CRESTVIEW — The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society now has extra support for its programs assisting animals in Northwest Florida.

The Order of the Sons of Italy in America, Richard A. Capozzola Lodge in Crestview donated $1,000 to the organization.

A lodge spokesperson said, "Their outstanding compassion for our animals, that so depend on us, raised our conscientious to assist them in their endeavors."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Sons of Italy Lodge makes animal welfare donation

CRESTVIEW — Shelter House now has extra support for its programs benefiting domestic violence survivors.

The Order of the Sons of Italy in America, Richard A. Capozzola Lodge in Crestview donated $1,000 to the organization.

The lodge has also pledged an additional $500 a month throughout 2016 to the organization.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Sons of Italy Lodge makes Shelter House donation

CRESTVIEW — Northwest Florida Lowe's stores will host donation drives to build up regional blood supply before hurricane season starts.

A free $10 Lowe's gift card is available for people who donate blood between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 16 and 20 at these stores:

May 16

●1201 Airport Blvd., Pensacola

●135 Business Park Road, DeFuniak Springs

May 20

●298 Rasberry Road, Crestview

●4405 Legendary Drive, Destin

●4335 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola

●774 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach

●5143 U.S. Highway 90 W, Milton

Donors will also receive a wellness check-up of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and iron count, including a cholesterol screening.

Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Photo ID is required.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida Lowe’s stores set May 16, 20 blood drives

CRESTVIEW — Thomas Gordon, of Gordon Martial Arts, recently hosted the 10th Annual Korean Martial Arts Festival.

The first day included a session on kicking, and some tips on throwing techniques.

The second day featuredthe Sine Wave, among other taekwondo moves; lessons on breathing techniques, blocks, kicks, strikes, locks and throws; a session on knife and belt techniques; and tips on various defenses for the hook punch and bar room brawl overhand right.

In addition, the day featured the Korean Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame ceremony.

2016 Hall of Fame inductees honored on stage were:

●GM Kimm, He Young — Living Legend Award

●Master Harold “Hawk” Hawkins — Trailblazer Award

●Dana Hee — Competitor Award

●Master Chris Dufour — Competitor Award

●Master Wesley Wing — Competitor Award

●Stace Sanchez — Contributor Award

The third day featured a session on takedowns and various aspects of training; a session on principles, illustrated with a couple of techniques; and some joint lock flow drills.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man hosts Korean Martial Arts Festival (PHOTOS)

FORT WALTON BEACH — A Laurel Hill woman has a minor injury following a traffic accident that involved an Okaloosa County ambulance.

A 2006 Chevrolet Impala on Tuesday was traveling southbound on Patrick Drive and an Okaloosa ambulance were traveling eastbound on State Road 188 in Fort Walton Beach, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release.

Around 12:23 p.m., the Impala turned left in the ambulance’s path, and the Impala’s right front portion collided with the ambulance’s left side, according to the release.

Pamela Spear, 33, of Laurel Hill, was driving the ambulance and received a minor injury, according to the FHP. David Mills, 29, of Arcadia, was her uninjured passenger.

Frances Scroggins, 76, of Fort Walton Beach, was driving the Impala, which received $5,000 in damage; the ambulance received $8,000 in damage, according to the FHP.

Scroggins was charged with a right-of-way violation, according to the release.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill woman injured in traffic accident involving ambulance

CRESTVIEW — Bill Barnhill recalls the days when a robust quail population brought hunters to Florida’s panhandle for national field trials.

Since then, the species has declined an estimated 85 percent in America. So when he recently hosted a quail habitat workshop, 100 people crowded into his hunting lodge eight miles northwest of Crestview to learn how to bring back the Northern Bobwhite Quail.

The reason for the decline is lost habitat. In the 1940s, coveys thrived on small farms with lots of crop field edges, hedgerows, fencerows and windbreaks.

But small fields gave way to industrial farms with large expansive fields and development consumed open native grasslands. After decades of fire suppression, undergrowth was choking out quail forage, nesting cover and protection.

Quail need forage, nesting cover and brood-rearing habitat according to wildlife biologists. Juvenile birds consume insects while adults primarily eat a vast variety of seeds augmented with plants, fruits and berries.

Quail are weak scratchers and require bare ground to pick up seeds, and chicks need overhead cover to protect them while they forage.

A mixture of bunch grasses, broadleaf plants, low woody brush, and enough bare ground to move around easily are primary components of good habitat. They provide high-protein seeds, insects, overhead coverage, warmth and protection. Plots a quarter-mile in proximity can support one bird per acre, but most populations are well below this density.

Forest owners can develop quail habitat as they manage their timber stands, especially longleaf pine. Longleaf can be burned at an early age and its canopy structure permits more sunlight to the ground. Farmers and ranchers can plant native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs along fencerows. Prescribed burning, disking and livestock grazing maintain vegetation density and promote bobwhite food plant growth.

Fifteen years ago Barnhill, a fourth-generation forest owner, started planting grasses and forbs and burning his 1,500 acres of loblolly and slash pine to create quail habitat.

Last year, he planted 110 acres in longleaf pine forest, adding to the 165 acres he planted the year before, all with technical and financial assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service through the  Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative. 

Barnhill and his father have worked with the agency more than 40 years to install conservation practices on the property.

“This has helped build the habitat, but we will need to transplant some birds to get the population to where it should be,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: This Crestview man has worked 15 years to bring back the Northern Bobwhite Quail

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