LAUREL HILL — Laurel Hill Spring Arts and Heritage Festival organizers may have found the secret to a successful event: have a greater variety of exhibitors and performers and time it right after a record storm.

PHOTOS: See photos from the festival.>>

"I just wanted to get out of the house and do something fun, and a small-town festival fit the ticket," Pensacola resident Ellen Guilfoyle said. "After last week's rain it is nice to just sit in the sun and enjoy the music."

Saturday's annual festival also attracted people from Alabama, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville.

Food sales from co-sponsors Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches raised almost $650 toward school supplies and Christmas food baskets. In addition, Crestview Boy Scout Troop 773 raised money by baking and selling Scout Cobbler, and Laurel Hill School's drink sales benefited fifth-graders' New Orleans field trip.

For Crestview resident Margot Vickery, a native Scot, some of the music brought back memories of her younger days in Edinburgh.

"Every time I hear 'Amazing Grace' played, I think I am back on the battlements," she said following Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums' performance of the traditional tune.

The music, in addition to pipes and drums, ranged from acoustic guitar and vocals to jazz and gospel.

Children delighted in carrying, petting and chasing a 2-week-old white goat named Bert from the Allie Lee Campbell farm.

The north county's farming culture was also represented by two 5-month-old Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs from Grundel Hill Top Farm in Baker.

Exhibitors, some of whom joined the roster as late as the day before the event, included community organizations, artists, craftsmen, heritage re-enactors, bakers, candy makers and vintage car owners.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill Spring Festival: Cure for post-flood blues

CHIPLEY — Drivers will encounter lane closures May 8 on westbound U.S. Highway 98 at County Road 2397 in front of the Track Amusement Park and at Wright Parkway.

Closures are 8-9 p.m. by the park and from 9:30-10:30 p.m. on the parkway.

The outside lane will be restricted as crews perform drainage repairs.

All planned construction activities are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled due to inclement weather. You may also follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Night work on U.S. Highway 98 planned tomorrow in Fort Walton Beach

CRESTVIEW — Turning 90 years old is a "big milestone" for Jessica Fleming, her daughter, Becky Ward, says.

That's why "we're happy to share it with friends and family" during a May 17 celebration at 2957 N.E. Second Ave., Crestview, she said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; casual dress is recommended and light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by May 10 to Ward, 801-352-1270 or buckeroobeck@gmail.com, or her sister, Nancy Savell, 205-665-7920 or bh3613@bellsouth.net.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASION: Fleming celebrating 90th birthday May 17

TALLAHASSEE— For the counties of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton the Florida Department of Children and Families is issuing the May distribution of food assistance benefits early on Monday, May 5 in response to the disastrous effects of the Panhandle flooding.

The intent of the measure is to ensure that storm-impacted customers have an adequate food supply during the disaster recovery period.

The advance distribution applies only to participants of the regular food assistance program in the affected counties. By issuing May benefits early in the month, current food assistance recipients will be able to access their benefits by using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

Approximately 58,002 households will benefit from the early release.

Food assistance customers in the affected counties who lost their food as a result of the flooding can apply to receive replacement food assistance benefits by visiting a local service center ( www.dcf.state.fl.us/access/CPSLookup/search.aspx), or by calling 1-866-762-2237 for more information.

For more information on the Food Assistance Program visit www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DCF issuing EBT benefits early to flood-affected clients

CRESTVIEW — City workers are documenting all storm recovery efforts so they can apply for federal aid following this week's floods, Mayor David Cadle said.

Labor, equipment and material costs must be included in Crestview's FEMA application. City workers are still assessing total damage, so the city hasn't filed the paperwork as of this writing.

'Substantial' repairs

"We have so many streets that buckled," Cadle said. "We don't really know how much it will cost to restore those roadways."

One thing is certain about the amount: With 16 Crestview streets closing after the storm, "it's gonna be pretty substantial," he said. 

Pulling from the city's more than $1 million contingency fund is another option to help cover storm damage repair costs, officials said.

Either way, repairs won't wait for funding.

"With or without (FEMA aid) we have to make the roads passable," Cadle said.  "People have to be able to drive, and we think that's a critical need."

City workers have the ability to lay asphalt and rebuild retaining walls; "I think we can do most everything ourselves," the mayor said.

City crews will work 12-hour days until storm-related repairs are completed, Cadle said.

"We're going to have to ask our citizens to be patient with us because our manpower is limited and the crews are limited, so we're gonna get to each street as we can," he said. 

'Freakish' storm

Flooding resulted from Tuesday through Wednesday's continuous rainfall that accumulated up to 13 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

It was a "freakish" storm that was "so unusual it just sort of overwhelmed our infrastructure," Cadle said.

City workers immediately sprang into action, he said.

"We're so very proud of the public service workers, the police and the fire (departments) who were out all night in that rain," Cadle said. "… Our chiefs and the director of public services (Wayne Steele) spent about 38 hours on the job before they got to sleep.

"I was just very proud of them and the commitment that they have to doing their job. "

County efforts

Okaloosa County Public Works Department employees also are assessing total damage; they don't expect a dollar amount until next week at the earliest, Road and Parks division manager Clay Simmons said.

In the meantime, the department is ensuring all county residents have accessible roadways for emergency services following a storm that targeted Okaloosa County at least two particular ways.

"The south end of the county received a lot of flooding and the north end received a lot damage to road ways," he said.

Staff Writer Matthew Brown contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mayor considers FEMA aid, says road repairs in the works

CRESTVIEW — The 7th Annual Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration is Saturday.

The Armed Forces Day observance will feature free food and entertainment, and the event planning committee will recognize veterans and active duty service members, according to MARC President Bob Lynn.

 "We like to express our thankfulness for the sacrifices that the military services members and their families have endured in order to protect our freedom," he said.

Free hamburgers, hotdogs, bratwursts and barbecue will be available, and leftover food will benefit Sharing and Caring in Crestview, Lynn said. In addition, local Boy Scout troops will cook treats, a men's ensemble and bluegrass group will provide entertainment, and the Shoal River Mustang Club will present a car show. 

"America's White Table," inspired by the Margot Theis Raven book, will be displayed to honor the fallen, and resident Liz Westby will explain its symbolism.

Children and adults can attempt to rock climb on a wall set up by the National Guard, and the Emerald Coast Young Marines will promote several of their cadets.

Among several scheduled activities, the military displays are a top draw, Lynn said.

 "The U.S. Coast Guard will have a rescue boat on display and a rescue helicopter will do a flyover and will land nearby," he said. And local Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians will display remote-controlled EOD robots.

In addition to the MARC committee's yearlong planning, Lynn said the event would not be possible without numerous businesses and organizations that support the celebration.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration 

WHEN: Opening ceremony is at 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview

NOTES: Free; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free food, entertainment at military celebration in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — With the worst of Tuesday's thunderstorms behind them, many North Okaloosa residents are picking up debris and resuming normal routines.

Read the full story in Saturday's News Bulletin>>

PHOTOS: See 72 photos from the storm's affect on northern Okaloosa County>>

A breach in the east dam may have drained most of Lake Fred in the Grandview Heights neighborhood, but it offered Selina Walker an opportunity to teach her son Tommy, 8, some life lessons.

"All these things are fixable things," she said. "I've been teaching young Thomas we need to be compassionate toward people who have it a lot worse than this."

David Stanley, who is caregiver for his elderly mother, Lois G. Stanley, spent the night at the Crestview Community Center, which served as an American Red Cross shelter. 

He and Lois Stanley were the last of 10 evacuees, shelter manager Larry Woolley said.

With county schools closed, administration members checked for damage Wednesday. With fellow staffers, incoming Crestview High School Principal Dexter Day walked the hallways with a mop bucket, removed damaged ceiling tiles and mopped up puddles. 

Assessing and repairing

Utilities workers joined county and municipal public works crews in scurrying from site to site, assessing and repairing damage throughout the north county.

On Oak Hill Road, swollen Davis Mill Creek washed out half the roadway. Water gushing down the north side of the hill formed waterfalls as it plunged over the broken roadway, dropping five feet or more into the creek.

Resident Angela Humbert, walking barefoot down the road, said she feared damage like Wednesday morning's was inevitable.

"I put in a petition to have this road fixed last year," she said. "They're not going to do anything about it. All the money goes to the south end of the county."

Near the former Shoal River Golf Club, dams collapsed, releasing pond water to make its way into the already high river.

"You learn how powerful water is," Selina Walker said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writers Brian Hughes and Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow them on Twitter @cnbBrian and @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Storm of '14: Residents clean up storm debris (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Hub City Ford will celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little early this year; its third annual car show begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Click here for a printable registration form of the Cinco de Mayo car show >>

All are welcome to attend the free event, which will feature classic cars, motorcycles, and a few boats from Legendary Marine in Destin, organizer Sonic Fonacier said. 

"We are actually going to have an ATV that turns into a (water craft)," he said. 

In addition, dealership owner Chris Daggs and a few employees into a water-filled tank will set themselves in a dunk tank.

Members of the Shoal River Mustang Club, which the dealership sponsors, will judge and award top prizes in categories spanning best in show, best Ford, best General Motors vehicle, best Mopar, best classic car  and best unique entry. 

A number of prizes will be raffled; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Free food will be available from noon until 1 p.m.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Cinco de Mayo car show

WHEN: Free registration is from 8:30-10:30 a.m. May 3; event is 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hub City Ford, 4060 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview 

COST: Free to exhibit or attend

CONTACT:Sonic Fonacier or Brandon Berry, CincoDeMayo@ehubcity.com, or 682-2721

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Saturday car show to feature prizes, free food (FORM)