CRESTVIEW — A new Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce resolution states that adequate North Okaloosa County infrastructure is integral to business growth.

“It means what’s important to the chamber is important to the community at large,” chamber President and CEO Wayne Harris said. “And what’s important to the community is that what helps drive our economy. I think the No. 1 irritant is the traffic.”

Click here for a copy of the resolution>>

While planners talk about bypasses as a solution, many business owners like having State Road 85 as the city’s major thoroughfare, Harris said.

He said there’s a southbound “breakfast side” of the highway — with businesses such as Starbucks, Good Things and Dunkin' Donuts — and a northbound “dinner side" — with eateries including Zaxby’s, Krystal and Taco Bell — “that didn’t happen by accident."

“The continued growth of the North Okaloosa business community is dependent on improved transportation through enhancing current roadways and seeking immediate relief of traffic congestion,” the resolution states. “As Crestview and the surrounding areas continue to grow, our current infrastructure needs will only increase."

The Crestview chamber represents more than 500 businesses with almost 15,000 resident employees, Harris said, adding that so many voters catches county and state officials’ attention.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: It's official: Crestview chamber says traffic is 'No. 1 irritant'

The westbound, outside lane of U.S. 90 will be closed just west of the State Road 85 and U.S. 90 intersection in Crestview Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 from 9 .m. to 3 p.m. as crews perform construction activities. 

Drivers are reminded to use caution and to obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone.

All planned activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lane restrictions scheduled on U.S. 90 in Crestview

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — “Marvel of Flight," DeFuniak Springs' fifth annual aviation festival, is Friday, April 10 from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport on Highway 90 West. 

The theme, “Rising Above Adversity," honors Tuskegee airmen of World War II. A traveling exhibit will feature a fully restored P-51 Mustang static display. In addition, the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation's Wiregrass Chapter will display Vietnam-era Huey and Cobra helicopters.

2015 exhibits include:

•NASA Kennedy Space Center — Space and Aviation

•Southeast Alabama Rocketry Society — Model Rockets

•Eglin Aero Modelers — RC planes

•Aviation art by Russell Ferris

•Dixie Division Military Vehicle Club

•Florida Forestry Aviation fire prevention exhibit, featuring a UH-1H “Super Huey” and Cessna 182

•4-H Youth Development Tech Wizards

•Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University unmanned aerial system (drone) exhibit

•Patty Wagstaff's aerobatic instruction

•Walton High School Tuskegee airmen display

The event will include aircraft judging, bi-plane rides, the RE/MAX balloon team program by RE/MAX Agency One-Crestview, pilot seminars, live entertainment, arts and crafts, free kids' activities, a car show, model rockets and food. This is an alcohol-free day of “hometown” fun for the entire family. 

Admission costs one jar of peanut butter or jelly for the Matrix Community Center food bank. Learn more at www.marvelofflight.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Marvel of Flight in DeFuniak Springs to feature 10 exhibits

CRESTVIEW — Right now, 600 children in the panhandle area are in licensed foster placements, and about 50 of them are awaiting a forever family.

In addition, there are needs for private adoptions locally and internationally.

Often, when families feel interested in foster care or adoption, they are not sure where to begin. To help with the process, Emerald Coast Orphan Care will host an information meeting on Monday, March 16 at 6pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Crestview to explain the processes of being an adoptive or foster family.

Local foster care, adoption, as well as private and international adoption will be covered.

Emerald Coast Orphan Care is a ministry that began through Emmanuel Baptist Church and now consists of several local churches that exists to raise awareness of the needs of families and children in our area and to support the families who are caring for these children.

To accomplish this goal, Emerald Coast Orphan Care works alongside Families First Network, an area community-based care provider, and other licensing agencies like Florida Baptist Children’s Homes to help recruit and support foster and adoptive families.

“Our local agencies have some incredible staff members who work tirelessly to care for the needs of the children who come into care," said Justin Wyatt, team leader, Emerald Coast Orphan Care. "Our goal is to support their work in providing the best care possible for these children.”

If you are interested in learning more, attend the Adoption and Foster Care Information Meeting Monday, March 16, 6 p.m., at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3252 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Learn more about adoption, foster care Monday in Crestview

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — “Marvel of Flight," DeFuniak Springs' fifth annual aviation festival, is Friday, April 10 from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport on Highway 90 West. 

The theme, “Rising Above Adversity," honors Tuskegee airmen of World War II. A traveling exhibit will feature a fully restored P-51 Mustang static display. In addition, the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation's Wiregrass Chapter will display Vietnam-era Huey and Cobra helicopters.

2015 exhibits include:

•NASA Kennedy Space Center — Space and Aviation

•Southeast Alabama Rocketry Society — Model Rockets

•Eglin Aero Modelers — RC planes

•Aviation art by Russell Ferris

•Dixie Division Military Vehicle Club

•Florida Forestry Aviation fire prevention exhibit, featuring a UH-1H “Super Huey” and Cessna 182

•4-H Youth Development Tech Wizards

•Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University unmanned aerial system (drone) exhibit

•Patty Wagstaff's aerobatic instruction

•Walton High School Tuskegee airmen display

The event will include aircraft judging, bi-plane rides, the RE/MAX balloon team program by RE/MAX Agency One-Crestview, pilot seminars, live entertainment, arts and crafts, free kids' activities, a car show, model rockets and food. This is an alcohol-free day of “hometown” fun for the entire family. 

Admission costs one jar of peanut butter or jelly for the Matrix Community Center food bank. Learn more at http://www.marvelofflight.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Marvel of Flight to feature 10 exhibits

A biography (from the Greek word bios, meaning “life,” and graphos, meaning “write”) is an account of a person’s life.

Reading a great biography (or autobiography) can be as exciting as your favorite thriller, it can provide more valuable and useful lessons than most self-help best sellers and it can offer more professional development wisdom than you can likely apply.

Leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry offers these five reasons for choosing to read biographies:

•They allow you to stand on the shoulders of giants.

•They remind you that history repeats itself.

•They promote self-discovery.

•They allow you to see the world in new ways.

•They give you mentors at a distance.

Check out these notable biographies:

•"A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

•"A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail" by Bill Bryson

•"American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House" by Jon Meacham

•"American Sniper" by Chris Kyle

•"Black Boy" by Richard Wright

•"Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia" by Elizabeth Gilbert

•"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

•"Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly" by Anthony Bourdain

•"Night" by Elie Wiesel

•"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac

•"Out of Africa" by Isak Dinesen

•"The Years of Lyndon Johnson" by Robert A. Caro

•"Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

•"Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson

•"The Agony and the Ecstasy: Michelangelo" by Irving Stone

•"The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

•"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara

•"The Professor and the Madman: a Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of Oxford English Dictionary" by Simon Winchester

•"Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Reading biographies: more than just good for you

FORT WALTON BEACH — Covenant Hospice has extra support, with a recent $1,382 donation from the Emerald Coast Community Band.

Donations from groups such as the Emerald Coast Community Band help fund bereavement and spiritual support services, children’s support programs and charity care in Okaloosa and Walton County. 

The nonprofit has offices in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, among other Northwest Florida locations. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Community Band presents check to Covenant Hospice