Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists ask the public to report sightings of three rare snake species: Florida pine snake, southern hognose snake and short-tailed snake.

The three species are found in dry, upland habitats and spend most of their time underground.

All of these snake species have been petitioned for federal listing.

See MyFWC.com/Conservation, select “How You Can Conserve,” and choose “Snakes” under “Living with Wildlife” for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida residents asked to report sightings of rare snakes

FORT WALTON BEACH — Six Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park and Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Islands National Seashore and Emerald Promenade of Okaloosa Island; Clement Taylor Park and James Lee Park of Destin, based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 parks receive advisories for hazardous water

NICEVILLE — The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women will induct 2013 honorees 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Northwest Florida State College’s Student Services Center in Niceville.

Individuals wanting to attend the ceremony and reception may RSVP to Wanjiku Jackson, 729-5202 or hof@occsw.org.

Contact Shirley Pigott, chair@occsw.org, or visit www.occsw.org for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa women's Hall of Fame ceremony is Aug. 26

CRESTVIEW — William A. and Kathleen H. Miller of Crestview celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary Aug. 5, 2013.  

The Millers moved to Crestview in 2012 from Flintstone, Ga.

William is a former "country gentleman" with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. He and his wife served as Kiwanis lieutenant governors in their former district of Kentucky-Tennessee, and are currently Crestview Kiwanis Club members. They attend First United Methodist Church of Crestview.

The Millers have two children, Elizabeth Roy, married to Mike Roy of Crestview and the late William David Miller of Hixson, Tenn. They also have a daughter-in-law, Linda Miller.

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' “Special Occasions”— birth, centenarian, engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements— at no charge. We may edit submissions for length and style.

Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASIONS: Millers celebrate 69th anniversary

HURLBURT FIELD — Chaplain Col. (retired) Walter and Ikie Beamon celebrated their golden anniversary Saturday at the Hurlburt Field Soundside Club surrounded by more than 250 family members and friends.

Click here for a photo gallery of the celebration>>

Click here to see a video tribute to the Beamons>>

The Beamons and their guests were serenaded by The Wesley Boys gospel harmony quartet, the First United Methodist Church of Crestview bell choir, and a solo rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" performed by Dorothy Washington of Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlanta.

Col. Beamon is a retired former associate pastor at First United Methodist, where the Sunday school class instructed by the couple is the largest in the church.

The evening's Master of Ceremonies, the Rev. Oledia Bell, said the couple met at a school dance at Tougaloo College in Mississippi during Ikie Beamon's sophomore year.

"She had told God she would have anyone he sent her but she didn't want a preacher … and then came this guy who couldn't even dance fast," Bell said.

Walter Beamon graduated with a biology degree in 1960 and taught school for several years. He graduated from the Virginia Union School of Theology in 1969.

Ikie Beamon, a retired registered nurse, followed her husband when, as the Air Force Chaplains Service's ninth black chaplain in its 69-year history, he was transferred to South Korea.

During Saturday's celebration, Chaplain Col. (ret.) Robert Jemerson, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in San Antonio, led the Beamons in renewing their wedding vows.

As church and Air Force friends offered tributes to the couple, Chaplain Col. (ret.) John Blair likened the Beamons to TV's Jeffersons.

"Since they were from Mississippi, they had their piece of the pie, but unlike the Jeffersons, fish would fry in their kitchen and beans would burn on their grill," Blair said to laughter.

While thanking their guests for sharing in their celebration, Pastor Beamon offered some advice for a long, happy marriage.

"The best way to stay married this long is to learn this phrase: 'Yes, dear,'" he said.

As the evening concluded and guests departed, "Movin' On Up," "The Jeffersons" theme song, played over the sound system.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASIONS: Beamons celebrate golden anniversary (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — A local Boy Scout troop with a remarkable track record for graduating its members to scouting's highest rank has added another Eagle Scout to its roster.

Click here for photos from the ceremony>>

Tayler Vest of Troop 773, chartered to the Knights of Columbus, was promoted to Eagle Scout on Saturday at his Court of Honor.

"This is a time for pride and joy as well as an occasion for serious reflection," Boy Scouts District Executive Kelly Carrico said.

The ceremony included traditions such as the lighting of the Eagle Trail, a series of candles that were a visual reminder of the ranks through which Tayler progressed to attain Eagle.

Tayler's proud parents, Kellie and Joe Vest, pinned their son's Eagle badge on his uniform, and in return received small Eagle pins from Tayler.

Then, as directed by Troop 773 Scout Master Daniel Behr, Tayler, following troop tradition, hugged and kissed his mom. Parental support is a cornerstone of the troop's success, Behr said.

After Behr and Carrico removed Tayler's red troop neckerchief and replaced it with the blue-and-white Eagle neckerchief, Tayler extinguished all but his Eagle candle, kneeled, prayed for God's guidance and thanked all his supporters.

"It's been a long trail," Tayler said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview troop adds another Eagle Scout to its ranks (PHOTOS)

NICEVILLE — Family members gathered at the Martial Arts Combat Academy on Saturday to watch Harrison Mauldin receive an honorary black belt.

The 14-year-old Crestview resident earned the honor for his accomplishments in the Special Olympics, along with showing leadership skills and determination.

Harrison, who has a high-functioning form of autism, has participated in the Special Olympics for the past two years, winning a bronze medal in the 800-meter run and a silver medal in the 1,500-meter run in May during the state Olympic games in Orlando. 

"I have never met anyone with the determination that he has," Harrison’s father, Rodney, said. "Once he sets his mind to something, he is going to do it." 

This was the first time the Niceville academy has given an honorary black belt to someone with no martial arts background, instructor John Lee said.

However, Harrison "fit the mold" for criteria of earning an honorary black belt, he said.

"In society today, he is trying to be a positive role model, not just in the Special Olympics, but he encourages other children to get up and be healthy," Lee said.

Harrison also received a martial arts uniform and plaque.

Achieving victory in anything is simple for the teenager, who plans to continue participating in Special Olympics running competitions.

"I win in my heart," Harrison said. "I will always picture myself as a winner." 

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview teen, Special Olympics standout earns honorary black belt

CRESTVIEW — Mayor David Cadle announced Tuesday afternoon that a ceremony to present former Mayor George Whitehurst with the city's Mae Retha Coleman Citizen of the Year Award was postponed.

The ceremony had been scheduled for Tuesday evening at Warriors Hall in the municipal building named for the honoree.

Cadle said Whitehurst had taken ill and would be unable to attend the event as he was under a doctor's care. The mayor's office will announce when the ceremony has been rescheduled.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Whitehurst Citizen of the Year ceremony postponed

CRESTVIEW — Rain didn't stop the Crestview Area Ministerial Association from providing a block party for Rolling Pines residents on Saturday.

See a photo gallery or watch video of the block party.

It also didn't stop neighborhood children from enjoying CAMA’s inflatable slides and bounce houses.

It definitely didn’t deter residents from enjoying hamburgers and hotdogs provided at no charge.

And that’s just fine by CAMA, which wanted residents to enjoy the fruits of event organizers’ labor — and, hopefully, take a larger message from the get-together.     

"We just want people to know that God loves them," CAMA acting President David Van Zandt said, adding the association wants to provide an annual block party at different residential areas.

Van Zandt, Dorcas Baptist Church’s pastor, said several area churches, including Joy Fellowship, Live Oak Baptist Church and Global Missions Baptist Church, volunteered for the event.

The Rev. Dale Walters, Joy Fellowship’s senior pastor, said the block party aimed to show residents that area churches could work together.

"We're not here trying to draw anyone into anything," he said. "We are showing them that we have love for one another, and that we can go across any denominational lines."

Another function was bringing the neighborhood together, Walters said.

"I'm sure there are a lot of people in this neighborhood that live here who have never met each other," he said.

One new resident appreciated the meet-and-greet opportunity.

"I didn't move here until last week," said Brian Collett, who will continue his service in the U.S. Air Force. "I thought this would be a good opportunity to get out and see everyone in the community."

Steve Young, who has lived in Rolling Pines with his wife and 2-year-old daughter for the past three years, said he has noticed many military members moving into the neighborhood.

"The neighborhood has grown over the past year," he said, adding he couldn’t recall Rolling Pines programming a similar event.

Still, timing is everything, he said.

"This seems like a great idea — just a bad day to do it," Young said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview ministerial group hosts block party (PHOTOS, VIDEO)