The Northwest Florida area has been identified as having the highest concentration of invasive lionfish in the world. Lionfish pose a significant threat to our native wildlife and habitat with spearfishing the primary means of control. 

Lionfish tournaments are one way to increase harvest of these invaders and help keep populations down. Not only that, but lionfish are a delicious tasting fish and tournaments help supply the local seafood markets with this unique offering.

Since 2019, Destin has been the site of the Emerald Coast Open (ECO), the largest lionfish tournament in the world, hosted by Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). 

While the tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the 2021 tournament and the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day festival returned to the Destin Harbor May 14-16 with over 145 tournament participants from around Florida, the U.S., and even Canada. 

The windy weekend facilitated some sporty conditions that kept boats and teams from maximizing their time on the water, but ultimately 2,505 lionfish were removed during the pre-tournament and 7,745 lionfish were removed during the two-day event for a total of 10,250 invasive lionfish removed.

Florida Sea Grant and FWC recruited over 50 volunteers from organizations such as Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Navarre Beach Marine Science Station and Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center to man the tournament and surrounding festival.

Lionfish hunters competed for over $48,000 in cash prizes and $25,000 in gear prizes.

Florida Man, a Destin-based dive charter on the DreadKnot, won $10,000 for harvesting the Most Lionfish, 1,371, in two days. Team Bottom Time secured the Largest Lionfish prize of $5,000 with a 17.32 inch fish. Team Into the Clouds wrapped up the $5,000 prize for Smallest Lionfish with a 1.61 inch fish, the smallest lionfish caught in Emerald Coast Open History.

It is never too early to start preparing for the 2022 tournament. For more information, visit EmeraldCoastOpen.com or Facebook.com/EmeraldCoastOpen. For information about Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day, visit FWCReefRangers.com.

Laura Tiu is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Divers spearheading fight against invasive lionfish

CRESTVIEW — According to the American Cancer Society website, https://bit.ly/3BYu9Gh, "About 10,500 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades …  After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14. About 1,190 children under the age of 15 are expected to die from cancer in 2021."

These are sobering statistics. Childhood cancer is not talked about as much as other cancers, but it should be as it affects so many families.

There are resources available to childhood cancer patients, but there needs to be a great deal more research and awareness about this horrible disease.

One group that is raising money for childhood cancer research is Rally Foundation, which has offices in Pensacola; Atlanta, Georgia; and Memphis, Tennessee. Their only focus is raising money to fund children's cancer research and according to their website, https://rallyfoundation.org/, $22 million has been donated to research to date.

Furthermore, 93 cents of each dollar goes towards funding this research. To me, that is an impressive statistic as many organizations that raise funds have significantly higher overhead expenses.

The National Institute for Health (NIH) only allocates 4 percent of their budget to childhood cancer research.

Jamie Mitchell, a Community Engagement specialist for Rally Foundation, said, "Children typically get blood, brain, and soft tissue cancers, as opposed to adults who typically get lung, breast or prostate. Different cancers require different research.

"The average age of a child dying of cancer is 8 years old, as opposed to an adult of 65 years. Cancer is the No. 1 cause of death by disease for children. Every school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

"Two thirds of children with cancer will experience late effects from treatment, which will include heart and lung diseases, infertility, learning disabilities and secondary cancers from the treatments used to save their lives. And only 4 percent goes towards better treatments for our children. That is why organizations like Rally Foundation exist, to fill the funding gap."

As a parent, it is a helpless feeling to have your child diagnosed with cancer. It is a blessing to have organizations like Rally Foundation specifically raise money for cancer awareness and research grants.

September fundraisers

There are fundraisers planned for September, such as: #RallyFit 46 challenge, which brings awareness to the fact that 46 children are diagnosed with cancer each day. This is a fitness challenge. One can sign up to participate at the Rally foundation website, https://bit.ly/3A05mBd.

Since cancer, unfortunately, doesn't quit in September, Rally Foundation raises money all year long. Those who wish to contribute may visit its website.

Not only can we, as a community, support groups such as Rally Foundation, we can also pray for all of those children and families who are affected by the scourge of childhood cancer.

Pray for wisdom for the researchers, breakthroughs in research, discernment for the child's medical team and strength for their parents. Most of all, pray for the children affected, that they will be healed physically and emotionally.

Let's all pitch in and eradicate childhood cancer.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: September is Child Cancer Awareness Month

I once read about a photographer for a national magazine who was assigned to “shoot” one of those big western forest fires. He was told that a small plane would be waiting to fly him over the fire.

When he got to the airport, sure enough, he found a little Cessna waiting. He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, “Let’s go!”  The pilot, the plane, and the photographer were soon in the air.

The photographer shouted, “Fly over the north side of the fire and make several low passes!”

“Why?” the nervous pilot asked.

He replied, “Because I’m going to take pictures! I’m a photographer, and photographers take pictures.”

After a long pause, the pilot tensely asked, “You mean, you’re not the instructor?”

There are times when our trust is misguided and misplaced. We make assumptions about someone’s abilities or the message they are conveying, and it is not until later that we discover they were actually blowing a lot of smoke trying to manipulate us for one reason or another.

In Matthew 7:15 Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Then in Matthew 15:14 he said, “If one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”

When we realize we have placed our trust in the wrong person or situation, it is then that lessons can be learned – or not. When lessons are learned, they develop into wisdom.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be wise. But the wisdom we are to have and express is the kind of wisdom that comes from God. We need to have wisdom from God to better understand the trials and challenges that come into our lives.

We are challenged to ask God for a deep understanding of what is going on and the best way to handle it. We are to ask God to help us find the good that can come from the situation. And as we do, we will gain the wisdom that comes only from God.

When you ask, the Letter of James (James 1:6–7) reminds you to, “Ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” You are to ask, knowing and believing God will give it to you.

In whom do you place your ultimate trust? In God alone. From whom do you seek wisdom for living this life? From God alone. God is absolutely trustworthy. God is all–wise. You can count on this!

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: God's wisdom helps us understand trials and challenges

CRESTVIEW — We at the library are very excited about our upcoming improvements. If you read the last “Check It Out” column, you already know we will be offering a preview during our Sneak Peek Party at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17 at 1445 Commerce Drive.

One of the new features we will be demonstrating is a self-service kiosk. In addition to enabling self-checkout, this new system puts the power of print release in your control.

We are also excited to introduce three new children’s computers. These machines are preloaded with books and educational games for a safe introduction to computer skills, literacy, STEM, and other activities.

Whether you are a loyal member of our library family or just beginning to explore, we hope you will enjoy all the new and the tried and true amenities available with your library card.

Come check out the Robert L. F. Sikes (Crestview) Public Library. We are located from Crestview High School, behind the post office. We’d love to hear from you if you have questions or need more information. Call 850-682-4432.

Jean McCarthy is director of Library Services at the Crestview Public Library.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Preview of new library additions scheduled at Sneak Peek Party

CRESTVIEW — Hot summer months are not the time to be using most lawn herbicides.

One issue is the heat of summer. Most lawn herbicide labels include statements such as the following:

“Do not apply when temperature exceeds 90°F.” “Do not broadcast apply this product when air temperatures are above 90°F (85°F for St. Augustinegrass) unless temporary turf injury can be tolerated.”

Every year we’ll see lawns that are injured or killed because of lawn herbicides being applied when temperatures are too hot.

Summer is usually a rainy and windy time of the year. Many lawn herbicide labels include statements such as the following:

“Allow 12 hours after application before watering lawn for maximum effectives on listed weeds.” “Apply only when wind is no more than 10 mph.” “Applying this product in calm weather when rain is not predicted for the next 24 hours will help to ensure that wind or rain does not blow or wash pesticide off the treatment area.”

It is critical to read and follow the label directions and precautions for any pesticide you use. Pesticide labels, including herbicides, include the following statements.

“To the extent consistent with applicable law, the buyer assumes all risks of use, storage or handling of this product not in accordance with label directions.” “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.”

Mature weeds

By the time summer arrives, many of the lawn weeds are mature, which means they are well established with extensive root systems.

These mature, well established weeds are much more difficult to control. They are more susceptible to herbicides when they are small, young and not well established. Also, these mature weeds have been allowed to produce countless numbers of seeds as they move into summer. Most weeds are prolific seed producers. For example, a single crabgrass plant (a common summer lawn weed) can produce 150,000 seeds.

Applying a preemergence lawn herbicide in February to help prevent summer annual weeds such as crabgrass or applying a postemergence lawn herbicide during spring while the weather is mild and before the weeds are out of control simply makes more sense than waiting until summer.

The best options now with lawn weed control involve continuing to follow good mowing practices, maybe hand removal of some weeds and just simply waiting it out until next February and spring to worry with the use of lawn herbicides.  

In the meantime, you may want to read the following UF/IFAS Extension publication on lawn weed control: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/EP/EP14100.pdf.

 Call 850-689-5850 to have a printed copy mailed to you.

Larry Williams is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Timing is everything when controlling lawn weeds

CRESTVIEW — School has only been back in session for a few weeks, but I am seeing driving patterns that are quite alarming.

I was driving south on Ferdon Boulevard last week and saw several scary driving behaviors. One pickup just ran right out of a parking lot across three lanes so he could make a left turn. He almost hit two vehicles, sped up and never made eye contact with anyone. I watched his aggressive driving in absolute amazement.

On this same trip, I saw four different drivers run red lights. Most of them were right turns on the red, but they didn't even slow down, much less stop before turning right as required by law. In one instance the vehicle driving straight through the intersection with the green light had to slam on their brakes to avoid the person who ran the red light.

There are several reasons for poor driving. From what I have observed, the first one is distracted and unfocused driving. The driver is either talking on their cell phone, texting, turning around to calm down their children, eating, or my favorite, putting on their makeup. Any of these behaviors can cause an accident.

The second driving mistake I have observed is speeding or even just overdriving for the conditions of the road. If there is bumper to bumper traffic, there is no need to dart in and out of lanes just to be two or three cars ahead at the next traffic light.

This causes needless stress on the drivers that you come too close to when darting in and out. If it is raining, back off on your speed and allow yourself more time to get to your location. Getting into an accident or receiving a ticket will take much longer than slowing down 5 or 10 miles per hour.

A huge pet peeve of mine is tailgating, where the car behind follows too closely. There is no need to tailgate. You undoubtedly won't arrive at your destination any faster, but you do put yourself and others at risk with this behavior. Tailgating can be a form of aggression and can potentially lead to anger and road rage. A good rule of thumb, according to Comedyguys.com, is:

• "3 seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you for speeds between 35 and 55 mph, in ideal driving conditions (good road surface, good weather, light traffic)
• 4 seconds for speeds between 55 and 75 mph, or during rain, on wet pavement, or in heavy traffic
• 7 to 8 seconds for icy or snow-covered roads

"Remember, the whole purpose of a safe following distance is to give you time to brake or to safely drive around a car that stops in front of you," Comedyguys.com wrote. "If conditions like wet pavement affects your brakes' ability to stop your car, give them more time to do their job." (https://www.comedyguys.com/defensive-driving-tips/defensive-driving-tip-8/)

It doesn't take much to be a safe and polite driver. Let's all try to drive as carefully and be as focused as possible, remembering that when children or pedestrians are around, we need to be extra careful and slow down. The goal is to arrive at our destinations alive, without getting a ticket or being involved in a car accident.

Stay safe, Crestview!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: Peoples' driving is becoming alarming

For the past two-plus years we, as a world, a nation, and individuals, have been going through unprecedented challenges and hardships. There have been riots, some of the worst political upheavals in modern times, a pandemic that is still wreaking havoc on humanity. There have been heated and volatile arguments about vaccines and masks. 

We have seen some of the most un-Christian behavior even among Christians throughout all of this. The cry and attitude about personal rights has taken precedence over all else.

People are trying to find something that will provide a sense of normalcy. What that boils down to for many is taking care of one’s own needs to the exclusion of others’.

Awhile back a good friend told me how he enjoyed playing baseball when he was in high school. He loved the game, but he hit a slump. His coach noticed and told him that when things started to slip, it was time to get back to the basics.

The coach told John to just go to the batting cage and simply work on his swing, to pay attention to his form. He said to simply play catch with another team member, throwing each other grounders and pop-ups. Just toss the ball back and forth without trying to make each throw perfect. Have fun with it. Get back to the basics. And it worked!

Recently, the phrase “get back to the basics” came back to me in a powerful way.

It seems to me many would benefit from getting back to the basics of the Christian faith – loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; loving your neighbor as yourself; caring for the least of those among us; remembering the words of Jesus, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” 

By extension, that makes us the brothers and sisters of our Lord – and of one another. And as such, we are to love and care for one another.

Our Lord calls us to share his love as being part of his family. Being bound together means we care for one another, we help one another, we look out for one another, we do what is best for one another – even for the stranger in need.

When we recognize that someone is hurting, afraid, sick, or challenged, we are given the opportunity to be God’s instruments. We are the ones who can speak comforting words to another, perform acts of kindness, provide support to help see another through their difficult time. We are the ones who can be proactive on their behalf.

Let’s get back to the basics and do our Lord proud.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: 'Back to basics' is key in times of stress

CRESTVIEW — The showy chaste tree makes an attractive specimen as the  centerpiece of your landscape bed or in a large container on the deck.

Much more of them are being seen since the Florida Department of Transportation has recognized the tree as a desirable median planting.

Easy to grow, drought resistant, and attractive to butterflies and bees, Vitex agnus-castus is a multi-stemmed small tree with fragrant, upwardly-pointing lavender blooms and gray-green foliage. The chaste tree’s palmately divided leaves resemble those of the marijuana (Cannabis sativa) plant; its flowers can be mistaken for butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.); and the dry, darkened drupes can be used for seasoning, similar to black pepper, making it a conversation piece for those unfamiliar with the tree.

Vitex, with its sage-scented leaves that were once believed to have a sedative effect, has the common name “Chastetree” since Athenian women used the leaves in their beds to keep themselves chaste during the feasts of Ceres, a Roman festival held on April 12.

In modern times, the tree is more often planted where beekeepers visit in order to promote excellent honey production, or simply included in the landscape for the enjoyment of its showy, summer display of violet panicles.

The chaste tree is native to woodlands and dry areas of southern Europe and western Asia. It will thrive in almost any soil that has good drainage, prefers full sun or light shade, and can even tolerate moderate salt air.

Vitex is a sprawling plant that grows 10 to 20 feet high and wide, that looks best unpruned. If pruning is desired to control the size, it should be done in the winter, since it is a deciduous tree and the blooms form on new wood.

The chaste tree can take care of itself, but can be pushed to faster growth with light applications of fertilizer in spring and early summer and by mulching around the plant.

There are no pests of major concern associated with this species, but root rot can cause decline in soils that are kept too moist.

Sheila Dunning is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Chaste trees are great within a landscape