WZEP AM 1460 First News

Friday, February 03, 2012

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Army Aviation Center F.C.U.

Congratulations to the WZEP AM 1460 Good Neighbor, Fatina Richardson, nominated by Woodrow Williams. Submit your Good Neighbor.

 

The 18th annual WZEP Taste of Home Cooking School returns to Walton High February 28th, 2012. It’s a great opportunity to advertise your business! Call Art or Brandon at 892-5130 or email sales@wzep1460.com. Tickets go on sale NOW!

  

News Segment 0

 

FWC Reports

 

Sometimes neighbors can work it out. FWC Lt. Mark Hollinhead and Officer Danny Arnette met with a landowner after receiving a complaint from a subject who leases adjoining property in Okaloosa County. The meeting resolved the complaint and clarified property boundaries and easements.

 

Lt. Hollinhead observed a vehicle traveling in Walton County across a field at night displaying a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife. The vehicle was stopped and a dead deer was observed in the back of the vehicle. Lieutenant Hollinhead confirmed the deer was taken from a tree stand during legal hunting hours. The light was displayed to inspect for hogs and damage they had caused. A warning was issued for no hunting license.

 

Officer Danny Arnette contacted Officer Randall Brooks about a trespass complaint he received from a land manager. Officer Brooks responded and identified two subjects who were hunting the property in Walton County without permission. Officer Brooks inquired about turkey feathers he observed in the suspects’ golf cart and determined one of the subjects had shot two turkeys. Both turkeys were cleaned prior to Officer Brooks’ arrival. The turkey carcasses were retrieved and identified as hen turkeys. The subject was cited for taking turkeys during the closed season. The turkeys and a rifle were seized for evidence.

 

Officer Randall Brooks observed an alligator hide in the backyard of a residence. No one was at the residence, but later in the day, a subject called Officer Brooks and admitted to killing the alligator. Arrangements were made to meet the subject later. Charges are pending.

News Segment 1

 

Some Flowers Will Bloom Again

 

Wetlands will bloom again after pineland purple, rayless sunflower and dense gayfeather were planted to restore natural habitat. Since being named “flowery land” by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in Easter 1513, the state

has lost many wetlands or they’ve been degraded by human impacts. In December, the Northwest Florida Water Management District hand planted about 32 acres of wet prairie and hydric pine flatwood wildflowers on wetland restoration sites in Washington and Bay counties.

 

District Executive Director Doug Barr says they have purchased over 212,000 acres of wetlands, floodplain and upland buffers to protect and restore water resources. He says restoration of wetlands impacted before they purchased them is an important component of their land management program.

 

First, natural water flow was restored to degraded wetlands, then natural fire cycles were introduced and shrubs were eradicated.  After this, wiregrass and toothache grass were planted. However, studies indicated that key species were not present in the seed bank, probably due to years of fire suppression and habitat degradation.

 

David Clayton, District Environmental Scientist says the species selected for reintroduction were based on importance and occurrence in high quality wet prairie and hydric pine flatwoods of the region. He says seeds from these

species were collected from the District’s Garcon Point and grown by DEP

and a private nursery. Clayton adds that many of these species have not

been cultivated before. Clayton helps develop wetland restoration plans and monitors the District’s mitigation projects to offset wetland losses from highway construction and other development activities.

 

Over 150,000 plants, 22 varieties of wetland wildflowers, grasses and sedges, were planted in islands on 15.5 acres at the Sand Hill Lakes Mitigation Bank,

Washington County, and 17 acres at Ward Creek West, Bay County. The delicate plants were transported by refrigerated trailer and carefully set by hand. 

Clayton says by next spring and summer these plants should blossom with a showy variety of wildflowers and their seeds should spread to further

populate the surrounding wetlands.

 

News Segment 2

 

Deputy Who Was Shot Thanks Community

 

An OCSO investigator who survived being shot three times while working to take a violent fugitive into custody says the amount of support he’s received has been overwhelming, including letters from across the country.

 

Investigator Steve Hough says the December 9th, event in Santa Rosa County, when the suspect came out of the home on Camille Garden Circle firing guns in both hands, initially seemed like something out of a movie. He says he relied on his training and returned fire immediately. But when he was knocked to the ground and saw all the blood, he realized he’d been shot in the face. In addition, two bullets also went through Investigator Hough’s leg, injuries he was unaware of until he arrived at the Emergency Room. Hough, who is part of the OCSO Sexual Predator & Offender Unit, was working at the time as part of a U.S. Marshals Service team.

 

Investigator Hough and his wife Tanya say they want to voice their extreme gratitude for the emotional and financial support offered by co-workers, family, friends, local citizens, and even complete strangers over the last two months. “It’s just been incredible,” said Hough. “The amount of support that’s come in is still, to this day, it’s overwhelming. It’s phenomenal.”

 

Hough and his wife Tanya say it has boosted their spirits and helped ease the painful process of recovery. Hough says he plans to return to his job as a law enforcement officer once he’s gotten through all the planned surgeries.

 

He also wants to be able to share his experiences with fellow law enforcement officers in hopes his experience may provide insights that would benefit others who also find themselves in a gunfight. He also wants to be sure those who go through such an ordeal realize that it’s critical to open up and talk about what happened with others, so that you can heal both emotionally and physically.

 

Monday, Sheriff Larry Ashley awarded Investigator Hough the OCSO Medal of Valor for his actions of putting his own safety at risk to capture a violent fugitive.

OCSO Investigator Todd Watkins also received the Medal of Valor and Investigators Jeff McGill and John Merchant were awarded Medals of Merit.

 

News Segment 3

 

Looking for the arrest report? http://jailpublic.co.walton.fl.us

This is the new jail search page. Use the drop down calendar to find dates.

 

Sports - Listen to WZEP for national and local sports. Email us your local sports stories and scores.

 

The DeFuniak Springs Little League along with the Walton Lady Braves team and coaches are putting on a softball clinic at the Little League Park on Thursday, February 2. The clinic is free and will run from 6-8 pm. Parents must sign a permission slip for their player to participate. The DFS Little League will accept late registrations at the press box during the clinic. For more information, call 892-7475.

 

Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball, ages 4-14 Skills Clinic/Final Registration will be held Saturday February 4 from 1-4 and Sunday February 5 from 2-4 at the Freeport Regional Sports Complex, Fields 1-3.  For more information, call Latilda at 835-2340.

 

Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour

 

Death Notice for Donald Leroy Norvell, III, age 67, who passed away Thursday, February 2. Arrangements will be announced later by Jerry Evans. Friends and family may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest register at www.jerrevansfuneralhome.com.

 

Reverend Ottway James White, Sr. of Point Washington, passed away February 1. Funeral services will held 2:00 PM, Friday, February 3, at Spring Valley Holiness Church with Reverends Joel Glenn, Horace McCormick and Jobe Kirkland officiating. Burial will follow in the Millville Cemetery. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Freeport Chapel Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

 

Amy Marie Wetherell was born March 25, 1992 and passed away January 30.  A time of gathering of friends will be held 11:00~12:00 AM, Friday, February 3, 2012 at Eden State Park; 181 Eden Gardens Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Freeport Chapel Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

 

 

NOTE TO OTHER MEDIA: If any of these are the basis or imputers for a story you write or develop, please credit WZEP AM 1460 professionally by indicating "as reported on WZEP AM 1460."

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