CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fairfield Inn & Suites at 110 Crosson St. is currently a drop-off spot for supplies going to Panama City area survivors on Friday, Oct. 19. Items most in demand are anything usable without power or running water such as bottled water, non-perishable items, hand wipes, water purifying tablets, new clothes and diapers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fairfield Inn & Suites collecting for hurricane survivors

CRESTVIEW — The city of Crestview continues the discussion about regulating mobile vendors with an ordinance, an issue that dates back to 2013.

Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard presented a first draft of the itinerant vendors ordinance, new article 24, to the city council at a workshop meeting Monday.

Mobile vending as defined by the city is "the selling of any product out of any self-propelled or non-self-propelled vehicle including carts, trucks, trailers and movable stands and kiosks."

The council took the opportunity to discuss their concerns with Gaillard.

Mobile vendors applicants would be required to go through a background check conducted by the chief of police, according to Gaillard.

Council President J.B. Whitten said he didn't see reason why the city should deny a business with an owner who has a previous criminal background dating back more than five years.

"You can't hang somebody for something that they did as a teenager," J.B. Whitten said.

Councilman Doug Faircloth continued with an issue he had in 2016 — out-of-town car dealers.

He said he has received complaints of business being taken away from local dealerships.

“There’s too much money involved and we’re not protecting our local dealers,” Faircloth said.

Council members also agreed to add more precise language concerning citations and consequences for violating the ordinance.

"You can't have a guard dog that doesn't bite," Faircloth said.

"I think we should have a written penalty in there," Council Vice President Bill Cox said.

Permits will be issued by the building and permit department.

The city's code enforcement officer will be in charge of engaging with mobile vendors who are in violation.

"We're growing way too fast and there’s a lot of people … it's just time to get some control of it, lay some ground rules," Gaillard said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It's just time to get some control'

PANAMA CITY — The Crestview News Bulletin is printed by our sister paper in Panama City, the site of widespread damage from Hurricane Michael. Parts of the building there were destroyed and the press was damaged during the hurricane rendering it inoperable in the short run. For News Bulletin customers, this resulted in many papers not reaching them Saturday by mail or delivery

We’ve signed an agreement with a press in Montgomery. However, due to the short notice, many Oct. 13 papers were not delivered. We hope to have our press back up and running Friday.

The hurricane affected mail delivery of papers, too. That Panama City plant also housed the computers that keep our records of subscribers and the machines that print the mailing labels, which we put on the papers before we send them to the post office. As a result, your Saturday paper is still here — along with 900 others — needing its mailing label.

In the meaintime, the regular Wednesday, Oct. 17 paper will arrive a day late both for regular delivery and mail delivery.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hurricane Michael affects Crestview News Bulletin delivery

DOTHAN, ALABAMA — The 75th annual Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant was Oct. 5 and 6 in the Dothan Civic Center in Alabama. For the first time in the pageant's history, Okaloosa County sent a representative to compete in the two-day event.

Miss Okaloosa County, Skylar Babin, is the 19-year-old daughter of Destin residents Nancy and Shane Babin.

During the Friday evening preliminaries, Skylar competed with a field of 38 representatives from Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. She had two rounds of interviews with the five-judge panel, had two on-stage questions and a word category. Judges assessed her and other contestants' competition writings on topic contents, grammar, and spelling; an extensive Peanut Knowledge test, a verbal “commercial” for Okaloosa County, and a verbal summary about themselves.

On Friday, Babin placed in the top 5 for Evening Gown, Verbal, Written, and Peanut Knowledge categories.

During the finals on Saturday, she placed in the top 10 semi-finalists, and then the top 5 finalists. She was awarded winner in the Written Communication and Peanut Knowledge categories.

She won two cash scholarships, a silver tray, crystal vase, and Peanut trophy.

As Miss Okaloosa County, Babin and her sister queens will have their own float for the 75th Annual National Peanut Festival Parade Nov. 10 in downtown Dothan. Her sister queens are Toddler Miss Okaloosa County Ellie Eger of Crestview; Tiny Miss Okaloosa County Evey Rivera of Crestview; Junior Miss Okaloosa County Kadance Fredericksen of Crestview; and Teen Miss Riley Herrington, who is dually enrolled in Freeport High School and Northwest Florida State College.

History of the National Peanut Festival

The 2018 National Peanut Festival Fair is Nov. 2-11. The nation's largest peanut festival, the NPF is held in Dothan, Alabama each fall to honor Georgia, Florida and Alabama peanut farmers and to celebrate the harvest season. Dothan is known as the "Peanut Capital of the World" and is a prime location for growing

peanuts. The majority of all the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius

of Dothan.

Okaloosa County peanut production

According to Okaloosa County Extension Agent Jennifer Bearden, over 3,000 acres of land in Okaloosa

County are planted in peanuts, resulting in yields of 29 million pounds of peanuts annually. The

panhandle of Florida produces enough peanuts annually to place Florida among the top three peanut

producing states in our country. Average crop yields are 2.5 to 3 tons per acre. Bearden says most of Okaloosa's peanuts are bought to make snack cakes, peanut butter, and peanut candies.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Miss Okaloosa among top 5 National Peanut Festival Pageant contestants

CRESTVIEW — Mastering any art takes years of dedication. For some, the pursuit of an art about which one is passionate lasts a lifetime, with the practitioner never satisfied until he or she’s attained the next level of mastery. After that, it's on to conquer the next level.

Friday evening, around 100 such artists demonstrated their newly acquired prowess for an appreciative audience of fellow students and family members as Gordon Martial Arts on Oakdale Avenue in Crestview promoted another round of students to their next belt levels.

Age levels include the Mini-Martials — kids 4, 5 or 6 years old — who may have a bit of a struggle to step up onto the Crestview Community Center stage, but once there, proudly go through a series of forms, or movements, to demonstrate how far they’ve already progressed.

Or ask Travis Robbins and his family. His sons Luke, 5, and Ryan, 7, are avid GMA students.

"We’ve loved it," Travis Robbins said. "We’ve all participated. It’s a real joy. It’s a great family atmosphere."

Scott Williams, an adult martial arts student, not only progressed to his orange belt Friday night, but did so while being nearly blind and deaf. Those of his fellow students who feel reaching the next belt level seems an almost insurmountable task need only look to their sight- and hearing-challenged classmate for inspiration.

"I refuse to treat him any differently than any other student," Chief Master Thomas Gordon said. "If you have an impairment, sometimes you need the discipline of martial arts more than anyone."

Williams appreciates the support he receives from Gordon, his instructor Amanda Howard — who uses sign language in her instructions — and his fellow students.

"The Gordon Martial Arts family supports me a lot," he said. "I feel more happy and inspired to learn from them."

One of his supporters, 9-year-old Phenix Mayo, said having Williams in his school helps him understand how to approach people with challenges.

"I appreciate him," Hollywood said. "I am trying to learn sign language so I can talk to him more. But I can give him a hug or a thumbs-up. That’s how he knows he did well."

"He’s real nice," Carlos Montalbo, also 9, said. "I can’t talk with my hands, but I can smile to him and give him a high-five."

Having Williams as part of the academy’s family is an asset, Gordon said. Williams will share what he has learned Nov. 10 by teaching a self-defense class for the hearing impaired.

"That’s what we’re all about at Gordon Martial Arts," Gordon said. "We’re a family. We support each other, and we give back to our community."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Striving for the next level

BAKER — For Halloween fans, corn mazes are often a favorite pastime since most maze owners add a spooky touch to them.

Hallows Hill Amusement offers a variety of options for those looking for a good, old-fashioned scare.

At sunset, paid actors dressed as zombies, clowns and other scary characters prepare to take their places at the haunted trail and haunted hayrides.

Bill Barnhill, the owner, spoke about the history behind the theme of the haunted trail, which involved the Old Spanish Trail—better known as U.S. Highway 90.

"The Old Spanish Trail ran right through here," Barnhill said pointing at the haunted trail location.

According to Barnhill, the legend says that a battle took place here between conquistadors, settlers and Indians.

But, here is the kicker to this story.

"The Indians as it turns out were zombies," Barnhill said.

Thus came the haunted trail's theme — "Nightmare on the Old Spanish Trail."

However, have no fear. Barnhill said they have the antidote for zombie bites, which is sold in the gift shop in the form of pepper sauce.

And, attendees shouldn't think that because they came last year, the trail will not be as scary. Barnhill said they change up the trail every year.

Although there is no restriction on age for the trail, Barnhill asks that parents use parental discretion.

Hallows Hill began with just a corn maze in 2011. Barnhill started the haunted trail in 2012.

"It's interesting to do, and a unique thing that gives a lot of people the opportunity to act out and show their skills," Barnhill said. "We also make a little money on it."

The Baker Corn Maze takes on a theme every year. This year's corn maze theme fits the agricultural community of Baker — a tractor.

Barnhill likes to describe the maze as "cornfusing," pun definitely intended.

Although the haunted trail and corn maze are the main attractions for Hallows Hill, there are also kid-friendly options open throughout the day.

Attendees can test their marksmanship skills by firing ears of corn through a corn cannon that sounds like an elephant trumpeting.

For those pumpkin-spice-everything people, Hallows Hill Amusement also has a small pumpkin patch for those looking to have a quick fall photo shoot.

The haunted trail and hay rides are open on Friday and Saturday nights.

The corn maze is open throughout the daytime on Saturday and Sunday with a flashlight corn maze available Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information about Hallows Hill Amusement, visit their website www.hallowshill.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hallows Hill features a 'cornfusing' maze and a historically spooky haunted trail

In recent years I've watched good friends walk the valley of battling cancer. Somewhat slowly they went through the process of fighting for their lives. Finally, one day it was over and they died. 

I sat with one dear friend in his home months before he died and he asked, "Why me?" He was about 63 and had just started thinking about retirement and then his life was over. 

I was talking to a classmate from high school who was telling me about his elevated PSA while his significant other had just been diagnosed with cancer. She had just decided to go with a double mastectomy. We were sharing our troubles and we both agreed that we are aging. 

The alternative to dying is aging. If we are to live there is only one way to go and that is adding additional years. While many of us still feel and want to act like we are 21 we aren't. We all know people who died at young ages from disease or an accident or were killed in war. Some of us have been fortunate to live awhile and most of us are very grateful for every day of life. 

We shrug our shoulders sometimes and say we're 40, then 50, then 60, 70 and so forth. It's hard to believe that we have achieved our particular age.  The flipside to this increasing number are life's problems that accompany aging. We don't see as well. We don't hear as good. We don't stand as straight. Our knees and hips hurt. Our hair turns color or falls out. We start having other internal problems related to heart, liver, kidneys, thyroid, lungs and the list goes on. Aging means more trips to the doctor and other medical specialists. The trade off to dying young is frequent body checkups and tune-ups. They aren't fun at all and are sometimes financially prohibitive for many. 

I'm not for socialized medicine but I'm for everyone having access to healthcare. If it takes socialized medicine to insure this then I'll vote for it to happen. I'm totally against the powers that be at an insurance corporate office deciding that I can't have a surgery if my doctor says it's imperative for my health and even life. I am opposed to someone at a government Medicare office saying that Medicare won't pay for a heart surgery; a chemo treatment, dialysis or whatever is needed for anyone's health and life. I am opposed to killing babies on the front end of life and I'm opposed to killing old people at the back end of life.  Life should be given every opportunity. 

We are fortunate if we get to live awhile. The longer we live we will deal with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, polyps, nodules and so forth. Finally, something takes us out and this good life we enjoyed is over.  Thus while we are alive we do all we can do to live wisely and to do our best. We trust that our doctor will do all that he can do and we look to God in faith that beyond this life is a much, much better place where our dear friends and family await our entrance to where they have gone on before. 

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: The Alternative to Dying

CRESTVIEW — Hurricane Michael devastated parts of the Panhandle, and North Okaloosa residents aim to help those dealing with the aftermath of this devastating storm.

Here is a list of places where Crestview residents can donate to our neighbors to the east.

Simply Vapor, 2219 Ferdon Blvd. S, Crestivew, and 144 Mary Esther Blvd., Suite 2, Mary Esther

Simply Vapor District Manager Jimmy Woodley says the company is accepting donation drop offs at both locations. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

"We are also donating 10 percent of all of our sales to the relief effort. We are delivering water and nonperishable food to the Air Force Enlisted Village, and delivering the rest of the supplies directly to Panama City and the surrounding areas in coordination with official relief efforts," Woodley said.

Crestview Police Department, 201 Stillwell Blvd.

The Crestview Police Department is accepting donations of ice coolers for police agencies and first responders in the communities between Panama City and Apalachicola affected by Hurricane Michael.

Donations may be brought to the Crestview Police Department in the Whitehurst Municipal

Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd. at any time, night and day.

Critical Systems manager Kathy Duke, spearheading the drive, said, “With the power out, they have no refrigeration, so coolers will help keep donated ice longer.”

The CPD also welcomes the donation of bottled water, sports drinks, toiletries, diapers and toilet paper. They will load the items into a CPD utility trailer and haul them to the affected communities toward the middle of the week, Deputy Police Chief Jamie Grant said.

Mint Julep Maids Cleaning Service, Crestview, 598-6379

Mint Julep Maids is donating $30 or more of its proceeds from each cleaning job, with the money going to Panama City hurricane survivors. Call the number above to book services, and go to https://bit.ly/2A7AC4H for details.

First Baptist Church of Crestview, 171 W. Hickory Ave., Crestview

FBC Crestview is collecting necessities through next 5 p.m.  Friday, Oct. 19 to go to affected areas.

The Lewis Diamond Gallery, 2670 Ferdon Blvd. S., Suite 103, Crestview

The Lewis Diamond Gallery is also taking donations.

Ruck Up Cup Drive Thru Coffee Stand, 4110 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

Ruck Up Cup Drive Thru Coffee Stand is also accepting donations until 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 12. They will be taken to affected areas.

Shades of Blu, 426 W James Lee Blvd., Crestview

Shades of Blu will serve as a collection point for any necessary items like water, canned goods, and any household/cleaning supplies.

"We have flat beds and trucks ready to go," Breana Carlson Uptigrove said in a Facebook live video.

They will be taking the supplies to the Wewahitchka and Mexico Beach area.

Johnny O’Quigleys, 1025 Industrial Drive, Crestview

If you have supplies, Johnny O'Quigleys will be taking anything you can bring to the restaurant.

"Our first run will be Saturday and will continue for as long as needed," the business commented in a Facebook post.

Tyndall Families Alicia Barnett, 506 Boulder St., Crestview

The Air Force Network of Key Spouses is accepting donations for military families at Tyndall Air Force Base that have suffered from the hurricane.

To donate, you can send items to the above address, or go to the following links:

• https://www.target.com/gift-registry/giftgiver?registryId=84aa1c6631804dbd900a01b18b500318&lnk=registry_custom_url
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=?ie=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&lid=16W28YO332KNO&ty=wishlist

Maxfit Sports Nutrition, 2256 S Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

Jerry Kleinpeter, owner, will be taking donations to Panama City, according to a Facebook post.

Maxfit also has a location in Panama City that was damaged.

Jumping Beans Playzone, 3196 E James Lee Blvd., Crestview

Jumping Beans Playzone will have a donation box set up at their business. Once it fills up, the donations will be taken to Panama City.

Baker Feed and Country Store, 5791 FL-4, Baker

Baker Feed and Country Store has offered to be a drop site for hay, alfalfa cubes and pellets, dog and cat food, and animal first aid supplies. The first trip will head out Saturday morning to Chipley and Marianna. Call 537-1000 for more information.

Volunteer Florida

Whether you are looking to volunteer or donate, you can visit https://www.volunteerflorida.org/  or call 1-800-354-3571.

Children's Advocacy Center, Crestview Police Department, 201 Stillwell Blvd.

The Children's Advocacy Center volunteers are looking to take donations to the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center in Panama City.

Due to possibly being out of power for weeks, they are in need of the following:

• paper plates
• paper towels
• hand sanitizer
• water
• peanut butter
• any non-perishables
• plastic utensils
• toilet paper
• baby wipes
• ready-to-eat food
• bread
• lighters

Ladies of Law Enforcement, Crestview Police Department, 201 Stillwell Blvd.

According to a Facebook post, Ladies of Law Enforcement is working with the Crestview Police Department to take a trailer filled with supplies to the small agencies affected by the hurricane.

They are accepting tax deductible gifts at https://www.ladiesoflawenforcement.org/donate-now and ask that the gift is marked as Hurricane Michael Law Enforcement Relief.

You can also bring non perishable supplies, socks, hygiene products, solar showers, sleeping bags, coolers, and other items to the police department.

Fairfield Inn & Suites

The Crestview Fairfield Inn & Suites at 110 Crosson St. is currently a drop-off spot for supplies going to Panama City area survivors on Friday, Oct. 19. Items most in demand are anything usable without power or running water:

• bottled water
• non-perishable items
• hand wipes
• water purifying tablets
• new clothes
• diapers

The News Bulletin will update this page as more information becomes available.

Email kparker@crestviewbulletin.com or call 682-6524 with information regarding donation sites.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hurricane Michael donation opportunities in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is looking to decorate your next Christmas tree with an ornament featuring the new Okaloosa County Courthouse.

The CRA Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to move forward with the ornaments at the regular meeting on Oct. 8.

The ornaments are a fundraising effort by the CRA.

According to CRA Director Alisa Burleson, the funds will be for beautification of the downtown Crestview area.

"That could be either Christmas decorations or any beautification that we need," Burleson said.

This year's ornament is an oval-shaped, gold ornament with an engraving of the new Okaloosa County courthouse.

"At the risk of being the Grinch this afternoon, and I'm most appreciative that you're using my courthouse as the design," Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said. "… My concern is that your time at the end of the day is probably more valuable to this organization focused on the big picture revitalization things."

"There's a million dollars in the bank, and there's a lot to be done. I just want to be careful that we don't end up in the weeds on something like this that has limited upside."

Boyles also said this project would be better fit for the Main Street Association.

Burleson said the Main Street Association will be helping market the ornament.

"The main purpose of this is more of a good will thing," Burleson said. "Every year, I want to establish a new ornament representing the city of Crestview."

The CRA plans to order 20 ornaments that will be sold in a felt box for $20 each.

Total, the ornaments will cost almost $2,000 although additional funds could be added, Burleson said. Funds for the ornaments will come from the revitalization section currently sitting at $95,000.

Burleson said they hope to begin taking orders online and at the Oct. 27 Fall Festival in downtown Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CRA moving forward with Christmas ornament featuring the new courthouse

CRESTVIEW — With Hurricane Michael approaching, some closures and other notices have been released in Okaloosa County.

BRIDGES

The Florida Department of Transportation will close all of the bridges once sustained winds exceed 39 miles per hour. They will do this without warning. The County is asking people who must use bridges to evacuate and wish to do so to evacuate as soon as possible. The governor has lifted tolls for bridges in advance of this storm.

CITY OF CRESTVIEW, TRASH PICKUP

City Offices will close at noon Oct. 9 and remain closed Oct. 10.

The city released this notice about Waste Management Pro trash pickup. "Waste Pro has informed the City of Crestview that in the event of winds over 30 miles per hour on Wednesday, the service days will be delayed

by one day: Wednesday Routes – Move to Thursday; Thursday Routes – Moved to Friday; Friday Routes – Moved to Saturday."

COUNTY COURT, JAIL NOTICES

Okaloosa County Courts will close at noon Oct. 9 and will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Judge Mason’s Tuesday plea day (scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9) is rescheduled for Oct. 23.

Judge Brown’s Tuesday criminal pre-trial hearings (scheduled Oct. 9) with incarcerated defendants that are represented by Regional Conflict Counsel or the Public Defender is rescheduled to docket day on Oct. 17.

Information about Oct. 10 Shelter and Detention hearings and First Appearances will be determined and announced Oct. 9.

For further updates, go to https://twitter.com/1stCircuitFL or @1stCircuitFL, and www.firstjudicialcircuit.org.

Okaloosa County’s jail stands ready to withstand the affects of the storm. The jail has four days of food on hand to supply the inmates and will be able to serve food with or without power. The generators for the jail are fueled and ready to provide power as well.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE

Eglin Air Force Base will close the East Gate at 2 p.m. Oct. 9. The West Gate will remain open until winds reach 58 mph. At that point, the West Gate will be closed. See http://eglin.af.mil and Eglin AFB FB page for updates.

PETS, HORSES

The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society shelter is at full capacity as of Tuesday, Oct. 9. Owners must now waive 24-hour rights when surrendering their pets, and PAWS takes immediate ownership of the animals.

Baker Area Recreation Association is accepting horses for shelter.  For inquiries, contact Tracy Rogers, 850-537-4744 or Tim Ross, 850-259-1284. 

SAND BAGS

Sand bag and sand locations are now open to the public at Okaloosa County Public Works, 1759 South Ferdon Blvd., Crestview; and Public Works, 84 Ready Road NW, Fort Walton Beach. The City of Destin Public Works is also giving away sandbags at their office on Commons Drive in Destin.

SCHOOLS

The Okaloosa County School District said during an Okaloosa County Commission meeting Monday afternoon that schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Northwest Florida State College canceled all classes and administrative operations for Oct. 9 and 10. This cancellation includes all athletics, arts and student activities. Visit www.nwfsc.edu and the school's social media for details on when the college will re-open.

SHELTERS

Okaloosa County shelters are on standby for the storm and will be activated on the command of the Board of County Commissioners.

Shelters will officially open to the public at 8 p.m. Monday.

One standard and special needs shelter is Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Another standard shelter will open at 8 a.m. at Raider Arena, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

The primary shelter will be Davidson Middle School, followed by Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College. Shoal River Middle School, 3200 Redstone Ave. E., will also be used if needed.

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES, CANCELLATIONS

• The Crestview Public Library will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 9 and 10.
• The Northwest Florida State College Film Club set for Oct. 8 is canceled. The next one is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in Building 110, Room 328 at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville.

• BOCC: An Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners special meeting set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Okaloosa County Administration Building in Shalimar is cancelled.

• CAMPGROUNDS, TRAILS: The Florida Forest Service is shutting down its operations, offices, recreation and day-use areas in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties starting Oct. 9. The closure will last through close of business Thursday, Oct. 11. All campgrounds, trails, swimming lakes, day-use areas and offices are included in this closure.

• FOOD STAMPS/SNAP: The Department of Children and Families has ordered an early release of SNAP benefits. Current SNAP customers who normally receive benefits Oct. 10-28 will receive their benefits by 7 a.m. Oct. 9 in the following counties:  Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie.

• BEACH ACCESS: All public parks and beach accesses were closed Monday evening, Oct. 8.

• VOTER REGISTRATION AFFECTED: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections offices in Shalimar and Crestview will close at noon Oct. 9. This will affect the voter registration deadline Oct. 9. Any new Florida Voter Registration Applications must be submitted in person by noon, Oct. 9. People may also register online that day, but must submit the applications before 11 a.m. Oct. 9. Call 689-5600 or 651-7272 for more information. Also, Floridians can register to vote online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, which is fully operational, until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9. UPDATE: from Ken Detzner, Florida Secretary of State: Any Supervisor of Elections whose office is closed Oct. 9, the book closing deadline, as a result of Hurricane Michael is authorized to accept paper voter registration applications and third party voter regisration organization submissions until the end of the day for the 2018 General Election on the next day that office is reopened. This will ensure that each Supervisor of Elections Office has the same amount of days to register voters at their offices. As of this release, it is uncertain what day that will be, but new registrants can focus on preparing for the storm and submitting their voter registration application once it has passed.
• ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM POSTPONED: The Gulf Power Economic Symposium scheduled Oct. 11 and 12 at the Baytowne Conference Center in Miramar Beach and all related events have been postponed. This is a major safety concern for our attendees since many would be traveling to the event during this time. Go to https://www.gulfpowersymposium.com/postponed for hotel and conference registration refund information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hurricane Michael notices released for Okaloosa County