Could You Be Trespassing At Your Favorite River Fishing Spot?
January 19, 2012
It’s a murky line between really good fishing, and trespassing.
A measure moving in the House seeks to clarify just where that line is – more specifically, where the state’s waterways end and where abutting private property starts.
The issue is vital to those who own property that runs right up to a riverbank or lake shoreline – how much property they pay taxes on for example is a question depending on where their property stops. But it’s also highly important to boaters, hunters and fishermen who fear losing access to swamps – prime habitat for many of the things they’re looking for.
Sometimes those non-tidal swamps aren’t there in the dry season, but are in the wet – and whether the high water mark or the low water mark or something in between is used as the demarcation point has become a highly contested issue, and the subject of a bill that cleared a committee stop Tuesday, but only after conflicting testimony about what the change would do.
The measure (HB 1103), approved Tuesday by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on a 9-4 vote, seeks to set out the “ordinary high water mark,” which is where the federal government says the public’s sovereignty ends. The trouble is, the state law doesn’t define ordinary high water mark or spell out exactly how you determine where that is.
There have been a couple of court cases that tried to set that definition out – and backers of the bill say it tracks those court opinions. The measure says the ordinary high water mark is the “highest reach of a navigable, nontidal water body as it usually exists when in its ordinary condition and is not the highest reach of such water body during the high water season or in times of freshets.”
The bill also acknowledges that the ordinary high water mark is a moving boundary and spells out that officials must determine where it is based on a mark on the soil – a change in the soil from where it is usually wet to where it usually is dry.
As one might imagine, just what it will mean still isn’t agreed on.
Preston Robertson, of the Florida Wildlife Federation, says the new definition will allow the line to be marked lower – allowing more land to be considered private, rather than part of the publicly-owned waterway.
The measure would take “tens of thousands of acres that everybody now enjoys and put it in the hands of private land owners,” Robertson said. And there would be no public benefit for making the change – the benefit would go entirely to those private property owners.
Legislative staff acknowledges that the ordinary high water mark won’t be the highest water level. It doesn’t take in “swamp or overflowed lands,” according to the Agriculture Subcommittee’s staff analysis. “And the ordinary high-water mark is to be found between such lands and the area occupied by the water for the greater portion of each average year,” the analysis says. Also, if there’s water there much of the time, there generally won’t be ability to grow crops – if crops can grow in the soil, it’s beyond the ordinary high water mark, the staff analysis reasons.
The exact line is extremely important to land owners for several reasons, said Jim Handley, executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. “You can’t use property as collateral,” if you don’t know if you own it, he told the committee this week. “It’s a concern of ours if somebody is trespassing and gets injured, who is liable?”
He rejected an assertion by hunters and fishermen, that agricultural landowners are simply trying to increase their holdings.
“This is not a land grab, this is an opportunity to show a clear definition of what folks have been paying property taxes on,” Handley said. “…Nobody’s trying to move the line, they’re trying to define the line.”
Trespassing is a major concern of boaters and sportsmen’s groups – which have for several days been sending around mass emails to draw attention to the issue.
Hunters carrying rifles, or even boaters simply legally carrying a concealed weapon, may be charged with trespassing for fishing on low water they’ve fished on for years.
“If they have to worry about a line that’s now moving, they’re subject to a third degree felony with armed trespass,” Robertson said.
Pictured: The Escambia River near Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
By The News Service of Florida
Northview Honors Winning Football Team, Cheerleaders
January 18, 2012
Northview High School honored members of the school’s football teams and cheerleading squads Tuesday night during their annual banquet.
Chiefs head coach Sid Wheatley told his players that they should be proud of their season with the school’s second ever regional title.
“You’ve paved the way for great things to come next year,” Wheatley told his seniors.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Members of the 2011 Northview Chiefs recognized Tuesday night were:
- Most Valuable Offensive Player – Brandon Sheets
- Outstanding Offensive Back – Lamikal Kyles
- Outstanding Offensive Back – Roderick Woods
- Outstanding Offensive Lineman – Laderious Franklin
- Outstanding Receiver – Austin Albritton
- Outstanding Special Teams – Kevin Vaughn
- Most Valuable Defensive Player – Sean Knight
- Outstanding Defensive Lineman – Brian Ross
- Outstanding Linebacker – Roderick Woods
- Outstanding Defensive Back – LaMichael Banks
- Outstanding Defensive Back – Tanner Brooks
- Chief Award – Alex Payne
- Chief Award – Caleb Leonard
- Academic Award – Justin Halteman
- Team Leader Award – Nathan Therrell
- Team Leader Award – Cole Eicher
- Fire Award – Logan Weber
- Fire Award – Chad Smith
- All-Purpose Award – Montaio Mitchell
- Utility Award – Blake McCall
- Most Improved – Stetson Nash
Wheatley also recognized the team’s seniors — Andrew Farrow, Sean Knight, Montaio Mitchell, Brandon Sheets, Tanner Brooks, Austin Albritton, Jamie Gafford, Wes Chancery, Sam Spence, Caleb Leonard, Alex Payne, Cole Eicher, Nathan Therrell, Brian Ross
Coaches Ty Wise, Derek Marshman, Mandell Smith and John Madison were also recognized.
The Chiefs’ cheerleaders were also honored at the steak dinner. Individual awards were presented to:
- Varsity Most Improved – Brittany Thompson
- Varsity Squad Strength – Anna Fischer
- Varsity Best All Around – Ashley Cunningham
- Varsity Spirit Award – Ariel Holland
- JV Most Improved – Courtney Weaver
- JV Spirit Award – Kamryn Brock
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Northview Chiefs MVP Brandon Sheets receives his award from Coach Ty Wise. Pictured below: Varsity cheerleaders (L-R) Brittany Thompson, Ashley Cunningham, Ariel Holland and Anna Fischer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Registration Time: NWE, Cantonment, Atmore
January 14, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations have been scheduled for Northwest Escambia, Cantonment and Atmore.
The Northwest Escambia League will hold open registration for baseball and softball for ages 3-18 as follows:
- Saturday, January 14 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Saturday, January 21 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Friday, January 27 from 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The cost will be $50 for the first child, $40 for the second child and $10 for the third child from each family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball registration for ages 6-16 will be held as follows:
- Saturday January 21 – 9 am. until noon
- Saturday January 28 – 9 am. until noon
- Saturday February 4 – 9 am. until noon
Registration will be held at the concession stand at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park.
Tryouts will be Saturday, February 14 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts.
The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.
Auburn Coach Gene Chizik Visits Local Recruit, Tiger Fans
January 14, 2012
Auburn Tiger head football coach Gene Chizik paid a visit to Escambia County High School in Atmore Friday morning to visit with a small group of fans and a future Tiger defensive tackle.
Escambia County Blue Devil Tyler Nero has verbally committed to play at Auburn this fall. He chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky and others, according to Rivals.com.
Chizik led the Auburn Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship.
Pictured top: Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gene Chizik with Tyler Nero. Pictured inset: Chizik with Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Perry. Pictured below: Chizik with Auburn fan Toby Weaver of Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos by Edie Jackson, click to enlarge.
Alabama’s Trent Richardson Going Pro, Entering NFL Draft
January 12, 2012
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is leaving the Crimson Tide and entering the NFL Draft.
Richardson made the announcement Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Heisman Trophy finalist is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the NFL draft after a record setting year at Alabama. He had 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season, a Crimson Tide record.
Richardson is a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola.
Crimson Tide Wins 14th National Championship, 21-0, Over LSU
January 10, 2012
A staunch defensive effort, combined with a record-setting night from kicker Jeremy Shelley, propelled the University of Alabama football team to its 14th national championship with a 21-0 victory over LSU Monday night in the BCS National Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide’s defense held LSU to just 92 total yards and five first downs as Defensive Player of the Game Courtney Upshaw and Jerrell Harris each had seven tackles. As a unit, the defense had 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
“I think it’s a great team win,” UA head coach Nick Saban said. “Our offense controlled the tempo of this game. We did a great job on special teams. It was just a great team win for every guy here, every fan that we have, every supporter of this program. This is great for Alabama.”
Fifteen of UA’s 21 points came from the leg of kicker Jeremy Shelley, who converted on a bowl-record five field goals from 23, 34, 41, 35 and a career-long 44 yards. The defense provided the offense with excellent field position all evening and quarterback AJ McCarron did a masterful job under center completing 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.
“We knew that he [McCarron] was going to have to play well because we knew that we were going to throw the ball,” Saban said of his quarterback. “He showed great leadership and poise in making good decisions.”
Thanks to Shelley, the Tide carried a 15-0 lead into the final quarter when LSU mounted its first legitimate charge after being held to just 55 yards in the previous three quarters. Upon crossing midfield for the first time all game, the drive stalled and left the Tigers facing 4th and 18 to gain on the UA 40. The Tide defense came through again as Dont’a Hightower sacked LSU’s Jordan Jefferson and knocked the ball loose at the 50-yard line. Nick Gentry fell on the fumble to end the drive and set the UA offense up at midfield with 6:15 left in the contest.
Four plays later, Pensacola’s Trent Richardson (pictured left) raced 34 yards for the first touchdown of the game and the Heisman Trophy semifinalist finished with 96 yards on 20 carries and 107 all-purpose yards.
Alabama put up the first points of the game when Shelley capped off a five-play, 20-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Shelley would come up big for the Tide on two more occasions in the first half, connecting from 34 and 41 yards to give Alabama a 9-0 lead at the break.
Alabama held LSU to one first down throughout the first half, while collecting 13 of its own. The Tide also collected 156 total yards compared to the Tigers’ 26 total yards in the first 30 minutes.
The title is the Tide’s 14th in program history adding to the national championships won in 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009 and 2011. The Crimson Tide finished the 2011 season with a 12-1 record. The combined record of UA’s 14 national championship teams stands at 157-7-2.
Pictured top: Alabama Coach Nick Saban celebrates the BCS National Championship Monday night in New Orleans. Pictured top inset: AJ McCarron was named the BCS National Championship Game Offensive Player of the Game. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia High School graduate Trent Richardson scored the only touchdown in the game for the Tide. Photos by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Article courtesy the University of Alabama.
Locals Run Disney Marathon; Jay’s Dobson Finishes 29th
January 9, 2012
Several North Escambia area residents took part in the annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, including past winner Matt Dobson of Jay.
Dobson, who won the 2004 marathon, finished in 29th place in the 2012 event with a time of 2:49:50. The 42-year old was fourth overall in his division. The top finisher in the race was Costa Fredison of Brazil with a time of 2:19:02.
In the half marathon, Wayne Peacock of Cantonment finished 85th in his division with a time of 2:53:04.
Other North Escambia area runner results were:
Walt Disney World Marathon
13478 Finishers
Matthew Dobson, Jay, 2:49:50 (29th overall, 4 in division)
Dana Stumfall, Cantonment, 5:41:33
Darlene Dickey, Molino, 5:52:21
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 6:01:08
Amy Bodie, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 6:26:25
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
22421 finishers
D. Garrett Smith, Cantonment, 2:14:48
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 2:35:41
Mike Bodie, Cantonment, 2:42:09
Sharon Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04 (85th men 65-69)
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 3:05:33
Wayne Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36
Kathy Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36
McDavid Senior Named All-Star MVP
January 8, 2012
A local football player was named offensive MVP in an all-star football game Saturday night in Louisiana.
Dak Sims, a senior at Pensacola High School that lives in McDavid, was named Offensive Line MVP for the East team in Max Emfinger’s 8th annual All-American Bowl Game Classic at A.W. Mumford Stadium on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge. His PHS teammate, Demarius Travis, was named Defensive Line MVP for the East defense.
Sims’ East team lost to the West team, 21-20.
Emfinger, a former scout for the Dallas Cowboys, puts on the game each each to spotlight players to college recruiters.
Girls Weightlifting: Jay Over Northview
January 7, 2012
Jay High School defeated Northview High School in a girl’s weightlifting meet in Jay.
Jay’s Royals finished with 37 points, while Northview’s Chiefs had 32 points.
Weight category winners, including scores with combined bench press and jerk weights, were as follows:
101
- Kasie Braun, Northview, 120
110
- Lakelynn Parker , Northview, 155
129
- Ashlynn Geck , Jay, 175
- Shelby Edwards , Jay, 165
- Tierra Floyd , Northview, 160
139
- Misty Doran , Northview, 210
- Matti Holt , Jay, 140
- Kim Gunn , Jay, 145
154
- Liza Eddings , Jay, 180
- Holley Fugatt , Jay, 180
- Brittany Thompson, Northview, 155
169
- Keyth Grice, Northview, 150
- Sunny Gilmore , Jay, 150
183
- Alisha Grice 145
- Sydney Lowery , Jay, 145
199
- McKenzie Nassar , Northview, 190
- Kaylen Blair, Jay, 160
Unlimited
- Brianna Hawthorne, Jay, 225
- Cheyenne Mack , Jay, 160
SEC Releases 2012 Schedules
December 29, 2011
The 2012 Southeastern Conference football game schedules were released Wednesday, including the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri.
Scheduled are as follows:
ALABAMA
Sept. 15: at Arkansas
Sept. 29: OLE MISS
Oct. 13: at Missouri
Oct. 20: at Tennessee
Oct. 27: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 3: at LSU
Nov. 10: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 24: AUBURN
ARKANSAS
Sept. 15: ALABAMA
Sept. 29: vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 6: at Auburn
Oct. 13: KENTUCKY
Oct. 27: OLE MISS
Nov. 10: at South Carolina
Nov. 17: at Mississippi State
Nov. 24: LSU
AUBURN
Sept. 8: at Mississippi State
Sept. 22: LSU
Oct. 6: ARKANSAS
Oct. 13: at Ole Miss
Oct. 20: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 27: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10: GEORGIA
Nov. 24: at Alabama
FLORIDA
Sept. 8: at Texas A&M
Sept. 15: at Tennessee
Sept. 22: KENTUCKY
Oct. 6: LSU
Oct. 13: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 20: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 27: vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 3: MISSOURI
GEORGIA
Sept. 8: at Missouri
Sept. 22: VANDERBILT
Sept. 29: TENNESSEE
Oct. 6: at South Carolina
Oct. 20: at Kentucky
Oct. 27: vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 3: OLE MISS
Nov. 10: at Auburn
KENTUCKY
Sept. 22: at Florida
Sept. 29: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 6: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Oct. 13: at Arkansas
Oct. 20: GEORGIA
Oct. 27: at Missouri
Nov. 3: VANDERBILT
Nov. 24: at Tennessee
LSU
Sept. 22: at Auburn
Oct. 6: at Florida
Oct. 13: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 20: at Texas A&M
Nov. 3: ALABAMA
Nov. 10: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 17: OLE MISS
Nov. 24: at Arkansas
OLE MISS
Sept. 29: at Alabama
Oct. 6: TEXAS A&M
Oct. 13: AUBURN
Oct. 27: at Arkansas
Nov. 3: at Georgia
Nov. 10: VANDERBILT
Nov. 17: at LSU
Nov. 24: MISSISSIPPI STATE
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 8: AUBURN
Oct. 6: at Kentucky
Oct. 13: TENNESSEE
Oct. 27: at Alabama
Nov. 3: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10: at LSU
Nov. 17: ARKANSAS
Nov. 24: at Ole Miss
MISSOURI
Sept. 8: GEORGIA
Sept. 22: at South Carolina
Oct. 6: VANDERBILT
Oct. 13: ALABAMA
Oct. 27: KENTUCKY
Nov. 3: at Florida
Nov. 10: at Tennessee
Nov. 24: at Texas A&M
SOUTH CAROLINA
Aug. 30: at Vanderbilt
Sept. 22: MISSOURI
Sept. 29: at Kentucky
Oct. 6: GEORGIA
Oct. 13: at LSU
Oct. 20: at Florida
Oct. 27: TENNESSEE
Nov. 10: ARKANSAS
TENNESSEE
Sept. 15: FLORIDA
Sept. 29: at Georgia
Oct. 13: at Mississippi State
Oct. 20: ALABAMA
Oct. 27: at South Carolina
Nov. 10: MISSOURI
Nov. 17: at Vanderbilt
Nov. 24: KENTUCKY
TEXAS A&M
Sept. 8: FLORIDA
Sept. 29: vs. Arkansas
Oct. 6: at Ole Miss
Oct. 20: LSU
Oct. 27: at Auburn
Nov. 3: at Mississippi State
Nov. 10: at Alabama
Nov. 24: MISSOURI
VANDERBILT
Aug. 30: SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 22: at Georgia
Oct. 6: at Missouri
Oct. 13: FLORIDA
Oct. 20: AUBURN
Nov. 3: at Kentucky
Nov. 10: at Ole Miss
Nov. 17: TENNESSEE