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.
Read more from the Northwest Florida Daily News>>
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:
1st: Elk’s Club
2nd: Boy Scout Troop 30
Churches/Religious Organizations:
1st: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
2nd: Pentacostals of Baker Church
Businesses/Government: 1st: Hub City Glass
2nd: 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
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.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commissioners mull hiring legislative aides
FORT WALTON BEACH — Former Secret Service agent, security consultant, radio host and Fox News contributor Dan Bongino will be the keynote speaker at the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee’s March 12 Reagan Dinner.
Bongino, an agent under Presidents George W. Bush and Obama, is the author of the New York Times bestseller, "Life Inside the Bubble," and just released "The Fight — A Secret Service Agent’s Inside Account of Security Failings and the Political Machine."
Texas Sen. and retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell, a decorated survivor of the 9/11 Pentagon attack and author of "Refined by Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith," will also speak. He and his wife founded Face the Fire Ministries to support critically burned and wounded service personnel.
The fundraiser is set for 5-9 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.; silent and live auctions will be held.
Tickets are $60 per person through Feb. 15; $50 for students. For silent auction pick-up, or to reserve a sponsored table, call 863-2301 or 512-584-4589 before Feb. 15.
See registration and complete details at OkaloosaGOP.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa GOP dinner to feature former Secret Service agent, decorated Pentagon survivor
CRESTVIEW — The City Council will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.
Here is the meeting's agenda.
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 26— Pastor Darlene Haynes-Sherman, Kingdom Life Ministries
3. Open Policy making and legislative session
4. Special Presentations
a. Centennial Presentation – City Clerk
b. Christmas Parade Award presentations – Main Street.
5. Approval of Minutes
Approval of the Dec. 14 workshop and council meeting minutes.
6. Public Hearings
7. Public Opportunity on Council propositions
8. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of invoice from Ben Holley
b. Approval for Trainer Certification of CDL.
9. Resolutions
a. Resolution 16-03 – Council Rules and Regulations
10. Committee reports
11. Scheduled presentations from the public
a. Request from Spanish Trailer Cruisers for Annual Car Show (This year will also be the centennial birthday celebration.)
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview City Council will meet about Jan. 11
CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Redevelopment Agency will meet 5 p.m. Jan. 11 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.
Here is the meeting's agenda.
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Open Policy making and legislative session
4. Approval of the Oct. 12 and Nov. 30, 2015 CRA minutes.
5. Presentation of CRA Legal Council Report — Carol A. Leone, P.L.L.C.
6. Ordinance 1598, Amending Chapter 2, Division 4 CRA — CRA Director
7. Comments from the audience
8. Adjournment
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview Redevelopment Agency will meet about Jan. 11
CRESTVIEW — Crestview has no municipal elections March 15, but North Okaloosa County voters can register their preference for presidential candidates eight months before voting for the new chief executive.
In addition, south county residents in Cinco Bayou, Destin, Mary Esther and Valparaiso can choose city council members and Destin's and Mary Esther’s mayors.
Throughout the county, voters can let their parties know whom they want on the November presidential ballot.
“It’s the presidential preference primary, so members of the parties will be voting on who they want to represent them for their party,” Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections public information officer Bridget Richard said.
March has the first of three local elections in Okaloosa County. In August, voters will select county commissioners, school board members and a superintendent of schools.
Among state, federal and county elections, voters will also choose First Judicial circuit and county judges, a state senator in district 1 and a state representative in districts 3 and 4.
In August, voters go to the polls in the primary election; the general election is Nov. 8.
“The important thing there is, since it’s the primary, only Democrats can vote the Democrat ballot and only Republicans can vote the Republican ballot,” Richard said.
“If they want to vote for the other party, they’re going to have to change their party preference.”
Voters’ last day to change their party preference, or for new voters to register for the March presidential primary election, is Feb. 16.
These candidates have pre-filed for Okaloosa County offices. Candidate qualifying week is June 20-24. (* means candidate is incumbent)
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller:
JD Peacock*
Sheriff:
Larry Ashley*
Property Appraiser:
John Holguin
Tax Collector:
Ben Anderson*
Superintendent of Schools:
Marline Sue Van Dyke
Mary Beth Jackson*
Supervisor of Elections:
Paul Lux*
Board of County Commissioners, District 1
Graham Fountain
Board of County Commissioners, District 5
Kelly Windes*
School Board, District 4
Charles Cawthon
Tim Bryant
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
●●●●●
2016 ELECTION CALENDAR
Presidential preference primary and municipal election: March 15
Last day to register or change party: Feb. 16
Primary election: Aug. 30
Last day to register or change party: Aug. 1
General election: Nov. 8
Last day to register: Oct. 11
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last call for North Okaloosa voters to change party preference
