local | Crestview News Bulletin

Medical Examiner’s Office provides Crestview man’s cause of death

Written by Tony Judnich on March 7, 2025. Posted in local.

Dalton, who opened CrossFit Crestview in 2012 and retired in 2016, was found dead in his vehicle on the morning of Dec. 15 in the parking lot of Lowe’s, 298 Rasberry Road, Crestview. A city police officer who found Dalton while conducting a welfare check reported seeing “a large amount of alcoholic beverages spread throughout the car” that Dalton was found in.

Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Danielle Armstrong performed the autopsy on Dec. 16. According to the report’s “final diagnoses and findings” section, Dalton had a “clinical history of chronic ethanol use with hepatic cirrhosis.”

According to the toxicology report from the Medical Examiner’s Office, Dalton tested positive for ethanol and benzoylecgonine. Benzoylecgonine is an inactive metabolite and chemical breakdown product of cocaine, per the report.

Dalton’s manner of death was listed as natural, and contributing conditions were listed as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday provided the autopsy report to the Crestview News Bulletin, which had earlier submitted a public records request. The newspaper reported on Dalton’s death because it occurred in a public setting.

Public pool options are limited in Crestview and Okaloosa County

Written by Randy Dickson on June 12, 2023. Posted in local, Sports.

If you don’t have access to a pool through family or friends, your options are limited.

The ROC pool at Central Baptist Church in Crestview is the only public pool in North Okaloosa County. In fact, there are only three public pools in Okaloosa County; one in Crestview, one in Destin and another in Fort Walton Beach. All three pools are operated by the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation.

Brandi Hernandez, the ROC facilities manager, is gearing up for the summer.

“We are the place to be (for swimming Crestview),” she said. “We offer lap swimming, family swimming and we have (swimming) lessons. We have group lessons and private lessons.

“And then we have a couple of club teams that practice out of here as well, the Crestview Crusaders, Coast Aquatics and the Tiger Sharks.”

There are numerous challenges with being the only pool in town.

“It’s a big challenge right now,” Hernandez said. “We’re (the community) growing pretty quickly. We don’t have enough hours in the day to put in all the programs that we’d like to be able to.”

The Crusaders team is for children five and older. The Coast Aquatics is for those eight to 14 and the Tiger Sharks is a team for swimmers in the eighth grade through high school.

The pool offers aquacise classes, swim lessons and swimming opportunities. The aquacise and open/lane swimming have day and monthly purchase options.

If parents can’t afford swimming lessons, Hernandez said there are programs in place to help pay for the lessons.

Another pool in the community would definitely help meet the growing demand for swimming and other aquatic activities in Crestview.

“It would help tremendously (if the city or another organization built another public pool),” Hernandez said. “We have so many people looking for so many different water programs from masters (senior programs) to even water polo.

“We need a bigger pool for the swim teams (Crestview High and Davidson and Shoal River Middle) because they are growing. So if the city was to put a pole in for us, that would be phenomenal.”

Even as the ROC pool continues to have more swimmers taking a dip in its cool water, Hernandez still wants to get the word out to the community that swimming is available in Crestview.

“There are so many people in this town, just in Crestview alone, that don’t know that we’re here,” she said. Getting the word out that we’re here, we’re open and have swim teams is the biggest challenge we face right now.

For more information about price and operating hours at the ROC visit the website Crestview (ecfitnessfoundation.org) or call (850) 682-8199.

Pensacola film production hopes to highlight area, provide opportunity

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on September 8, 2022. Posted in entertainment, local, News.

For Elrico Tunstall, director of “Sacred Hart” and a Pensacola native, showcasing the city that shaped him has been a lifelong goal. Tunstall grew up in Pensacola and attended Escambia High School.

After high school, Tunstall spent nine years in the Army. After serving his country, Tunstall used his GI Bill to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting in film. After taking acting classes, Tunstall decided he needed to learn more and went to Los Angeles Film School.

“They taught me everything I need to know behind the camera,” Tunstall said. “How to write, how to format, how to shoot, how to produce, how to do everything. Los Angeles Film School is responsible for that.”

Upon returning to Pensacola, Tunstall went to Virginia College and earned a degree in business management. Soon after this, he created a management company called Manager of The Year. Tunstall’s company doesn’t just manage acting talent, it creates it. Most of the actors in “Sacred Hart” have taken acting classes from Tunstall and his company in Pensacola. The acting classes are called Acting Corp.

Tunstall first came up with the idea for “Sacred Hart” four years ago. He wanted to create something that had never been seen before, a drama centered on a black Pensacola family owning a hospital. The film includes dramatic elements seen in series like Grey’s Anatomy, Power, and Empire.

Once the film is out, Tunstall intends to create a series to continue to tell the story. Even though the film isn’t complete yet, it has caught the eyes of one of Hollywood’s biggest producers.

“Tyler Perry took interest,” Tunstall said. Tunstall had reached out to him through IMDb, a popular source for movie, TV and celebrities, but didn’t expect to hear anything back. During production, Perry sent him an email giving him words of encouragement and telling him he was doing great work.

While the film is nearly done, it has been a long road to get there. Tunstall started trying to make the film several years ago, even getting the backing of major figures in Pensacola, like boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.

“Right before COVID hit is when Roy came on board,” Tunstall said.

Tunstall says the pandemic grinded the progress of the project to a halt. Out of the frustration of having to change the way he wanted to make the film came opportunity. He was able to rewrite parts of the script and improve on the production from casting to crew.

Tunstall wants to shine a light on Pensacola and promote the city nationally with “Sacred Hart.” Part of shining a light on Pensacola involves highlighting area businesses that help support the community. “Sacred Hart” has filmed at several locations across Pensacola, including at businesses like Family Ty’s Good Eats and Englewood All in One.

“Being connected with local businesses is very important,” Tunstall said. “Small businesses are the backbone of any community. If we are going to showcase Pensacola, we have to show those local businesses.”

Tunstall has attempted to showcase the city and region, not only in terms of locations but the cast and crew as well.

The cast and crew are a diverse group, hailing from places like Ohio, Texas, and New York, but most are from the local area. According to Tunstall, 60 locals are in the main, or principal, cast. Part of Tunstall’s reason for filming in Pensacola is to create something that Crestview, Navarre, Milton, and Pensacola are just some of the local places being represented in the production’s cast and crew.

The actors who portray the main family, known as the Brooks family in the film, are all local. Darin Byrd, who portrays the family patriarch in the film, is originally from Milton and the others are from Pensacola.

While fictional, the actors have become like a real family.

“Anytime that we’re around each other, for our character to be very vivid, we are in character, even if we are not going to be on camera, if we’re in the room together, this is my dad, that’s my brother and that’s my mom,” Sophia Steen, who plays Dr. Sophia Brooks in “Sacred Hart” said. “That’s how we make what we do so real.”

The film, once finished, will be around 90 minutes. Tunstall hopes to have a Pensacola premiere in November. From there, the film will go onto different streaming platforms. For the cast and crew, seeing their hard work payoff is a blessing.

“These people right here, having a hand in watching them and growing with them, and to finally see us all on this stage it’s like, “yes.” It is that moment of seeing this is what it was all for,” Vincent Smith, who plays a member of the Brooks family, said.

Welcome to Crestview

Written by Staff Reporters on August 18, 2022. Posted in local, News.

Crestview is growing in a much different way. Not only is the city experiencing more residential and commercial developments, but they are also expanding their city limits. In fact, in the past three years, they have added more than 1,000 acres to the city limits. Meeting after meeting the council is approving annexations into the city limits.

We think annexation is smart growth. They are just moving the lines of the city limit and gaining a great source of revenue into the future. The only real revenue a city gets comes from taxes, including property and a half-cent sales tax. More revenue means more services, better services, more staff, a better paid staff all of which benefits the residents of Crestview. It contributes to the bottom line of the city budget. More revenues can also mean lower tax rates.

As for new development within the city limits, any new subdivisions should include a plan for assisting with infrastructure within the subdivision. Roads, stormwater drainage, greenspace, walkable neighborhoods which means sidewalks, preserving open spaces, and protecting environmental features. If each developer takes more than the dollar into consideration, knowing it will come back, we would be far better off.

We know growth is happening all around us. We know there is a housing crisis. We know affordable housing is also an issue. What we want are developers who will dip just a little into their bottom line to add back to the community. We want a government (both city and county) to start making improvements when large subdivisions are announced. We know the government doesn’t have a crystal ball, but when we first know a project is coming in, it’s time to start planning the improvements that go around the development. Otherwise, we are behind and left to be reactive to problems caused by the development.

Let’s be proactive – not reactive.

Antioch Road in Crestview closed Oct. 26-29 for railroad repairs. How to detour?

Written by archive on October 22, 2021. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — Antioch Road will be closed to through traffic Oct. 26-29.

Traffic must be detoured temporarily for those three days to allow Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad to repave its rail crossing for a smoother path for motorists.

Antioch Road will reopen for through traffic on Friday, Oct. 30. Roadside message boards are being placed at the railroad crossing so motorists have a chance to prepare.

“We are aware that Antioch Road is a significant daily route for many in our community,” said Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles. “We are looking forward to a much smoother commute upon completion of the repave.”

Detour signage will be placed to use State Road 85 and U.S. Highway 90.

More from Crestview: Former city attorney memorialized in Crestview

Northbound motorists on SR 85 at P.J. Adams Parkway are being asked to continue north on SR 85 to U.S. 90. Motorists headed south from U.S. 90 are asked to travel straight through to SR 85 instead of using Antioch Road and P.J. Adams Parkway.

Okaloosa County will leverage strategic partners, members of the community, social media platforms and roadside messaging to help keep motorists informed of the detour. The county and the city of Crestview plans in place to route emergency responders safely and efficiently.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Antioch Road in Crestview closed Oct. 26-29 for railroad repairs. How to detour?

Crestview police to hold Remembrance at the Pole ceremony

Written by archive on May 10, 2021. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — National Peace Officers Memorial Day will be observed during National Police Week in Crestview with a morning Remembrance at the Pole ceremony.

Law enforcement officers and their supporters from the public are invited to the brief ceremony, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. May 13 at Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

“It’s a time that we set aside every year to remember our local officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to honor those who go out and put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Police Chief Stephen McCosker said.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, last year’s ceremony was held in Warriors Hall for just a small gathering of those who participated in it.

This year, officers and the public will gather around the flagpole outside the Whitehurst Municipal Building for the morning ceremony, during which Crestview police officers will read the names of Okaloosa County police officers and sheriff’s deputies who gave their lives to their communities.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview police to hold Remembrance at the Pole ceremony

Friends & Neighbors

Written by archive on December 31, 2019. Posted in local, News.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friends & Neighbors

What's happening in North Okaloosa County

Written by archive on December 31, 2019. Posted in local, News.

Here is a list of upcoming events in our area.

ARTISTIC TOUR OF SPAIN: A few spots or still open in Dr. David Simmons’ art tour, “Walking in the Footsteps of Great Artists: An Artistic Tour of Spain.” The tour is May 1-13, 2020, and will visit sites like Malaga, Sevilla and Cordoba, as related to artists like Picasso, El Greco, Goya, and Dali. The tour will also visit filming locations that were used in “Game of Thrones,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” and more. It is open to anyone who would like to join, and gives NWFSC students a chance to earn Humanities credit. Email simmonsd@nwfsc.edu for more information.

RECURRING

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

TROY UNIVERSITY OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. second Wednesdays, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Get information about furthering your education, and TU bachelor and master degree programs.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall, 8209 Highway 85 N, Laurel Hill.

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: DFDC now meets 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 5 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA: Office hours at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, by appointment. Registration begins in April for summer and fall terms. UWF offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola and online. Call 863-6550 for questions or an appointment.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. www.crestviewchamber.com.

BREAKFAST SPONSORS: for 2020 sought. Contact Shannon at 682-3212.

HERITAGE MUSEUM ACTIVITIES

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is located at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso.

BOBBIN LACE & TATTERS GROUP: 1 p.m. first Saturdays at the museum.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's happening in North Okaloosa County

HELPING HANDS: North Okaloosa County services calendar

Written by archive on December 31, 2019. Posted in local, News.

PRIZE DONATIONS NEEDED: The Crestview Police Department Community Services Division accepts prize donations for the games night it has with special needs teens and adults in Crestview. Donations of bottled water, soft drinks and snacks are also welcome. Take donations to the CPD, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Meetings take place as follows.

•5-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Shelter House, 120 Woodruff Ave., Suite A, Crestview. This is a Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 683-0845.

•6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 16 Ferry Road SE, Fort Walton Beach. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 243-1201.

•Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 3590 U.S. Highway 331 S., Suite 102, DeFuniak Springs. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 362-7190.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

EMPLOY FLORIDA WORKSHOPS: 9-11 a.m. fourth Thursdays of the month at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. Learn to conduct job searches on the state system, create a resume, access labor market data for wage, job experience and education requirements for a specific occupation. Learn about Training Grant opportunities, online training courses, and the organization's virtual recruiter.

COLLEGE OFFERS ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: A Florida State University program that offers relief – free of charge – to distressed African-Americans who provide care to a loved one with dementia. It uses trained lay pastoral-care facilitators and is recruiting caregivers in North and Central Florida. ACTS 2 (African-American Alzheimer’s Caregiver Training and Support) won a $20,000 award as well. Caregivers participate in a 12-session, telephone-based skills-building and support program covering topics such as relaxation, effective thinking and problem-solving skills. Call 866-778-2724 toll free, 850-274-4945, or go to www.ACTS2Project.org for details.

SHINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a Department of Elder Affairs program, seeks volunteers to help elderly residents answer Medicare questions and resolve problems, help them make informed choices about their health insurance, save money on prescription medications and learn about their eligibility for helpful programs. There is no charge for seniors to use the program. Bilingual volunteers are also encouraged to call. Dial 1-800-963-5337 for details.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689-0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 800-203-3099, see www.seniorsvscrime.com, or email crestview@svcproject.org for more information.

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: A Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over "Services" and click "School Readiness" to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Nonprofit seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS: Help veterans attend appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS: Donations wanted for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Hours are 11 a.m. to noon every day except Sundays, which starts at 2 p.m.

•Monday, Central Baptist, 682-5525, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

•Tuesday: Our Savior Lutheran Church, 850-682-3154, 178 N. Ave., Crestview.

•Wednesday, Lifepoint Church, 850-682-3518, 400 S. Ferdon Blvd.

•Thursday, Community Christ, 850-682-7474, 398 W. First Ave., Crestview.

•Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 850-682-2835, 492 Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

•Saturday, First United Methodist Church, 850-682-2018 559 Eighth Ave., Crestview.

•Sundays, Church of the Nazarene, 850-682-7995, 395 Aplin Road.

COLD SHELTER: The Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 7 a.m. when temperatures are 40 degrees or below at 120 Dugan Ave., Crestview. 850-398-5670. Open Monday, Wed. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CASH HOURS: The Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 120 Dugan Ave., Crestview. Call 850-398-5670 for details.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 850-634-6036.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELPING HANDS: North Okaloosa County services calendar