PACE — Pace Fire Rescue District is accepting applications for their annual Christmas parade.

The 2016 parade will start at 1 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 3. The route begins at Pace High School and will travel down Norris Road to Chumuckla Highway to Pace Road, returning to the fire station.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pace Fire District accepting Christmas parade applications

Editor’s Note: This story is part of our Celebrate Community series. Each week, we feature nonprofit organizations improving Santa Rosa residents’ quality of life.

MILTON — The Santa Rosa Kids' House, at 5643 Stewart St., helps child abuse victims navigate questions and examinations during confusing, vulnerable times.

Here, children can receive medical exams and talk to authorities like the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office.

The Kids' House, under Executive Director Keith Ann Campbell, surrounds children with gentle imagery and toys. The goal is to show these children they are loved — and it’s apparent in a special way during the holidays.

The nonprofit organization is working on its angel tree, Campbell said. Under a traditional angel tree program, a Christmas tree is decorated with items bearing names of children in need. People can take a child’s wish list and buy him or her those items. The Kids' House lacks a physical angel tree, Campbell said, but those who want to help receive a wishlist of four items. The organization then ensures the gifts are delivered to the parent.

This is the second year the organization has opened its effort to the public. Before last year, Campbell said the Kids' House would only offer angel tree adoptions of children in active DCF cases.

"The first year, we had 250 kids,” she said. “The year before that, we had just over 100. It doubled, but it was still manageable. We didn't have anybody last year who didn't get presents. We're fortunate to have a lot of people who like to support the kids," she said.

So far this year, Campbell said they've already hit the 250-kid mark.

So what do children want? This year, girls are asking for Monster High dolls, according to Campbell. Boys are moving away from Matchbox cars, she said, and want remote-controlled cars, board games and books.

Call 623-1112 to learn more about the Santa Rosa Kids' House angel tree program.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Santa Rosa Kids' House ensures abused children feel loved during the holidays

MILTON — More school bus drivers are needed in the Santa Rosa County School District, according to officials.

During a Nov. 17 school board meeting, Director of Transportation James Bagby provided a quarterly report from Durham Student Services, which contracts with the district. Bagby said a school bus driver shortage is occurring here and nationwide.

For Santa Rosa County, officials need backup bus drivers.

“We call it the bench,” said Jud Crane, the school district’s director of purchasing and contract administration purchasing. “Like everyone else, school bus drivers get sick, need vacation, or need leave for various reasons.”

Crane said Durham is attempting to boost the bench to ensure plenty of backup school bus drivers are available.

Bagby said the transportation service recently had 203 school bus drivers covering 196 routes, operating at 104 percent. While seven spare drivers are on standby, Bagby said more are needed.

Durham can seek additional drivers from out-of-state. Currently, three out-of-state drivers are contributing in the county's south end.

“We are under 100 percent in Navarre,” he said. “That is where our main focus has been to recruit.”

To help, Durham wants to offer incentives. In addition to paying $1,000 referral bonuses, Bagby said bus drivers are seeing across-the-board raises of $1 more dollar per hour in starting pay. Durham also offers medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits to drivers.

Durham is expected to hire nine additional drivers in the near future. Crane said most of the bus drivers would work an eight-hour shift.

“We have a three-tier bus route system, meaning a lot of our drivers will transport students to an elementary, middle and high school,” Crane said. “Plus, there are field trips to consider.”

In a statement from Durham School Services, all school bus drivers are subjected to multiple pre-employment screenings including a drug test along with background and motor vehicle background checks. Applicants must be 21 years of age with five years of driving experience.

Durham provides classroom and behind-the-wheel training, along with mandatory monthly safety meetings and refresher courses. School bus drivers must attain a CDL license and meet Florida Department of Transportation requirements as well.

Crane said the school district is responsible for transporting more than 17,000 students a day, which is more than half of the school district’s student population.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Santa Rosa County needs more school bus drivers

PACE — Pace High School drama director Valerie Wright and her cast of 19 will present “Almost, Maine,” by John Cariani, starting this weekend.

The play, written in 2007, presents intermingling stories of love from the excitement of a new couple, through the struggles of those long married, to those who have lost love.

"The beauty of the show is it's so realistic," Wright said while noting "some magical elements, and symbolism."

For example, Gayle, played by senior Shelby Lednicky, wants to leave her boyfriend, Lendall. She shows up at his apartment late at night carrying sacks inside saying they contain all the love he gave her and she wants all the love she gave him in return.

Wright said the set for the play encompasses the theater. Audience members will look from left to center to right to watch the whole show.

"The audience will feel they've become part of the town," Wright said.

The 7 p.m. shows are Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10. The 2 p.m. shows are Dec. 4 and 11. The play is at Pace High School, located at 4065 Norris Road. Tickets cost $5. For details, call 995-3600, ext. 1159.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pace High drama focuses on love, loss

PACE — The Panhandle Community Theatre’s production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” opens this weekend at the Imogene Theatre in downtown Milton.

The play’s director, Patty Barry, shared what attendees can expect from the holiday-themed production.

1. Santa Claus will be there. “Santa will be letting kids take pictures with him,” Barry said. The photo opportunity will take place before the show, from 6-7 p.m.

2. Girl Scouts will go caroling. Barry said local Girls Scouts would sing Christmas carols for attendees at 7 p.m. before the show. On Sunday Dec. 4, the caroling preshow will start at 2 p.m.

3. Expect some surprises. Barry, who has directed five PCT productions, said attendees should expect something different from this year’s pageant. “It is not going to be the same thing as last year,” Barry said. “It’s a totally different show; that is the beauty of live theatre.” One example would be the live keyboard music provided in the production instead of pre-recorded music, Barry said.

4. Kids take center stage. Children make up most of the cast, according to Barry. “When you get 3-year-olds up there, they really entertain,” she said.  Out of the 25 actors performing in the production, more than half are children.

5. Come to laugh and enjoy an engaging story. The play is based on Barbara Robinson’s book, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” in which children recreate the traditional Christmas story in an unconventional way. Barry said the production has many comedic moments while delivering a message as the story follows the Herdman children, who with no prior knowledge of the Biblical Christmas story, find themselves as lead roles in a Sunday school play.

“It’s for all ages, a lot of fun with a great message attached,” Barry said. 

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WANT TO GO?

What: Panhandle Community Theatre presents, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

When: Preshow activities begin 6 p.m. Dec. 1-3 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. The Dec. 4 show starts at 2:30 p.m. with Girl Scouts caroling at 2 p.m.

Where: Imogene Theatre, 6866 Caroline St., downtown Milton

Cost: $10 for children, $15 for adults. Call 221-7599 or visit panhandlecommunitytheatre.com or theimogenetheatre.com for tickets.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 things to know about Panhandle Community Theatre's latest production (PHOTOS)

Every year there is a “must have” Christmas gift that children, and adults as well, hope to find under the tree. It seems there’s at least one item that has shoppers lining up in droves. Think Cabbage Patch kids, Tickle Me Elmo and the Nintendo Wii.

This year, as was last year, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or Drones, are the hot ticket item. During the 2015 holiday season, drone sales increased 445 percent from the 2014 holiday season, and are expected to increase even more this year.

With Christmas around the corner, these aircrafts are at the top of the wish list for many, but Gulf Power wants to warn customers before they invest in purchasing a drone, they are not toys. Practice is needed to fly them safely and users must adhere to Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations and state restrictions.

"The lower price of unmanned aircraft along with the newer technology has made drones more affordable and attractive to more people," said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. "But, many are not familiar with the rules of flying and as more people enter the hobby drone scene, the potential for crashes and accidents multiply. We want consumers to have fun with unmanned aircraft but we want them to follow these best practices for safety, especially when around electricity."

Safe operation is a clear priority for flyers, new or experienced. One of the biggest safety concerns, said DelaHaya, is to not fly over critical infrastructure such as power lines, substations and other electrical equipment.

“Any activity that distracts people from the possible dangers around them, and could potentially put them near our electrical equipment and lines, is a major concern for us,” said DelaHaya. “Parents of children, and those adults flying drones need to remember safety around electricity.”

Other important safety tips to keep in mind when flying your drone according to the FAA include:

· You must be 13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft).

· Don’t fly your drone above 400 feet.

· Always keep your drone in eyesight.

· Don’t fly in bad weather conditions like high winds or reduced visibility.

· Stay clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft, especially low-flying airplanes and helicopters.

· Remain at least 25 feet away from other people and vulnerable property. Don’t fly over moving vehicles.

· Contact the airport or control tower before flying within five miles of an airport.

· Don’t fly near or over power plants, power substations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.

· Make sure other nearby drone operators are competent and proficient in flying drones.

· Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property.

· Don’t conduct surveillance or photograph people in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual’s permission.

Also, be sure to read the Federal Aviation Administration’s new rules and regulations drone pilots are required to follow. For more information, read the FAA’s Fly for Fun, https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for_fun/.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Before you buy: 11 drone safety tips