FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County Division of Environmental Services, which began spot spraying in May, has four tips to avoid mosquitoes.

Mosquito Control and Public Health Departments urge the public to “SWAT” as follows.

•Stay inside with screened doors and windows during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes bite.

•When outside, wear clothing that covers skin.

•Apply mosquito repellant that includes DEET on your skin when you are outside.

•Turn over standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs or rid your outdoor area of standing water in which mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

Apply all mosquito repellents in accordance with the recommended frequency and methods suggested by the manufacturer, the groups said.

Mosquito spray trucks generally operate from 7 p.m. until 12 p.m. but could also operate in the early morning hours.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County issues advice to avoid mosquitoes

CRESTVIEW — Financial adviser Joe Faulk invites the community to attend a Mid-Year Town Hall on Friday night at Warriors Hall. The event will feature advice from community leaders and financial experts.

In addition to hosting the event, the Edward Jones representative will discuss fixed income and the economy.

Other speakers and their topics are as follows:

•Kay Rasmussen, Okaloosa County Economic Development Council interim president; local business.

•Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles; government and legislation

•Bart Fleet, of Fleet, Spencer and Kilpatrick P.A.; federal estate tax law

Audience members can ask questions after each panelist speaks for about 15 minutes, Faulk said, adding the event may recur.

"I fully anticipate a successful event on Friday and hope to hold two events annually," he said. "We hope to hold a 2014 beginning-year town hall to provide a full-year outlook at the end of January 2014 and a mid-year town hall to review our full-year outlook, and look forward at the remainder of the year at the end of July 2014."

Want to go?

 What: The Edward Jones Mid-Year Town Hall Meeting

 When: Friday; networking begins at 5 p.m. Main event is 6-8 p.m.

 Where: Warriors Hall Auditorium, 201 Stillwell Blvd.

Cost: Free

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: Finance-themed town hall meeting on Friday in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — If a natural disaster wipes out north Okaloosa County’s power lines, amateur radio enthusiasts can link and guide first responders using satellite positioning and related technology.

The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club displayed its telecommunication skills using different forms of amateur, or ham, radios, on Saturday at Dorcas Fire Station 42. Members participating in the American Radio Relay League’s National Field Day contacted as many ham operators as possible during the 24-hour exercise. This year, club members made 800 contacts.

"The goal also is to set up emergency power, emergency antennas in a short amount of time," club member Steve Hayes said. "Demonstrating what you would do in an emergency situation."

To that end, members erected antennas and installed a gasoline-powered generator near the Deer Spring Road building — just in case. The fire station — where the club meets monthly — is an alternative Emergency Operations Center for communications and food-and-water distribution.   

Daniel Sainz received his first amateur radio experience last weekend with an invitation from his grandfather, club member Mike Martell. The event left an impression, he said.

"You get to meet people from everywhere," Sainz said. "The furthest I have made contact was South Carolina."

 Martell said amateur radio operation — which requires a license, as the Federal Communications Commission regulates it — is a hobby someone can have for life.

"It’s a hobby that I can take into when I get old, because you sit down when you do it," he said. "You can talk to people all over the world."

Glenn Goll, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said he enjoys talking to people through his home system.

"I've gotten into Australia, New Zealand, France, England," he said. "That's halfway around the world …”

Operators share signal levels and call-sign information and conduct the occasional small talk, members said.

"Usually its the weather, kids, grandkids and antennas," Goll said. "We try to stay away from religion and politics."

Amateur radios have progressed since their 20th century, simple-coded origins, Hayes said. 

"There are digital modes where you can work on a computer and talk via the computer if you are hard of hearing," he said.

Cal Zethmayr, the club's activities manager, said amateur radio has assisted first responders’ efforts, particularly with coordinating efforts in Hurricane George’s 1998 aftermath.

 "When Crestview became an island after George, our members assisted with communications," he said in an email. "We provide operators at all of the Red Cross shelters and for the Amateur Radio Communications room at the new EOC in Niceville."  

Want to join?

Learn how to become a North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club member at http://w4aaz.org.

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

http://w4aaz.org

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAMMIN' IT UP: Okaloosa ham radio enthusiasts gather for field day

CRESTVIEW — Gordon Martial Arts will offer a free women's self-defense course from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The session will feature insight from Crestview Police Department and North Okaloosa Medical Center representatives.

Wear gym or exercise clothes if you go.

The event is at 130 W. Oakdale Ave., downtown Crestview.

Contact barbara@gordonmartialarts.com or call 682-0720 for more details.

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: Free women's self-defense class planned Saturday in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A Boy Scout wants to share his enthusiasm for prehistoric times with all of north Okaloosa County.

Brandon Woods, 22, said a visit to Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus inspired him to donate his Eagle Scout project, a fossil replica display, to the Crestview campus.

"I saw a skeleton and some display cases in the science division and I wondered if this (campus) had one," he said. "I basically just wanted to show them things about the past."

Visiting the Smithsonian museum’s fossil exhibit was Woods’ favorite part of a recent trip to Washington D.C., so he was proud to see his project on display at the Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center near Twin Hills Park.

The Troop 773 member — who said the exhibit would be featured in a science classroom — designed the project with the scoutmaster, troop committee and scout district committee’s approval.

Several local businesses purchased and donated the four fossil molds, which feature dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Some of the pieces include a replica headpiece from a giganotosaurus and pterodactyl.   

Once Pensacola’s Boy Scout office reviews the project and gives Troop 773 confirmation, Woods will be pinned with his Eagle Scout badge at an upcoming court of honor ceremony.

Decade in scouting

Woods has been involved with Troop 773 for the past 10 years, earning 62 badges along the way.

"I think he enjoys (the Boy Scouts); I think he will stay in it one way or another," Shayne Campbell, his stepfather, said.

"He has accomplished a lot," troop leader Kelly Carrico said. "Scouts usually do community projects like cleaning up neighborhoods, but since I have been with the Boy Scouts, I have never seen anything like this.”

The scout expressed gratitude for the support of all his family, including James Woods, his father, and stepmother Julia Woods.

Donna Campbell, his mother, said she has noticed scouting’s benefits for her son since he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in grade school.

"The troop has been a positive influence on him," she said. “It has helped him with being able to work with other people and be more sociable."

For Woods, exploration is the main attraction.

"My most favorite thing is going to see new places, like summer camps … and meeting new people as well," 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: Crestview Boy Scout donates Eagle project to Crestview NWFSC campus

CRESTVIEW — Usually, Carson Caldwell focuses on promoting Riverside Elementary’s anti-bullying efforts or participating in the Emerald Coast Young Marines, but Thursday, the focus was on him.

The Exchange Club of Crestview dedicated its regular meeting to the 11-year-old, whose school anti-bullying program earned him the “You Make a Difference” plaque.

"I wanted to make sure that he knew that he was making a difference, and let other (children) know that they can make a difference," Youth Pillar chair Sharlene Cox said.

Carson started the anti-bullying club after witnessing student harassment at his school.

"This kid was being bullied so much that he wasn't attending school," he said.  

After working with school administrators to form the club, he and members created anti-bullying posters and posted them throughout the school.

Carson’s mother, Michele, an Exchange Club member, taught him how to conduct formal meetings, from calling order to reviewing a previous meeting’s minutes.

The student, who became the club’s president, sold anti-bullying T-shirts and created a "bully box” where students could report school bullying.

In addition to club duties, Carson is a private 1st class with the Emerald Coast Young Marines.

Michele said she is proud of her son’s achievements, despite challenges.

"Recently, Carson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder," she said. "In October, Carson started on a medication for the disorder and it made a world of difference."

 The medication helped him take control and witness other children being bullied, as he was, Michele said.

Creating the club has been a fulfilling experience for Carson.

"It’s a good feeling because you get to improve the lives of other people," he said.

Caldwell, who was happy to receive the plaque, said he plans on showing it to his friends at the Emerald Coast Young Marines, where Caldwell is currently listed as a private first class.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Exchange Club honors Riverside student for anti-bullying club

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club members this weekend will participate in the annual American Radio Relay League Field Day demonstration of emergency communications.

The event, from noon Saturday to noon Sunday — featuring an open house noon to 6 p.m. Saturday — is at Dorcas Fire Station 42 on Deer Springs Road. The league’s annual event allows thousands of so-called hams to set up their equipment and contact other Field Day groups all over North America. 

The North Okaloosa Radio Club voluntarily has provided emergency communications for more than 30 years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Amateur radio club field demonstration set for Saturday

CRESTVIEW — Shelter House, a domestic violence shelter, seeks donations for summer assistance, as the facility reportedly sees a surge of clients this time of year.

Supplies needed include size 3-6 diapers, macaroni and cheese, liquid dish soap, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, jelly, soup, pasta sauces, toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags.

Donors can send items to these locations:

•290 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Crestview.

•102 Buck Drive, Fort Walton Beach.

•1846 U.S. Highway 90 W., Suite B, DeFuniak Springs.

Shelter House provides food and household products to women who have left abusive companions. Clients struggle financially but don’t qualify for other assistance.  

More women seek the shelter’s help during the summer because there’s less disruption of their children's schedules, a spokesperson said.

Call 243-1201 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shelter House seeks donations for women, children