocolate, and Cider.
And Santa will be at the event to visit with the kids at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.
Century Hits A Bump In The Road After Water Main Break — It Will Cost Them Over $50,000
December 5, 2024
The Town of Century has hit a bump in the road after repairing a water main break earlier this year — a bump that will cost them over $50,000.
A water main break in front of Bondurant Ace Hardware at 8511 North Century Boulevard left a significant portion of the town of Century without water for a day.
Now, the Florida Department of Transportation has determined the leak caused damage to North Century Boulevard (Highway 29), and Century must take action due to a safety hazard to traveling public.
The town has approved a FDOT proposal that will allow the state agency to make the repairs using their contractor, and Century will pay the bill that is estimated to be $53,107.60. The town will reimburse FDOT from the general fund over 15 years with no interest. The amount may vary slightly due to the actual cost of work and materials.
The project will also include the replacement of about 50 feet of sidewalk. A timetable for the repair work has not been announced.
Pictured: Repair to a broken water main Sunday afternoon on North Century Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Christian Neptune Signs With Division 1 USF
December 5, 2024
Tate High School senior Christian Neptune signed with Division 1 University of South Florida on Early National Signing Day Wednesday.
Neptune inked with the Bulls, over other offers that include Georgia Tech, Stanford and Louisville.
During a signing ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at Tate High, Neptune signed with Division I USF. He chose the Bulls over three other major offers from Stanford, Georgia Tech, and Louisville.
Out for the early part of his senior season with an injury, Neptune scored seven touchdowns in six games with 560 yards.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Academy, Tate FFA Members Place At Florida State Forestry Contest
December 5, 2024
Beulah Academy and Tate High School FFA members placed in the Florida State Forestry Contest this week.
Beulah FFA placed third for compass and pacing, and ninth in the state overall among middle schools. Team members and their individual rantings were:
- Becca DeCoux — 12th
- Luci Graham — 26th
- Addyson Creighton — 32nd
- Braxton Williams — 36th
Tate FFA placed ninth at the high school level. Individual Tate scores were:
- Parker White — 21st
- Luke Graham — 25th
- Estella Perea — 27th
- Lily McArthur — 34th
Pictured: The Beulah Academy FFA at the Florida State Forestry Contest this week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s KJ Crow Signs To Play Tennis For Coastal Alabama
December 5, 2024
Tate High School Tennis Aggie Katie-John Crow has signed with the Coastal Alabama Coyotes (Bay Minette).
Crow is a four year player for the Aggies. In 2023 as the #1 player, KJ led the Aggies to a 12-2 regular season record and the 2023 District Runner-up trophy. She is also a Tate Hall of Fame member who boasts a 4.08 GPA while enrolled in multiple AP and honors courses. She is also a member of the student council.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice LIfted For East Pond Street In Century
December 4, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
A boil water notice has been issued for Town of Century Water System customers on East Pond Street following a six-inch water main break Tuesday at Jefferson and East Pond streets.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Ups Mayor’s Spending Limit By 4,900% As Resident Questions Amount
December 4, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to increase the mayor’s spending limit by 4,900% as a local resident questioned the amount.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., as well as previous mayors, had a spending limit of $200 before the vote.
During the November general election, Century voters approved a charter amendment to allow the town council to develop policies and procedures for purchasing, bidding, contracts, and related practices. That includes new spending limits for the mayor.
Tuesday night, the council’s vote approved an ordinance to set the mayor’s spending limit at $10,000, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the mayor can spend more than $10,000, but the town council must ratify the purchase at their next regular meeting.
Resident Michelle Cunningham, who served on the Century Charter Review Committee, questioned the $10,000 spending limits because the citizen advisory committee had recommended a limit of $5,000. The council scrapped the charter committee’s recommendations and placed their own amendments on the November ballot.
The ordinance that was approved also included a policy requiring two signatures on all checks – generally the mayor, acting mayor, council president and either the town clerk or deputy clerk. A town check will not be valid without the signature of one authorized elected official and one authorized administrative officer or designated replacement for financial oversight.
Also on Tuesday night, interim town manager Howard Brown also discussed the need for two new positions, a town administrator, and a financial services director. The council took no formal action; Brown will bring recommendations and information back to a future council meeting.
Gomez was not present at the meeting and was said to be on vacation.
Pictured top: Century interim town manager Howard Brown brought a mayoral spending limit increase to the Century Town Council Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Century resident Michelle Cunningham questioned the amount of the spending limit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.