Florida

Bill Thompson

A plan to bring full-throttle motor sports excitement to a remote area of north Marion County has generated excitement among outdoor enthusiasts and some area residents who think their neck of the woods sorely needs an economic boost.

Mike Morrison

Unable to regulate all-terrain vehicles on its roads, the Brantley County Commission is barring them from cemeteries, riverbeds and parks.
After learning an earlier ordinance that was to have taken effect this month ran counter to state law, the commissioners passed a revamped version Tuesday.

Leslie Williams

COLLIER COUNTY — Mile marker 63 of Alligator Alley was a crossroads Sunday.

At first glance, it was merely one of a handful of rest stops along the desolate stretch of highway.

Eric Staats

A Collier County review sides against a plan to create an outdoor recreation area at a former jetport site along the Collier-Dade county line.

The review cites environmental impacts from off-road vehicles, increased greenhouse gas emissions and lengthy travel times to the site in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Margie Kacoha

During a beach walk Wednesday morning, John Fletemeyer noticed what he thought was a damaged leatherback turtle nest.

The town's former lifeguard supervisor, who started Palm Beach's sea turtle protection program more than 20 years ago, noticed all-terrain vehicle tracks behind The Breakers' Beach Club.

Mike Morrison

Having learned it can't regulate - or so much as allow - all-terrain vehicles on its roads, the Brantley County Commission now is looking toward stiffening fines in hopes of keep them off altogether.

The county had sought to allow responsible riding on roads with low speed limits, but was trumped by a state law that says the vehicles cannot be licensed or registered. That means the commissioners will have to rescind its ATV ordinance that was to have taken effect Sept. 1.

Mike Morrison

Brantley County's new ordinance regulating all-terrain vehicles may have been run off the road.

County Commission Chairman Ron Ham said Wednesday he has received an opinion from the office of Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker that calls into question the legality of the ordinance, which the commissioners adopted in June to regulate their use on county roadways.

OUR POSITION: The conflict over North Port's restrictive ATV ordinance finally may be dying down.

For years, we've heard a continual roar of squabbling and complaints from people who want more freedom to ride all-terrain vehicles in North Port and people who'd just as soon see the machines left in the garage.

Mike Morrison

Brantley County will no longer be open range for all-terrain vehicles when a new county ordinance goes into effect in 60 days.

The County Commission unanimously passed an off-road vehicle ordinance Tuesday night after years of complaints that rogue riders were destroying property, damaging the environment and endangering themselves and other motorists.