Locals Protest Trout Rule Change Policy Changes, but No Charges
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SPECIAL 50¢ SPRING EDITION Friday/ INSIDE Saturday TODAY April 26-27, 2019 www.perrynewspapers.com 1 resigns, 2 suspended amidst FDLE investigation into inmate battery: Policy changes, but no charges Despite “very troubling allegations” a battery complaint regarding the incident, contained in a comprehensive Florida which resulted in an inmate receiving stitches Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to his forehead after being assaulted by a fellow investigative report, the State Attorney’s Office inmate at the local facility. has declined to prosecute those involved in a FDLE recently released a summary of its Nov. 8, 2018, “inmate on inmate” battery at the comprehensive investigation into charges of Taylor County Jail. official misconduct by Taylor County Jail As a result of the investigation, one correctional staff and delivered a presentation correctional officer resigned in lieu of of facts to the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) termination, two others were suspended, and based on law enforcement witnesses, inmate the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) witnesses, civilian witnesses and physical has instituted a number of new policies at the evidence. Taylor County Jail – including new officer FDLE and TCSO law enforcement body cameras that must be recording at all investigative reports contain statements times when officers are in contact with inmates. alleging that one or more Taylor County Jail The TCSO first opened a criminal ➟ Please see page 2 investigation on Nov. 13, 2018, after receiving Locals protest trout rule change Dozens of area residents, proposed changes to spotted Wednesday and Thursday The trout issue is a recently-completed Taylor County anglers including many local charter seatrout regulations they say beginning at 8:30 a.m. -- the expected to be heard on stock assessment they say would also be affected by captains, are expected will have a major impact on commission will consider Wednesday, May 1, the show changes are needed a proposed statewide rule to attend next week’s Taylor County’s economy a draft rule that would same day the commission to maintain the fishery’s change that would prohibit Florida Fish and Wildlife and could ultimately put slash the daily bag limit by will also consider setting overall health. guides from keeping a bag Conservation Commission them out of business. 40% while also prohibiting the permanent scallop When it comes to limit during a for-hire trip. (FWC) meeting in Havana At next week’s meeting guides from keeping a limit season starting in 2020. managing the trout fishery, “I’m in full support of to argue against a series of -- which will be held during for-hire trips. The meeting will be held FWC separates the state what we need to do based at the Florida Public Safety into four quadrants, with on the science, but there is Institute, located at 85 Taylor County falling into no way science supports Academy Drive in Havana. the Northwest Region, this,” said local guide “I’ve lived here my entire where current regulations Capt. Mike Farmer of life,” said local fishing allow for a bag limit of five Steinhatchee. “This whole guide Capt. Eric Slaughter, trout. Northwest Region includes who is one of those arguing The size limit allows the Panhandle as well. Our against the changes. “I’ve anglers to keep fish area is not comparable to the been fishing since I was 3 or measuring more than 15 rest of the region. The grass 4 on my daddy’s boat. The inches and less than 20 flats we have are different past three or four years, the inches, although anglers are than what they have.” trout and red fishing have allowed to keep one trout Farmer also noted that been excellent. I haven’t over 20 inches among their much of the Panhandle seen it this good since the five-fish limit. was impacted by a red tide 1980s. Not just in quantity, The draft rule under outbreak. but in quality. consideration next week “We shouldn’t be “If there was a shortage of would reduce the Northwest punished for what happened trout, I’d be the first to say Region’s bag limit from there,” he said. “It’s the we need to hold off for a bit five to three, while also same argument we used and let them recover. I’m all re-establishing a winter with scallops. Our area is for conservation,” Slaughter recreational closure during different.” This young angler was all smiles after catching this trout while fishing said. “But, that’s not the the month of February. The Meanwhile, FWC staff’s with local fishing guide Capt. Eric Slaughter, who says he has not seen the case.” trout season has been open ➟ Please see page 3 trout fishing “this good since the 1980’s.” FWC officials are citing year-round since 2012. Boston Marathon: Road closures Jefferson Street Green Street and Jefferson; Drivers are reminded Green and Center streets; 4 locals conquer iconic course that Jefferson Street will and Ash St. and Jefferson. be closed for three weeks, Detours are planned at U.S. beginning Monday, April 29, 27/East Hampton Springs By CAITLYN BURCHETT that three hours,” Rhodes Staff writer due to construction on the Avenue, South Center Street said. railroad crossing near Ellis and East Main Street. Four Taylor County Rhodes’ average pace Street. Smith Road runners crossed the iconic was 7:01, but he was hoping The road will close at 9 Smith Road will be closed blue and yellow finish line to average about 6:30. a.m. Monday, April 29, and for one day on Tuesday, April of the 123rd annual Boston “I kept looking for that is scheduled to re-open 30, due to Georgia-Pacific’s Marathon on Monday, April flat stretch everybody talks Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m., ongoing pipeline construction 15. about, but I never found it,” according to the Florida activity. Michael Rhodes, Roy Rhodes laughed, describing Department of Transportation Jim Lee Road will serve “Mack” Crews, Melissa the infamously-hilly race. (FDOT). as a detour while Smith Kinsey Land and Lydia Veal The 123rd Boston Five off-duty Florida Road is closed. Traffic signs McRae competed alongside Marathon was Rhodes’ Highway Patrol (FHP) with road closure and detour some 30,000 other road second time running troopers will assist with information have been racers from all over the the world’s oldest and traffic control around the posted. world. most prestigious race – construction zone and nearby Residents and motorists Michael Rhodes crossed an experience he could detours. are urged to be cautious and the finish line in 3:03:45 only summarize as Officers will be stationed patient when traveling roads Michael Rhodes averaged just over seven – practically flying to the “unexplainable.” on each side of the crossing, near pipeline construction minutes per mile (7:01) and finished the Boston finish line in a sprint on the “It is different than any as well as one officer at each sites, according to Foley Mill Marathon in 3:03.45, but is not yet satisfied -- home stretch. marathon I have ever ran of the following intersections: Public Affairs Manager Scott vowing to return and complete the 26.2-mile “I feel good, but I am not ➟ Please see page 12 Main Street and Jefferson; Mixon. course in under three hours. satisfied yet. I want under Deadline nears for U.S. rep, state School board chair talks change, attorney, public defender races challenges over 29-year tenure Although election affiliation to the one they that election. Taylor County’s longest- don’t know how long I’ve School Board Insurance officials are busy preparing plan to run on by April 28 Several political hopefuls serving current public been chair – we have to Trust, a consortium of 10 for the upcoming special of this year. have already filed to run in official, School Board go back in the archives to counties. election, an important According to Florida these races with the Florida Chairperson Brenda see. But that’s the past. We “That’s where we get our deadline is already Statutes, any person seeking Division of Elections. Carlton, shared a snapshot of don’t know what the future property insurance, Workers approaching for the 2020 to qualify for nomination Taylor County is the changes and challenges will hold. The Legislature is Comp and casualty...by election cycle. as a candidate of any in Florida’s second she’s seen over her nearly looking at term limits, and working with these other Anyone interested political party cannot have congressional district, three decades of service we still don’t know what counties, some who are in running in 2020 for been a member of any which is currently held by during a presentation to the they plan to send to the much bigger than our U.S. representative, state other political party during U.S. Representative Dr. Perry Women’s Club. governor,” Carlton said. district, we are able to get a attorney or public defender the 365 days prior to the ➟ Please see page 3 “I was elected to the She shared she also serves ➟ Please see page 3 must change their party beginning of qualifying for school board in 1990. I as chair of the Florida 5 Index Two sections 130th Year, No. 17 Weather Religion .................. A-4 Sports ................... A-8 Friday 81˚ Saturday 83˚ Sunday 83˚ Entertainment ........ A-6 TV Guide .............. A-9 65˚ 54˚ 53˚ Looking Back ......... A-7 Classifieds .......... A-11 40% A-2 Perry News-Herald April 26-27, 2019 Deputy may have influenced attack on inmate NO CHARGES on his cell door and being investigators during their “Inmate D.C.