ATLANTA, Georgia — Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties due to the drought that began on Nov. 29.

"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in Alabama. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 3.125 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years.

The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Applicants may apply using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA's website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than Aug. 8.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SBA drought loans available in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview News Bulletin welcomes its newest team member, Mark Judson, who covers North Okaloosa County, particularly Crestview, Baker and Laurel Hill.

Judson — a 2016 University of North Florida graduate who started at the News Bulletin on Dec. 13 — gained years of experience and acclaim at his alma mater.

He served as Spinnaker News’ managing editor, was a sport and investigative columnist for the off-campus Folio Weekly and a Features contributor for Void Magazine, all in the Jacksonville area.

In addition, Judson won the Florida Society of News Editors’ First Place Award for Multimedia Student News Bureau Project in June and has served as a social media editor and marketing manager.

“Mark will build his journalism career at the News Bulletin, but he is no stranger to hard news and the needs of a 21^st-century newsroom,” CNB Editor Thomas Boni said.

Judson’s portfolio includes reports on a Jacksonville shootout; legal entanglements associated with dredging the St. Johns River; and gauging public opinion on Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s fraud charges. In addition, he covered changing trends, such as Jacksonville women emerging in the craft beer industry, and general features, such as a local 16-year-old girl’s appearance on TV’s “Shark Tank.”

His UNF training and experiences surpassed reporting to include recording video, appearing on television programs, co-hosting podcasts, performing web design and tracking readership.

“Mark is experienced in many areas — UNF has an excellent journalism program — and that training, coupled with his own talent, dedication and attention to detail, make him a welcome addition to the Crestview News Bulletin,” Boni said. “We are pleased to introduce him to our communities.”

Judson said his drive centers on a passion for people.

"I became a journalist because I believe in putting the needs of others first,” he said. “This might mean bringing attention to someone in need, holding accountable those who believe they are above scrutiny or informing people about what's going on around them. I've always been a strong writer and seeker of information, so journalism was the perfect way to achieve the goal of helping people."

Judson is new to Crestview, but he said he’s no stranger to smaller towns like the Hub City.

“I love seeing an abundance of local businesses and engaged citizens — I think those are key to building a thriving community,” he said. “So far, people have been incredibly welcoming and kind. I'm looking forward to learning more about the area and meeting as many people as I can."

Residents will see Judson at city council meetings and around town, but those who are social media savvy can see him anytime on his Twitter page. Just search for @cnbMark. CNB readers also can email tips to Judson at mjudson@crestviewbulletin.com.

Judson said he is excited to meet more Crestview area residents online and in person.

"I came to Crestview because I believe small towns allow for individuals to have more impact,” he said. “This is personally important to me and further prepares me for my long-term goals. The area is also surrounded by other interesting towns and home to several parks and trails.

“Besides, why would somebody want to leave Florida?"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Meet Mark Judson, the News Bulletin's reporter

With 2017 almost here, I have an idea for a New Year’s resolution that is healthy, provides exercise and is a fun outdoor activity for the entire family.

Vegetable gardening can be an excellent activity to try in this new year. For the beginner or experienced gardener, there is always something new to learn from the experience.

There is much to learn about science in the backyard garden. Children can experience where food comes from. They can discover the insect world, including discovering that some insects are actually beneficial. And hopefully, they will learn to care for the land along with learning a skill that can be shared with their children.

The experienced gardener can try something new.

Chinese cabbage is something that you might try. It’s easy to grow and tastes delicious raw or cooked. You could try various herbs in the garden such as lemon balm, dill or chocolate mint. Sometimes color in the garden will help offer a change. Adding color to the garden is easy with annuals such as marigolds, nasturtiums or ornamental kale.

For whatever reason you decide to garden, now is the time to begin planning.

Here is how:

• Choose a sunny location close to a water source. A location near the house makes it easier to care for the garden and harvest the vegetables.
• Have your soil tested. Soil testing takes the guesswork out of determining the amount and kind of fertilizer to use. It also tells you if lime is needed and how much to apply. Your local University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension office can provide you information on soil testing.
• Choose vegetables that your family likes, use recommended varieties for North Florida and order early.

January is an excellent time to order seeds for your garden. By ordering early there should be no delay in getting your seeds for spring planting. Many times, newer, more popular varieties are sold out if you wait to order. Many seed catalogs will provide ideas on what to plant, but always buy from a reputable dealer.

Much more on vegetable gardening is available from the UF/IFAS Extension Office in your county or from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.

Larry Williams is 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: Gardening: a healthy New Year’s resolution

CRESTVIEW – The announcement that the Hub City will open a dog park comes after years of progress toward the goal.

April Meier, owner of Pawsitively Scrumptious, said she began exploring the idea of opening a Crestview dog park about three years ago. After suggesting the park at a local planning meeting, she conducted a resident survey for opinions on the proposal.

Meier said there was an overwhelming demand to see the city open its first park for canines. However, she said, there was little room in the city’s budget to make construction happen. In addition, city officials were unsure where such a park would be located.

A dog park would have to be far enough from residential areas due to potential noise, but still convenient for residents to use, Meier said. The area within Twin Hills Park fit the requirements.

Meier researched 10 cities of comparable size to Crestview that have dog parks. She used these towns as a model to brainstorm means of funding. Once a park is built, it still requires maintenance and upkeep, which carries a cost.

Before facing these costs, she first had to find initial funds to build the park.

In June, the Main Street Crestview Association, of which Meier is a board member, was approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency to build the park. In August, Meier began fundraising.

Fundraising efforts included dog washes, raffles and a “Paws for a Cause” event, Meier said. She said donors could purchase an engraved brick for $65 that will be displayed outside the park. Crestview lacks a pet cemetery, so Meier believes these bricks offer an opportunity to memorialize pets that have died.

Through community fundraising, the project raised about $3,000 before a massive donation on Dec. 21. Jim Huff, on behalf of Ted Simmons, gave a $62,000 check to the Main Street Crestview Association for development of the park. Simmons, a dog owner himself, took interest in the project and decided to further its funding, Meier said.

“The park is a gift to city residents and the dogs, too,” Meier said. She said that dog parks provide a place for people with common interests to interact. Additionally, dogs greatly benefit from socialization with other canines and people.

Meier said the next step is to have Wayne Steele, the city’s public services director, draw site plans and hire builders. The park will open in 2017, but Meier said she hopes it will be completed by spring.

The park will be more than an open lot for off-leash dogs; Meier said it would include amenities such as benches, agility equipment and a gazebo for events. She said a long-term goal is the addition of a water feature that dogs can play in.

To offset the costs of maintenance and ensure dogs are properly vaccinated, the city is planning a membership registration process. Meier said the expected costs would be $25 annually for residents and $35 annually for non-residents. Members will receive a swipe card for park entry and she believes they will be more inclined to volunteer in park upkeep.

“Dog parks are about the dogs, but they are more about the people who use them,” Meier said.

See more information about the park on the Crestview Bark Park Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A gift to city residents'

Renowned New York Times columnist and bestselling author ("The Lexus and the Olive Tree," "The World is Flat") Thomas L. Friedman's latest book, "Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations," argues that the world today is moving faster than ever before and will only get faster.

All the more reason, he argues, to slow down, reflect, and maybe read a good book. I would urge you to start with this one!

Some random points that I found interesting (besides the incident that prompted the title that I won't spoil for you) include:

2007 was a watershed year when the pace of change began speeding up to disorienting levels. The biggest event was the launching of the iPhone but also the distributed-computing framework Hadoop, which created the possibility of big data for the masses, the technology that allowed the stringing together of literally millions of computers. That's why Facebook, Twitter, Android, Kindle, Airbnb and IBM's Watson could happen. 2007 brought together mobility, broadband, and "the cloud" in a powerful convergence.

Friedman maintains that to understand the 21st century you need to understand that the planet's three largest forces — Moore's law (technology), the Market (globalization), and Mother Nature (climate change and biodiversity loss) — are accelerating, transforming five key realms: the workplace, politics, geopolitics, ethics and community.

Friedman's discussion of the "inequality of freedom" where these three accelerations are stressing frail states not only from outside but also from below is quite perceptive. That is, "both technology and globalization today are empowering 'political makers,' who want to remake autocratic societies into more consensual ones, and 'political breakers' who want to bring down governments in order to impose some religious or ideological tyranny, even though they may lack any ability to govern effectively."

But the internet has allowed as much "breaking" as "making" as evidenced by the concept of "positive" and "negative" liberty. Friedman argues that all over the world we now see people creating unprecedented levels of "freedom from" — freedom from "dictators but also micromanaging bosses, from networks forcing us to watch commercials, and freedom from the neighborhood stores, freedom from the local banker, freedom from hotel chains."

But when it comes to politics, the freedom people cherish most, he argues, is freedom to "live the way they want because their freedom is anchored in consensual elections, a constitution, the rule of law, and a parliament." Growing swaths of the world today have secured their "freedom from," but failed yet to build the "freedom to," explaining a lot of the spreading and stubborn disorder around the world.

Friedman quotes a TechCrunch piece in which he notes that "Uber, the world's largest taxi service, has no vehicles; Facebook, the world's most popular media company, owns no content; Alibaba, the most valuable retailer, has no inventory; and Airbnb, the largest accommodations provider, owns no real estate" and offers this opinion on the book business:

"I personally think that there's going to be backlash against all this acceleration. And I still think curling up and reading a good book, whether it's on a Kindle or on paper, that there's something deeply human about that. Now, I don't know how these books will be delivered in the future, but being totally absorbed in reading a good book, I still am a big believer in that."

And the Crestview Public Library has 50,000 plus to choose from, so come check us out today!

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

Here are upcoming events at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and 9:15 a.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Limited to 30 children per class. Topics are: Jan. 5, 12 and 13, Color; Jan. 19-20, Bedtime (wear pajamas!); Feb. 2-3 and 9-10, Baby Love; Feb. 16-17, and 23-24, Birthdays; March 2-3 and 9-10, Chicks & Ducklings; March 16-17, Growing & Gardening; March 23-24 and 30-31, Animal Sounds; April 6-7, and 13, Spring and Easter; April 20-21 and 27, Wildlife; May 4-5 and 11-12, Praiseworthy Parents.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics are: Jan. 10 and 17, Reach for Peace; Jan. 24 and 31, Clothing; Feb. 7, Eye Care; Feb. 14, Valentines; Feb. 28, African Tales; March 7, Farm to Table; March 14, In Our Garden; March 28, Flying High; April 4 and 11, Easter; April 25, Environmental Center Field Trip; May 2 and 9; Praiseworthy Parents.

FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, Crestview library. Membership starts at $10 a year for individuals.

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

●6:30-7:15 p.m. Jan. 26, Crestview library. Bear Hunt for ages 4 and up. Wear pajamas, and bring a teddy bear, flashlight, and six cookies to share. Limited to first 30 children; registration recommended.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. Feb. 21, Pelican Pickers music for the young and young at heart.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. March 21, Beekeeping with Bundrick Honey Farms.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. April 18, Nonie's Ark visit. Registration limited to first 30 children ages 4 and up only.

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

TEEN Wii: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Wii playing for students in grades 6-12.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. for children ages 4 and up.

Upcoming

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friedman book looks at society's advances

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

CRESTVIEW — Friends of the Crestview Library is more than a group of people who enjoy a good read. These local residents help develop new programs for the library and further existing ones through fundraising.

President Lucy Smith said the group started shortly after the library moved to its current location on Commerce Drive in 2002.

Since its formation, the Friends have aimed to ensure the Crestview library secures funding from the city and raises funds for items excluded in its annual budget. They have also worked to promote library events, resources and programs.

The Friends have achieved success in meeting those goals in various ways, Smith said.

Some of the group’s accomplishments include purchasing computers, providing a security system, buying display cases and gathering funds for a Nintendo Wii system.

The Friends go beyond fund donations and monetary purchases, however. They also host semi-annual book sales, student poetry contests, open-microphone performances and commission displayed artwork.

Smith said the mission is to not only improve the library but also engage and assist the community. For example, she said the public could use the library’s computers to apply for jobs or complete schoolwork.

The Friends’ main fundraising tool has been a semi-annual book sale held each April and October. However, this April’s sale will be the last hosted by the Friends, according to Smith. She said that the group would focus on new ways to increase community involvement.

The new direction the Friends will take hasn’t been decided. Smith said discussions would begin at the group’s January meeting.

Meetings are held 10:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of alternating months (Jan. 19, March 16, May 18, July 20, Sept. 21 and Nov. 16) at the Crestview Library.

Learn more about the Friends at http://www.cityofcrestview.org/178/Library.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Meet the 'Friends'

CRESTVIEW — What began as a trip to the doctor for a fever turned into Braxton Henry’s fight for his life.

Earlier this month, doctors discovered the 4-year-old had a lower-than-normal white blood cell count and referred him to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he was diagnosed with leukemia.

This isn’t Braxton’s first medical condition in his short life. He was born premature and has Down syndrome, according to his father, David Henry. Braxton had multiple surgeries, beginning before he was born and continuing into his early years. He has also undergone physical and developmental therapy, Henry said.

Through all this, Braxton was still the star of the 2015 Christmas play at his school, his father said.

Since being admitted to Sacred Heart, Braxton contracted the flu due to a weakened immune system. He is still undergoing several tests, including bone marrow testing, to determine the disease’s stage and severity. However, doctors have already advised Henry to prepare for the worst.

“They’re not sugar coating it,” said Henry.

When he arrived, Braxton couldn’t breathe on his own and spent several days on a ventilator.

Henry said that while Braxton now can breathe independently, his heart rate still fluctuates. Doctors told Henry they are waiting for the child’s condition to stabilize so they can conduct more testing.

Despite pending tests and results, doctors have begun chemotherapy on Braxton. The treatment began Dec. 18, and it’s unknown how long it will continue. Henry said in the meantime he’s been doing as much research on the disease as possible.

While doctors won’t know what caused leukemia until tests can be completed, Henry said he’s learned that children with Down syndrome have an increased risk of the disease.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s research center states doctors have long connected children with Down syndrome to an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The institute cites the risk is approximately 20 times greater than that of people without Down syndrome.

Still, Henry maintains hope — and he’s not the only one.

Even at his young age, Braxton has been a role model to his little brother, Bryce, according to Henry. Bryce, who was born in October 2014, also faced a medical battle: He and his twin brother, Brentley, were also born prematurely. While in the hospital after birth, Brentley contracted MRSA and died. Henry said Bryce pulled through at the time but needs to be evaluated for autism, adding to the family’s pressures.

Medical expenses have begun to mount, and have put extra strain on Henry and his family. Henry said he was laid off from his job around Thanksgiving and Braxton’s mother can’t work due to her son’s situation.

Henry has launched a GoFundMe webpage to help raise money for Braxton’s medical expenses. Any additional funds received beyond the goal amount will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network and to cancer research.

The campaign’s searchable name is “Braxton’s Fight Against Leukemia.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Child battles leukemia, needs help

CRESTVIEW — Hub City dog owners will receive an unexpected Christmas gift: confirmation that they will have a dog park.

Jim Huff, on behalf of Ted Simmons, presented a $62,000 donation to Paul Lowrey, president of the Main Street Crestview Association for development of a Crestview dog park in Twin Hills Park. 

“The dog park will honor Mr. Simmons and his beloved dog Max for this awesome contribution to the community,” Brenda Smith, Crestview’s Community Redevelopment Agency director, said in a media release. “Ms. April Meier, owner of Pawsitively Scrumptious on Main Street, was approved by the CRA and MSCA to head up this effort and has since collected a total of $65,000 for the project.”

With the Crestview Public Works Department’s guidance, MSCA will work on the design layout and purchase all equipment. 

The city will implement a collection process for an annual dog park fee to use the park. These funds will be used toward the upkeep and special maintenance dog parks require. 

The fees, process and the dog park project-completion date have not yet been determined but the park will be finished in 2017, according to the release. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dog park project gets funding boost

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.

HOW TO SUBMIT: If you have a question, we want to give you an answer. Send a question, name and contact information to:

MAIL: Question and Answer, 638 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536

EMAIL: news@crestviewbulletin.com

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