SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Tax Collectors Office will send renewal notices for 2018 business tax receipts starting July 1.

Occupational licenses are required for businesses that provide merchandise, entertainment, or services to the public, even if it’s only a one-person company or home-based business within Okaloosa County.

For those whose BTR has expired, it should be renewed as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties.

Payment options include:

●Using an Echeck at www.OkaloosaTax.com.

●Visiting 302 N. Wilson St. Suite 101 Crestview. Call 651-7300 for hours.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa to send business tax renewals

CRESTVIEW— The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society hosted a pet adoption event June 17 at Tractor Supply to help several dogs and cats find new homes.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Up for adoption

CRESTVIEW — Vera Owen turned 103 June 14, and celebrated the occasion with family and friends that day at the Crescent Park Village assisted living facility.

Good picture video

Relatives present at the celebration included Owen's 81-year-old son Jim, of Crestview, and his wife Nell; her two sisters, Evelyn Grant and Emogene Adkinson; and a niece, Debra Grant of Griffin, Georgia.

They enjoyed punch, refreshments and each other's company.

When asked what she wished for after blowing out the birthday candles, Owen said, "Just to be here for the next one!"

A little history

Owen, her sisters and their three older brothers (Barney, Melvin and Aldene) grew up on their family's farm in Sycamore, Georgia.

"Dad was a produce farmer, and grew (many different) vegetables, cotton and peanuts," Adkinson said.

She married Sam Owen at age 18. They raised two children, Jeremy (Jim) and Betty Lou, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. The couple had one grandchild, Melody, and two great-grandchildren.

Her son's story of a doctor's appointment

Owen spent 30 years as a manager at the Walker's factory in Ashburn, Georgia. The company manufactured men's dress pants.

"I worked at a place I had 300 people to manage. Just to speak to them every day took miles of walking. I enjoyed every day of it. I didn't mind going to work at all," she said.

When asked if she had any problems being a woman manager in those days, she made it very clear that wasn't a problem.

Further, "I never did have to fire anybody. If I had one that was not working right, I'd go tell the boss to fire him," Owen said with a laugh.

Hard work, clean living and friendship

Owen said the secret to life for her is good clean living and hard work, "and I've done plenty of it!" she said.

Those are the things staff members say they've learned about her during her stay at Crescent Park. Executive Director Meg Lawhon said Owen teaches others "that hard work will not hurt you! She has lived a life with Christian values and standards that she is proud of."

While Owen claims to not be as active these days — "I don't do a thing in the world: sit on the front porch, watch people go by," she said — some family and staff members implied she does a little more than that.

"She walks as fast without her walker as she does with it," Grant said. She had just finished looking for Owen's walker, and found it on the other side of the room.

Lorene Cawthon, Crescent Park administrative assistant, said Owen "runs rings around the staff" during exercise classes at the facility. She also enjoys full participation in bingo and other resident activities twice a day.

Lawhon, who has known Owen for 15 years, said she gets up around 7 a.m. every day, dresses herself and comes to breakfast. After that, she goes to her room to read the newspaper and make phone calls. She takes a quick nap after lunch, and spends time with residents and visitors in the living room during the day.

She says the 103-year-old is a wonderful conversationalist, loves bingo, and is an avid reader.

"She reads novels and is always on the lookout for a good book…she has a good sense of humor and is willing to try anything," Lawhon said. "She is a joy to be around, she is very popular with all the residents and staff."

That statement shows another necessity of life for Owen — having good friends around you.

"Don't be afraid to meet people — jump in and start a conversation with them. Be friendly and lead a good life," she said. 

Family stories

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Be friendly and lead a good life'

CRESTVIEW— A local woman has taken in a young, injured kitten and nursed it back to health from her home.

Karen McCauley, who works at Two Trees Restaurant at Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, said she found a kitten near her car in the parking lot a few weeks ago. McCauley said she thought it was a bird at first, and wondered why it wasn’t flying away; then she heard it make an awful noise.

McCauley said the kitten had been hit with a golf club and was gasping for air. With assistance from a coworker, McCauley said they fed the kitten some milk and cat food until it was strong enough to bring to the veterinarian.

When she brought it to the emergency veterinary clinic that night, McCauley said the kitten bit both her and the vet tech. The vet tech said that since the cat was feral and it bit them, it was protocol to cut off the animal’s head and send it to be tested for rabies, according to McCauley.

The vet tech said that the kitten was dying, according to McCauley, so they asked that she bring its body back when it dies; however, more than three weeks later, the kitten is still alive and healing in McCauley’s Crestview home.

The kitten, now named Ping after the brand of golf clubs, has doubled in weight from one pound to a little more than two in the time McCauley has had her. McCauley said the doctors believe she is around 10 weeks old.

“I called every vet in Crestview, but none of them would take her,” McCauley said. “I tried Companion [Animal Hospital] in Fort Walton and they told me to bring her right in. They have been phenomenal.

Ping was seen by Katie Maples, a veterinarian at Companion, just a few days after McCauley found the kitten. Maples said she could not comment on the health of the kitten due to confidentiality laws.

As for McCauley’s perception of the cat’s injury, “They asked me how I could tell it was a golf club,” McCauley said. “I said, ‘Because it’s this wide, this long and it’s concaved in.’”

According to McCauley, Ping’s injuries included three broken ribs; a severe hernia, which has caused her intestines to move into her leg; anemia; missing fur where the injury from the golf club was; and malnutrition.

“If Companion hadn’t helped as much as they did, it would be really tight right now,” McCauley said.

According to McCauley, the animal hospital didn’t charge for Ping’s second appointment and only charged a small amount for the shots at her third appointment.

McCauley has a GoFundMe page where she has raised $450 out of her goal of $800 to cover the cost of Ping’s hernia and spay surgery, which will be done once her ribs are completely healed. McCauley said people from the golf course have also donated.

McCauley said that she alerted the employees of the golf course so they could keep an eye out for the person who might have abused Ping.

“I’m surprised she’s as friendly as she is after that; it’s bizarre,” McCauley said. “She never cries or complains about pain; she just has the best attitude.”

To donate toward Ping’s medical care, visit https://www.gofundme.com/brutbrutally-abused-and-left-for-dead.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'She just has the best attitude'

THE QUESTION

“Any news as to when the new Fairfield Inn (next to the old Ryan’s) will be finished?” — Teresa and Mike Fleszar, Crestview

THE ANSWER

According to Christi Sheals, a permit clerk for Crestview’s building department, plans for the Fairfield Inn and Suites are still under review and have not been approved yet.

“Harvill Incorporated is who is going to permit it once it is approved,” Sheals said.

Employees from the corporate communication department at Marriott, the company that owns Fairfield Inn and Suites, did not respond to several calls or messages on the subject.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

Crestview will eventually get a Fairfield Inn and Suites next to the old Ryan’s building on Highway 85 South; however, there is no projected completion date and construction has not yet begun.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fairfield Inn and Suites' completion date unknown

CRESTVIEW — Tractor Supply Company will host pet and livestock adoptions beginning 10 a.m. June 17 at the store, 320 James Lee Blvd. W, Crestview.

The schedule includes a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. What's Up Dog training demonstration and a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Baker School bake sale.

Families can visit with adoptable animals and interact with adoption volunteers to learn more about the joys and responsibilities associated with owning animals from cats and dogs to rabbits, goats, pigs, horses and more.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Tractor Supply to host pet adoption

CRESTVIEW — Air Force airmen Christopher R. Cox,  Michael T. Serpa and Cody L. Tuttle graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airmen completed eight weeks' training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Basic training graduates earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Airman Christopher R. Cox is the son of Dale Cox of Crestview. He is a 2016 graduate of Crestview High School.

Airman 1st Class Michael T. Serpa is the son of Kerrie and James Serpa of Fort Walton Beach. He is a 2011 graduate of Crestview High School.

Airman 1st Class Cody L. Tuttle is the son of Torri Hutchison of Dothan, Alabama, and Shane Tuttle of Newbury Park, California; step-son of Melissa Tuttle of Newbury Park; and grandson of Bev and Ken Lilley of Crestview. He is a 2017 graduate of Westlake High School, Westlake Village, California.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cox, Serpa & Tuttle graduate from basic military training

Gerald Edmondson of Crestview has been elected to represent CHELCO on the PowerSouth board of trustees. Board members approved Edmondson's appointment at the May board meeting.

Edmondson holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education from Auburn University and a Master's of Education in agricultural education from Florida A&M University. He serves on the Okaloosa County 4-H Foundation board of directors and Okaloosa County Farm Bureau board of directors.

Edmondson is also the CHELCO board of directors president and chairman of CHELCO subsidiary Southland Utility Services. He is a Credentialed Cooperative Director and holds Gold Director status from the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association.

He and his wife, Claire, are First Baptist Church of Crestview members.

PowerSouth serves the wholesale energy needs of 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and northwest Florida. Collectively, the members provide electric service to homes, businesses and industries in 39 Alabama and 10 Florida counties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Edmondson to represent CHELCO on PowerSouth board

CRESTVIEW — Here’s a calendar of upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.  

COUNCIL ON AGING OPEN HOUSE: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 22, 292 Oakdale Ave. W., Crestview. The council is for people age 60 or older; caregivers in that age group may attend. Free, light refreshments available. RSVP: 892-8165.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10:30 a.m. June 24, Fort Walton Beach Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE. Speaker: Cissy Wyninegar, whose grandfather built the Gulfview Hotel and the Staff Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach. She has served on numerous local boards and councils. Free.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETING: 3 p.m. June 20, Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive N, and 9:30 a.m. June 22, Okaloosa County Commission chambers, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION: 8:30 a.m. June 20, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County

FORT WALTON BEACH —Flag Day, a June 14 U.S. holiday established by President Woodrow Wilson, commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.

While it is not a federal holiday, many states and communities observe Flag Day with a ceremony including patriotic songs and a flag display.

American Legion Post 235 will have a Flag Day retirement ceremony 6 p.m. June 14 at 105 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Fort Walton Beach. It will include participation of the Eglin and Hurlburt Field honor guards, and information on how to properly dispose of the U.S. flag. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Flag retirement ceremony set