CRESTVIEW — The West Florida Regional Planning Council’s Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization is updating its long-range transportation plan, consultant Wiley Page said.

He began his report with a concern already evident to residents and councilmen alike.

“No news to you, Highway 85 is bad,” Page said.

Okaloosa County’s population is expected to grow from 190,800 residents last year to 204,400 by 2025 and 221,900 by 2040, with much of that growth in the north end, Page said during a recent presentation to the City Council.

The Planning Council is now looking ahead to 2040, forming a list of about 100 projects it believes will be needed to improve traffic flow.

“But available money will only cover about 20,” Page cautioned.

Several south county roads, including, State Road 20 between Niceville and into Walton County, are forecast to become “borderline congested.”

But in Crestview, no arteries are expected to be borderline. Instead they jump right to “very congested,” including State Road 85 and the P.J. Adams-Antioch Road Corridor.

U.S. Highway 90 from Antioch Road east to S.R. 85 is forecast to be only “congested.”

IN THE WORKS

Page, of Atkins North America’s Transportation Planning division, presented a list of nine major projects that the Florida Department of Transportation has on its “committed list.”

Of them, three are in Crestview:

●The four-phase P.J. Adams-Antioch Road widening, scheduled to begin this year

●Studying a new Interstate 10 interchange at Antioch Road, with a project development and environmental study—or PD&E—to start in the 2016-17 fiscal year 

●A four-lane U.S. Hwy. 90 to S.R. 85 bypass study, with PD&E scheduled for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

PRELIMINARY PLANS

Page’s report also included the Planning Council’s preliminary 2040 plans. Included Crestview projects are:

●Six-laning Interstate 10

●Six-laning S.R. 85 from south of the Shoal River to the I-10 interchange

●Enlarging the S.R. 85-I-10 interchange

●Constructing a four-lane bypass southeast of Crestview, connecting to the Antioch Road Corridor

●Adding a four-lane bypass in the Old Bethel Road area, or using Old Bethel itself.

As previous studies have stated, building an east bypass around Crestview is considered unfeasible due to concerns by Eglin Air Force Base.

“There is concern about encroachment on Duke Field,” Page said. “There is some sensitivity about lighting.”

‘A DIFFICULT TASK’

Councilman JB Whitten said he was glad to see several Crestview projects in the plan.

“The most common question we get on the City Council is, 'When are you going to do something to fix our roads?'” Whitten said. “Nobody's given up on solving the transportation issues of the city of Crestview.”

County Public Works Director Jason Autrey said S.R. 85 is a perennial problem.

“You have a whole bunch of roads in the north end that go to one road, which is State Road 85, that then goes to a whole bunch of roads in the south end,” Autrey said, describing an “hourglass” congestion point.

“We are unfortunately chasing a very difficult task at this time.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Planning Council calls for six-laning S.R. 85 in 2040 plan

DESTIN — The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will host a candidate forum for the upcoming Okaloosa County Republican State Committeeman and Committeewoman election on Aug. 30.

The forum will take place on Tuesday, July 26 at Niceville City Hall, 209 N. Partin Drive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the forum begins at 6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Republican candidate forum scheduled

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Democrats seek Crestview residents who would like to volunteer to help get Democratic candidates elected in the November elections.

Volunteers do not need to be registered Democrats. “We are more than happy to welcome non-affiliated voters, registered Republicans, and even those residents who are not yet registered to vote,” a spokesperson with the group said. “If you enjoy talking with other Crestview residents, either on the telephone or in person, we need you. If you are willing to drive voters to the polls, we need you. We also need volunteers for data entry, to provide support to the volunteers, and to assist people in registering.”

Voters must be registered by Aug.  1 to vote in the primary and by Oct. 11 to vote in the November general election.

“We really need three or four people as soon as possible who are willing to call volunteers from previous years,” the spokesperson said. “If you have an internet connection, a computer and a telephone, we will show you how to use the database for these calls. It's easy, and you can do this from the comfort of your home and on your schedule.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Democrats seek Crestview volunteers

CRESTVIEW — Science, technology, engineering and math training will be crucial in the classroom to meet future technology and engineering job demands. That’s why Okaloosa County entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Hsu is glad to receive the Senate majority leader’s support for STEM education.   

Hsu discussed his vision for education and training last week during the International Leadership Foundation’s Annual Gala in Washington D.C. Hsu serves as chairman of the D.C.-based ILF, an Asian youth leadership and mentoring organization. He also champions educational support endeavors through the Hsu Family Educational Foundation. 

“With a shared view that better equipping young people in the S.T.E.M. fields will be essential for our nation’s progress, Hsu received assurances from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell among other key decision and policy makers in attendance,” a Hsu Foundation spokesperson said.

“By recognizing and encouraging educators, growing student interest in S.T.E.M. through robotics clubs, 3D printing and drone demonstrations are just a few ways the HSU Foundation is making a local impact for the next generation’s future,” a spokesperson said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa entrepreneur receives Senate majority leader’s support of STEM education

Last night, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL-1) designating the United States Postal Service facility at 3957 2nd Avenue in Laurel Hill, Florida, as the "Sergeant First Class William 'Kelly' Lacey Post Office."

The House of Representatives passed the legislation on May 23  of this year. 

Army Sergeant First Class William “Kelly” Lacey was completing his second tour in Afghanistan when his life was tragically taken during a rocket propelled grenade attack.

“Without question Sergeant Lacey embodied the true American spirit and that of a warrior,” Miller said. “He bravely dedicated his life to protecting our freedom and naming this Post Office after him in his home town is just a small way of saying thank you and memorializing his ultimate sacrifice.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class William “Kelly” Lacey died on Jan. 4, 2014, while fending off attackers on his unit’s outpost in Nangarhar province in Afghanistan.  He died from injuries sustained while protecting his fellow soldiers when enemy combatants breached friendly defensive positions with a car bomb.

“I am humbled to take on this effort to honor Kelly’s sacrifice to our great Nation,” Miller added. “He is a true hero and a fitting example of service, dedication, and excellence in our community.” 

Now, the president just has to sign off on the renaming.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPDATE: Senate votes to rename Laurel Hill post office for fallen local soldier

SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office is mailing renewal notices for 2017 business tax receipts, formally known as occupational licenses.

Payment options include:

●Using an e-check at www.OkaloosaTax.com

●Visiting 302 N. Wilson St. Suite 101 Crestview. Call 651-7300 for hours.

The local business tax receipt is for businesses that provide merchandise, entertainment or services to the public, even one-person companies or home-based businesses.

This year, the renewal process has changed in a way that will save time and money, according to the tax collector’s office.

"Because we are now mailing postcards instead of a full page renewal, we are saving the taxpayers thousands of dollars in inventory and postage,” Director of Business Collections Joshua Allen said.

Also, since they no longer supply a return envelope, "It will encourage more customers to pay online … and will ultimately cut down on long lines in our branches.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Tax Collector's office mails business tax renewals

CRESTVIEW — A bill to rename Laurel Hill’s post office in honor of a local Army soldier is making its way through the Senate.

Read Bill H.R. 4987 and check its progress

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller introduced H.R. 4987 into the U.S. House of Representatives April 18. The House passed the bill May 23, and supporters hope the post office will bear the name, "Sergeant First Class William 'Kelly' Lacey Post Office," by the year’s end.

Lacey died Jan. 4, 2014 protecting fellow soldiers from a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Lacey — born on Eglin Air Force Base and raised in Niceville, then Laurel Hill — earned numerous Army Commendation and achievement medals, three Bronze stars, and many other wartime awards.

His family — mother, Pam Joiner of Live Oak; father and stepmother, John and Karla Lacey of Laurel Hill; wife Ashley and daughter Lily of Radcliff, Ky. — requested to have his name added to the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial Wall in Crestview. The request was approved in August 2015, but Miller's efforts to get the post office renamed pleasantly surprised the family.

"It has passed through Congress and it's in the Senate, but after that the president would have to sign it," Karla Lacey said Wednesday evening.

"We're just very, very honored and feel blessed that Jeff Miller did this. It's just another way for Kelly to always be remembered. I do hope it's close to being passed."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Senate considering bill to rename Laurel Hill post office for local soldier

LAUREL HILL — A Northwest Florida Water Management District grant could fund City Councilman Travis Dewrell’s idea to provide backup for the city’s water system.

Earlier this year, Dewrell proposed looking into tapping into the Auburn Water System, Paxton’s water system, or both, depending on which option is cheaper. Dewrell since learned available grant money might allow interdependence for all three systems.

“They’re releasing a million dollars, to average about $100,000 per project,” Crystal Wetherington of Preble-Rish Consulting Engineers said during a July 7 presentation to the City Council.

Wetherington said the grant money can be used for most projects that improve water services “for economically distressed communities.” One such recently completed project was construction of a series of system “loops” that led to improvements of Jay’s water supply.

Dewrell said having the possibility to tap into neighboring water supplies will let service to Laurel Hill customers continue in case an emergency, such as lightning or a storm shutting down pumps and backup equipment.

“Having our system linked up with a neighboring system seems like a huge priority,” Dewrell said. “Any problem we could possibly have with our water system, we can overcome by purchasing water from a neighboring system, and by the same token, we can sell them water from our system.”

“Linking water systems is a priority, and it's something the (water) district wants to see,” municipal consultant Pat Blackshear said.

With applications due Aug. 10, the council by consensus directed Preble-Rish to apply for a grant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill to seek grant for water system backup

LAUREL HILL — Since 2009, the city’s finances have improved dramatically, according to city auditor Joe Jones.

“In 2009, the city debt was much larger and the cash was much smaller than it is now. The cash has grown and the debt has decreased,” Jones said July 7 during his financial report. “The city finances have improved over the years as a result of frugality, good controls, money management and paying down the debt.”

Jones said checking account balances didn’t match, resulting in a discrepancy of about $1,000. However, “it isn't that big of a problem,” he said. “There was not a complete bank reconciliation done … It's mostly old outstanding checks that probably need to be voided.”

Jones estimated that in a two- or three-hour review of the past several years’ records with City Clerk Nita Miller and water clerk Sheryl Ward, the old checks can be identified and the discrepancy reconciled.

Jones also found a $1,000 to $2,000 error in the city’s accounts payable records, “but that was just a bookkeeping error,” he said.

Laurel Hill’s cash reserve has grown from $209,000 in 2009 to $645,000, of which $425,000 is unrestricted and can be used to fund improvements, Jones said.

Jones recommended the city set aside a small amount in a separate account for emergencies, such as unbudgeted equipment breakdowns.

The city should also consider a small water rate increase “now and then, to keep up with inflation and pipe and meters and other equipment,” he said.

He suggested a 1 or 2 percent increase every two or three years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Auditor: Laurel Hill finances improving, water rate increase suggested

LAUREL HILL — The City Council will decide at its August meeting whether to cease discussing “This looming ‘dissolve the city or don't dissolve the city’ malarkey,” as Councilman Travis Dewrell described it.

Several council members and residents on July 7 spoke in favor of abandoning the discussion.

Dewrell said except for “one resident who pays $52 in ad valorem taxes (but) said he doesn't get his money's worth,” no one has contacted city officials in favor of dissolution.

“We have all these residents and not one is saying ‘Let’s dissolve the city,’” Councilman Scott Moneypenny said. “This has been advertised. It's been put out and they're not coming. Why do we keep bringing this up and going over it over and over again?”

Council Chairman Larry Hendren said the previous council never approved a resolution pursuing dissolution.

“Why are you having this discussion about dissolving the city when you're talking about getting grants and improving the city?” resident Mike Hanula said. “Do like we do with half the other stuff that comes across your table: clean it off the table and let's move forward already.”

City attorney Dan Campbell said residents would pay more in Almarante Fire District assessments than they do under city ad valorem taxes, which include fire protection services.

Due to homestead exemptions, poorer residents currently pay no ad valorem taxes, but would have to pay the fire district assessment, Campbell said.

“It would hurt poor people,” he said.

Dewrell said continuing to discuss dissolving the city might also hurt the city’s chances of obtaining improvement grants, such as a possible Northwest Florida Water Management District grant the city hopes to pursue.

Councilwoman Debra Adams said the council should defer to city voters to be sure they’re following residents’ will.

The council voted 3-2 to disapprove a dissolution fact-finding sheet proposed for distribution to residents. Adams and Councilman Daniel Lane dissented.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill may drop dissolution discussion (VIDEO)