The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men in Ocklawaha after a brief high-speed chase ended with a crash.

On Sunday, October 9, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the MCSO deputy spotted a vehicle on SE 182nd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha that was traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle crossed over the center line, and the deputy observed that the vehicle’s rear lights were out.

The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to slow down, and a short pursuit was initiated. According to MCSO, the pursuit came to an end when the vehicle crashed into vegetation along the side of the road in the 12400 block of SE 195th Avenue Road.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 42-year-old Joshua Julius Hyder of Summerfield, exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the nearby woods.

The deputy detained the vehicle’s two passengers. According to MCSO, the backseat passenger, identified as 39-year-old Kenneth Darrell Sowell, Jr. of Summerfield, had a backpack where he was seated. Inside the backpack, the deputy found methamphetamine and measuring spoons.

Sowell was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $3,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.

A court date has not been scheduled yet for Sowell, according to jail records.

MCSO stated that the vehicle’s second passenger was released and is not facing any charges.

An MCSO corporal along with a K-9 partner arrived on scene, and the MCSO Air-1 unit also responded to help locate Hyder. After an hour-long search, Air-1 spotted Hyder and relayed his location to the corporal.

The corporal gave verbal warnings to Hyder that the K-9 partner would be released if he did not come out of hiding. After those warnings were ignored, the K-9 partner was released and quickly located Hyder.

Shortly after Hyder was apprehended, it was discovered that he had an active warrant for felony battery.

Hyder was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $5,500 bond. He is facing felony charges for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren active, driving with a suspended or revoked license (third or subsequent offense), and battery (second or subsequent offense), along with a misdemeanor charge for resisting an officer without violence.

A court date has been scheduled for Hyder on Tuesday, November 15 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.

Guest columnist

I read with great interest Mark Woods’ Oct. 16 column, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Like so many pieces I have read, the city’s water quality history begins and ends with Mayor Hans Tanzler. But there is so much more to Jacksonville’s efforts to clean up and protect the St. Johns River and its tributaries through the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) and the city’s Environmental Quality Division (EQD).

Through JEPB rule adoption and efforts by EQD’s Water Quality Branch under JEPB Rule 3, the local environmental program phased out nearly four hundred less-reliable package wastewater treatment plants by requiring them to connect to larger regional treatment facilities. The required connection of these plants removed many unpermitted sewage discharges that were occurring in the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

Hanging in the balance:Florida governor's election could determine fate of highly debated Rodman dam

In addition to rules governing package wastewater treatment plants, Jacksonville was the first and only local environmental program to adopt through JEPB rules, comprehensive operation and maintenance requirements for lift stations further reducing unpermitted sewage discharges occurring in the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

Through ordinance code adoption and in partnership with JEA, the city’s Planning and Development Department and the Florida Department of Health, EQD implemented the septic tank connection compliance program to address failing septic tanks affecting nutrient levels in the St. Johns River and its tributaries. With the 2016 adoption of a new voluntary program by City Council, which now requires 70% approval by the identified failure area residents to be connected to city sewer for free, the local environmental program’s oversight of the program was transferred from EQD to the Public Works Department.

However, prior to moving to a voluntary program, EQD, in conjunction with its partners, was successful in connecting thousands of septic tanks in designated septic tank failure areas through its compliance efforts.

The St. Johns River and its tributaries also suffer from turbidity issues that can occur from erosion and sediment runoff from construction projects. Turbidity damages aquatic life by blocking out sunlight. These discharges can also kill grass beds in surface waters. Under JEPB Rule 3, EQD has the responsibility to inspect these sites to ensure that proper erosion and sediment control measures are maintained to prevent turbid discharges.

At a recent point in time, EQD staff had more than 300 construction sites on file and the number of sites grew by four per week. The use of best management practices for erosion control is now incorporated and are included as line items in contracts. The local environmental program also offers free pre-violation consultations to industry. As a result, enforcement of water quality violations due to erosion-related problems has been dramatically reduced.

In addition, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has recognized EQD’s inspection and compliance program as a model for the state and portions of the program’s Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector’s Guide have been adopted by FDEP for inclusion in their inspector’s certification program.

The runoff from our yards also affects the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Through efforts by EQD and working in partnership with green industry at the state and local levels, the city adopted a fertilizer ordinance which governs its application to our lawns. The ordinance also governs the disposal of leaf and yard clippings, prohibiting them from being blown into the street and into city storm drains.

These measures help prevent excess nutrients that can cause algae blooms in the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

If you want to know about the health of the St. Johns River and its tributaries, then you need look no further than the annual State of the River Report funded by the JEPB since its inception 15 years ago. The report provides a comprehensive scientific analysis of the health and condition of the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

While these are generally local efforts, the City of Jacksonville’s mayors, the JEPB and EQD have also worked with the governor’s office and the Florida Legislature on numerous substantive water quality issues. Among them are wetlands protection and state permitted discharges that the local environmental program is preempted from regulating, as well as seeking the funding necessary to improve the health of the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

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One of the most notable efforts for me, though, dates to 1998. Through the work of EQD, with the support of the JEPB, the City of Jacksonville’s mayor formally called for the governor and the Florida Legislature to approve and fund the removal of Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam and restore the Ocklawaha River.

So, now you know the rest of the story. Yes, let’s celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Federal, state and local governments, as well as numerous environmental organizations, have done much to improve our waterways. But let us also be sure to celebrate the unsung City of Jacksonville heroes — our local environmental program and its staff — who work day in and day out conducting their mission to protect and improve the water quality of the St. Johns River and its tributaries.

Much work remains to be done and public support is critical as the local environmental program moves forward.

Dana B. Brown, former manager and legislative liaison, City of Jacksonville Environmental Quality Division

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

Guest columnist

The St. Johns River runs through the heart of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, shaping our lives and driving our economy. Our river is also one of Florida’s most productive estuaries and the nursery grounds for numerous species of commercially harvested fish and shellfish we love to eat.

Shrimp spawn offshore, but once their eggs hatch, the larvae migrate back to the ideal habitat of the St. Johns estuary to grow and mature. As a result, commercial and sport shrimpers enjoy the river’s bounty between Jacksonville and Palatka.

Blue crabs, the largest fishery in the river, release their eggs in the marine waters near the mouth of the river. Wind and tides will eventually carry the larvae upstream where they will find refuge in the submerged grasses that will nurture them. During the warmer months, blue crabs reach as far south as Lake George.

The St. Johns’ delicate tidal balance of salt and freshwater has historically enabled healthy underwater grasses to thrive, providing critical habitat for fresh and saltwater species that have attracted sportsmen from near and far.

Now our thriving estuary and fishing economy are at risk. Due to overuse of our aquifer, dredging and increasing saltwater intrusion, the St. Johns’ underwater grasses are disappearing, the cypress forest wetlands are stressed and fish habitat is vanishing within the St. Johns River estuary from Welaka to Palatka to Jacksonville.

The loss of our river’s submerged grasses also increase the threat of toxic blue green algae and increase flood risk throughout the lower St. Johns.

More than 50 years ago, the Rodman Dam (now known as the Kirkpatrick Dam) was built across the Ocklawaha River, the largest tributary of the St. Johns, as part of the failed Cross Florida Barge Canal. This resulted in the clearing and flooding of approximately 7,500 acres of floodplain forest, while submerging over 20 springs beneath a massive pool of water that significantly reduced freshwater flow to the St. Johns.

The boondoggle canal project was eventually halted by the federal government, but the dam remains in place after all these years.

The good news is that we have an opportunity to finally breach the dam and allow the Ocklawaha to run free, once again. By reuniting the natural connection of Silver Springs, the Ocklawaha River and the St. Johns, we can restore more than 150 million gallons of fresh water a day to our estuary, improve water quality, offset saltwater intrusion and restore habitat for fish and wildlife in the Lower St. Johns River.

A free-flowing Ocklawaha will also restore a lost migratory pathway used by numerous fish species that migrated between the Ocklawaha River and the South Atlantic Bight. Many species historically migrated far up the St. Johns and into the Ocklawaha River to feed and reproduce, including American shad, striped bass, American eel and mullet.

Unfortunately, the construction of the dam across the Ocklawaha severed this migratory pathway and fish populations in Silver Springs have sharply declined.

Few efforts to restore Florida’s biological wealth hold the prospect for such far-reaching benefits including making Northeast Florida more resilient from Welaka to Palatka to Jacksonville.

The science is clear and there is overwhelming public support based on the St. Johns River Water Management Survey conducted in October 2021, where more than 85 percent of the participants expressed a desire to restore the Ocklawaha River.

The time has come to finally restore the largest tributary of our St. Johns River and together, we can unleash the significant ecological and economic benefits of a free-flowing Ocklawaha.

To help save the St. Johns and free the Ocklawaha, visit StJohnsRiverkeeper.org.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As part of its commitment to support the vitality of a healthy ecosystem, Duke Energy Florida has aligned efforts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), among other agencies, to protect a population of federally endangered wildflowers in central Florida.

Earlier this spring, Duke Energy environmental scientists joined various agencies and stakeholders to maximize the preservation and protection of the federally endangered clasping warea (Warea amplexifolia) and the federally threatened sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) found in an unincorporated community in Marion County, near Ocklawaha.

The annual wildflower occurs nowhere else in the world other than the central ridges in Florida, with the Ocklawaha population being among one of the largest of identified populations. By protecting the plant’s habitat, the team is supporting other species that depend on it, like the sand skink.

“Powering the lives of our communities extends far beyond keeping the lights on for our customers,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Duke Energy is proud to work alongside our community allies to protect Florida’s most-treasured species and the habitats they depend on.”

A first for Duke Energy in Florida, the company is installing “sensitive habitat” management signage within its rights-of-way corridors to alert contractors and crews working in these areas. The company has also shifted its vegetation management practices to limit mowing and lower the volume of herbicide used in targeted areas to help the plants grow and flourish.

“Duke Energy Florida’s willingness to support management of the endangered clasping warea on its lands alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program speaks volumes,” said USFWS’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife/Coastal Program Coordinator Chad Allison. “The cooperation inspires and engages a network of state and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private landowners alike proving conservation and industry can not only coexist but can ultimately thrive.”

The collaboration furthers Duke Energy and Duke Energy Foundation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Since 2015, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided more than $188,000 in grants to the Rare Plant Conservation program at Bok Tower Gardens to establish new populations of the clasping warea through seed preservation, habitat quality improvements, biological research and increasing plant numbers in the wild.

Among the project team leading these efforts are Duke Energy Florida, USFWS, Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), Bok Tower Gardens, FNPS-Marion Big Scrub Chapter, Putnam Land Conservancy, as well as volunteers and private landowners.

The team will continue to engage landowners in the area, bringing awareness to the ways they can support and protect the species now and in the future.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube channel at youtube.com/usfws, and download photos from our Flickr page at flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2022 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Duke Energy media contact: Audrey Stasko Cell: 315.877.3031 Media line: 800.559.3853

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service media contact: Renee Bodine Phone: 352.451.8126 Email: renee_bodine@fws.gov

A 28-year-old Ocklawaha man was arrested after he allegedly punched a female victim in the face and knocked out two of her front teeth.

On Monday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a gas station in Silver Springs in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the female victim stated that Micah Rodgers had punched her several times.

According to the victim, she had traveled with Rodgers to a doctor’s appointment earlier in the day. After leaving the appointment, they stopped at a corner store in Belleview, and the victim stated that Rodgers began drinking alcohol.

An argument ensued and she began walking away from the vehicle. Rodgers allegedly grabbed her by the hair and dragged her on the ground back towards the vehicle.

Once inside the vehicle, the victim stated that Rodgers drove towards a forested area of Ocklawaha, and they proceeded east onto Highway 40 from Baseline Road. The victim stated that Rodgers was being aggressive, and she recalled being punched in the head and mouth several times.

The vehicle eventually stopped at the gas station in Silver Springs, and she was able to exit the vehicle.

The corporal observed that two of the victim’s front teeth were missing and there was blood on the front of her shirt. Her left eye was bloodshot and swollen, and the corporal also noted in the MCSO report that the outside of her jeans had ‘road rash’ marks which were consistent with being dragged.

A child was with the victim and had witnessed the incident inside the vehicle. During an interview with the corporal, the child corroborated the victim’s statements.

Marion County Fire Rescue arrived on scene to evaluate the victim, and she refused to be transported to the hospital.

An MCSO deputy located Rodgers on County Road 314, and the corporal arrived on scene to conduct an interview. Rodgers denied that any physical contact had occurred between him and the victim. He claimed that he had dropped off the victim at the gas station because she had become aggressive.

During the time of the incident, the MCSO report indicated that there were several calls for service from witnesses who reported seeing a man dragging a woman across the median in the area of Highway 40 and Baseline Road. The witnesses also reported that the woman was then forced inside a vehicle.

Rodgers was arrested and transported to Marion Count Jail where he is currently being held on $55,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for domestic battery and false imprisonment of an adult, along with a misdemeanor charge for battery.

A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, May 17 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.