FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 11, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 2 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report was received this week from Escambia County.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received information about a subject who harvested three antlerless deer in one day during the antlerless deer season, two over the limit. During an interview, the subject said that he, his father, and his son each shot one deer. After interviewing the other subjects and another witness, it was confirmed that the subject shot and killed all three deer himself. The subject then admitted to taking all three deer. Officer Hutchinson obtained a warrant charging the man with taking over the bag limit of antlerless deer.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling an area after dark where he received several complaints of illegal hunting activity. While working the area, he observed a vehicle driving through the middle of a large field while both the driver and passenger shined the area. When the vehicle was stopped, a loaded hunting rifle was discovered. The man and woman admitted to looking for deer. The driver did not a have a valid driver’s license. Both were charged with night hunting and the driver was also charged with driving with a suspended license.
Officer Hutchinson saw a vehicle slowly traveling along the road with a spotlight being shined from the vehicle into the field in front of his house. The vehicle was stopped and two juveniles informed him that they were looking for a big buck. A loaded shotgun was lying in between the two front seats. Officer Hutchinson made contact with their parents and, after the parents’ arrival, the juveniles were charged with night hunting and released into the custody of their parents.
Officer Mullins attended Bagdad Elementary School to talk with students who were studying conservation and resource management. Officer Mullins explained the FWC’s role in conservation and protection of natural resources. After an explanation of laws, regulations, and why they are important, Officer Mullins answered the students’ questions regarding what is and is not allowed and why.
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.
Final Registrations For NWE And Century Ball Today
February 11, 2017
There will be one more registration event for Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park today from 10 a.m. until non at the field house for the following age groups:
Teeball – ages 4-6
10U Baseball (ages 9-10)
12U Baseball (ages 11-12)
8U Softball (ages 7-8)
10U Softball (ages 9-10)
Limited spots available and will be a first come first serve basis until rosters are full. If you have any questions email nweballpark@gmail.com.
At Century Little League at Showalter Park, registration will be held Saturday from 9 until 11:30 a.m. Teams are available for ages 4 and up. Please bring a certified copy of a birth certificate to registration. For more info, call (251) 656-6044 or (850) 377-0962.
Ernest Ward Names Valentine’s Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
King Trevor Scott and Queen Mary Paige Nasser reigned over the dance, along with their court: Sixth Grade Knight Kaden Odom, Sixth Grade Maiden Elianna Morales, Seventh Grade Knight Noah Harigel and Seventh Grade Maiden Shelby Rice.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Dance Queen Mary Paige Nasser and King Trevor Scott. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Won’t Seek Death Penalty In Gas Station Double Shooting
February 11, 2017
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Friday that his office will not seek the death penalty aginst Terry Maurice Newkirk, Jr.
Newkirk is charged with two counts of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of Antonio Maurice Bullard and Antrone Marquis Moore at the Raceway gas station on Palafox and Mason Lane in November 2015. Bullard and Moore were both shot to death inside a SUV during a drug transaction at the gas pumps. Both were 26-years old.
“The decision not to seek the death penalty was made after completion of the discovery process and evaluation of the evidence available to prove the aggravating circumstances necessary to successfully obtain a death penalty verdict. Recent United States Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court decisions have affected the death penalty evaluation process and were considered in making this decision,” Eddins said.
If convicted as charged, Newkirk will be facing a mandatory sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 11, 2017
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Helene Matelida Whittington
February 11, 2017
Mrs. Helene Matelida Whittington, 82, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017, in Mobile, Alabama.
Mrs. Whittington was a native of La Chapelle-aux-Chasses, France and had resided in Bay Minette, AL for most of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Andree Arthur; one brother, Gerard Ressort; and two great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Whittington of Bay Minette, AL; children, Chris (Shirley) Whittington of Talladega, AL, William (Elaine) Whittington of Bay Minette, AL and Debbie (Andy) Wasdin of Bay Minette, AL; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Jerry) Walton of Talladega, AL, David Whittington of Bay Minette, AL and Casey (Mary) Whittington of Thompson Station, TN, Chase Whittington of Bay Minette, AL, Chelsea Wasdin of Montgomery, AL, Jennifer (Heath) Bryars of Bay Minette, AL and Adam (Kristin) Wasdin of Bay Minette, AL; 13 great-grandchildren and two sisters; Paulette Ressort and Arlette Ressort both of France.
Graveside services were held Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Lottie New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Mike Owens, David Whittington, Chase Whittington, Casey Whittington, Adam Wasdin and Heath Bryars.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
John Alfred Johnson
February 11, 2017
Mr. John Alfred Johnson, Sr., 68, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2017, in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Mobile, AL and had resided in McDavid, FL for the past 20 years. He was of the Holiness faith.
He is survived by his wife, Cecelia “C.K.” Johnson of Pensacola, FL; one son, John Alfred Johnson, Jr. of Bay Minette, AL; two sisters, Lena Byrd of Huxford, AL and Maxine Welch of Rabun, AL; one grandson, Nathan Thompson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 9, 2017, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial was at the Sullivan Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Jack Allen Johnson
February 11, 2017
Jack Allen Johnson, 61 formerly of Canoe, AL, now of Semmes, AL, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017, in Semmes, AL. He had worked at Vanity Fair Mills in Atmore, before moving to Mobile, AL where he was currently working for Carondolet Apartments of Mobile as a maintenance supervisor. He was born on April 25, 1955, in Atmore, AL to the late Leon Douglas and Georgene Lee Johnson. He attended New Beginnings Church of Theodore.
Survivors include his wife, Denise Baustert Johnson of Semmes, AL; two brothers, Buster Johnson and Ed (Sondra) Johnson all of Robertsdale, AL; two sisters, Jeanne (Frankie) Baggett of Loxley, AL and Jackie Southall of McConnelsville, OH; five nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services were held Thursday, February 9, 2017, at Johnson Quimby Chapel with Rev. Ed Boutwell officiating.
Interment was in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Jason Baggett, Doug Baggett, Kyle Johnson, Russ Johnson, Murphy Bryan and Korbin Bryan.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Cynthia Elizabeth McCullough Stallworth
February 11, 2017
Mrs. Cynthia Elizabeth McCullough Stallworth, age 59, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2017, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Stallworth was a native of Atmore, AL and had resided in Bratt, FL for the past 20 years. She was a member of the Dry Springs Community Church.
She is survived by her parents, Rev. Jack and Margaret McCullough of Walnut Hill, FL; husband, Tony Killam of Bratt, FL; three daughters, Ladana Robinson of Molino, FL, Jackie Rolin of Atmore, AL and Shana Killam of Atmore, AL; one brother, Malcolm (Donna) McCullough of Milton, FL; one sister, LaJauna (Robert) Graham of Tylertown, MS; four grandchildren, Ashton Thomas, Brantlie Thomas, Paige Ross and Cotton Lee Ross; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 10, 2017, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. John Coleman officiating.
Burial was at the Dry Springs Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Maggie Donis Rushing
February 11, 2017
Maggie “Donis” Rushing, 89, of the Pensacola area left this life to be with her Lord, Wednesday, January 8, 2017.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles (Chuck) Rushing; grandson, Douglas Glenn (Bubba) Pierce; and son-in-law, Corky Jones.
She is survived by her five children, Dell and Glenn Pierce of Molino, Shirley Jones of Ferry Pass, Doug and Carol Rushing of Denham Springs, LA, Sue and Mark Rameriz of Edinburg, TX and Kay and Benny Fore of Ferry Pass; nine grandkids, 13 great-grandkids and two great-great-grandkids.
She will surely be missed by all of us. She was the rock of our family.
Pallbearers will be James Goundas, William Timothy, Bryan Taylor, Aaron Gollub, Daniel Pierce and Kolton Watson.
The family would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for taking care of our mother. To honor mother’s memory, the family suggest donations be made to Ferry Pass Baptist Church of Emerald Coast Hospice.
Services were held Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Ken Cook officiating.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with her arrangements.