FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County and the Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society are sponsors for a walk-in rabies vaccination clinic.

The low-cost vaccinations are 8 a.m. to noon June 4 at one of five Northwest Florida veterinary clinics:

●Southside Veterinary Clinic, 821 Pearl St. S, Crestview

●Murphy Veterinary Hospital, 2387 Highway 98 W, Mary Esther

●Crossroads Animal Clinic, 601B Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach

●Friendship Veterinary Hospital, 623 Beal Pkwy NW, Fort Walton Beach

●Northside Veterinary Clinic, 18 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

Cost is $10 each for dogs, casts and ferrets. Area residents do not need to be a client at any of the participating offices to get the vaccinations.

All animals must be on a leash or in a pet carrier at each office.

“A special thank you to Dr. Kelly Haeusler and the Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society for partnering with us for the event,” Dr. Karen Chapman, director of the DOH-Okaloosa, said.

“This is a community effort to bring pet owners into compliance with the law, while providing protection against a deadly disease that continues to cause public health concerns.”

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented—but not cured. The virus attacks the brain of warm-blooded animals, including people. Even if you consider your dog, cat, or ferret to be an indoor pet, it is important that your pet receives a rabies vaccination.

In 2015, DOH-Okaloosa investigated 1,000 domestic animal (dogs or cats) bites or scratches to other domestic animals or humans.

Of those investigated, approximately 50 percent were current on their rabies vaccination. The only acceptable proof of vaccination for an animal bite investigation is documentation of the vaccination from a licensed veterinarian.

 For more information on this clinic, visit http://www.HealthyOkaloosa.com or call 689-7859.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County, veterinary society plan low-cost June 4 rabies clinic

CRESTVIEW — Walton County Master Gardener Laura Sell will present a free Crestview program on vertical gardening.

Sell — who defines her interest in vertical gardening "as somewhat of an obsession" — works full time at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport, where she is the groundskeeper, housekeeper and beekeeper. She is always looking for new ways to grow vertically, according to a media release.

The program is 10-11 a.m. June 15 at the University of Florida Extension Office at 3098 Airport Road.

Registration is required due to limited space. Call 689-5850 to RSVP.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Master Gardener schedules Crestview program on vertical gardening

CRESTVIEW — Boys who will be in first through fifth grades next school year are welcome to join the Cub Scouts.

Cub Scouts learn activities all year long, including skills such as knot tying, tent setup and archery.

Registration from June through December is $14; annual membership costs $24. A Boys Life Magazine subscription costs $12. Scholarships and earning opportunities are also available through pack fundraising.

For more information contact one of the Scout leaders below.

Three North Okaloosa groups are:

●Pack 530, which meets at the Crosspoint Church south campus in Crestview. Contact Cubmaster TJ Tajalle, 573-842-8214 or tj.tajalle@gmail.com.

●Pack 799, which meets Mondays at the 1st United Methodist Church in Crestview. Contact Cubmaster John Humphrey, 380-6977 or johnhumphrey@embarqmail.com, for details.

●Pack 532, which meets at First Baptist Church of Holt. Contact Cubmaster Courtney Strom, 228-365-1995 or cejeos5@gmail.com, for details.

●Pack 731 also meets in Crestview. Contact pack chair Mike Wing, 902-3556 or mikecwing@yahoo.com, for details.

For sixth-grade through 18 years old males, Crestview Boy Scout membership is available. Contact Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com, or Bryant Perkins, Bryant.Perkins@scouting.org, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Cub Scouts welcome incoming members

CRESTVIEW — The June 2 Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting started on a patriotic note as Crestview High School choral music Director Kevin Lusk and his wife, Karen, a Richbourg E.S.E. School teacher and member of the Wesley Girls gospel trio, led the members in a stirring version of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.”

The Lusks started the number with Berlin’s not-often-performed 1930s introduction.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VIDEO: 'God Bless America' at Crestview chamber breakfast

CRESTVIEW — The last day of school may have contributed to a lower-then-usual turnout at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast meeting June 2.

But those in attendance got to enjoy a tasty, all-American breakfast from Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant and hear about the good works being done by the Crestview High School Key Club students, including their anti-bullying and beach clean-up efforts.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VIDEO: Who's Who at the June Crestview Chamber breakfast

FORT WALTON BEACH —  The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution's Choctawhatchee Bay chapter this week honored the husband of one of its members, retired Lt. Col. Thompson Lindley.

Members, including Crestview’s Patti Codgal, placed flowers at the flagpole during a Memorial Day Service at Beal Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DAR honors member's husband at Memorial Day ceremony

CRESTVIEW — Katy and Thomas Dugan are celebrating their 50th anniversary this month.

The couple met in 1964 and married June 9, 1966.

WAITING ON A WOMAN

Here’s how it all began: Thomas moved to Eglin Air Force Base from Indianapolis, Ind., and attended a service at Katy’s church, now the Airport Road Church of Christ, in Crestview.

"They used to tell guys in orientation (on Eglin), 'Don't go to Crestview; all those girls there are looking to get married!"

Apparently, "those girls there" weren't by themselves.

"I asked her dad if I could marry her about six months after we met," Thomas Dugan said. "He said no, she had to graduate from high school."

Thomas waited two years for the privilege of marrying Katy Owen. They were engaged the whole time.

‘I WAS ‘FRESH MEAT’’

Thomas said, "She graduated Tuesday night in CHS. The church Bible study was Wednesday night … and we got married Thursday."

Katy's take on the situation? "I was 'fresh meat,' she said."

Thomas Dugan retired from the U.S. Air Force as a captain. Katy Dugan provided clerical services at Okaloosa Memorial Hospital and was one of the first dispatchers for its ambulance service. Her last job was as a clerical staffer at the Okaloosa Health Department in Crestview.

The couple has two daughters, Ruth Wise and Rebecca Sweet, both of Crestview, and a son, Daniel Dugan of Pensacola.

Their grandchildren are Elizabeth Badger and Shelby Martin.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview couple celebrates 50 years together

CRESTVIEW  — Crestview Area Cub Scouts are hosting a Twilight Summer Camp for boys from first through fifth grade. Its theme is "CSI- Cub Scout Investigation."

In addition to normal Scout activities, attendees will use their new skills to solve a mystery. 

Hours for the camp are 4-8 p.m. each night, July 25-29 at the Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion in Crestview.

Cost is $60 per person through June 19, with an additional fee of $25 added after that date.

Registration is at the Gulf Coast Council Web page, http://www.gulfcoastcouncil.org/event/1873676.

Note: This story was updated to correct hours and times of the event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cub Scouts host twilight summer camp starting July 25

CRESTVIEW — A local company is changing its name to better reflect its national position and focus.

Effective immediately, Bay State Cable Ties is now American Elite Molding. A company media release states, "The name change reflects the company's rapid growth over the past 12 years from a small reseller to a $25 million U.S.-based manufacturer that produces 1.5 billion cable ties a year.

"The word 'American' was chosen to communicate the company's commitment to keeping all manufacturing processes in America, as well as its complete national coverage with four regional distribution centers. 'Elite' refers to the company's position as America's leading manufacturer of cable ties, as well as its dedication to superior product quality and extraordinary customer service. 'Molding' describes the full range of the company's product scope, from nylon cable ties to HVAC duct straps to custom plastic injection molding through its division Technology Plastics."

Company founder and CEO Robert Sires said, "We have had 12 straight years of double digit growth since we decided to become an American manufacturer.  As we look to the future, we wanted a name that accurately portrayed our current status and our goals going forward.

He said the company opened several new distribution centers, "giving us a physical presence in each region of the U.S. to facilitate the Just-in-Time shipping that our customers rely on. We expanded our manufacturing plant in Florida by 20,000 square feet — adding 40 new jobs — and invested in new machinery to expand our production capabilities.

Sires said, We plan to double in size within the next five years, reaching $50 million in sales. We are an American manufacturing success story, and we wanted our corporate name to reflect that."

 American Elite Molding offers an extensive line of cable ties in a variety of lengths, tensile strengths, and colors, plus accessories such as mounting pads and cable clamps. Specialty products include EZ-Off ties, releasable ties, custom-printed ties, and HVAC duct straps. All cable ties use virgin nylon 6/6 to guarantee superior quality and are UL Listed and Mil-Spec approved.

All American Elite Molding products are backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

For more information, call 1-888-463-3454, email CEO Robert Sires at rsires@robertsires.com, or visit www.AmericanEliteMolding.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview manufacturer undergoes name change

CRESTVIEW — The latest graduates of the Okaloosa County Master Gardener program are ready to help area residents with their gardening issues.

Roni Graham of Crestview, Mary Esther residents Donna Edmiston and Ada Bower, and Destin residents Velda Dougherty and Linda Timothy completed extensive classroom and hands on training over a period of several months to achieve Master Gardener status.

Science-based research from the University of Florida helped provide the basis for practical experience with plants and weeds, soil preparation, insects, watering and propagation to name a few of the topics covered. Best management practices for landscape maintenance of lawns, annuals and perennials, as well as, preparing and analyzing soil samples were featured.

Comprehensive activities included community outreach programs to educate both adults and youths.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident among five newest Okaloosa Master Gardeners