CRESTVIEW — With the flap of a vinyl strip, a gentle shower of plaster dust and a clatter of dislodged wooden furring strips, a downtown architectural gem long hidden behind a plastic façade was once more unveiled.

The single-story commercial building on the 200 block of Main Street, now the site of Brad Stewart's law practice, is receiving a complete restoration. A $9,000 Community Redevelopment Agency façade improvement grant administered by the Main Street Crestview Association is partially funding restoration of the building's exterior, which is estimated to cost $18,000.

"My family is one of the pioneering families in the area," Stewart said. "We're excited about tackling this project and what the final result will be."

Most interior renovation of the 1928 building, which appears on the National Register of Historic Places, is completed, Stewart said. The high ceiling is hand-planed tongue-and-groove pine. A period light fixture hangs in the lobby’s reception area. The floor is newly milled heart pine.

"We try to keep everything era-specific as best we could," Stewart said.

Some of the interior walls are reclaimed period brick. The conference room’s wooden door features carved wood ornamentation and is set with a large, stained glass window. Janet Hurst, a member of the local Gilliland family, gave Stewart the door, which used to hang in the family's home.

As workers from Brad Stewart's brother Jeremy Stewart's general contracting firm pulled down vinyl siding strips from the Main Street façade, thick stucco, painted deep maroon, was revealed.

On the north side of the building's front, an unexpected treat surfaced: a long closed up door decorated with a 1960s butterfly motif had been preserved behind the vinyl.

"That was a real hidden gem," Brad Stewart said. "It was exciting to expose that door and see that picture there."

The doorway originally opened onto a long hallway, at the end of which was a dentist's office, he said. Main Street passersby had not seen the door in more than 40 years.

Stewart hopes to remove the stucco on the front façade and restore the original brick.

"The plaster they used back then was so incredibly thick it may be damaging to try to remove it," he said. A patch of the almost inch-thick stucco remains on one of the interior walls to show visitors how thick it is.

Stewart is considering commissioning a mural for the north-side wall, which faces an alley.

As workers Tommy Rogers and Ronald Hilliard removed the vinyl siding, Stewart watched as old stucco and the location of old commercial signs were revealed.

"There are certainly easier ways to go about renovating an old building, and cheaper," Stewart said. "But we're trying as much as we can to make it authentic."

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: 1920s Main Street gem undergoes a facelift

CRESTVIEW — The Rotary Club of Crestview, which has grown to 29 members, often accomplishes projects that outpace clubs of larger size, according to a spokesperson who cited the Wild Game Feast and Quail Hunt as examples. 

This year's feast, the event's 20th, was sold out, with nearly 500 guests. Proceeds benefited Northwest Florida State College and other local charities. 

Crestview Mayor David Cadle recently presented the club with a proclamation declaring Feb. 23 Rotary Day, recognizing Rotary International’s 108th birthday.

The organization’s theme this year is "Peace through Service,” which local Rotarians have underscored by supporting several programs.

  The Crestview Rotary and the Okaloosa and Walton clubs hosted a family-oriented conflict resolution workshop titled "To Build Peace in the Community."

Other projects included their first Corn Maze, held over five weekends; annual distribution of dictionaries to all north Okaloosa third-graders and U.S. Constitutions to all north Okaloosa seventh-graders; Adopt-a-Classroom; sponsoring scholarships to attend Camp Skamp; support for foster children's Christmas gifts; ongoing support to Children in Crisis; water projects in South America; Polio Plus, Rotary's project to eliminate polio worldwide; a wheelchair project in Costa Rica; and individual scholarships for deceased members’ children.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview branch celebrates Rotary International's 108 birthday

BAKER —   Residents and their dogs can support cancer awareness next month at Bark for Life, an American Cancer Society fundraiser.

This will be the second year that Southside Animal Hospital has organized the Relay for Life event, which is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2 at the Baker Recreation Center.

Last year's event took place at Old Spanish Trail Park in Crestview. Event organizers decided to move the event to a slightly larger venue in hopes of expanding attendance.

"We did really good last year," Kim Hathcock, of Southside, said. "We had about 100 people attend.”

Still, “we are trying to get more communities involved in this event, including Baker and Holt,” she said.

In the new location, children can play in the facilities’ playground area.

They also can play in a bounce house and have their faces painted, among other kid-friendly activities.

Food and refreshments will be available, and gift baskets with gift certificates, event T-shirts and dog treats, will be raffled off at the event.

Several dogs from Eglin Air Force Base’s Pet Welfare adoption center will be available for adoption.

In addition, the event will feature games for dogs, including "weenie races" for Dotsons.

This year’s donations reportedly have surpassed last year’s; the clinic has raised more than $3,000 for the cause. Last year, it raised $2,200, $1,300 of which came from Bark for Life.

"We are just doing our part to help," Hathcock said, adding that the clinic also contributed some proceeds from rabies immunization clinics.

Participants can pre-register at the clinic on south Pearl Street during regular business hours.

Participants also can register at the event; cost is $10 per family.

Proof of rabies vaccinations must be provided to register.

Last year was successful for the clinic’s feline-themed team. The "Purr-fect Pacers," who have nearly 20 members, were named Crestview’s rookie team of the year.

The clinic’s staffers became involved with Relay for Life after noticing the impact that cancer had on several pet owners who have visited their facility, Hathcock said, referring to clients who died from cancer or survived the disease.

Those encounters raised awareness when the idea struck close to home for the dog groomer.

"I guess you could say that I proposed the idea of the event after I had a breast cancer scare two years ago,” she said, noting she has remained cancer free.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bark for Life cancer fundraiser coming to Baker March 2

FORT WALTON BEACH — A seasonal hiring fair for year-round, full-time, part time and seasonal jobs is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Niceville Community Center.

The fair — planned by the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' Veteran Services team — is free for job seekers and employers. Job seekers are encouraged to bring resumes and dress for success to increase their chances of being hired, organizers said.

Space is available for additional employers to participate. Call Jerry McDaniel, 833-7587, extension 217, to secure a table.

“We are thrilled that we are able to offer this opportunity for both employers and job seekers,” Linda Sumblin, the board's executive director, said.

Call 689-7823 for more information on the job fair. Additional information is available online at employflorida.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Employers wanted for Feb. 27 seasonal hiring fair in Niceville

CRESTVIEW — The days of a Florida ex-spouse potentially paying alimony even after death may end if reform bills working their way through the Legislature make it to the governor's desk.

"What we are talking about is trying to put fairness into the law," John Fromularo, Northwest Florida representative of Florida Alimony Reform, said while speaking to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Government Issues Committee.

Alimony types include "bridge the gap," which helps the ex-spouse during a transition from being married to single; durational, from two years to the marriage's length; rehabilitative, paid until an ex-spouse is self-supporting; and permanent, Fromularo said.

House bill 231, co-sponsored by area Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Senate bill 718 would reform five areas, as follows:

•Remove "permanent alimony."

"We have people paying permanent alimony on four-, six- or 10-year marriages," Fromularo said.

Permanent alimony may dissuade divorced people from remarrying because they want to avoid paying alimony if their next marriage fails or they're receiving money they would lose if they remarry.

People paying permanent alimony generally must carry alimony insurance to ensure payments continue if they die before their former spouse, Fromularo said.

•Provide the right to retire at federal retirement age without continued alimony payments.

"This is a real hot point," Fromularo said. "Now you're 55. What are you going to do the next 10 or 15 years to continue paying alimony?

"Americans should have the right to retire. This is like indentured servants, except indentured servants had a period of time to be set free."

•Set alimony based on the average of both spouses' incomes.

"You can't take a married couple, break it in half and still maintain the same standard of living," Fromularo said. "(Currently), there is no formula …. We need to take away some of that discretion of the judges."

•Block "second" spouses' income as a factor for additional alimony.

"(Currently), if the alimony payer remarries into a better situation, the ex-spouse can decide his or her needs went up and can demand more alimony," Fromularo said. "If you get remarried and you're doing better, that doesn't mean that your ex-spouse should get a raise."

•Provide the right to modify a judgment.

Formularo doesn't dispute the need for alimony, but he said it shouldn't be permanent.

Crestview native and Iraq War veteran Victor Everett learned firsthand the complications of divorce.

The combat-decorated former Navy corpsman, a holder of the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor, has post-traumatic stress disorder that initially resulted in permanent disability.

While dealing with combat-related medical issues, Everett and his wife divorced in 2010.

As Everett's health improved, his disability was reduced to 60 percent, which resulted in a reduction of his monthly benefits. Paying child support on top of studying at Northwest Florida State College proved difficult, and convinced him that it is time for a change.

"These laws change the lives of people all over the state," he said. "Divorce is easy. It's the post-divorce that sucks."

Ultimately, the goal is fairness, Formularo, who himself pays alimony, said.

"I'm a retired Marine officer. I didn't commit any crimes. Why am I sentenced for the rest of my life?"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Alimony reform bills propose relief from lifelong payments

The Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety announced the following road closures today. The roads will be closed as listed below for maintenance and improvements due to recent storms.

Access to Sixth Avenue will be restored once the drainage system replacement is completed. It is currently scheduled for the March/April 2013 timeframe.

Access to Eglin Parkway businesses will be maintained at all times, and two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction. Left turns and U-turns will continue to be permitted only at the Shalimar Drive/Cherokee Road and Ninth Avenue/Erwin Fleet Road traffic signals.

The planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Crestview roads closed due to flooding are:

Hazardous weather outlook

Persons living in flood prone areas near creeks and low lying areas should be alert for the potential of flash flooding. Residents and business interests located along river basins should monitor the rivers for possible flooding conditions due to heavy rain.

Also there is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms with downburst winds large hail and isolated brief tornadoes this afternoon through this evening. A cold front will move east across the region late this evening with the back clearing edge of the rain and thunderstorms advancing east of the Laverne, Andalusia and Destin areas shortly after midnight.

Widespread heavy rain and periodic strong thunderstorms will continue to impact the region through the late afternoon and evening hours. A flash flood watch is in effect with widespread rainfall amounts from 3 to 5 inches expected to fall through late this evening ahead of an approaching cold frontal system. Localized rainfall amounts to near 7 inches remain possible through tonight.

Blackwater River flood stages

Currently the Blackwater River near Baker is predicted to exceed the flood stage of 11 feet. The river is currently forecast to crest at 13.5 feet on Tuesday, Feb 26. At this level the following impacts could occur:

Shoal River flood stages

Currently the Shoal River near Crestview is predicted to exceed the flood stage of 8 feet. The river is currently forecast to crest at 12.9 feet on Tuesday, Feb 26th. At this level the following impacts could occur:

Yellow River flood stages

Currently the Yellow River near Milligan is predicted to exceed the flood stage of 12 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 13.5 feet on Feb. 27. Below are potential impacts if the river exceeds this level and floods:

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Road closures and flooding levels announced in north Okaloosa

CRESTVIEW —  Sacred Heart Children's Hospital is spreading the word about Florida KidCare health insurance, a federally funded health insurance option for children under age 19.

"We are working on behalf of the state, trying to get children enrolled," Nora Bailey, a consultant for Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, said, adding that many residents may be unaware of the program.

"Florida has traditionally had a very low percentage of eligible people who are enrolled," Bailey said.

Florida KidCare provides lower rates than most insurance companies and employer health plans, Bailey said. Uninsured children under age 19 who are U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens are eligible for the program. Other restrictions, including income requirements, apply.

Following a recent federal grant, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital has hired four community health workers to help families apply for Florida KidCare insurance. Their coverage area includes Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

"My role is go out into the community and spread the word," Dione Wilson, one such health worker, said.

Wilson, a married father of two girls, became involved with the program after discovering how beneficial Florida KidCare insurance would be to his family.

He earned $55,000 annually and was covered along with his wife by an employer's health insurance policy. But the household's finances became less manageable after he added Jessica, his youngest daughter, to the plan. 

"It went to ($)400 every two weeks, so that was ($)800 every month," Wilson said. "I couldn't afford that; it was like a house payment."

 Wilson reached out to Medicaid, but learned his household income was too high to qualify. Medicaid, a state and federally funded program, provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families. The Social Security Administration or the Department of Children and Families determines eligibility.

Wilson soon learned about Florida KidCare, which he said covered Jessica's health care at a reasonable cost.

For instance, $140 per month might cover a child; rates vary based on the household income, he said.

The plans — which allow families to choose their children's physicians — cover doctor and hospital visits and medical procedures. In addition, they cover prescriptions, vision, hearing and dental care, according to the Florida KidCare website.

Enrollment is easy, Wilson said.

"The good thing is we're here to actually assist them throughout the entire enrollment process. We refer them to different organizations if they need help," he said.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Wilson works from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. out of an office inside Mt. Zion AME Church, 502 McDonald St. Appointments can also be made.

Thomas Boni contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Organization spreads word about Florida KidCare insurance