Officials with the American Cancer Society announced late Thursday afternoon that the four Relay for Life groups in the county raised the most money per capita in the nation in 2012.

“My main message today is thank you,” Cal Brooks, the Panhandle’s executive director for the American Cancer Society, said shortly after the announcement. “This award, to me, says a lot … No one is ahead of y’all in this fight. No one.”

The Relay teams in Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville raised a combined $524,560 during their events last spring. They even made a few individual fundraising accomplishments, according to Shelly Miller, the operating chair for the American Cancer Society Emerald Coast.

View a slideshow of last year's Relay events.

Out of the more than 350 Relay teams in Florida, Crestview was ranked 24th in fundraising and Fort Walton Beach moved up to seventh place.

Those rankings helped push Okaloosa County to tops in the country for the first time. Most of the credit goes to the people who serve in volunteer leadership roles, Miller said. 

“We are at great gratitude for all your hard work, for making these events happen,” she told volunteers who gathered in the Relay for Life office in Fort Walton Beach.

Relay for Life is a worldwide annual event that calls for people to spend a night walking or running around a track to raise money for cancer survivors and research.

All the chairs of the local events said they saw increased participation in 2012 and hope to see even more in 2013.

“Let’s beat this cancer, right?” Miller said at the end of the news conference. “And raise some money.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa's Relay for Life fundraising effort tops national totals

CRESTVIEW — Krystal Jackson, the Hub City's Relay for Life event chair, credited local residents for contributing to Okaloosa County's fundraising success.

The county's fundraising efforts for the annual event, which benefits the American Cancer Society, made it No. 1 per capita for 2012, the organization announced Thursday. Relay teams in Crestview, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Destin reportedly raised more than $524,000 during last spring's events.

Crestview's contributions ranked 24th among Florida's more than 350 Relay teams, officials said. Fort Walton's donations ranked seventh in the state.

Each city's efforts propelled Okaloosa to the top spot — a first for this northwest Florida area, said Shelly Miller, the American Cancer Society Emerald Coast's operating chair.

“Considering Relay for Life events are held in 50 states and more than 20 countries around the globe, this is such an amazing accomplishment for our relatively small population,” said Cal Brooks, the American Cancer Society's Panhandle area executive director. “The strength and sheer dedication of our volunteers and staff made this possible.”

"We feel blessed to have the support from the Crestview community," Jackson said following the event. "To have this recognition is overwhelming."

Sponsored teams of organizations, churches, friends and family members annually spend one night camping out, take turns walking and running on a racetrack and commemorate those diagnosed with cancer.

"Because cancer never sleeps and for one night, neither do the Relay (participants)," a spokesperson said, adding 5,000 Relay for Life events take place worldwide.

The American Cancer Society's Emerald Coast unit has more than 700 volunteers in Okaloosa, Walton and Holmes counties, and five staffers, according to the organization.

This year's Relay for Life is April 26 and 27 at Old Spanish Trail Park in Crestview.

More than 50 teams participated in last year's event, which raised more than $155,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Jackson said she expects this year's final numbers will match an upward trend.

"Most places have their good and bad years; with Crestview, we have seen continuous growth and we hope to keep it going in that upward motion," she 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 contributes to Okaloosa's top Relay for Life honor

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa Fire District, with Auburn Water Systems' help, seeks to add five fire hydrants within its coverage area.

"Our board (of commissioners) sets aside about $10,000 to put hydrants in older areas or areas that don't have hydrants," as needed, fire Chief Ed Cutler said.

The working relationship between NOFD and Auburn Water has been beneficial, he said.

"They are giving us a really good price, because they are subsidizing the cost themselves … and providing the labor," Cutler said. 

"With the difference between the fire district's contribution and the actual cost for five hydrants and accessories, plus our labor costs to install the hydrants, our part will exceed ($)10,000," Doug Sims, Auburn Water Systems' general manager, said in an email.

Cutler said his department is working with Auburn Water to determine the hydrants' best location.

He is expected to announce the locations at a future commission meeting, but the Auburn area and Lake Silver Road are among potential sites.

Regardless of the selections, homeowners always have the option of paying for their own hydrants, which can assist firefighters during emergencies.

Although the cost of the hydrant and the necessary parts would cost between $2,500 and $3000, its presence would lower homeowner's insurance premiums.

"We've heard (of) people saving as much as a thousand a year," Cutler said.

A homeowner's association or group of neighbors could self-fund the hydrant if one household alone can't afford the cost.

A higher number of hydrants in an area correlates with an improved Insurance Service Office rating. Property insurance companies use ISO ratings, based on several factors, to set premiums.

"Fifty percent is based on the fire department, meaning the number of firefighters, fire stations and equipment," Cutler said.

ISO ratings also factor in the water system and its dispatch.

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: NOFD and Auburn Water work to install more hydrants

CRESTVIEW — Duck production at Twin Hills Park may improve due to a teenager’s efforts.

Friends and family of Austin Boyd, 17, joined the Boy Scout at Twin Hills Park on Monday to watch city employees implement his Eagle Scout project, spreading six fabricated, over-water nesting structures on the ponds. Such human-made structures can improve nest success and species production, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"It's really pleasing to see this," Boyd said as he watched city employees pull his floatable duck nests into the park ponds by boat. Boyd, a Crestview High School senior, worked with the city to build the nesting docks.

"I just noticed that (ducks) kept getting in people's way (at the park)," Boyd, a Boy Scout Troop 731 member, said.  

He remembered that when the time came to select a project that would qualify him for Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor: Eagle. Austin has been a member of the organization since he was 8 years old.

The project is several months in the making. The Scout Council required plenty of paperwork just to approve the project, and Austin met with Wayne Steele, the city’s Public Services director, in March to talk seriously about moving forward.

Many volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which Austin’s family attends, helped build the nests with fellow troop members.

"There were about 30 people involved with putting these nests together," Austin said. Wooden boards and hollowed-out piping make the structures float. Cement blocks and chains anchor each structure. The city donated materials for the project, Austin said.

Now, Austin must write a report on what effect the nests have on the duck and the entire park.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Twin Hills Park ducks get a nesting place

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County might not be the most populous part of the United States, but its fundraising capacity for cancer research is unsurpassed.

Officials with the American Cancer Society announced late Thursday afternoon that the four Relay for Life groups in the county raised the most money per capita in the nation in 2012.

“My main message today is thank you,” Cal Brooks, the Panhandle’s executive director for the American Cancer Society, said shortly after announcement. “This award, to me, says a lot … No one is ahead of y’all in this fight. No one.”

The Relay teams in Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville raised a combined $524,560 during their events last spring. They even made a few individual fundraising accomplishments, according to Shelly Miller, the operating chair for the American Cancer Society Emerald Coast.

View a slideshow of last year's Relay events. >>

Out of the more than 350 Relay teams in Florida, Crestview was ranked 24th in fundraising and Fort Walton Beach moved up to seventh place.

Those rankings helped push Okaloosa County to tops in the country for the first time. Most of the credit goes to the people who serve in volunteer leadership roles, Miller said. 

“We are at great gratitude for all your hard work, for making these events happen,” she told volunteers who gathered in the Relay for Life office in Fort Walton Beach.

Relay for Life is a worldwide annual event that calls for people to spend a night walking or running around a track to raise money for cancer survivors and research.

All the chairs of the local events said they saw increased participation in 2012 and hope to see even more in 2013.

“Let’s beat this cancer, right?” Miller said at the end of the news conference. “And raise some money.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County's Relay for Life effort tops in nation

FORT WALTON BEACH —Bridgeway Center’s Crisis Stabilization Unit will close its doors in March, affecting numerous agencies in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The closing is expected no later than March 31.

View photos of the crisis unit.

According to a news release from Bridgeway, Florida’s reimbursement rate is $293.24 per bed. The actual cost to Bridgeway is estimated at $516.58 per bed.

“The differential between rates and costs leaves a daily operational deficit for (Bridgeway)’s 16 inpatient beds of approximately $3,573.44 per day,” Daniel Cobbs, Bridgeway’s CEO, said Wednesday.

Cobbs said health care facilities’ budgets have not adjusted for inflation since 1993, causing operational costs to far exceed the dollars available.

“It’s not just us who are affected; it’s statewide with the legislative priorities right now,” Cobbs said. “If there had been an adjustment we wouldn’t be in this predicament. That is the root cause behind all this.”

Floridaranks 49th among states in the percentage of uninsured people with incomes below the federal poverty level, It also is 49th in the nation for state funding per capita for mental health funding, according to the news release.

“The Legislature has prioritized hard services in prior budget years over some of the mental health services that have been provided,” said state Rep. Matt Gaetz. “We don’t want to have more counseling at the expense of providing food and medicine to people in nursing homes.”

Gaetz said recent events such as the shooting in Newton, Conn., in December could change the budget priorities and put more focus on “soft services” in coming years.

“That will not be without some pain in the budget to someone else,” Gaetz added. “That’s the process we work through in putting together a budget.”

In addition to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, Bridgeway’s Detoxification Unit, Emergency Services and Food Services will close, according to the news release. The closures will affect 41 full- and part-time employees and contractors. Twelve employees will be transferred to other positions at Bridgeway

The nonprofit agency has served the area since 1991. It serves local law enforcement agencies and contracts with the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“It’s a horrible situation for us,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley said. “That Crisis Stabilization Unit screens 220 to 225 folks a month, and they admit about 100 of those. Those 2,200 to 3,000 people are now going to be at the emergency room or jail. This drives up costs for everyone.

“The poor people that can’t afford this mental health care end up in our jails and hospitals, which creates an issue for us and they won’t get the treatment they need.”

Ashley said he anticipates the closings will add to calls for service, given the increase in Baker Act patients and suicide attempts the last few years. He said immediate plans on how best to handle the situation are being discussed.

Fort Walton BeachMedical Centeris the only other local health facility that offers crisis stabilization and detoxification services.

“As with everything, we’re taking a step back and assessing the situation,” said Mark Steinbauer, director of psychiatric services at the hospital. “We do expect increased traffic in our emergency department, but I don’t think we’re very concerned.

“We look at everything in terms of opportunity. It is our mission to provide optimal health for everyone. We will be supplying those services in the future in any way that we are able and need to. We’re excited about the possibilities.”

Bridgeway’s inpatient services treats 10 clients a day. Cobbs said some new payment plans would change the procedure to make it so that the agency only would be paid for beds occupied. That would mean even less money for the already-strapped healthcare agency.

For now, Cobbs said officials are disusing how to work with the void Bridgeway’s inpatient services will leave.

“We’ve been talking with our community partners to see what we can come up with to make this as smooth as possible,” Cobbs said. “We’re making lemonade out of lemons. This is going to have a significant impact on the community and we’re just going to have to work closely with our partners to see what alternatives we have to make this less of a problem.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bridgeway Center closing all inpatient services (GALLERY)

CRESTVIEW — Crestview and surrounding residents can help raise money for cancer research on Saturday at the 5th Annual Davidson Dash Run for a Cure. The 5K, 10K and 12-and-under fun run events begin at 8:30 a.m. at Davidson Middle School.

Top winners in several categories, particularly for the 5K and 10K races, will receive awards and recognition on the school website, okaloosaschools.com/davidson.

A children's bounce house will be available throughout the event. In addition, Pace Home Depot employees will show kids how to make personalized toolboxes.

The Relay for Life event helps raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Many attendees usually honor a loved one who has died from cancer or currently battles the disease, Daniel Richards, event organizer and seventh-grade life science teacher at Davidson, said.

He his wife, Jennifer, had a scare when their son, Caleb, 6, was diagnosed with child kidney cancer at 4 months old.

"It just turned our worlds upside down," Richards said. "I just couldn't understand how a healthy little boy could be sick all of the sudden."

 The couple took their son to a Pensacola specialist who removed Caleb's cancerous left kidney and administered 13 chemotherapy treatments.

More than 400 participants are expected Saturday; 350 people participated last year, organizers said.

Putting the event together usually costs $2,000, but since sponsors are covering the cost, all registration proceeds directly will benefit the society.

"With the help of the sponsors (namely the Crestview Publix and Main Street Medical Center), we are looking at the potential of writing a check of $7,000 to the American Cancer Society," Richards said.

He hopes that one day there will be no need to raise money, he said.

"Ultimately, I would want to not even have the race, or (we could) race for something else," Richards said. "I would love for there to be a cure for cancer and not need a cancer society."

"I know one day it's coming, but until then we have to keep fighting back."

Two fundraisers benefiting American Cancer Society Relay for Life teams are as follows:

•Davidson Dash Run for a Cure 5k, 10k and fun run events begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Davidson Middle School. Register at http://bit.ly/10JXUSk.

•Super Bowl Sunday Boston butt fundraiser is 4-5 p.m. Saturday at the Crestview Publix parking lot. Butts cost $25 each; proceeds benefit the Duke it Out American Cancer Society Relay for Life team of Crestview. Call Loney Whitley, 603-3500 or 537-4654, to place your order.

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: Relay for Life team 10k, 5k and fun run coming Saturday

Do you need help saving money or energy, preparing your taxes, or tending your garden?

The Eco-Nomic Living Expo is 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Admission is free.

You can learn how to protect your family’s health, wealth and environment.

Document shredding, free tax preparation (with annual income up to $51,000), children's identity kits, and Chia pet centers will comprise the event.

Seminars are as follows:

10 a.m.: Rain barrel workshop, vegetable gardening, retirement planning, conserving energy and benefits of massage

10:45 a.m.: ID theft, Florida-friendly landscape, outdoor experiences, backyard poultry and olive oil

11:30 a.m.: Nine Winning Ways to Talk About Money, with Dr. Victor Harris

1 p.m.: Lawn management, weight management, using herbs and talking about money

 “The Eco-Nomic Living Expo is an educational and fun experience and our audience grows each year,” Extension Agent Elaine Courtney said. “Additionally, University of Florida Professor Dr. Vic Harris will talk about ‘Winning Ways to talk about Money.’” 

Vendors, sponsors, businesses and organizations whose focus aligns with the expo's overall theme, “Smart Choices: Money, Home, Health & Environment" will participate.

See www.economiclivingexpo.com for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eco-Nomic Living Expo coming Saturday