FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 20, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending September 17 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr completed an investigation involving the illegal take of deer in Illinois. An officer with Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) contacted FWC requesting assistance with a case in which a Florida hunter travelled to Illinois for the opening weekend of archery season. The hunter purchased an antlerless only hunting license which is substantially cheaper than an either-sex license. He posted photos of himself posing with an 11‑point buck later on the opening morning. The Illinois Conservation Officer requested that FWC locate and interview the subject regarding the deer.
The officers located the subject and interviewed him. The man admitted to taking the 11‑point buck, but was adamant that he purchased a license. During the interview, the officers learned that he was accompanied by another man from this area. The interview revealed that the subject also killed an 8-point buck and failed to tag it. Neither of the subjects checked their bucks as required by Illinois law. During the interview, the subject told the officers that he did not know exactly where his buck was, but that he cleaned the skull and was going to make a European mount. He told the officers that he would locate the antlers and his Illinois hunting license and show the officers the next day.
The officers immediately went to the other subject’s home to interview him. They located him and asked him about the trip. He admitted to killing a doe deer and failing to check it as required, but denied taking a buck. He confirmed that the other subject killed an 11‑point.
During the first interview, the subject told the officers that he used a local taxidermist in the past. The officers arrived at the taxidermy shop when it opened the next morning. When they entered the shop, the 11‑point buck was mounted and hanging on the wall. The shop owner stated that the subject dropped it off shortly after hunting in Illinois the previous year, but had not yet paid for it. He told them that the subject had sent him an email the night before telling him that he would be there to pick up his buck later in the week. The shop owner cooperated and provided evidence documenting where the buck came from. The officers seized the buck and other evidence at the shop.
The officers returned to meet with the first subject later that morning. The subject then told the officers that his mother had actually bought him his license and that she was on her way to the bank to get proof of the transaction. He again told the officers that he did not know where the buck was, but that he would turn it over as soon as he found it.
The officers turned over the evidence and statements to the Illinois DNR. Summons for both subjects were issued and sent to FWC for delivery to the two subjects. The subjects were charged with taking or possession of an antlered buck without an either-sex tag and failure to report harvest. Both subjects have mandatory court dates in Illinois.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No information submitted.
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.
Walnut Hill Driver Crashes Into Power Pole
September 20, 2015
There were no injuries early Sunday morning in Walnut Hill when a driver struck a power pole.
The accident was reported about 12:15 a.m. in the 100 block of Juniper Street. The driver apparently lost control, hit the power pole and before his vehicle came to rest near a mobile home. The pole was snapped off near the ground, sending the pole and a service line for a nearby residence to the ground.
The driver refused medical treatment when evaluated by Atmore Ambulance. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Proposal Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights
September 20, 2015
A South Florida Democrat has proposed a constitutional amendment aimed at automatically restoring the voting rights of many convicted felons. Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed the proposal (SJR 192) for consideration during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would go on the November 2016 ballot. The measure seeks to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. People with restored rights also would be eligible to hold public office. Automatic restoration would not apply to felons convicted of sexual offenses or homicide.
by The News Service of Florida
Graffiti Bridge Painted Blue In Support Of Law Enforcement
September 20, 2015
Graffiti Bridge was painted blue for “Thank A Police Office Day” on Saturday.
The messages were painted by members of Northwest Florida LEO Wives, a law enforcement support group for the wives of officers. The group has about 250 members in Northwest Florida.
“Thank You,” “My Husband’s Life Matters,” “We will Stand our ground,” “Our Family Matters,” and “Pray for the Blue” were among the messages painted on the bridge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join The Escambia County Farm Tour
September 20, 2015
The UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension will host a special Escambia County Farm Tour beginning at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at the Molino Community Center for those interested in learning more about local agriculture and the environment.
Tour stops include the West Florida Cotton Gin, Birdsong Peanut Buying Point, and activities related to cotton and peanut harvests, forestry, precision agriculture and youth projects will take place during the event. The farm tour is the work of a committee made of representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County, Escambia County Farm Bureau, Florida Forest Service and the Escambia County Department of Natural Resources Management.
The cost is $20 per participant, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and transportation. Dress is cotton casual, but closed-toe shoes are required. Participants must be 18 years or older and must be able to handle a good bit of walking and loading onto motorcoaches. Pre-registration is required; click HERE to sign up today.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Firefighters Team Up To Save Kitten
September 19, 2015
Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office teamed up to save kitten Friday morning.
K-9 Deputy Tim Taylor came across a woman at Airport Boulevard and W Street that was distraught because a kitten was stuck near the wheel of her car. Deputy Taylor worked to removed the frightened kitten who had been hanging on for dear life. He realized he would need gloves for the job, so he called for the assistance of Escambia Fire Rescue.
A crew from the Brent Fire Station responded, and they worked together to rescue the kitten which was transported by Fire Rescue to the Escambia County Animal Shelter for evaluation. The kitten was just fine and will be available for adoption after a five-day hold, according to a county spokesperson.
Firefighters have named the kitten “Spot”, like a fire station Dalmatian.
Pictured. Firefighters and an Escambia County deputy work to save kitten Friday morning on Airport Boulevard. Pictured inset: The kitten, now named “Spot”. Pictured below (courtesy Julia M. Carney): Escambia Fire Rescue Sta. 3 members with Spot. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The Band Perry Takes Over Escambia County High In Atmore
September 19, 2015
Award winning country music group The Band Perry made a surprise visit to Escambia County High School in Atmore Friday. “We literally woke up and were like, ‘Yeah, let’s go surprise/hang out with the Blue Devils’,” the band posted on Facebook. And on Twitter, the group called the “awesomest TBP (The Bank Perry) takeover ever.” Photo courtesy The Band Perry for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets Life For Ensley Shooting
September 19, 2015
An Escambia County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a 2008 shooting.
Reginald Jerome Smith was convicted by an Escambia County jury of second degree murder and immediately sentenced by Judge Linda Nobles to life in state prison as a prison releasee reoffender. Smith is not eligible for parole and will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
This case was previously reversed as a result of a finding by the Florida Supreme Court that a standard jury instruction was incorrect.
On January 16, 2008, Reginald Smith shot Mary Ann Spencer one time resulting in a fatal head wound. The shooting occurred at the home they shared on East Ensley Street.
High School Football Finals
September 19, 2015
Here are high school football final scores from around the area tonight:
FLORIDA
- Chipley 30, Northview 14 [Read more, photos...]
- Tate 24 PHS 16 [Read more, photos...]
- West Gadsden 30, Jay 6
- Pace 24, Washington 7
- Jesuit (LA) 28, Escambia 17
- Pine Forest 56, Gulf Breeze 17
- Milton 42, Catholic 21
- Mosley 31, West Florida 24
- Navarre 16, Choctaw 14
- Blountstown 34, South Walton 21
- Walton 65, Baker 48
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 34, Southern Choctaw 8
- Jackson 49, Escambia County 6
- T.R. Miller 30, Hillcrest 20
- UMS Wright 45, W.S. Neal 21
- Escambia Academy 35, Crenshaw Christian 13
Local Jobless Mark Improves
September 19, 2015
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level holding steady to slightly increasing in the three county North Escambia area.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.7 percent in July to 5.4 percent in August. There were 7,642 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 6.6 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment decreased from 5.1 to 4.8 percent from July to August. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,612 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 5.7 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment decreased from 8.1 percent in July to 7.7 percent in August. That represented 1,110 people unemployed in the county during the month. One year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County, Alabama, was 8.6 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate for August stood at 5.3 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from a revised number for July. The latest monthly numbers show an estimated 507,000 unemployed Floridians in August, about 10,000 fewer than in July, out of a workforce of 9.5 million, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The state’s unemployment rate continues to hover just above the national mark, which went from 5.3 percent in July to 5.1 percent for August. Florida’s monthly jobs numbers were driven by improvements in fields such as education, health and hospitality. Some of the monthly gains were offset by drops in construction, retail and local-government jobs.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.2 percent in August, was unchanged from July’s rate of 6.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 6.5 percent.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.