CRESTVIEW — The Wingmen Motorcycle Club of Northwest Florida will have its third annual Emerald Coast Breast Cancer Awareness Poker Run. All proceeds go the American Cancer Society.

The event is open to the public. Motorcyclists, car and truck drivers are welcome to participate. It starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 14 at Hooters restaurant, 180 Cracker Barrel Drive, Crestview.

Cost is a $20 donation and $10 per extra hand. Cash prizes will be awarded and a 50/50 raffle is part of the fundraiser.

Participants will also travel to The Edge in Niceville from 10 a.m. to noon; Crestview Amvets Post 35 from 1-2 p.m.; and Crestview Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 from 3-4 p.m. The final stop is 4 p.m. to midnight at the Wingmen's club house at 160 Cayson Ave., Crestview, where Juke Joint Willie will provide live music.

Contact Joe Hernandez, 910-689-6901, for more information.

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Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article did not include Joe Hernandez's area code. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Motorcycle club sets cancer awareness fundraiser

FORT WALTON BEACH — One Okaloosa County park has potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Sept. 5.

Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach, failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 1 Okaloosa park receives hazardous water advisory

CRESTVIEW — To live, laugh and love was the theme of the 14th annual North Okaloosa Medical Center Healthy Woman dinner, held Aug. 24 at the Crestview Community Center.

Spokeswoman Alicia Booker told the gathering hat statistics show women make over 80 percent of the health care decisions for themselves and their families.

To that end, Healthy Woman works to provide women with information to make informed health decisions

"We want to make sure that we're a good community partner at providing outlets such as the Healthy Woman annual dinner and our quarterly event so that we can give education on various topics to the women of our community. Healthy Woman promotes not just physical health but mind body and spirit," Booker said.

She then introduced the Healthy Woman board of advisors, who all defined what the theme meant to them. They all spoke on their love for family and friends, faith and their purposes in life.

One of them, Dawn Mayer, a commercial agent with Legacy Insurance, said, "I live to laugh everyday with my family and friends, that I love so much." Guardian Ad Litem child advocate manager Angela Carden, said, "I live to encourage others, I laugh because I'm alive, and I love to advocate for abused and abandoned and neglected children in court."

Robyn Helt, of Elite Real Estate Services of Northwest Florida, drew laughter and applause from the audience when she said, "I love selling real estate in a community that's worth living in, where laughter is great medicine, but if that doesn't cure you, the fine doctors at NOMC will."

Booker then introduced NOMC CEO Ronnie Daves, who talked about some of the improvements coming to the local hospital. The $1.2-million renovations through next year include updating the older section of the hospital, as well as increasing the providers and services available so people don't have to travel to get care.

Booker then introduced guest speaker Diana Jordan, saying "She credits her sense of humor for finding the funny in life for getting her through her journey, and of course, her insurance company. She is also the best-selling author of "A Wife's Little Instruction Book, Your Survival Guide To Marriage Without Bloodshed."

Jordan, sporting a glamorous pink bra over her clothes, took to the stage to the tune "This Girl is on Fire," by Alicia Keys. "I figure if you've been through breast cancer and had your breasts done, wear your bra on the outside," Jordan said.

She said the bra was designed by a man for a breast cancer benefit she'd attended. Jordan then proceeded to take it off, explaining to men in the audience the different ways to remove bras, and why.

"There's snapping it in the back and taking it off," she said.

"Do the rest of you do like me?" she asked, sliding down the straps, "and you flip it around, especial when you come home from work," she said, taking the bra off and flinging it behind her. "And then how you do it after a day of work," Jordan said, taking off the bra, flinging it behind her and kicking off her shoes.

Along the way, she discussed getting along with family, how humor relieves stress, making better food decisions for your health, and life with pets.

She said her presentation to 1,600 neonatal nurses reminded her how important humor is during intense situations. After seeing a video of the work they do, including operating on babies, Jordan said she felt like what she did wasn't as important.

The person who hired Jordan to speak disagreed and told her that they couldn't do what they do without the relief they get from comedians like her doing what they do. That gave Jordan a different outlook on her work. She saw how humor relieves stress and makes people feel better.

"I love to go to places where people are retired and make them laugh, and you know, make them have to call for oxygen. I like that. If they have to call for a defibrillator, I've done my job," Jordan said.

The dinner featured a meal by Chef Ernie Danjean, who served baked chicken, mashed red potatoes and green beans, along with iced tea and brownies with strawberries for dessert.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Jordan provides take on humor and health

FORT WALTON BEACH — No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Aug. 21

No parks failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.

Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: No Okaloosa parks receive hazardous water advisories

CRESTVIEW — Flex Fitness, the newest addition in lifestyle wellness, is now open at 755 Ferdon Blvd. N.

Those who enter the fitness center may notice something a little different — "not the state-of-the-art equipment, the free weights, or the childcare facility. It is the life you envision knowing your health and well-being are catered to from every angle of this new 24-hour gym," the gym's owner stated in a media release.

"Flex Fitness is a dream come true," Dan Foster, owner, said. "With our highly experienced trainers, and newly renovated facility we can bring our personalized service to our members and to our community. We are excited to see Crestview 'flex'."

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Flex Fitness offers fitness for any level. Month-to-month memberships are available.

Call the gym at 368-5108 for membership information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Flex Fitness gym opens

CRESTVIEW — Florida Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders provides free, unbiased, confidential counseling to help elderly residents with their yearly Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance plan reviews.

The group will provide Medicare open enrollment assistance Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

SHINE volunteers also perform such services as delivering educational presentations or speeches, training and leadership to other volunteers, and assist with general program support, according to the floridashine.org website.

They receive professional training from the Department of Elder Affairs, and may learn new skills, meet new people, and gain knowledge about Medicare.

SHINE volunteers also perform such services as delivering educational presentations or speeches, training and leadership to other volunteers, and assist with general program support, according to the floridashine.org website.

Volunteer applications and online orientation are available at the website as well.

Crestview counseling

Linda Goodman of the Northwest Florida Area Council on Aging will provide SHINE services at the Crestview Public Library 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11.

Call 494-7101, 1-866-531-8011 or visit www.FloridaSHINE.org to arrange an appointment.

SHINE is a Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging program.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State program provides counseling for Medicare enrollment

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2017 – Luvo Inc. (USA), a Blaine, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,805 pounds of poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products are mislabeled as Chicken Chile Verde that contain milk and soy, but contain Turkey Meatloaf, which has additional allergens, eggs and fish (anchovies), that are not declared on the product label. 

The products were produced on June 13, 2017. The following product is subject to recall: 

10 oz. retail cartons containing “LUVO Steam in Pouch A LITTLE SPICE CHICKEN CHILE VERDE with white chicken, black beans, and polenta” and lot code: 2018JUN13A, with a best before date of June 13, 2018. 

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “424” inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distributors in California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin for further distribution. 

The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints of the wrong meal inside the retail boxes. 

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Poultry products recalled due to allergens, mislabeling

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has several remaining town hall meetings to present its findings in the Community Health Assessment (CHA). The information presented impacts personal citizens, families, local government and the community, while giving opportunities and assistance on how to get involved and make a difference in your community. 

Sample findings being addressed or considered in 2017 include: (Stats)

The Florida Healthy Babies initiative continues. The leading cause of infant injury death is suffocation, due to unsafe sleep practices.

Tobacco is still a huge issue and 13 percent of pregnant women in Okaloosa smoke, almost double the state percentage!

Motor vehicle accidents are deadlier and more likely to involve alcohol in Okaloosa.

The Sheriff’s Office reported a 386 percent increase in heroin and Fentanyl related arrests from 2014-2016.

Girls ages 13-18 are 16 percent more likely to give birth as a teen than other girls in Florida.

Pedestrian residents in Okaloosa are 3.4 times more likely to die walking across the street than Floridians.

Infectious diseases, diabetes, injury and death are all part of the study … 

We invite everyone to come out to a town hall meeting. You will learn some interesting facts, learn more about your specific area and how you can make a difference. 

The first draft of the CHA seeks to get feedback from the community residents, prior to its final publication in September. “We want to hear what residents have to say about the data we have gathered over the last year, and I think they will find the information interesting and even surprising,” stated Dr. Karen Chapman, Director of DOH-Okaloosa. “The overall goal of the assessment is to identify and address health needs in our community.” 

The CHA makes health comparisons of Okaloosa residents to residents throughout the state and even the nation, in some instances. Leading causes of death, infectious diseases, teen pregnancy, tobacco, physical health, food access, infant and child health, as well as the environment in which we live, are just part of the study. These factors provide valuable information about the overall health of Okaloosa County and the impact on all residents. Remaining Town Hall Meetings are listed below:

Fort Walton Beach Town Hall

August 14th, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

233 NE Racetrack Rd., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Holt Town Hall

August 17th, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Holt

532 US-90, Holt, FL 32564

Destin Town Hall

August 22nd, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Destin Community Center

101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541

Baker Town Hall

August 29th, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church

5595 Highway 4, Baker, FL 32531

Laurel Hill Town Hall

September 5th, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

The Barn at Water Oaks Farm

4080 2nd Ave., Laurel Hill, FL 32567

The CHA is already showing signs of success, since its start in 2011. The 5210 Healthy Okaloosa Initiative began with the CHA and today has made an enormous impact on healthier meals in schools and childcare centers, as well as improved health in the workplace. The tobacco programs in school, such as the SWAT clubs (Students Working Against Tobacco), have had a positive impact on so many of our students and no doubt, kept our youth from ever trying nicotine! 

The purpose of the CHA study every five years gives us an opportunity to select unhealthy factors in our County and improve on them for an overall healthier County. It is our hope that residents will take the time to attend a town hall meeting near you. To view the CHA, visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Healthy assessment findings to be presented at North Okaloosa meetings

FORT WALTON BEACH — Four Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Aug. 7.

Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach, Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach, Henderson Beach, Destin, and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.

Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4 parks receive hazardous water advisories

BAKER — A precautionary boil water notice issued Aug. 1 for Milligan residents has ended.

Milligan Water System  issued a boil advisory after a  major water line break occurred Tuesday.

Employees corrected the problem, stating Aug. 3 on the MWS website that adequate pressure, disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality are restored and the water is now safe to drink.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milligan Water System boil advisory ends