CRESTVIEW — The Pawsitively Scrumptious "Catterday" event features a new products showcase, free samples and goodie bags for cats in attendance while supplies last. Attendees may register to win gift baskets as well.

The event — set 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7  at the store's 198 N. Main St. address — is a cats only event. Event organizers ask that you not bring dogs. 

My Safe Place Pet Rescue is bringing cats and kittens that need permanent homes to the event. People who adopt a cat that Saturday will get a gift package of Evanger's Pet Food.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Catterday' features cat adoptions, free samples this Saturday in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The GFWC Crestview Woman's Club has changed the date of their next Sunday dinner due to the Mother's Day holiday.

The dinner will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 at the clubhouse, 150 Woodlawn Drive.

Cost is $10 per person for the homemade meal.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Woman's Club reschedules Sunday dinner to May 15

LAUREL HILL — Not too many residents know what they’re doing April 29, 2017, but woodworker Dannis Young does. He plans to exhibit at next year’s Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival.

Young, one of 20 local and regional artists and crafters, sold the biggest piece in his exhibit of turned bowls and vases within moments of this year’s April 30 festival’s 11 a.m. start.

“We like coming to this festival,” Young, a Crestview resident, said. “Everybody’s so nice up here.”

Organizers at the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church said this year’s community festival was their most successful to date, and promptly put next year’s event on the calendar.

“It was a wonderful turn out,” the Rev. Mark Broadhead, the church’s pastor, said. “We really appreciate these folks bringing their God-given gifts up here to share with the community.”

In addition to Young and his fellow artists, nine social services and community organizations introduced themselves to an estimated 300 attendees.

New for the festivals’ fifth year was an archery range supervised by certified hunter safety instructors Scott and Kathleen Moneypenny. Junior hunter safety instructor Will Stewart, 16, provided tips for younger Robin Hood wannabes.

“He volunteered to come out and teach other kids bow-and-arrow safety,” Scott Moneypenny, a Laurel Hill City Councilman, said.

Classic vehicles on display included Old Red, the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s 1940s International fire truck, a mammoth 1951 Packard and a sleek 1958 Thunderbird.

Entertainers included Crestview singer and guitarist Jenna Lewis, who recently won gold medals in both the contemporary and classical vocal categories at the annual Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympic competition and will sing in the July national competition in Cincinnati.

Like Jenna, Christian guitarist and vocalist Scott Hicks and The Wesley Girls gospel trio were new to the lineup, which included returnees vocalist Aaron Overton, Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums, the Northwest Florida State College jazz ensemble, The Wesley Boys and Gordon Martial Arts.

Mayor Robby Adams and his wife, Councilwoman Debra Adams, welcomed the festival as a family friendly and cultural event for their community.

“It’s a beautiful day for it,” Debra Adams said.

“We want to invite these exhibitors back in October for the Hobo Festival,” Robby Adams added.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival draws record crowd, new performers (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Motorists traveling State Road 85 will encounter lane restrictions as crews perform construction activities.

Hours are 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. May 4-7 near the intersection of State Road 123.

Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: May 4-7 nighttime lane restrictions set for State Road 85

CRESTVIEW — With such a large number of women becoming increasingly interested in the shooting sports and self-defense, the need for proper training and education is great.

In an industry which has been male-dominated and focused for so long, it's important for women to feel comfortable and supported in their quest to practice and learn. To that end, Armed Lady, LLC is introducing Premier Shooting Chapters across the nation, with a new chapter starting soon in Crestview.

The Crestview chapter — spearheaded by Connie Harrison and Jocelyn Hancock, local female gun enthusiasts and NRA certified instructors — is open to women age 18 and up of all experience levels who are interested in learning more about shooting, self-defense and personal protection.

Monthly two-hour events are planned, with one hour of educational content, followed by one hour of practical range time. For those under 18, additional parental participation and permission are required.

The group is partners with Shoal River Sporting Clays & Shooting Center, the host range for the events.  

Participants are required to pay any applicable range fees and costs of ammunition or firearm rentals.

Annual chapter membership dues of $50 offers members access to monthly events and a membership packet with a chapter t-shirt, lanyard, and member information. First-time attendees may attend a meeting prior to joining.

The first meeting is 5 p.m. May 17 at Shoal River Sporting Clays & Shooting Center, 3985 US Highway 90 East, Crestview. Reservations are required.

Contact Jocelyn Hancock at J.Hancock@armedlady.com, Connie Harrison at C.Harrison@armedlady.com  or visit www.armedlady.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview chapter forms for female gun enthusiasts

CRESTVIEW — The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive to help local food pantries is May 14 in Northwest Florida.

Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect nonperishable food items left by their postal customers, who participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive.

Area residents who wish to participate may place their food donations in a bag or box next to their mailbox before the letter carrier delivers mail May 14.

The donations are picked up as the letter carriers complete their regular mail routes and then delivered to the food banks.

United Way Partner Agencies participating in this food drive are The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Sharing & Caring centers in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville, COPE Center, The Salvation Army, S4P Synergy, Meals on Wheels, Fresh Start, Children in Crisis, Catholic Charities and Harvest House. 

Last year, the letter carriers with the United Way and volunteers collected over 160,000 pounds of food in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stamp Out Hunger food drive set May 14 in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Sister City Program is hosting a spring picnic and information session.

The event is 12-2 p.m. May 7 at Twin Hills Park on Purl Adams Avenue.

Anyone interested in learning about the program and Crestview's Sister City relationship with Noirmoutier, France, are welcome.

Plans for the October visit by 43 guests from Noirmoutier will be discussed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Sister City group plans picnic, information session

Need something to do this weekend? Check out these events:

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

NICEVILLE — The inaugural Miss Okaloosa County Pageant crowned five young women in a crown and sash ceremony on April 29.

The Teen Miss winner is Isabella Reyes, daughter of Diane and Bobby Reyes of Crestview.

Also taking the honors are Tiny Miss, Karley Odom, daughter of Chris and Tammy Kelley-Odom, Destin; Little Miss, Tessa Marino, daughter of Greg and Sarah Marino, Destin; Young Miss, Erin Zimmerman,  daughter of Jarrod and Amanda Eckert, Fort Walton Beach; Junior Miss, Riley Cleveland, daughter of Jerrett and Mindy Cleveland, Niceville; Jessi Miceli, a junior at Niceville High School, was crowned Miss Okaloosa County. She is the daughter of Phillipe and Gail Miceli, Niceville.

 The Miss Okaloosa County Pageant is an opportunity for young women to learn, boost, and polish their communication skills, confidence levels, and appreciation for the multiplicity of Okaloosa County.

During their year, the queens will meet, and learn from the men and women who make up the county’s agrarian sectors, entrepreneurs, private business men and women, industrialists; health care professionals, and Okaloosa County’s many active duty and retired military members and those who work in support of them; as well as those in the tourism and hospitality trade.

Teen Miss, Isabella Reyes, attends Davidson Middle School in Crestview where she is a member of the Davidson Diamonds Dance Team and attended the Davidson Writer’s Camp. She is a member of the award winning Triple Threat Competitive Dance Team. She was recently cast as Dorothy in an upcoming production of "The Wizard of Oz." She draws and collects memorabilia of The Flash and Night Wing comic characters. Isabella is the daughter of Diane and Bobby Reyes, and big sister to Brandon. 

Miss Okaloosa County queens chose the “Boot Campaign” as their philanthropic platform for 2016-2017. Their “Boots on the Beach” event is coming soon.

The Boot Campaign mission is to promote patriotism for America and the 1,360,000 active duty military members; raise awareness of the unique challenges service members face during and post-service; and provide assistance to military personnel, past and present, and their families. 

Miss Okaloosa County queens chose the campaign as it provides an outlet for them to promote awareness, patriotism and support for Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt and Duke Fields, the U.S. Army Ranger Camp, and the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal School.

The Miss Okaloosa County pageant is under the direction of Paula Stokes-Kelley, Niceville, a nationally certified pageant judge and coach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Miss Okaloosa County pageant winners include Crestview resident

The Florida Department of Transportation alerts the public of the following changes in Okaloosa traffic conditions.

●8 p.m. to 6 a.m. May 1-5 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). Drivers are reminded the speed limit will be reduced to 60 MPH in the active work zone.

●6 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 2-7 U.S. Highway 90 resurfacing:  East and westbound lane closures from west of the Shoal River Bridge to the Walton County line as crews perform construction activities.

●6 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 2-7 U.S. 90 resurfacing: Eastbound and westbound lane closures from west of Summertime Drive to Old River Road as paving operations continue.

These are the changes in Walton county traffic conditions.

●6 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 2-5 I-10 Resurfacing: Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from west of Boy Scout Road to east of U.S. Highway 331.

●7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2-6 Mack Bayou Road: Intermittent lane closures at intersection of U.S. Highway 98 proceeding north as crews perform video inspection of storm drain pipe.

●7 p.m. to 6 a.m. May 5, U.S. Highway 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge (Clyde B. Wells Bridge). Northbound travel lane closed immediately north of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge to reposition concrete barrier wall for an upcoming traffic shift. Traffic flaggers will be positioned to safely direct drivers through the work zone.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa and Walton traffic changes continue