FWC Law Enforcement Report: Tern Eggs, Fishing Violations
July 8, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Bower and Officer Mullins responded to information about least tern eggs being removed from a nest at Opal Beach. An investigation revealed a subject had collected 19 least tern eggs from several nests, wrapped them in a t-shirt, and brought them to the Sea Turtle Conservation Center on Navarre Beach. The subject stated she was familiar with the shorebird nesting season and was also familiar with the signage there to protect the shorebirds and their nests. An FWC shorebird biologist confirmed the eggs were from least terns. The subject was charged with taking and possessing a threatened species.
Officer Bower and Lieutenant Corbin located a derelict vessel on waters of the state. The vessel was in approximately 2 to 3 feet of water, listing to its starboard side and was about 40 percent submerged with water going into the cabin. The vessel had no outboard motor attached and no sails and was unable to be moved under its own power. The vessel owner was issued a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel upon waters of the state.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Berryman and Officer Roberson were on patrol in East Bay conducting resource inspections near the Garcon Point Bridge. They contacted two individuals fishing who said they had fish. Officer Roberson asked who caught the fish, only one individual said it was theirs. Officer Roberson inspected the fish and found four spotted seatrout, which is one over the bag limit. Officer Roberson issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officers Brown and Bower were on patrol when they observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with fishing equipment. The officers conducted a resource inspection and located two undersized greater amberjack. Two of the vessel admitted to spearing the undersized amberjack and keeping them. The subjects were cited appropriately.
Officer Brown responded to a call about multiple subjects taking oysters. The officers located the subjects matching the description and observed them exit the water with a cooler. Officer Brown conducted a resource inspection and located six whole stone crabs out of season. It is a violation to have whole stone crabs intact. One of the subjects admitted to catching and keeping all six stone crabs. Upon further inspection, the officer located 11 undersized stone crab claws. The subject was cited appropriately.
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.
Eight Critically Injured When Pickup Overturns Near Walnut Hill; Six Children Ejected From Truck Bed
July 7, 2024
Eight people, including six children, were critically injured in a single vehicle pickup truck rollover crash Sunday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
The crash happened just before 3 p.m. on O.C. Phillips Road, off Highway 97A, about seven miles from Walnut Hill.
The driver of a Nissan Frontier pickup truck left the paved portion of O.C. Phillips Road and lost control as they continued westbound on the dirt roadway. The pickup truck collided with the embankment and overturned, coming to rest on its side, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver, a 37-year-old female from Walnut Hill, and front passenger, a 47-year-old male from Walnut Hill were both critically injured.
Authorities said six children, ages 3-14, were riding in the bed of the pickup and were ejected when it overturned. All six were critically injured.
The children were girls ages 3, 4, 8, and 11, and boys ages 10 and 14.
Several of the victims were airlifted in three medical helicopters, and the remainder were transported by four responding Escambia County EMS ambulances. All were transported as “trauma alerts” to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s also responded.
Any charges against the driver are pending from FHP as their investigation continues.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott’s Pharmacy Proposes Construction Of New Molino Location
July 7, 2024
Scott’s Pharmacy is planning a new standalone location in Molino.
At 11,100 square feet, the pharmacy and retail building will be located at the northeast corner of Highway 29 and Molino Road, which is across Highway 29 from their current location and just south of a Florida Power & Light substation.
The location’s parking lot will have access from both Highway 29 and Molino Road, according to submitted plans from owner Ron Scott of Pace.
The proposal is set for final hearing before the Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday, July 10.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
EREC Warns Of Door-To-Door Fiber Internet Scam
July 7, 2024
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is warning members about a potential door-to-door scam involving fiber internet.
EREC said an individual pretending to be from Conexon Connect fiber internet has been knocking on doors saying that he is responding to service calls.
EREC said that a Conexon employee will only visit a home with an appointment. They will also have an identification badge and wear a Conexon Connect shirt or uniform.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Crash Involving Pickup With Trailer And Boat Closes Part Of I-65
July 7, 2024
A crash involving a pickup truck towing a trailer with a boat closed one lane of I-65 in Escambia County, Alabama, for about two hours Saturday afternoon.
The outside northbound lane was closed for the cleanup following the 1:12 p.m. crash, according to troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
There were no serious injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Is Who Claimed A $55K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Davisville
July 7, 2024
We now know who had a winning $55,000Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket worth over $66,000 sold in Davisville
The quick pick ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop next to the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 was one of two winning tickets in the June 25 evening drawing and is worth $55,099.86. The other winning ticket was sold at a Publix in Wilton Manors in the Miami metro.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by George DeWayne Byrne of Leroy, Alabama.
The winning numbers were 2-9-27-28-30.
One Shot And Killed Saturday Morning in Escambia County
July 7, 2024
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has determined this shooting was a suicide.
A man was shot and killed Saturday morning in Escambia County.
The shooting happened about 10:40 a.m. near Beggs Lane and North Palafox Street. The victim reportedly suffered a single gunshot wound.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and hasn not released further details.
Good Chance Of Scattered Storms Today
July 7, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 108. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Texas Braces For Beryl Landfall
July 7, 2024
Beryl is forecast to bring damaging hurricane force winds to the lower and middle Texas coast Sunday night into Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
There is a Coastal Flood Advisory and High Rip Current Risk in effect for Northwest Florida Minor coastal flooding through Sunday night.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.
Berry, Blue Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Biscuits
July 7, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split a doubleheader with the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday night, falling 4-0 in game one but rallying to take game two 4-1 behind a dominant performance from Jacob Berry.
In game one, the Pensacola offense managed just three singles as Cole Wilcox (W, 6-2) outdueled Jonathan Bermúdez (L, 3-4) in a 4-0 final. The Biscuits took a lead on solo homers from Jalen Battles in the third and Carson Williams in the fourth, and added insurance on a Battles two-run single later in the inning.
In game two, Berry stole the show with a 3-for-4 performance. He opened the scoring with a two-run homer off starter Adam Leverett (L, 3-3) in the second, and added a pair of doubles as the Blue Wahoos won 4-1.
Tristan Stevens (W, 1-0) allowed just an unearned run over 5.0 innings to secure his first career Double-A win for the Blue Wahoos. Chandler Jozwiak worked a scoreless inning of relief to set up closer Austin Roberts (S, 15) for his league-leading 15th save.
The Blue Wahoos split their six games against the Biscuits, taking two of three in Pensacola before salvaging the final game of their series in Montgomery. They end a taxing stretch of 12 games in 12 days with a 6-6 record.
After two consecutive off days, the Blue Wahoos return to action against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Tuesday night for a six-game road series. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.