CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School Outdoor Education teacher Ernie Martin goes by many names, most often “Coach.” But when he was a young fisherman trying his luck in local waters with family members, he was often known just as “Boy.”

VIDEO: During Twin Hills Park’s summer fishing camp, he tells a fishing tale about those days.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VIDEO: 'Boy's' fishing tale

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Southern Raceway schedules Mid-Season Championships

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Area Sister City program members are looking for five more volunteer families to host French visitors this year.

Residents from Crestview's Sister City, Noirmoutier, will arrive and stay in the area from Oct. 12 – 24.

It is preferred that Sister City hosts live in the Crestview to Niceville area. One couple from Noirmoutier will be staying with each host for an immersive experience in North Okaloosa culture.

To help, contact Sister City members Brian Hughes, 603-2584 or brian_abroad@yahoo.com; or Pam and Joe Coffield, 682-8437 or jcoffield@cox.net.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Sister City members seek host families for French visitors

NICEVILLE — "Game On" is the theme of the next 4-H camp for Okaloosa children ages 8-12 as of Sept. 1, 2015.

Camp is July 11-15 at Camp Timpoochee, 4750 Timpoochee Lane.

Camp attendance is also open to Okaloosa counselors in training ages 13-14, and counselors ages 15-18. Counselors receive 75 community service hours toward Bright Futures scholarships.

Camper activities include snorkeling, robotics, kayaking and marine science. They will also have activities promoting leadership and teamwork.

Registration costs include meals for five days, lodging, snacks, camp activities and T-shirts.

Cost is $200 per person for Okaloosa 4-H members and $220 for nonmembers. Counselors who complete training may attend for $150.

The deadline to sign up is 4 p.m. June 15.

Registration packets are available online at http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu.

For details, contact 4-H Youth Development Agent Misty Smith, 689-5850 or mismith@ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa 4-H camp scheduled July 11-15 in Niceville

CRESTVIEW — Two June sessions are available for an art and sewing camp for youths.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is hosting the event for children ages 8-13.

Attendees will learn acrylic painting and rug braiding.

One or both sessions may be attended at a cost of $25 per youth per day and includes materials, aprons, and lunch provided by Subway.

The sessions are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13 and 14 at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

Space is limited to the first 10 youths to register.

For details, contact 4-H Youth Development Agent Misty Smith, 689-5850 or mismith@ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Youths may attend June 13 and 14 Crestview art camps

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Steak & Stake fundraising dinner for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast will feature guest speaker Evander Holyfield.

The professional boxer is multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, which earned him the nickname "The Real Deal."  He won the bronze medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and he is the only boxer to win the heavyweight title five times.

Born in Atmore, Ala., Holyfield is a Boys and Girls Club alumni. He was four years old when his family moved to Atlanta, Ga., where he and his brother joined the Warren Memorial Boys Club.

Holyfield will speak on his life at the dinner, which begins with a VIP reception at 5 p.m. at the BGCEC South Walton club, 427 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.

BGCEC Chief Executive Officer Shervin Rassa said, "Mr. Holyfield has a unique and exciting story. We are extremely excited and honored to have Mr. Holyfield as our speaker, a Boys & Girls Club alumni, his story of how the club impacted his life will truly be inspirational for not only attendees, but our youths."

The dinner provides an opportunity for every guest, including donors, community partners and volunteers, to meet with and hear from the direct beneficiaries of their efforts — club members.

Youths sit at every table and are given the chance to share their story of how Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast has a positive impact on their lives and what the club means to them. 

Individual tickets cost $150 per guest. VIP tickets, which include a reception and meet and greet with Evander Holyfield cost $250 each.

To purchase tickets or get sponsorship information, contact Director of Development Rob Engel, 344-7722 or rengel@bgcec.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Evander Holyfield is Sept. 22 Emerald Coast club's dinner speaker

VALPARAISO — The next Business After Hours by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce will include acknowledgement of Crestview's centennial anniversary.

The Heritage Museum will host the networking event, which is 5-6:30 p.m. June 9 at the museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

To commemorate the centennial, free tours of original artifacts from the Crestview L&N Railroad Depot are set. Door prizes, complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and food from Cracker Barrel will be available.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview chamber after hours networking event is June 9

CRESTVIEW — Road closures continue as weather permits in Okaloosa and Walton counties as listed below.

OKALOOSA

●U.S. 90 Resurfacing– East and westbound lane closures from west of the Shoal River Bridge to the Walton County line from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through June 11 as crews paving operations continue. 

●U.S. 90 Resurfacing– Eastbound and westbound lane closures from west of Summertime Drive to Old River Road from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through June 11 as paving operations continue.

●State Road (S.R.) 285– Intermittent lane closures between S.R. 20 and E. College Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays through June 16 (Mondays- Thursdays only) as crews trim trees around power lines. 

WALTON

●U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge– The southbound lane of U.S. 331, between the new Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge and Bay Grove Road south, will be closed 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. June 9 from while crews complete soil mixing work adjacent to the roadway. Traffic will be reduced to one lane, with traffic flaggers stationed to safely guide drivers through the work area.

●I-10 Resurfacing – Intermittent westbound lane closures between mile marker (MM) 66 and MM 70 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through June 10 as paving operations continue.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa and Walton road closures continue

CRESTVIEW — In Northwest Florida, summertime means the end of the school year, sand, sun, vacations and the occasional ballgame. But, with above-normal temps predicted for the Southeast, it can also mean higher energy bills as we try to keep our homes cool.

So what can Gulf Power customers do to stay cool and keep their energy bill in check while AC units run longer and harder? By following these helpful tips and strategies, customers can help prevent high temperatures from heating up their energy bills.

●Set your thermostat and leave it. During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest consumer of energy. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer energy bill. Making small changes to the way you use your thermostat can go a long way in saving energy.

For every degree below 78 degrees, you’ll use 10 percent more energy to cool your residence. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more energy on the cooling portion of your electricity bill.

●Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.

●Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. Also, clear away objects that may be blocking indoor a/c vents such as chairs, furniture or pillows.

●Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Remember to run the fans counter-clockwise during the summer months. Only turn them on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.

●Let your air conditioner breathe. Clear outside AC units of weeds, plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.

●Avoid placing lamps or television sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat can sense heat from these appliances.

●Turn down the temperature of your water heater to at least 120 degrees. You’ll not only save energy, you can avoid scalding temperatures.

●Keep the blinds closed on the sunny side of your home during the day and open at night. This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.

●Give your AC a tune-up. Running an inefficient AC system can result in high monthly bills.

INSULATION

●Seal up your cooling system and maximize efficiency so hot air can’t sneak into your home through doors, walls or a poorly insulated attic. Make sure there are no tiny holes in your ducts that could cause your air conditioner to work harder.

●Increase attic insulation, which can save you up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs. Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.

Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.

●Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.

●Close unused air vents. If you have central AC you can close air vents in rooms you’re not using so you’re not paying to cool them.

LIGHTING

●Turn off lights that aren’t in use.

●Use fluorescent lighting or LEDs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. And, they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent bulbs for the same amount of energy.

●Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.

●Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.

●Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.

REFRIGERATOR

●Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.

●Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.

●Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.

DRYER AND DISHWASHER

●Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.

●Turn off the dishwasher drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.

●Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.

●Wash clothes in cold water and make sure to clean the filter after each use.

Gulf Power customers can get a free Energy Checkup at http://www.gulfpower.com/residential/earthcents/energy-checkup.cshtml or call 1-877-655-4001 for an on-site appointment. Energy experts will analyze your home and electricity use and look for ways to make your home more energy efficient.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power offers Northwest Florida energy-saving tips, free check-up