FWC Law Enforcement Report: Hunting Violations
December 26, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Land was patrolling Yellow River Wildlife Management Area and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was operating without a tag displayed. Officer Land detected the strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle. He received consent from the operator to look in the vehicle and located drug paraphernalia. The owner was cited for the violations.
Officer Land was patrolling Blackwater Wildlife Management Area and located an individual hunting with a centerfire rifle before the general gun season opened. The subject was not wearing fluorescent orange and did not possess a quota permit for Blackwater WMA. The subject was cited for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Burkhead was patrolling Blackwater Wildlife Management Area when he heard shotguns being fired prior to legal shooting hours in an area that is commonly used for waterfowl hunting. Officer Burkhead located the individuals who were shooting and verified they were waterfowl hunting. One of the individuals hid a shotgun and later admitted he was hunting waterfowl that morning without his federal duck stamp or other permits required to hunt waterfowl. Officer Burkhead charged the individuals for hunting waterfowl prior to legal shooting hours. Officer Burkhead charged the other individual for hunting waterfowl without a federal duck stamp and wrote citations for the permit violations.
Officer Burkhead was conducting resource inspections on duck hunters at Smith’s Fish Camp. Upon checking a group of individuals, he found one of the subjects to be hunting waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds. Officer Burkhead cited the individual for hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun.
Officers Burkhead, Lugg, Wilkenson, and Lieutenant Corbin were conducting resource inspections in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. They conducted an inspection on an individual driving on a Florida Forest Service maintained road and found the individual to be in possession of deer meat with high-risk parts such as bone from a deer harvested outside of Florida. The individual was also not in possession of any sex identification along with the meat he was transporting. Officer Burkhead issued a notice to appear citation for possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida. He wrote a written warning for not being in possession of sex identification for the deer he was transporting.
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.
Tuesday Is A Christmas Holiday For Most Government Agencies
December 26, 2023
Today, December 26, is a holiday for most government agencies.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
In observance of Christmas, the following Escambia County offices will be closedTuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration and Customer Service
Notes and exceptions:
note:
- On Tuesday, Dec. 26, Clerk’s official Records, Finance and Clerk to the Board offices will be closed. All Clerk’s offices at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Building, Century Courthouse and Public Records Center will be open.
- The Perdido Landfill will reopen Tuesday, Dec. 26.
- ECAT Customer Service will reopen Tuesday, Dec. 26.
- The UWF express trolley will resume service Saturday, Jan. 6. The UWF campus trolleys will resume service Monday, Jan. 8.
CENTURY
The Century Town Hall will be closed Tuesday, Deccember 26.
ECUA
ECUA will collect all residential customers on their normal day during the Christmas And New Year’s Holiday period, except:
New Year’s Day – Monday, Jan. 1, 2024: Collection will be made on Sat. Dec. 30.
Pictured: Palafox Place on a rainy December day. Photo by Kathy Boyle for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary: Collecting Presents For Needy Kids; Water Safety Book Distribution Continues
December 26, 2023
Submitted
The Rotary Club of Cantonment collected a large number of toys at their recent Christmas party, and in turn, donated them to The Birthday Party organization. The Birthday Party will pass them out to girls and boys who are unable to have a birthday party for various reasons.
John Ham,from the Birthday Party organization says that the kids are so excited to receive these gifts and are very grateful to have a party on their birthday.
Another activity Cantonment Rotary has been doing the last few weeks has been involved with all the kindergarten classes from the 10 elementary schools north of Nine Mile Road, including Beulah and Ensley Elementary. So far, over 750 copies of Josh the Otter have been distributed to all kindergartners along with a coloring book. These two books emphasize the importance of water safety.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AG, FHP and Local Law Enforcement Leaders Warn About the Dangers of Impaired Driving this Holiday Season
December 26, 2023
In recognition of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, Attorney General Ashley Moody today warned Floridians that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol this holiday season could result in a trip to jail—or the morgue. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard reports more than 6,200 impaired-driving crashes occurred in 2022—leading to more than 1,100 fatalities.
During the holiday season, fatalities increase dramatically with nearly 160 fatalities in December last year. To prevent deaths, Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze, Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez, Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland, St. Cloud Chief of Police Douglas Goerke and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Central Florida Executive Director Kristi McElroy joined Attorney General Moody in Kissimmee to urge Floridians to drive responsibly this holiday season.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month serves as a critical reminder to be responsible on our roadways. Driving under the influence can shatter lives and devastate families. Law enforcement will have extra deputies, officers and troopers monitoring the roadways to help ensure Floridians remain safe throughout this holiday season. So please, drive sober or you will get pulled over.”
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze said, “Now through January 1st, law enforcement throughout Florida, including your FHP, will participate in the “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The goal is to proactively educate the public on the dangers and consequences of getting behind the wheel while impaired. The holiday season, when people are celebrating with friends and loved ones, increases the risk of impaired driving. With that increase, FHP and our law enforcement partners, will step up enforcement efforts to remove impaired drivers from Florida Roadways so everyone can Arrive Alive.”
Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez said, “We want Osceola County residents to know that our priority is to keep people safe. This is why we urge everyone to plan ahead and never drive impaired. Driving impaired puts your life and the lives of others at risk, and it is illegal in Florida.”
Moody recommends following these tips for safe travels on the roadways this holiday season:
- Do not drive under the influence or permit others to drive under the influence;
- Establish a designated driver, call a cab or use a ride-sharing service if there is no designated driver;
- Fasten seatbelts when driving or riding in a vehicle;
- Avoid distracted driving, including texting while driving; and
- Beware of the increase in impaired drivers—especially at night.
First Responders Put On Christmas Light Show For Children’s Hospital Patients
December 25, 2023
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.
For the fourth year, local first responders gathered outside the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Christmas Eve night. Children and families inside watched as the first responders gathered outside waving, every emergency light flashing. A few minutes to say they care about the children inside and shine a little light for those who can’t be home this Christmas Eve.
The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Pensacola Fire Department, and more made Christmas a bit brighter for those in the children’s hospital.
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
One More Night Planned For Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Bratt Ranch
December 25, 2023
There’s one more chance planned for Friday night, December 29 to see tens of thousands of Christmas lights at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt.
And see the goats in pajamas.
The lights festival will be open Friday, December 29 from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, and animated displays.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters if it’s cold.
Runamuck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Pictured: The Christmas lights festival at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Wrong-Way Driver Killed On I-110 Early Christmas Eve
December 25, 2023
A wrong way driver was killed early Christmas Eve mornng on I-110 in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an Escambia County man was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes on I-110 about 4:10 a.m. His Ford collided head on with Chevrolet SUV that was traveling southbond. The Ford erupted int flames and smoke obscured vision on the roadway. As a result a Toyota sedan. driven by a 41-year old Pensacola woman southbound on I-110 collided with the Chevy SUV .
Trooper said the man in the Ford died from his injuries, while the driver of the Chevy suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota was not injured.
Ice Flyers Sweep The Mayhem Headed Into Short Holiday Break
December 25, 2023
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,138 fans, the Ice Flyers downed the Mayhem in a 7-3 win at the Pensacola Bay Center Saturday night.
Mitch Atkins got his first Ice Flyers hat-trick after scoring a pair of goals in the 2nd period and then capitalizing on a power play in the 3rd.
Riley Morris made his first appearance back home in front of the Ice Flyers faithful this season. Morris played 11 games for the Ice Flyers last season before being called up to play for the ECHL Tulsa Oilers.
The Ice Flyers return to the Hangar on Tuesday, where they’ll be up against a tough Birmingham team that is finding success and sitting at first place in the league standings.
Fiery Crash Reported Saturday Night In Molino
December 24, 2023
A fiery two vehicle crash closed Highway 97 in Molino Saturday night.
The crash happened about 7:50 p.m. near Molino Park Elementary School. One of the vehicles burst into flames following the crash.
Further details were not yet available from the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Mr. And Mrs. Claus Take Last Minute Trip Through Century, Byrneville
December 24, 2023
Mr. and Mrs. Claus made a last minute trip through Century and Byrneville on Saturday morning thanks to the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Santa will made stops at the Byrneville Community Center and the vacant lot by Napa Auto Parts on North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: Santa and Mrs. Claus travel through Century on a fire truck in Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
