CRESTVIEW — The sudden closure of Ryan’s Steakhouse meant more than finding a new place to eat for Crestview residents. About 50 people found themselves without a job and no notice, according to Brandon Sanchez. 

Sanchez, one of those people, was employed for 15 years with Ryan’s before the restaurant closed March 26.

“It was heartbreaking for most of us because it was our way of life, our way of providing for our families,” Sanchez said.  “I know I will be able to find another job eventually, but I feel bad for some of my older co-workers who will have a harder time trying to find something new.”

Sanchez said “corporate people” assured him that talk of the restaurant shutting down was just rumored. He first heard whispers of a closure about two months ago but said others heard them earlier than that.

Comments were made over one year ago on the News Bulletin’s social media accounts about Chick-fil-A taking over the location. Some people say those rumors have been going around even longer.

The company maintained its position of remaining open until the final weekend of operation. Employees learned of the closure March 25 — one day before its last in service — according to Sanchez.

Several other people made similar claims on the News Bulletin’s Facebook page and via Twitter but declined to be interviewed for this story.

“A lot of us feel betrayed by the company,” Sanchez said. “We all worked hard, every day for them, to be done this way.”

The Ryan’s closure also affected longtime customers of the establishment, like Brandon Brooks and his family. Brooks, along with his wife and four children, have been patrons of the Crestview Ryan’s for several years.

“To say I'm gonna miss the place would be an understatement,” Brooks said. “My 2-year-old twins say ‘Ryan's’ every time we ride by there — wanting to go in there and eat. How do we explain to 2-year-old twins that we can't go there anymore?”

The company did not respond to questions about how long they had planned to close their Crestview location. Instead, a spokesperson referenced an already distributed press release that said the closure was “a business decision” that did not reflect the staff or management.

Several restaurants were interested in the site leading up to the Ryan’s closure, according to Retail Strategies Retail Development Director Joe Strauss during a presentation to the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Chick-fil-A has since secured the property and is planning a rebuild for the location at 3000 S. Ferdon Blvd.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A lot of us feel betrayed'

CRESTVIEW — Girl Scout Troop 818 members created and donated eight Easter baskets for youths at Hope of Potential Empowerment House in Crestview.

Troop Leader Tresha Collins said the troop searched for an organization to help and Walker Elementary School's guidance counselor recommended the temporary youth shelter run by Lutheran Services Florida.

"When I called I asked if they had any organizations helping them out for any type of Easter celebration, the woman explained that they usually only receive help around Christmastime and not for the 'smaller' holidays," Collins said. "So I asked if we could sponsor and donate Easter baskets and she said yes."

The eight-bed facility provides temporary shelter to 10- to 17-year-olds in need and nonresidential counseling for ages 6 to 18.

HOPE staffers teach life skills to the youths and help them and their families improve communication with each other.

A volunteer delivered the Easter baskets March 24.

"The kids have not received them yet, of course, so we've had them hidden away," HOPE House administrative assistant Pam Harvell said. "We are always thankful and grateful for everything that we get.

“A lot of organizations donate money and other items to us."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Girl Scouts donate Easter baskets to youth shelter

CRESTVIEW — Fire Department Deputy Chief Tony Holland is the Hub City’s next fire chief, Mayor David Cadle announced Thursday evening in a prepared statement.

Holland has been with the CFD for 24 years and served in an administrative role for the past 11 years. He has held every position at the CFD and been promoted through the ranks during his tenure with the department.

During that time, Holland has worked to make CFD a leading department in the region through various upgrades, programs and improvements.

He was responsible for installing tablets in all stations that allow responders to gather real-time emergency information; he acquired an updated dispatch system to improve the department communication center; and he expanded the public fire prevention program from a month-long program to year-round training.

While with CFD, Holland has become a chaplain for the department and is an active member of the Okaloosa County Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team. The team provides psychological and emotional support to first responders following emergencies.

Holland will replace current Fire Chief Joe Traylor, who has served in the position since 1993. Traylor, who announced his retirement earlier this year, will step down at the end of April.

Holland will become chief at that time and lead the department’s 45 employees.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's new fire chief named

Threats of rain were no match for the clouds of barbecue smoke during Saturday's Triple B festival.

The annual event saw a change in 2017, shifting its location from downtown to Spanish Trail Park and replacing "bluegrass" for "bands" in the event's name.

The new venue allowed for the entertainment and vendors to spread out and for attendees to fill the park.

While barbecue is the headliner of the event, it certainly wasn't the only thing grabbing people's attention.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Barbecue, bands fill Spanish Trail Park

CRESTVIEW — Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County

•U.S. Highway 98 maintenance and repair of underground stormwater drainage: Intermittent westbound lane restrictions will take place 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays from Gulf Shore Drive to Airport Road in Destin as crews clean and seal pipe joints along the trunk line, adjacent manhole, and curb inlet structures. The project is anticipated to be complete by summertime.

Walton County

•U.S. Highway 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge Project: North and southbound lane closures are scheduled as crews perform shoulder repairs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through March 31 between Bay Grove Road and Chat Holly Road. One lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

•U.S. 98 widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive: Intermittent and alternating lane closures 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, March 30 between Seascape Drive and the Okaloosa-Walton county line. The closures will allow crews to begin roadway widening and drainage work.

The eastbound outside lane between Poinciana Boulevard and Snowdrift Road and the right turn lane from Scenic Gulf Drive to U.S. 98 will be closed from 8:30 p.m. March 29 to 5:30 a.m. March 30 as crews perform maintenance work in the area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Maintenance planned on Okaloosa, Walton roads

Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters provide a wildly educating and entertaining Family Library Time. Nonie’s Ark is a hands-on show. That means you can touch the animals! If you love animals and like to be up close and personal with them, Nonie’s Ark is perfect for you!

Nonie’s Ark sails into the Crestview Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18.

Nonie, part educator and part entertainer, has an extensive background in Zoo Animal Technology and Wildlife Education, and her fondest joy is helping children learn about wildlife in a fun, adventurous way.

The Okaloosa County Recycling Office sponsors this free event.

You must be age 4 or older, and register in order to attend! Seating is limited to the first 30 children ages 4-14 who register and their adults. People ages 15 and up are welcome to attend without registering.

Call 682-4432 or come to the library at 1445 Commerce Drive to register or ask questions.

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nonie's Ark to visit Crestview library

CRESTVIEW — The Friends of the Crestview Library's Spring Book Sale returns this weekend.

It starts with an early bird sale 5-8 p.m. March 31 at Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. There is a $2 admission fee for non-Friends members. 

The second part of the sale is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 1 at the hall. Admission is free of charge that day.

A selection of books, CDs and movies will be available for sale.

"Please note that we will no longer be having a fall book sale," Chairman Dot Moxcey said, "so be sure to take advantage of this spring book sale.

"All money goes to support the Crestview Public Library, providing everything from new books and programs for children to special projects like the library mural, lobby display cases and the 'Whiz Kid' statue."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spring book sale set

CRESTVIEW — This week's Bulletin Kids are Heidi and Jedah Hammond of Baker, ages 10 and 8, respectively.

They attended the beekeeping basics program March 21 at the Crestview Public Library.

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: Baker children learn beekeeping basics

CRESTVIEW — Ryan’s Steakhouse at 3000 S. Ferdon Blvd. closed its doors for the final time Sunday evening.

The restaurant has been shut down, according to a statement from its corporate offices.

“This [closure] was a business decision and is in no way a reflection of the hard work of the location’s management or employees,” the statement from Ryan’s corporate management read. “We appreciate the community’s patronage and hope to serve you at one of our other locations in the future.”

No other statement or additional comments were made.

“This store is now closed,” read several signs on the location’s doors, offering no insight or information on the reason.

Food Management Partners, which owns the Ryan’s chain as well as other buffet restaurants, closed 74 restaurants in February 2016. Several more closures occurred the following month.

FMP bought Ovation Brands — which oversees Ryan’s — in March 2016, and the company declared bankruptcy that month.

The Crestview and Pace locations escaped the ax during the mass closure but the restaurant chain’s Pensacola location was shut down. The Pace location is still open for business, according to the company’s website.

Ryan’s in Crestview recently faced health department issues including five complaint-driven inspections in the past 16 months by the Florida Department of Business Regulation and three since February.

A Feb. 16 inspection flagged the company for 29 violations; an inspection the following day found 24 violations.

A passing inspection was conducted March 1, when seven violations were found but none considered “high priority.”

Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard confirmed Chick-fil-A is in the early stages of building a location on the site. The company has been filing paperwork and will undergo its first technical review meeting with the city in April. Current plans state the restaurant will accommodate approximately 130 people, according to Gaillard.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story reported no information regarding a possible Chick-fil-A location was known. This story has been updated to reflect that information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ryan's closes; Chick-fil-A makes plans

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

CRESTVIEW—Since 1969, Special Olympics Florida has provided athletes with special needs and disabilities an opportunity to excel.

The non-profit organization features athletes in a range of sports such as stand-up paddleboard, track and field, soccer, golf, swimming and flag football. Competitors can be as young as 2; there’s no upper age limit.

“We don’t look at their disabilities; we look at their abilities,” Special Olympics Florida Okaloosa County Director Pamela Sparks said.

Some of those abilities were on display Saturday for the county’s Summer Games at Crestview High School and Davidson Middle School. The games are one of several events the athletic organization schedules throughout the year.

“One of the most common questions we get is, ‘When is Special Olympics?’” Sparks said. “It’s not a one-time event; it’s events that are 365 days per year.”

One of the athletes for Saturday’s Games was Harrison Mauldin, who ran the 10-kilometer race. He has been nominated to compete on the national stage in 2018, according to Sparks.

Mauldin is one example of athletes achieving through Special Olympics. There’s between 100 and 200 roster athletes and 60-70 advancing athletes, Spark said. Roster athletes compete in Crestview or the Okaloosa County area but don’t travel to regional, state or national competitions. Those who do travel are called advancing athletes, Sparks said.

The organization also organizes “unified teams” for some sports. Such teams comprise a mix of special needs athletes and those without special needs. Soccer and flag football are two sports featuring unified teams, which still compete against “full teams”— a team whose full roster has special needs. A full team defeated a unified team 8-3 during a soccer match Saturday.

The organization starts working with children as young as 2 years old through its Youth Athletics Program for ages 2-7. From there, athletes can advance to the “Little Elite,” for ages 8-11.

“The Little Elite not only helps [young athletes] prepare but it helps get parents ready for their children to possibly travel for competition,” Sparks said.

Special Olympics Florida in Okaloosa County is made possible entirely by fundraising, donations, sponsorships and volunteers, according to Sparks.

The travel cost to compete in Orlando is about $3,500 per bus; that excludes lodging, food or other travel-related costs. Sparks didn’t have an exact number, but said yearly travel expenses approach six figures.

While traveling provides athletes further recognition and opportunities, Okaloosa hosts frequent events to ensure those who don’t travel can have a rewarding experience.

With the Summer Games wrapping up over the weekend, the organization’s next event will be March 29 as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The event starts in the Panhandle and in Key West with the torches meeting in May in Orlando.

The Crestview segment will start 8:30 a.m. March 29 at Publix and end at the downtown war memorial.

Okaloosa County athletes will also have the chance to participate in the Area 1 Summer Games on April 8. This is a regional competition featuring athletes from Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia and Walton counties.

Visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org for more information on becoming a Special Olympics athlete, volunteer or sponsor

ONLINE

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We don't look at their disabilities; we look at their abilities'