DESTIN — Joseph Richard Tyrell III, 23, of Crestview, and a South Florida resident died in an early morning traffic crash today at the intersection of Danny Wuerffel Way and U.S. Highway 98. No passengers were involved.

Investigators say Tyrell was driving a white Mazda, which collided with a Chevy Blazer being driven by a Pinellas County resident whose name is not yet available.

The accident took place around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Currently no witnesses have been located. The reason for the crash is still being investigated. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man among 2 dead in Destin traffic crash

CRESTVIEW — The Iron Order Motorcycle Club of Crestview and the Families First Network present the first Poker Run on Sunday, commemorating National Child Abuse Prevention month. 

The ride begins at 10 a.m. at the Hooters restaurant near the Interstate 10 Crestview exit. It ends at 4 p.m. at the Wings of Fire restaurant, 397 E. James Lee Blvd., where the motorcycle club regularly meets.

Participants — who don’t need a motorcycle; a car is fine — will stop at several Okaloosa and Walton County locations, Carrie Lawson, a family support worker for Families First, said. At each stop, participants can purchase five random, traditional playing cards, $10 each, at locations in Niceville, Freeport and DeFuniak Springs. Cards will also be available at Crestview's starting and ending points. 

Proceeds will benefit the Families First Network of Lakeview, particularly its Crestview and DeFuniak Springs locations.

When the ride finishes at Wings of Fire, riders with the best and worst hands of cards will get prizes, Lawson said.

Businesses in both counties have donated prizes totaling an estimated $5,000, Culbertson said. Raffle prizes include free massages, buffalo wing platters and free tattoos.

The Families First Network — contracted by the Florida Department of Children and Families — offers utility bill assistance and necessities like gas and diapers for needy families.  

"We are absolutely blessed to be receiving (the Iron Order’s) generosity," said Mary Culbertson, a counselor at Families First in Crestview. "They came to us wanting to better serve the community by helping the families and children in our care."

Want to go?

The Iron Order Motorcycle Club’s Poker Run, supporting Families First Network, is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hooters, 180 Cracker Barrel Road. The ride will finish at 4 p.m.

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: Poker Run on Sunday begins in Crestview; benefits Families First

CRESTVIEW — Two of downtown's most well attended events combine Saturday when the Spanish Trail Cruisers' Average Joe Car Show meets the Main Street Crestview Association's restaurant crawl.

The annual showcase of vintage vehicles, none newer than the 1979 model year, fills Main Street with more than 100 cars, pick-ups and — in past years — even a stately 1950s Chevrolet hearse.

The lovingly restored vehicles compete in 15 classes, which, for those that are beauties only in their owners' eyes, include "most rusted," "worst paint," "ugliest entry" and "work in progress" classes.

As car buffs stroll Main Street's street festival atmosphere, for a $10 wristband, they can buy $1 food samples from downtown eateries and establishments outside the historic district.

Registration for the Average Joe Car Show is 8 to 11 a.m., with the show starting at 9 a.m. and trophies presented at 3 p.m. A mobile DJ presents songs, often with a car theme, throughout the event.

Car-show registration fees benefit the Spanish Trail Cruisers' community charity work, including local food banks. Restaurant crawl wristband sales help fund Main Street programs including the annual Fall Festival and Christmas Parade.

Want to go?

The Average Joe Car Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street between the courthouse and railroad tracks. Vehicles must be 1979 model year or earlier. Registration is $25. The Main Street Crestview Association sponsors a restaurant crawl during the event. $10 wristbands allow participants to purchase $1 food samples from participating eateries.

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: Car show, restaurant crawl coming Saturday to Crestview's Main Street

CRESTVIEW — The Exchange Club of Crestview’s second annual Mayor's 5K Walk for Prevention of Child Abuse is 8:30 a.m. this Saturday at Bob Sikes Elementary School.

Registration costs $18; participants will receive an event T-shirt and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Families First Network of Lakeview Center in Crestview. The non-profit organization provides multiple services to area children and families in need.

Click here for a registration form.

"The money we raise from this event stays in the community," event organizer Cheri Pittman said.

"In Crestview alone, we have about 325 (families) that we assist,” family support worker Carrie Lawson said.

Child abuse prevention is one of the exchange club’s focal points. The club also rewards top-performing Crestview students and children who have overcome obstacles.

"Last year, we raised around $750," Crestview Mayor David Cadle, the club’s president, said of the 5K walk. "We hope to raise more and (have a) bigger turnout for this year's event."

Want to go?

The Exchange Club of Crestview’s second annual Mayor's 5K Walk for Prevention of Child Abuse is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Bob Sikes Elementary School, 425 Adams Drive.

Registration is 7:30-8:15 a.m.

See the club’s Facebook page, http://on.fb.me/106arpe, for more information.

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 Exchange Club’s 5K walk this Saturday to support families

CRESTVIEW — The Pregnancy Center received support for its mission — helping women with unplanned pregnancies — on Saturday during its annual 5K run.

Staffers just don’t know how much support they received.

Proceeds — which event organizers were still counting at press time — will benefit the center that provides free education and essentials, such as baby clothes and blankets, for its clients.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," said volunteer Gayle Spears. "We are totally supported by churches, businesses, organizations and individual contributions."

The event — sponsored by the Mosaic Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and Crossway Community Church — kicked off at 8:30 a.m., and runners of all ages.

Jerry Wayer, 45, used the event to help get in shape for a future marathon.

"I used to run track in high school, but as I have gotten older, I've kind of gotten out of it," he said. "You always feel good when you finish a race … you feel a sense of accomplishment."

Baker resident Liberty Sites, 15, said she was pleased with her performance.

"I think I did pretty good. I ran the first three quarters of a mile, which is pretty good for me," she said.

Liberty said she annually participates in two 5K events.

The event also had a kids’ fun run, in which 8-year-old Kristen Pittner finished first.

"It feels good; I’ve never been first place in a real race before," she said.  

Nearly 200 people registered for the event, Pregnancy Center director Sue Carrigan 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: Residents support Crestview pregnancy center with 5K Run

CRESTVIEW — In a final attempt to gather votes for a charitable contest, resident Yvonne Wood collaborated with Chill Frozen Yogurt Shop on Friday to increase her odds.

The military spouse and mother of two children approached the ice cream parlor’s management about promoting her cause. She had hoped to win one of 50 spots for a TOMS Shoes and Eyewear’s Ticket to Give trip. Flyers and business cards explained the contest; a smart barcode provided instant voting. 

"Any opportunity we have to help out anyone in the community, we try to help them out,” said shift leader Raquel Martinez, who voted for Wood.

Wood’s 600 votes fell short of making the top 50, she announced Saturday on her Facebook page, following the contest’s late-Friday deadline. Some contestants had more than 2,000 votes.

However, her motivation to help others is firm, she said.

Today, Wood is participating in the footwear company’s One Day Without Shoes event.

"People across the country will not wear shoes, just to represent the idea that some people cannot afford shoes," she said.

In addition, she is overseeing an online charitable raffle for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded soldiers adjust to living at home.

Wood would have traveled with 49 other contest winners to deliver canvas shoes for children in impoverished countrieslike Argentina, Peru or Hungary.

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: Woman’s contest bid falls short, but faith in helping others doesn’t waver

CRESTVIEW — From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, Okaloosa County Sheriffs’ Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration drug takeback gives residents a chance to turn in medications free and anonymously at Walmarts in Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville.

Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 2 million pounds — over a thousand tons — of pills.

Four days after the first event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is drafting regulations to implement the Act.

Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sheriff's office and DEA drug takeback April 27

CRESTVIEW — For the next three months, Steven Chevalier, 20, and Mathias Leroy, 19 — business majors at the University of Nantes, on France’s west coast near Crestview's sister city, Noirmoutier — will observe American business operations through their Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce internship.

"We are going to try to discover the differences between the ways the French and American businesses work," Leroy said.

Bringing the students to town required substantial paperwork to meet criteria of the Council on International Educational Exchange, which facilitates international student travel and study programs, Chamber Executive Director Wayne Harris said. The Crestview Sister City organization assisted in housing the students.

Given the community's existing relationship with Noirmoutier, coupled with the economy’s globalization, bringing the Frenchmen to Crestview would benefit the students and local business, Harris said.

"It's important because we're no longer an island," he said. "How we do things here affects their economy. What they do affects us here."

Sébastien Jacotin, University of Nantes’ international relations officer, agreed.

"Sending students to Crestview strengthens and extends the cultural and educational exchanges between the French city of Noirmoutier and Crestview," he said.

Chevalier and Leroy willvisit Crestview businesses of all sizes, from mom-and-pop enterprises to large corporations such as L3 Crestview Aerospace, Harris said.

"It's a great sampling of the whole U.S.A. economy," Chevalier said. "This will improve my business abilities. And my English."

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: French business majors intern with Crestview chamber

CRESTVIEW — From toddlers to seniors, Walgreens customers approached the drug store's new four-legged greeter Thursday afternoon.

Dozer the Therapy Dog visits the store monthly, bringing "hugs," slurps and the warm gaze of his eyes, one blue, one brown.

"Hi! This is Dozer," his owner Angie Nousiainen said as Bobby Barry walked into the store. "He came to make you smile today."

"He made me happy, just seeing him," Barry said as he asked a passerby to take his photo with the dog.

Chance Bollinger, 5, like many children encountering the 4-year-old Great Dane for the first time, didn't hesitate to walk up and introduce himself.

"I like doggies," Chance said as he gave Dozer a hug. "I have a doggie. I always like being around dogs."

Nousiainen said many customers time their shopping with Dozer's visits, following his rounds of Walgreens, nursing homes and the Crestview Public Library on his Facebook page.

"Sometimes they buy him a treat when they're here, so now he watches their purchases," Nousiainen said.

One thing Dozer is not allowed to do is shake hands, Nousiainen said, adding that some people have skin too delicate for his claws.

Dozer is always on his leash and waits off to the side to greet customers, allowing people skittish of big dogs to enter the store without encountering him.

"Not everybody wants to say hello, but that's OK," Nousiainen said. "Dozer understands."

"We get a few that walk in and go, 'Whew! That's a big dog,'" photo counter manager Kimberly Kolb said.

Gracelynn Beck, 1, of Baker, had to gaze up at Dozer, towering a foot above her head. She was with her mom, Amanda Richburg.

Nousiainen said that after reading about Dozer's community outreach efforts on Facebook, three of his fans had their pets trained as therapy dogs.

"I always know he makes a difference when he meets people," she said. "Now, more people are being touched by more therapy dogs."

Nousiainen said she hopes Dozer may one day visit select patients at North Okaloosa Medical Center, and she hopes to find a writer to share Dozer's adventures in a series of children's books.

As Nousiainen and Dozer finished their greeting period at Walgreens, Chance and his family were checking out.

"Bye bye, puppy!" he called out as they left. "See you next time."

Want to go?

Dozer the Therapy Dog visits the Crestview Walgreens every second Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.

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: A DOSE OF PUPPY LOVE: Great Dane greets Walgreens customers