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.
Sunny And Dry; No Rain Forecast For This Week
September 20, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
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.
century council budget write
September 19, 2015
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.