CRESTVIEW—The city of Crestview heard updates about economic potential during Monday’s City Council meeting.

The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County presented its quarterly report to city officials and Executive Director Nathan Sparks applauded Crestview officials for what he believed to be significant efforts at bolstering the city’s economy.

“Crestview is a good city, aspiring to be great,” Sparks said. He opened his presentation by expressing disagreement with Larry Harris and Mason-Dixon Polling Research, who gave a dismal report on the city’s economic future earlier this year.

Sparks insisted the city “has a lot of potential” and that it’s “heading in the right direction,” despite the need for some improvements.

The EDC is a non-profit organization that facilitates growth, retention and expansion of select target industries in Okaloosa County. These industries include manufacturing, aerospace and those that “move the needle” or offer high-paying, skilled jobs, according to Sparks.

There are 24 projects the EDC is actively working on to bring jobs and industry to Crestview, Sparks said. However, he couldn’t disclose what each of those projects was due to confidentiality agreements. The projects could include companies that are committed to moving to Crestview or ones considering the area among a pool of possibilities.

Four of these projects include an expansion of Okaloosa County operations, according to Sparks. The furthering of local businesses is the EDC’s first priority, he added. Sixteen of the projects were “locally generated” as opposed to ones stemming from regional or state partners.

Although the EDC doesn’t focus on retail or restaurant development, Councilman Doug Faircloth asked for Sparks’ insight on how these investors select a city for expansion. Companies look for per capita income levels, the number of people who shop in the city and the success levels of other businesses in the area, Sparks said.

Faircloth asked if consumers play a role in a company's decision to move to an area by dictating if they spend their money at local establishments. Those decisions are a portion of the equation, Sparks responded.

“How well [local businesses] do factors into other future decisions,” Sparks said.

He suggested the city be responsive and use comprehensive data sets to help lure companies to the area.

This was supported by data presented by Sparks that showed the top three demographics businesses were looking at in Crestview were consumer spending, wages and housing. This information was compiled using web traffic data on the website www.okaloosasites.com, which details available office, industrial and retail space in Okaloosa County.

Despite claims of success, Crestview was the least researched community, behind the EDC’s four other partner cities, according to the same data. Detailed reports on the website were requested 17 times for both Valparaiso and Destin, 13 times for Fort Walton Beach, 10 times for Niceville and eight times for Crestview. There were 25 general county report requests.

Councilman J.B. Whitten requested a summary of how certain data was collected concerning average commute times but no further questioning regarding research or findings were asked.

The council heavily scrutinized other presentations of economic and industry data from Retail Strategies and Mason-Dixon Polling and Research.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City receives mixed report on industry growth

CRESTVIEW — The City of Crestview will have an Easter egg hunt. Participants should bring a basket and a camera.

Three hunts by age group are scheduled 9:30 a.m. through noon April 15 at Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St. S., Crestview, as follows:

• Ages 0-3 is 9:30 a.m. on the small soccer field.
• Ages 4-6 is 10:15 a.m. on the football field.
• Ages 7-12 starts at 11 a.m. on the football field.

Call 682-4715 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Easter egg hunts set

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

FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING: by appointment 2-6 p.m. Mondays, and first come, first served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, through April 18.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: Events for ages 4 and up at the Crestview library include:

●6:30-7:15 p.m. April 18: Nonie's Ark visit. Registration limited to first 30 children.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics are April 25, Environmental Center Field Trip; and May 2 and 9, Praiseworthy Parents.

FIRST TUESDAY TALK: 10:30 a.m. May 2 at the library. "Save a Rainy Day: Water Conservation with Rain Barrels," with Sheila Dunning, Horticulture Agent with the University of Florida/Okaloosa County Extension Service. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for a demonstration rain barrel made during this free class.

ARTIST RECEPTION AND REFRESHMENTS: 6-7:30 p.m. May 2, at the library. Rebecca Lu Kiernan's "Spellbinder" painting exhibit will be featured on the gallery wall May 1 through June 30.

NORTH OKALOOSA COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS EXPO: 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7, at the library. Learn about and network with North Okaloosa clubs, organizations, nonprofits and social agencies. Refreshments courtesy of Friends of the Crestview Public Library. Email Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com, to reserve a spot as an organization.

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: Crestview Public Library events

The 24th edition of the Government Assistance Almanac gives users updated information on all available federal domestic assistance programs.

These programs represent nearly $2 trillion worth of federal assistance earmarked for distribution to consumers, children, parents, veterans, senior citizens, students, businesses, civic groups, state and local agencies, and others.

The book covers every program described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, but in a format that is much more understandable and accessible to the general reader. It condenses the information in the federal catalog to the essentials needed by those seeking federal assistance.

More than 2,000 programs are covered in this new 2017 edition.

Each program listing includes:

•Federal program number and title

•Types of assistance available

•Program objectives and permissible use of the funds

•Eligibility factors for applicants and beneficiaries

•Range and average amounts awarded

•Summary of recent activity

•Contact information for program headquarters and websites for more information

This conveniently organized directory presents all the essential information needed for those seeking to identify and obtain grants, loans, insurance, subsidies, fellowships, scholarships, traineeships, and other financial and non-financial assistance.

SPECIAL FEATURES

•More than 2,000 entries describe federal programs that provide assistance.

•Websites are included for all programs and references to legislation authorizing government assistance.

•Summary Tables provide four-year comparisons of federal assistance by agency, department, and administrative unit, with details on the 50 largest and the 50 smallest programs in the current year.

•The Field Office Contacts section provides addresses and telephone numbers for more than 3,000 field offices.

•The Agency Index lists all federal administrative units and sub-units, which helps those searching specifically for administrative entities.

•The Master Index is especially user-friendly, with extensive referencing and cross-referencing that ensures multiple points of access to each entry.

Because this book is in the reference area and not available for checkout, it will always be handy here at the library. Come explore its amazing amount of information.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Almanac provides government assistance details

CRESTVIEW — Donn R. Colee Jr., author of "Towers in the Sand," has scheduled a presentation and book signing.

The Crestview Historical Preservation Board and the Baker Block Museum are sponsoring the event, which is 6-7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

Colee's book tells the history of Florida broadcasting, the radio and television stations, and the events that built an industry and a state. From the 1920s land rush through the Great Depression, the book chronicles hurricanes, the post-war boom, local TV stars, rock 'n' roll, heroes and scalawags, deregulation, the Internet and an uncertain future.

The presentation features stories from WJSB/WAAZ's Jimmy Whitaker; former Crestview mayor, station owner and newsman Jerry Milligan; W.D. "Cooter" Douglass; and Clayton W. Mapoles, among others.

Colee is a seventh-generation Floridian and second-generation Florida broadcaster who began his career as a teenage disc jockey at Orlando's top-rated rock 'n' roll radio station.

In 1971, after service in the U.S. Navy, he moved to Palm Beach County and joined his father's advertising and public relations firm.

In 1988, Colee resumed his broadcasting career at WPEC CBS 12 in West Palm Beach, working in marketing, community relations, programming, and senior management positions. He took early retirement from the station in 2009 to finish his book and serve as a nonprofit fundraising consultant.

He is a member of the Florida Association of Broadcasters and the Florida Historical Society.

He is also an avid fisherman and serves on the board of the historic West Palm Beach Fishing Club.

He and his wife, Martha, reside in Palm Beach Gardens. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Presentation on Florida radio history, book signing scheduled

CRESTVIEW – Act4Murder, a local professional comedy troupe, has scheduled "Muscling in on Murder," a dinner theater.

"The show will have your muscles aching with laughter. It’s all fun and games, but remember, someone is going to die! Will you and your table of sleuths win a prize for guessing whodunnit?" the media release states.

Seating starts 6 p.m. April 15 at Samuel’s Roadhouse Grill, 114 John King Road, Crestview. A three-course meal and the show begin at 6:30 p.m.

Cost is $38 per person. V.I.P. packages with special merchandise and recognition are also available. Make reservations at www.act4murder.com.

Call Act4Murder, 862-2885, for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Act4Murder sets dinner theater

CRESTVIEW — The Spanish Trail Cruisers will present the 17th annual Average Joe Car Show.

The event begins at 8 a.m. April 22 on Main Street in Crestview. The show includes a competition with 15 or more classes, a 50-50 drawing and vendors.

Registration, 8-11 a.m., costs $25 per entry ($20 before April 14). The Cruisers will give dash plaques for the first 100 entries. There will be first- through third-place winners in each category, and $1,000 in cash drawings for registered participants. Trophy presentation is set 3 p.m.

Partial proceeds will benefit the Okaloosa School Nutrition Association Scholarship fund.

Vendor spaces are available with advance notice. Contact Mike Turman, 428-1161, for vendor details or more information on the event, or visit www.SpanishTrailCruisers.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spanish Trail Cruisers set car show

CRESTVIEW — Baker Middle School's baseball team closed the year going 16-0-1, defeating Emerald Coast Middle School 10-5 April 6.

Emerald Coast captured the lead in the first inning. The Gators took the lead with two runs in the third inning. The Gators scored four runs in the fifth inning. 

Ethan Edge earned the win for the Gators, tossing four-and-a-third innings, surrendering zero runs, zero hits and striking out seven. 

Zane Steele started the Gators' game. He threw two-and-two-thirds innings, giving up five runs, one hit and striking out three. 

"In the history of Baker Middle School baseball, the team has never been undefeated. We are extremely proud of these young men," Nickie Edge of Baker said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Middle School baseball team goes 16-0-1

THE QUESTION

"What's up with the old YMCA? The number on the sign is never answered. Is there a contact that works better?" — Kyle N Christine Shoup, Facebook

THE ANSWER

YMCA of Florida's Emerald Coast closed all Okaloosa sites in Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach Oct. 3, 2014, after it went bankrupt. The organization stated in a media release at the time that it operated in a financial deficit since 2007, when it constructed the Destin YMCA.

While area residents and former YMCA associates attempted to keep the Crestview and Fort Walton Beach YMCA doors open as independent branches, a spokesperson for the national organization said in a News Bulletin interview, "The Emerald Coast association's board of directors is the decision-making authority for the association. The board's decision to cease operations means all three branches must cease operations as YMCAs. The branches cannot continue independently."

When the Crestview YMCA abruptly closed, the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast assisted, taking over the YMCA after-school programs, but closed its Crestview program in July 2016, citing low attendance.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Residents affected by the closures have to seek after-school care elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'What's up with the old YMCA?'

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Courthouse records of marriages from March 9 to April 5 include:

•Debra Messenger and Merle Funk, both of Crestview.

•Kenneth Taylor and Heather Polanco, both of Crestview.

•Micah Owens and Jessica Watts, both of Crestview.

•Olivia Lasarte and Juan Ortega, both of Crestview.

•Hannah Spindler and Hunter Pharis, both of Crestview.

•Kyle Cahal and Erin Colleen Gough, both of Crestview.

•Jacob Potter and Sunny Kim, both of Crestview.

•Grace Forrest and Errol Crain, both of Crestview.

•Kayla Sharrow and Christopher Fulford, both of Crestview.

•Ethel Jackson and Emanuel Gissendanner, both of Crestview.

•Paul Ciurleo and Linda Stiles, both of Crestview.

•Arthur Darnell and Patricia Darnell, both of Crestview.

•Betty Beevers and Dale Hope, both of Crestview.

•Curtis Duvall of Crestview and Jacqueline Creamer of Milton.

•Merredith Roberts and Daniel Toups, both of Crestview.

•Lynda Sykes and Isaiah Raite Sr., both of Crestview.

•Deborah Privette of Niceville and Mahlon Haunschild of Crestview.

•Thomas Utterback of Fort Walton Beach and Laura Wellborn of Crestview.

•Julio Arellano and Sarah Peterson, both of Crestview.

•Joel Lopez Jr. of Crestview and Madeline Hernandez of Windermere.

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