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

•State Road 85 resurfacing from Brandt Pond Road to State Road 123: South and northbound lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through mid-February as crews perform paving operations.

•U.S. Highway 98 over East Pass Bridge Rehabilitation Project: Intermittent westbound lane closures between 9 p.m. Feb. 9 and 5 a.m. Feb. 10 as crews perform maintenance activities on the bridge pilings.

•U.S. 98 turn lane construction at Pryor Drive, Palmetto Drive and St. Mary Avenue Southwest, Mary Esther: Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Walton County

•U.S. 98 widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tan-O-Mar Drive: Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Holiday Road and the Okaloosa/Walton county line from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 9. The closures will allow crews to begin roadway widening and drainage work.

•U.S. Highway 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge Project: Daytime paving and guardrail work north and southbound, south of the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge to Chat Holly Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Wednesday, Feb. 8. One lane in each direction will remain open during the work.

•State Road 20 routine maintenance west of Chippewa Drive: Eastbound lane closure west of Chippewa Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Feb. 10 as crews place bank and shore material along the south side of the roadway.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 Okaloosa and Walton traffic changes

CRESTVIEW—David’s Catfish House is bringing its Southern-style seafood to the Crestview area.

Locals might already be familiar with the regional brand that operates a location in Milton and several locations in south Alabama. The expansion to Crestview was an easy decision for the company, according to general manager Dan West.

“[Crestview] seemed like a good market, so after a couple years of talking about it, we decided to make the move,” West said.

The company frequently had diners from the Crestview area at its other locations, according to West. That’s how they determined the Hub City was a logical site for a new location.

David’s serves a mix of seafood options including catfish, shrimp and oysters, but also features “turf” options like hamburgers and chicken. Catfish is sourced from Mississippi and local companies, according to West, ship all other fish from the Gulf of Mexico.

Although catfish is in the name, that’s not the only thing David’s prides itself on.

“Our cole slaw is a signature item,” West said. The cole slaw can be bought by the gallon at some locations, according to the company’s website.

David’s will open for business at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4, West said. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

The stand-alone location is at 1296 N. Ferdon Blvd., near the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: David's Catfish House sets opening

CRESTVIEW — The Hub City Lakers AAU boys basketball team has scheduled tryouts for sixth- through 12th-grade students.

Tryouts start 11 a.m. Feb. 4 at Richbourg School, 500 Alabama St., Crestview.

Contact Coach David Loggins, 376-6212, lakerbasketball2014@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/aauhclakers, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Basketball tryouts set

CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power Company wants to increase its base rate charge, but what would that mean for customers?

The base rate is the amount the utility company charges customers regardless of how much power is used. Currently, the rate is about $18.60 per month for residential customers. Gulf Power filed paperwork with the Florida Public Service Commission on Aug. 12, 2016, to increase that amount to an average of $47.40 per month.

Gulf Power has also filed to reduce the kilowatt-per-hour charge from $0.04 to roughly $0.03 for customers.

“This would do away with spikes customers see on their bills during summer and winter months when energy use is greater,” Gulf Power Media Relations Supervisor Rick DeLaHaya said. “The change would allow more predictability in calculating your bill.”

The average utility bill for consumers would increase by about $15, despite a proposed decrease in use rate.

The restructuring in base and use fees would create more “predictability” on average bills but affect power-saving initiatives by consumers. Several regional clean energy companies and organizations have expressed concerns about the proposal for this reason.

For example, if a resident didn’t use power for the entire month they would still be charged nearly $50, simply because they have service. This also affects users of solar energy, who use low amounts of energy to power homes.

“This is dis-incentivizing to investing in your own personal property in order to lower your bills through solar,” Director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom Tory Perfetti said at a recent public hearing regarding the rate adjustments.

Gulf Power will not receive any increase in profit due to the rate restructuring, DeLaHaya said. Additional money gained from the rate increase will go toward “significant and critical capital expenditures for infrastructure,” according to the power company’s original request to the public service commission.

These infrastructure costs would relate to improving the grid through new power lines and poles and better technology to manage the utility, DeLaHaya said.

“Gulf presently estimates that an increase in annual revenues of approximately $115 to $125 million is necessary” to provide the service customers require, the proposal filing stated.

The city of Crestview has not looked into the matter and therefore, neither opposes nor endorses the plan, according to Mayor David Cadle.

The commission will address the increase in April and vote on May 9. If approved, rates will increase in July.

THE ISSUE: Gulf Power is seeking an increase to its base rate charge.

LOCAL IMPACT: Consumers’ average utility bill would increase by about $15, despite the proposed decrease in usage rate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What would a Gulf Power increase mean for residents?

Richard Marshall, a part-time resident of Crestview, is an alumnus of Michigan State University, Lincoln Christian College (University) and Lincoln Christian Seminary.

He has been in the ministry for 50 years and preached revivals in 13 states. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for almost 60 years.

The Marshalls call Crestview home for half the year and call Franklin, North Carolina home for the other half.

You can check out a copy of his book, "All Things Together," at the library or meet the author at the Crestview Writers Group’s Local Author Meet and Greet on May 27.

Here's an excerpt: “Times of joy and jubilation, times of disappointment and heartache, adulation, rejection, false accusation, death of loved ones, incarceration; all these were a part of the experience of a preacher of the Gospel who continued in fruitful ministry by his faith and confidence in the ultimate goodness of God."

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

UPCOMING

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A look at local author Richard Marshall

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

CRESTVIEW—Youth athletic programs can provide children with exercise, encouragement and an appreciation for hard work and practice. While school provides some of these opportunities, other organizations further meet the need.

Crestview Area Youth Association is one of these groups.

The non-profit organization was established in 2003 and plays in the Panhandle Youth Football Association. The program was created to offer youths an outlet to hone athletic skills in preparation for junior and high school programs.

“Sometimes kids need extra direction from people in their life other than their parents,” CAYA President Terry Jackson said. “We provide that direction for these kids.”

The association has programs serving children ranging from 5 years old to 12 in football and 14 in cheerleading.

Jackson, who recently became involved with CAYA, intends to create more opportunities for local children to participate by adding teams and embracing the region's postseason play. Numbers have already increased with this mission, with participants nearly doubling since 2015.

During Jackson’s service, the league has participated in a two-round playoff model and a championship game in addition to its traditional nine-game regular season. This gives kids an added incentive to practice and improve.

Area businesses’ sponsorships entirely fund the playoff structure, including travel. Jackson said the furthest that CAYA travels is to Panama City, but most trips are contained to Fort Walton, DeFuniak Springs and the Niceville areas.

“Seeing how much we can do to give a better opportunity to the kids is why I love being involved,” Jackson said. “They say sports are a metaphor for life and I think that’s true.”

Children aren’t the only ones who can get involved with CAYA; adults have outlets with the organization as well, according to Jackson. Coaches and assistants are required for cheerleading and football; vetted volunteers fill these roles.

For those not looking to coach, the league relies on volunteers to fill an assortment of positions including concessions, entrance staff, practice field preparers, chain gang staff and clock managers.

CAYA currently is in its offseason. The regular season begins in August of each year and wrap-ups in November. Five to six home games per season are played at Shoal River Middle School.

Visit www.cayafootball.org for more information on registration and rules.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CELEBRATE COMMUNITY: Helping kids grow through sports

Making your own cleaning products has gained popularity because of their low cost and a preference for knowing what is in the cleaning product you use in your home.

By using safe and environmentally friendly products, you can reduce toxins and chemicals in your home. With so many commercial products on the shelf, sometimes it is hard to know which product will really do the job. Why not venture out and try some “make-it-yourself” products to save money and promote sustainability?

Cleaning in our homes has become more complicated because of the surfaces and finishes that require special products. With just a few simple, basic products, you can put together some general cleaning products that will clean almost anything and save you money.

The first step to any recipe you make is to find good storage containers for the product that you can clearly mark. Most stores sell spray bottles and other types of containers. It is also acceptable to reuse rinsed out and labeled commercial bottles. As with any cleaning product, it is critical that you label and keep cleaning products out of the reach of children.

Invest in a variety of cleaning brushes. A good brush and a little elbow grease go a long way in cleaning grime and dirt. Find a brush with soft bristles for delicate cleaning, as well as a coarser brush from those really hard-to-clean tasks. Also, stock up on a variety of scrubbing utensils like a nylon scrubber and steel wool so that you have a variety of options based on the cleaning task.

You can also recycle old towels for cleaning rags. Cut towels in a variety of sizes and keep in a basket for quick access. Use a new towel each time you clean. You can throw the dirty ones in the laundry and you save on paper towels. 

With that said, try these cleaning product recipes:

Homemade Spray Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

Mix in a sprayer bottle.

In the kitchen, use a vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, range surfaces and backsplash areas.

In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors and exterior surfaces of the toilet.

Marg’s Homemade Laundry Soap

½ bar grated Fels Naptha soap

½ cup Borax

½ cup Washing Soda

Add grated soap to 6 cups of water in a non-reactive pot. Heat until soap is completely melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until dissolved. In a large container, add 4 cups hot water and then soap mixture. Stir well. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups hot water and stir. Allow soap to sit overnight. Soap will “gel.” Stir before using. Add directly to the washer drum. Average loads take ½ cup. Recipe may be doubled to fit in a 5-gallon bucket. This is a low-sudsing recipe so you won’t see a lot of bubbles.

Everyday Household Cleaner

2 tablespoons of liquid detergent/soap

2 tablespoons of ammonia

1 quart of water

Use for all general cleaning jobs.

Sanitizing Solution

3 tablespoons of liquid bleach

1 tablespoon of liquid soap, detergent

1 gallon of water

This is for hard surfaces such as cutting boards, counters, toys, doorknobs, cribs, and trashcans. Wipe the surface and let stand for two minutes. Rinse and air dry.

Learn more

Join us for the 2017 Eco-Nomic Living Expo on Feb. 11 at Santa Rosa Mall. Several hands-on demonstrations will be offered for the general public, including “Homemade Do it Yourself Cleaners,” at 12:45 p.m. Visit http://economiclivingexpo.com for a full list of workshops.  It's sponsored in part by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Okaloosa County Extension.

Pamela H. Allen is the interim county director and an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4 cleaning products you can make at home

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

You can get lucky by finding a parking meter with time left on it. You can "luck out" by having nice weather on your vacation. You can even be lucky at love. But when it comes to financial matters, you're better off not counting on Lady Luck — and focusing instead on setting and pursuing goals.

Here are some suggestions for establishing and pursuing your financial objectives:

•Be specific. You probably have a lot of ideas about what you want to do, but if you're going to turn these wishes into reality, you need to get specific. So, for example, instead of telling yourself that you want to retire early, set a goal of retiring at, say, 62. You can then use this target number to help guide your overall investment strategy. To illustrate: You can determine that you need to invest a certain amount of money each year, and earn a certain rate of return, to be able to retire at 62. You can also estimate about how much money you can afford to withdraw from your investment accounts each year to sustain a retirement that begins at 62.

•Prioritize your goals. Of course, you want to achieve all your financial goals —and you can have a better chance of doing so if you rank these goals in terms of both importance and timing. For example, you may want to send your kids to college, purchase a vacation home and still be able to retire at age 62.

How should you allocate your resources to each of these goals? Should you invest more at any given time for a specific goal? What types of investments are best for each of these goals? Prioritizing your goals can help you answer these and other questions — and help direct your overall investment strategy.

•Be prepared to change your goals. Over time, your family and financial circumstances can change considerably — which means you shouldn't be surprised or alarmed if you have to change your goals accordingly. And you'll find it easier to maintain this flexibility if you've worked diligently to create an investment portfolio with sufficient resources to allow you to change direction, as needed.

•Review your progress regularly. If you're going to eventually achieve your goals, you absolutely need to measure your progress along the way. Are your investments performing the way you had anticipated? Are your goals becoming more expensive than you had initially envisioned? To achieve these goals, are you taking on too much — or too little — risk? To answer these types of questions, it's a good idea to review your overall progress at least once a year and then make whatever adjustments may be necessary.

As you can see, it will take considerable effort to set, review and (hopefully) achieve your goals. And it can be somewhat complex, too, so you may want to work with a financial professional — someone who takes the time to talk with you about your goals, understands your risk tolerance and family situation and has the training and experience necessary to help you work toward your objectives.

But in any case, think hard about your goals and how you might accomplish them. And don't delay in taking action — because goals are generally easier to attain if you have time on your side.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tips for setting — and pursuing — financial goals