On A Quest For A Freshwater Giant: Alligator Gar On The Escambia River
March 26, 2015
The quest is on to find one of Florida’s most mysterious fish with a prehistoric look in the Escambia River.
Finding alligator gar can be a challenge, but it’s one biologists with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute are taking on to learn more about the population of the fish in Florida.
Alligator gar have historically resided in rivers and brackish waters throughout the southeastern U.S. from the Florida Panhandle – from the Apalachicola River west to the Perdido River – to Texas and Mexico. Since the mid-1900s, alligator gar numbers have declined, leaving populations in only half of the 14 states they once inhabited. The FWC acknowledged this in 2006, prohibiting harvest of alligator gar for all but scientific purposes.
Since 2010, FWRI researchers have been tagging alligator gar in the Escambia River to learn more about their movement and habitat use. Using large-mesh gill nets, researchers collect adult alligator gar and fit them with telemetry tags before releasing them back into the river. These tags transmit information through radio and sound signals, allowing researchers to track each individual’s location for about two years.
Three years into the study, researchers have tagged 22 alligator gar ranging from 11 pounds to a state record 132 pounds; tagged fish average 60 pounds. Researchers are trying to identify what habitats these fish prefer, how far they travel and whether they return to the same location over time. Preliminary tracking data indicate alligator gar are highly mobile and can travel more than 40 miles in a single week.
The data also reveal their movement and habitat use varies by season. In winter, the tagged fish tend to reside in a slough – a cove off the main river with no current – and move very little. As the season changes to spring, they begin traveling the river’s main channel but return repeatedly to the slough. Only in late spring did the gar venture from their home-base slough and begin cruising. Biologists recorded alligator gar moving as far north as Century and the Alabama state line and as far south as Escambia Bay during this time.
No population data for alligator gar in Florida currently exists. However, data from this tagging study are helping biologists develop a strategy for estimating the population size of alligator gar, first in the Escambia River, then possibly in other rivers in northwest Florida’s coastal plain.
Pictured: Alligator gar research on the Escambia River. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Considers Rezoning For Nine Schools
March 26, 2015
The Santa Rosa County School Board is set to consider the rezoning of nine schools at their April 23 meeting.
The schools set for rezoning are: Avalan Middle, Bennett Russell Elementary, Chumuckla Elementary, Central School, Dixon Primary and Intermediate, Pace High, Pea Ridge Elementary and Sims Middle.
For more information, including rezoning maps for each school, click here.
Billings Murder Getaway Driver Gonzalez, Sr. Denied Early Release
March 26, 2015
Early release from prison has been denied Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr., who was convicted in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings and then sentenced to 17½ years. He will be required to serve the remainder of his sentence.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Gonzalez, Sr. has a terminal illness and has less than one year to live. He is now in a wheelchair and needs assistance to complete ordinary daily activities.
The State Attorney’s Office opposed the request.
In total, eight people were convicted for planning and participating in the Beulah murders, including Gonzalez, Sr.’s son Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. An Escambia County Jury convicted Gonzalez, Jr. to two counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion robbery with a firearm. Gonzalez, Jr. received two death penalties and a life sentence and remains on Florida’s death row.
The special needs children that were at home during the July 9, 2009, murder of their adoptive parents have been adopted by the Billings’ older daughter Ashley Markham.
Bill Would Boost Power Of Nurse Practitioners
March 26, 2015
Wading into a fierce debate in the health-care industry, a House panel Wednesday approved a bill that would increase the authority of advanced registered nurse practitioners to care for patients.
The House Health Innovation Subcommittee voted 9-4 to approve the measure (HB 547), sponsored by Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park. The bill, in part, would allow nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances. Also, it would allow nurse practitioners who meet certain requirements to be designated as “independent advanced practice registered nurses,” which would allow them to provide many services without physician supervision.
“This is about trying to establish some economies and efficiencies and competition in health care,” said Pigman, a physician. “This is predicated on a notion that we cannot continue to increase spending on health care doing what we’re doing now.” Though Pigman is a physician, he differs from doctors’ groups that have long fought efforts to expand the powers of nurse practitioners. Those critics argue, in part, that nurse practitioners don’t have the same training as physicians.
“This is not what I believe is best for Florida patients, and as legislators we should be careful not to award titles and privileges through legislation but rather leave it to education,” said Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart, a Ponte Vedra Beach Republican who is a physician.
by The News Service of Florida
Sheriff’s Office Seeks Trailer Thief Caught On Camera
March 26, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a stolen utility trailer after the thief was caught on camera.
The ECSO said Wednesday that the trailer was stolen from a residence on Hummingbird Drive on March 22. The trailer had a diamond toolbox in the front and had Florida tag 1599LS at the time of the theft.
Anyone that recognized the SUV pulling the trailer or that has any information on the crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers do not have to provide their name and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Photo courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Regional City Clerks Meet In Century
March 26, 2015
The Town of Century was host to a recent meeting of the Northwest District of the Florida Association of City Clerks. Municipal clerks from Escambia to Jefferson county were invited to a Best Business Practices Workshop.
“The clerk’s office is the hub of local government and it is vitally important for clerks to come together and share their knowledge. Clerks are a tight-knit group, constantly learning from each other. As always, our time together was time well spent,” said NW District Director Leslie Gonzalez, Century town clerk.
Pictured: (L-R) L-R: Leslie Gonzalez, CMC, district director, Century; Audry Sikes, MMC, president, Lake City; Kim Godwin, Century; Dana Williams, CMC, Mary Esther; Linda Carden, MMC, Jay; Betsy Roy, Crestview; Dewitt Nobles, Milton; Kristina Wood, Century; and Tammy Bowers, Westville.
Counties Seek Agreement With State Over Juvenile Detention Costs
March 26, 2015
County commissioners from around Florida urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve a proposal that could end a long-running battle about how to split juvenile detention costs.
Commissioners told the House Appropriations Committee they are looking for a “50-50 split” on the disputed costs. But the House budget proposal calls for counties to pick up 57 percent of the costs, while the state would pay 43 percent.
But Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson, who is president of the Florida Association of Counties, said the local governments think 50 percent is fair. Also, a question remains about county requests to be reimbursed for overcharges in the past. Robinson said counties are open to negotiating with the state on the back payments.
Commissioners told the House Appropriations Committee they are looking for a “50-50 split” on the disputed costs. But the House budget proposal calls for counties to pick up 57 percent of the costs, while the state would pay 43 percent. The dispute centers on a 2004 law that requires counties to pay “pre-disposition” costs associated with juveniles waiting for cases to be resolved in court.
The state Department of Juvenile Justice pays the cost of detaining youths whose cases have been decided — known as “post-disposition.”
But the two sides have been embroiled in a series of legal battles about how to carry out the law, with the counties arguing they have been overcharged. The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled last year in the counties’ favor. House Justice Appropriations Chairman Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, said Wednesday the proposal for counties to pay 57 percent of the disputed costs is “data driven.”
by The News Service of Florida
Work Begins To Replace Highway 97 Bridge In Walnut Hill
March 25, 2015
Construction activities began Tuesday to replace a 75-year old Highway 97 bridge over Little Pine Barren Creek in Walnut Hill.
The work is part of a $2.5 million contract which consist of replacing the existing structurally deficient bridge, including roadway reconstruction, milling and resurfacing, guardrail, drainage, new signs and pavement markings. Drivers will utilize a temporary roadway and bridge during construction of the new bridge.
The contractor started clearing trees and shrubs and utility relocation operations this week. Construction of the temporary roadway and bridge is scheduled to follow in about two to three weeks. Work is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2016. No overweight loads will be permitted onto the temporary bridge (loads weighing over 88-thousand pounds).
The bridge is located at the intersection of Wiggins Lake Road, about one mile north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The bridge was constructed in 1940.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
I-10 Crash Claims One Life
March 25, 2015
A Gulf Breeze man was killed in single vehicle crash on I-10 Tuesday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 30-year old Geoffrey M. Edge was eastbound on I-10 approaching Davis Highway about 1:37 p.m. when his 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix left the roadway, traveled onto the shoulder and struck a tree. Edge, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Pictured top: Traffic backs up on I-10 following a fatal crash Tuesday afternoon. Photo courtesy FDOT for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mock Plane Crash Drill Prepares Fire Responders
March 25, 2015
Dozens were injured and two people were killed when a commercial plane crashed into Pensacola Bay Tuesday — all part of a emergency drill scenario that involved a long list of emergency response agencies.
Boats responded to the mock plane crash location in the bay just north of the I-10 bridge, “rescuing” survivors that were portrayed by actors. Those survivors were transported back to a command post at Smith’s Fish Camp off Highway 90 for triage and transport to area hospitals.
Participating agencies included Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire and EMS, Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States Coast Guard, Escambia County Search and Rescue, Santa Rosa County Emergency Management, Midway Fire Department, Gulf Breeze Fire Department, and Santa Rosa County Fire.
Pictured top: Marine resources were used to transport “victims” from a mock plane crash to shore Tuesday. Pictured inset and below: Victims were triaged and prepared for transport to area hospitals. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
