CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Guardians ad Litem will host their annual remembrance program on Sunday at Twin Hills Park.

The event begins 2 p.m. at 100 Hathaway Street N. Attendees will commemorate Northwest Florida's abused, abandoned and neglected children and can learn more about Guardian ad Litem.  

The ceremony features interpretive dance by Northwest Florida Ballet students Jeilani Champion and Malika Grice; a Crestview ROTC flag ceremony; and singing by North Okaloosa resident Toni Taylor. Later, attendees will toss biodegradable flowers in the pond. Each flower represents one child in the GAL system.

The ceremony "will be completely uplifting and motivate (attendees) to know there are children who need help," Carita Smith, Guardians ad Litem recruiter, said. "The amount of time it takes to be a volunteer doesn't compare to the (benefits) of speaking up for them."

Smith hopes more people will become a voice for children in need. In Okaloosa, 175 volunteers are needed. Right now, there are 60. "Some volunteers offer to take more than one case because we are in such great need," Smith said.

North Okaloosa coverage includes Crestview, Laurel Hill, Baker and part of Mossy Head, and the agency has south Okaloosa offices as well.

GAL advocates meet with each child in the program once a month or more determine steps to take in the child's best interest, whether at home, in court or educationwise. They take medical, legal and other needs into account and address them with the GAL team, which includes the child's Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocate Manager, and a Child's Best Interest Attorney, according to the 2015 Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program Standards and website.

In some cases, the GAL functions as a mentor to the children he or she represents. "They advocate through the court, but also for their physical, emotional, educational needs and more, and give them a sense of hope," Smith said.

When asked what kinds of organizations the Guardians partner with, Smith said, "We interact with the Department of Children and Families, Families First Network, (Children in Crisis), Bridgeway.

"Kids can be placed just about anywhere. We have to work with other agencies and make sure we build that rapport with different agencies so that we can get what's needed for the best interest of the children."

What's the most important thing about volunteering?

"The best part of being a GAL, for me, is seeing the kids, interacting with the children, and knowing that I'm making an impact on their life," Smith said.

"When they can look back and say, 'You made things better for me,' I'd do it 20 times over."

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Guardians ad Litem set remembrance ceremony

NICEVILLE — The Emerald Coast Challenge Rodeo and Skills Training, an annual motorcycle skills event, is next week.

Hosted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and the Emerald Coast Blue Knights FLXXV, it is April 16-18 in the Santa Rosa Mall parking lot, 300 Mary Esther Blvd., Mary Esther.

Divisions include Motor Officer, Motor Officer Advanced, Civilian Expert and Civilian Advanced. Prizes will be awarded to the best riders, and all Motor Officers will receive a certificate for 24 hours' training.

April 16 is a practice day; the competition is April 17 and 18. Any motorcyclist may participate, but motorcycles must be as equipped from the factory and at least 1000cc.

The registration fee is $45 per competitor. Proceeds will benefit the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, which helps save and heal child abuse survivors in Okaloosa and Walton counties. In 2013, the center served 739 children, according to a media release.

During the event, the OCSO will unveil its new Motor Unit, which includes three police motorcycles provided by Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson. The vehicles will be used in traffic, law enforcement and public events.

Learn more at www.emeraldcoastchallenge.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boost motorcyclist skills, help child abuse survivors next week in Mary Esther

CRESTVIEW — Tri-County Community Council Inc. is now accepting Low Home Energy Assistance Program applications.

LHEAP funds help Okaloosa residents with home heating or cooling issues and crises.

You can apply for the program 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays at 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Bring proof of the last three months'  household income (wages, Social Security, SSI, child support, pensions and retirement); an electric or gas bill; a photo I.D. for the applicant, and Social Security cards on all family members at the residence.

Call 306-1134 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Home energy assistance applications now available

CRESTVIEW — Would you like to learn more about your ancestors?

“The Basics of Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree” begins 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, behind the Post Office in north Crestview.

"On this night we will show you how to use the Internet to search available public records from all around the world for free," an event spokesperson said. "We'll also tell you about genealogical libraries in our area that are open for public use."

Call 682-4432 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family trees take focus April 13

April is National Poetry Month, and whether you like poetry or think it always has to rhyme, we have events and activities for you.

We’ve put up a Magnetic Poetry board in the Reference section for your spontaneous poems, thoughts or verses.

April 30, for Poem in Your Pocket Day, we're passing out poems written by Okaloosa County poets and perennial snowbirds.

And in case you want to write poems, we’re posting four poetry starters each week on the library’s blog>>.

Of course, our big event is our 3rd annual Poetry Slam (6-9 p.m. April 14, Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview). 

Prizes will be awarded in two categories: middle school to high school students and college students to adults. Because last year's Poetry Slam offered standing-room only, we’ve moved the event to Warriors Hall.

So many enthusiastic sponsors have donated prizes this year that all slam participants will receive a prize, and first-, second- and third-place winners will receive some truly magical gifts.

Sponsors include the Tortoise Clinic, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Casbah Coffee Company, Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Café Bienville, Baron’s Tea House, Body B Healthy, L.J. Schooner’s, Ruby Tuesday, Pawsitively Scrumptious, Chill Yogurt, Dot Moxcey, Bayou Book Company, Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant, La Rumba, Hot Dog Shoppe, Yoga Junkie, Outback Steakhouse and Pepper’s Mexican Grill.

Esther L. Hurwitz is the Crestview Public Library's clerk.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Slam tops library's National Poetry Month events

CRESTVIEW — U.S. Gold Gymnastics Academy's team members are competing at the Level 6 state championships in Coral Springs Friday through Sunday.

See the gallery here.

They're also celebrating the USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympic Florida State Championships awards younger colleagues received March 28 and 29 at the Harborside Convention Center in Fort Meyers.

GGA placed sixth in the XCEL Gold division, and these individuals won awards:

•Aniston Conlee, 9: first place all around with a score of 36.625; first place on the uneven bars, 9.25; second place on the vault, 9.075; third place on the balance beam, 9.15; and fourth place on the floor exercise, 9.15.

•Kendall Spellings, 10: third place all around with a score of 36.65; second place on the balance beam, 9.375; fourth place on the uneven bars, 9.025; and fifth place on the vault, 9.1.

•Asheley Candelario, 11: fifth place all around with a score of 36.25;  first place on the balance beam, 9.45; fifth place on the floor exercise, 9.2; sixth place on the uneven bars, 8.95; and ninth place on the vault, 8.65.

•Riley Johnston, 10: ninth place all-around with a score of 34.575; eighth place on the uneven bars, 8.8; ninth place on the vault, 8.75; ninth place on the floor exercise, 8.7; and 10th place on the balance beam, 8.325.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gymnasts bring home state awards (GALLERY)

CRESTVIEW — Two hundred Northwest Florida senior citizens will have a more cheerful Easter.

Four assisted living facilities' residents received "Baskets of Blessings" filled with goodies throughout the week.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and Emerald Coast Hospice delivered the gifts to Crestview Manor and Silvercrest Manor in Crestview, Stanley House in DeFuniak Springs and Twin Cities Pavilion in Niceville.

Recipients were people like World War II veteran Michael Labick. "He had a whole case of medals…," said Shirley Perring, a senior registered tax return preparer.

Four years ago, event organizers just wanted to get assisted living residents necessities like toilet paper and walk-in tubs.

Since then, the deliveries have become a tradition, helping more people with each passing year.

"We started out with 35 (baskets) four years ago and now we’re up to 200," Perring said. "We also provide cakes from Publix for each of them."

The idea has spread to  Jackson Hewitt offices throughout Florida, Missouri and Oklahoma, Perring said.

A mix of the business' staffers and its clients contribute to the local effort.

"This year, I had 10 clients that gave money or brought in basket material. The first year I had two." Perring said.

Safe-Step added $100 for the cause.

The result was worth all the effort, Perring said.

"It was so nice just holding (the residents') hand and serving them cake," Perring said. "They just beam. They enjoy having us visit. It’s fun, it really is."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Assisted living residents get 'Baskets of Blessings'

CRESTVIEW — As North Okaloosa County folks awakened April 8, 1979, eastbound Louisville and Nashville Railroad freight train No. 403 rumbled through Milligan.

The five-locomotive, 114-car train slowed as it crossed the Yellow River trestle. At 8 a.m., as the engineer increased speed to climb the 5-mile upgrade into Crestview, the train’s automatic emergency brakes suddenly activated.

“Looking rearward, he saw fire near the cars near the bridge,” a National Transportation Safety Board report stated.

The NTSB determined “a combination of excessive train tonnage and improper train handling” caused a tank car to dislodge the outside rail and derail. Twenty-eight more followed.

The wreck resulted in 4,500 people evacuated, $1,258,500 in property damage, 14 injuries and chemical pollution spilling into the Yellow River.

'A BIG PLUME OF SMOKE'

Ernie Martin — now a Crestview High School educator — was a CHS sophomore living in west Crestview during the train wreck. He and his family were getting ready for church.

“We heard a loud rumble roar. It sounded like thunder but this one shook the house and shook the windows,” Martin said. “We ran outside and, as we looked around, we started seeing a big plume of smoke.

“We grabbed a ladder and climbed up on the roof. That cloud started getting big. It was different colors. It wasn’t like a black cloud from smoke.”

Of 29 derailed cars, 26 were tankers carrying hazardous liquids including anhydrous ammonia, acetone, methyl alcohol, chlorine and carbolic acid.

At 8:03, a derailed ammonia tanker exploded, blowing half the car east and the other half west, and released a vapor cloud. At 8:23, another ammonia tanker blew up.

A fire fueled by leaking acetone and methyl alcohol produced “a white mushroom-type cloud several hundred feet into the air and about 100 feet in diameter,” the NTSB report stated. The fire burned about 60 hours.

WHAT’S ON FIRE?

The Crestview Fire Department met the train’s head brakeman near the Antioch Road crossing. But the engineer’s manifest he presented listed tanker contents by a company code.

Only the conductor in the caboose — a mile away across the Yellow River on the other side of the burning tankers — had the list of which chemicals firefighters would encounter.

Responding agencies also included the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa County Civil Defense, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, the U.S. Air Force, Army and Coast Guard, and the Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Communication problems between local agencies and federal and state agencies led to confusion over who was in charge and problems with evacuation security,” the EPA’s report stated.  

One politician accidentally contributed to chemical-related injuries. A helicopter carrying then Sen. Lawton Chiles dropped below the safe 500-foot altitude to 250 feet and its downdraft blew venting chlorine gas toward unprotected responders.

EVACUATION

“We kept going up on the roof to see which way the cloud was blowing,” Martin said. “We were going to pre-empt the evacuation if it started shifting our way, but we were lucky and we didn’t have to evacuate.”

One person who did evacuate was now-retired Baker School teacher Roger O’Neal, who recently started his teaching career.

“I remember a lot of people had to evacuate,” O’Neal said. “Someone came by — maybe a sheriff’s posse member — saying it was going to be necessary for us to evacuate. I’m not sure what authorization this person even had.”

Martin said that had the wind shifted, given two-lane evacuation routes, things could’ve turned bad for Crestview.

“That would’ve been quite a lot of people trying to get out and get out in a hurry,” he said. “It would’ve been an adventure to say the least.”

The six-day evacuation order covered Milligan, Baker and all of Northwest Okaloosa County.

“I don’t remember anybody filled with dreaded fear,” O’Neal said. “We had to go to Fort Walton and stay there about a week. You were just inconvenienced for a few days.”

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

In all, 750 feet of track were destroyed, 1,500 feet were damaged, the trestle’s east approach was destroyed, and the trestle's east end was damaged.

“All trees and ground cover in an area extending 650 feet northwest of the derailment site were defoliated by the ammonia from the vapor cloud,” the NTSB stated.

“I remember about a month later going down to the site and looking at the devastation and seeing how the trees were just burnt to a crisp,” Martin said.

“That whole area, from the bridge back to Antioch Road, was just devoid of life. It took a long time for that area to recover. Even today, if you go down there you can see remnants of the devastation.”

“Hopefully, it was something that the rail companies could learn from to keep that from happening again,” Martin said.

Perhaps they didn’t. Seven months later, another L&N freight derailed in Molina. Again, hazardous chemicals spilled and caught fire.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Remembering the Yellow River train wreck of '79

Alexis Donayre White has been named Crestview’s Junior Miss Heart of the USA. 

The scholarship program is a combination of beauty pageant, community service, and local outreach.

“This program combines hearts, heels and helping hands,” said National Pageant Director Ciera Nitkowski. “Each girl becomes a better community citizen by bringing non-perishable food donations to the pageant that are immediately donated to local food drives.”

Nitkowski’s region is north Florida and south Alabama, but the pageant is offered in other states. She said the underlying outreach for Miss Heart of the USA is an outlet to teach girls to give and truly make a local difference.

“This is a unique experience, teaching girls the importance of giving back to the places where they live,” she said. “Over 10 million non-perishable food items have been donated in the United States through Miss Heart of the USA programs. It is a pageant with a purpose.” 

Alexis is the 14 year-old daughter of Mary Osgard, Crestview. White will represent the Junior Miss age division and is already taking donations that will go to the Raymond Williams Mission Center, Crestview Pregnancy Center, and Sharing and Caring of Crestview.

White will compete at the state level in Florida’s Miss Heart of the USA in September 2015.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: White named Crestview's Junior Miss Heart of the USA