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

Paving operations on State Road 20, between Roberts Drive and the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector, resume Sunday, March 30.

Motorists can expect lane restrictions Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. until mid-May. 

For more information regarding the Florida Department of Transportation District Three, visit the organization's Twitter page.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Paving operations resume on State Road 20

BAKER — Baker Lions Club members seek vendors to operate booths for the April 5 Spring Fling.

Local businesses, particularly those that sell homemade products, can contact club president Joyce Cosson for an application. April 1 is the application deadline.

The Spring Fling, which begins at 9 a.m., will feature an antique cars display and live bluegrass, country and gospel music, including a performance from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church's Mountain Movers Band. And event organizers want to add more family-friendly entertainment acts, Cosson said. 

Food options available for purchase will include fried fishcooked by club members, Cajun food and Chinese items from Golden Buffet in Crestview.  

Residents can attend a pancake breakfast prior to the Spring Fling from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the nearby Gator Cafe. From there, attendees have a short distance to travel to the Baker Block Museum for festivities.

"The main thing is that this is for the community," Cosson said.

Event proceeds will help provide free eye examinations for Baker area residents. The Lions Club regularly provides screenings at Baker School and local events.

Did you know?

The Baker Lions Club canceled last year's Spring Fling due to a scheduling conflict with the Triple B: Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cook-off in downtown Crestview, club president Joyce Cosson said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: The Baker Lions Club's Spring Fling

WHEN:  Booths open 9 a.m. April 5

WHERE: Baker Block Museum, 1307 Georgia Ave., Baker

COST: $5 for pancake breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Gator Cafe on Highway 4

DETAILS: Interested vendors can contact Joyce Cosson, 537-2491, for applications and pricing.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Lions Club seeks vendors for April Spring Fling

NICEVILLE —  Northwest Florida State College’s PRIME Time will host a Volunteer Day 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 in the Student Services and Student Activities Centers, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

Representatives from NWFSC programs, Okaloosa Walton Medical Reserve Corps, Guardian Ad Litem and other local nonprofits will answer questions about volunteer opportunities.

Call Laura Schultze, NWFSC Professional and Continuing Education, at 729-6084, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF State College PRIME Time organization presents Volunteer Day opportunities

CRESTVIEW — Velma K. Conyers celebrated her 101st birthday surrounded by five generations of family, friends and fellow Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church members.

Members of the J.R.L. Conyers Masonic Lodge, named for Velma Conyers' late husband, and the Velma K. Conyers Chapter 7 Order of the Eastern Star joined in the celebration.

Mayor David Cadle marked the occasion by issuing a proclamation recognizing Conyers' contributions to the community.

Conyers has been a Mt. Zion member since 1926. She sang in the choir and, among many other activities, baked the Communion bread and dressed the church on Communion Sundays.

In 2000, the Eastern Star's local chapter, which she joined when she was 18, was named in honor of her service. Conyers was the chapter's matron for 46 years.

Conyers, the daughter of Charlie and Hattie G. Jones, moved to Crestview when she was 8. She married James Robert Lee Conyers On March 31, 1929.

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 woman celebrates 101st birthday with family, church members

I would like to talk about Bertha Henry, the county’s first librarian, for Women’s History Month.

Bertha — who came to Crestview with her mother, Lucy, as Okaloosa County's Home Demonstration agent in 1920 — started the county's 4-H clubs, according to “Crestview: The Forkland” and a history report by Flo Lembeck. She taught residents how to grow crops and was the Federated Woman's Club of Crestview's secretary when the organization started the first library.

"Bertha … became the librarian and housed the library in her home located on Pine Avenue. Books were collected through book drives," the records state.

"An endowment by Lucy Henry (Bertha’s Mother) allowed the library to move to the Episcopal Church. The library was named the Lucy Henry Library. Mrs. Henry was blind; therefore, Bertha took on the librarian functions of lending the books and keeping records.

More than 700 people borrowed books one year, according to records. This past year, more than 147,000 people visited the library and checked out more than 188,000 items.

Today, a portrait of Ms. Bertha hangs in the library.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Remembering Bertha Henry, the county's first librarian

CRESTVIEW — Starting April 1, Crestview households can save money on purchases from area businesses just by being active recyclers.

Waste Pro customers just need to apply a barcode sticker to their recycling tub, sign up online, and start or resume recycling each week, Greg Martin, the company's division manager, said.

"Statistics show that nearly 50 percent of everyday household garbage is made up of materials that can be recycled," city officials stated in a letter to resident trash customers.

A barcode sticker will accompany the letter, along with instructions for setting up an account with Orlando-based Rewards for Recycling, which has contracted with the waste collection service.

The mailing will also include a list of materials that can be recycled, Martin said.

How it works

A scanner on the waste collection company's trucks will read the barcode sticker and update the customer's account, showing the resident is an active recycler.

Since Waste Pro assumed the city's waste contract in 2008, recycling efforts have doubled from a ton to two tons. Martin expects the new program will increase weekly recycling to three or more tons.

"Our drivers will be working harder because hopefully more people will be recycling," Martin said.

So far, Rewards for Recycling has signed up an estimated 15 businesses to take part in the program, he said. Each business creates a discount or offer, he said. Customers will redeem reward coupons online by logging into their accounts.

"We hope it draws our customers to the commercial businesses, too; kinda scratching each other's back, so to speak," Martin said. "We're looking forward to this program. We've never done it before" in Crestview.

There is no cost to sign up for the program and no cost for businesses to make their offers available to Waste Pro Rewards customers, Martin said.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Crestview residential trash service customers can earn Waste Pro Rewards, including coupons to area businesses, for weekly recycling. Customers will receive information about the program, including a barcode sticker for their recycle bins, in the mail soon.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Waste Pro customers can recycle, earn discounts with new program

CRESTVIEW — Jerry Kindle, of the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida, was the speaker during the Crestview Civitan Club's March 13 meeting. 

Kindle gave a comprehensive briefing on the role of the American Red Cross and his area, which covers four counties and has a staff of seven, with 500 volunteers. 

His office is in Pensacola, with branch offices in Crestview, Milton, DeFuniak Springs and on Eglin Air Force Base. 

Call 432-7601 to become a Red Cross volunteer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Red Cross CEO addresses Civitan Club members

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with a series of events, including a student poetry competition during the library's annual Poetry Slam.

Sixth- through 12th-graders and college students can present up to three original poems during the April 8 event and compete for prizes in the two categories.

Throughout April, the Reference Department will have a magnetic poetry board with sets of words available for patrons' arrangement, event organizer Esther Hurwitz said.

"The cleverest compositions will be featured on our Facebook and Instagram pages," she said.

Other National Poetry Month events are as follows:

• All month: The library's Poetry Prompt Blog will provide poetry starters four times a week at http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com

• April 18: Panhandle Poetry Project members will visit Northwood Arts and Science Academy

• April 24, Poem in Your Pocket Day: Library visitors will receive a poem to stick in their pocket or purse and to share with others. Poems are by local, national and renowned world poets.

• April 25: Panhandle Poetry Project members will visit Antioch Elementary School fourth-graders

Hurwitz offered her thanks and appreciation to Poetry Slam sponsors Chill Yogurt, Uncle Bill's Family Restaurant, the Hot Dog Shoppe, The Baron’s Tea House, Café Bienville, The Flower Basket, Sweet Dreams Bakery, and Sandy and Dave Nearbin.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Annual Poetry Slam for National Poetry Month: poetry and music jam and student poetry competition

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. April 8

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview

NOTES: Students can present up to three poems each in the middle and high school category or college category for prizes. Contact Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us, or Rick Sanders, 585-6399 to register.

Email News Bulletin Staff Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library plans events, Poetry Slam, for National Poetry Month