CRESTVIEW—A commute on Raptor Drive can take one past several suburban homes or leave somebody stuck in a five-foot hole.

A storm drain under construction on the street was left open for several days and marked off with a single piece of construction zone tape and four orange signs—two of which laid on the pavement. No cover was placed over the hole which dropped several feet into the ground and had no accessible escape route if somebody had fallen in.

Cris Basilio lives a few houses away from the opened drained and posted his concern to the News Bulletin’s Facebook page April 17 that “a child could easily fall” into the hall and become injured.

The removed portion of pavement surrounding the hole cut into the road lane and presented a threat to traffic on the residential street.

The road was repaired during the afternoon of April 19, but the hole was left open. Barriers that were once partially around the hole were moved into an adjacent yard—leaving no indication of the drop off to passing motorists or pedestrians.

“If two cars were on the corner going opposite ways, no doubt one would run right over this if they didn't see it,” Nettie Predieri, who lives on the street, said.

The drain is located at a curve in the road, meaning it’s partially blinded to some motorists depending on their travel direction.

The storm drain was covered and completed by the end of day April 19. On April 20, the tape and signs were still in place to caution drivers of the potentially wet cement which had been laid the day before.

Although fixed, the hole was open for several days and presented risks to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians traversing the road. Thirty-six homes are located on Raptor Drive, which borders other roads containing several dozen more houses in the Alicia Place subdivision.

A call to Public Services Director Wayne Steele for comment was not answered.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Construction project puts children at risk

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Courthouse records of marriages from April 2-20 include:

•Mercedes Yardley and Marcus Kelley, both of Crestview.

•Sydney Lane, of Laurel Hill, and Jacob Brown, of Fort Walton Beach.

•Mariah Kelley and Dustin Burkett, both of Holt.

•Elizabeth Bleigh and Robert Youngblood, both of Crestview.

•Brittany Moore and James Nelsen, both of Crestview.

•Michael Swenson and Victoria Hendrickson, both of Crestview.

•Valynthia Jones and Bruce Durm, both of Crestview.

•Tamara Lynn Bogle and Derek Peoples, Crestview.

•Jimmy Barger and Courtney Damon, both of Crestview.

•Sherry Smith and James Burnes III, both of Crestview.

•Antonie Markham and Troy Roberts, both of Crestview.

•Michael Ford, of Baker, and Megan Cross, of Prairie Village, Kansas.

•Cherish Rice and Doyle Hollis Jr., both of Crestview.

•Jessie Chism, of Bryan, Texas, and Nicholas Benziger, of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa marriage licenses

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations and causes that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — The ability to protect oneself is both important and vital for anybody, whether it’s a child confronted with a bully or an adult faced with a criminal.

Gordon Martial Arts helps individuals protect themselves when threatening situations arise by offering free self-defense courses for women and children. The classes aim to teach basic skills that can help people in dangerous situations, as well as tips for avoiding them in the first place.

“The main thing we teach is to be more aware of your situation,” Tom Gordon, the owner of the martial arts studio, said. “Whether this means not parking in dark areas, paying attention to what’s going on around you and not being distracted or how to get away from situations altogether.”

Gordon started offering the classes around 1995-96, he said. Since then, he’s partnered with local law enforcement to host the classes. Aside from defense in the moment, the classes can help victims of crime or bullying overcome psychological damage and give back a sense of personal security.

“Once an assailant is gone, the damage goes real deep, real fast,” Gordon said. He told the story of a woman who was victimized in her driveway and lost her sense of safety at her own home.

“We want to give people a sense of empowerment,” he added.

For children, Gordon teaches skills to avoid and discourage bullies — many of which are shared as a resource on the studio’s website. They include using a buddy system, talking to adults about the situation, not showing emotion, and avoidance. Children are also taught karate but only as a defensive measure, Gordon said.

Resources are also available for parents of children who are being bullied. Gordon believes that martial arts classes don’t just teach self-defense but also help children gain confidence, which can be just as important in dealing with a bully.

The classes are offered about four times per year and Gordon said he sees a mix of attendees.

“I’ll have girls aged 12, 13, 14 years and women up to their seventies,” he said.

Each class has about 20-25 people in attendance but he’s had classes as large as 50 before. Women are encouraged to attend multiple classes as a way to constantly practice and refine their skills.

“I love it when I see people at multiple classes,” Gordon said. He also enjoys getting feedback and seeing the mental toughness the classes can offer. “They are so amped up after the class, it’s a great thing to see.”

Gordon decided to offer the classes years ago because he knew he had the ability to educate people about a valuable skill.

“I’m in the belief that if you’re in a position to help someone, you should do something,” he said. “That’s how I was raised to believe and that’s what I continue to practice.”

Gordon — a father of girls, a husband and a son — saw the importance of teaching women and children specifically the ability to defend themselves and how to avoid potentially harmful situations.

The next women’s self-defense class will be offered with help from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Those planning to attend do not have to pre-register; simply show up in comfortable clothes. Attendees must be at least 12 years old.

Next class: 10:30 a.m. to noon, April 29

Location: Gordon Martial Arts, 130 W. Oakdale Ave., downtown Crestview

Cost: Free

More information: Ashley Bailey, 850-259-0031 or Gordon Martial Arts, 850-682-0720

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We want to give people a sense of empowerment'

New fire engines – maybe! Optics provide insights to safety. CPD cars are equipped with "Blue Lights" to be more visible. Read again our April 15th front page story, "Increasing traffic causes accident surge." Next look at "Fire station gets new engines."

Our new engine is 'red' and the article indicates 'black' will be an included color. Why? 'Black' is a color that research has shown for years to be a causal factor in higher vehicle accident rates. Take a minute and look at the front page picture. Your eyes will tell you that 50 percent of our CFD engine not clearly visible, because it appears to be 'black.'

A study by the Dallas FD in the 1990's confirmed; "multiple-vehicle accidents may be as much as three times greater for red or red/white fire trucks compared to lime-yellow/white trucks." Today, we are 20 years past that study.

We all know that there will not be a real solution to Crestview's traffic challenge within the seven-year span of our new engine lease. The challenge Chief Holland faces is his willingness to place his first responders in harm's way by using the wrong can of paint. 

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New fire engines' color almost invisible

CRESTVIEW — This week's The Bulletin Kids enjoyed local Library Class sessions.

Have a cute photo of your kids out and about? They could be our next The Bulletin Kid!

Email a photo with your child's name, age, hometown and a description of the action to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin:

CRESTVIEW — The city hosted its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday at Twin Hills Park.

The event featured sections of the park's soccer fields covered in plastic eggs, some containing prize tickets.  

Two waves of egg hunting were held at different times, allowing for those who didn't arrive as early to participate.

Each wave began with children lined up behind a taped-off barrier and a countdown signaling the start of the hunt. Once the countdown ended, children rushed through the line and began collecting eggs.

Some grabbed the first eggs they could find but others opted to run to the end of the field and begin collecting in their own area.

A soccer field's worth of eggs vanished within minutes of each wave starting. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Easter egg hunt draws hundreds to Twin Hills Park

CRESTVIEW — The Daisies and Brownies of Crestview Girl Scout Troop 676 donated cookie sale proceeds to Grace Rides for their latest service project.

The organization now has an extra $550 toward its mission to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies to individuals with special needs including cognitive, emotional or physical handicaps. The nonprofit has served Florida Panhandle communities since 2009.

Grace Rides, originally based out of Niceville, is working on expanding its DeFuniak Springs facility. Plans include a new barn to aid their efforts and broaden many opportunities that will extend their abilities to help those in need.

Almost 100 percent of the organization's budget goes directly to their therapeutic programs. Those who participate are encouraged to donate toward the cost of operations, but no rider is turned away due to lack of financial resources.

The Girl Scout troop visited the new facility April 10 and presented the donation to Grace Rides officials.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Girl Scouts boost Grace Rides

CRESTVIEW — Members of the Crocheted Mats for the Homeless group met April 11 in Mossy Head to work on mats and present them to the Front Porch Ministry of DeFuniak Springs.

Participants meet regularly throughout the week in different locations across Northwest Florida. This was their second-Tuesdays Mossy Head meeting.

The group visits schools and churches and teaches them how to make the mats. They also seek volunteers to help make them. This includes flattening and cutting bags to use, plus crocheting the mats.

Call Debbie Barfield Barberee, 334-237-2582, for details, or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/CrochetedMatsForHomeless.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Group presents latest batch of crocheted mats for homeless