BAKER – The tales of Junior McLaughlin will forever be carved in Baker lore.

The man, the myth, the legend finished with 5,240 rushing yards and topped 6,000 all-purpose yards.

He scored 84 touchdowns, including 36 of his 40 starts.

He averaged more than 11 yards per touch.

He eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier all three seasons.

For a program steeped in tradition with four state titles, every rushing record – career- and season-wise – is his.

Yet his footprint extends well beyond the rural parts of Baker. The FHSAA record books will remember McLaughlin fondly too.

His 15 touchdown runs and 1,103 rushing yards in the playoffs during his swan song rank him third and fourth all-time, respectively, in the Sunshine State.

His 1,911 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns over 12 playoffs starts rank him in the top five career-wise.

Florida is a big state, filled with some of the all-time great high school running backs. You’re talking Emmitt Smith, Derrick Henry, Frank Gore and Travis Henry territory.

Alongside that lauded group is McLaughlin, who closed out his career with 2,920 rushing yards, 3,194 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns over 13 games (14th was a forfeit win over Joshua Christian Academy).

FYI, those 2,920 rushing yards led the Sunshine State.

Yet to appreciate the season, it takes a proper dissection.

He topped 200 yards and scored multiple touchdowns in all but two starts.

No foe held him out of the end zone, not even Madison County.

He had four passes that went for more than 40 yards, 20 runs that went for more than 50 yards and returned two punts to the house.

“Personally, I don’t think anybody in Florida is a better running back than him,” said teammate Kenny Williams, the Daily News Small Schools Defensive Player of the Year. “In hitting drills I’d always have to go against him. That’s the one person I can’t tackle.”

Matt Brunson said Williams isn’t alone.

“Never did the first guy tackle him,” Brunson said. “He runs a 4.5 40 and he’s this 5-10, 190 bowling ball. He’s such a physical runner.”

Affirming that strength, McLaughlin led the team in the power clean with 325 pounds, was second in the bench behind Zach Mason with 325 pounds and was top five in squats.

“What makes him so strong is his dedication in the weight room,” Brunson said. “Pound for pound no one in our weight room can touch him.”

Understandably, Brunson believes without a doubt McLaughlin will be playing on Saturdays next year.

“Several colleges have interest,” Brunson said. “He’s still taking some tests and has some work to do, but whoever gets him will get a stud.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's McLaughlin nabs Offensive POY again

CRESTVIEW —The Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections offices are preparing for the Jan. 8 enactment of Amendment 4 – the Voting Restoration Amendment approved by Florida voters in the November general election.

Both offices will be accepting new voter registration applications, including applications by former convicted felons who will be eligible to register beginning Jan. 8. Voters removed from the voter rolls due to a felony conviction must re-register after that date. Any applications received prior to January 8, 2019 will be processed according to the law currently on the books and may not be eligible. 

A majority of convicted felons in Florida who have completed their sentences, including parole and probation, will be eligible to have their voting rights automatically restored.

Those convicted of murder or sexual offenses will not be eligible unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights through the clemency process currently in place.

Individuals unsure of their status should contact the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where they were sentenced or the Florida Department of Corrections where they were supervised or incarcerated.

Individuals may search or apply for Restoration of Civil Rights through the Florida Commission on Offender Review, Office of Executive Clemency.

The Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections will continue voter registration and education efforts. They will also continue support of community groups and third party voter registration organizations to encourage and assist individuals who will become newly eligible in January.

Call 689-5600 or 651-7272, the OCSOE offices, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Supervisor of Elections office Amendment 4 enactment

CRESTVIEW — At 9 a.m. Dec. 18, Community Services officers, patrol officers, Crestview Citizens Police Academy Alumni volunteers and Allen Turner Chevrolet employees descended on the Crestview Walmart where, armed with the lists, they dispersed into the toys and crafts departments where over the next two hours they filled more than 25 shopping carriages with goodies for the kids on each volunteer’s lists.

Through the Crestview Police Department’s Cops For Kids program, hundreds of local families have been helped over the program’s nearly two decades. Parents or legal guardians apply for assistance through the Community Services Division program, provide wish lists and describe their children’s interests.

Community Services officers marshaled the carts as the volunteers grabbed another list, noted its contents and headed back into the aisles. Periodically volunteers offered each other advice when someone was stumped for gift ideas.

Helpful Walmart staff were on hand to direct the shoppers and offer advice.

"What can I get a 7-year-old boy who likes bugs?" Officer Justin Wallen said as he wandered the aisles. Later he and Officer Gabe Dunlap provided each other support as they faced a plethora of options for Lego building block sets.

"Should I go with Harry Potter or Jurassic World?" Officer Dunlap mused.

In all, more than 55 families — close to 200 kids — were assured a great Christmas morning by more than 12 volunteers.

"It’s the most we’ve ever had," Community Services Officer Wanda Hulion said happily as she accepted another stuffed lawn-and-leaf bag and sent the volunteer back into the toy section with another list.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cops For Kids helps almost 200 local children

On Saturday, December 15, 2018, Marilyn Creighton Holland, mama, mema, aunt, daughter, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 68.  

Born on January 30, 1950 in Pensacola, Marilyn lived most of her life in Pace. In her youth, Marilyn had accepted Jesus into her heart and was baptized at Cinco Baptist Church in Fort Walton.  Eventually, she graduated from Pensacola State College, and through the help of a beloved Uncle Alvin Lee, she accepted a position at ST Regis Paper Mill.  After retiring from International Paper, she returned to school and worked as medical assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital for a short time. 

Marilyn loved to spend time with family, she loved to travel, and she loved to attend the various activities her grand and great-grandchildren were involved in.  She took great pride in celebrating the successes of all of us no matter how big or small.

She is preceded in death by her beloved sister Elaine Roberts and brother Thomas Creighton.  She will be fondly remembered by those she leaves behind:  parents Lamar and Libbie Creighton, daughters Leslie Briggs and Regina Clapper (Laird), grandchildren:  Adam Jones (Megan), Ian Briggs, Annabeth Briggs, Kylie Clapper, great-grandchildren Bryce and Ashlynn, special nieces and nephews: Lisa Callahan, Wesley Roberts, Peggy Walker, David Roberts, and special friends Jane Harrod and Marti Short.  

A gathering at 10:00 a.m. and a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. was held Friday, December 21, 2018 at the National Cremation and Burial Society in Pace.  Reverend Jim Waters of Friendship Baptist Church officiated.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Marilyn Holland

CRESTVIEW — Those looking to own a local business in Crestview may want to consider Chill Yogurt. The shop at 2218 S. Ferdon Blvd. is up for sale.

Larry Cleveland, current owner of Chill Yogurt, bought the business one year ago from an elderly man in Alabama.

At the time, Cleveland was living in Crestview and saw this as an opportunity to invest in the community.

However, his wife, an active duty service member, was relocated to Louisiana.

Cleveland said he still continued trying to be active in the business while living out-of-state, but distance became an issue.

The sell of Chill Yogurt is an asset-purchase agreement meaning anything located inside the business as well as the business and name are up for sale.

The frozen yogurt shop could potentially close for good unless Cleveland receives interest from a buyer by the end of the year, he said.

Cleveland encourages people to own a business like a frozen yogurt shop because of its simplicity.

"It's not a hard business," Cleveland said. "…If it's owned and operated by a local owner, they will make a profit."

The business is currently open. Those interested can call Cleveland at 850-612-1383.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the yogurt shop is closed, based on a statement by the owner. Chill Yogurt is still open for business and serving customers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's Chill Yogurt doors still open, seeking buyer

Merchants around the world depend on the Christmas season each year for twenty to fifty percent of their yearly sales. 

The travel industry from airlines to gasoline stations see a nice bump during the holidays. People are going to buy airplane tickets and buy gasoline. 

Grocery stores do better during the holidays. People cook more for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. The alcohol industry does well during holidays. Wine, Beer and Bourbon Whiskey all do well normally and more so during December. 

Charities and Churches enjoy December. People give more money to the church in December than any other month. People who want to give make sure their gifts are given by December 31st. Churches normally have special children and music programs during the month that increases attendance. 

Counselors see a spike in activity during December. More people are depressed during the Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays than any other time of the year. 

Funeral homes are busy in December and January. Check your local funeral home obituaries for last December and January and you'll be amazed at how many funerals took place. 

Fitness centers and gyms across the country prepare for their biggest month of the year which is January. Millions of people will drag into their local fitness center and sign up for a twelve-month membership. About fifty percent of these people or less will only use their memberships a few times during the year but will be stuck in 12 month contracts. 

Christmas is a profitable time for many it seems. 

The greater value of this wonderful season comes with the opportunities of Christmas.

You have a good excuse to call or visit people. Christmas is about personal relationships and connecting to real people. The Christmas story is about a personal God who came as a real person to help real people with real needs. 

Christmas is family time. Don't exclude anybody. God is inclusive. He came to love all the people of the world. There are always people who feel excluded, unloved and seem to be the rag muffin person in the family.  No one is perfect. Everyone has failed in different ways. 

Christmas is a different day. Stores, most restaurants, workplaces and businesses are closed on Christmas. What are you going to do? Be happy, reflect, give thanks and don't feel sorry for yourself. Take time to focus on the one that so many Christmas songs have been written about, "Christ, The Savior is born."

We need Christmas because we need The Savior of Christmas. We need peace on earth and good will to men. We need a Silent Night and a holy night. We need the Joy to the World as sung in the famed Christmas Carol. We need to know the grave is not the end. We need to have  the hope of eternal life. We need help to deal with our grief and strength to face tomorrow. Jesus came to give us this and more. That's why we need him and the message of Christmas so desperately in our lives.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author. What’s your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Why We Need Christmas

CRESTVIEW — Victor Fleischer, and his wife, Rebecca, had a vision of opening their own candy shop after watching an episode of “Undercover Boss.”

That vision manifested in the form of a throwback-style candy shop and national franchise called “Rocket Fizz” located on the north end of Crestview.

Victor spent 25 years in the military beginning in the Navy and transferring to the Air Force where he retired. However, he continued with the military as a contractor working on Eglin Air Force Base. Throughout his military career, Victor said he always wanted to open his own business.

“My wife saw this one on ‘Undercover Boss’ so she goes, ‘That’s what I want’,” Victor said. “And, here we are.”

Victor and Rebecca enjoyed many things about the franchise, but took particular interest in the founder, Robert Powells.

“It’s just his personality,” Victor said.

Although the store is part of a franchise, there’s an instant mom-and-pop feel upon entering the candy shop.

Many popular items like Pop Rocks, a large variety of salt water taffy, rare sodas like the original "Harry Potter" inspired Butterscotch Beer, and foreign sodas line the walls and fill the store.

The nostalgic candy wonderland doesn’t end at candy and soda.

The walls are decorated with vintage, 50s-inspired metal signs like one featuring a woman sipping tea with words reading, “Make yourself at home. Clean my kitchen.”

Victor said it took about a year to open the business, three months to contract with Rocket Fizz and about nine months to work with the city of Crestview.

Crestview residents since the late 80s as well as parents, Victor and Rebecca felt there was a lack of entertainment for children in the city.

“[Children] come in here and their eyes just widen, mouths drop, and they just run around here for an hour,” Victor said.

The candy choices are numerous, but Victor said he is willing to order and track down requests from customers.

Rocket Fizz is located at 1375 N Ferdon Blvd.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A blast from the past for candy fans

CRESTVIEW — In previous meetings, the Crestview city council discussed where the city manager's office would be located, but couldn't come to an agreement. At the Dec. 10 meeting, Council President J. B. Whitten presented an "alternative to the alternative to the alternative" that satisfied each council member.

With the help of Crestview's Fire Chief Anthony Holland, Whitten said the IT department's office could move from city hall into a conference room located in the Crestview Fire Department. The city manager's office would then replace the IT department in City Hall.

"Now you got the city manager, the city council, the mayor all in the same location," Whitten said.

Whitten said there would be no costs associated with this temporary plan.

Should the city manager want a different office location, the council would allow the relocation.

The original plan was to eliminate the offices of three councilmen, which Council Vice President Bill Cox opposed.

Cox then presented the following alternatives at the Dec. 10 meeting:

1. Transform the mayor's conference room into an office, and using the council chambers as a conference room.

2. Use office space located in the Crestview Community Center.

3. Move the mayor's office in to the conference room, and use the existing mayor's office for the city manager.

Councilman Shannon Hayes said he was opposed to all three, especially the community center plan because he felt the public should have better access to the city manager.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City council reaches decision on city manager office

LAUREL HILL — Construction on redevelopment and improvements to Gene Clary Park in Laurel Hill will likely conclude next week, city officials said at the Dec. 6 meeting.

Residents can expect to see the following improvements:

• Renovated basketball courts
• Improved restrooms
• New swings and shading at the playground
• An improved picnic area with new tables and benches

“It is a good improvement to the park,” Mayor Robby Adams said. “It will help utilize, especially in the playground area, the sun shade… [The community] can take pride in the park because it’s looking better. It’s getting more up-to-date replacing some of the old stuff.”

The city received the funds for the improvements in 2016, but construction began around one month ago.

According to Crystal Weatherington, an engineer contracted out by the council, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection awarded the city a $50,000 grant.

“They’re trying to get more of the community to use the park, and in the condition it was in, they didn’t have a whole lot of traffic in the park,” Weatherington said.

The city uses Gene Clary Park each October during the Laurel Hill Hobo Festival, which did not take place this year.

Weatherington said the city could potentially use the park for a little league baseball team.

Although this portion of improvements has been nearly completed, city officials say this is only the beginning of improvements.

Despite construction, the park remains open for the community.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill park improvements near completion

Got fines? Short on cash? No problem!

Crestview library book borrowers may donate non-expired canned goods at the library now through Dec. 21. Each canned good given to the staff at the circulation desk eliminates $1 in fines, up to $20. 

Donations will be delivered to Sharing and Caring here in Crestview to help those in need in Okaloosa County. What a great way to give this holiday season!

Jean McCarthy is the Crestview Public Library's administrative assistant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Fine forgiveness program helps local food pantry