CRESTVIEW — Officials have taken steps to discourage hunters from trespassing at the city’s sewage plant, a practice that can land offenders in hot — albeit treated — water with federal regulations.

It seems an unlikely place for hunters to stalk their prey, but the Crestview Wastewater Treatment Plant includes 275 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and wetlands.

Most of that acreage is spray fields, on which treated waste water is misted and the hay harvested, and rapid infiltration basins, ponds that clean treated effluent through percolation.

That’s a perfect environment for deer, foxes, coyotes, ducks, turkeys, “and we even have a really cool hawk that’s taken up residence,” CH2MHill project manager Jayne Swift said.

FEDERAL PROTECTION

Swift, whose company manages the plant that contracts with the city, said hunters occasionally cut the fence surrounding the property or break through the gate.

“They get in there because they know there are animals in there,” Swift said. “We want to get the word out that this is not a place that people can hunt. It’s a protected place, and they’re trespassing.”

Trespassers get in trouble not just from violating “no trespassing” signs, but because the plant falls under Department of Homeland Security regulations.

“It’s a nice little sanctuary but there’s no hunting allowed here,” Swift said. “People need to realize if they cross that fence line, they’re under federal regulations. It’s a federal offense.”

DETERRANTS

Sometime Jan. 10, trespassers removed an access gate from its hinges in an attempt to enter the facility, Swift said.

Crestview Public Works Director Wayne Steele said hunters have not been as prevalent lately as in past years.

“We’ve had problems before, a few years ago, but we haven’t had many problems last year or this year,” he said.

Still, Swift said, CH2MHill is taking steps to ward off potential problems with hunters in 2016.

“One of the things we’re considering doing is put up game cameras,” she said.

“We're definitely going to do something because I get tired of fixing the fence.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview officials warn: no hunting at sewage plant

CRESTVIEW — Nearly 30 residents marched in honor of late civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday morning, culminating in a ceremony at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial.

For Crestview natives such as Annie Lewis Wright and Daniel Hart, the events reflected many changes they have seen in their hometown.

“I grew up here in the ‘60s,” Hart said. “I remember going to the Fox Theater and the blacks had to sit up in the top (balcony). And there was black and white water fountains.”

Wright said King’s works have meaning if people strive to attain them all year long.

“It’s good if you keep it up,” she said. “But sometimes you have the one big day and that’s it.”

The march and ceremony, themed “My Life Matters” this year, is annually organized by the Concerned Citizens group. Master of ceremonies, Carver-Hill Memorial and Historical Society President David Wheeler, echoed Wright’s sentiments.

“We pause in our daily lives to remember the life and accomplishments of Dr. King,” he said. “This is a day on, not a day off.”

Nearly 50 people attended the ceremony, during which Crestview Mayor David Cadle proclaimed a “Day of Celebration and Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King in the city of Crestview” and encouraged residents to “honor his legacy by being of service to others.”

The Rev. Darryl Hooks of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church was guest speaker.

“We should not take this moment lightly,” Hooks said. “Dr. King effected change. What change will you effect in 2016?

“Everything the civil rights movement stood for in the 1960s, we are the recipients of the blessing. But there is still work to be done.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview residents celebrate Martin Luther King's legacy (VIDEO)

A steep discount on your monthly cable bill? This may sound like a great way to save money, but it could be the set up for a scam. Con artists are impersonating cable companies and taking advantage of subscribers' eagerness to save money.

How the scam works:

You get a call, and it's someone claiming to be a representative from your cable provider's "loyal rewards" program. The caller offers you a significant discount on your monthly cable and/or service.

For $80 per month, you can get phone, broadband Internet, and the premium cable channels. This package would typically run subscribers well over $100/month. 

Of course there's a catch! You need to pay for six months of the discounted rate upfront. And this "representative" doesn't take credit cards, only pre-paid debit cards. Using one of these cards is as

untraceable as paying in cash. 

According to BBB Scam Tracker reports, lately con artists are impersonating Comcast, but they will likely move on to other cable providers as the scam expands. Also, reports say that scammers frequently

have personal information about targets, such as address, phone number and current level of service, making this con very believable. 

Tips to avoid a utility scam: 

Cable companies aren't the only utilities that scammers impersonate. Watch out for variations involving electricity, gas and other bills. 

• Prepaid debit cards are a red flag: If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card or wire transfer, this is a huge warning sign. Your utility company will accept a check, credit card or online banking transfer. 
• Don't cave to pressure to pay immediately: If you feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real representative. 
• Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or reported a problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida BBB: Beware of Comcast bill slash scam

Drivers can expect construction-related traffic disruptions on these Okaloosa and Walton County state roads: 

I-10 resurfacing: Intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane closures from the Santa Rosa County line to east of County Road 189 (Holt Exit) — 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 through Thursday, Jan. 21. The speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph in the active work zone.    

U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge, Walton County: Alternating lane closures across the Clyde B. Wells Bridge — 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16; Tuesday, Jan. 19; and Friday, Jan. 22.

State Road 187 (U.S. 331 North), Walton County: Southbound lane closure from County Road 2A south to C.R. 2, near Paxton — 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.

U.S. 98, Walton County: Westbound lane closure, 3 miles east of County Road 395 — 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22.   

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4 Okaloosa and Walton traffic disruptions to expect

The Hub City Lakers Amateur Athletic Union boys basketball team is planning tryouts for sixth- through 10th-graders. Fifth graders will be accepted if their skills are up to par.

Tryout sessions are Saturday, Jan. 30 at Richbourg School, 500 Alabama St., Crestview.

Start times have not been set, and depend on how many grade levels sign up.

According to the team's Facebook page, the Hub City Lakers basketball organization's mission is to provide a safe environment for kids to learn not only basketball, but life lessons to help them become successful members of society.

Last year's team took home wins in the 2015 Comet Shootout and the 2015 Out of the Box Sports Panhandle Classic Champions.

For more information contact Coach David Loggins at 376-6212, lakerbasketball2014@gmail.com or visit the team Facebook page, www.facebook.com/aauhclakers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview boys basketball team schedules tryouts

If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name, daytime phone number and info about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

1 ATTEND CRESTVIEW MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MARCH: The Concerned Citizens of Crestview group's MLK celebration starts with a march to the Okaloosa County Courthouse, followed by a ceremony. Lineup is 9:30 a.m. Jan. 16 at the corner of Lloyd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview.

2 VISIT THE CARVER-HILL MUSEUM: The museum honors the history of the local African-American community and is the only one of its kind in Okaloosa County. Admittance is free, and hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

You may also visit the Carver-Hill museum website.

3 ATTEND THE FLORALA MLK CELEBRATION: featuring Crestview Rev. Edwin Stallworth. The program is 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 at 22507 Sixth Ave., Florala.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 THINGS TO DO IN HONOR OF MLK DAY

Editor's Note: This is the first installment of our new weekly feature, "Everybody Has a Story, which ensures everyone — not just newsmakers you'd expect — has a chance to appear in the News Bulletin.

Do you know a North Okaloosa County resident who's never in the News Bulletin and has an interesting story? Email tips to news@crestviewbulletin.com with the subject line "EHAS tip."

LAUREL HILL — In the late 1990s, when Maj. Gen. Robert “ChedBob” Chedister had just one star, a junior officer asked if he could share his philosophy on raising his sons.

“I sat down and thought, ‘Sheesh, I should probably write some notes down,’ because all I had done is verbal discussion on how to raise kids,” Chedister said. “When I started doing that, I realized it’s not just about raising kids but about how to be a leader in my own life. I started writing them down.

"I ended up with about 25 or 26 things on the list.”

Over the years, Chedister would pull out the list — “I still have the original hand-written list,” he said — and refer to it when asked to give an address or speak before civilian or military groups.

“You know, I tell stories all the time,” Chedister said. “I have almost every speech I ever wrote or gave. I have boxes of these speeches. I started using this ‘Things I Believe’ list and I would tell stories about the things on the list.”

When his pastor was out of town last fall, Chedister took some of the “beliefs” and used them for a guest sermon.

“I like to speak only for a short period of time,” Chedister said. “I try to tell just three points. I started using that ‘Things I Believe.’ I’d pick it up and choose three points to introduce my three things.”

Chedister’s life and military service experiences form the basis of his speeches. Incidents range from the time the joystick of a fighter jet he was piloting came off in his hand, or how he almost died and spent months in a coma following a red ant bite.

“I’ve got probably 200 or 300 stories that I tell and I can relate to ‘Things I Believe” for every story,” Chedister said. “I used it on my kids, I used it in the Air Force, I used it in church.

"And that’s how I use it and how I still use it.”

By Maj. Gen. Robert Chedister, U.S. Air Force, retired

●Tell the truth. Your word is your bond

●Never quit something you start, including a team

●Never make a promise you can’t or won’t keep

●Life is a lot like baseball: You’re not looking for perfection but to win 6/10 and bat 4/10

●You are what you eat

●Treat like you’ve been treated

●It’s better to have tried and failed than not try

●Ask for forgiveness, not permission

●Showing up, consistency and dependability are better than talent

●Be an optimist and act hopeful

●Stand for something

●Have a plan

●Kids’ No. 1 job is school, No. 2 is scouts, No. 3 is sports and No. 4 is play

●Always back up your spouse

●When one kid does bad, punish both. Make the kids mad at you, not each other

●Do things as a family; include the grandparents

●When things go wrong (they will), bounce back

●Praise in public; criticize in private

●Never go to bed mad at the wife or kids

●Hug and tell them you love them a lot (unconditionally)

●Give out too many medals and thanks

●Expect the best; accept a good try

●Boy Scouts is a must: it’s structured, offers involvement and leadership training

●Talk about tough issues often and early, like at dinner

●Help people grow, learn, get better, achieve, promote

●Give good feedback

THINGS I BELIEVE

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill man, former Eglin AFB commander shares his philosophy

VALPARAISO — “Rural Electrification,” a traveling exhibit celebrating the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative's 75th anniversary, is open through Jan. 22 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

The exhibit — which includes artifacts such as household items used in the days before and after electrification — originally was scheduled to end Jan. 15.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Admission costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military, and $3 for children. Museum members and children under 4 get in free.

In August 2015, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative marked 75 years of providing electricity to rural Okaloosa and Walton, as well as portions of Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Valparaiso museum's rural electricity exhibit extended

CRESTVIEW — the Greater Federation of Woman's Clubs Crestview group is hosting Sunday dinner fundraisers to support club projects.

The next one is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the group's clubhouse, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. 

Another Sunday dinner of turkey with all the trimmings is scheduled March 13.

On Saturday, March 5, the group will host a dinner celebrating Crestview's centennial. An old fashion dinner (more information at a later date) will be served. Two seating times are available, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold in advance.

This press release has been edited to correct dinner information for the Crestview Woman's Club. Food items being served at the Sunday dinners has not been finalized and will be added to this notice at a later date. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Woman's Club group sets Sunday and centennial dinners

PENSACOLA — The Better Business Bureau Foundation serving Northwest Florida is looking for businesses and charities to participate in its 11th annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics program.

Businesses may self-nominate or be nominated by others.

The Torch Award publicly recognizes businesses and charities that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical manner.

BBB accreditation is not required to enter; however, applicants must be physically located within the organization's 14-county service area.

Charities must have participated in BBB|Northwest Florida’s Charity Review Program within the last two years.

All nominees will be contacted by BBB for an on-site visit. This provides an opportunity for entrants to showcase the ways they incorporate ethics and integrity into their business practices.

The BBB Foundation will also award the Customer Service Excellence Award to individuals who go above and beyond in their customer service activities, as well as the Student Ethics Scholarship to high school students who demonstrate leadership, community service and overall personal integrity.

The application deadline for all awards is 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31. For entry forms and guidelines, visit bbb.org/nwfl/TorchAward, or call 850-429-0002 or 800-729-9226.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last call to nominate Northwest Florida business, charities for Torch Award