CRESTVIEW — Act4Murder, a local professional comedy troupe performing together since 2003, will be present a dinner theater show in Crestview soon.

Seating for "Peace, Love… and Murder!" is 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Samuels Roadhouse Grill, 114 John King Road, Crestview. The show starts at 7 p.m.

The $38 cost includes a three-course meal, show, tax and gratuity. 

Online reservations for all shows can be made at www.act4murder.com. VIP and gift certificates are also available online.

For more information call Act4Murder at 862-2885.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Groovy dinner theater scheduled in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — To a list of entities turning 100 years old — the city, the county, Baker School and the Okaloosa County School Board — add the Woman’s Club of Crestview.

BACKGROUND

In the fall of 1916, an organizational meeting was held at the home of Mrs. William Jasper Rice at the urging of her daughter, Carey Rice, principal and one of two teachers at Crestview Community School.

At the time, there were no civic organizations to provide charitable deeds to the new town.

“Miss Carey Rice understood the value of leadership by women to aid in civic programs,” Betty Curenton and Claudia Patten stated in their book, “Crestview: the Forkland.”

“The purpose of the club, then called the Woman’s Home Club, was to improve the homes and the civic conditions of the community,” a Woman’s Club of Crestview history states.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

No sooner was the first official meeting held in 1917, under Mrs. L.E. Bowers' presidency, than the women plunged into doing good deeds for the community.

Early accomplishments included:

●Knitting clothing for World War I doughboys

●Sponsoring Chautauqua lectures in Crestview  to support adult education

●Planting live oaks interspersed with oleander down the center of Main Street, making it a two-lane road

●Sponsoring the city’s first Memorial Day observances and selling poppies to benefit war widows and orphans

●Starting the city’s first health clinic and a county hookworm clinic, with club members aiding the county health nurse 

●Starting a lending library, leading to the women helping to organize the Okaloosa Public Library and ultimately, the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library in Twin Hills Park

●Starting a community music study program

●Establishing a scholarship for Crestview School students

●Promoting the community’s first mosquito control program

●Renting buses and covering expenses to send the Okaloosa School Band — now the Crestview High School band — to a state music festival in DeFuniak Springs

Members adopted the Woman’s Club of Crestview name in 1920, joined the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1921, and moved into a log clubhouse, a Works Progress Administration project that doubled as a community center, in 1931.

WAR YEARS

The club temporarily disbanded in 1941 to allow the school additional classroom space, but members remained no less active in the community.

With World War II's onset, their clubhouse became the local U.S.O. with the women as its sponsor. Woman’s Club members volunteered at the U.S.O. and the Red Cross.

In 1940, a club project to secure a lunchroom for Crestview School became a reality. When CHS moved in 1955 from its former location — the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and State Road 85 — to today’s Richbourg E.S.E. School, the Woman’s Club obtained the lunchroom building.

The club moved it to its present, Woodlawn Drive location, where it serves monthly, second-Sunday, home-cooked dinners for the community.

Crestview women continue to plan and promote events and programs that beautify the city, improve its livability and educate its residents, just as their predecessors did a hundred years ago. 

A lack of civic organizations led Crestview women to tackle community improvements, a role they still fulfill. These women's accomplishments include:

1918-1924: Improving adult education through local Chautauqua lectures

1919: Beautifying Main Street with trees and oleanders

1922: Sponsoring Crestview’s first public health clinic

1929: Promoting the town’s first mosquito control project

1939: Securing a lunchroom for Crestview School

1941: Sponsoring the wartime U.S.O. in Crestview, which used the Woman’s Club clubhouse

1947: Securing a traffic light for the dangerous intersection of today’s State Road 85 and U.S. Highway 90

1960: Sponsoring the organization of the Okaloosa Public Library, now the Crestview Public Library

1978: Securing the S.R. 85 railroad overpass. Woman’s Club President Ernestine Barker became the first motorist to drive over the bridge.

WANT TO GO?

What: Woman’s Club Centennial Old-Fashioned Dinner

When: March 5, seatings at 5 and 7 p.m.

Where: GFWC Woman’s Club of Crestview, 150 Woodlawn Drive

Notes: Regional southern fare served to celebrate Crestview's 100th birthday. Tickets, $10 each, are available from any Woman’s Club member, or call 683-9117. Seating is limited; reservations recommended.

WOMAN'S CLUB COMMUNITY PROJECTS; WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman's Club of Crestview celebrates 100 years

CRESTVIEW — Colleagues are celebrating a Crestview fire marshal's dedication.

Rodney Lancaster, assistant chief for fire prevention, was recognized for 20 years of service by Mayor David Cadle during the City Council's Feb. 22 meeting.

Lancaster, who has served the city for 20 years, recently completed a training course in handling explosives, Fire Chief Joe Traylor said.

“Rodney has demonstrated a desire to serve the community by improving his skills and going that extra step to learn more skills,” he said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview firefighter has 20 years of service

CRESTVIEW — Sgt. 1st Class Quinton E. Courson Jr. is retiring March 1 after 25 years of service with the United States Army. He is currently stationed with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base.

A retirement ceremony with awards is being planned for March.

Courson, a Crestview resident, is a Florida native who was born and raised in Bartow, and is a 1990 Bartow Sr. High School graduate.

He launched his career with four weeks of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1991, followed by 12 weeks of advance individual training at Fort Lee, Virginia.

At the age of 20, his first duty station was Seoul, Korea, where he served out a one-year tour. In 1992, after his Korea assignment, Courson completed five weeks of Airborne and Ranger Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington with the 2nd Battalion Ranger Regiment and remained there until 1995.

 His work led to posts in Seoul, Korea; Sinai, Egypt; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and four campaigns in Iraq, the last being in 2011 “Operation New Dawn,  where Courson was with last combat unit to leave Iraq and return home.

During his second Iraq deployment, Courson was awarded a Bronze Star that was recognized by Florida Congressman Adam Putnam in 2008.

Courson also went to Haiti as part of a five-month humanitarian effort after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010.

For his many selfless and heroic acts during his 25-year tenure, Courson's awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, one Joint Service Achievement Medal, six Army Achievement Medals, eight Good Conduct Medals, one Humanitarian Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, one set of Global War on Terrorism Expedition and Service Medals, one Combat Action Badge, and one Parachute Qualification Badge. His career includes a record for over 90 static parachute jumps from fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Family celebrating with Courson include his wife, Melody, three daughters, Whitney, Kortney, and Kyndal, and his parents, Larry and Debbie Parrish.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident, military hero sets retirement date

CRESTVIEW — Northbound traffic on State Road 85 at the intersection of S.R. 85 North and State Road 123 in Okaloosa County will encounter lane restrictions.

Closures will occur from 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 to 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 29 as crews pour a section of concrete for the flyover bridge deck.

 Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lane closures scheduled south of Crestview

VALPARAISO — Celebrating Archaeology Month, the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will feature a free presentation on “Shipwrecks of the Blackwater River” for its History Sandwiched In program.

Nicole Grinnan, from the Florida Public Archaeology Network, will present the informal lecture at noon Friday, March 11 at the museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

This lecture will describe vessels including lumber schooners, steam tugs and snapper smacks that used the Blackwater River to transport their supplies and products.

The river flows through the pine forests and fertile uplands of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. Historically, commerce along the river included shipyards, brick kilns, and lumber mills.

Bring a sandwich and take your lunch break. This lecture is free and open to the public. Call 678-2615 to reserve a seat due to limited space.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: “Shipwrecks of the Blackwater River” presentation scheduled

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.

—

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