United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, the University of Florida Extension Office and Goodwill Easter Seals' Volunteers Income Tax Assistance program processed 105 tax refunds, according to organizers.

As a result, an estimated $152,714 will stay in Northwest Florida's communities, and the effort saved more than $14,000 in tax preparation fees.

In addition, "clients filing received financial education materials from Okaloosa Saves to provide tools needed for financial stability," a spokesperson said.

"Our appreciation goes to community partners, First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, Goodwill Easter Seals Fast Signs, IDTV, Community Bank in Crestview, the Costa Leadership Institute, CRI and Cox."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VITA program nets more than $152,000 in tax refunds

I've heard that “story is the language of the heart.” As a lover of a good story, that resonated with me.

Isn’t it true?

All over the world there are masters at crafting the written or spoken word. Some are told in person to an eager audience of family and friends. Some are told from a television or movie screen to an eager audience of thousands.

You may experience the pleasure of a good story in a book or movie on a regular basis, but on Tuesday, May 27, you can spice things up by listening to a master storyteller in person.

Phillip Sekou Glass will begin weaving his stories at 6:30 p.m. and will wrap them up around 7:15 p.m. at the Crestview Public Library.

This free event is an excellent chance to introduce your children — even as young as age 4 — to the art of storytelling. Of course, adults are also welcome. Registration is not required.

This program is made possible by the generosity of our Friends and an anonymous donor. We’d like to thank Cub Scout Pack 799, Webelo Den 11 and Wolf Den 4 and our Friends for providing light refreshments!

If you’d also like to financially support quality family programming for our area or have any questions, please call 682-4432.

Regardless of whether you can give financially at this time, know that your attendance communicates to the state of Florida and other supporters how much you value this kind of programming.

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Master storyteller coming to Crestview library May 27

CRESTVIEW — Carver-Hill Memorial & Historical Society's annual Mother's Day program is at noon Saturday at the Carver-Hill School Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview.

Guest speaker is Rachel Stallworth. Admission is free. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Carver-Hill group hosts Mother's Day program Saturday

CHIPLEY— Eastbound traffic on State Road 20 between Roberts Drive and the Rocky Bayou Bridge in Okaloosa County will be reduced to one lane  May 18-22 between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews repair and replace sidewalks.

The $7.4 million S.R. 20 resurfacing project began in March 2014 and is slated for completion in spring 2015.

You may also follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Night work planned May 18-22 for State Road 20 in Okaloosa County

CRESTVIEW — Women can learn about their "natural weapons," targets and how to defend themselves during a free self-defense course that begins Saturday at Gordon Martial Arts in downtown Crestview.

Classes are 10-11:30 a.m. for three Saturdays at 130 W. Oakdale Ave.

Participants also will learn what to do if someone chokes them, grabs them from behind or pushes them to the ground.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free women's self-defense course starts tomorrow

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Family YMCA officials anticipate program improvements after receiving a gift of more than $16,000.

Tom Moody, the Y's retiring executive director, presented a $16,480 check Tuesday during a Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting to celebrate the Wilson Street facility's revamped exterior.

"Some gave quite a bit of money and some gave quite a bit of time," Moody said of the Family Strong Fun Day fundraiser, held at his Garden City ranch.

The cheery looking exterior of what was once the city's post office "is just the start," Emerald Coast YMCA chief executive officer Rudy Wright said.

"The ultimate plan for this is to make it a 24-hour facility," he said.

The Y's advisory board will meet next week to discuss ideas for spending the money, Branch Director Sarah Traver said.

In addition to a possible mural, ideas could include enhanced outside lighting, member-access locks and "24/7 equipment access" as the Y works toward becoming a round-the-clock facility, she said.

"There's a bunch of stuff on our wish list," Traver said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview YMCA officials anticipate improvements following $16K donation

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

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