CRESTVIEW — Residents will have two opportunities April 12 to raise money while exercising for worthy causes.

The Crestview Exchange Club will host the 3rd Annual Mayor's 5K Walk, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Bob Sikes Elementary School.

Click here for the Mayor's 5K Walk application >>

Proceeds will benefit the Crestview Service Center of the Families First Network of Lakeview, which could mean additional income or necessities that could help local foster children, event organizer Cheri Pittman said.

"Sometimes these foster parents will receive a foster child with nothing more than a diaper on," she said.

Shoal River Middle School's boys and girls track coaches will present the fourth annual Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run, 8 a.m., beginning in the school parking lot. Water stations will be available along the route.

Click here for the Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run / Walk application >>

"This is our only main fundraiser for the track team," said co-event organizer Summer Purcell, who also coaches the girls track team and teaches civics classes.

Event proceeds will help purchase track uniforms, starting blocks, water bottles and first aid equipment. The event commemorates Annelise Adams, the school's former attendance receptionist who died from cancer in 2010.

T-shirts are available for participants of either event.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Annelise's Wild Mustang 5K Run/Walk

WHEN:  Race begins at 8 a.m. April 12

WHERE: Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview

COST: $20 entry fee

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Mayor's 5K Walk

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. April 12. Early registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

WHERE: Bob Sikes Elementary School, 425 Adams Drive, Crestview 

COST: $18

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraisers for local foster families, Shoal River track team set April 12 (FORMS)

Bay Area Food Bank — which annually partners with numerous sites to serve children meals through its Summer Food Service Program when school is out — wants to expand its reach. 

Last year, 24 Florida sites participated in the program. This year, the food bank wants to partner with additional programs or facilities where children tend to congregate. This could include summer camps, sports programs, community centers, libraries and churches.

Participating sites will receive complete, nutritionally balanced meals delivered daily at no cost. Sites may serve up to two meals per day with a choice of breakfast and lunch.

Interested sites — which must register by April 11 — must:

•Be in an area where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced price lunch

•Be open to all children (18 years old and younger)

•Have representatives attend a training class prior to the start of the program.

Contact the child nutrition coordinator Leah Weber, lweber@bayareafoodbank.org or 850-626-1332, or visit www.bayareafoodbank.org for details.         

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food bank seeks sites for summer program; register by April 11

CRESTVIEW — An estimated 15,000 people attended the 10th annual Triple B Festival on Saturday, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce organizers said.

A day and a night of drenching storms dumped almost 5 inches of rain on the Crestview area prior to the festival, but fair weather allowed Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cook-off attendees, pit masters and organizers to enjoy the event.

Keep reading for a list of the winners!

"I felt like a porpoise all (Friday) night," Possum Ridge BBQ pit master Rick Plante said. "It was nasty, miserable, windy and wet. We couldn't keep the heat up on the grill."

But by the time the Crestview Young Marines presented the colors and J.R. Lewis sang the "Star Spangled Banner" to launch the festival, fair weather put everyone into a good mood.

Good weather draws crowd

As the day progressed, more and more people started crowding Main Street and lining up for barbecue.

Pigstickers owner Mark Thompson said the weather has always cooperated with the Triple B as long as he has been involved with the event.

Since the Triple B changed locations from the Old Spanish Trail Park to Main Street, crowds have steadily increased, he said.  

Crestview residents Kevin and Joyce Gravois brought their dog, Ruxbee, to Main Street. The couple, who regularly attend the event to listen to bluegrass music, said they did not mind occasionally cloudy conditions.

"Actually the clouds worked in our favor by providing shade," Joyce said.  

Tom Moody, who serves on the festival planning committee, agreed.

"Out of all of the Triple B events I have done … the weather (Saturday was) the best it could possibly be," he said. 

'Having a great time'

From bounce houses to two stages of lively music, there was plenty for the crowd to see, hear and do — and eat. There also was dancing in the streets as "Latin American Idol" performer Amid sang.

After enjoying the food and children's activities, first-time attendees Eric Balbo and his daughter, Kadence, 7, are considering coming back for next year's event.

"We (were) having a great time," Eric said.

Moody and event chair Christie Cadenhead pronounced this year's event a success.

"It was wildly successful because we were all expecting rain," she said.

Cadenhead was also impressed with how long people stayed.

"We had a larger crowd (stay) for a longer portion," she said.

2014 People’s Choice Winner: The Little Smokehouse

Grand Champion: Poverty Hill Smokers

Reserve Champion: Kickin' Ash 68

Chicken:

1st: Kickin' Ash 68

2nd: Poverty Hill Smokers

3rd: Holly Smokes

Ribs:

1st: Poverty Hill Smokers

2nd: Funny Farm BBQ

3rd: The Little Smokehouse

Pork:

1st: Poverty Hill Smokers 

2nd: Hub City Smokehouse

3rd: Kickin' Ash 68

Brisket:

1st: Jackson BBQ

2nd: Kickin' Ash 68

3rd: Poverty Hill Smokers

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

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Quadruple B! Blackwater, Bluegrass, Barbecue and Blue skies draw an estimated 15,000 attendees

CRESTVIEW — After a day and a night of tremendous storms dumped almost 5 inches of rain on the Crestview area, blue skies greeted Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cookoff Festival attendees, pitmasters and organizers this morning.

Participants in the barbecue contest, who set up and started cooking Friday night, endured a night that began fair but rapidly turned inclement.

"I felt like a porpoise all night," Possum Ridge BBQ pitmaster Rick Plante said. "It was nasty, mierable, windy and wet. We couldn't keep the heat up on the grill."

But by the festival's 10 a.m. start, fair weather put everyone into a good mood, and as the morning wore on, more and more people started crowding Main Street and queuing up for mouthwatering barbecue.

From bounce houses to two stages of lively music, there was plenty for the crowd to see, hear and do — and eat.

SEE PHOTOS of today's Triple B festival here>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Blue skies greet 10th annual Triple B festivalgoers

Based on the results of a recent speed study, the Florida Department of Transportation has increased the speed limit from 45 MPH to 55 MPH on State Road 4 in Baker between Keyser Road and U.S. Highway 90.

The speed limit has been increased from 40 MPH to 45 MPH from west of Old Brown Road to U.S. 90.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling.

For more Florida Department of Transportation District Three information follow the Northwest Florida FDOT Twitter feed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Speed increase now in effect for Baker's State Road 4