LAUREL HILL — With the city's first major paving project in almost 50 years complete, city leaders want it to last as long as possible.

City Councilman Daniel Lane has raised the possibility of implementing a weight limit on some city streets.

“I've seen a lot of our streets being deteriorated by heavy trucks…,” Lane said. “These log trucks are really loaded down, and … I'm sure they're over the weight limit allowed.”

The council last month voted in favor of allowing Lane to research the city’s options, including consulting with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Larry Ward, who oversees Northern Okaloosa County operations.

Ward said he consulted with Crestview Public Works Director Wayne Steele, who recommended Laurel Hill follow state road weight restriction guidelines.

Lane learned the recommended maximum vehicle weight for municipal roads is 10,000 pounds. “Not that trucks are never allowed to go on the streets,” he said. “They can make a delivery and then get off the street. The law also says they need to find the quickest and easiest way to get on and off the streets.”

He suggested putting up signs advising of weight limits based on those guidelines to enforce restrictions.

“If we don't post the signs, there are no restrictions," Lane said."You could drive on here with a Sherman tank,” he said, jokingly referring to the 30-ton World War II tank.

Resident Kathleen Moneypenny, Councilman Scott Moneypenny’s wife, said weight restrictions inadvertently could affect some residents who drive heavy vehicles for a living. “How would that impact farmers that have to drive heavy equipment on streets or people who drive big rigs who have to get to their home?” she said.

Lane, under Council Chairman Larry Hendren's direction, is creating a list of proposed weight limit sign locations and verbiage.

“It's been close to 50 years since we've had roads paved, so it behooves us to take care of these roads as best we can,” Lane said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill considers vehicle weight restrictions

CRESTVIEW Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL-01) has increased his mobile office program, which helps him serve constituents who don't live close to the Congressman's Pensacola or Fort Walton office.

Expanding on the idea first used for "veteran's assistance days," Miller's staff members "man the office" by answering questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting the First Congressional District.

"This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida," Miller said.  "We have had such great feedback that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program."

The Crestview mobile office date and time is 2-3:30 p.m.  Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Congressman Miller's mobile office days include Crestview stop

The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee will host a meet and greet to introduce themselves to Crestview Republicans.

The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W., Crestview.

OCREC is the governing body of the Okaloosa County Republican Party. It connects you to the local and state Republican Party structure. Attendees may enjoy snacks and drinks and learn how you can have a voice in the direction of the Republican Party.

For details call group chair Gaye Ellis, 863-2301, or email ocrec.chair@cox.net.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Republican committee to host Crestview meet and greet

LAUREL HILL — The City Council is considering an annexation policy for presentation at its February meeting.

Questions surrounding the cost and procedure for annexation spurred creating such a document.

Johnny James, a former councilman, recently filed a request for annexation after losing his council seat. He'd learned last year that his residence is adjacent to the city, but not actually in it. After James raised and presented the $2,500 filing fee, the city initially requested almost $1,000 more to cover consultants’ fees.

Councilman Scott Moneypenny was tasked with researching annexation procedures in neighboring communities. After reviewing nearby cities’ policies, the council settled on Crestview’s three-page policy, which members found concise.

City attorney Daniel Campbell cautioned the council to keep the annexation procedure simple.

“We could make this as complicated as possible, but that's not the reason we're doing this,” he said. “The reason we're doing this is to make it as easy as possible to bring that property into the city and make the revenue from its property taxes off it.”

When Council Chairman Larry Hendren recommended having annual policy reviews to assure fees align with actual annexation costs, Councilman Travis Dewrell offered another solution.

“Anything that we don't know how much it's going to cost, or if the price is subject to change, all we need to say is the petitioner will pay the actual cost,” he said.

The council agreed to have Hendren turn the recommended policy into an official city document and have Campbell review it before the council votes on it as an ordinance.

The Laurel Hill City Council plans to review an ordinance and policy on annexation 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at city hall

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill officials mull annexation policy (DOCUMENT)

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department has estimated a Mara Drive home's property damage at $50,000 following a weekend fire. 

Officials responded to a residential fire call 2:08 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 at 424 Mara Drive.

An accidental cooking fire contributed to the blaze, according to the CFD.

No injuries occurred at the scene.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview home fire's damage tops $50K

The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council is considering adding prayer to its monthly meetings.

Bruce Craul, the TDC’s newest member, made the proposal at his first meeting Jan. 13.

“The city council has an invocation before they begin over there in Destin,” said Craul, the chief operating officer of HarborWalk Hospitality. “And the county commission has one before they start their meetings. … I’m kind of wondering why that’s not on the agenda here.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Tourist Development Council mulls prayer before meetings

DESTIN — Laurie Bartlett is campaigning for Florida’s House of Representatives, District 4.

The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee vice chairman said she is a no-nonsense “Reagan Republican” and a pro-life Christian who considers faith and family to be community pillars.

“Our military veterans and their families are another proud pillar of our nation,” Bartlett said. “As the daughter of a retired U.S. Air Force Officer pilot, I understand the respect and care earned by our vets and fully support our active military who now serve and are engaged, alongside our traditional allies … including Israel.” 

She supports the right of Florida’s law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons to protect themselves and their loved ones.

In addition, she supports the rights and responsibility of parents and their local, elected school boards. “I am firmly opposed to the implementation of 'Common Core' and the continual efforts of liberals to mandate federal control of the classroom," she said.

“I will also bring to Florida’s House of Representatives vital, far-reaching local and corporate business management experience, which calls for less government intrusion, greater government efficiency, and supports our Northwest Florida business community,” said Bartlett, who has a master's degree in Human Resource Development. 

Bartlett, who built and operated a restaurant for years, said she understands how vital it is for state and local government to be reasonable, cooperative and responsive in business regulation.

“I (also) developed and built my radio and television production company and spent years working among the obstacles of politics," Bartlett said.

"So I know well the ideological struggles, and fully understand the dangers faced today in Florida and the nation.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bartlett campaigns for Florida District 4 House Seat

CRESTVIEW — Civic organizations, churches and businesses have about 11 months to prepare for the next Main Street Crestview Association Christmas parade and window decorating contest.

In the meantime, the 2015 winners can display their awards and start planning their entries for next Christmas.

Winners received their awards during the Jan. 11 City Council meeting as Mayor David Cadle helped Main Street President Paul Lowrey distribute plaques.

Parade Winners:

Civic Organizations:

1^st: Elk’s Club

2^nd: Boy Scout Troop 30

Churches/Religious Organizations:

1^st: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church

2^nd: Pentacostals of Baker Church

Businesses/Government: 1^st: Hub City Glass

2^nd: Crestview Wal-Mart

Window Decorating:

Large Window:

1st: Pawsitively Scrumptious

2nd: Old Time Antiques

3rd: Rustic Reflections

Small window:

1st: LPL Financial, Paul Lowery

2nd: Hub City Smokehouse

3rd: Bread and Butter

Overall window:

1st: LPL Financial

2nd: Pawsitively Scrumptious

3rd: Hub City Smokehouse

Parade float and business window decoration winners

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Main Street Crestview parade, window award winners recognized (PHOTOS)

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County’s Department of Growth Management is seeking volunteers to serve as consumer representatives.

There are vacancies on the electrical and plumbing trade industry boards.

Consumer representatives must be an Okaloosa County resident, and board representatives must have no involvement in that particular industry.  Typically, boards meet once a month in the Okaloosa County Administration Building in Shalimar; however, meetings are dependent on applications. If you are interested in volunteering for one of these trade industry boards or for more information, contact Renee Lucas at 651-7526.

The trade industry boards review qualifications for competency cards, hear complaints, and consider disciplinary action against license holders. The positions are designed to give consumers a voice on issues related to those trades, have been in existence for nine years, and trade industry boards are required by local ordinance.

 The Okaloosa County Park Advisory Committee is also seeking volunteers to serve on the committee for District 1, 2 and 3. Committee members meet once a month, unless a special meeting is scheduled, and rotate locations between north and south Okaloosa County. Interested citizens should contact Sheri Whitman or Amy Allen at 689-5790.

Members serve three-year terms and must be residents of one of the county’s five commissioner districts.

Parks Advisory Committee is comprised of seven citizens, five coming from the unincorporated areas and two at large, from incorporated and / or unincorporated areas, with each County Commission District being represented by at least one member and at least one member from an incorporated area.

Purpose of the committee is to serve as advisors to the Board of County Commissioners and the Parks Department.

Specific duties include identifying potential land opportunities for future community parks and recreational activities, identifying potential funding sources, developing community partnership for cost reductions and assisting in the development of neighborhood parks.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteers sought for Okaloosa trade and park advisory boards

CRESTVIEW — Some Okaloosa County commissioners are calling for a staff reorganization that would provide each of the board’s five members a legislative aide.

County Administrator John Hofstad — who says he’s working with his staff to draft a proposal that could go before the board in February — said commissioners are getting by with “shared resources” and he wants to look at better serving their needs.

Since 2008, the county has cut dozens of positions, leaving it with a lean administrative staff compared to other counties its size, he said. Currently, three positions in Hofstad’s office directly serve the commissioners, with one located in Crestview and two in Fort Walton Beach.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commissioners mull hiring legislative aides