CRESTVIEW — The Oscar E. Wilson American Legion Post 75's general membership has elected Lydia Benoit as their new commander.

Benoit, an electronics technician at Lockheed Martin, has served 17 years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft maintenance technician.

While enlisted, she was a member of the Dover Air Force Base Honor Guard in Delaware, performing military honors at funerals and parades. She was selected Honor Guard of the Quarter at Dover AFB, where she met and married her husband, Mark.

In addition, the Airlift Rodeo Competition Team named her its lead electro-environmental systems technician at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

Benoit’s legion membership began seven years ago; she helped plan and organize several post events, which led to serving as post adjutant and post finance officer for the past three years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: American Legion Post in Crestview names new commander

CRESTVIEW — Air Force Airman Jayson L. Shaffer graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas.

He completed eight weeks' training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Basic training graduates earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Shaffer is the son of Novalene and James Shaffer of Crestview, and the grandson of Doris Shaffer of Hiltons, Virginia, and Cleo Worley of Crestview. His aunt and uncle are Sherry and Tony Shaffer of Hiltons, and his siblings are James Shaffer and Kaila Shaffer.

He is a 2011 Crestview High School graduate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man completes Air Force training

PENSACOLA —  The Tucking Kids in Safe, Sound and Dry Pajama and Diaper Drive is Oct. 5-16 in Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

All sizes of diapers and new, never-worn pajamas, infant through adult for larger children, will be collected for children removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

Cozy pajamas can help ease distress and promote a sense of security for children when they must be separated from their families, according to social workers.

FamiliesFirst Network of Lakeview Center, which provides foster care and related services for children who cannot safely remain with their families, is leading the initiative.

 Contact Terri Marshall, FFN foster home development and foster parent recruiter, at 453-7777 or 429-6667, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pajama, diaper drive to benefit abused, neglected children across Okaloosa, three other counties

CRESTVIEW — A fundraiser for the Exchange Club of Crestview is scheduled for October.

Steak dinners will be for sale 5-7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Crestview Woman's Club, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview.

Meals include a grilled ribeye steak cooked to order, baked potato with butter and sour cream, cream, tossed salad and dessert. Get order to go or dine in. The dine-in meal includes tea, lemonade or water.

Cost is $15 per person. Purchase a ticket by contacting an Exchange Club member; Liezele Wtulich, 586-5029; or Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

Club members exchange ideas on how to better serve their communities. 

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/ExchangeClubOfCrestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Exchange Club of Crestview hosts steak dinner fundraiser

Area businesses are receiving calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power and demanding payment — otherwise, they say, electric service will be cut off.

Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, but the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent days.

Gulf Power advises customers that:

 •Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.

•Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence or business.

•All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.

Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Telephone scams targeting Gulf Power customers

All Okaloosa County Water & Sewer offices will close at noon Sept. 30 for the end of the fiscal year. They will reopen the following day at 8 a.m. The ability to pay online or by phone will also be unavailable until 10 a.m. Oct. 1.

For details, call 311, the Okaloosa Citizens Information line.

Okaloosa County Water and Sewer accept payments in person, by phone and online.   Check or credit card payments can be made 24 hours a day through phone by calling 651-7171 or using our on line payment service at http://www.okaloosaws.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Water & Sewer offices set one-day closure

FORT WALTON BEACH — Area residents who can no longer care for their exotic pets are invited to surrender them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for adoption in October.

Reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates may be turned in free of penalty or fine. Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, will not be accepted.

The turn-in period for Exotic Pet Amnesty Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3, in front of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach.

Animals will be available for adoption after 2 p.m. Exotic pet adopters must registered by Sept. 28 to participate. They must be experienced and must have already applied and been approved by the FWC prior to the event. Potential adopters need to bring their acceptance letters with them. Adopter applications available at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives. Becoming an adopter is free, but people are required to register a minimum of five days prior to the event to adopt an animal. FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline: 888-483-4681. Exotic pet owners who cannot attend this event may call this number for assistance in finding a new home for their animal.

Park admission is not included, but for each animal surrendered, individuals will receive two free admission passes to the Gulfarium. For more information about Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, call 243-9046.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Fish and Wildlife commission, Gulfarium host pet amnesty in Fort Walton Beach

CRESTVIEW — Elks Lodge 2624's first Fall Craft Extravaganza is 9-4 p.m. Oct. 3 at 1005 S. Pearl St.

"We will have vendors of both homemade items and direct sales helping you get ready for all the fall festivities coming up!" a spokesperson said.

The lodge sponsors local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and the Emerald Coast Young Marines.

It also offers scholarships and financial aid for college and veterans services.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Elks Lodge hosts Fall Craft Extravaganza

MILTON  — Panhandle Community Theatre will present "Don't Touch that Dial," a variety show with a cast that includes three Crestview residents.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. nightly Sept. 24-27, and the Sunday matinee is 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Historic Imogene Theatre, 6866 Caroline St., Milton.

Tickets are $15, or $12 for the Sept. 24 "Low-Dough" show. Order at 221-7599.

Singers, dancers, musicians and comedy skits will portray acts from the "Jerry Springer," "CSI," "The Dating Game," "Friends," "Little Rascals," "The Flintstones," "The Andy Griffith Show," "How the West Was Won," "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Muppets," "The Addams Family," "Fairly Odd Parents," "I Love Lucy," "The Cleveland Show," "Jimmy Neutron," "South Park," "Walking Dead," "Mr. Ed," "Mission Impossible," "Happy Days," "Big Bang Theory," "The Jeffersons," "Three’s Company" and "Dukes of Hazzard."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Don't Touch that Dial' features three Crestview performers