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

CRESTVIEW — The Friends of the Crestview Library group seeks donations for the next book sale benefiting the library. The sale is set for Oct. 7-9 at Warriors Hall, Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

Books of all kinds are wanted, as well as DVDs and audiobooks.

Call 682-4432 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Donations wanted for Crestview book sale benefit

SHALIMAR — The theme for the next Okaloosa Public Arts jury-reviewed art show is “Tribute to Sinfonia Gulf Coast.”

The art show is set 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at the Okaloosa County Administrative Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar. Cash prizes are $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place.

Artists may submit up to three pieces of art by Aug. 26. Work should have been created within the past two years; must be family friendly and have a musical theme; and must be framed or gallery wrapped. Pieces shown in previous OPA shows are not eligible for entry.  Bas-relief or other wall-mounted or free-standing sculpture are not eligible; all other media is acceptable. The largest acceptable framed size is 3 feet by 5 feet; the smallest acceptable frame size is 16 inches by 20 inches.

One of the works should be chosen for donation to Sinfonia's annual silent auction and gala. Artists who donate a work will get a free ticket to the gala, and don't have to participate in this philanthropic venture to be eligible to participate in the art show.

To enter, send the entry form; a non-refundable $35 check made to OPA; and CD or flash drive of works to: OPA, Shirley Napier, 1003 Shalimar Pointe Drive, Shalimar, FL  32579.     

Alternatively, send JPEG image entries to Shirley.a.napier@cox.net, entry form and $35 entry fee to OPA, Shirley Napier, 1003 Shalimar Pointe Drive, Shalimar, Florida 32579

Contact Shirley Napier, 651-8300; or Elia Saxer, 651-1591, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa art show entries sought

In this reflective ode to music, former Talking Heads lead, David Byrne, deconstructs, explains, simplifies, amplifies and asks the reader to rid themselves of any restraints when listening to music.

This book can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys music — which is everyone, I hope.

The technicalities and history of music are explained in a non-esoteric fashion, making it an interesting read for those who might have wondered why a band playing in a smaller night club might sound better than one at Carnegie Hall.

Throughout the book, Byrne throws in bits of autobiographical pieces, but the main focus is music.

Once you read this, you will have a better appreciation for it.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library staff pick: 'How Music Works' by David Byrne

CRESTVIEW — A Florida Author Takeover Event — FATE — is set for July 16 and 17 in Crestview.

The event — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive — includes book signings with more than 20 authors; vendors such as Thirty-One Bags, Scentsy, Herbal Life and romance consultants; a meet and greet; readings by authors; photos; T-shirts; and fans dressed up as their favorite fictional characters.

Authors include Crestview author L. M. Reeves; New York Times best selling author Becky McGraw; Ali Winters, Terri George and Candi Leigh Campbell.

Cost to attend is $1 or one nonperishable food item per person.

A part of all proceeds will be donated to various charities including AmVets, Make A Wish and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information go to floridaauthortakeoverevent.weebly.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida authors convention scheduled in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The Rotary Club of Crestview has a new board of directors for Rotary year 2016-17.

The organization's annual banquet was part of its regular Wednesday lunch meeting June 29  at Samuel’s Roadhouse in Crestview.

The new board members are Mike Connell, Dale Henderson and Dick Russell, directors; Allyson Oury, treasurer and past president; Bill Barnhill, charter member; Larry Ward, president; Nikki Schneberger, secretary; Samma Brannon, president-elect; Mike Carroll, past president; Ronnie Lunsford, sergeant at arms.

The club presented five $2,000 checks to local organizations derived from the proceeds of the club’s 2nd Annual Great Gun Giveaway of 2016. The recipient organizations were selected by the board of directors from nominations by the club, with a focus on local entities that do not have funded marketing or fundraising functions.

The funds were presented to the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club; Elie’s Voice; Safe Connections Family Visitation Center; the Northwood Elementary School Backpack Program; and Kiwanis Club of Crestview.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Crestview contact any board member or email crestviewrotary@crestviewrotary.info.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Rotary Club names new officers, presents funding