THE QUESTION

This is my first Christmas in Crestview and I have to say I am surprised at the lack of Christmas decorations. You can come off I-10 and you would never know that it is the holidays driving along (State Road) 85. Same thing in my neighborhood. Is there some sort of ordinance that doesn't allow decorations? Very sad. — Casey Janocko, Crestview (submitted on Facebook)

THE ANSWER

There are no ordinances in Crestview’s current code limiting or preventing the display of holiday decorations. Exceptions to this are displays that could be a potential hazard to the public, such as obstructing a roadway.

However, homeowner’s associations can regulate the displays of lights and decorations. For example, an HOA could set a timeframe in which decorations can be displayed, impose limits on size or quantity of displays, create guidelines on which kinds of decorations can be used, or even prohibit displays.

Regarding city property, Mayor David Cadle said there are displays throughout the downtown district, at City Hall, the Veterans Memorial and at the courthouse. Beyond that, residents may decorate their property as they see fit, according to Cadle.

Many areas along FL-85 are commercially or privately owned and displays are at the discretion of the respective property’s owner. These displays can be costly and require a time commitment to set up and remove.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

A lack of displays from others doesn’t mean you have to limit your own. If your neighborhood has an HOA, learn the rules it might have regarding holiday decorations and displays. If you don’t belong to an HOA, or if it doesn’t regulate decorating, then you are free to do so as you please — minding public safety, of course.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident says city lacks holiday decorations

CRESTVIEW — Christmas isn’t the only thing Lilly Ford celebrates this month; her seventh birthday is Dec. 30, and one area business is ensuring she has a memorable holiday season.

Comfort Inn and Suites in Crestview selected Lilly and her family as recipients of its Comfort Christmas Charity. The hotel’s staff asked the community for donations and collected cash and gift cards totaling over $500, grocery items for a Christmas meal and cookies and gifts for the Ford family, according to hotel sales manager Jillian Davis. Hotel staffers and their families also donated to the cause.

This is the hotel’s first year to present a holiday donation to a family, but they hope to make it an annual tradition, Davis said, adding 45 families were nominated for the donation. Susan Ford’s entry included concerns that her daughter wouldn’t have an adequate Christmas and birthday. This, coupled with the family’s story, compelled Comfort staffers to select the family.

Lilly’s mother cried when hotel general manager Becky Tripplet informed her that in addition to the gift cards and presents the hotel arranged to have the family’s car repaired — currently, the vehicle’s heater is broken.

A traffic accident several years ago left Ford disabled. This required the family to make drastic life changes including moving to an apartment complex with no children Lilly’s age and rehoming their dogs.

In 2014, the family was involved in another car accident that totaled their vehicle. After going several months without a car, they were able to purchase another one, but a month-and-a-half later the family was hit again. This final accident required Lilly’s father to take time off work due to injury; insurance partially covered the damage.

“During my hardest times, I lost faith in humanity,” Ford said. “I didn’t think there were people out there who were to help other people.”

Now, Ford said, she’s truly blessed and realizes there are people who truly care about her family and their situation.

Lilly has struggled with classmates at school this year and is teased for her clothes, Ford said. She said that Lilly often cries and asks if she can stay home from class. Due to their living location, Lilly hasn’t had the opportunity to socialize with peers outside her school, according to Ford.

During the gift reception, the family opened a few of the presents but saved most of them for Christmas morning. Lilly carefully opened her gifts; she said she likes to keep the wrapping paper and bows.

“I always keep everything somebody gives me,” she said as she pulled the wrapping paper off a box.

“Sometimes I open them quick, but sometimes I like to take my time.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hotel surprises family with Christmas gifts

CRESTVIEW — Unincorporated Okaloosa County residents can easily dispose of their Christmas trees.

Just place them at the curb on your normal yard trash pickup day, but first remove lights and ornaments, a county spokesperson said.

Artificial trees may be placed at the curb for bulk waste pickup.

Contact Okaloosa County Solid Waste Offices at 689-5774 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas tree disposal available

CRESTVIEW — All Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce members and their employees may attend the January activities planned by the chamber.

The Ambassador Committee meeting set for Dec. 28 has been canceled.

Business After Hours is 5-6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 595 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview. Enjoy food, refreshments and 20 percent off all purchases during the event. Door prize presentations and a 50-50 raffle are afterward.

Call 685-0686, extension 2 for details.

No networking breakfast is set for January. The next networking breakfast is 7-8:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, and costs $5 per person.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chamber cancels meeting, sets January schedule

CRESTVIEW — Internationally-touring folk duo Hungrytown, currently on a six-month, 60-performance tour, has two concerts scheduled in Okaloosa County.

The pair will perform 4-5 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE; and 2-3 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Admission is free for both performances, courtesy of the Okaloosa Public Library Cooperative.

Hungrytown members Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson have toured professionally for nearly 15 years.  Their 2015 tour included a February concert at the Crestview library.

The duo's songs and music have appeared in numerous television programs, including the IFC's Portlandia, Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Netflix's new hit comedy, Lady Dynamite; as well as various documentaries and major sporting events ranging from NASCAR to Hockey Night in Canada.

Their travels will take them coast to coast through the US, then on their third tour of New Zealand, followed by their 10th tour of the United Kingdom.

Hungrytown's third and latest album, Further West, made the top 10 on the American Folk DJ charts for two months, and at least 14 "Best of 2015" lists.

To see their full concert schedule or for more information about the duo, visit http://hungrytown.net/concerts.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hungrytown concert schedule includes Okaloosa return

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

CRESTVIEW — My Safe Place Pet Rescue is a non-profit organization that works to find forever homes for dogs and cats in the Okaloosa area.

Founder Cindy Hunter said she started the rescue about five years ago and it’s been a registered non-profit for the past three. The mission of My Safe Place is to adopt out pets that have been rescued from local shelters or off the streets.

Oftentimes, she finds pets through the Laurel Hill Panhandle Animal Wildlife Society. Hunter says many people are not aware of this PAWS branch and thus, it often gets overlooked.

The group relies on the volunteer work of fosters, who offer their homes to the cat or dog until it can find a permanent family. Hunter said My Safe Place has about 40 dogs and cats in foster homes at all times and finds homes for about 100 animals each year.

The rescue accepts the animals regardless of age, breed or disability. Currently, the group has senior dogs, a deaf canine and a dog that has lost one of its legs.

My Safe Place has about 16 active foster parents and most temporarily house more than one pet at a time, according to Hunter. Volunteers organize mostly through Facebook pages and participate in adoption events and on the Pet Finder website. My Safe Place also uses the web to help coordinate pet transports.

Volunteers organize mostly through Facebook pages and participate in adoption events and on the Petfinder website. My Safe Place also uses the web to help coordinate pet transports. A transport is a community-based effort of volunteers from across a wide network (such as the entire U.S.) giving a pet a ride from one area to the next until it reaches its forever home.

Hunter says fosters are always in demand, as they often have to turn away pets due to lack of space. Those who are unable to foster can contribute by either transporting or making tax-deductible donations of goods or services.

Currently, My Safe Place is in the process of opening a cat care and adoption center, anticipated by the beginning of February. The center will be a converted mobile home featuring a cat nursery for pregnant cats and newborn kittens, as well as a quarantine area for new cats, said Hunter.

The center, which is adjacent to Hunter’s residence, will be capable of temporarily housing 15-20 cats in addition to the 10 she is able to foster.

Hunter said the center’s focus will be cats because they are able to thrive without the constant presence of people. This is compared to dogs, which need more regular human accompaniment.

Hunter became involved with pet adoptions about eight years ago after moving to the area from Ohio. She began volunteering at a now closed rescue, where she learned the process and what to expect. After moving on to another rescue, she decided, with the help of a few other volunteers, it was time to start her own organization.

For those looking to adopt, Hunter says visits are set up by appointment only and contact information can be found on their website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Helping pets find forever homes

Baker School

Theresa Pileggi's second-grade class

Dear Santa,

How are you? Are your reindeer ok? I’ve been very very good this year. I’d like some

more games please. My wish is for everybody to have peace and would have new homes.

Love,

Hayden W.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Have any of the toys broke? I’ve been a really good boy. I would like a

sleigh. My wish for the world is for the people that suffered get a better life.

Love,

Josh S.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Is the cookies baking? I can’t wait to get one. I’ve been good this year. I

would like a walkie talkie and a piano. My wish for the world is that all kids who have been

bullied that this don’t happen anymore.

Love,

Paisley A.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Is your sleigh still pretty? I’ve been good this year. I would like an 18

wheeler and a doll. My wish for the world is for everyone to have a better life.

Love,

Emily W.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Is Mrs. Claus doing good? I have been good. I would like a mermaid tail.

My wish for the world would be for people to stop stealing stuff.

Love,

Alera B.

Dear Santa,

How are you? How much presents did you make this year? I have been a very good girl

this yea. I would like a new bike and could I have a American girl doll house. If I had any wish in

the world I would like the poor people to have a better life.

Love,

Kaithlyn S.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Are the reindeer practicing to fly? I’ve been good this year. I had a lot of

fun this year. I want a doll and a bake set for the doll? I wish for more love in the world.

Love,

Alissa L.

Dear Santa,

How are you> The reindeer are fine. I want a Peppa Pig, rocket ship, doll, walky talky,

and train for Christmas. I want a Paw Patrol.

Love,

Kaliegh K.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Are the elves busy? I’ve been good this year. I would like a Barbie doll and

Barbie doll clothes. My wish for the world is that all children have a home and food to eat.

Love,

Riley O.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Can you tell Mrs. Claus I said Hi please? I’ve been good this year. I would

like the game pokemon sun for 3DS. I also would like the game yokai watch bony spirits for 3DS.

My wish for the world would be that all bad guys would turn good.

Love,

Eli P.

Dear Santa,

How are you? How are the reindeer? I’ve been good. I would like a submarine lego kit

and a volcano explorer lego kit. My wish for the world is that my uncle would not suffer.

Love,

Ryan H.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Is Miss Santa fixing hot chocolate? I’ve been a good boy this year. I would

like binoculars. My wish for the world is for everyone to get what they want.

Love,

Elijah L.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Are you busy? I would like a Chip. My wish would want the city to be

better. I don’t want people fighting each other.

Love,

Gavin J.

Dear Santa,

How are you? Can I have one of your reindeer? I’ve been good this year. I would like a

beach cruiser and a puppy. My wish for the world is that all dogs and cats that live in the cold

get a nice warm home and food.

Love,

Jocelyn C.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Letters to Santa: Theresa Pileggi's class, Baker School

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

CRESTVIEW — Shopping has been on the Crestview Police Department's agenda. Not for supplies or equipment, but for Christmas toys.

The department’s annual Cops for Kids program concluded with a Wal-Mart shopping spree that used raised funds to purchase gifts for families in need. A total of $9,302 was donated and 215 children were added to the shopping list, according to Community Service Officer Wanda Hulion. Volunteers were given each child’s gender, age and a few interests to assist in picking out gifts.

Volunteers included neighborhood watch members, off-duty CPD officers, dispatchers and CPD families, said Hulion. She said they expected about eight volunteers — an improvement from last year’s six.

“I love this part of the job,” said CPD officer Mike Tingle, one of the shopping volunteers.

Tingle said this was his first year participating in the gift-buying aspect of the program. Initially, he had some difficulty deciding what to buy for “a 12-year-old girl,” but as he went down his list, the decisions became easier and easier.

“Those first few toys can be hard to pick out for most people,” said Hulion. “After that, though, they can usually pick out the right toy for any child.”

Katie Williams, another volunteer, was experienced in buying toys for children. She became aware of the event through her husband in the CPD. With boys at home, she was happy to mix up her shopping.

“I’m just excited I get to shop for girls for a change,” said Williams. Her toy-section experience was evident as she guided other volunteers to specific toy areas.

Volunteers were given a list with children’s information for each family and a large bag. They were budgeted to spend $50 per child and encouraged to buy two or three toys for each, according to Hulion. She said that 89 families were being assisted through Cops for Kids, a number she expected to increase throughout the day. 

She said that 89 families were being assisted through Cops for Kids, a number she expected to increase. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteers shop for families in need

CRESTVIEW — The public is invited to help pick a winner of the Main Street Crestview Association's business holiday display contest.

Businesses will be lit up and on display from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 19-22. One lucky winner will receive a MER Realty prize valued at $200. The winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 23.

Pick up a voting ballot (restricted to one vote per person) at participating businesses and drop them off at Pawsitively Scrumptious, 198 Main Street, or Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W.

For more information contact Megan Bowersox, meganbsox@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Downtown Crestview holiday display contest set