FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Rules, River Rescues
July 31, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Major Rondeau and Officers Hahr and Allgood were patrolling offshore and conducted boating safety and resource inspections on two boats. The boats were in possession of undersized red snapper. Both vessel captains were cited for possession of undersized red snapper.
Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol and conducted resource inspections on a boat returning from fishing with a large bag of snapper and other reef fish. The man and woman were in possession of 22 vermillion snapper, two over the bag limit. The captain of the vessel was cited for the bag limit violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was patrolling in the Blackwater State Forest when he encountered a camper he had spoken with earlier about litter around her campsite. As he was talking to her, he observed drug paraphernalia on her car hood. The woman grabbed it and tried to bury it in a mud puddle and ignored Officer Lewis’ commands to stop. As he tried to take the woman into custody, her pit bulldog attacked the officer. The woman was subdued and arrested for resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence.
Officers Burkhead, Lugg, and Ramos assisted in a search for overdue boaters who were trapped in severe weather on Escambia River. The boaters had run out of fuel and were lost on Escambia River after going night fishing. The officers located and assisted the boaters safely back to a local boat ramp.
Officers Wilkenson, Lugg, and Burkhead assisted in a search for two kayakers who were caught in severe weather on Blackwater River. The kayakers launched from Bryant Bridge Road and proceeded down river. Swift current from a storm overturned one of their kayaks. They were able to swim to a sandbar. The officers located them and transported them safely back to a boat ramp with the assistance of Munson Fire Rescue.
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.
Gibson Road Bridge In Molino Has Been One Lane For Two Years. Now It’s Set For Replacement.
July 30, 2023
Escambia County is set to award a $2 million contract this week to replace the 64-year old Alligator Creek bridge on Gibson Road in Molino.
It is a 78-foot wood-supported bridge was constructed in 1959 and is currently beyond its designed service life. It’s also listed as being structural deficient, and there is history of the creek overtopping the bridge. In August 2020, the eastbound lane of the bridge was closed after a failed Florida Department of Transportation inspection.
The proposed replacement bridge will be 102 feet long and over 37 feet wide. The bridge will be a three-span precast concrete structure supported by prestressed concrete piles, and the bridge height will be raised above flood levels. Associated roadway improvements on Gibson Road include approximately 463 feet of roadway replacement and widening.
Gibson Road will be closed for the duration of the project, estimated to be 280 days once construction begins.
Only two companies bid on the project, with the low bid of $1,982,623.88 from RJ Gorman Contracting. An additional $238,286.80 contract is set to be awarded to Neel-Shaffer, Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the contract awards at a meeting on Thursday.
Gibson Road connects Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
D.R. Horton’s Proposal Down To $24.1 Million For OLF-8. Here’s Exactly What They Are Offering.
July 30, 2023
D.R. Horton’s offer for the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road has been dropped from $42 million for over 500 acres to $24.1 million for 297 acres.
That’s because Escambia County is holding back 241 acres for job creation near the Navy Federal Credit Union campus.
D.R. Horton proposed to use 99 acres for commercial use including restaurants, retail, offices, medical and a town center. The plan also shows 170 acres with 1,133 residential units, including 360 townhomes and 336 apartments.
To read the entire 27-page D.R. Horton offer, click or tap here (pdf).
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
July 30, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until fall when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) – Drivers may encounter lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Monday, July 31 through Friday, Aug. 4 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers will encounter alternating daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform drainage work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance from Exit 5 (U.S. 90) to Exit 22 (Avalon Boulevard) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for guardrail repairs.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Olive Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Turn Lane and Intersection Construction at the new Pensacola Christian College Baptist Hospital Campus – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 30 through Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operation.
- S.R. 291 (North Davis Highway) Routine Utility Maintenance near East Fairfield Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of specific areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, July 30, through Friday, Aug. 4, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, July 31 and Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Three People Shot At Olive Road Apartment Complex
July 30, 2023
Three people were shot at an Escambia County apartment complex Saturday afternoon.
Pensacola Police said the shooting happened at the Northwoods Apartments on Olive Road near 9th avenue sometime before 5 p.m.
“Police responded to a local hospital after one of the victims managed to drive themselves to the hospital after being shot,” Officer Gregory Gordon, public information officer, said in a release.
PPD responded to the apartment complex and found “evidence of gunfire”.
At last report, three victims were being treated. An update on their condition was not available.
The investigation is continuing.
Eder Fans Ten As Blue Wahoos Beat Braves 7-2
July 30, 2023
Jake Eder had his most dominant start since his return from Tommy John surgery, striking out 10 batters over 5.2 one-hit innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 7-2 on Saturday night.
Eder (W, 2-1) pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this year, allowing only a Hudson Potts solo homer as the Blue Wahoos secured a series win in their six-game set against the Braves.
Bennett Hostetler led the Pensacola offense, opening the scoring with a two-run double against Luis De Avila (L, 5-6) in the second and adding a two-run homer in the sixth.
Mississippi threatened to tie the game twice, but were shut down both times. In the fifth, a leadoff hit batsman came around to score thanks to an Eder throwing error and a Beau Philip RBI groundout to bring the score to 3-2. With the tying run at third base, Eder struck out Cody Milligan to end the inning.
In the eighth, the Braves loaded the bases with an error and two scratch singles before Jefry Yan (S, 11) entered to face Tyler Tolve representing the tying run in a 6-2 game. Yan fanned the Mississippi catcher on three pitches to end the inning, and returned for the ninth to strike out three more batters and earn his league-leading 11th save.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series and road trip against the Braves on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Continues
July 29, 2023
Florida’s two-week back to school sales tax holiday continues through August 6.
Items exempt from sales tax include:
- Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
- Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less
- Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
“Getting ready for the new school year can be an expensive time for Floridians, and that is why I’m encouraging Florida families to take full advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday. This tax break will help families ensure their children have all the supplies they need to reach their full academic potential this school year,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.
For the complete, detailed list, click here.
Century Man Sentenced For Stealing Semi Truck And Its $80,000 Cargo
July 29, 2023
A Century man was recently sentenced for stealing a semi truck and its cargo of $80,000 worth of rolled steel.
Aftered pleading no contest, Cecil Devon Brown, 41, was found guilty of grand theft of a motor vehicle, first degree felony grand theft of cargo valued at $50,000 or more in interstate commerce, and criminal mischief with property damage. He was sentenced to 24 months probation after credit for 123 days served. He was also ordered to maintain employment, pay fines and costs, and make $1,400 in restitution to the victim payable at a minimum of $100 a month.
The victim told investigators that she hired Brown to drive her 2007 Volvo semi and the rolled steel cargo from Mobile to Pensacola to Birmingham before making a return delivery to Milton. She said he did pick up the truck and cargo and drove it to Pensacola, but then she lost contact with Brown. She stated that she texted him and told him there was a tracking device on the truck, then the GPS device went offline.
Another of the victim’s drivers spotted the truck in Flomaton. The victim found the trailer and rolled steel parked next to the Dollar General at 9410 North Century Boulevard, but the truck was missing. While she was there, Brown pulled up in her Volvo semi truck and ran away, according to an arrest report.
Deputies located Brown nearby at his residence on Ivey Street.
According to the report, Brown was suspected in the theft of a Garmin truck GPS and $520 he received to purchase diesel fuel. The truck’s radio was also ripped from the dash, causing about $300 in damage.
The truck, trailer and $80,000 worth of rolled steel were released to the owner.
Staffed Escambia Fire Stations Are ‘Safe Havens’ For Newborns
July 29, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue stations that are staffed 24/7 have been designated as Safe Havens for newborns.
Safe Haven is considered a safety net for both the mother and the newborn infant. The program allows mothers, fathers or whoever is in possession of an unharmed newborn, approximately seven days old or less, to leave them with someone at Safe Havens with full anonymity and no questions asked.
Safe Haven locations include staffed fire stations, hospitals or any staffed emergency medical service station. Once a baby is delivered to a Safe Haven, a local participating adoption agency is contacted.
“ECFR is proud to partner with A Safe Haven for Newborns to provide mothers a safe, secure location to drop off a newborn child while remaining anonymous,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “This program also offers a confidential 24/7 toll-free helpline as a resource for mother-to-be or mothers of newborn babies. The program has saved over 300 newborn babies in Florida alone. We now have the Safe Haven signs on all our stations that are staffed 24/7.”
Woman Convicted Of Battery, Child Abuse In Death Of Her Daughter
July 29, 2023
Friday, an Escambia County woman was found guilty of battery and child abuse for an incident that claimed her daughter’s life in 2021.
Jessica Ann Caroline Bortle, 36, was originally charged with negligent manslaughter and aggravate child abuse for the death of 14-year old Jasmine Singletary inside Sacred Heart Hospital.
A jury returned a guilty verdict Friday on lesser charges of battery and child abuse.
Pensacola Police said Singletary — described as a special needs patient with a neuromuscular disorder — was in her room at Sacred Heart with her grandmother and Bortle.
Jasmine unexpectedly lost consciousness and stopped breathing, police said. Hospital staff began life saving procedures, but those efforts were unsuccessful and Jasmine died.
The autopsy showed that Jasmine had suffered massive injuries to her ribs and her liver. Those injuries were not present when she was admitted to the hospital.
Pensacola Police investigators said they determined that the injuries were caused by Bortle. An arrest report states told police that she “slammed the hospital table into Singletary’s abdomen and then leaned onto the table with her weight” after she became angry after Jasmine cussed at her over color crayons.
During her trial, Bortle maintained that it was all an accident.
Bortle is set to be sentenced on October 4. She remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.