CRESTVIEW — Bel Aire Terrace Apartments will host the April Business After Hours for the Crestview Chamber of Commerce.

Area residents and companies may attend for hors d'oeuvres, games and networking from 5-6:30 p.m. April 14 at the apartment clubhouse, 100 Bel Aire Drive, Crestview.

For more information, call 423-6980 or visit www.BelAireTerrace.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Chamber Business After Hours is April 14

CRESTVIEW — A number of Gordon Martial Arts students have earned promotions in taekwondo and hapkido.

Roughly 120 students as young as 4 years old, and others into their 50s, celebrated their achievements April 8 at the Crestview Community Center. 

Belts and certificates were presented, with congratulations to the two newest black belts — Kurtis Lynch, who successfully tested for first degree, and Jeffery Lovretich, who tested for second degree.

During the March 30-31 testing period, taekwondo students in groups of six to eight demonstrated a prearranged set of movements. They later joined a partner to display self-defense moves against common strikes and grabs.

Students also answered questions about taekwondo history, curriculum specifics and the meaning of martial arts tenets. Tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.

Intermediate level taekwondo students also wore red padded safety gear and sparred with classmates, demonstrating a higher level of proficiency as they've progressed through the belt system.

In addition to sparring, advanced level students broke boards to demonstrate power. 

Hapkido students paired off with students of similar size and ability to demonstrate joint locks, takedowns and throws.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gordon Martial Arts students earn promotions, celebrate achievements

UNIVERSITY PARK, Penn. — U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Bryan Smith, a Crestview native, has earned the 2016 Penn State Outstanding Adult Student Award.

The senior, who majors in criminology, received a Penn State diploma case and a $500 grant from the Adult Learner Opportunity Fund. Leslie Laing — Penn State’s assistant director of Adult Learner Programs and Services in Student Affairs — established the fund to aid non-traditional-age students and veterans juggling financial and family responsibilities while earning an undergraduate degree.

Smith is an ideal candidate, Laing said.

“Bryan courageously serves his country, his campus and our community,” she said. “He has bravely faced personal, financial and professional obstacles while pursuing his educational goals, and yet makes time to mentor other students.”

Smith, a married father of two young children, serves as an adviser and trainer in the Navy ROTC program and is a volunteer in the State College community.

He said balancing family, career and class work can be a challenge — “first and foremost, I would not be able to balance anything without the support of my wife,” Smith said — and “there are many times (when) I don’t necessarily get the sleep I need, but that’s where I think being a Marine is useful.”

He deployed for two years in Iraq before the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program accepted him. The program allows Smith to remain on active duty while enrolled full-time at University Park. Upon completing his degree, he will be a commissioned second lieutenant.

“I hope to continue serving in the Marine Corps until retirement while also pursuing a master’s degree and ultimately a doctorate,” Smith said. “I know this is going to be difficult, but I enjoy being challenged.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview native, U.S. Marine named Penn State Outstanding Adult Student

NICEVILLE — An Okaloosa-Walton CareerSource open house and reception is scheduled as Northwest Florida State College Career Center relocates to the Student Activities Center on the Niceville campus. The event is also to welcome a CareerSource employee who starts working at the campus Monday, April 18.

The open house is 10 a.m. to noon in the Career Center, building 410 at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd. E.

Attendees may register to win a $100 shopping spree at the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore on the Niceville campus.

CareerSource offers job seeker services, career counseling, employment search workshop, assessment training and more.

NOTE: This article was updated to include the reason for the open house information. This is not an actual job seeker event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF State sets April 20 CareerSource open house

TROY, ALABAMA — A Crestview resident recently took part in a production of the musical "Violet" presented by the Troy University Department of Theatre and Dance April 6-10 at the Trojan Center Theater on the Troy Campus.

Shelby Steverson was part of the ensemble for the production, which showcased the talents of student actors, singers and dancers, and told the dramatic story of a young woman on a cross-country bus trip in search of a TV preacher to heal her scarred face.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident takes part in April 6-10 Troy University production

CRESTVIEW — Eastbound U.S. Highway 90 traffic over the Yellow River in Okaloosa County will be transitioned to the newly constructed eastbound span.

The shift starts at 6 p.m. April 14, and drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions throughout the day as crews make preparations for the shift.

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.

Note: This event has been rescheduled due to inclement weather. See http://bit.ly/1YweBQ9.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Traffic shift over Yellow River Bridge set April 14

CRESTVIEW — On April 11, 1916, the city of Crestview was officially established. This Saturday, the city marks the event with a giant birthday cake and groundbreaking for Main Street’s newest landmark.

Held in conjunction with the Spanish Trail Cruisers Club’s annual Average Joe Car Show, the Centennial Birthday Party marks the end of the city’s first century.

During the festivities, a groundbreaking is planned for the new Crestview courthouse, which, if the current projected schedule holds true, will open 100 years after the original brick courthouse.

The new building honors the original with such elements as a grandly columned entry portico, a Main Street entrance, and side wings with hipped roofs. It was designed with input from the Crestview Historic Preservation Board.

Thousands of motorists daily pass the site of Crestview’s establishment as they head north on State Road 85 and descend the railroad overpass near downtown.

An oak tree on the right side of the down slope sheltered the gathering of community leaders and voters on what was originally the grounds of the Congregational Church and is today Casey Electric.

Following a notice published in the Okaloosa News, citizens of Crestview gathered at the Congregational Church—which served as City Hall after the city’s establishment—“for the purpose of voting on the question of and incorporating the Town of Crestview.”

The town’s first meeting was held a week later with W.R. White as the first mayor, Dr. DeLacy as town clerk, and aldermen C.H. Griffith, L.E. Bowers, W.G. Wallace, Dr. E.R. Marshburn and J.W. Bowers. W.A. Douglas was town marshal.

The new council didn’t waste any time looking for ways to tax its new citizens and asserting its authority.

Discussion topics at the first meeting included securing a list of taxable property. The council appointed both the Bowers and Marshburn “to get up ordinances.”

Cleaning up the streets and beautifying the town were also suggested, according to a record of the proceedings filed with the clerk of Circuit Court of Okaloosa County and quoted in “Crestview: The Forkland.”

—

What: Crestview Centennial Birthday Party; new courthouse ground-breaking

When: 11 a.m., April 16

Where: Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial Plaza, Main Street at Courthouse Terrace

Notes: Free birthday cake for all marks Crestview’s official birthday party Saturday.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's 100th birthday celebration includes courthouse groundbreaking, cake

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Crestview are planning a Financial Youth Summit.

The event will focus on how youths can secure their future through smart financial management.

The summit — free and open to people ages 15-21 — is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon May 14 at the church, 285 Duggan St.

Reservations are required by April 30. Reserve your individual or group space by calling 496-1565 or 262-9563.  

Refreshments will be served.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NAACP, Crestview church schedule May 14 financial youth summit

CRESTVIEW —Team Phenom-Crestview 10U is looking for two strong players to round out its summer roster for the late May through July season. Practice is twice a week and the team plays two or three tournaments a month.

A spokesperson for the team, which is part of the Crush Baseball Club of Crestview, said, "Looking for dedicated players and just as dedicated parents who live in or around Crestview and surrounding areas in North Okaloosa.

"Fundamentals and hard work will be what team is based on. We are very family oriented and have the lowest fees in the area. More emphasis is placed on player development than winning at all costs."

To set up a tryout or for details, email crestviewcrush@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview 10U team seeks two more baseball players

CRESTVIEW — The Carver-Hill Memorial & Historical Society Inc. is hosting a Mother's Day tea and luncheon.

Guest speaker is Bobbie Hill-Ponder, and the theme is "Who Is My Mother?" The free event is noon May 7 at the Carver-Hill Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview.

Attendance is free, but reservations are required by April 30. Call 682-4003 to reserve your seat.

For more information, contact Darlene Jenkins, 360-6260, or Carolyn Ferguson, 973-432-4829.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Carver-Hill group plans Crestview Mother's Day tea, luncheon