CRESTVIEW — It's no secret that Northwest Florida state, county and city representatives, and residents, are excited about the possibilities of passenger rail returning to the area. 

SouthernRail Commissioner Knox Ross testified at a U.S. Senate Commerce committee hearing this week to further express support. 

He made the case on behalf of communities along the Gulf Coast for the funding and appropriations of the two discretionary grant programs created within the FAST Act.

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program and the Restoration and Enhancement Grants program would provide funding for capital and operating costs to advance passenger rail projects. 

Ross said, “For our Gulf Coast region to prosper, we must have a transportation system that provides options for residents to connect to opportunity in our region and beyond. Sadly, because of the loss of essential air service for some and the imminent threat of loss of service for others, our options are getting increasingly limited. But that doesn’t have to be.

"Passenger rail service is an option that can help us grow our economy by attracting and retaining talent, bringing new tourists in to visit, and connecting our residents to jobs and opportunity.”

Ross also suggested that the future Amtrak CEO should have a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the entire national passenger railroad system and avoid prioritizing the Northeast region which is arbitrarily separated by the rail title for appropriations from other parts of the country.  

Ross called on the committee members to appoint a southern representative to the Amtrak Board of Directors to ensure geographic diversity.

The Southern Rail Commission and Amtrak hosted an inspection train trip Feb. 18 and 19 from New Orleans, La. to Jacksonville, not only to assess the improvements needed to restore passenger rail operations along the Gulf Coast, but more importantly, to also gauge community interest for return of service. 

Thousands of residents showed up at each of the 13 station stops, including Crestview, demonstrating grassroots and business support for passenger rail service restoration.  Ross showed a video from the trip during the hearing that captured the expressions of support.

The SRC recently released a study by Amtrak detailing the range of feasible service options accompanied by an analysis of ridership levels, projected revenues, and associated costs for passenger trains between New Orleans and Orlando. The models in this new study present the range of service options that will support regional economic resilience and projected population growth. 

Ross said, “The region is set to grow by 10  million people over the coming years and we need options to connect our people to opportunity, increase economic prosperity and support our thriving and culturally rich communities. And we need ways to bring more tourists to our beautiful coast to spend their money.”

The FRA recently convened a working group that will examine transportation gaps, determine the most advantageous station locations, capital needs, potential funding sources and prepare a final report to submit to Congress in September that will recommend the incremental costs for the restoration of passenger rail service from of New Orleans to Orlando.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Southern Rail commissioner makes case for passenger train's return

Here's a list of upcoming events for Crestview, Okaloosa and Northwest Florida residents.

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

CRESTVIEW — Thunderstorms are forecast across Northwest Florida from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.

The NWS expects tornadoes and wind gusts up to 80 mph, with hail reaching the size of golf balls.

Here are the latest storm-related updates:

●Okaloosa schools have re-opened and the storm has passed (8:28 a.m.)

●There is a report of a tree in the roadway on Highway 90 at Mount Olive Road.

●Standing water is on roadways for all of south end of Okaloosa County. You should avoid the roads, but if you are on them, please be careful. 

●Flash flood warning in this coverage area until 12:30 a.m. Avoid flood areas.

●Florida Highway Patrol is closing I-10 from milemarker 17 to mm 43 due to a possible tornado. Stay home and off the roads.

●A tornado warning is in effect until 10 p.m.

●A tornado warning is in effect for Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. Take shelter immediately. (8:14 p.m.)

●Severe Thunderstorm Warning includes Fort Walton Beach, Wright area until 8:30 PM CST

●Community of Christ Church at 398 West First Avenue in Crestview will open a rain shelter at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

●Northwest Florida State College officials have canceled all classes, offices and campus activities. Campus activities will resume Wednesday morning.

●All Okaloosa County after-school activities after canceled.

●Crestview's Toastmasters International club meeting is canceled. 

●The 6 p.m. meeting of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy has been canceled.

If you have a weather update, please add it in the comments box below, and we'll add it to the story.

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State Farm offers the following weather safety tips:

●Bring outdoor furniture, potted plants, grill, garbage cans inside. Anything that can be picked up by the wind and subsequently blown against your home should be secured ahead of time.

●Move your car into the garage or some other place where it will be sheltered. If you don't have a garage, move it to higher ground, in case of flooding.

●Moor boats securely. If your boat is ashore in a jack stand, strap the boat down when possible.

●Close window shutters or protective panels.

●Organize your important papers and store them off-site, in a bank safe-deposit box or some other secure location. Your mortgage, home and auto insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, and other important papers should be in a safe, dry location that you can access even if your home is damaged.

●Create a home inventory of your possessions to expedite insurance claims after the storm and keep it with your important papers off-site. It's much easier to file a claim with an existing inventory rather than trying to create one during the stressful post-storm period.

●Put together an emergency kit of bottled water, flashlights, crank- or battery-operated radio, non-spoilable food, extra clothing, sleeping bags and blankets.

After severe weather with damage:

●Avoid driving if possible. If you have to travel, turn around if the road is flooded or blocked by debris.

●Stay away from downed power lines. Anything touching the power line can carry a charge. Report the downed line and avoid the area.

●Clean up or rope off dangerous areas. Cover hail- or wind-damaged windows with tarps and plywood until an inspector can assess the damage.

●Use caution around debris. Sharp objects, broken glass or exposed nails may cause injuries that could lead to infection.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CRESTVIEW AREA SEVERE WEATHER UPDATES

CRESTVIEW — The National Weather Service has issued weather alerts for Northwest Florida.

A wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, and an additional hazardous weather outlook is set through Wednesday morning.

Weather advisories

According to the National Weather Service website, "A wind advisory means that winds of 25-39 mph or frequent gusts of 30-39 mph are expected." This can cause "driving difficulty, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

Severe thunderstorms expected in Northwest Florida include possible tornadoes, golf ball-sized hail and extreme wind guest are expected near midnight in Florida.

Openings

The Crestview weather shelter at Community of Christ church will open about 5:30 p.m. today due to the forecast. The church is located at 398 West First Avenue, Crestview. 

Closures

Northwest Florida State College has stated that all campuses are closed today as of 4 p.m., and classes, campus activities and offices are closed as of 4 p.m. Feb. 23. Normal campus activities will resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: Crestview shelter to open, college closures set

The News Bulletin now has more options than ever for sharing your thoughts on the North Okaloosa County stories that you care about.

As of Feb. 23, Viafoura now provides the CNB's commenting services.

Up until today, only Facebook users primarily could comment on our articles. But now, readers with Viafoura, Facebook, Google, Twitter, LinkedIn, Windows Live or Yahoo! accounts can post comments.

In addition, CNB readers will have access to tools they never had before.

For instance, readers now can:

●Vote up and vote down comments

●Follow other users

●Receive instant notifications on commenting activity

●Earn badges

●Flag anything offensive or abusive

"We are excited to make this transition," News Bulletin editor Thomas Boni said. "Our web fans love to comment on their favorite stories, and we think they deserve additional, real-time recognition,  such as Editor's Pick and promotions for being trusted commenters with special privileges.

"However, please be patient. Just as Rome wasn't built in day, our new system may have some hiccups as we all get used to it. Our goal is to better serve you."

Happy commenting! 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Exciting changes for CNB Online comments

One of Choctawhatchee Electrical Cooperative's newest projects, feeder automation, makes the organization's reliability even stronger, according to a CHELCO media release.

"It brings operational and engineering analysis technology together to create a smarter electric grid, which makes our members power more reliable," the release stated.

CHELCO fully activated the feeder automation system earlier this month. North Baker, Laurel Hill West, South Glendale and North DeFuniak are the first areas to receive activation.

The technology automatically detects any disturbance that causes an outage and redistributes the power by remotely activating switches that restore power to as much of the affected outage area as possible. Not everyone will have power, but fewer members would be out of power because electricity is routed on different circuit to some of the members.  Some of the testing showed that the average time to restore power was two and half minutes.

"The feeder automation project is just one way CHELCO works for its members by maintaining the best reliability possible," CEO Steve Rhodes said. "Although this project will be implemented over the next 10 years, the benefits have already begun with the recent activations."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New CHELCO project set to improve power reliability

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless is accepting donations to purchase a bike for a homeless Crestview veteran.

Anne Sprague, the organization's president, said the bike costs approximately $150.

"He is staying in a tent behind Publix and needs the bike to be able to get to our Helping Hands building behind the First United Methodist Church. 

"He needs to come to us to do his laundry and get a shower.  He has medical issues: bad knees and hip, along with stomach cancer.  He is trying for disability," Sprague said.

If you would like to help, take a donation to Helping Hands, 428 McLaughlin St., Crestview, between 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, or contact Sprague at 826-1770 to make other arrangements.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Homeless coalition collecting bike funds for Crestview veteran

BAKER — A free quail management workshop will teach attendees ways to improve quail habitat, predator control, restocking and more.

A restoration project that can be applied to private lands will be discussed, and a tour of the Gum Creek Lodge property is also included.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 31 at Gum Creek Lodge, 5899 Buckward Road, Baker, and the workshop ends at 3 p.m.

Lunch will be served free of charge to those who register by March 25. Call Billie Clayton at 850-767-3634 5 to sign up.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker workshop to teach quail management

CRESTVIEW — Drivers will encounter these traffic disruptions as crews perform construction activities. 

Interstate 10 resurfacing: Intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane closures from the Santa Rosa County line to east of County Road 189 (Holt exit), between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 25. The speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph in the active work zone.

State Road 90: Eastbound lane closures on U.S. 90 between Summertime Drive and A.L. Gillman Road, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday Feb. 22 through Saturday, Feb. 27.

I-10 resurfacing, Walton County: Intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane closures, from just west of Boy Scout Road to just east of U.S. 331, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 through Thursday, Feb. 25. 

 I-10, Walton County: Alternating east and westbound lane closures between mile marker 74 and mile marker 90 in Walton County, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 through Thursday, Feb. 25 as crews trim trees near the roadway.  

U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge, Walton County: Alternating lane closures across the Clyde B. Wells Bridge, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 25 as crews place concrete for the new bridge.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 Okaloosa, Walton traffic disruptions to expect

CRESTVIEW —Construction on a $3.2 million roadway resurfacing project along U.S. 90 is scheduled to begin the week of Feb 22.

The 7.4-mile project will take place between Summertime Drive and east of Old River Road in Okaloosa County.

Improvements include resurfacing the roadway and paved shoulders, resurfacing the park-n-ride east of the intersection with Galliver Cutoff, guardrail upgrades at existing bridges, construction of bicycle keyhole lanes at selected locations, and safety improvements.  

The project should be completed by the summer. In the meantime, motorists can expect alternating and intermittent lane restrictions.  Lane closures will be marked with signs and cones and workers will guide traffic through the work area.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Major U.S. Highway 90 construction project scheduled