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Man Accused Of Murdering Century Native Changes Plea

A Bay Minette teen wants to withdraw his no contest plea charges that he shot a Century native in the face last June.

Ellis Jarel McArthur, 18, of Bay Minette, Ala., entered the surprise no contest plea in Escambia County Circuit Court in March. He was due to be sentenced Thursday, but instead told the judge that he wants to change his plea. A new hearing is scheduled for July.

McArthur was charged with the shooting death of  Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola. Kimbrough was a former resident of Century. McArthur will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.

Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.

He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.

Kimbrough was shot June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.

Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.

The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.

Cantonment Man Seriously Injured In Highway 95A Crash

A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a wreck Thursday night on Highway 95A  in Cantonment.

The Florida Highway Patrol said David M. Boyce, 27, of Cantonment was traveling north on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle about 9:49 p.m. On Highway 95A south of Roberts Road, he changed lanes and passed several vehicles. Then, he suddenly changed lanes back to the northbound lane, failing to slow enough to avoid a collision.

Boyce’s motorcycle slid on its side into the rear of 2004 Jeep driven by William T. Hooper III, 21, of Cantonment. Boyce was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Hooper was not injured in the crash.

Charges are pending against Boyce in the crash, according to the FHP.

Smith Indicted In Ax Murder Case

An Escambia County Grand Jury returned a first degree premeditated murder charge Thursday against  accused an ax murderer that told deputies “I enjoyed it; I loved every friggin’ swing” .

Nathan Greg Smith, 28, will be arraigned on the charge June 10. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond for the May 19 murder of Brian Puckett, 34.

Puckett was found dead in a home May 19 on Hollowbrook Circle, a cul-de-sac near Hillcrest Baptist Church. Deputies believe he died after being hit in the head with an ax.

Nathan Smith’s mother, Constance Smith, told investigators that her boyfriend Puckett was dead in the garage. Deputies found Puckett’s body sitting in a chair in the garage. “They immediately noticed a large laceration to the left side of the victim’s head, and it was apparent he was deceased,”  Deputy Robert Guy, Jr. wrote in his report. The report states deputies found an ax by the back door of the garage, about 10-15 feet from the victim.

Deputies found Nathan Smith asleep inside the residence. He told them that he had been out with his friend the previous night and had gotten home about midnight. He told deputies that Puckett and Constance Smith were arguing, but he went straight to his room and went to sleep.

The friend told deputies that he and Nathan Smith arrived at the residence about 2:30 a.m. At about 5 a.m., Nathan Smith went to the nearby friend’s house and stated that he had gotten into an altercation with Puckett and ” he thought he hurt him pretty bad”, the Sheriff’s Office report states.

The friend said he later received a phone call from a hysterical Constance Smith stating that Puckett was dead and that she thought her son, Nathan Smith, was in trouble. The friend told deputies that Constance Smith said that Puckett had been hit with an ax.

Nathan Smith, Constance Smith and Puckett all resided in the same house, according to deputies.

Northview High Baccalaureate Tonight, Graduation Saturday

Baccalaureate services will be tonight and graduation will be held Saturday for the Northview High School Class of 2010.

The 2010 Senior Class of Northview High School will hold student-led Baccalaureate exercises Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Atmore First Assembly of God on South Main Street. All family and friends are welcome.

For seniors participating in the services, Sunday dress attire is requested under cap and gown. For additional information contact senior class President Candice Greenwell at (850) 587-2489.

Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2010 will be Saturday 4 p.m. in the Northview High School gym.

There will be mandatory graduation practice at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 4. The graduation group portrait will be taken at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 5.

Molino 16U Lady Astros Are Tourney Runner-Ups

The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team started their season as runner-ups in a recent USFA qualifier tournament in Daphne, Alabama.

The Astros lost in the elimination round to Voo Doo of New Orleans, only to face them again and beat them 4-3 in the semi-finals to advance to the championships. The Lady Astros came up short, losing 3-1 to Crossfire of Gulfport.

Pitching for the Lady Astros were Jami Ujvair, Tristen Faircloth and Heather Schaff. Molino had team batting average of over 400 for the tournament and only two errors in the championship game.

Pictured: The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Pelicans Win Thriller Over Saints 5-4

The Pensacola Pelicans snapped a four game losing streak Thursday night. Antoin Gray singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to send the Pelicans (7-13) to an exciting 5-4 win over the Saints (9-10).

The Saints would get a run in the second inning when Brandon Carter hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Brent Krause and give St. Paul an early 1-0 lead.

Pensacola would answer back in a big way in the bottom half of the second inning when Chase Porch hit an RBI infield single with the bases loaded to score Lou Palmisano and tie the game up at 1. Dallas Christison would follow with a two run single to left field to bring in Joey Side and John Alonso to give the Pels a 3-1 lead.

With the score 3-2, Chase Porch hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Joey Side and make it a 4-2 lead for Pensacola.

St. Paul would get that run back in the seventh inning as Brandon Carter lined a double down the third base line to bring in Gerard Haran and make it 4-3.

The Saints would tie it up in the eighth inning when Haran lined a single infront of Porch in left field to bring in Jason Cooper and even up the score at 4.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pelicans loaded the bases with nobody out. Antoin Gray followed as he dropped in a single to left field to score Dallas Christison and win the game for the Pelicans 5-4.

The win goes to Ron Hill (1-1) as he got the last out in the top half of the ninth inning.

The loss goes to Joe DAlessandro (0-1) as he gives up the RBI hit from Gray in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

Jay High Class Of 2010 Graduates

About 75 members of the Jay High School Class of 2010 graduated Thursday night at the school. Class valedictorian was Cierra Golden, and salutatorian was Rush Hendricks. About half of this year’s class earned a scholarship, with over $900,000 awarded. Submitted photo by Julie Booth-Moran for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Walnut Hill Man Jailed After Active Meth Lab Found In Davisville (With Photos)

The discovery of a meth lab Thursday night near Davisville landed a Walnut Hill man in jail, facing multiple felony charges.

Scotty Wayne Wiggins, 30, of North Pine Barren Road, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.

According to Heath Jackson, a narcotics investigator for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received at tip about 7 p.m. Thursday that a meth lab was being operated behind a home on Pine Barren Church Road in Davisville. When Deputy Tod Day investigated the complaint, he found what appeared to be a meth lab in a wooded area behind a home that did not belong to Wiggins.

Jackson and fellow Narcotics Division Investigator Rene Reguindin responded to the scene. They tested the suspected meth, with field tests confirming the illegal substance.

“It was an active lab with no finished product,” Jackson said, pointing at a plastic bottle of liquid. The lab components were removed by a hazardous materials team from Tallahassee.

Pictured top and bottom: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division Investigators Rene Reguindin (left) and Heath Jackson (right) perform field tests on a suspected active meth lab found Thursday night in Davisville. Pictured inset:  Some of the meth ingredients and drug paraphernalia recovered by deputies. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.

Photo Gallery: Northview Honors The Class Of 2010

The Northview Class of 2010 held Senior Honors Night at the school Thursday night.

During the honors night, Northview seniors were awarded $688,515 in scholarships.

For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.

The following awards, honors and scholarships were presented:

Athletic Awards
Aimee Clark, Bishop State Community College, $22,000
Amber McMillan, Bishop State Community College, $22,000
Austin Reid, Northwest Florida State College, $ TBA

Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars
Kaitlyn Caraway $400
Clinton Davis $400
Mark Shipps, Jr. $400
Kolbi Cobb $300
Bradley Lowery $300
Amber McMillan $300

Barrineau Park Historical Society
Felecia Settle — $500

Escambia River Electric Cooperative
Jessica Bloodsworth — $4,000 ($1000 for 4yrs)

FFA Alumni Scholarship
Micah Byars — $500

First National Bank and Trust
Clinton Davis– Sal. $50 Saving Bond

John E. Frenkel Sr. Educational Grants
Jessica Bloodsworth — $1000
Micah Byars — $1000

Navy League of Pensacola Award
Clinton Davis — $1000

Pensacola Civitan Club
Clinton Davis, Citizen of the Year  – gift card

Pensacola Junior College
Principal Scholarship – Felicia Settle — $1600
Minority Scholarship –Angela Knoble-Rodderquez — $1600
2+2 PJC/University of Florida – Micah Byars — $3200

Quint and Rishy Studer Group Scholarship
Jackson Smith — $1000

Russell Stewart Memorial Scholarship
Jessica Bloodsworth — $500

Spirit of the Chief Award
John Sellers — $1000
Amber McMillan — $1000

United Bank of Atmore Award
Kaitlyn Caraway Val. $200 Stock/Money

University of West Florida
Mark Shipps — $17,000

US Army Scholar Athlete
Bradley Lowery — Medal
Candice Greenwell — Medal

USNA/NROTC
Jessica Bloodsworth — $180,000

Jim/Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship
Clinton Davis — $750
Jessica Bloodsworth — $750

Walnut Hill Ruritan
Micah Byars, Glenn Key Ruritan Award — $500
Gavin Hinote, Walnut Hill Ruritan Service Award — $500

Beta Club
Jessica Bloodsworth
Kaitlyn Caraway
Kolbi Cobb
Clint Davis
Eric Ickeringill
Austin Lowery
Felicia Settle
Jackson Smith
Dakota Stuckey
Heather Ward

Alabama Power Scholarship
Kolbi Cobb — $1250

Armstrong Atlantic State University
Jessica Bloodsworth, Dollars for Scholars Scholarship $1000

American Welding Society Scholarship
Patrick Garrison, George Stone Technical Center — $3500

Auburn University

AU Board of Trustees
Kaitlyn Caraway & Brad Lowery — $1000 each

Harry Haman Annual Scholarship
Kaitlyn Caraway –$ 2500

College of Sciences and Mathematics
Bradley Lowery — $1500

Spirit of Auburn University Scholar
Kaitlyn Caraway & Brad Lowery — $10,000 each

Charles and Alice Mayson Scholarship
Mark Shipp — $12,000

FMS — 4 years, $10,816 each
Jessica Bloodsworth
Cody Parker
Micah Byars
Sarah Roth
Kaitlyn Caraway
John Sellars
Lennie Caum
Felicia Settle
Kolbi Cobb
Chris Sheets
Candice Greenwell
Jackson Smith
Seth Leonard
Heather Ward
Austin Lowery

FAS — 4 years — $16,552 each
Clint Davis
Brad Lowery
Eric Ickeringill
Mark Shipps

GSA — 2 years — $3,496 each
Jacob Garrison
Casey Hare

I.P. Pensacola Employees Scholarship
Clinton Davis — $1000

International Paper Co. Employee Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
Brittany Pete — $1300

Jacksonville University Academic Scholarship
Jessica Bloodsworth — $52,000 ($13,000/4yrs)

Jefferson Davis Community College Honors Scholarship
Kolbi Cobb – $4,320

National Wildlife Turkey Federation
Kolbi Cobb —$500
Gavin Hinote — $500

Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tuition Assistance Program
Wesley Morris — $30,000

Fred L. McGhee Memorial Indian Descent Scholarship
Heather Ward — $2,000

Take Stock in Children
Jessica Bloodsworth –$10,327 (4 yrs spread)

Tri-City Rotary Club
Felicia Settle — $500

Troy University Millennium Scholars Scholarship
Clinton Davis — $46,000

University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts
Carley Hetrick — $8,000 — $2,000 per yr

**SUBJECT AREA AWARDS**

Agriscience
Micah Byars — Outstanding Student

Art
Parish Kelley — Visual Arts HAA
Mallorie Okahashi—Outstanding Visual Arts Exemplary
Nathan Taylor — Outstanding Visual Arts Exemplary

Band/Chorus/Drama
Kolbi Cobb – Band
Mallory Okahashi – Band
Jackson Smith – Band
Olivia Nolen – Colorguard
Allison Spence – Colorguard
Carley Hetrick – Chorus
Thaddues Jones – Music
Nathan Taylor – Drama
Kayla Dempsey – Drama

Business Technology
Business Education Direct Study –HAA
Alex McDonald
Digital Design 2 – HAA
Olivia Nolen
Digital Design 2 – Outstanding Student
Kassandra Lett
Digital Design 3 – HAA
Alex McDonald
Web Design 3 – HAA
Dylan Stafford

Language Arts
Kaitlyn Caraway — Eng Hon — HAA
Kolbi Cobb — Reg. Eng – - HAA
Seth Leonard — Reg. Eng — Exemplary

Science
Kaitlyn Caraway– HAA Physics Honors
Clint Davis– Exemplary Physics Honors
Eric Ickeringill Most Inproved –Physics Honors
Jackson Smith – HAA Anatomy Honors
Seth Leonard – Exemplary Environmental Science

Spanish
Mark Shipps — HAA

Social Studies
Ashley Bonner — HAA Eco.
Amber McMillian — Exemplary

Technology Education
Jackson Smith – HAA–Construction Tech
Seth Leonard– HAA — Drafting 1
Jonathan Burkett—Drafting 2

Vocational Award
Bradley Griener

Yearbook Editor
Kaitlyn Caraway
Clint Davis
Dakota Stuckey

*HAA = Highest Academic Average

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Latest Escambia Oil Update; Landfall Expected In Escambia

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County:

(recently updated information is highlighted in yellow)

Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key are open. Areas of tarballs, tar patties, and sheen have been confirmed approximately 10 miles from the Escambia County shoreline. According to the NOAA oil plume model, the primary oil plume is 30 miles from Pensacola, more than 150 miles from Gulf County, and 330 miles from St. Petersburg, with non contiguous sheens and scattered tarballs closer. Sheen has been confirmed approximately six miles off the coast of Navarre and approximately 10 miles off the Escambia County coast. Southwest winds are expected to continue through Sunday with speeds of 10-15 knots. Trajectories show a northeastward movement of oil over the next 3 days, threatening the shorelines of Alabama and possibly the western Florida Panhandle. Forecasted increases in seas and a 50-80% chance of showers and thunderstorms through Friday may hamper surface oil recovery operations. West winds are forecast for early next week, though a rare late season cold front may produce offshore winds as early as next Wednesday. No new tarballs were discovered on Wednesday, June 3. The tar mats observed Tuesday, June 1, are much more dispersed. With the spill’s closer proximity and winds from the south, an odor may be detected by residents.

Reconnaissance flights are being conducted daily, weather permitting, to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact. Unified command continues to check, verify the condition and make repairs as needed to currently placed booms. The county will work with Unified Command on any placement of boom within navigable waterways.

British Petroleum (BP)

BP claims in Florida: 5,487 with approximately $3,882,844 paid

There are reports of a scam involving individuals falsely representing themselves as BP employees and offering applicants training and promising job placement for a fee.  BP does not charge to train and hire applicants.  If you or someone you know has been charged for training, please contact law enforcement. BP is providing a $100,000 grant through a Memorandum of Understanding with Volunteer Florida to maintain a database for the regulation of volunteers. BP’s Florida Gulf Response web site: www.floridagulfresponse.com. File claims with BP online: http://www.bp.com/claims. BP’s claims office is located at 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. BP claims categories BP recommends anyone with a claim call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. By calling the claims number, adjusters at the claims office will have the information prior to your visit. If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118. The BP community outreach office is open for citizens at 435 East Government Street. Representatives are available to answer any questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other oil spill related questions. Phone: (850) 912-8640, fax: (850) 912-8755. To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511. BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. To pick up or deliver completed Vessels of Opportunity packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511. Do not sign any documents in return from money from BP or anyone else until you know the extent of your loss. BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards. BP does not use contractors to contact or solicit volunteers for cleanup. All training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration. The Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. All rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation. If you have wildlife training, call 1-866-557-1401. Boaters are requested to report sightings of broken, disconnected or adrift boom and are asked to keep their distance from boom especially at night or in conditions of restricted visibility. Please report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom to: 1-866-448-5816. See details.

Federal (NOAA)

Wednesday, June 2 – Local fishing areas remain open, however NOAA has again expanded the closed fishing areas in national waters. See details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida (DEP, FWC)

At the request of Governor Crist, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce expanded the fishery failure declaration for the Gulf of Mexico to include Florida on 6/2/10. This declaration provides impacted and eligible commercial fisheries the opportunity for federal support; it does not close fisheries. See DEP’s Homeowner Tips for Protecting Florida’s Shorlines (PDF) The Small Business Administration issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida. Pensacola office: 401 E. Chase St., Ste. 100. The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time. See news release. Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual. More information. FWC press release on data collection on gulf red snapper to address oil spill impacts. Submit innovative technology ideas, suggestions or products by completing this form. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to Innovative.Technolgy@dep.state.fl.us. For more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans visit the SBA website. Video and audio public service announcements are available for download to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. See details. Report boom vandalism to the (800) 320-0519 or #DEP from your cell phone. An Economic Recovery Task Force was established facilitate efforts by businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the oil spill incident. A Legal Advisory Council was established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state. For information on the Florida Small Business Development Center’s Mobile Area Command units, visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp FWC temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 850-413-3089 or toll-free 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

The Local Area Plan (LAP) booming has been completed in the Old River and Innerarity Intracoastal areas. Additional boom is being wet-staged at various locations in local waterways.

Secondary and tertiary boom staging began Tuesday, June 1. Documents were signed Tuesday to allocate $700,000 in funding for tourism promotion with the Escambia County Tourism Development Council, with another $700,000 to be allocated in 45 days. EOC briefings will be held at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until further notice. Escambia County’s Emergency Operations Center returned to a Level 2 (partial) activation. Hurricane season began June 1. See the Hurricanes and Oil Spill Fact Sheet (PDF) Escambia County is evaluating every viable proposal for coastal protection and recovery, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved. Escambia County, in conjunction with the University of West Florida, is collecting gulf water samples from Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key weekly to indicate any changes in water quality. On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only. No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL. On gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants or other material is not approved. DEP is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed. Residents and business owners with water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared (photos, video, etc. documenting the current condition of the property). If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches they feel needs to be reported: Contact the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce at 850-492-4660 on Perdido Key Report to the lifeguards on duty on Pensacola Beach Deflective boom – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – has been deployed in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. See boom deployment progress report and map. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom. To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom is “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.

Local Beaches

SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the event beaches are impacted by the oil spill, it may be necessary to issue health advisories to protect health and safety. The Florida Department of Health will issue advisories as they become necessary for the area of affected water and shoreline. Beaches above the high tide line should remain open for sunbathing, walking, shopping and dining. The exact area for the advisories will be determined at the time oil is reported.

City of Pensacola

The City of Pensacola continues to coordinate with Escambia County officials.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has determined volunteers cannot be used in any situation where they may come in contact with oiled shorelines or oiled wildlife. To volunteer, call BP at 1-866-448-5816.

Safety Information

The Escambia County Health Department offers advice to residents experiencing symptoms from odors associated with the oil spill. (See details at www.escambiahealth.com.) If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816. Florida Department of Health Deepwater Horizon Health Information FAQs Seafood Consumption FAQs Wildlife Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife as this may cause additional injuries. If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401. Please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted. Boats Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms. Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats. Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens. Beaches and Waterways Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances. Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns. Personal Safety Gulf coast residents may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies or pre-existing respiratory conditions, some may experience more severe symptoms. For Air Quality Reports, see http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html. Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic. If you see or smell oil, leave immediately. Avoid skin contact with oil or oil-contaminated water. Do not swim or ski in areas affected by oil, and if you travel through the area by boat, take care when hoisting the anchor. Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters. Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor. Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area. Report oiled shorelines to 1-866-448-5816.

Business Information

More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance to seek compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc. Florida emergency management and economic development staff are gathering information from businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Please complete their survey and help shape Florida’s response to this event. The survey will be updated periodically. Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. When cancellations occur, ask the party if the cancellation is related the oil spill. Keep the person’s name and contact information, and the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation. Businesses that may be negatively impacted due to the oil spill, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented. Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support your claim. Compare business to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred. Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include appropriate records to support the list. Example: if your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. It is important to record this depreciation.

Citizen Information The Citizens’ Information Line is open, 471-6600, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 1-888-337-3569.

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