FWC Law Enforcement Report
May 23, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 21 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Investigator Brown were patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when they observed three kayakers paddling in a lake along the river. They made contact with the kayakers and discovered that none of them had PFDs and one of them had been fishing without a license. A records check revealed an outstanding warrant on one of the kayakers. After placing him in custody, the officers found the subject to be in possession of marijuana. He was charged for possession of cannabis and transported to the Escambia County Jail on the warrant.
Officers and investigators responded to a single vessel accident where the vessel struck the pilings of the eastbound span of the I-10 Bridge and immediately sank. The operator spent the next 12 hours atop the cobia tower before another fisherman spotted the man and called 911. The man was taken by air-ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital and immediately taken into surgery. The man is in critical condition. Investigator Hughes is conducting the investigation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
The Fin Cat crew was on patrol in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola. The crew initiated a boarding on a recreational vessel with three persons onboard who were actively fishing. Prior to boarding, the subjects were asked if they “had any luck.” One of them responded that they just got there. He was then asked if they had any fish onboard. He reiterated that they just got there and only had bait. During their inspection, the boarding team discovered eight undersized red snapper, a red snapper fillet, and six undersized greater amberjack, the largest measuring 24 inches in length. All three subjects were issued federal citations.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater River State Forest when he observed a man and woman camping. Officer Lewis observed the man in possession of a pistol. The couple was also in possession of alcoholic beverages which are prohibited in the area they were in. A records check revealed that the man had a domestic violence injunction against him and could not possess a firearm. The firearm was seized and the man was arrested for possession of a firearm while currently a subject of a protection order.
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.
Scott Signs Evers’ Bill, Unbuckles Seat Belts For Rural Letter Carriers
May 23, 2015
Rural letter carriers in Florida no longer have to wear seat belts while working their routes, under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
The bill, sponsored by Greg Evers, R-Baker, took effect immediately. The bill adds an exemption to the state’s mandatory seat-belt law for rural letter carriers “performing duties in the course of his or her employment on a designated postal route.”
The state’s law requiring motorists to wear seat belts already included limited exemptions, such as for workers collecting garbage or recyclable goods. During floor debate on April 22, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, warned the bill could be the “unraveling” of primary enforcement of the seat-belt law. He said mandatory use of seat belts has helped reduce traffic fatalities.
Northview Baccalaureate Service Set For Sunday Afternoon
May 23, 2015
The Northview High School Baccalaureate Service will be held this Sunday, May 24 at Bratt First Baptist Church on Highway 4.
The service begins at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Glenn Weber, executive pastor of Grace Fellowship in Atmore. Everyone is invited to attend.
Pictured: Northview’s 2014 Baccalaureate Service. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Suspicious Infant Death Under Investigation
May 23, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an infant death.
At about 12:45 Friday afternoon, deputies responded to the 300 block of a Teakwood Circle in reference to the death of an infant under suspicious circumstances. The ECSO said the investigation is ongoing and further information will be released upon completion of the medical examiner’s report and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office on applicable charges, if any.
Spring Football: Tate Over PFHS In OT; West Florida Beats Washington
May 23, 2015
The Tate Aggies beat the Pine Forest Eagles 20-14 in overtime Friday night. The Aggie took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 69-yard TD pass from Sawyer Smith to Jake Henry, and on a 70-yard touchdown run from LaDarryl Paige. The Eagles answered with two runs in the second quarter to tie it up 14-14. Tate’s win came in OT with a touchdown run from junior running back Corey Moorer .
The West Florida Jaguars won the varsity half of their spring game Friday night 35-0 over Washington High School. The JV Jaguars won the second half 55-0 over Washington.
Wahoos Top Generals
May 23, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos spotted Tim Adleman three runs and the tall righty handled the rest.
Adleman improved to 2-3 with a 1.41 ERA after throwing seven scoreless innings and now has given up one earned run in his last 25 innings. Pensacola won its second straight game against the Jackson Generals, 3-0, in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
“Everybody around me did a great job tonight,” Adleman said. “Three is enough. That’s the job as a starter to go out there and whether you’re given one or three or nine just keeping the other team off the board.”
Adleman benefited from four double plays in seven of the innings he pitched and in the other three he struck a batter out. Pensacola now leads the Southern League with 54 double plays.
“I was just keeping it interesting. Trying to keep people on the edge of their seats,” he said jokingly.
Pensacola has now won 11 of 15 games since May 7, and improved its record to 19-23 on the season.
Shortstop Zach Vincej hit a homer deep to left field in the second inning for a 2-0 Pensacola lead. It was Vincej’s second homer in three at bats over the first two games with Jackson. It’s the second most home runs for Vincej in a season in his four-year minor league career. He hit three for the Low A Dayton Dragons in 2013.
Catcher Kyle Skipworth then launched a 390-foot, solo shot to the left center gap, which put the Blue Wahoos on top, 3-0.
In the first inning, Blue Wahoos third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean dropped a two-out, line drive into center that scored second baseman Ryan Wright from third for a 1-0 lead. It was Mejias-Brean’s 12th consecutive game that he reached base safely.
Vincej, who has two homers and 5 RBIs on the season, said the team is finally starting to gel.
“Everybody is starting to click now. We’re starting to mold as a team, which is great,” he said.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly gave credit to the infield, and especially third baseman Juan Perez. Perez started three of the four double plays and handled nine grounders perfectly. The Generals leadoff hitter Tyler Smith did smash a hard sinking line drive off his glove and into left field in the eighth but it was ruled a hit.
“Perez was tremendous at third tonight,” Kelly said. “He looked like a natural tonight. He has a lot of flexibility and can play all nine positions.”
Two Incidents Prompt School Lockdowns
May 22, 2015
Two different incidents Friday sent two Escambia County Schools into lockdown.
At Pine Forest High School, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office took an expelled student that showed up on campus into custody after he allegedly tried to assault a student with a pocket knife. He is now charged with trespassing. There were no injuries reported, and no weapon was located.
Workman Middle School also went into lockdown mode Friday after a 16-year old student punched administrator. A teacher that tried to help was also injured. The student ran, prompting the lockdown. The student later surrendered to Pensacola Police.
Former Cantonment Resident Killed In Baldwin County Crash
May 22, 2015
A former Cantonment resident was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Baldwin County Thursday morning.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 27-year old Heather Propst of Robertsdale, AL, was killed when her 2012 Nissan Altima collided head-on with a tractor-trailer on Alabama Highway 112, about eight miles northeast of Cantonment. (Highway 112 becomes Muscogee Road when it crosses the Perdido River into Florida.)
Michael Vaughan, the driver the tractor-trailer, was not injured in the 10:45 a.m. crash.
Area Population: Local Florida Cities Growing; Alabama Cities Decline
May 22, 2015
New estimated population numbers released Thursday show the population on the upswing in Florida cities in the North Escambia area, while Alabama city populations in the area are on the decline.
The data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that between 2013 and 2014:
- Century’s population increased by 0.9 percent to 1,752, up from 1,736.
- Pensacola’s population increased by 0.5 percent to 53,068, up from 52,778.
- Jay’s population increased by 1.4 percent to 566, up from 558.
- Milton’s population increased by 1.7 percent to 9,445, up from 9,289.
- Atmore’s population decreased by 0.3 percent to 10,006, down from 10,036.
- Flomaton’s population decreased by 0.5 percent to 1,417, down from 1,424.
- Brewton’s population decreased by 0.4 percent to 5,391, down from 5,408.
The four-year trend from the last complete census in 2010 to the 2014 estimate showed the same trend of decline in the Alabama cities and increases in the Florida cities.
Over the four-year period, Milton’s population was up 7 percent; Jay was up 6 percent, Century increased by 3 percent and Pensacola grew by 2 percent. The population in Atmore and Flomaton fell by about two percent over the four years, while Brewton saw a 0.3 percent decrease.
IP Awards $50K In Grants To Local Community Groups
May 22, 2015
International Paper has awarded $50,000 in Foundation Grants to local community organizations. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs.
“We are privileged to be able to assist our local community organizations in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of the residents and children of Northwest Florida,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager. “Their efforts serve to strengthen our community.”
North Escambia area community organizations and their projects that were awarded grants for 2015 are:
Escambia County Extension 4H “4H Environmental Stewardship”
The 4-H Environmental stewardship program supports the educational directives implemented at the new 4-H Center on Chalker Road in Molino. Specific forestry and natural resource program material will emphasize the concepts of tree value, development of plant communities, forestry services and related ecosystem management. The funds will be used to plant pine and hardwood trees for demonstrations. “We will be using it for a teaching demonstration for the 4-H youth,” Extension Agent Hank Bignell said. The learning process will begin as the 4-H members assist in planting the trees.
Greater First Baptist Church, “Community Literacy Mentoring and Tutoring Program”
Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment (GFB) serves as a resource and learning center for the Cantonment community and the surrounding areas. The grant helps them to provide a continuum of supplemental reading and writing activities, tutoring and homework assistance and various other structured learning, which also includes peer mentoring. Activities are designed to strengthen each participants self-esteem focusing on reading programs and the performing arts. The built in social and life skills development highlights self-respect, respect for others, cooperation, sense of community ownership and responsibility and youth participation in the management of their own behavior.
Cantonment Improvement Committee “Cantonment Resource Center Training Hub”
Escambia County has installed a modular building that is now used as the Cantonment Resource Center near Carver Park. The grant will fund materials and supplies to help outfit the training hub. A ribbon cutting for resource center was held Monday (pictured).
Jim Allen Elementary School, “Eggstraordinary Readers”
The goal of the Reading Eggs program is to support each child’s learning by offering activities in an interactive way to help children progress at their own rate. It fosters a love of reading at a young age so students will continue to read and to be successful throughout life. The Reading Eggs program is a powerful educational program that is based on the most up to date research on how children learn to read. The program includes activities and reward games to keep children motivated and interested in learning to read. This program includes progress reports that can be printed and shared with parents.
J.M. Tate High School “New Life for Old Fish”
Teacher John Hannon will utilize the grant to refurbish all of the science aquariums and redesign each one to represent a different marine habitat that one might find along Florida’s diverse shoreline. The aquaria will be outfitted with living flora and fauna representative of each habitat.
Other grants awarded include:
- American Red Cross “Home Fires Campaign”
- Autism Pensacola “Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab”
- Ballet Pensacola, ”Discover Dance”
- Council on Aging of NWFL, “Big Green, Little Green Composting!”
- Creative Learning Academy “Middle School Library”
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, “Literacy and Environmental Classroom Grants”
- Every Child a Reader in Escambia “Project Ready 2015”
- First City Arts Alliance “Green Art Program: Recycled Papermaking and Paper Arts”
- Partnership for Community Programs “Bay Day 2015,” “Stormwater Curb Marking Program,” and “Stormwater Estuary Education Program
- Pensacola Mess Hall “Natural History Discover Cart”
- Pensacola Opera “From Words to Music”
- Pensacola State College Foundation, Inc., “PSC Summer Environment Camp”
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, “Global Learning Academy Reading Volunteers” and “Nature Trail”
- The Global Corner “New Zealand and Activity Book for Children”
- UWF Foundation, “Emerald Coast BEST Robotics Hub” and “Summer Institute for the National Writing Project”
Pictured top: Extension Agents Hank Bignell and Beth Bolles accepted a grant Thursday from the International Paper Foundation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.