FORT WALTON BEACH — The Emerald Coast Association of Realtors board of directors has selected A. Keith Dean as its new leader.

Dean has 15 years' experience in association management, most recently serving as the Tallahassee-based Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association's executive director. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a post-graduate degree in accounting from Florida State University.

Dean will take the CEO post, effective Oct. 19.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Association of Realtors announces new CEO

Air Force Airman 1st Class James E. Horne Jr. has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, 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. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Horne, the son of James E. and Rewa C. Horne of Crestview, is a 2015 Crestview High School graduate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Horne, Crestview High graduate, completes basic military training

Army Maj. Meeshack R. Lee has graduated from the Army Inspector General Course at Fort Belvoir, Fairfax, Va.

The three-week course is required for all soldiers and civilians selected to serve as Army inspectors general.

Lee, the son of Gloria Paris and Vernon Lee of Crestview, is a 1998 Crestview High School graduate. He earned a master's degree in 2015 from Webster University, Fort Leavenworth, Mo.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man graduates from inspector general course

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — Veterans can get flu shots at any Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System facility.

Veterans visiting the Eglin Community Based Outpatient Clinic can receive a flu shot during any upcoming primary care appointment, or they can walk in from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Flu shots available for eligible military veterans

CRESTVIEW — My Safe Place Pet Rescue, a nonprofit organization, has scheduled these animal adoption events:

●10 a.m. Oct. 10, Ace Hardware, Crestview

●8 a.m. Oct. 17 yard sale, across from Northview Plaza, 789 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview

●10 a.m. Oct. 31, Fall Festival booth, Main Street, Crestview.

Download a pet adoption application at http://bit.ly/1OoNGTx, or a foster care application at http://bit.ly/1N2kyQe, and send to MSPPR, 4267 Harielson Road, Crestview, FL, 32539, or email to admin@mysafeplacepetrescue.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 Crestview pet adoption events scheduled this month

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Oct. 8, Crosspoint, portable 3, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. Meets every Thursday, excepting holiday.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

NORTH OKALOOSA REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. Oct. 13, Hideaway Pizza, 326 N. Main St., Crestview. norcoffl@outlook.com or 758-6706.

GOVERNMENT ISSUES COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Guest speaker: Council member JB Whitten.

RECURRING

KNITTING & CROCHET GROUP: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Crestview Public Library. Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com.

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

BEGINNERS' TRIBAL BELLYDANCING CLASSES:6 p.m. Wednesdays, Senior Activity Center, 205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Teacher: Sweet Magnolia Tribal Belly Dance co-director Valorie Rossi, www.fcbd.com.

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, South Crestview, in portable 3, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway,  Crestview. For people hurting from the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER GROUP: 2-4 p.m. Thursdays, TBD. Listen or play; beginners welcome. 682-3165.

EMERALD COAST PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING GROUP: 4-6 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Crestview JobsPlus One-Stop Center, Wilson Street, Crestview. For job seekers with a bachelor's degree and two years’ professional work experience, or more than eight years’ professional, managerial or supervisory experience. Registration: email a resume and cover letter to ecp@careersourceow.com, or visit careersourceokaloosawalton.com.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Dorcas Fire Station No. 42 on Deer Creek Road. Call 537-9456 for details.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: second and fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

FREE LINE DANCE LESSONS: 7-8 p.m. Fridays, American Legion Post 75 lounge, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Followed by live band music from 8 p.m. to midnight. 689-3195.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

LAPSIT: 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays in the Crestview Public Library's Story Room. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. For children under age 3 and caregivers. Check the library's calendar, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, for exact dates and themes.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children at least 3 years old can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft to take home.

BEGINNER KNITTING: 6-7 p.m. Mondays by appointment, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Crestview library card required. Call 682-4432 to schedule.

AGAPE SQUARES: 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, 214 S. Partin Drive, Niceville. Square dancing, $3 per person.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview. Details: Richard, 398-6620. Fort Walton Beach/North Okaloosa website: www.fwb-area-aa.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

BAKER BLOCK MUSEUM: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on third Saturdays, or by appointments, 1307B Georgia Ave. Free admission. The museum has exhibits, pioneer buildings from the 1800s and a research library with historical documents. 537-5714.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

LAPSIT: 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays in the Crestview Public Library's Story Room. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. For children under age 3 and caregivers. Check the library's calendar, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, for exact dates and themes.

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL: noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Ryan's Restaurant, 3000 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. Members give each other quality business referrals for increased financial success. Business persons welcome to visit. Details: President Joe Faulk, 682-8844 or 217-1370.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

NORTH OKALOOSA REPUBLICAN CLUB:  6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Hideaway Pizza, 326 N. Main St., Crestview. Dutch treat dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meeting at 7 p.m. New members and interested persons may attend. official business: norcoffl@outlook.com. Club president Jeremiah Hubbard, jeremiah.hubbard@gmail.com or 758-6706.

NAVARRE OCEAN WAVES SQUARE DANCERS: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Holley/Navarre Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, Navarre. $4 per person.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 12 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays at Hideaway Pizza, 326 N. Main St., Crestview. B.J. Thomhave, 682-2012.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. This month's poetry starter: Rules are rules. http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library/programs.php.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Holiday Inn Express, 125 Cracker Barrel Road, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

 STRICTLY WEAVERS MEETINGS: monthly, TBA. Alice, 934-4403.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GATHERINGS: Northwest Florida group meetings announced

LAUREL HILL — The Oct. 3 Laurel Hill Hobo Festival drew a number of residents to Gene Clary Park.

Despite gray skies, visitors got their faces painted, played in bounce houses and on inflatable slides, perused the history booth, enjoyed a variety of food, met Sparky the Fire Dog, and clapped along to home-grown entertainment.

“All the food smells were wonderful,” resident April Tucker said. “The slide was so much fun and it was fun watching the face-paint artist.”

“I wanted to stay longer but I had company coming,” Martha Gibson, Tucker’s mother, said, adding she enjoyed looking at the Baker Block Museum’s display of area historical photos.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill Hobo Festival draws a crowd (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Children in Crisis has extra support for its programs benefiting at-risk children.

The Emerald Coast Foundationdonated $35,000 — proceeds from its ECF Boat Week and Poker Run — to the nonprofit organization.

"The support by the Emerald Coast Foundation really made a difference in the lives of our at-risk children," Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said. "2015 has been a tough year for finding the necessary funds to provide a home to our children at the CIC Neighborhood, and their support will help us to stay open and operating."

The CIC Neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach provides emergency shelter for children removed from an unsafe environment on short notice, and offers housing to help with foster home shortage.

Learn more at www.childrenincrisisfl.org or call 864-4242.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Foundation donates $35K to Children in Crisis

BAKER —  Gary Williams, resource officer at Baker School, says the Baker homecoming parade this week is expected to cause 30- to 45-minute traffic delays Friday.

The parade is 4 p.m. Oct. 9. Its route starts on 14th Street in front of the school, turns north on Highway 4 to the traffic light, turns east on Georgia Avenue to Buckward Road, then turns south on Buckward before ending at the back entrance of the school.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker School homecoming parade will impact Highway 4 traffic this week

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County representatives welcome Maruti Fleet & Management as the local transit system’s new operator.

The Maruti team — which has a five-year contract — plans to work alongside riders to identify the system's immediate needs. This will result in addressing core concerns, which could include route modifications, trip planning features or bus frequency changes, according to a news release.

Later, the team will expand the system into a more regional service, providing public access to major points throughout the area.

The 300-employee company — which has offered transportation services to citizens across Florida and Texas since 2004 — annually provides more than 3 million passenger trips.

Visit www.rideoct.org or call 833-9168 for more information about Okaloosa County transit routes and services.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County hires new transit operator