CRESTVIEW — Central Baptist Church offers an alternative to traveling long distances for recreational water fun.

Crestview has no municipal pool, but the Recreational Outreach Center’s community pool — available to the public the past two years — is gaining popularity, ROC Director Dana Young said.

“It’s grown this year,” she said. “At any given time, we have around 20 to 30 (at the pool).” The pool, which Young said has a 56-person capacity, is open to the community Monday through Saturday.

Most guests are mothers who bring their children to the pool, Young said. However, military personnel regularly use the pool for exercise during lane swim time.

Shawn Jones and his Crestview family on multiple occasions have visited the ROC, rather than trek to public beaches on the county’s south end.

“It’s way better than the backyard hose,” he said. “It’s a great alternative to Destin traffic. It’s a great atmosphere to come to during community swim time.”

The ROC offers twice weekly water fitness classes taught by certified fitness instructor Dara Smith.

Her Tuesday and Thursday classes attract 20 to 30 participants.

“Basically, everything you do on the land you can do in the water,” Smith said. “It’s a nice change because you are sweating in the water, but you don’t realize how hot and sweaty you are. Because of that, she advises participants to bring plenty of liquids. The pool has an on-duty lifeguard during community swim hours — just in case, Young said. The facility features a fitness room with weight lifting equipment, basketball courts and a soon to be reopened racquetball court. ROC staffers are installing wheelchair accessible seating to allow those with special needs to enjoy the pool.

Such amenities are available to — and often are used by — non-church members, Young said.

“Most of the time, the only people with the church are the (ROC) staff,” she said.

WANT TO SWIM? What: Public swimming When: Various times, Monday through Saturday (see swimming schedule; must have Adobe Acrobat Reader) Where: Central Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center, 1105 S. Pearl St. Cost: Day pass, $2 per person; monthly pass, $25 per person; family monthly pass, $50

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's Central Baptist Church offers public pool access

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

Advisories have been issued for Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach; Poquito Park of Shalimar; East Pass of Destin; Lincoln Park of Valparaiso; and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville based on the enterococci standards recommended by the EPA. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.

*Please be advised that advisories issued due to recent sewer spills are still in effect. Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach, Marler Park on Okaloosa Island, and Lincoln Park in Valparaiso are under an advisory until further notice.

Due to poor water quality at East Pass in Destin and the recent wastewater spill in Fort Walton Beach and in an abundance of caution, Health Department officials are extending advisories to Gulf Islands National Seashore on Okaloosa Island and Clement E. Taylor Park in Destin until next week’s testing.

The health department advises the public not to enter the water, use water or jet skis, or boat in waters from Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach to Clement E. Taylor Park in Destin until samples show that the waters are safe.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Five parks receive advisories for fecal matter and sewage spill

CRESTVIEW — Lightning likely caused the fire that destroyed a Painter Branch Road home this afternoon while Ronald Bray and his wife, Young, were away.

Fire officials were called to the residence around 2:30 p.m. after neighbors contacted volunteer firefighters from Dorcas.

Bray and his wife were at Big Kahuna's Water Park in Destin when they learned their home was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters rescued the couple's dog ─ Jill, a chocolate Labrador ─ which was inside the home during the fire.

Once the dog was free from the burning house, firefighters couldn't corral the scared animal. The dog then ran off into the neighborhood.

"Hopefully the dog is okay," Bray said.

In addition to the home being totaled, a family sport utility vehicle was heavily damaged. The home and vehicle are insured, Bray said. 

Bray said he and his wife will stay at a local hotel for the time being.

"Hopefully the insurance company will cover this," he 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: Lightning blamed for residential fire on Painter Branch Road

BAKER — Baker 4- H Adventurers who participated in the June 22 Florida 4-H Dog Project & Show Day at Ocala’s Southeastern Livestock Pavilion took home a number of awards.

The group represented Okaloosa County by participating in obedience and showmanship classes, the Dog Project Quiz Bowl and a Skill-a-thon.

In the obedience class, Okaloosa County’s Kalysta Laird took second place; Allie Dallas took third place.

OkaloosaCounty’s Lily Smith took second place, and Laird and Dallas took third place in showmanship.

The 4-H Dog Quiz Bowl, which tests members’ dog knowledge, allowed youths enrolled in the 4-H Dog Project to demonstrate their knowledge of dog-related subject matter. Questions tested the contestants’ knowledge of dog conformation and anatomy, canine health, and 4-H and American Kennel Club dog show rules. Two teams of four members competed against each other, with Okaloosa County placing fourth overall in the competition.

The Skill-a-thon was based on individual questions asked of participants, who had to demonstrate a variety of skills based on their age category. Okaloosa County competed in the junior division for ages 8-10, with Laird taking first place and Dallas placing third. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker 4-H members represent Okaloosa at Dog Project/Show Day

CRESTVIEW — This month, Hub City Ford staffers hope to store as many school supplies as they can in a van. The items would benefit Calvary United Church’s effort for needy children.

"Stuff the Van" is a first for the church, which in prior years purchased school items with business donations, the Rev. Charles Braneff said.

Collections will be distributed, as amount allows, to the first 200 attendees at the 8th Annual "Back 2 School Bash,” scheduled for 6-9:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard. The event will feature games, prizes and refreshments.

Donors can visit the South Ferdon Boulevard auto dealer to contribute. Additionally, the van will appear Aug. 9 at the Crestview Wal-Mart, allowing customers to purchase school supplies inside the store and donate them on their way out, Braneff said.

Chris Daggs, the dealer’s general manager, said the event likely will benefit several Hub City students.

"Crestview is a big growing community, and we have a lot of kids here; everybody could use a little help," he said. "We will sell vehicles and work on vehicles for people, but we also want to help out and give back."

Want to help?

Visit Hub City Ford on South Ferdon Boulevard through July 31 to “stuff the van” for needy children.Available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

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 auto dealer, church present school supplies drive

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Community Emergency Response Team and Holt Volunteer Fire Department members are helping Holt Boy Scouts work toward earning the Emergency Preparedness merit badge.

In turn, Troop 532 members will help Holt during natural or manmade disasters.

Mark Brown, the Crestview CERT’s team chief, on Monday advised six scouts about creating a troop mobilization plan. With the scouts’ assistance, volunteer firefighters could concentrate on providing relief in the community, helping the elderly and clearing roadways during emergencies, Holt Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Chestnut said.

"They can help us out in a lot of different ways, handing out water, handing out tarps, ice," he said. "That frees up our guys to do what they are trained to do."  

First, the scouts need to identify a meeting place, such as the troop’s regular meeting location or at the church. Additionally, they need an alternative location, should the first one be unavailable. Other priorities include establishing an alternative communication method, should telephone lines and cell phone towers be unavailable.

Once the troop writes the plan, it must be presented to Brown and Chestnut.

"This is the first time we have endeavored to do the Emergency Preparedness merit badge," Scoutmaster  Max Cooper said. "I have been affiliated with other scout troops in other cities; we have really never had a mobilization plan."

Bryce Taylor, 10, summed it up.

"Let’s just say, a tornado happens out in Holt, you have got to know what to do then," he said. "That is kind of what the badge is all about." 

Scouts browsed Holt fire engines and asked questions; later, they will tour the fire station to learn how they can assist the community during disasters.

The skills they’re developing have long-term implications, Brown said.

"This badge will develop a lifelong learning process that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives," he said. "What they learn now at this early age will teach them skills that they will continue to build on."

Crestview CERT, which trains residents in emergency preparedness, provides a similar service to support Hub City emergency responders.

The group regularly assists members to become CPR-certified and trains amateur radio enthusiasts for licensed communication.

"In the first 72 to 96 hours after a catastrophe hits … it’s going to be neighbors helping neighbors at that time," Brown said.

Email CERT officials at crestviewcert@yahoo.com. Crestview CERT can also be followed on Facebook at on.fb.me/17PyKeh.

Want to help?

 What: Crestview Community Emergency Response Team meetings

 When: 7-8 p.m., fourth Tuesdays

Where: Second-floor training room, Crestview Fire Department, 321 W. Woodruff Ave. The room is wheelchair accessible.

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: Holt Boy Scouts earning emergency preparedness badges

CRESTVIEW — Run for the Hills 5K Mud Run, an Okaloosa County Farm Bureau fundraiser, is 8 a.m. July 13 at 6358 Lake Ella Road, Dorcas. A kids fun run begins at 9:30 a.m.

The adult 5K costs $45; the kids fun run costs $20. Proceeds will benefit agriculture awareness programs that the Farm Bureau facilitates in Okaloosa County schools and communities.

Register or find more details at http://bit.ly/12flCrb.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: THIS WEEKEND: Run for the Hills 5K Mud Run to fund ag programs

CRESTVIEW — The Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center is hosting a kids picnic tomorrow at Allen Park.

Hours are 5-8 p.m. July 11 at 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

Everyone is asked to bring a dish or dessert. Hot dogs, chips, sides desserts and drinks will be served.

Local community kids and their families are invited to attend. For more information call 417-7017.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview kids picnic planned July 11

BERLIN — Two Crestview students are helping a German brother and sister improve their English language skills while experiencing the culture of each other’s countries.

When Jonah Fischer, 15, and his father, Tillman, visited Crestview from Berlin, Germany in 2010, he befriended Ethan Sparagowski, now a Crestview High freshman.

After hearing stories about his two weeks of fishing, swimming and visiting classes at Davidson Middle School, Jonah’s little sister, Marlene, wanted to experience some of the same southern friendship.

Last fall, the 9-year-old, known as “Lilli” to friends and family, started exchanging letters with Baker School fifth-grader Jordyn Barnes.

“Having American friends in Crestview has helped the children learn English better,” their mother, elementary school teacher Sabine Fischer, said. “They learn things from their friends that we don’t teach in the school.”

During a recent walk along Berlin’s Spree River with their parents, Jonah and Lilli stopped near the iconic Reichstag building to send greetings to Ethan and Jordyn.

Lilli hopes to greet her Crestview friend in person one day.

“Perhaps we can visit during Lilli’s Easter holidays,” Tillman Fischer said. “For now, she looks forward to each of Jordyn’s letters and is thinking of things to write to her about.”

In her first letter to Lilli, Jordyn enclosed a crocheted bracelet that Lilli proudly wears on her arm.

While her family is on its annual summer trip in their motor home to visit friends in Greece, Lilli said she would gather many topics for her next letter to Jordyn.

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: German students forge friendships in Crestview

UPDATE: Crestview's Fourth of July fireworks display has been canceled. No alternative date has been set.

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CRESTVIEW — The Hub City’s Fourth of July celebration is Thursday night at Twin Hills Park.

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North Hathaway Street, from U.S. Highway 90 to the Playground Drive-Purl Adams Avenue intersection, will close for festivities beginning at 6 p.m.

Families may enjoy children's activities including inflatable bounce houses and a slide. Vendors will be available 6-8:30 p.m. at the park’s football field.

The fireworks presentation begins at 9 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview celebrates Fourth of July at Twin Hills Park