CRESTVIEW — News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni is among some 20 North Okaloosa County professionals participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Crestview Executive Lockup.

During the event — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Holiday Inn Express in Crestview — participants will be "jailed" as they try to raise "bail," really, dollars for MDA to help Northwest Florida residents with the disease.

—————————–DONATE NOW>>http://bit.ly/2067hzY

Here, we catch up with Thomas.

In a recent column about the lockup you said, "I never missed "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon," so you've always been conscious of the organization and its work. The annual televised fundraiser raised more than $2.45 billion for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during its 48-year run, according to the Los Angeles Times.

What was your favorite part of the MDA telethons?

Seeing celebrities. As far as TV was concerned, there were two eras in the Boni household, BDN and ADN: Before Dish Network and After Dish Network. When we had just basic, over-the-air channels, I caught the telethon every year for the entertainment because, let's face it, options were limited. Plus, Jerry Lewis put on a good show. But even as a child, I knew that if I couldn't pledge a donation, I could at least arm myself with information about this group of diseases, and support the cause just by watching the telethon. It was the same way with telethons for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Now, as an adult, I can actually do something about it.  

What are the 3 most important things you're taking with you for your stint as an MDA jailbird?

Jail is jail and contraband is contraband, so I really can't take anything with me. In fact, didn't the News Bulletin have a recent news story where the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office talked about contraband…? So, here's hoping there's a jail commissary. 

How much money have you raised so far?

That's the sad part. I'm a busy guy, and then got sidelined with a back issue, so I've only raised $200. And my bail is $3,200! If you do the math, I might be in jail for a long time! Please donate.  

Seriously, is this just your way of getting out of the office? What are you going to be doing?

Anyone who knows me knows work is my home away from home! So no, if I had a choice, I would rather be editing stories or doing any number of things.

What will I be doing? Well, this is my first time in jail. I'll say this — hopefully, it's nothing like what's depicted on HBO's "Oz." 

Who's bailing you out? Do they give you any money for transportation after you're officially released?

Anyone in the community can offer bail. Heck, anyone outside the community can offer bail. Anyone in Internet Land who has a good heart — along with a major credit or debit card — can donate to this worthy cause. I'll say it again: Please donate! And remember: It's not for me. It's for Northwest Florida residents with MD. 

HOW TO HELP

To "free" News Bulletin editor and jailbird Thomas Boni, and support Northwest Florida residents with muscular dystrophy, visit http://bit.ly/2067hzY and click "Donate to Me." 

You will see a list of options, ranging from $30 to $1,480, and exactly where your money will go. 

To "free" News Bulletin editor and jailbird Thomas Boni, and support Northwest Florida residents with muscular dystrophy, visit http://bit.ly/2067hzY and click "Donate to Me."

You will see a list of options, ranging from $30 to $1,480, and exactly where your money will go. The deadline is Feb. 24.

HOW TO HELP

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 questions with Thomas Boni, Muscular Dystrophy Association 'jailbird'

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Minority HIV/AIDS Task Force, Inc. will observe  the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS with its annual banquet.

Guest speaker Augustine Thomas will speak on the theme, "Focusing Our Prayer, Education and Commitment to Saving Our Youth."  She is a member of Liberty Church of Christ, Melvindale, Michigan.

It is 6 p.m. March 5 at the Carver-Hill School Center, 461 School Avenue in Crestview.  Tickets are $10 per adult, $18 per couple, or $5 for youths 18 and younger.  They can be purchased at the door, or by calling Tonsiaweda Hayes at 621-4187.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa group schedules banquet to reflect on healing of AIDS

ORLANDO — As an additional proactive and precautionary measure, OneBlood will begin implementing additional Food and Drug Administration recommendations to further protect the blood supply from the Zika virus.

 OneBlood is providing donors with educational materials to include the risk factors and signs and symptoms of the Zika virus.

These are the FDA recommendations OneBlood has in force:

●Donors with a history of Zika infection should self-defer for four weeks after the resolution of symptoms.

●A donor who exhibits signs and symptoms of Zika infection within two weeks of departure from an area where Zika is active should self-defer for four weeks after the resolution of symptoms.

●A donor should self-defer for four weeks after their last sexual contact with a man who has been diagnosed with Zika or who traveled to or resided in an area with active transmission of Zika in the three months prior to that instance of sexual contact.

●Donors with a history of recent travel to, or who resided in an area with active Zika virus transmission, will be advised to inform the blood center promptly if they are diagnosed with Zika virus or if they develop symptoms of Zika infection within two weeks following donation.

●The donor history questionnaire every donor is required to answer will be updated to include questions specific to the Zika virus.

Although Florida is not experiencing active transmission of the Zika virus, OneBlood plans to implement a nucleic acid test for Zika to be used for blood donor screening. This test will be implemented as soon it becomes available and the FDA allows OneBlood to use it under current regulations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: OneBlood proactive in safeguarding blood supply from Zika virus

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County Tobacco Free Partnership and the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida are raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, like chew and dip, during Through with Chew Week, Feb. 16-22.

The campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people and help combat this deadly addiction. Tobacco Free Florida aims to help combat this deadly addiction, especially within baseball.

 "Athletes are common role models for youths," stated Dr. Karen Chapman, Florida Department of Health director in Okaloosa County. "Youths often mimic the behaviors that their role models display—including tobacco use. Smokeless tobacco has several harmful chemicals that can lead to severe health concerns."

To raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use in baseball, Okaloosa County Tobacco Free Partnership is hosting a Through with Chew awareness initiative at Northwest Florida State College. The initiative will display a banner at the NWFSC baseball fields highlighting the dangers of smokeless tobacco during Through with Chew Week.

Although youth cigarette smoking rates in Florida are at an all-time low, 7.8 percent of high school students in Okaloosa reported current use of smokeless tobacco products in 2014, according to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey.

Professional baseball players, who have traditionally had high levels of smokeless tobacco use, serve as role models for impressionable youth. Since the 2012 season, professional baseball players have been prohibited from carrying tobacco tins in their uniforms and using smokeless tobacco during televised interviews, at autograph signings and other events where they meet fans, or at team-sponsored appearances. However, these restrictions did not eliminate smokeless tobacco use on the field or in the dugout.

At least 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco users have an 80 percent higher risk of oral cancer and a 60 percent higher risk of esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer compared to non-users.

Currently, there is no scientific or medical evidence that proves smokeless tobacco use is an effective method to help people quit smoking. Floridians who want to quit any form of tobacco have access to the state's free and proven-effective resources.

CALL: 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a quit coach who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a personalized quit plan.

CLICK: http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/webcoach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Why you should quit chewing smokeless tobacco

CRESTVIEW — Raising awareness is the point of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women.

February is American Heart Month, and North Okaloosa Medical Center hosted a Go Red program Feb. 5 offering information on women's cardiac health for that effort.

NOMC staff member and cardiologist Joseph Pedone presented details on how women can help prevent cardiac issues and more.

Learn more at the AHA's Go Red for Women website>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NOMC supports heart health awareness

NICEVILLE — Cuisine by a celebrity chef and a presentation by a cardiologist are part of a National Heart Month event.

"Healthy Choices on the Go," a workshop planned by the North Okaloosa Medical Center Healthy Woman group, is  6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at Ernie's Dockside Cafe and Oyster Bar, 821 Bayshore Drive, Niceville.

Celebrity chef  Ernie Danjean will prepare items from his Heart Healthy menu and Dr. Juana Zarate will give information that every woman should know about heart health.

Register at http://conta.cc/23NpwJP. Cost is $5 per person, with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association.

For more information, contact Alicia Booker, 689-8446, or visit http://conta.cc/1X8cdPB.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NOMC workshop to feature celebrity chef, heart information

CRESTVIEW — Woodlands Medical Specialists' Crestview Urology team has moved to the Physicians Medical Plaza.

Their new address is 550 W. Redstone Ave., Suite 410.

See http://woodlandsmed.com/urology/ for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woodlands Urology opens new Crestview location

TALLAHASSEE — This week, the Florida Department of Health reported six new travel-associated Zika cases in Florida to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travel-related cases are defined as disease believed to be contracted outside of the state.

To date, Florida has confirmed nine travel-associated cases, which involve residents from the following counties:

●Miami-Dade – 4 cases

●Hillsborough – 2 cases

●Lee – 2 cases

●Santa Rosa – 1 case

While the CDC has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk, the DOH is closely monitoring imported disease. None of the confirmed cases involve pregnant women. Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong were briefed by the CDC on the status of Zika virus.

The CDC has issued travel notices for Zika virus for several countries. See http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices for details.

“Florida has many years of success in containing other mosquito-borne diseases and emerging health threats,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Through these experiences, the department remains ready to protect residents and visitors from the Zika virus.”

According to the CDC, Zika fever illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers are examining a possible link between the virus and unborn babies exposed during pregnancy.

Florida’s public health laboratory has a developed capacity to test for infections. The department works closely with health care providers in the state to offer testing to individuals that meet CDC testing criteria.

DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with the CDC, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local county mosquito control boards to ensure that the proper precautions are being taken to protect Florida residents and visitors.

DOH encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Department of Health reports 6 Zika cases to CDC

PENSACOLA — There is no substitute for blood. Generous donors are the only source! Everyday patients at our local hospitals rely on blood donors for the gift of life. Be a lifesaving hero to patients this February by giving blood. As our way of saying thank you,

All donors who give blood at any OneBlood Donor Center from Thursday, Feb. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 14 will receive the following:

●A commemorative “All You Need is Blood” T-shirt

●A free $10 eGift Card voucher

Donor centers include the Crestview one at 2400 Ferdon Blvd. S., Suite B. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more locations or to make an appointment, visit oneblood.org.

All donors receive a wellness checkup of blood pressure, pulse, iron count and temperature, including a cholesterol screening. Photo ID is required.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free gifts, wellness check available for Northwest Florida blood donors

FORT WALTON BEACH — A community health initiative launched Jan. 21 may empower  Okaloosa employees to make healthier choices.

Healthy Okaloosa Worksites is is a Florida Department of Health-Okaloosa certification for employers who commit to making policy and environmental changes to promote the health and wellness of their employees.

Current HOW participants are:

●Acentria Insurance

●Beulah Christian Academy

●Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast

●Childcare Network Inc 142

●City of Fort Walton Beach

●City of Mary Esther

●Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County

●Northwest Florida State College Childcare Center

●Revive Media Services

The Healthy Okaloosa initiative uses the 5210 principles.

5: Eat five or more fruits and vegetables every day. Encourage and support breastfeeding.

2: Limit recreational screen (TV, computer, etc.) time to two hours or less each day.

1: Be physically active at least one hour every day.

0: Cut back on sugar-sweetened beverages. Eliminate use of and exposure to tobacco and nicotine products.

Other sectors of the current Healthy Okaloosa initiative include Healthy Okaloosa Childcare and Healthy Okaloosa Schools.

DOH-Okaloosa plans to launch Healthy Okaloosa Afterschool and Healthy Okaloosa Summer Care later this year.

For more information on how to be involved with any of the Healthy Okaloosa initiatives, email HealthyOkaloosa5210@flhealth.gov.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 9 Okaloosa businesses promoting their employees' #health