Pensacola Looking into Unauthorized Heritage Tree Trimming Incident at Belvedere Park

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A city landscaping contractor is facing potential fines after trimming a branch from a heritage oak tree at Belvedere Park without authorization.

According to Mayor DC Reeves, who appeared Monday on Pensacola's Morning News with Andrew McKay, the incident occurred when a disc golfer playing at the park asked the contractor to cut a limb that was interfering with his throw. The contractor complied, but the tree is protected under city ordinance.

"Obviously not something we authorized," Reeves said. "We are going through the normal process. And my request of Parks and Rec is to say we need to treat this the same way we treat a citizen. If there's a fine associated with the length of the limb that got cut on a heritage tree, then that's the way we're going to go."

The mayor said the situation was not malicious but rather "a poor decision by one of our landscape contractors." He also emphasized the unusual nature of the incident—noting that as a disc golfer himself, he found it remarkable that a contractor would take direction from a weekend athlete about tree maintenance.

"I was thinking about maybe I should start wherever I play, whatever tree I hit into, you know, that tree for me," Reeves joked.

The city's Parks and Recreation Department is now determining what penalties, if any, will be assessed to the contractor. Belvedere Park is a historic area with several protected trees, and unauthorized trimming or removal can result in significant fines.

Third Person Facing Charges Related to Murder of Danika Troy

Pace, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A third person is now in custody in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Danika Troy. Forty-five-year-old Mitchell Eddins is charged with failing to report her death and theft. According to an arrest report, Eddins discovered Troy's body on Kimberly Road in Floridatown but never contacted law enforcement, though he said he planned to. Meanwhile, Troy's mother told the New York Post that 16-year-old Gabriel Williams lured her daughter into the woods, claiming he had a crush on her. Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins are being held on murder charges. Investigators say Troy was shot multiple times and her body was set on fire. The State Attorney's Office will present the case to a grand jury to determine if the teens should be charged as adults.

Former Deputy Accused in Fatal Crash Wants Warrant Dismissed

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A former Escambia County deputy accused of killing two pedestrians in a negligent crash over the summer is asking a judge to dismiss the arrest warrant in the case. Greg Nesmith hit and killed 20-year-olds Jackson Cunningham and Nicole Moore on Perdido Key Drive in July. According to the arrest warrant, Nesmith was driving between 71 and 76 miles per hour in a 45 mile-per-hour zone just seconds before the crash. The warrant says he braked only 1.5 seconds before impact, slowing to between 47 and 62 miles per hour. Both victims died within minutes. Nesmith's attorney filed the motion Tuesday and also requested what's called a Franks hearing, where he'll argue the warrant contains false statements or omissions by law enforcement.