Today's Sports

 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging the public to be aware of nesting sea turtles while they celebrate this holiday weekend.

FWC law enforcement officers on patrol this weekend will explain the unintended consequences that can occur when nesting turtles are disturbed by beachgoers. They also will explain the laws in place to protect these turtles. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet June 23-25 in the Hyatt Regency, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. All sessions are open to members of the public who want to attend.

The half-day session Tuesday, June 23, starts at 1:30 p.m. and focuses on strategic discussions on:

• The Florida panther – Staff will give a status report on panther conservation and management for Commission discussion and policy direction.

A 14-year-old Fanning Springs girl was hit and injured by a jumping sturgeon on the Suwannee River this past Sunday.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers reported Heavyn Nash was riding with her mother and grandfather when a 4-to-6 foot sturgeon leapt out of the water and into the boat hitting her and knocking her unconscious, said an FWC press release. The collision occurred just south of Manatee Springs near Usher Landing.

Nash was taken to Manatee Springs and from there transported to the hospital where she was treated and released.

A parade to honor the Chiefland Lady Indians softball team scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. has been cancelled and the back-to-back state champions will instead be honored by joining the Watermelon Festival parade on Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m.

The Watermelon Festival parade will go through downtown, beginning at Chiefland Middle High School and proceeding south on U.S. 19/Main Street to the Trailhead/Depot Park. 

The team won its second state softball championship earlier this month in Vero Beach defeating the Jay Royals for the second year in a row.