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TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV DISCUSSION NUMBER 10

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TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV DISCUSSION NUMBER 10
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
1100 AM EDT WED AUG 27 2008

GUSTAV HAS BEEN SLOW TO DEPART THE SOUTHWEST PENINSULA OF HAITI. HOWEVER RECENT HIGH-RESOLUTION VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGES AND RADAR OBSERVATIONS FROM GRAN PIEDRA CUBA SUGGEST THAT THE TROPICAL CYCLONE IS GRADUALLY BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED. THE LAST AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE OBSERVATIONS IN THE STORM DID NOT ACTUALLY SUPPORT AN INTENSITY OF 50 KT...BUT BASED ON THE TREND SEEN IN THE SATELLITE PRESENTATION WE ASSUME THAT GUSTAV IS PROBABLY VERY NEAR THAT INTENSITY BY NOW. CIRRUS MOTIONS INDICATE SOME MODEST NORTHERLY SHEAR OVER THE SYSTEM BUT OTHERWISE THE ENVIRONMENT SEEMS TO BE FAVORABLE FOR STRENGTHENING...ONCE GUSTAV PULLS AWAY FROM HAITI. THE OFFICIAL INTENSITY FORECAST IS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ONE THROUGH DAY 3. GLOBAL MODELS SHOW SOME INCREASE IN SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR AT DAYS 4 AND 5... SO WE SHOW LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IN THE LATTER PART OF THE FORECAST PERIOD. NOTWITHSTANDING...THERE IS VERY LITTLE...IF ANY...SKILL IN INTENSITY PREDICTIONS AT THESE EXTENDED RANGES. INDEED...IF ONE LOOKS AT THE LATEST WIND SPEED PROBABILITY PRODUCT INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE...IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THERE IS NEARLY AN EQUAL CHANCE THAT GUSTAV WILL BE A CATEGORY 1...CATEGORY 2...OR CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE AT THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD. THE CENTER HAS BEEN WOBBLING AS IT INTERACTED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS LANDMASS OF SOUTHWESTERN HAITI. HOWEVER A SLOW WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION...290/4...APPEARS TO HAVE RESUMED THIS MORNING. A 500 MB HIGH CENTERED NEAR FLORIDA WITH AN ASSOCIATED RIDGE EXTENDING EASTWARD AND WESTWARD IS EXPECTED TO DRIVE THE STORM TOWARD THE WEST OR WEST-NORTHWEST OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. BEGINNING AROUND DAY 3...THE GLOBAL MODELS SHOW SOME WEAKENING OF THE THE RIDGE OVER THE EAST-CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO. THIS SHOULD CAUSE GUSTAV TO GRADUALLY TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST IN 4 TO 5 DAYS. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS NHC TRACK THROUGH 72 HOURS AND IS SHIFTED A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT BY DAY 5. ONE SHOULD NOT READ MUCH INTO SUCH SHIFTS OF THE FORECAST TRACK SINCE THE TYPICAL ERROR OF A 5-DAY PREDICTION IS OVER 300 MILES. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 27/1500Z 18.8N 74.0W 50 KT 12HR VT 28/0000Z 19.0N 74.8W 55 KT 24HR VT 28/1200Z 19.2N 76.0W 60 KT 36HR VT 29/0000Z 19.3N 77.5W 70 KT 48HR VT 29/1200Z 19.9N 79.4W 80 KT 72HR VT 30/1200Z 21.5N 83.0W 100 KT 96HR VT 31/1200Z 24.5N 86.0W 100 KT 120HR VT 01/1200Z 28.5N 88.5W 100 KT

Disaster-related News Releases

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Disaster-related News Releases

Click HERE to read the latest Storm-related News Releases.

HURRICANE GUSTAV DISCUSSION NUMBER 6

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HURRICANE GUSTAV DISCUSSION NUMBER 6
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
1100 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE MISSION EARLY THIS MORNING FOUND PEAK FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS OF 91 KT...AND AN SFMR SURFACE WIND OF 78 KT. THESE MEASUREMENTS SUPPORT AN INITIAL INTENSITY OF 80 KT. A DROPSONDE RELEASED IN THE EYE OF GUSTAV DURING THE LAST AIRCRAFT PASS THROUGH THE CENTER JUST BEFORE 1200 UTC...FOUND A SURFACE PRESSURE OF 982 MB...BUT WITH 12 KT OF WIND AT THE SURFACE...SO THE MINIMUM PRESSURE HAS BEEN ESTIMATED SLIGHTLY LOWER. THE AIRCRAFT AND EARLIER MICROWAVE SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATE THE PRESENCE OF A VERY SMALL EYE...HOWEVER THE EYE HAS NOT YET BECOME APPARENT IN CONVENTIONAL SATELLITE IMAGERY. GUSTAV CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTHWESTWARD TOWARD THE SOUTHERN COAST OF HAITI...WITH AN INITIAL MOTION ESTIMATE OF 325/8. TRACK MODEL GUIDANCE IS IN GOOD AGREEMENT ON A TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST VERY SOON AROUND THE SOUTH SIDE OF A MID- TO UPPER-LEVEL RIDGE LOCATED OVER FLORIDA. THERE REMAINS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SPREAD IN THE MODELS AT 72 HOURS AND BEYOND. THE 00Z UKMET AND ECMWF MODELS MAINTAIN THE RIDGE OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO...WHICH KEEPS GUSTAVE MOVING WESTWARD TOWARDS THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. THE GFDL...HWRF...AND GFS WEAKEN THE RIDGE WHICH ALLOWS FOR A WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION INTO THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO. THE NEW NHC TRACK FORECAST LEANS TOWARD THE GFS/HWRF SCENARIO AND IS A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT OF THE MODEL CONSENSUS. CONDITIONS APPEAR FAVORABLE FOR ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING BEFORE THE CENTER REACHES MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF HAITI. SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING GUSTAV'S PASSAGE OVER LAND...AND SINCE IT IS A VERY SMALL SYSTEM IT COULD WEAKEN A LITTLE MORE THAN SHOWN BELOW. THEREAFTER...GUSTAV IS EXPECTED TO BE OVER WARM WATERS AND IN A LOW SHEAR ENVIRONMENT...WHICH FAVORS STRENGTHENING. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS BELOW THAT OF THE GFDL... BUT IS CLOSE TO THE INTENSITY CONSENSUS AND THE HWRF. ONE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT 4 AND 5 DAY FORECASTS ARE SUBJECT TO POTENTIALLY LARGE ERRORS IN BOTH LOCATION AND INTENSITY. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 26/1500Z 17.9N 72.4W 80 KT 12HR VT 27/0000Z 18.6N 73.3W 75 KT 24HR VT 27/1200Z 19.1N 74.6W 80 KT 36HR VT 28/0000Z 19.3N 75.9W 85 KT 48HR VT 28/1200Z 19.4N 77.3W 90 KT 72HR VT 29/1200Z 19.9N 80.2W 100 KT 96HR VT 30/1200Z 21.5N 83.5W 105 KT 120HR VT 31/1200Z 24.0N 87.0W 105 KT

Coast Guard Underway

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Coast Guard Underway (Video)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Coast Guard boat crew returns from Downtown Jacksonville during Tropical Storm Fay on Aug. 22, 2008.

Click HERE to View.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN

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TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN
DISCUSSION NUMBER 1

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
1100 AM EDT MON AUG 25 2008

VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ORGANIZATION OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING IN THE CARIBBEAN. WELL-DEFINED CURVED BAND FEATURES HAVE DEVELOPED... PARTICULARLY OVER THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE SYSTEM. ANALYSIS OF DIRECTIONAL AMBIGUITIES FROM A QUIKSCAT OVERPASS INDICATED A SURFACE CIRCULATION CENTER. THEREFORE WE ARE INITIATING ADVISORIES ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN. AN SSM/IS IMAGE FROM SEVERAL HOURS AGO DEPICTED AN EYE-LIKE FEATURE AT THE 91 GHZ FREQUENCY...BUT IT WAS NOT EVIDENT ON THE 37 GHZ CHANNEL. SINCE THE LATTER CHANNEL IS MORE SENSITIVE TO THE LOWER-LEVELS... THIS EYE-LIKE FEATURE WAS PRIMARILY ALOFT. INTERESTINGLY HOWEVER...THE GEOSTATIONARY IMAGES ALSO SHOW A RELATIVELY CLEAR AREA NEAR THE CENTER THAT RESEMBLES AN EYE. OUR INITIAL INTENSITY ESTIMATE IS CONSERVATIVELY SET AT 30 KT BASED ON AN EARLIER REPORT FROM NOAA DATA BUOY 42059. OBSERVATIONS FROM AN UPCOMING AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER MISSION SHOULD GIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE STRENGTH OF THE SYSTEM. UPPER-LEVEL OUTFLOW IS WELL-DEFINED OVER ALL BUT THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT. ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC CONDITIONS APPEAR FAVORABLE FOR INTENSIFICATION AND THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS CLOSE TO THE LATEST SHIPS GUIDANCE. CURIOUSLY...THE GFS HAS FAILED TO PREDICT DEVELOPMENT OF THE CYCLONE THUS FAR. INITIAL MOTION IS ABOUT 305/13 ALTHOUGH RECENT IMAGES SUGGEST THAT THE MOTION MAY BE A BIT TO THE LEFT OF THIS VALUE. THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY LARGE SPREAD TO OUR TRACK MODEL GUIDANCE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE RESULT OF TWO PRIMARY SCENARIOS FOR THE FUTURE MOTION OF THE SYSTEM. ONE WOULD BE A GENERALLY NORTHWARD TRACK INTO A WEAKNESS IN THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC...AND THIS IS DEPICTED BY THE NOGAPS AND ECMWF SOLUTIONS. A SECOND SCENARIO IS FOR THE TROPICAL CYCLONE TO BEND MORE WESTWARD IN RESPONSE TO A MID-LEVEL ANTICYCLONE OVER FLORIDA...AND THAT IS DEPICTED BY THE BAM TRACKS...THE HWRF...AND THE GFDL. OUR FIRST OFFICIAL TRACK FORECAST SOMEWHAT SPLITS THE DIFFERENCE BUT LEANS TOWARD THE LATTER SCENARIO. HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRACK FORECAST IS NOT HIGH...PARTICULARLY AT DAYS 4 AND 5. THIS FORECAST TRACK REQUIRES THE ISSUANCE OF TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS AND WATCHES FOR PORTIONS OF HISPANIOLA AT THIS TIME. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 25/1500Z 15.5N 70.1W 30 KT 12HR VT 26/0000Z 16.5N 71.1W 40 KT 24HR VT 26/1200Z 17.6N 72.2W 50 KT 36HR VT 27/0000Z 18.8N 73.3W 50 KT 48HR VT 27/1200Z 19.7N 74.2W 55 KT 72HR VT 28/1200Z 21.0N 75.5W 55 KT 96HR VT 29/1200Z 22.0N 77.0W 60 KT 120HR VT 30/1200Z 22.5N 78.0W 60 KT

SOUTH REGION Weekly Violations

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SOUTH REGION Weekly Violations

SOUTH REGION A

BROWARD COUNTY

On August 16, Officer Robert Kuester was on water patrol when he observed two subjects diving from a kayak. Officer Kuester secured his vessel and returned to the beach where the subjects had launched. An inspection of their catch revealed an undersized lobster. The subjects were cited and the lobster was returned to the water.

On August 17, Officers William Carpenter and Paul Mendez and Lieutenant Dave Bingham were at the Area 2 boat ramp when they observed a subject feeding alligators Goldfish crackers. The subject stated she preferred using marshmallows but didn’t have any. Officer Mendez issued her a citation for the violation.

GLADES COUNTY

On August 17, Lieutenant Eddie Brown was patrolling Lake Okeechobee for violations associated with the alligator hunt. Around 3:30 a.m., Lieutenant Brown caught two subjects hunting outside their assigned harvest area. They were hunting in the Lakeport area although they were supposed to be in the north zone. They admitted they were trying to harvest a twelve foot alligator. At 5:30 a.m., Lieutenant Brown observed another vessel whose occupants were hunting out of their assigned area. The three subjects received citations.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

On August 20, an employee of a local wildlife sanctuary reported the escape of a lion and tiger from their enclosure. The employee reported she had observed the lion still on the premises, but had not the tiger. Subsequently, the lion was tranquilized and recaptured. The tiger was then discovered minutes later at the other end of the property and also tranquilized. The animals were secured and the enclosure repaired to ensure no further escapes would take place. FWC investigators thoroughly inspected the rest of the property for compliance with applicable regulations.

SOUTH REGION B

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer Shawn Polly observed a subject utilizing several “bush hooks” along a canal in Naples. The subject was checked and found to be in possession of 53 bush hooks but no commercial freshwater fishing license. The subject was familiar with the regulations and even had an application for a commercial license with him. All 53 hooks were seized.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

A pair of Mercury 225 horsepower, four-stoke outboard motors were recently forfeited to FWC pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. The seizure, investigation and forfeiture were handled by area investigators after observation of suspicious circumstances at a local boat ramp. A criminal investigation of the boat owner is being handled by a federal law enforcement agency.

MONROE COUNTY

Officers were busy preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay.

SOUTHWEST REGION Weekly Violations

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SOUTHWEST REGION Weekly Violations

HERNANDO COUNTY

On August 17, Officer Damon Pulaski was checking vessels returning to the Bayport boat ramp. One vessel that had returned from scalloping was in possession of five pints of meat, which is over the limit for the five people on board, and another 10 gallons of unshucked scallops. The owner of the vessel told Officer Pulaski that it was not worth the gas to drive from Lakeland for only 10 gallons of scallops. He was cited and the scallops were seized as evidence.

On August 20, Officer Annie Plastic and Reserve Officer Bryce Phillippi observed three subjects who were picking palmetto berries adjacent to the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. They did not see the officers as they stopped with cutters in hand and began picking the berries. The subjects were cited for harvesting palmetto berries without a permit, and the berries were returned to the wildlife management area.

HIGHLANDS COUNTY

On August 15, the opening night of the public alligator hunt, Officer Joe Brooks took a Channel 2 news crew from Ft. Myers on patrol on the Kissimmee River. The NBC crew observed and recorded how alligators were taken, as well as our efforts regarding safety and enforcement. They were thoroughly satisfied with the experience.

On August 16, Officer Erika Zimmerman and Reserve Officer Dale Knapp were patrolling Lykes property when they saw a suspicious vehicle leaving the area. The officers stopped the vehicle and questioned the operator. They discovered the subject had an outstanding active warrant for driving under the influence with serious bodily injury. The subject was placed under arrest and turned over to the sheriff's office.

On August 17, Officer Zimmerman was on water patrol on Lake June and noticed a young looking child operating a PWC. She confirmed the operator was 11 years old and cited the father of the child for the misdemeanor violation.

LEE COUNTY

On August 15, Officer Jonathan Ruggiero was in the area of Dog beach and observed two people cast netting. Officer Ruggiero waited for them to return to the parking area before making contact with them. When questioned, the male subject was not truthful concerning their catch. Officer Ruggiero located an undersize snook in a bucket they had in their possession. The male subject was cited for taking snook out of season and an undersize snook.

PASCO COUNTY

On August 16 and 17, Officers Sean Smith, Donnie Jones, Joe Wolff, and Henry Perez, along with Reserve Officer Bryce Phillippi and Lieutenant Pam Hoback, conducted a deer decoy detail in an area where there were repeated reports of shots being fired at night. After retrieving the decoy at the conclusion of the detail, a truck that had passed by earlier in the evening returned, driving slowly as it shined the field where the decoy was located. Once the truck passed, the officers heard a shot come from the vehicle. A few minutes later, the vehicle was seen heading in the opposite direction. Officers stopped the vehicle and observed an enormous amount of blood spattered across the back of the truck and tailgate. A doe, still alive, was found in the bed of the truck. The subjects were arrested for illegally taking or possessing deer. One of the subjects was additionally charged with discharging a firearm from a right-of-way and possession of cannabis (less than 20 grams). The officers seized a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, approximately 20 shotgun shells, and a Black and Decker spotlight. The truck was impounded and the subjects were transported to the Pasco County jail.

POLK COUNTY

On August 15, Lieutenant Lee Birge received a complaint that several licensed alligator hunters had started their hunt early on Lake Hancock, but he was not able to arrive in time to observe any violations. He set up surveillance on one of the vessels reported to be involved and watched the occupants hunt for several hours. He later stopped the vessel to conduct an inspection. He observed a subject holding one end of a buoy line that was secured to a harpoon tip. The harpoon tip was protruding from a small wild hog that was swimming in the water in front of the vessel. During interviews, Lieutenant Birge learned the alligator hunters heard the pig squealing and when they went to investigate, they found a dog trying to catch the pig in the water. The man holding the buoy line harpooned the pig. The subject was charged with taking wildlife by illegal method and the pig was released.

On August 16, Officer Dirk Williamson observed three subjects hunting alligators in Pool A of the Kissimmee River. One of the subjects was shining a spotlight and holding a crossbow. The subject with the crossbow received a notice to appear for not having a license to hunt alligators.

NORTHEAST REGION Weekly Violations

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NORTHEAST REGION Weekly Violations

BREVARD AND INDIAN RIVER COUNTIES

Officers Chase Platt, Van Streety, Bill Lowry, Philip Glover, Damon Saunders, Kris Culver and Lieutenant Travis Franklin worked a detail along the St. John’s River over the weekend of August 15 through 17 for the opening of the alligator hunt. Seven citations were issued for violations involving hunting alligators out of assigned zone and hunting alligators without a permit. Numerous warnings were issued for similar hunt violations and boating safety infractions during the hunt.

LAKE COUNTY

Officer Steve Adam was checking three fishermen in Alexander Springs Creek in Astor. One subject had active warrants in Marion and Lake Counties. The subject was booked into the county jail.

MARION COUNTY

Officer Joe Simpson coordinated a detail for the opening of alligator hunting season in Lake and Marion counties with Officers John Wilke, Steve Adam, Wash Wear, Wayne Hargabus, Tom Kist, Ian Sweet, Joe Johnston Jr. and Lieutenant Kevin Steinke participating. A few minor violations were cited for boating safety issues and Officers Kist and Sweet cited a subject for hunting in a closed area and operating an airboat on Emeralda Marsh.

On the evening of August 16, while attempting to work the gator hunting detail, Officers Hargabus and Wear responded to a boating incident on Lake Kerr. It was reported that two females were in a vessel that ran into the weeds and they were possibly injured. The sheriff’s office and EMS responded, and the women were transported to Munroe Regional Hospital to be monitored for possible injuries. Officers Wilke and Simpson went to the hospital and attempted to get witness statements from the females but they were very uncooperative. It was learned that neither woman was injured and there was no damage to the vessel. One of the women then advised the officers she had been sexually assaulted while on the lake. The sheriff’s office responded to the hospital and is continuing the investigation.

During the night of August 17, Officers Wilke and Adam were attempting to locate alligator hunters in the Eureka area of the Ocklawaha River when they observed a truck drive under the Hwy. 316 bridge. The officers used their night vision goggles to observe the subject in the truck. They approached the truck on foot and encountered a male subject that was obviously seriously injured. The subject was bleeding heavily from both of his arms and was attempting to commit suicide. He was on the phone with his mother-in-law, and she advised the officers that the sheriff’s office was looking for him. The subject had just been involved in a domestic incident, and the sheriff’s office was actively searching for him. The officers quickly summoned the sheriff’s office and EMS, who transported him to the hospital.

On August 17, Officers Emily Vought and Kat Kelley were on water patrol on Lake Weir. They observed a vessel violate an idle zone and watched a passenger on the vessel throw a cup into the water. The vessel was stopped and the driver showed signs of impairment. After performing and failing numerous field sobriety tasks, the operator was taken into custody for boating under the influence and booked into the county jail.

Officers Wilke and Simpson received information of subjects pulling gopher tortoises on a horse farm. The officers located two subjects with gopher remains in their yard and in the trunk of their car. The foreman of the ranch was also interviewed and advised the officers of how he asked the subjects to remove the tortoises from the farm. All three subjects will be cited accordingly after consulting with the state attorney’s office.

Officers Wilke and Simpson received information of subjects dumping litter on Ross Prairie. The officers responded and found suspect information in the trash pile. After tracking down the suspects and interviews, three sworn confessions were given to the officers. All three subjects will be cited accordingly.

PUTNAM COUNTY

On August 20, Officer Ben Eason responded to a complaint where a witness had observed a Satsuma man shoot an alligator. After taking statements, Officer Eason direct filed charges with the state attorney’s office charging the individual with taking alligator.

SUMTER COUNTY

In the early morning of August 17, Officer Ian Sweet was patrolling the Richloam Wildlife Management Area and watched a vehicle enter the management area. He initiated a resource inspection of the vehicle, which was occupied by two subjects, and located an uncased .22 caliber rifle in plain view within the vehicle. The subjects were issued citations for possession of an uncased gun in the Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION Weekly Violations

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NORTH CENTRAL REGION Weekly Violations

BRADFORD COUNTY

On August 16, Lieutenant Gary Knowles and Reserve Officer Richard Hartsfield were checking area fishing sites in southwest Bradford County. During that time, they discovered two vehicles parked in a concealed manner behind a church on the Alachua County side of the Santa Fe River. Lieutenant Knowles became suspicious and conducted a welfare check on the occupants as one of the vehicles attempted to leave the area. As Lieutenant Knowles approached the driver, he detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle which was also occupied by two small children. After instructing the female driver to exit the vehicle, Lieutenant Knowles observed the subject attempt to conceal an undisclosed object between the drivers’ seat and back rest. After a brief investigation, the driver retrieved a small plastic bag containing 2.6 grams of marijuana from the seat. No additional contraband or paraphernalia was located. The driver stated that she was an artist and used marijuana to assist her with her artistry work. Lieutenant Knowles charged the driver with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. No violations were found on the driver of the second vehicle.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

On August 18, K-9 Officer Billy Giles represented the agency in the International Police & Fire Games in Orlando, Florida. Officer Giles lifted 500 lbs in the Squat, 455 lbs in the Bench Press and 500 lbs in the Dead Lift Competitions. Officer Giles took the gold in the 198 weight class for Best Power Lifting all around (1,455 lbs) and won a silver medal in the Arm Wrestling competition. Officer Giles also took the gold in the bench press competition and set a new world record.

GILCHRIST COUNTY

On August 14, Investigator Larry Ayers received a call from Officer Travis Cooper about the possibility of someone killing a deer in the north part of Gilchrist County. Officer Cooper was out with his family so investigator Ayers responded. After arriving in the area, Investigator Ayers made contact with the individual that had called in the complaint. A description of the individual and truck were obtained and the deer was recovered. Officer Cooper arrived in the area and between Officer Cooper and Investigator Ayers, the individual that shot the deer was identified and located. Investigator Ayers and Officer Cooper interviewed the suspect and were able to get a sworn statement admitting to shooting the deer off the roadway and dragging it close to the road for pickup. He also admitted to giving the rifle to a friend who took it to the town of O’Brien. The firearm was recovered and seized as evidence. Citations were issued for taking deer out of season and shooting from a right-of-way. This case is a good example of uniform patrol and Investigation working together.

SUWANNEE COUNTY

On August 9, Officers Dennis Sharpe and Matt Tyre were patrolling the Santa Fe River when they observed a boat causing a large wake that nearly capsized a canoe occupied by two people. When the officers made contact with the boat, they conducted a boating safety check and noticed a large quantity of empty beer bottles in the floor of the boat. The operator stated he had consumed about twelve beers, and he appeared to be impaired. Officers Sharpe and Tyre had the operator conduct some field sobriety tasks which indicated that the operator was impaired. Officer Sharpe placed the subject under arrest for boating under the influence and transported him to the Suwannee County Jail. At the jail, the operator agreed to a chemical breath test. The results of the test were .123 and .128. The operator was booked into the Suwannee County Jail for boating under the influence and issued a written warning for careless operation.

NORTHWEST REGION Weekly Violations

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NORTHWEST REGION Weekly Violations

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

On August 13-14, investigators and officers cited several individuals and businesses for 29 violations this week in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties for the illegal purchase and sale of saltwater products. The charges resulted from a three-year investigation involving the illegal sale of cobia and pompano. The individuals allegedly sold the fish to local businesses without the required saltwater products license and restricted species endorsement. The businesses that were cited did not possess the required wholesale or retail dealer licenses. In a news release, Investigative Lieutenant Doug Berryman said, “We’ve consistently received complaints that some recreational fishermen were catching cobia and pompano in the western most counties in the Panhandle and then selling the fish without being properly licensed. This is an abuse of our resources and offensive to law-abiding fishermen and the public. Additionally, there is concern about the quality of saltwater products being bought in this manner and then resold to the public.” Charges are pending against several other individuals and businesses. Officers participating in the detailed included Officers Fred Rondeau, Keith Clark, Ben Pineda, Andy Berrey, Steve Bartlett, and Lieutenant Mark Hollinhead.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

On August 15, Officers Joe Murphy and Gary Ridaught were on patrol of Blackwater Bay when they checked a fisherman near the Garcon Point Bridge. Immediately after the officers approached the vessel, the operator advised them that he might have some undersized spotted sea trout. The officers observed that the fish were white trout, but also observed a large redfish in the fish box. The man advised them that he measured it with the 24-inch ruler on his cooler and stated that it was 27 inches on the money. It turned out that the fish was 31 inches. The man was cited for possession of an oversized redfish.

On August 15, Officers Steve Hoomes and Kenneth Manning were on patrol of Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they heard barking dogs. They located the dogs running freely and observed the owner trying to locate them. When they stopped to discuss the violation with him, the officers could not help but see and smell the 10-foot long marijuana plant lying in the bed of the truck. The man admitted to finding the plant and cutting it down. A search of his truck turned up a hoe and a container of fertilizer. The man was charged with manufacturing cannabis and booked in the Santa Rosa County Jail.

On August 20, Officers Steve Hoomes and David Jernigan assisted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office with a search for an escaped felon sighted in the Munson area. The subject escaped from the Santa Rosa County Jail where he was being held on a child abduction charge. Last winter this subject had evaded capture for days. As of August 21, the search is still active with Officers Joe Murphy and Gary Ridaught assisting.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY COPS

On August 20, Officer David Jernigan spoke to approximately 25 students of a youth group at Pace Community Church. The 13-17 year olds were preparing for an end of the summer canoe trip down the Blackwater River. Many have never canoed. Officer Jernigan talked about boating safety especially as it related to canoeing and kayaking. During a demonstration, he positioned four kids in chairs with life jackets stored under only three. He told the kids that they were out at sea, they were experiencing bad weather, and their vessel was taking on water. On the signal, they were to get their life jackets and put them on as soon as possible. Of course, one person was left out as there were only three life jackets. Several of the kids experienced difficulty as they had never put on a life jacket. It was a learning experience for all on the importance of checking your safety gear and being prepared. Officer Jernigan also answered questions about becoming an FWC officer.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

On August 14, Officer Matt Webb conducted a fisheries inspection in Destin Pass. Officer Webb recognized the captain of the vessel from a previous inspection the week before when he inspected his vessel and determined he was over the bag limit of red snapper. The most recent inspection revealed undersize grouper and greater amberjack. The captain of the vessel was cited again for the fish violations.

On August 16, Officer Matt Webb investigated a boating accident which involved two personal watercrafts (PWCs). The PWCs were taken without permission from Boogies Water Sports in Destin. The vessels collided together while jumping wakes created by other vessels. The operators of the PWCs were not injured during the crash and were cited for violation of navigational rule (improper lookout) resulting in an accident. Grand theft charges are pending.

On August 16, Officer Alan Kirchinger stopped a pontoon boat that was on plane in the no wake zone in the Crab Island area near Destin. During initial contact with the vessel operator and while conducting a safety equipment inspection, Officer Kirchinger noticed strong signs of impairment and smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from the vessel. Officer Kirchinger instructed the operator to come aboard the patrol boat. Again the officer could smell a very strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from the operator. Officer Kirchinger then administered afloat sobriety tasks which the operator was unsuccessful. The vessel operator was taken to the Destin Coast Guard Station where he was provided with instructions on field sobriety exercises. The operator was unsuccessful at the exercises. The operator finally agreed to provide a sample of his breath for testing. The breath sample registered .142 and .143. The operator was placed under arrest and taken to the Okaloosa County Jail where he was booked into jail for boating under the influence and issued a citation for the wake zone violation.

On August 16, Officer Van Barrow observed a vehicle exiting a wooded area near Niceville that was posted as private property. Officer Barrow back tracked the subjects and discovered a load of debris that had been dumped. The subjects were stopped and identified. Officer Barrow later made contact with the landowner and determined that he had been having problems with people dumping trash on his property and that the subjects did not have permission to be on the property. Charges are being direct filed for trespass and littering.

On August 18, Officer Steve Bartlett investigated a boating accident that occurred in Rocky Bayou area. A subject was ejected from a personal watercraft while traveling at a high rate of speed. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Sandestin where he was treated for minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

On August 14, Captain Craig Duval, Lieutenant Charlie Wood and Officers Travis Huckeba and Don Walker, along with the Investigations and Aviation Units, conducted night operations in the Apalachicola River System. The operation coincided with the opening of alligator season. Utilizing aviation assets, the team was able to locate a vessel operating in the river system working a spotlight and firing a small caliber rifle. The pilots were able to guide the officers in to a houseboat where the suspect vessel eventually moored. After inspecting individuals and vessels at the location, two subjects were cited for violations for display of gun and light, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and an expired vessel registration.