Suspect Steals Car, Wants To Kill Cops; Says “Living Is Hard And Dying Is Easy”
May 7, 2010
Out of jail for just two days, a Cantonment man is back in the Escambia County Jail without bond after he stole a car, tried to lure deputies into a wooded area while threatening to kill them, and making statements that “living is hard and dying is easy” and that he would “kill the police”, according to deputies.
Jimmie Bradley, Sr., 54, of Hazard Lane, Cantonment, is charged with grand theft of a vehicle, resisting an officer without violence/obstruction of justice, domestic violence battery, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license.
The incident involving Bradley began about 10 a.m. Wednesday when Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Joyner responded to a vehicle theft in progress call at the intersection of Highway 29 and Airport Boulevard. He was advised by dispatchers that the suspect was traveling north on Highway 29 in a blue 1994 Toyota Corolla occupied by Bradley.
When deputies located the victim on Highway 29, she told them she had driven Bradley, who is her ex-husband, to the Escambia County Clinic on Palafox Street for a doctor’s appointment. On the return trip, Bradley became very irate and angry “stating that he was going to get everyone including his son’s people in Alabama, (the victim) and police”. While northbound on Highway 29, Bradley pulled the keys out of the car, causing the victim to run off the road. He then allegedly tried to pull her out of the car before getting into the driver’s seat.
That’s when, according to the arrest report, he “stated that he wanted the police to come to Hazard Lane and said he knows he can get at least four cops then he’ll pull their cars down into his yard”.
Bradley was located by deputies in a wooded area off Quintette Road about a quarter mile from Highway 29. He was given numerous orders by deputies to get down on the ground, but he failed to comply for at least five minutes. According to the report, Bradley eventually complied and was taken into custody after making several attempts to lure deputies into a wooded area visible from Highway 29. He also reportedly made numerous statements that he would “kill the police”.
On the way to jail, Bradley reportedly told deputies that, “If I make bond, someone’s going to die”. Deputies found 59 .22 caliber bullets and one spent 410 shotgun shell in his possession.
According to Sheriff’s Office reports, this was not the first incident in which Bradley threatened to kill officers. In late March, he allegedly robbed a man and then committed battery on an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy before telling them that he would kill them and another man when he gets out of jail. [Read that story here.] The battery on an officer charge in that case was dropped. He was released from jail May 3 on $20,000 bond in connection with that incident.
Rotary Club Honors Academic All-Stars
May 7, 2010
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about two dozen Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Clinton Eugene Davis, Mark Allen Shipps Jr. from Northview High School; Savannah Brown, Austin Heller and Sarah Ziglar from Atmore Christian School; Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin from Escambia Academy; and Tyler Wade Boatwright, Devante Cottrell Brown, Sheena-Marie Currie*, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman and Kimberly Marie Rolin.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, La’Derious Ty’Shon Franklin, Kaitlyn Brooke Gunn, Justin Lance Halteman, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks and Tyler Dewayne Roley
10th Grade
Holly Nicole Dickson, Amber Dianne Francis, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Tyler Lindsay Randolph and Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
11th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez, Sarah Malinda Killam, Hayley Renee Simpson and Emily Faith Vickrey
12th Grade
Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Kolbi Shae Cobb, Clinton Eugene Davis, Bradley James Lowery, Amber Nicole McMillan and Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar
10th Grade
Tessa de Jongh, Frisco Gehman and Mary Maud Meacham
11th Grade
Dallas Brown, Cody Mize and Deidre Smith
12th Grade
Savannah Brown, Mallorie Dunsford, Austin Heller, Zack Miller and Sarah Ziglar
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Paige Allen, Paul Arnold, Caitlyn Bruley, Selina Dukes, Page Lancaster, Blake Quimby and Sarah Wooten
10th Grade
Jenna Brown, Miranda Caraway, Katelyn Chastang, James Dean and Brandon Goddard
11th Grade
Amber Huskey, Keaton Maher and Bailey Vaughn
12th Grade
Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Jake Austin Caraway, Krista Anna Choate, Kianna Simone Clark, Shalonda Trenee Howard, Janay Louise Hunt, Scarlet Olivia Martin, La’Derian De’Andreas Peoples, Samantha Leigh Richard, Chelsie Elizabeth Schell, Heather Ann Taylor and Bria Nicole Willis
10th Grade
Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Jamaine Ephraim Jr., Taylor Rainy January, Ashley Nichole McKenzie, Roger Lucas Miller, Jamieka Bessie Marie North, Mary LaRose Powell and Sarah Jessica Powell
11th Grade
Jasmine Danielle Chafin, Jordan Allene Colbert, Kristen Anne Gehman, Corleia Charzet McGinnis, Morgan Elise Nichols and Brooke Elizabeth Woolard
12th Grade
Tyler Wade Boatwright, Danitra Monique Brown, Devante Cottrell Brown, Leslie Rene Cummings, Sheena-Marie Currie, Tikeshia Latrice Dailey, Lillian Victoria Dennis, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Heather Sarah Hall, Whitney Vona Johnson, Kirsten Danielle Morris, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman, Karshella Jabrae Purifoy, Kimberly Marie Rolin and Jasmine Tysheike Tolbert
Pictured top: Seniors from Northview High School that were honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Stars Thursday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Valentino Enters Not Guilty Plea
May 7, 2010
Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino entered a not guilty plea Thursday in Escambia County Circuit Court. He’s charged with the solicitation of a political contribution in a building owned by a governmental agency.
Valentino is accused of accepting a campaign donation at his county office from Pensacola developer Dan Gilmore on November 5, 2009.
The charge is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine. Valentino is due back in court for a jury trial in late June.
Fallen Officers Honored; One Sheriff Killed In North Escambia’s Past
May 7, 2010
Law enforcement officers who have died in the line duty were honored Thursday morning by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Over 25 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in Escambia County, including a sheriff shot to death in North Escambia.
Since 1923, 11 Escambia County deputies have died in the line of duty. Another 13 Pensacola Police Department Officers have been killed since 1889 and one constable was killed on duty in 1955.
An Escambia County, Alabama, sheriff was shot and killed in North Escambia near Bluff Springs on July 3, 1895.
Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff E.S. McMillan was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for the notorious train robber nicknamed “Railroad Bill.” In 1893, Railroad Bill had shot and wounded a deputy sheriff who confronted him at a Bluff Springs home about not paying taxes on his weapon. He then fled and spent the next two years illegally riding Alabama freighters, robbing trains, and engaging in gun fights with lawmen.
In July of 1895, Sheriff McMillan (pictured) received a tip that Railroad Bill was hiding out in Bluff Springs, Florida, and went with a posse to arrest him. As Sheriff McMillan walked along the railroad tracks, the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree, opened fire with a Winchester rifle. Sheriff McMillan was struck and succumbed to his wounds a short time later. Railroad Bill was later gunned down by a host of law enforcement officers.
McMillan is the only officer from Escambia County, Alabama, to ever die in the line of duty.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (right) addresses a group Thursday morning gathered to honor fallen law enforcement officers. Pictured top inset: A wreath at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officers Memorial. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Oil Onshore, But Business Is Already Hurting
May 7, 2010
Florida remains the white-sand wonder that has attracted tourists for decades, but even the threat of oil soaked beaches or the waters that sculpt them is costing Florida businesses millions, representatives of Florida hospitality industry said Thursday.
Faced with a bump in cancellations brought on by fears that a BP oil spill will make landfall along Florida’s Panhandle, motel owners, charter fishing captains and restaurateurs called on tourists to keep their vacation plans intact while calling on government officials to keep the pressure on the company to make due on earlier promises to pay “all legitimate claims.”
What’s unclear is what “all legitimate claims” means.
“It’s easy for a hotel to say this is how many rooms canceled, but how does a cleaning company estimate how many clients they didn’t get because of this,” said Meg Peltier, President of the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce.
Of more immediate concern, however, is what to do about economic bleeding that has already occurred. Imprecise media reports and popular misconceptions are making matters worse for the state’s top industry that will suffer regardless of whether oil meets the shore.
Kevin Begos, a seafood industry spokesman in Apalachicola, said the spill has definitely affected the marketplace, even though there’s no oil anywhere nearby yet. He said seafood dealers in his area have seen orders drop considerably.
“Right now, it’s mostly fear, because oil hasn’t come here yet,” Begos said. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t being felt in the wallets of fishermen, oystermen and shrimpers who work the Apalachicola Bay.
“The question becomes would BP pay for if it impacts your business even if oil doesn’t come here,” said Begos, who is the director of the Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Task Force.
Other marine-based businesses are seeing the same thing. Capt. John Rivers, owner of Mega Bites Inshore Charter in Gulf Breeze, said earlier this week that all of his bookings for June have already canceled despite the fact that he doesn’t take his charters within 100 miles of the affected area. In the charter business, word travels fast and in this case that’s not helping matters.
“This could easily cost me all the rest of my of 2010 business,” Rivers said. “If the oil damages the nurseries, 2011 won’t be any better. I’m already looking for work.”
Meeting in Pensacola Beach Thursday, hospitality industry officials said they’re doing all they can to bring skeptical travelers back while assuring others to keep their Florida plans.
Some timeshare and beach rental companies are waiving the customary 14-day deadline vacationers need to cancel reservations without losing their deposits. Some are also now posting daily photos to show potential clients how the beaches look each day. The strategies appear to have reduced the rate of cancellations.
“Being honest with our customers is working,” said Park Brady, CEO, ResortQuest, a booking agency with thousands of listing in the Panhandle.
Lawmakers say the spill is having an impact on areas not immediately affected by the oil spill.
Foreign tourists, especially, are skittish because of the time and expense of international travel.
Also, to tourists not familiar with Florida geography, what happens in the Panhandle may be indiscernible from what happens in Orlando, though the two destination are more than 400 miles apart.
“For foreign tourists, when they hear something is happening in Florida, it’s happening in Florida,” said Rep. Rich Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg. “It’s not happening just in the Panhandle or just in southwest Florida.”
Anticipating further job losses, Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday requested $50 million in federal funds to pay unemployment claims brought on by the oil spill. Though BP is ultimately responsible, Crist urged President Barack Obama to approve the measure so the state can help assist affected workers while it waits for the company to reimburse.
“Such engagement is urgently needed to ensure a comprehensive state and federal response,” Crist wrote in his request for federal aid.
by Michael Peltier, The News Service Florida
Bryneville To Present ‘The Ever After’ Musical Tonight
May 7, 2010
The musical “The Ever After” will be presented by the Byrneville Relay for Life team tonight at the Century Community Center. The evening begins with a dinner at 6:30. Tickets are available for $10 at Byrneville Elementary School.
In the play, a cheesy, and arrogant, talk show host invites traditional fairy tale characters who have been estranged for 20 years to reconcile on live television. From Snow White and the Evil Queen to Cinderella and her middle-aged Ugly Stepsisters, this TV show parody asks the question, “Can’t we all just get along”? The talk show is punctuated by questions from obnoxious studio audience members and hilarious infomercials for fairy tale related products. Even Jiminy Cricket, now an occupational therapist and author of “My Life as Your Conscience”, makes a guest appearance to lend his professional opinion. Complete with a trash-talking clairvoyant mirror, an unfortunate prince who is turning slowly back into a frog and many other wacky fractured fairy tale bits, this talk show will keep the audience laughing.
Cast members include:
- Sally, The Host:Jacke Johnston
- Stepsister 1: Krystal McDaniel
- Stepsister 2: Candi Thornton
- Cinderella: Tina Digmon
- Snow White: Dee Wolfe-Sullivan
- Queen:Jessi Hall
- Mirror: Joy Walker
- Jiminy Cricket: Deana Weaver
- Emmett Mantella: Sharon Lambeth
- Pat: Amanda Dawson
- Beth: Brittany Rogers
- Sam: Susan Diamond
- Airhead: Stephanie Gilmore
- Loudmouth: Tame Dunsford
- Old Lady 1: Judy Parham
- Old Lady 2: Tracy Barberree
- Director: Elaine Holk
Pictured: The cast of the musical “The Ever After” to be presented Friday night by Byrneville Relay for Life team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Deputy Fired Over Abuse Allegations
May 7, 2010
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall has terminated the department lieutenant accused of sexually molesting two young girls.
John Mitchell Tomlinson, 46, had been on administrative leave since his arrest in March. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of capital sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old and three counts of sexual battery by a custodial authority.
Tomlinson was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on March 9 and charged with 120 counts of sexual battery on two girls between the ages of 12 and 18. One of the girls alleged abuse from when she was age nine to age 18. Over 100 of the charges were later dropped.
At the time of his arrest, Tomlinson was a Lieutenant with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He remains in the Walton County Jail, but will be transferred back to Santa Rosa County one week prior to his trial.
He is due back in court on July 12. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Four More Tate Aggies Sign With Brewton’s Jeff Davis
May 7, 2010
Four Tate Aggie seniors signed letters of intent to play baseball for Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton.
Joey Hedden, Tyler Moore, Lee Hunter and Cole Vickery signed with the Warhawks Thursday afternoon. They joined Brandon Blackwelder who signed with JDCC back in March.
Pictured: Five Tate Aggies have signed to play with Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton. They are: (standing, L-R) Tate Coach Todd Boyd, JDCC Coach Darrell Blevins; (sitting, L-R) Lee Hunter, Tyler Moore, Brandon Blackwelder, Cole Vickery, Joey Hedden. Pictured below, top to bottom, are the family signing photos of: Cole Vickery, Joey Hedden, Lee Hunter and Tyler Moore. Submitted photos by Deeann Lee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Escambia Oil Update
May 7, 2010
Here is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill update with information specific to Escambia County:
Escambia County Disaster Response
- Congressman Miller will be attending the EOC staff briefing Friday, May 7 at 9 a.m. He will also be available for the media following the briefing.
- We are not anticipating any oil impact over the weekend.
- We are forecast for favorable weather conditions for oil response preparations.
BP Actions
- BP Vessel of Opportunity – master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
- BP claims categories
- BP has deployed 118,200 feet of boom have been deployed in the Pensacola Bay area.
- BP is working on the following programs:
- Shoreline Assessment and Clean Up Plan
- Pre Impact Debris Removal Program
- BP has put up a $25 million Block Grant for the State of Florida.
- BP Officials want everyone to be aware of scam artists posing as BP contractors. Citizens are discouraged from signing any documents provided to them in return from money form BP or anyone else until they know the extent of their loss.
- BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
- BP is handling volunteer registration. Anyone interested in helping, should use the toll free number to register, 1-866-448-5816. They do not use contractors to contact or solicit anyone to volunteer for cleanup, nor will they ever ask for any kind of advance fee from you.
- Training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration. The training is for participation in clean up of hazardous materials that may wash ashore. This training is not for handling oiled wildlife.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research (Tri-State) who is contracted by British Petroleum to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. The service recognizes Tri-State’s expertise in wildlife oil spill response, and while many wildlife organizations and individuals have expressed interest in providing their assistance, all rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Coordination is vitally important for recovery and research efforts, and specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation . If you already have wildlife training, call BP with 1-866-557-1401.
Federal Actions
- On May 2, NOAA restricted fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay. Effective immediately. Details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
State of Florida
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
- The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to watch for oiled wildlife, vegetation and beaches by becoming a Coast Watch volunteer.
- Coast Watchers will assist BP, the state of Florida and partnering organizations in identifying beaches that need attention.
- Coast Watchers will work within the coastal communities where they live or visit and commit to do the following.
- For information on scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/.
- CFO Sink also noted that in all oil spill circumstances, affected businesses should file a claim with British Petroleum (BP Oil) via the hotline number — (800)-440-0858. 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 at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
- The state of Florida reminds its residents and visitors that the state’s coastline has not been impacted at this time and remains open for the public enjoyment.
- In the last 24 hours, the State Emergency Response Team sent several team members to Mobile to assist with Deepwater Horizon preparation and response.
- At this time, there are no indications of health risks to Floridians due to the Deepwater Horizon incident. The Department of Health (DOH) and DEP are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida’s beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe.
- The Attorney General’s office reported instances of fraud from companies claiming to be working with BP to set up training classes and asking people to pay up front. The training classes for oil cleanup being offered through BP are free and available to those that have registered. If you feel that you have been approached fraudulently, please call the Attorney General’s Office fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
- The state emergency operations center remains at a level 2 activation.
Actions by Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
- A Special Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m., May 13. The purpose of the meeting is to allow staff the opportunity, if necessary, to present to the Board, time-sensitive recommendations relative to the Deep Horizon Oil Plume. The meeting will be held in the Escambia County Governmental Complex, Board Chambers, Room 100, 221 Palafox Place.
- Over the next few days, Escambia County’s contractors will be deploying boom in portions of Stage Two. In addition, BP will be deploying boom in portions of Stage One and Stage Two of the Local Action Plan. As boom is deployed we will continue to post those locations.
- To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom will be “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.
- Coordinating with city officials on additional boom deployment locations.
- We are evaluating several operational options from contractors for coastal protection and recovery.
- We are looking at every viable proposal, coordinating with Unified Command and we will share that information as it is approved.
- BP has assumed deployment of boom to the Pensacola Pass East and West potions of the Escambia County Local Action Plan.
- County staff will make adjustments to utilize the boom priorities of Stage One and Stage Two sites.
- For a complete listing of sites see the Local Action Plan beginning on page 4 and the corresponding boom deployment map.
- BP is working with Escambia County to conduct a test boom deployment from the Local Area Plan.
- The Celebrate Escambia Waterways Beach Fun and Safety event for Saturday, May 8 has been postponed until further notice.
- All along our Gulf front shoreline beaches are small, basically clear and somewhat “pointy” plankton. The Pteropod, also known as the sea butterfly, is a larval snail that is naturally occurring. These plankton blew in with the Portuguese Man-O-War and By the Wind Sailors. Although they are fairly sharp and may stick your fingers and hands when picked up or your foot when you step on them, they do not pose a threat to people. They are not washing ashore due to anything oil related.
- The Local Area Plan has been approved by Secretary Sole for funding. (Plan)
- Deployment locations have been approved by Unified Command.
- Residents and business owners with any water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared now (photos, video, anything documenting the current condition of your property).
- The brown foam seen on the beaches recently is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence especially in the spring when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
- Escambia County, Florida beaches remain open at this time.
- Officials continue to monitor coastlines.
- SRIA lifeguards continue a 24/7 watch for oil approaching the shoreline.
- The EOC remains at level 2 activation. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.
- Meetings of all essential local emergency support agencies are being held daily.
- Pre-qualified contractors and consultants are coordinating with county staff on the disaster response.
- Environmental staff is continuing assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and performing aerial assessment.
- Environmental staff are confirming pre-assessments on air and water quality, and identifying any gaps.
- County officials continue working through state and federal channels to establish a process for resources and equipment.
- Emergency Management officials continue to communicate with the State of Florida liaison at unified command.
- County staff is continuing to coordinate with the Santa Rosa Island Authority on equipment necessary for the response effort
Local Beaches
- Remain open, water is clear and air quality is good.
City of Pensacola
- Coordinating with county officials.
Volunteer Opportunities & Training
- Very few spots are left for volunteer training on May 7. Call 850-471-6600 for information.
- This is for the health and safety training for handling petroleum contaminated materials. This is not training for handling oiled wildlife.
Safety Messages
- Contrary to information circulating the internet: all along our Gulf front shoreline beaches are small, basically clear and somewhat “pointy” plankton. The pteropod, also known as the sea butterfly, is a larval snail that is naturally occurring. These plankton blew in with the Portuguese Man-O-War and By the Wind Sailors. Although they are fairly sharp and may stick your fingers and hands when picked up or your foot when you step on them, they do not pose a threat to people. They are not washing ashore due to anything oil related.
Wildlife
- Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401, please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.
May is the hatching season for many birds and reptiles. Please use the toll free number above.
Boats
- Boats should keep a safe distance from any of the booms. Do not drive boats over any booms.
Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
Beaches and Waterways
- Residents should NOT to place any materials on the beach, such as pine straw.
- Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
- Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.
Personal Safety (if areas are affected by oil)
- Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave the area immediately.
- Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
- Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately 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.
- Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
- Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
- Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
- Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
- Individuals experiencing symptoms that are aggravated by the odors from the oil spill should consider: staying indoors, in air conditioning, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. If symptoms do not improve, contact a primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice.
- Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
- Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.
Businesses Information
- Take detailed records of canceled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the canceling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
- Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support such a claim. A good idea would be to compare business now 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. For 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 and it is important to record this depreciation.
- The Vessels of Opportunities Program is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. Call 281-366-5511.
- BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 800-440-0858. This system will allow people to being to process to recover lost income or recoup damage related expenses.
- If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the Coast Guard once BP has finalized your claim. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process can call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
- More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
- To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
- Businesses, including hoteliers, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc., that may be negatively impacted are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records and track any cancellations, should a claim need to be presented.
Citizen Information
The Citizen Information Center phone is open for questions from residents, 850-471-6600.
Contact Numbers
- Volunteer hotline: 1-866-448-5816
- Transocean hotline: 832-587-8554
- MI Swaco hotline: 888-318-6765
- BP Investor Relations: 381-366-3123
- BP family hotline: 281-366-5578
- BP third party contractor hotline: 281-366-5578
No Injuries In Thursday Evening Molino Road Wreck
May 6, 2010
There were no injuries in a single vehicle accident Thursday evening in Molino. The accident happened on Molino Road near Sunshine Hill Road when a driver lost control and came to rest in a ditch. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the wreck. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
