MILTON — Florida’s Great Northwest — a 12-county, regional economic development organization — has won a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Adjustment Assistance grant, in partnership with and under University of West Florida’s administration, to assist in developing a Northwest Florida economic diversification strategy.

Planners will develop a regional strategy for economic transformation emphasizing business growth, job creation and private investment. The process will include stakeholders in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Escambia, Walton, Bay, Washington, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties.

Recognizing the need to have a unified approach for economic growth, Florida’s Great Northwest began convening its local, regional and state partners in late 2015 to begin discussions about regional economic transformation.

The strategy development’s next key phase work will be led by the Haas Center at the University of West Florida. It will include a complete SWOT — strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats — analysis of the region’s economic landscape, including an economic and demographic assessment, literature review of existing strategic plans and studies, and industry and entrepreneurial ecosystem analyses. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida organization, college partner for regional economic diversification strategy

BAKER — Crestview Girl Scout Troop 1318 and Elks Lodge No. 2624 are hosting a fundraiser celebrating Northwest Florida heroes.

Representatives from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, EMS and Baker Fire Department will be present, and some of their vehicles, including a helicopter, will be on display for the public to examine.

Fingerprinting, facepainting and horseback rides (if weather permits) are scheduled, and food will be available for purchase.

Admission to the fundraiser and its activities is $2 per person, or free for children younger than 2. The fundraiser is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 23 at the Baker Area Recreation Center, 5503 US Highway 4.

Funds benefit the troop and Elks Lodge community services.

For more information call 259-3436.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Girl Scouts, Elks Lodge schedule Heroes Day fundraiser

CRESTVIEW — There was a Pinsir loose on Main Street Wednesday night. But don’t panic: Xavier Torres, 9, caught it.

The nasty-looking Pinsir, which looks like a louse on steroids, and other elusive Pokemon invaded downtown Crestview this week upon the release of the GPS-based game Pokemon Go.

The animated critters that collectively form Pokemon are superimposed on players’ smartphones or tablets, populating the actual surroundings viewed through the phones’ cameras.

It was Main Street’s designation as a PokeStop, or congregating place, that started drawing crowds, including Xavier, his brother Elias, 8, sister Xiomara, 3, and their mom, Katherina.

NOT JUST FOR KIDS

While critics may think it’s just another kids’ video game, a walk down Main Street showed the game draws players of all ages, including families like the Torreses.

Mandy Nesbitt and her daughter, Brenna, 11, enjoyed a mother-daughter evening, during which Brenna promptly captured 76 Pokemon.

“It’s so cute,” Mandy Nesbitt said. “It’s a neat thing we can do and this is a good area to do it in because everybody’s driving real slow.”

Players chasing a Pokemon into traffic was such a concern that the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued a caution asking players to remain aware of their surroundings as they concentrate on nabbing a hard-to-catch animated critter.

“I do watch for traffic,” player Trea Snider said.

An avid Pokemon fan who even named his dog Eevee after one of the game’s little species, Snider had already caught more than 700 Pokemon less than a week after the game’s release.

INCREASED FOOT TRAFFIC

Main Street Crestview Association merchants are thrilled to see the increased foot traffic.

“There are so many hunters on Main Street,” Viola Owens of Hart Printing said. “It’s got so many people walking up and down Main Street. I’m lovin’ it!”

“Lord, players are all over,” Lois English of Desi’s Restaurant said. “I’ve had some of them sitting at their table trying to catch them (Pokémon).”

Kaitlyn Williams at Hideaway Pizza said the restaurant noticed an uptick in business over the weekend when the game was first released. “We definitely had some more people come in on Saturday,” Williams said.

Players said they discovered areas in their own town they never knew existed.

“I found some new places I didn’t even know about, for example, this community garden,” Jawanza Rich, 14, said. “I’ve been by it but never saw it. I’m happy Pokemon Go has changed that for me.”

HEALTH BENEFIT

Because Pokemon Go requires players to be out in the real world, there’s an unexpected benefit.

“We’re actually burning fat and having fun at the same time,” Steve Mosher of Holt said, adding he’s lost several pounds since he started playing, and increased his daily walking level.

“I’ve lost a pound,” his friend Kate Melcher of Milton said. “I actually caught my first Pokemon in my driveway the other night. I cannot confirm or deny that I then went Pokemon hunting in my pajamas. But I think I need some type of intervention,” she added jokingly.

The Independent reported this week that playing Pokemon Go improves “the mental and physical health of players suffering from depression and social anxiety” and the International Business Times stated “the social nature of the game provides easy avenues for those with social anxiety to interact with people of all backgrounds.”

In Crestview, Main Street being a PokeStop draws players like Mosher and Melcher from neighboring communities.

Melcher said she and other congregants discovered their First United Methodist Church of Milton is also a PokeStop.

“We joke we should advertise, ‘Come for Pokemon, stay for Jesus,’” she said.

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Players can have virtual combat in a Pokemon gym, hopefully lowering the prestige of a rival’s gym.

Others toss out virtual “lures,” drawing more Pokemon that in turn attract more hunters who make new friends around a shared interest.

“So many people are coming together and meeting new people,” Darren Jernigan said while playing on Main Street with his family. “There’s all ages and all groups out here.”

“I really love meeting new people out here Jawanza said. “It really does bring the community together. I’ve met a lot of amazing people here.

“It’s really a lovely way to get exercise as well as meet the community around you.”

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WHAT IS Pokémon Go?

Pokemon Go is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic and published by The Pokemon Company as part of the Pokemon franchise.

It was released worldwide this month for iOS and Android devices.

The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual Pokemon — animated creatures from the Nintendo video game — who appear throughout the players’ real world. It uses GPS and the players’ smartphone or tablet camera.

Pokemon Go is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic and published by The Pokemon Company as part of the Pokemon franchise.

It was released worldwide this month for iOS and Android devices.

The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual Pokemon — animated creatures from the Nintendo video game — who appear throughout the players’ real world. It uses GPS and the players’ smartphone or tablet camera.

What is Pokémon Go?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Video game draws players to downtown Crestview — in droves (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Gordon Martial Arts will host Community for Cops, a free family fun day.

The event — 9 a.m. to noon July 23 in GMA’s parking lot, 130 W. Oakdale Ave., Crestview — offers a chance to have positive interaction with local law enforcement officers.

Games, face painting, a dunk booth, a bouncy house and door prizes will be available.

In addition, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will provide free children’s ID kits.

Call 682-0720 for more information. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Community for Cops’ family fun day scheduled in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County children can receive free meals this summer at eight Crestview area sites.

Nearly 13.8 percent of Florida residents, and 24.9 percent of children reportedly live in households that can’t always afford enough food. The United States Department of Agriculture funds a toll-free hotline to make it easier for them to access food from private and governmental resources.

Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday for help. The National Hunger Hotline staff connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance, nutritional assistance programs, and various services that promote self-sufficiency.

During summer months, the hotline provides information about meal sites where children 18 years old and under can get free, nutritious meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.

See the sidebar for the Crestview area’s free meal sites. 

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FREE CRESTVIEW AREA KIDS’ MEAL SITES

●Northwood Elementary School, 501 4th Ave., Crestview

●Lance C. Richbourg School, 500 Alabama St., Crestview

●Mt. Zion AME Church, 502 McDonald St., Crestview

●Central Baptist Church, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

●Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview

●Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview

●Baker School, 1369 14th St., Baker

●Laurel Hill School, 8078 4th St., Laurel Hill

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 8 sites that offer North Okaloosa children free summer meals

CRESTVIEW — Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on Okaloosa and Walton County state roads as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County

Intermittent lane restrictions take place 8 p.m. Sunday, July 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 18 as crews perform striping operations at these locations:

●Interstate 10, from Okaloosa County rest area, east of Crestview, to the Walton County line.

●Eglin Boulevard/State Road 397, from the intersection of S.R. 85 to the Eglin Gate.

●S.R. 85: Lane restrictions near the S.R. 85N-S.R. 123 intersection, 8 p.m. Monday, July 18 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 19

●U.S. 90 resurfacing: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, July 18 through Saturday, July 23, eastbound and westbound lane closures, west of Summertime Drive to Old River Road

Walton County:

●S.R. 20 in the Choctaw Beach area: Intermittent eastbound lane closure, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Friday, July 15 and continuing for approximately three months as crews install rip rap rubble along the roadway’s south shoulder

●I-10 resurfacing, east and westbound lane restrictions Sunday, July 17 through Friday, July 22 as crews perform paving operations, shoulder work and sodding; between mile marker 66, just west of the Niceville/S.R 285 and mile marker 78 (Boy Scout Road)

Crews also will pave on and off ramps at S.R. 285 (Exit 70). Traffic will shift during ramp paving operations. Lane closures and shifts will be in effect 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  

●U.S. 331N (S.R. 187): Intermittent southbound lane restrictions Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19, between Liberty Church of Christ and Harrison Drive in DeFuniak Springs.  Lane closures will be in effect 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as crews replace ditch pavement. 

●U.S. 90-westbound lanes shift 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, between Owen’s Drive and 25th Street in DeFuniak Springs, as crews perform utility work.    

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 8 Okaloosa and Walton County traffic changes to expect

CRESTVIEW — The Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast announced that its Crestview club will close after the summer program.

A letter bearing the news was distributed to parents as they picked their children up after the July 7 weekday program, parent Lindsey McGriff said.

“They gave us the letter on July 7 and said services end on Aug. 9,” McGriff said. “They gave us zero options to find alternatives in a month.”

McGriff said like many parents who have children in the Allen Park-based program, she and her husband rely on the BGC’s sliding fee schedule to afford a quality childcare program for their two young children.

McGriff said Walker Elementary School’s $30 registration fee plus $30 each week will raise the family’s childcare expenses more than $100 a month above the $170 she and her husband currently pay. And that’s if they can get their kids into the school’s program.

YMCA BANKRUPTCY

The BGC arrived in Crestview in 2014 when the county YMCA went bankrupt, abruptly closing its Crestview after-school program.

It ran the Walker program until Walker, like other area elementary schools, opened its own after-school care program.

Emerald Coast Boys and Girls Club Chief Executive Officer Shervin Rassa said the club filled a need even though moving a program into Crestview wasn’t in the club’s plan at that time.

“We stepped in when the YMCA left,” Rassa said. “Our plan never was to open up services in Crestview at that point. Our plan was to grow strategically in the future but with the YMCA closing, we stepped in to take over the Walker program.”

Rassa said one of the reasons the GBC board decided to terminate the Crestview program was low attendance.

“We were serving about 15 kids a day,” Rassa said. “Attendance is higher now during the summer, but the decision was made before the summer.”

ALLEN PARK REC PROGRAM

Assistant Crestview Public Works director Carlos Jones said his department is making plans to take over operations of the Allen Park recreation building on Aug. 10.

“It will be kind of like what we do at the (Twin Hills Park) gymnasium,” Jones said. “People can home in and use the equipment.”

Jones said with school opening the day after the BGC program concludes, the city probably won’t be considering an after-school program other than providing recreational facilities.

 “There are so many other options at the schools that weren’t there when the YMCA closed,” Rassa said.

OPTIONS

In addition to Walker, before- and after-school childcare is offered at Antioch, Bob Sikes and Riverside Elementary Schools. Southside Primary School does not list a childcare program on its website.

Still, McGriff said, not having a Boys and Girls Club in the county’s largest and fastest-growing community is “concerning.”

“It was a huge loss for the community when the YMCA closed, then to have this organization close is just as bad,” she said. “At no point has it been presented as a fill-in-the-gap program that would eventually close.”

Rassa said the BGC might return down the road.

“Hopefully as we grow strategically in the future we will be able to provide services in Crestview,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boys & Girls Club closing Crestview program

CRESTVIEW — Gordon Martial Arts recently recognized student achievements with its latest round of promotions.

The ceremony was held July 1 at the Crestview Community Center.

Promotions began with students going up on stage in groups of similar age and rank. They then demonstrated some of their new skills for attendees.

Additionally, GMA introduced its newest members to the crowd. First-degree black belts — student Ian Rodriguez and military fireman Jimmy Acol — have trained for over five years to achieve their current levels.

Fourth-degree taekwondo students Alberto Barbon, a pediatrician, and Jeremy Morgan, a Fort Walton Beach fireman, also joined GMA.

The session’s guest speaker, Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris, spoke of the importance of military and first responders such as firemen and police officers. Then he spoke about not giving up, and how some things take more effort to succeed when you’re not successful the first time.

After the promotions ceremony, former Crestview City Councilman Charles Baugh gave a short prayer and  attendees enjoyed a meal and fellowship.

The next  promotions ceremony is Sept. 30.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gordon Martial Arts holds promotions ceremony

CRESTVIEW — Going to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours networking event?

Attendees may dress in their patriotic best for the event, as prizes well be awarded to the person with the best Dressed Up costume.

The event, set for 5-6:30 p.m. July 14 at Beltone Hearing Center, 2670 Ferdon Blvd. S., includes finger foods and wine. It also is an opportunity for chamber members to meet Beltone's staff and tour the facility. 

Note: Chamber events are not open to the community, as previously stated in this article. They are for chamber members only.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Beltone hosts Crestview chamber 'Business After Hours'

CRESTVIEW — The community has stepped up to help secure a Crestview Manor resident’s stash of aluminum cans he collects for recycling.

Thieves recently stole a month’s haul of cans Elvit Enlow painstakingly collected around central Crestview neighborhoods.

The News Bulletin’s recent story on the thefts went viral, sparked outrage, and helped draw support to protect a man’s cans.

Susan Hollingshead of Friendly Florist, who is spearheading a drive to have a chain link fence built behind the Manor to secure Enlow’s cans, said response has been heartwarming.

“People have just called and called,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed about how good everybody is in Crestview.”

Hollingshead said Charlie’s Fence in Holt offered to provide materials to construct the fence.

“We’re very familiar with Mr. Enlow picking up cans,” Kerrie Stillman, of Charlie’s Fence, said. “It bothered us a lot that someone would go to a nursing home and steal from someone like that.”

Resident Paul Lawson offered the services of himself, members of his church and a troop of Boy Scouts to erect the fence.

Ward Lewis, owner of Precision Tactical Arms Company, said he remembered Enlow well from when the company had a shop north of U.S. Highway 90.

“He used to come behind the alley of our old shop,” Lewis said. “All of us would share our aluminum cans or scrap aluminum with him. We’d put it out back for him.”

Lewis offered to buy a shed from Lowe’s to secure Enlow’s cans, “or do anything else we can to help. At end of day, we just want to give him a little bit of help.”

By Monday morning, donors had given $200 toward materials, Hollingshead said, but by lunchtime the business had reached its $500 goal toward materials.

But the outpouring of help didn’t stop there. As of Tuesday morning $745 had been received, Hollingshead said.

“This place was a zoo with so many people calling and coming in,” Friendly Florist employee Bonnie Knecht said Tuesday morning. “A man donated another $100 to ‘Bob’ himself to cover his losses.”

Hollingshead said Enlow sometimes goes by “Bob.”

“We’ve been given so much it does our hearts good that we can give back whenever we can,” Stillman said.

 —

WANT TO HELP?

Donations for a chain-link fence to secure aluminum cans that Crestview Manor resident Elvit Enlow gathers for recycling can be brought to Susan Hollingshead at Friendly Florist, 586 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview, 682-2571.

Donations for a chain-link fence to secure aluminum cans that Crestview Manor resident Elvit Enlow gathers for recycling can be brought to Susan Hollingshead at Friendly Florist, 586 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview, 682-2571.

WANT TO HELP?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community steps up to secure Crestview man's can collections