CRESTVIEW — The News Bulletin received six 2015 Best of GateHouse awards for its news, sports, commentary and social media efforts.

GateHouse Media, the news organization’s parent company, annually recognizes top efforts from its more than 400 publications nationwide.

The CNB’s awards are as follows:

FACEBOOK PAGE: Thomas Boni, Crestview News Bulletin, First place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from The Herald-Tribune, Observer-Dispatch, StarNews Media, Pocono Record, The Holland Sentinel, The Independent, Lake Sun Leader and the Stephenville Empire-Tribune)

Tim Schmitt, GateHouse’s newsroom development project manager, praised the CNB’s Facebook page.

“Maybe my favorite Best of GateHouse ’15 win,” he tweeted. “The (News Bulletin’s) Facebook page would put a lot of large metro newspapers’ efforts to shame.”

OPINION SECTION/PAGE: Thomas Boni, Crestview News Bulletin, First place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from The Standard-Times, The State Journal-Register, Gainesville Sun, Ames Tribune, The Journal-Standard, The Norwich Bulletin, Hannibal Courier Post and the Wareham Courier)

“These are truly excellent pages,” judges said of the CNB’s submissions. “Not only are they entirely local, but they leverage the paper’s social media presence to more deeply engage the community in discussing the issues that matter to readers. Much larger papers could learn a thing or two from this approach.”

NEWSWRITER OF THE YEAR: Brian Hughes, Crestview News Bulletin, Third place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from the Ocala Star-Banner, The Herald-Tribune, The Columbus Dispatch, The Gaston Gazette, Daily Messenger, Waxahachie Daily Light and Hannibal Courier Post)

“Informative and pithy prose style,” judges said of Hughes’ work. “An excellent writer with a flair for humor that doesn’t get in the way of balanced reporting.”

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR: Thomas Boni, Crestview News Bulletin, Second place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from the Thibodaux Daily Comet, Ocala Star-Banner, Times Herald-Record, Houma Today, Pekin Daily Times, Ames Tribune, The Concord Journal and The Shawnee News-Star)

Judges said, "Boni writes in a calm, reasonable voice on hot-button issues — and they are no hotter than in a small town. His columns provide a sense of place and enlighten readers further by explaining how social media impacts public discourse and influences media coverage."

SPORTS WRITER OF THE YEAR: Randy Dickson, Crestview News Bulletin, Third place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from the StarNews Media, Northwest Florida Daily News, The Herald-Tribune, Burlington Times-News, The Gaston Gazette, Ames Tribune, Hannibal Courier Post and Old Colony Memorial)

“Strong community-based reporting that touched a variety of topics and illustrated the writer’s ability to change voices effectively,” judges said. “The writer made a strong case in the Houston McTear column and had me searching for any updates on a possible movie.”

SPECIAL SECTIONS/NICHE PRODUCTS: Staff, Crestview News Bulletin, Third place, Division C. (Other winners were recognized from the Journal Star, StarNews Media, The Repository, The Herald News, The Times-Reporter, The Daily Telegram, Marshfield Mariner and the Sturgis Journal)

“The football tab is an attractive and essential guide for local football fans,” judges said. The judge enjoyed the different “5 things” approach on team stories, instead of just a straight interview with the coach, and appreciated the fact the cheerleading athletes were given their due.

News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni, who also manages the Santa Rosa Press Gazette’s editorial department, was excited to learn about the six wins shortly after he sent the Press Gazette to press Friday morning.

“We especially look forward to the Best of GateHouse Awards because these represent the efforts of newsrooms nationwide,” Boni said. “To be among ‘the best’ is awesome.”

“I'm so proud of our staff, and honored that, in this time of efficiency and back-to-back deadlines, quality is recognized, and all our hard work and sleepless nights have paid off.” 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: News Bulletin’s news, commentary sweep Best of GateHouse awards

CRESTVIEW — Two local organizations are working to raise funds for Crestview's July 4 fireworks celebration.

Main Street Crestview and Allen Turner Chevrolet are partnering for the effort.

Donors may drop donations off at the car dealership, 4150 Ferdon Blvd. S.; City Hall, 198 Wilson St. N.; or Main Street Crestview, 203 Woodruff Ave. W.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview groups host fundraiser for July 4 fireworks

CRESTVIEW — A Laurel Hill man is dead following a Friday  morning traffic accident on State Road 85.

Lorez Reeves, 89, was driving eastbound around 3:17 a.m. on Country Road 2, approaching S.R. 85.

He failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection and traveled eastbound across S.R. 85, onto a grassy shoulder.

The front left of his 2003 Buick LeSabre struck a caution sign, according to a Florida Highway Patrol media release.

He continued east into a tree line and the front of his vehicle struck a standing tree. As a result, his vehicle caught on fire and came to final rest, facing east against the tree on S.R. 85’s east shoulder, according to FHP. 

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Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article erroneously said "Laurel Hill woman." We regret the typo. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill man dies in S.R. 85 traffic accident

CRESTVIEW — Katie Manor Apartments — a community being constructed for seniors age 55 and up — will be ready for business July 1.

See a photo gallery of the Crestview and Jacksonville sites

The public may attend the company's open house-hard hat tour from 9-11 a.m. at 639 Brookmeade Drive, Crestview. Giveaways and guided tours of a complete unit art planned.

Coffee and doughnuts will be served.

For more information, call 306-3559 or visit the website at www.katiemanor.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Senior community open house is May 28 in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The community shows its appreciation for area military and their families Saturday with the annual Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration.

Held every Armed Forces Day, the midday event fills the Old Spanish Trail pavilion and nearby open areas and picnic shelter with food, music, static displays and recreation opportunities.

Though aimed squarely at members of the armed forces and their families, the event is open to any community supporter, MARC chairman Bob Lynn said.

“Ours is a military-family-oriented event but it’s open to anybody,” Lynn, one of the event’s founders, said.

Lynn said the private organizing committee is registered with the state as a charity non-profit and is not a city committee nor part of another organization.

“We are chartered to provide a one-day picnic at Spanish Trail Park for everyone in honor of our military and their families,” Lynn said.

SHOWING APPRECIATION

MARC’s founding tenets were simple, Lynn said. “We thought it would be good to show our appreciation for the sacrifices the military members and their families make for our freedom.”

Area businesses and individuals fund the celebration through contributions of money, supplies and equipment, Lynn said.

“We raise about $9,000 or $10,000 a year from the support from our local merchants,” he said.

“We are happy to have community and business involvement,” MARC member Rae Schwartz said. “Give us a call.”

Admission, activities, entertainment and food are free, the latter including a hotdog and hamburger cookout, Boy Scout cobbler—baked by the scouts in a cast-iron Dutch oven over hot coals—Pepsi products and lemonade and iced tea provided by the GFWC Crestview Woman’s Club.

CARS AND AIRCRAFT

Vintage cars, motorcycles and classic and more recent Ford Mustangs will be displayed. Exhibits include the U.S. Army Rangers’ snake display.

Bounce houses, static military displays, a Social Security Administration information table and a OneBlood blood drive are also planned.

The Emerald Coast Young Marines open the day’s events with a presentation of colors. Later they will stage a re-enactment of the World War II flag raising at Iwo Jima.

The Rev. Tyrone L. Broadus will deliver the invocation. As a soldier, he was captured in a famous photograph as he held an umbrella over the grieving Jackie Kennedy as she knelt at her slain husband, John F. Kennedy’s, grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter will perform a fly-by, then land.

Entertainment includes the Emerald Coast Community Band, an MIA-POW recognition by Liz Westby, and a taekwondo demonstration by Gordon Martial Arts.

Music also includes the Johnny Cash tribute group Jim Terrell and Family, and Johnny and Friends. 

“Bring your own lawn chair!” Lynn said. “We don’t have seating.”

“We invite everyone to come out with us and let’s show everybody how much we support our military,” Lynn said.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission, food, activities and entertainment are free.

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park, Industrial Drive near Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview.

PROGRAM

●10:30 a.m.: Flag raising, Crestview Fire Department and Public Works

●10:50: motorcycles and show cars arrive

●11: Emerald Coast Young Marines present colors

●11:05: National Anthem, Emerald Coast Community Band

●11:10: Invocation, Rev. Tyrone L. Broadus

●11:15: U.S. Coast Guard helicopter fly-by

●11:17: MIA/POW recognition, Liz Westby

●11:20: Welcome by Crestview Mayor David Cadle

●11:25: Emerald Coast Community Band performs

●Noon: Young Marines re-enact flag-raising over Iwo Jima

●12:10 p.m.: U.S. Army Ranger snake show

●12:55: Jim Terrell and Family Johnny Cash tribute

●1:40: Crestview Community Chorders perform

●2:10: Johnny and Friends perform

●2:35: Gordon Martial Arts demonstration

●3: Drawing for Masterbuilt gas smoker

MILITARY APPRECIATION RECOGNITION CELEBRATION

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview military appreciation celebration to include helicopter fly-by, free food, music

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Elks Lodge No. 2624 and the Autism Society of the Emerald Coast are hosting Exceptional Children's Day June 11.

The free event — for families with special needs children — is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2624 Elks Lane.

It will feature entertainment by Reid Soria of Autism Sings LLC, water slides, face painting and more. Water, lemonade, snowcones, and a variety of foods are also planned. Gluten-free options will be available. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Elks, Autism Society plan June 11 Exceptional Children's Day

CRESTVIEW — The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary of Crestview will have the next Memorial Day observance on May 30.

The event is 10 a.m. May 30 at Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery, Crestview.

All local veteran groups, civic organizations, churches and individuals may place  a wreath at the memorial in the cemetery at the event.

To take part in the program, contact Merallyn McDonald, 682-3666.

Group members will place flags on all veterans' graves at 7 a.m. May 28 at the cemetery.

The service is open to the public.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Memorial Day observance scheduled

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

CRESTVIEW — "Ready or Not? Preparing for the Unexpected" is the topic of an Edward Jones seminar May 19.

The event, presented by financial adviser Yvonne Shanklin, will cover how to create a proactive strategy to prepare for life's surprises, including job loss, disability and more.

The event begins at 6 p.m. May 19 at Hideaway Pizza, 326 N. Main St. Dinner will be served.

The public may attend, but seating is limited. To RSVP, call 682-2497 by May 18.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview financial planning seminar set May 19

CRESTVIEW — These traffic changes take effect this week.

Okaloosa County

●Interstate 10 resurfacing: Intermittent and alternating lane closures east and westbound between the Santa Rosa County line and east of the County Road 189 (Holt) exit, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday, May 19.  The speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph in the active work zone.

●State Road 123 widening: Lane restrictions on S.R. 85 at the intersection of S.R. 123, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., through Saturday, May 21 as crews perform paving operations. 

●U.S. 90 resurfacing: East and westbound lane closures from west of the Shoal River Bridge to the Walton County line, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday, May 21 as crews perform construction activities. 

●U.S. 90 resurfacing: Eastbound and westbound lane closures from west of Summertime Drive to Old River Road, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday, May 21 as paving operations continue.

Walton County

●U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge: Construction crews plan to shift north and southbound traffic to the newly constructed bridge the week of May 16. The work will begin 7 p.m. and conclude by 6 a.m. Tuesday May 17. Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent lane closures to allow crews to prepare the roadway and complete the shift.

●I-10 resurfacing: Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from west of Boy Scout Road to east of U.S. 331, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday, May 19.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 Okaloosa and Walton County traffic changes to expect