Dear editor,

Bob Allen is right — as if ignoring the traffic problem will make it go away.  I understand it will take time and money. However, there are smaller initiatives that could take place.

Like extending the left turning lanes by a few hundred feet for both Antioch Road and PJ Adams Parkway. This would take numerous cars off the 85 corridor. 

The leadership of Crestview should show a little more compassion and enthusiasm in fixing the traffic issue; there is plenty that could be done. If money is the issue, work with the Florida Department of Transportation to secure state and federal grants or low-interest loans. They are available.

Either way, something needs to be done. Whoever cracks the code to get this deal done would be a hero to all the residents of Crestview.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Fix Crestview's traffic problem now

CRESTVIEW — The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a bunco fundraiser benefiting Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, the USO, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal "After the Long Walk" peer support hotline.

Men and women ages 18 and up may purchase tickets for $25 per person. Tickets will be sold in advance instead of at the door. The price includes a light breakfast and noon lunch for the event, which is 9:30 a.m. July 30 at the Don Braun Columbian Hall, 701 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, near Twin Hills Park. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Several bunco and door prizes will be distributed at the event.

For tickets or more information call 689-1208 or 682-7968.

For more on how to play bunco, a dice game, see the wikihow page, www.wikihow.com/Play-Bunco.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bunco fundraiser set to benefit Knights of Columbus causes

Need something to do this week? Check out these fun events:

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

BAKER — A new business aims to make life easier for North Okaloosa County residents.

“The rural lifestyle is a choice, and we are here to support that choice, as we live it ourselves,” Baker Feed and Country Store owner Tony Happel said. “We saw a need for a wide range of quality products, from apparel to gifts and feed to seed, in the Baker area.”

Baker area residents may have visited a chain retailer or ordered online to get Wrangler jeans, Justin boots, American-made horse tack or specialty feeds, the store’s management said. 

Now, they have an option close to home.

“We have sourced our products to be competitive with the large-box stores, yet we offer the small-town service our customers expect,” said Jennifer Augustine, the store's manager.

Looking for a unique, locally made gift? They have those, too. Rocking chairs, carpenter bee traps and jewelry are just some of the handmade items you’ll find on the shelves.

With a combined 35 years’ experience in farming and agribusiness, Happel and Augustine can answer questions related to animal nutrition, pasture maintenance and lawn care. 

See www.bakerfeedandcountrystore.com for more information about one of North Okaloosa County’s newest businesses

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grand opening set for Baker feed store

SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Air Force Airman Alan D. Weidenhammer graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Weidenhammer is the son of Pamela and Ross Weidenhammer of Crestview.

He is a 2014 graduate of Baker School, Baker.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker graduate completes US Air Force basic training

CRESTVIEW — Drivers traveling U.S. Highway 90 from Summertime Drive to east of Old River Road (west of State Road 4) in Okaloosa County can expect lane restrictions to take place during nighttime hours.  

Hours for the closures are 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, July 8 as crews complete paving operations along the 7.4 mile project.

 Improvements include resurfacing the roadway and paved shoulders, resurfacing the park-n-ride east of the intersection with Galliver Cutoff, guardrail upgrades at existing bridges, construction of bicycle keyholes lanes at selected locations and safety improvements.  

Drivers should exercise caution and pay attention to flaggers controlling traffic during active work hours.  Access to businesses and side streets will be maintained.  Weather permitting, the project is estimated to be complete by the end of this month.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Closures set in Baker, Holt for U.S. 90 resurfacing

CRESTVIEW — Military service members know they could pay the ultimate price for defending our country’s freedoms.  

But a Crestview Navy SEAL trainee did not have to die May 6, according to a report from the San Diego County medical examiner’s office.

Seaman James Derek Lovelace, 21, died May 6 during a Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL course at California-based Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Now, Lovelace’s death is considered a homicide.

“Video surveillance obtained by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) shows that when Lovelace was struggling during a swimming exercise, one instructor on a platform pointed him out to a second one in the water,” a Washington Post article states. “The second instructor approached Lovelace, dunked him and then followed him around the pool for five minutes, according to a report obtained Wednesday from the San Diego County medical examiner’s office.”

“He continually splashes the decedent, dunks him at least one additional time, and appears to be yelling at him,” the report said. “The decedent is also splashed by other individuals during the event. At one point in the video, another individual in the water is seen pulling him up and away from the instructor.”

The medical examiner’s report listed drowning as the cause of death, with enlarged heart as a contributing factor.

This is a developing story. Here’s more on the medical examiner’s report>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Medical examiner rules Crestview Navy SEAL trainee's death a homicide

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Youth Association is having a golf scramble to raise funds for its football and cheerleading program.

Registration is 7:30 a.m. July 30 at Emerald Bay Golf Club, 4781 Clubhouse Drive, Destin.

The scramble is 4-person format, with a cost of $100 per player or $400 per team. Cost includes green fee and cart, a lunch by 98 Bar-B-Que; a raffle ticket, tee gift, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contest.

Registration ends July 24 or when all spots are filled.

Hole sponsorship signs are $100, and Hole sponsorships with team entry costs $500.

For more information contact Stephanie Marracco, 612-6898; Terry Jackson, 281-4916; Bud Tipton, 813-304-4650; or contactcaya@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Golf scramble set to raise Crestview youth association funding

HOLT — Drag racing fans will have to hold out a few more weeks before the roar of powerful engines and aroma of burning rubber wafts over the Okaloosa-Santa Rosa County line, the Emerald Coast Dragway’s owners said.

“We’ve had a big delay on the timing system,” Bob Brown, one of the drag strip’s partners, said. “It threw a monkey wrench into the works. Without the timing system, the rest isn’t going to matter.”

Meanwhile, he said, repairs to vandalized facilities at the track west of Holt are nearly complete and other equipment is being installed.

“The starting boxes are done, the tower windows are in, everything’s ready to paint,” Brown said. “All the new lighting is just about all up. It’s moving right along.”

Brown said the partners are now taking applications from residents interested in working at the strip.

Because the track initially will only be open three nights a week, most of the jobs will be part-time, he said, which is perfect for people who want some extra income.

“Every position is open,” Brown said. “Everything from grounds maintenance up to help with track safety and fire workers, all tower help, food service, ticket takers, parking people, everything.”

Applications are being accepted on the group’s Facebook page, he said.

Brown said he appreciated local drag racing fans’ patience as he and his partner, Ozzy Moya, work to rehabilitate the track, which sat disused for several years, and bring it up to and beyond current safety standards.

“We’re working as fast and as hard as we can,” Brown said. “We want to see it open, too!”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt dragstrip opening delayed

New black bass fishing regulations are in effect throughout Florida.

The regulation change will streamline existing rules, allow anglers to keep smaller, more abundant bass and protect larger bass to ensure Florida continues to produce trophy bass.

Florida contains five species of black bass: largemouth, Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw and spotted bass. Largemouth bass are the state freshwater fish and are found throughout Florida, while the other species are only found in rivers in the north central and northwest regions.

The previous three black bass fishing zones and 40 areas with special bass regulations have been eliminated.

All species of black bass are included in the five fish daily aggregate black bass bag limit. This is the same as the previous statewide rule.

Largemouth bass: Only one may be 16 inches or longer in total length per angler, per day, with no minimum length limit.

Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw and spotted basses: 12-inch minimum size limit; only one may be 16 inches or longer in total length.

A primary goal of the new regulations is to protect larger trophy bass desired by most anglers. The TrophyCatch program offers prizes for anglers who document and release largemouth bass weighing eight pounds or heavier.

Visit TrophyCatchFlorida.com for more details and to register for the program.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New fishing regulations go into effect