CRESTVIEW — Agricultural producers in Florida and Okaloosa County may apply for financial assistance to restore longleaf pine and build habitat for northern bobwhite quail habitat.

Landowners can apply through May 19 for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program of the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

NRCS helps landowners plant and manage longleaf forests through practices such as prescribed burning, brush management, noxious weeds control, firebreaks and a host of other practices. Longleaf forests benefit both wildlife and land managers.

Private landowners can get financial and technical assistance to restore and protect quail habitat in Okaloosa County.

This effort targets pine savannas, where NRCS is working with producers to manage forests and develop wildlife openings and the diverse understory vegetation the bobwhite needs. These habitats provide the forbs, legumes and insects that bobwhite need for food and the heavy or brushy cover for nesting, brooding and safety.

Contact the Crestview USDA Service Center, 938 Ferdon Blvd. N., or 683-3714 extension 3, for more information. NRCS district conservationist Darryl Williams will help landowners develop a conservation plan customized to their land and assist with the application process.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: USDA offers longleaf pine habitat assistance

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida

Here are upcoming Crestview Public Library-related events. The library's address is 1445 Commerce Drive.

WATERVENTURES: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13, in a 53-foot trailer in the library front parking lot. Learn how water moves through life. For ages 4 and up. Visit www.waterventures.us for details.

FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: 10:30 a.m. May 18, 1445 Commerce Drive, in the library meeting room.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.; for children ages 4 and up.

COFFEE & CRAFT: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Crestview library. Call 682-4432 to reserve your spot.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPCOMING

If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, DigitalLearn has the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed — in bite-sized pieces with five- to 20-minute lessons.

Starting out you can learn:

•Why you should use a computer — Reasons why you should take the time to learn about computers

•Getting started on a computer — What a computer is and how to use a mouse and keyboard

•Using a PC — Learn the basics of using a PC with the Windows 10 operating system (Windows 7 and Mac OS X also available)

•Navigating a website —  Learn your way around websites and emails

•Intro to email — Get started with email

•Intro to email2 — Go beyond the basics of navigating your email account

•Basic search — Learn about search engines and get started searching the internet

The Being Safe Online section teaches:

•Accounts and passwords

•Online scams

•Internet privacy

"Job skills" includes:

•Creating resumes in Microsoft Word

•Online job searching

Additional areas cover:

•Being productive with Microsoft Word to create, format, and save a document

•What cloud storage is and how it helps

•Connecting with others through Skype video calls and the basics of Facebook including signing up, finding friends, and privacy

•Online shopping like searching and buying a plane ticket (very helpful since most airlines now add an additional charge to buy by phone)

DigitalLearn.org is brought to you by librarians, so you know it can be trusted!

If you do not have a computer at home, just come into the library, and we will help you. So no excuses now; let us help chase away your fear of computers!

Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chase away computer fears with DigitalLearn

CRESTVIEW — Gordon Martial Arts' "Community for Cops" event on May 6 aimed to bring residents and first responders together — and have fun while doing it. 

Officer Mojica of the Crestview Police department said the event, which had numerous children's activities, is particularly important for those in law enforcement; although some people see negative news stories about police officers from other parts of the country and form their opinions, it's important for kids to know those in law enforcement are there to help. 

This is the second year that GMA has hosted the event, and it has seen much support from the community.

"This is a good opportunity for the kids to see the police officers in a non-confrontational, happy environment," Thomas Gordon, owner of Gordon Martial Arts, said.

Too often, the first time a child sees a police officer or fireman is under criminal circumstances, he said. 

"This is an opportunity for them to come out, they get to play with the dogs, see the guns with the S.W.A.T.," Gordon said. 

Officer Jennings, with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, said one issue the OCSO has is parents making police officers seem like the bad guy.

"They'll say the whole 'If you don't listen, he's going to have to take you to jail' thing," Jennings said. "I always look at the parents and say, 'I'll take you to jail before the kid.'"

Community for Cops offered a variety of activities for children, including a dunk tank, face painting and bounce houses and slides. There were several booths with vendors, information about the sheriff's office, door prizes and snow cones.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Building an alliance

CRESTVIEW—Okaloosa County is closer to receiving tens of millions of dollars from a stimulus program known as the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund.

The fund will be a point of deposit for monies from a financial settlement between Gulf of Mexico states and BP following the 2010 oil spill. An estimated $1.5 billion will be paid to eight counties along the Florida Panhandle between now and 2033.

The bill passed the Florida House of Representatives on Monday, the Senate on Tuesday and is expected to be signed by Gov. Rick Scott.

A section of the bill requires the state to immediately release $300 million to the fund, before being released to counties for projects. Each county will have to create a project list to submit to the fund for approval.

The list of potential projects is still a work in progress, according to Okaloosa County Commissioner Graham Fountain. However, Fountain and fellow County Commissioner Nathan Boyles are eyeing infrastructure projects in Crestview as possible funding requests.

Fountain’s district includes most of Crestview and areas such as Duke Field and Laurel Hill. Boyles’ district covers southwest portions of Crestview, Holt, Baker and Escambia Farms.

“Certainly, in a general category for me, would be crucial, new highway infrastructure projects like the Crestview [State Road] 85 bypass,” Fountain said.

Boyles also eyed highway improvement near Crestview, as well as other roadway projects that could affect his more rural constituents.

“The development of bypass routes around Crestview and the stabilization of dirt roads that contribute to water quality issues are examples of worthwhile projects in North Okaloosa that I believe will meet funding criteria,” Boyles said, adding he will push for projects that can help the entire county.

Funds from the stimulus must fall into one of these categories for approval:

• Property tax reduction
• Impact fee payments for new development
• Public infrastructure projects
• Grants to create or assist disaster response plans
• Educational grants for career preparation programs
• Skilled adult education program grants
• Tourism promotion grants

The call for infrastructure improvements isn’t just made by county officials; members of the Crestview City Council also hope to secure Triumph funds for the city’s roads.

“We have several road projects under consideration right now that are in need of funds,” Councilman J.B. Whitten said. “The key to submitting them is to demonstrate that their completion will enhance economic recovery, diversification and enhancement as defined in the bill.”

“[Improvement] of our main traffic areas throughout our county’s road systems” has also been eyed by Councilman Joe Blocker.

“I believe by directing a fair amount of revenue toward grants for (the) purpose of developing programs and infrastructures, that would promote the opportunities in developing and educating our entire workforce of Okaloosa County,” Blocker said.

Whitten is also looking at grants or other financial assistance for disaster response programs.

“Under consideration could be funds to enhance our ability to respond to natural disasters — again, as defined by this bill,” Whitten said.

Monetary relief could still take months to receive, even if the county is cleared to receive part of the stimulus. Whitten has been through a similar process the last time BP funds were distributed to the area.

“Based on my experience with the initial release of money, we will be just beginning a process that could take a while before we ever see any money,” Whitten said. “Our council will have to work with the mayor, the city clerk and our department heads to come up with the worthiest projects.”

While the funds might take awhile to receive, officials still hope they can bring some of it to the northern end of Okaloosa County.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Oil spill money could stimulate road projects

CRESTVIEW — Passersby can see a new water tower off State Road 85 in Crestview, at an area locals have long referred to as Blueberry Curve.

Officially, the tank is identified as Mid-County Tank No. 4, but employees of the county have started referring to it as “the Blueberry Tank.”

According to Jeff Littrell, director of water and sewer in Okaloosa County, the new tank will increase storage for the mid-county upper zone in general and for the Bob Sikes Industrial Air Park in particular. A major consideration was increasing storage capacity to enhance fire protection for the Industrial Air Park.

“Our mid-county service area has two pressure zones: upper and lower,” Littrell said. “The lower pressure zone already has two elevated tanks. The upper zone only has one elevated tank, a relatively small 200,000-gallon tank on Airport Road.”

The new 750,000-gallon water tank will be connected to the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer water distribution system.

Its construction is costing the county $2.7 million, with $1.25 million coming from a grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District, according to Littrell.

Construction is almost complete.

“We still have to have it painted and connected to a 12-foot water main recently laid up Highway 85 from Airport Road,” Littrell said. “We expect to be putting the new tank into service late summer, early fall.”

As for the paint job?

“About a year ago, our area received national recognition as a Great American Defense Community,” Littrell said. “We are going to put the GADC logo on the north side of the tank so that it will be viewed by people driving into our area coming south on Highway 85.

“There will be a standard Okaloosa County logo on the south side of the tank.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Water tower erected off State Road 85

SHALIMAR — Representatives from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector's Office will conduct workshops educating citizens on the annual tax certificate sale.

"Our workshops are a great place to share valuable information about this sale, which offers winning bidders an opportunity to earn between 5-18 percent interest. In 2016, investors earned an average of 6.15 percent," Tax Collector Ben Anderson said.

These workshops are set:

• 6 p.m. May 9, OCTC office, 701 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville.
• 6 p.m. May 11, Okaloosa Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar. This workshop will also be live-streamed on the OCTC Facebook page.
• 6 p.m. May 18, OCTC office, 302 Wilson St. N, Crestview.
• 6 p.m. May 23, Okaloosa Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar. This workshop will also be live-streamed on the OCTC Facebook page.

Potential investors can log on to www.BidOkaloosa.com to learn more. Bidding begins May 10 and ends June 1.

The required published advertisement of delinquent parcels appears in the Crestview News Bulletin May 10, 17 and 24 editions. Copies will also be available at all OCTC locations and www.OkaloosaTax.com.

Delinquent taxpayers have until 4 p.m. May 31 to make payments on their account or a certificate will be sold June 1. Payment must be made by cash, cashier's check, money order or by credit card.

Call the Tax Department at 651-7604 with questions concerning the tax certificate sale.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa tax sale workshops scheduled

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library's First Tuesday Talk focused on rain barrels.

Sheila Dunning, of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension service office in Crestview, presented information on how the barrels can help conserve water.

She and Okaloosa Master Gardeners Ed and Lynn Fabian of Niceville also taught attendees how to make their own rain barrels.

They presented the rain barrel constructed during the seminar to Crestview resident Dusty Allison.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview residents learn about rain barrel conservation

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

FAMU RATTLER RUMMAGE SALE: 7:30-11:30 a.m. May 6, Florida A&M University Pharmacy School, 153 West Woodruff Ave., Crestview. Clothing, household collectibles, books and more. FAMU Alumni Association, Saundra Daggs, 279-6555.

EOD MEMORIAL WEEKEND: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation activities are below.

●48th Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony, 9 a.m. May 6, NAVSCOLEOD, located on Range Road, Niceville. The names of six fallen EOD warriors will be placed on the memorial wall.

●8th Annual EOD Memorial Crawfish Boil, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6, in the Winn-Dixie parking lot in Bluewater Bay, Niceville. Stop by for crawfish and refreshments. Other food items can be purchased at participating restaurants. 

●49th Annual EOD Ball, 5:15 p.m. May 6, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Attire is semi-formal, formal, and military equivalent. Keynote speaker: Admiral John Richardson, chief of Naval Operations since September 2015. Tickets: $75 per person at http://www.eodwarriorfoundation.org/2017eodmemorialweekend.

COMMUNITY FOR COPS & FIRST RESPONDERS: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6, Gordon Martial Arts, 130 W. Oakdale Ave., Crestview. Free. Dunking booth, bounce house, obstacle course, games, face painting, and Crestview Police and Fire Department vehicles. Okaloosa sheriff's office deputies will also attend. Features vendor booths, door prizes and a silent auction.

TAX-FREE INVESTING SEMINAR: 6-7:30 p.m. May 11, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview. "Tax-free Investing: It's Not What You Make, It's What you Keep," with Yvonne Shanklin, Edward Jones financial advisor in Crestview. Free; dinner provided. Details: Marcia Fleming, 682-2497.

HISTORY SANDWICHED-IN LECTURE: noon to 1 p.m. May 12, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Free presentation by author and local Northwest Florida historian Sharon Marsh. She will discuss her book, "The 1st Florida Calvary Union Volunteers in the Civil War." Bring a lunch.

‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’: 7 p.m. May 12 and 13, and 2:30 p.m. May 14 at Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 840 Baldwin Ave., DeFuniak Springs. Tickets: $12 for students 22 and younger, $15 for adults. Call 892-9494 or email infor@fcweb.org to purchase.

MOTHER’S DAY VICTORIAN TEA: 2 p.m. May 13, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Relax and enjoy light refreshments while learning about etiquette and customs of taking tea in Victorian England. For ages 6 and up. Cost: $16 per person; $13 for museum members. Reservations required; call 678-2615.

‘COMING HOME’ PERFORMANCE: 6 p.m. May 13, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. The Calling Dance Company presents a faith-based story centering on hope amid loss. A portion of the proceeds benefits Covenant Care's Camp Connect, a grief counseling camp for children. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and free for children age 4 and under. Purchase at www.TheCallingDanceCompany.org.

PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY CLASSES: 5-8 p.m. May 16 and May 23, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Learn Seminole techniques. $55 to $60 per person. 678-2615.

HOMESCHOOLERS FIELD TRIP: 1-2 p.m. May 19, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Cost: $7 for one student and a parent or teacher, $3 for each additional adult; free for ages 3 and younger. $3 per person to participate in catapult building. For home-school students and their families. The Historic Technology tour teaches students how technology has evolved through the years, what a simple machine is, and how machines are used to push and pull, making work and other tasks easier for humans. To reinforce the lesson, students will make and demonstrate catapults. Preregistration is required at 678-2615.

VETERANS JOB FAIR: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 24, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Free DAV and RecruitMilitary event for veterans, those soon to be civilians, National Guard and Reserve members, and their spouses. Companies include Lockheed Martin, First Command Financial Planning, GardaWorld, Universal Studios, Air Force Reserve, L-3 Technologies, MacAulay-Brown, and Vinnell Arabia. See updated list of all exhibitors, and RSVP your attendance: http://bit.ly/2pF3xZg.

HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS: Crestview High School Hall of Fame nominations are sought. Nominees must have graduated at least 10 years ago and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and athletic accomplishments. All submissions must include verifiable information.  If possible, supply the nominee’s contact information. You may resubmit previous nominations for consideration. May 26 is the application deadline. File applications with CHS’s front office or email them to Coach Tim Hatten, tim.hatten@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us, or Chris Moore at tcbjmoore@cox.net.

MAY DAY PARADE ENTRIES: The Carver-Hill Memorial & Historical Society is accepting May Day parade entries through May 20. It is free to participate. The parade is 10 a.m. May 27, with line-up at 9 a.m. at the Carver-Hill Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview. Get application forms at Carver-Hill Museum, 895 McClelland St. S, or J&P Glitz and Glitter, 604 U.S. Highway 90 W, and turn in at the museum.

PEANUT PRODUCERS SCHOLARSHIP: The Florida Peanut Producers Association will award two $1,200 scholarships to high school seniors and/or college students in 2017. The applicants or one of their family members must be actively producing peanut growers, not necessarily a member of the FPPA. Award recipients should attend a Florida junior college or four-year university. Winners receive $600 each. The remaining $600 is awarded after the completion of one semester and documentation of passing grades is submitted. Details: 526-2590. Deadline: July 1.

CRESTVIEW HIGH CLASS OF 1977’S 40-YEAR CLASS REUNION: 6 p.m. July 15, Warriors Hall in Crestview. “We are searching for classmates that we have lost contact with,” an event organizer said. “If you haven't already received information about the reunion, contact Sharry, krustin@cox.net." Tickets must be purchased in advance due to the caterer needing to prepare for the correct number of attendees.

SISTER CITY FRANCE TRIP: The Crestview Area Sister City Program welcomes residents to join the Sept. 7-18 journey to Noirmoutier, France. Participants stay with host families in this immersive cultural and educational experience. Participants must join the Crestview Area Sister City Program and assume responsibility for their own air travel arrangements to and from France. Dues are currently $20 per individual, $2 per full-time student, and $30 per family. Details: www.CrestviewSisterCity.org.

BAKER GATOR REUNION: Baker School Class of 1967 graduates seek classmates for their 50-year reunion Sept. 9 at the Baker Arena Community Center, 5503 U.S. Highway 4, Baker. Call 537-9191, 758-7966, 978-2135 or 978-1974 for details.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION:

• 8:30 a.m. May 16, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.
• 8:30 a.m. June 6, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. June 20, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL: 2 p.m.  May 25, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. June 15, Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive N., Niceville.
• 3 p.m. July 20, Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive N., Niceville.
• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or emailtiffany.bates@wfrpc.org.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

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

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

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

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

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

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE events are for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.

MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 11 a.m. May 9, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview. Membership fees apply. Marian McBryde, committee chair: MAC@crestviewchamber.com.

GOVERNMENT ISSUES COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. May 10, Crestview Chamber building, 1447 Commerce Drive. Speaker: Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor.

AMBASSADORS 'LET'S DO LUNCH': 11:30 a.m. May 11, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview. Network, have lunch in an informal, no pressure atmosphere. RSVP to ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-6:30 p.m. May 11 at USA Karate, 702 James Lee Blvd. E, Crestview.

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. May 17, Chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

PILOT COMMITTEE: noon May 18, Hooters, 180 Cracker Barrel Road, Crestview. For young leaders ages 21-41 in Crestview.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. May 31, Synovus Mortgage (Coast Bank and Trust on Industrial Drive).Contact Richard Harless, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com, for details.

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