Anticipated hunting season dates for mourning and white-winged doves

We anticipate the 2014-15 hunting season dates for mourning and white-winged doves to be:

First phase: Sept. 27 - Oct. 27
Second phase: Nov. 8 - Dec.1
Third phase: Dec.12 - Jan.15, 2015
(Note: The official dates will be posted by mid-August when they are released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).


Shooting Hours:
First phase - noon to sunset
Second & third phases - ½-hour before sunrise to sunset

Bag limit (daily/possession): 15/45


Read more at http://www.myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/dove-hotline/statewide/

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Florida DEP permit activity for Gulf and Wakulla counties

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOB MARTINEZ CENTER 2600 BLAIRSTONE ROAD TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2400

RICK SCOTT GOVERNOR CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA LT. GOVERNOR HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. SECRETARY

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: OCEAN VIEW DRIVE RIP RAP Location id: 328116 Location name: OCEAN VIEW DRIVE - RIP RAP County: Wakulla Application number: 328116-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Panama City ) permitting office in Panama City at (850) 872-4375 Permit: Water - Individual With No Conceptual Approval Permit Project Name: CAUSEY - BROTHERS RIVER Location id: 280277 Location name: BRAD CAUSEY- BROTHERS RIVER / HOWARD CREEK County: Gulf Application number: 280277-003 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Franklin County Humane Society Pet of the Week

SHASTA is a beautiful and gentle spaniel.  She is about a year and a half
old and will make a great indoor companion.  She is heartworm positive
but we can have her treated for the adopter.  If someone would like to
sponsor her heartworm treatment, please call 850-670-8417 to discuss.

Volunteers are desperately needed to socialize all of our dogs and cats.
We are always looking for people willing to bring one of our animals into
their home to be fostered for various needs. Anytime you can spare would
be greatly appreciated.

Call Karen at 670-8417 for more details or visit the Franklin County
Humane Society at 244 State Road 65 in Eastpoint.  You may logon to the
website at www.forgottenpets.org to see more of our adoptable pets.




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Anticipated 2014-15 waterfowl season dates

We anticipate the 2014-15 waterfowl season dates to be: • Early Canada Goose: Sept. 6-24 • September teal and wood duck: Sept. 20-24 • September teal only: Sept. 25-28 • Regular Season (ducks, coots, and light geese): Nov. 22 - Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 - Jan. 25, 2015 • Regular Season (Canada Goose): Nov. 22 - Jan. 30, 2015 • Youth duck and goose: Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2015 (Note: All dates below are anticipated and subject to change until finalized. The official dates will be posted by mid-August when they are released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Read more at http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/waterfowl/.

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Agenda and information for July 29th Franklin County school board budget hearing and special meeting

  07-29-14 Special Meeting-Tentative Budget Hearing (1)

  07 29 14 Special Meeting_Redacted

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Resurfacing work begins this week on state Road 22

Resurfacing work on State Road 22 between the Bay County line and the Wetappo Creek Bridge in Gulf County will begin today.  

The project also includes minor drainage improvements, new guardrail, signage and pavement markings. 

Construction on the 1.5 million dollar project is expected to be complete this winter.

The work will impact drivers.

Drivers can expect alternating daytime lane closures in the north and southbound lanes.

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Help needed for Apalachicola family who lost everything in a fire on Saturday

                        A house fire in Apalachicola destroyed the Apalachicola home of Charles and Tammy Taunton on Saturday.

The family of four, a mother, father and two teenage children lost their home, which was a total loss, as well as their 3 dogs.

Donations are being sought to help the family, they need everything from clothes to household items.

An account has been set up at Centennial Bank in the name of Randi Mae Dempsey for Charles and Tammy Taunton.

If you would like to assist the family or for more information you can call Sandi Hengle, Franklin County Schools Homeless Liaison at 850-323-0982.    

We have put a list of clothing sizes for the family on the oyster radio facebook page and at oysterradio.com.

11 shoes
33 30 pants
33 shorts 
Medium shirt

33 short
33 29 pants
Large shirt
10.5 shoes

34 shorts
Large shirt 
10.5
34 29 pants

2x shirts
Xl sweat pants
7 shoes

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Lane closure expected between Eastpoint and Carrabelle on Tuesday

Driving between Eastpoint and Carrabelle will take a little longer than usual on Tuesday.

The westbound lane of Highway 98 will be closed approximately two miles east of Highway 65 most of the day Tuesday while crews repair the cross drain headwall and pipe that was damaged during a traffic accident.

The lane closure will likely be in effect from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. so remember to expect some delays.

All construction activities are weather dependent and motorists are reminded to pay attention and use caution when driving through the work zone. 

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Amberjack, gray triggerfish reopen Aug.1 in Gulf state waters

Amberjack, gray triggerfish reopen Aug.1 in Gulf state waters The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state waters (shore to 9 nautical miles) reopens Aug. 1. In Gulf federal waters, greater amberjack will also open Aug. 1, but gray triggerfish will remain closed through Dec. 31. In both state and federal Gulf waters, greater amberjack must be larger than 30 inches when measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail to be harvested when the season is open. There is a daily bag limit of one fish per person. Gray triggerfish must be larger than 14 inches when measured from the lower jaw to the fork of the tail to be taken in state and federal Gulf waters when the season is open. There is a two-fish daily bag limit per person. Seasonal harvest closures, as well as size and bag limits, help conserve Florida’s valuable greater amberjack and gray triggerfish populations and improve opportunities in these fisheries for the future. Learn more about recreational fishing at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater” and “Recreational Regulations.”

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Imported lionfish not welcome in Florida

Imported lionfish not welcome in Florida Florida is known as a tourist-friendly state, but starting Aug. 1, one visitor will no longer be welcome: the invasive lionfish. Introduced into Florida waters in the late 1980s, lionfish populations have boomed in recent years, negatively impacting native wildlife and habitat. Several management changes go into effect Aug. 1 that will help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) combat the growing problem by making it easier for lionfish hunters to remove the spiny predators and limiting further introduction of the species into the waters. Changes include: Prohibiting the importation of live lionfish; Allowing lionfish to be removed via spearfishing when diving with a rebreather, a device that recycles air and allows divers to remain in the water for longer periods of time (currently, you cannot spear any fish when using a rebreather); and Allowing participants of approved tournaments and other organized events to spear lionfish or other invasive species in areas where spearfishing is not currently allowed (such as certain state parks or refuges). This will be done through a permitting system. See or catch a lionfish? Report a sighting by downloading the new Report Florida Lionfish app on a smart device or by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Recreational Regulations” (under “Saltwater”) and then “Lionfish.” To learn more about lionfish, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Lionfish.”

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Deadline Approaching for Recently Modified Federally Permitted Seafood Dealer Reporting Requirements

Below is a Southeast Fishery Bulletin recently distributed from NOAA Fisheries Service. To see the complete list of Fishery Bulletins visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/index.html.  SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN (Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic)  FB14-054                  727-824-5305 Rick.DeVictor@noaa.gov or Rich.Malinowski@noaa.gov      July 28, 2014         August 7, 2014, Deadline Approaching for the Recently Modified Federally Permitted Seafood Dealer Reporting Requirements NOAA Fisheries modified the reporting requirements for federally permitted seafood dealers on April 9, 2014 (79 FR 19490), that will become effective on August 7, 2014. The actions are specified in a final rule for the Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions (79 FR 19490). Changes to Reporting Requirements The most notable changes involve how and when reports must be submitted. The rule implements the following five items: (1)   Establishes a new, single dealer permit (called the Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit) that is required to purchase products managed in the fishery management plans listed below. See the description under the heading "Effective Dates" within this bulletin for an explanation of when this permit is required for dealers with or without an existing valid federal dealer permit for any Gulf or South Atlantic fishery. South Atlantic Fishery Management Plans Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region *Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Spiny Lobster of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic *South Atlantic rock shrimp only Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Plans Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources Red Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico Spiny Lobster of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Atlantic Fishery Management Plans Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States (2)   Purchase forms must be submitted online, once per week. Forms will be due by 11:59 p.m., local time, every Tuesday. (3)   Dealers reporting purchases of king mackerel landed by the gillnet sector for the Gulf West Coast Florida Southern Sub-Zone will be required to submit forms daily by 6:00 a.m., local time. (4) If no purchase is made, a no-purchase form must also be submitted online, once per week. (5) Delinquent reports will automatically result in Gulf and South Atlantic dealers becoming ineligible to receive the specified federally managed species regardless of any notification by NOAA Fisheries. A dealer is only authorized to receive the specified federally managed species if the dealer's previous reports have been submitted and received by NOAA Fisheries. In addition, the permit office will not renew the new single permit if there are deficiencies in these reporting requirements. Need for Action This action will improve the completeness and timeliness of purchase information. The current reporting frequency may result in landings significantly less or greater than the annual catch limits. Underages leave fish unharvested. Overages may trigger management measures, which have the potential to result in significant disruption in fishing behavior and reductions in revenue and profit for fishermen. Overages may also affect the ability of stocks to rebuild when overfished and may lead to overfishing conditions. Effective Dates The reporting requirements, as listed previously in this bulletin (i.e., weekly, electronic submittal of purchase and no-purchase forms), are effective beginning August 7, 2014. Dealers that currently do not have a valid federal dealer permit for any Gulf or South Atlantic fishery may submit an application for a Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit beginning April 9, 2014. Dealers that currently do have a dealer permit may continue to use their existing dealer permit until their existing permit(s) expire(s), but must report as required for the Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit as of August 7, 2014. It is important to note that the Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit is not effective until August 7, 2014. For More Information Electronic copies of the amendment and rule may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/generic/2013/dealer_reporting/index.html For more information on the revised dealer requirements, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the NOAA Fisheries Web site. About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.       Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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The Florida Forest Service Invites Citizens to Provide Input on Important Forestland Protection Program

  2014 FLP Workshop Announcement

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Swim Advisory Rescinded for Salinas Park Public Access Dock

A swim advisory is no longer in effect for the sampling location at the Salinas Park public access dock in Gulf County.

Water samples have resulted in satisfactory bacteriological results.

No other sampling location is under a swim advisory at this time.

For more information, you may contact the Gulf County Health Department, 850-227-1276, x 125.

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Franklin County School Board tentative millage and budget public hearing on Tuesday

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Apalachicola home destroyed in Saturday fire

Firefighters were busy on Saturday after a house fire on 25^th street in Apalachicola.

The home belonged to Charles and Tammy Taunton.

Volunteer fire departments from Apalachicola, Eastpoint and St. George Island were called out to fight the blaze, but the home was a total loss.

Luckily no one was hurt in the blaze.

The fire was reported just after 3:30 Saturday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but is believed to be electrical.

Donations are being sought to help the family, they need everything from clothes to household items.

You can donate by calling 653.5814 or by dropping an e-mail to grannyking_2008@yahoo.com.

We have put a list of clothing sizes for the family on the oyster radio facebook page and at oysterradio.com.

11 shoes
33 30 pants
33 shorts 
Medium shirt

33 short
33 29 pants
Large shirt
10.5 shoes

34 shorts
Large shirt 
10.5
34 29 pants

2x shirts
Xl sweat pants
7 shoes

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Heat Advisory in effect for Sunday

.HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO
7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING.

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A HEAT
ADVISORY.WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO
7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING.

* HEAT INDEX.NEAR 108 DEGREES.

* IMPACTS.THESE CONDITIONS WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF HEAT
 RELATED ILLNESSES.SUCH AS HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HEAT INDICES BETWEEN
108 & 112 DEGREES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT
TEMPS & HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION
IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS.
STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM.STAY OUT OF THE SUN.& CHECK
UP ON RELATIVES & NEIGHBORS.

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Florida DEP permit activity for Wakulla County

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOB MARTINEZ CENTER 2600 BLAIRSTONE ROAD TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2400

RICK SCOTT GOVERNOR CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA LT. GOVERNOR HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. SECRETARY

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION Location id: 328166 Location name: COCHRAN OYSTER BAY County: Wakulla Application number: 328166-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Florida DEP permit activity for Wakulla and Franklin Counties

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOB MARTINEZ CENTER 2600 BLAIRSTONE ROAD TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2400

RICK SCOTT GOVERNOR CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA LT. GOVERNOR HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. SECRETARY

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - Dredge and Fill Permit Project Name: LOT 1 & 2 TIGER HAMMOCK Location id: 266543 Location name: LOTS 1 AND 2 TIGER HAMMOCK ROAD County: Wakulla Application number: 266543-003 For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Panama City ) permitting office in Panama City at (850) 872-4375 Permit: Water - Dredge and Fill Permit Project Name: LTJ, INC HB EXTENSION 7023 Location id: 250900 Location name: LTJ, INC (106 ST. JAMES AVENUE) O-002 County: Franklin Application number: 250900-003 For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Panama City ) permitting office in Panama City at (850) 872-4375

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Swim advisory issued for Mash's Sands Beach in Wakulla County

The Wakulla County Health Department has issued a "NO" Swim Advisory for Mashes Sands Beach due to the water quality.  If you have any questions, please contact the Wakulla County Health Department at850-926-0401 or visit DOH Beach Water Quality Website atwww.floridahealth.com/beachwater

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Red tide causes large fish kill in northeast Gulf of Mexico

         

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed a large-scale offshore fish kill in the northeast Gulf of Mexico. Citizens have reported observations of thousands of dead and dying bottom-dwelling reef fish, including grouper, hogfish, white grunt, triggerfish and snapper, as well as sea turtles and crabs, to the FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline. Water quality is poor in the region with several reports of black water.

On July 23, FWC Law Enforcement took scientists to collect fish, water samples and water quality data from six locations offshore of Hernando County. Sample analysis confirmed a bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis. Blooms of Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico are naturally occurring and have been documented since the 1700s

Satellite images from the Optical Oceanography Lab at the University of South Florida revealed an extensive surface bloom approximately 80 miles long and up to 50 miles wide in waters 40 to 90 miles offshore between Dixie and Pasco counties. Short-term forecasts of bloom movement by the Center for Prediction of Red Tides do not predict considerable movement of the bloom patch in upcoming days.

To report fish kills to the FWC, contact the Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online at Research.MyFWC.com/FishKill. For updated red tide status reports, to track blooms or to learn more about red tide, visit MyFWC.com/RedTide.
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FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 07/18 - 07/24/2014

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

July 18 - July 24, 2014

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.

Patrol, Protect, Preserve

NORTHWEST REGION

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Manning and Officer Livesay conducted an offshore patrol in state waters focusing on the red snapper closed season. They seized several red Snapper, undersized king mackerel and greater amberjack. They wrote two resource citations, one boating safety citation and three resource warnings. .

Officer Pineda and Lieutenant Lambert were patrolling Little Sabine.  Officer Pineda observed a vessel leave a sandbar and begin driving erratically.  Concerned for the safety of the people on board and others around, the officers made a vessel stop.  After further investigation, it was determined that the operator was boating under the influence of alcohol.  The operator was cited for BUI and transported to the Escambia County Jail.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Officer Forehand was working in a covert capacity in the Caryville area when he observed several subjects preparing three separate vessels to go fishing on the Choctawhatchee River. He noted that the subjects were loading the vessels with coolers and nets and no fishing poles. He also overheard the subjects talking about chains and cables. Officer Forehand waited for them to return and contacted K-9 Officer Guy to respond to the area for assistance. Shortly after sunset, the three vessels returned to the boat ramp a few minutes apart. Officer Forehand made contact with the subjects in an attempt to view any obvious violations. The subjects acted very nervous and seemed eager to recover their vessels and depart the area. Officer Forehand identified himself and began to conduct a resource inspection of the subjects and their vessels. Officer Guy arrived on scene to assist. The subjects had numerous catfish in each vessel and no legal fishing gear upon inspection. During the inspections, one of the subjects admitted to using a shocking device to catch the fish and disclosed its location in one of the vessels. He also disclosed the location of the cables and chains used to shock the fish. Seven subjects were issued citations for taking freshwater fish by illegal method.

BAY COUNTY

Officers Gore and Hellett were conducting surveillance at the St. Andrews Park jetties when they observed two snorkelers with pole spears and no dive flag working the jetty rocks. After about twenty minutes, the snorkelers were checked and found to possess a speared spade fish. A citation was issued for spear fishing in a state park and written warnings issued for the dive flag violation.

FRANKLIN

Officers Allen, Marlow, Stephens, Jones, Martin, Harrison, Anderson and Nelson worked a Boating Safety detail working the Apalachicola Bay Area. There were 52 vessels and 111 users checked resulting in 8 citations and 35 warnings issued. This included multiple cases for commercial possession of undersized oysters, a BUI arrest, and Medical Emergency assistance.

Officers Marlow and Jones were working Apalachicola River and observed a vessel operating up river. The vessel eventually drove up into the marsh. Officers Marlow and Jones went to investigate and Officers Allen, Stephens and Martin were in a separate vessel and went to investigate as well. Upon coming on scene, the vessel was observed still in forward gear with the operator slumped over the steering wheel and unresponsive. The operator was eventually awakened after several minutes and was transported to EMS for evaluation and refused treatment. The operator showed signs of impairment and field sobriety tasks were completed. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence.

WAKULLA

While working the Cherokee Sink Tract of Wakulla Springs State Park, Officer Marlow observed two vehicles parked on the west-side boundary and tracked several sets of foot tracks to an eight-foot fence that is posted “No Trespassing.” The tracks continued onto the other side and down to the sink. Officer Marlow located 14 individuals at the sink. Officers Raker, Maynard and Anderson arrived to assist and 17 warnings and 6 citations were issued to the group ranging from Fee Evasion, Unlawful Entry, and Alcoholic Beverage Consumption.

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