MILTON — Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties as a result of the May 1 to June 30 rainfall, wind and flooding.

“These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in Alabama,” Frank Skaggs said, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. “The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included.”

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 3.215 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Download loan applications from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Mail completed applications to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Return completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 16.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Small business, nonprofit disaster loans are available

CRESTVIEW — Two historical mementos from the Florida Capitol will be donated to the Okaloosa County Commission for later display in the county’s new courthouse in Crestview.

One item is an exact facsimile of the handwritten legislation by Rep. William Mapoles creating Okaloosa County in 1917. Mapoles wrote out in longhand the precise description of county lines and boundaries, which became law.

The other is a black and white photograph of Senate President Newman Brackin being ticketed in good humor by the Crestview town marshal for double-parking his horse. The photo was taken in 1949 when Brackin (D-Crestview) served as presiding officer of the state’s upper legislative chamber.

The presentation will take place during the commission meeting Aug. 29 at Crestview's City Hall.

“I’m delighted to contribute these interesting documents from our past to be displayed in the courthouse of the future,” former Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) said. “Commission Chair Carolyn Ketchel heard about these items and was most gracious in arranging for them to be presented to the county.”

A third historical memento that hung in the Florida Capitol, a picture of Congressman Bob Sikes (D-Crestview) addressing a patriotic day crowd, will adorn the wall of the U.S. House of Representatives office now occupied by Gaetz’s  son, Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach). Other Northwest Florida historical items that the State Archives found or reproduced for former Senate President Gaetz are being donated to private and public collections.

Gaetz paid for all archival services and items personally, according to a media release.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New courthouse will feature historical mementos

CRESTVIEW — It’s one thing to burrow into history books to learn about the past. It’s another to help recreate what historical periods were like.

For Rollin Cluff, a dual-enrolled Northwest Florida State College, University of West Florida and home-schooled high school senior; history buff and Civil War re-enactor, he’ll plunge headlong into centuries of history when he joins the Crestview Area Sister City Program’s Sept. 7-18 visit to Noirmoutier next month.

But there’s more awaiting Rollin, 18, in France than just an opportunity to explore places where history was made. There’s also the chance to experience firsthand a whole new culture through a home-stay with a Noirmoutrin host family.

“I am really excited about going to France,” Rollin said. “I want to learn about the culture, meet the people and learn everything they do.”

Rollin’s journey also marks a new experience for the Sister City Program. He is the first recipient of the 23-year-old organization’s student travel fellowship, a developing program that will partially fund deserving students’ airfare to Noirmoutier.

Rollin met the basic criteria organizers have in mind — enthusiasm for history, interest in Crestview’s relationship with Noirmoutier, a willingness to pitch in at local Sister City events, a financial need, and an open mind willing to accept new cultural experiences.

The Sister City group contributed $500 (raised during last fall’s Wine Gala) toward Rollin’s airfare. A Sister City member donated the additional $200 to cover the balance.

Other members quickly contributed nearly another $400, which covers Rollin’s train tickets, hotel rooms and other expenses. The Noirmoutier Sister City Committee contributed nearly $250 so Rollin could visit the Puy du Fou historic park with the group.

Rollin is already making plans to give back to both the Crestview and Noirmoutier communities for making the trip possible. He has prepared a PowerPoint slide show as an introduction of himself and his varied activities when he visits English classes in Noirmoutier’s two junior high schools.

During his time on the island, some of which will be spent on his laptop taking online college classes and doing homework, Rollin will also meet with the 21 Noirmoutrin students coming to Crestview in October 2018 and answer questions about their planned experience in Northwest Florida.

Then, when he returns home, Rollin’s experiences in France will be a topic of an illustrated discussion for Crestview High School’s Sister City Ambassadors student club, many of the members of which hope to follow in Rollin’s footsteps and experience Noirmoutier’s history, culture and hospitality themselves.

“I am extremely grateful for this chance,” Rollin said. “I don’t know how I can thank all the people who made it happen. I want to do my best to show them this opportunity for me wasn’t a waste of their money.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A plunge into history

CRESTVIEW — Business owner Joey Tinklepaugh Jr., got an unwelcome surprise at his store the morning of Aug. 22 in Crestview.

His video surveillance system captured footage of a bearded, shirtless man, who appeared to be a senior citizen, dropping his pants and defecating that morning between Tinklepaugh's and his wife's trucks. The vehicles were parked behind their business, Joey the Jeweler, at 201 Main St. N. in Crestview.

Tinklepaugh posted the video on his personal Facebook page; soon, a video of the incident, titled "Crapperman.avi," spread among Crestview social media users.

While Tinklepaugh said he had previously seen spots where people urinated behind the store before, this is the first time anyone left excrement on the property, and in broad daylight, no less.

Tinklepaugh didn't know until he posted the video and saw people's comments that similar incidents had happened to other businesses on Main Street.

"It's happened three times at the food truck section, one at Desi's, one at the tire shop and one at the doctor's offices here in town," Tinklepaugh said.

He reported it to the Crestview Police Department, "who did a report and everything," Tinklepaugh said. He posted the video in an effort to find out the man's name so the police can take further action.

Police are still actively looking for the suspect, according to a CPD media release.

"Incidents like these have a negative effect on the quality of life in our community,” Police Chief Tony Taylor stated in a media release. "It’s just downright shameful when people don’t give a crap about their town.

"It really stinks."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business owner catches man doing his 'business' downtown

CRESTVIEW — An Aqua Drive resident in Crestview contacted the News Bulletin Aug. 23 with the question: "Can you find out why south Crestview smells like a sewage plant today?" She said a friend of hers on Airport Road was also asking "why Crestview smells so bad today."

We contacted the Crestview Public Services department to see if a local sewage spill had occurred. Public Services Director Wayne Steele said no spills have been reported by Water & Sewer crews.

"We have people check all of our lift stations every day. Normally we'll know about (spills or other problems) before or as soon as a resident does," Steele said.

He said issues such as sour water or natural gas being released could also cause that problem.

"It's not uncommon to have some issues with the rain and heat we've been having," Steele said.

He then asked for an address so he could dispatch an employee to assess the situation.

Steele said residents who experience out-of-the-ordinary sewage smells in their area are welcome to contact Water and Sewer, 682-6132, to report the problem.

"Let us know and we'll be glad to check into it," Steele said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Public Services investigating sewage smell

CRESTVIEW — A club for Northwest Florida horse owners has formed in Crestview with the goal of promoting harmony between the horse and owner.

Meetings — 6-7:45 p.m. first Wednesdays of the month— will include socializing, a meal and club business. The first meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at David's Catfish House, 1296 Ferdon Blvd. N, Crestview.

The club will have guest speakers on related topics and training sessions with obstacle courses, drill team training, night rides, trail rides and guest speaker topics such as first aid on the trail, horse nutrition and health, how a horse thinks and horse therapy.

The club will also promote goodwill in the community by entering parades and attending other local events from DeFuniak Springs to Destin, and Navarre Beach to Milton.

Contact Tom Moody, 682-5399 or tomandcarolretired@cox.net, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Saddle Club sets first meeting

CRESTVIEW — Here are some submitted photos from the eclipse that occurred Aug. 21 in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Solar eclipse photos

CRESTVIEW — Three area residents have completed U.S. military basic training.

Seaman Kaleb Casey graduated from eight weeks of Coast Guard seamanship training in Cape May, New Jersey, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Tanner C. Feldhausen and Airman Kendra A. Alicea Rosa graduated from eight weeks of training including military discipline and studies of basic warfare principles and skills at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Casey, a 2017 Crestview High School graduate, reported for duty Aug. 9 at Portsmouth, Virginia. His parents are Kevin and Lisa Casey of Crestview. His sister, Madisen Casey, and grandparents, Douglas Casey, Marie Casey, Mack Blue, and Rex and Marie White, are Crestview residents.

Feldhausen's parents are James and Daniela Feldhausen of Laurel Hill, and Kara and Ira Dubin of Boise, Idaho. He is a 2017 graduate of Timberline High School, Boise.

Alicea Rosa is the daughter of Yazmin E. and step-daughter of Jean Michael M. Emmanuelli of Crestview. She is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School.

Note: There were a number of errors in the announcement for Seaman Kaleb Casey on the News Bulletin's part. We apologize for the errors and have corrected them for our online and print editions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview, Laurel Hill residents graduate from basic military training

MILTON — The Florida Forest Stewardship Program and the Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area are presenting a workshop for landowners.

Invasive Exotic Species and Control is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at the University of Florida Extension office on Airport Road in Crestview.

Topics include herbicide labels, required personal protective equipment, applications techniques, herbicide resistance, modes of action and rotation.

There will also be a control update on terrestrial and aquatic invasive exotic plants, invasive species identification and look-alikes, established and new invasive exotic insects, and working with the Six Rivers CISMA.

Participants can learn about identifying and controlling cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, privets and other non-native invasive species.

Attendees may earn pesticide applicator and forestry CEUs.

Registration is $10 per person. Go to https://fsp-workshop092817.eventbrite.com or call 689-5850 to register.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages 37 state forests on more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Workshop to focus on invasive species

The season has not really started yet and they are all looking for heads to roll at Tennessee, Louisiana State University and Mississippi, where Rebels Coach Hugh Freeze didn't make it to the first game. He's gone. The same can happen to Tennessee and LSU.

On Sept. 2 it will be the Florida State Seminoles versus Alabama Crimson Tide for the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Saturday night, and on Monday night the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets game is also part of the Chick-fil-a Kickoff. All four teams are making history in college football.

Here's something to look forward to during the game. Former University of Tennessee Coach Phillip Filmer has been hired to do many things in the athletic department and the university (wonder what that could be.)

The LSU Tigers (8-4) come right out with going to Provo, Utah to play the Brigham Young University Cougars (9-4). Now remember, LSU is known to fire its coaches at any time — like right after this game.

And one coach we cannot overlook is "WHO" Coach Lane Kiffin from Alabama, now head Coach of the Florida Atlantic Owls. I bet you'll see a bunch of heads turning there. This is not the school to watch, but just watch the coach. (He was to take over LSU but got stepped on.)

There are four games the weekend of Aug. 26:

Rice Owls vs. Stanford Cardinals: It's in Sydney, Australia. "The yanks really don't know how to play Australia football but us Down Under folks just love American college football." This game is going to be lopsided, with the Owls saying "'WHO' was that?" I predict it will be the Cardinals by 21.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Massachusetts Minutemen: Even through the game is in Amherst, Massachusetts and not in Honolulu, Hawaii as everyone wanted, it's still the same outcome. It's over in minutes. Rainbow Warriors by 18.

South Florida Bulls vs. San Jose State Spartans: Spartans were 4-8 last year and I'm looking for the same this year. Bulls all over this game by 17.

Oregon State Beavers vs. Colorado State Rams: Rams are very stubborn animals, as is this team. They'll bang heads all day long with the Beavers in this game, and this could be the best game out of the four for this week. Rams by 10.

WRAP UP

Next week is the big week for everyone. You'll be reading a lot about the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12. It seems they are tired of the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference always being in the sports media, so they complained to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. They told them they were losing money and they were not on TV as much as SEC and ACC.

The answer should have been "play better football and teams."

I will say this. Texas, Penn State, BYU, and Oregon are on their way back in the win column. Did you know ACC won more bowl games last year than anyone? No, SEC, you cannot "brag" about any of the bowl games. It seems the ACC are the ones you played most of the time.

SEC TOP TEAMS: Alabama, Georgia

ACC TOP TEAMS: Florida State, Louisville

If you're in the SEC/ACC and you must play any of these four teams, be afraid, be very afraid.

See you next week with all the SEC/ACC games.

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 1