MILTON — Santa Rosa Tea Party Patriots will meet at the Santa Rosa County commissioners’ next workshop to protest a proposed 1 percent sales tax.  

The meeting is 6 p.m. April 11 at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Center, 6495 Caroline St., Milton. Commissioners will discuss implementing the tax for 10 years to build a courthouse in downtown Milton.

Tea Party participants will gather 5:30 p.m. on the sidewalk under the flag in front of the center. They will stand on the sidewalk until time for the workshop inside the board room.

If you would like to take part in this portion of the event, and if you are against the 10-year sales tax, make a sign that says something like, "No Ten Year Sales Tax!" a spokesperson with the event said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tea Party Patriots to protest Santa Rosa courthouse sales tax

CRESTVIEW — A job fair for certified nurse assistants is scheduled in Crestview.

The fair is 1-4 p.m. April 14 at North Okaloosa Medical Center, 127 Redstone Ave. E., Suite A, Crestview.

Applicants get same-day interviews and on-the-spot job offers at the event as long as the meet the following requirements:

●possess a current Florida  CNA license

●pass a pre-employment background and drug screening

●possess their Basic Life Support certification prior to start date if selected

Applicants should apply online at www.northokaloosa.com or in person.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview hospital plans April 14 CNA job fair

CRESTVIEW — Citing local aviator Bob Keller’s recent recognition by the Lockheed-Martin Missiles and Fire Control division, Mayor David Cadle proclaimed April 7 Bob Keller Day in Crestview.

Cadle’s proclamation praised Keller for “all the work he’s done in Crestview for so many years and all the successes he’s had,” including:

●More than 30 years as an established local aviation industry leader

●Serving as a now-retired Air Force officer and pilot

●Owner of Sunshine Aero Industries Flight Testing

●Experienced entrepreneur and co-founder of the Crestview technology Air park

“Bob Keller is to be commended for his continued devotion to excellence in flight testing that positively impacts the welfare of the United States of America,” Cadle’s proclamation stated.

The proclamation also saluted Keller “for his tireless efforts in expanding and improving Bob Sikes Airport.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Mayor declares Bob Keller Day

CRESTVIEW — An Emerald Coast Orphan Care information session is being planned for people interested in foster care, local and international adoption.

The meeting is 6 p.m. April 18 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3252 James Lee Blvd. E., Crestview.

Childcare will be available for attendees who RSVP. Send an email to questions@emeraldcoastorphancare.org.

The organizations website is www.emeraldcoastorphancare.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview meeting on adoption and foster care is April 18

MILTON — The South’s land and its people serve as inspiration for Dragonfly Artist of the Month Kathy Adkison’s paintings.

The Northwest Florida native is an emerging, self-taught artist who enjoyed drawing as a child and loved art history, but never took professional courses. 

“She is a free-spirited woman with a thriving passion of art, and never ceases to amaze those around her,” a Dragonfly spokesperson said.  

Adkison, who received a BSBA degree in Business Management from the University of West Florida, did not fully realize her passion for art until she began experimenting with oil and water color. She started painting with those mediums 10 years ago with friends, and has been doing so ever since.

Adkison’s work is on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Dragonfly Gallery, 6815 Caroline St., Milton.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free-spirited Milton artist has a passion for oil, water color

MILTON — Do you have bonsai on the brain? This plant takes focus during the “Mondays in the Gardens” series’ April 25 installment at Pensacola State College’s Milton campus.

Pierre Kaufke will lead the presentation — on planting bonsai and how to care for it — beginning 10 a.m. in room 4902 in the 4900 building at the north end of campus, 5988 Highway 90.

Kaufke's interest in bonsai goes back to 1975 while he was on retreat at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, Ga. He built a bonsai collection of over 150 trees, which he sold in 2012 except for 12. These have now grown to over three dozen "research projects."

Kaufke regularly lectures on and gives live demonstrations about bonsai; he has shared his experiences with the subject in numerous articles.

Mondays in the Gardens is a free gardening program that UF Milton Gardens offers under University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners’ direction. No pre-registration is required.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PSC Milton campus sets April 25 bonsai presentation

PENSACOLA — The Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, National Park Service, and Escambia County Sherriff's Office are searching for a missing man near Pensacola.

James Bradley Gunther, 62, was reported missing by his family to Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders, at about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Gunther was piloting a sailing vessel from Gulf Shores, Alabama, to Port St. Joe, Florida, and has failed to contact the family since Saturday.

Involved in the search are:

●Coast Guard Station Pensacola 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew

●Coast Guard Station Pensacola 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew

●Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 fixed-wing-aircraft crew

●Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter crew

Gunther's 48-foot sailing vessel, named Reliant, was found anchored near Ft. McRee, Florida, but there was no one aboard.

The small white dinghy, normally with the sailing vessel, has also not been located.

Anyone with information on the missing man is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-6211.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coast Guard seeks missing man near Pensacola

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Writer's Support Group meets regularly. Members have varied expertise, are of all ages and share information and tips.

Each meeting has a discussion topic and is free to attend.

Meetings are 6 p.m. fourth Mondays at the Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive, with the next one set for April 25.

For more information, contact Tami Kidd, tamilynnkidd@gmail.com. You may also visit the group's new Facebook page, http://bit.ly/1PTRn05.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview writers support group schedules meeting

CRESTVIEW — U.S. Air Force Airman Jacob T. Cleveland graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Cleveland's parents, Michelle and Kent  Cleveland, and brother, Michael A. Cleveland, are all Crestview residents. His sister is Kimberly Cleveland of Grove, Oklahoma.

He is a 2012 Crestview Senior High School graduate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview graduate completes US Air Force basic training