CRESTVIEW — As the north county continues to grow, the News Bulletin continues to expand its coverage of news affecting readers throughout the region.

Some jumped out right away as we combed our archives; others were more subtle.

1. Crestview Police shakeup

Crestview Police Department Chief Brian Mitchell and his operations director Maj. Joseph Floyd were fired in the spring after an investigation of several allegations against the five-year officers.

“The termination of employment was effective after the city of Crestview’s mayor, David Cadle, provided a written notice of termination to the former operations major,” police spokesperson Lt. Andrew Schneider stated in press release.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office suspended Floyd and Mitchell March 1 following investigations.

Interim chief Kenneth Bundrick replaced Mitchell. This fall, Chief Tony Taylor assumed the position.

Schneider said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the termination notice because of a grand jury indictment and the subsequent arrest of Floyd on March 5.

Floyd has been charged with felony charges of racketeering.

Read a more in-depth report on this issue here.

2. Crestview charter issue dropped

After more than three years’ effort, an administrative error, discovered shortly before the proposed Crestview city charter would go before voters, resulted in the city council having to rescind the ordinance that placed it on the ballot.

The item would have changed Crestview’s governing structure, allowing for a city administrator.

However, it was too late to remove the issue from the ballots, which had been printed. Despite being told their vote wouldn’t count, a majority of voters — 8,114 of 9,076 — who cast ballots in the Nov. 6 election also voted on the charter issue. Of those, 4,319, or 53 percent, voted against implementing the proposed charter.

Faced with public outcry when they proposed placing the issue on the March 2013 ballot, the council ultimately dropped the matter.

“If the citizens say no, I think we need to listen to the citizens,” Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. said.

3. Laurel Hill suggests dissolution

The city of Laurel Hill may allow residents to vote on whether the small municipality should remain incorporated or dissolve its city government and revert to county administration.

Some residents, including city council members Larry Hendren and Robby Adams, feel there are few benefits from paying city taxes in addition to county taxes. Most attendees at a Dec. 11 public town hall meeting to discuss the issue favored dissolution.

The council will discuss whether to pursue the steps necessary for dissolution, which will ultimately place the question on a ballot for voters to decide.

4. FAMU pharmacy school opens

The historic Alatex Building in downtown Crestview entered its newest phase the morning of Aug. 1 when local, state and Florida A&M University officials cut an orange and green ribbon officially reopening the building. The former sewing factory is now a state-of-the-art school for FAMU’s pharmacy program.

Built in 1937 to house an underwear factory as well as city hall and police headquarters, the long-unoccupied building was gutted before its transformation into the school’s high-tech Rural Diversity Healthcare Center.

Inside, where sewing machines once clattered beneath high ceilings, the center’s labs, classrooms, simulated clinic and mock pharmacy now bustle with a student population that within four years is expected to top 120 pharmacy majors. Classes for the first class of 27 freshmen and four seniors began Aug. 27.

“This is just the beginning of the project,” former state senator Dr. Durell Peaden said during opening ceremony remarks.

Peaden, a driving force behind bringing the campus to Crestview, foresees the school growing to embrace other disciplines, including a possible dental school component.

5. Controversy at Christmas Parade

For the first time in more than 50 years, controversy followed Crestview’s annual Main Street Christmas parade.

A parade participant who damned parade goers and denied Santa Claus’ existence through a megaphone from the back of a pick-up truck offended many attendees.

After receiving several complaints, Main Street Crestview Association’s event organizers are considering changing the application process for participants in future parades.

Possible revisions could include requiring participants to describe the nature of their entry when applying, to adhere to the parade theme, and to accept a specific location in the parade lineup.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

NOFD contemplates firing chief

Many North Okaloosa Fire District firefighters and volunteers came to Chief Ed Cutler’s side after his removal from office was suggested by NOFD board of commissioners members at a monthly meeting last summer.

Some commissioners questioned Cutler’s handling of the department. After much discussion at a September meeting, both Cutler and the commissioners agreed that communication between the two sides needed improvement.

The tabled item of Cutler’s removal has since been removed from the commissioners’ agenda.

Widening study tempts P.J. Adams Parkway users

Residents in neighborhoods served by P.J. Adams Parkway in south Crestview had their hopes raised by the appearance of surveying crews for widening of the busy thoroughfare.

However, the widening project’s survey and preliminary design phases were the only funded components of what is expected to be a $100 million project.

“This is pie in the sky,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris said. “There is no money for this. This is a 2030 schedule and this is a PD and E (project development and environmental study) only, and it’s only good for five years.”

“The bottom line is, it’s a $100 million project,” Okaloosa County Public Works Director John Hofstad said. “Typically, my budget is around $10 million a year and that covers anything in a 1,000-square-mile county. It is going to take partnerships on the state and federal level to make it (widening P.J. Adams) happen.”

Laurel Hill Schoolhigh-schoolers receive iPads

As the digital age rapidly changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Laurel Hill School high school students each received a district-issued iPad at the start of the school year.

“We got the announcement last spring,” Principal Susan Lowery-Sexton said. “It’s going to be a historic redesign of the way we’ve been teaching and learning. We’re going to be in the forefront of education here at l’il old Laurel Hill School.”

Teachers — who received district-issued Apple iPads before the spring semester’s end —have been learning how to incorporate the computer tablets into their curriculum. Teachers who are new to the devices said they have also received plenty of practical help from their students.

“We’ll have to try to get technical with our teachers here,” sophomore Bridget Zessin agreed. “They’re not so familiar with it.”

Crestview welcomes contingent from sister city

A delegation of 36, including 21 students, from Noirmoutier, France, Crestview’s sister city, arrived at the end of October for a two-week stay. The visitors stayed with local host families, including those of Crestview High School students.

Local officials and members of the Crestview Sister City organization praised the exchange’s success, noting that in addition to cultural and educational opportunities for locals, the visitors shopped at local stores and ate at local restaurants, adding a business benefit to the relationship.

Response from France was equally positive.

“This was one of our best experiences,” Noirmoutier sister city committee vice president Gérard Moreau said. “The students, they did not want to leave Crestview.”

Working with the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, visiting University of Nantes faculty members took preliminary steps to establish student internship exchanges between the two communities.

Crestview residents have been invited to attend a June 2013 commemoration of World War II liberators whose B-17 bomber that crash-landed off the island’s coast.

Region gets further representation on county commission

Applause, backslaps, hugs and a heartfelt prayer rose from the Main Street offices of attorney Nathan D. Boyles as final election results came over the radio Aug. 14.

A candidate for county commissioner, Boyles handily won his first bid for public office with a landslide vote, trouncing his closest competitor by nearly 3,000 votes.

The youngest candidate of four, Boyles, 29, impressed many voters and supporters by his youthful enthusiasm tempered by a keen grasp of hot-button north county issues.

“He is wise beyond his years,” Amy Linares, marketing development executive for Peoples Home Health, said.

Boyles’ election adds the first Crestview-area member of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners from District 3 since Ronald Reagan was president and Sam Brunson was elected in 1988.

He joined Commissioner Wayne Harris in representing north county residents.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writers Brian Hughes and Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com and matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow them on Twitter @cnbBrian and @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2012's TOP 5 STORIES: Police shakeup, charter issue lead list

CRESTVIEW — A Holt girl got more donations than expected for her annual birthday project of collecting Christmas gifts for nursing home residents.

"We provided gifts to over 200 residents in the area," Angie Holland, mother of Railey Conner, 12, said.

Each gift bag contained toiletries and other items like slippers, blankets, crossword puzzles and activity books. Railey requested donations for nursing home residents in lieu of presents for her Dec. 15 birthday. She did the same last year.

Residents donated enough to provide Christmas gift bags for residents of Carrington Manor and Safe and Secure Respite Care, both in Crestview. Crestview Rehab and Silvercrest Manor residents also received gifts. 

In addition to donated items, the project collected more than $600, which Raily’s Birthday Project 2.0 used to purchase more presents, Holland said. 

"It was bigger than I expected," Railey said of donors’ efforts.

Railey and her family visited Carrington Manor on Christmas Eve to deliver the gifts during a party.

Ann Henderson, a licensed practical nurse at the facility, said all 25 residents looked forward to the celebration.

"They have been more happy than they have usually been," she said.

Most residents there have Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and with the exception of a few, most residents rarely receive visitors, she said.

"Most people stay within this building 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Henderson said. "We have one patient who thinks he is still in the service and thinks he is in the barracks. He often asks if he can transfer out of here."

That made Railey’s visit even more special, the facility’s staff said.

Joseph Hunter, of Shalimar, who attended the party to be with his wife, Patricia, 73, a Carrington Manor resident, expressed his gratitude for Railey’s efforts.

"She is just a fantastic young lady and I respect her a lot for what she is doing," Hunter said.

He said the gifts will serve Patricia well.

"She will definitely use all of it," Hunter said.

Resident Annie Saturday, 86, also was thankful for the presents.

"I wasn't expecting all of this," Saturday said. "I'm flabbergasted and I appreciate them."

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 nursing home residents receive special visit, gifts

NICEVILLE — The Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated will meet Jan. 2 at the Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island. Socializing will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is at 12 p.m.

Cost is $16 for members and $18 for guests.

A “dine and dash” table will be available for women who plan to leave the meeting before it ends.

The program will comprise a brief history of the Republican Party and a humorous skit depicting philosophical differences between the Republican and Democrat parties.

Attendees should bring empty ink cartridges as part of the club’s Americanism project. Cartridges will go to a recycling partner for cash benefiting the USO.

Contact Donna Pattison, 651-5416 or donnapattison@cox.net, by noon Dec. 28 to make a reservation.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Deadline for Republican women's meeting is noon Dec. 28

It’s time to decide on your New Year’s resolution. 

Whether you want to lose pounds gained over the holidays or spend more time with your family, your library has a wide variety of self-help books that can aid your goal.

I am reading “The Virgin Diet” by JJ Virgin, a nutrition fitness expert who claims many “diet” foods’ ingredients actually hinder weight loss and good health. These include low fat, high-sugar foods. Foods containing soy, corn and gluten are also on her list.

What is surprising is how ubiquitous these ingredients are in food products we consume. 

Ketchup, canned goods, white pepper, bleu cheese and baked beans are a few examples. Virgin explains in detail each ingredient she thinks you should avoid.

The book has recipes and menu plans to help you get started.

Giving gratitude

The Crestview library staff thanks the following for their help during our Noel Night celebration:

The Friends of the Crestview Library, Rae Schwartz, Dot Moxcey, Publix, First United Methodist Hand Bell Choir, Whataburger, Cub Scout Pack 799, Bear Den 11 and Tiger Den 4.

Also: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Crestview High School’s Chanticleer, Jenna Renee, Kevin Lusk, Justin Wyatt, Carol and Dave Nitzel, Dave and Mindy Nearbin, Amanda Jacobs, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library’s assistant library director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Are your diet foods helping or hurting your cause?

NICEVILLE — Three officers have joined the Okaloosa County Republican Party Executive Committee, the group’s spokesperson announced.

New officers for the 2013-2014 term are Gaye Ellis, chairwoman; Al Kauses, vice chairman; and Sandra Atkinson, state committeewoman.

Their installation followed the organization’s Dec. 3 election.

The committee governs Okaloosa County’s Republican Party; its members are their county precinct’s representatives.

All registered Republicans may join.

The next meeting is 6 p.m. Jan. 21, 2013 at the Niceville City Council chambers, 208 N. Partin Drive, Niceville.

Call 609-4401 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Republican executive committee announces 3 officers

CRESTVIEW — Eleven new manuals and handbooks recently donated to the Crestview Public Library will be a valuable resource for amateur radio enthusiasts — also called “hams” — Library Director Jean Lewis said.

Among the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club’s donations were training manuals, for new amateur radio buffs seeking operator’s licenses, and guides for more advanced hams. The donation will benefit the Crestview area and serve radio buffs throughout the county, Lewis said.

“These are very good, excellent books on ham radio,” she said. “Until this donation, we only had one book, which was ‘Ham Radio for Dummies.’”

The donation comes when the Crestview City Council has eliminated the library’s book acquisition budget.

“We’re helping the library get books they can’t afford to buy,” NOARC activities director Cal Zethmayr, W4GMH, said. “Anybody who wants to study ham radio or learn more about it can check these out.”

The books are available to any Okaloosa County resident within the county library system, Lewis said.

“We knew the library was under pressure for money to get new books,” Zethmayr said. “These are brand new books the (American Radio Relay League) requires. If we can reach more people and get more operators, the better for the community.”

The league — of which NOARC is a member — in 2014 will celebrate its 100th year of American amateur radio.

In addition to connecting with fellow hams all over the world, amateur radio club members advise local Boy Scout troops during the worldwide Jamboree on the Air, Zethmayr said. They also provide communications during regional emergency operations.

NOARC also serves as a training resource for many area responders including county Emergency Operations Center employees, he said.

“We, over the last couple years, have trained employees of Okaloosa Gas, Auburn Water, the Okaloosa County Health Department, and (Community Emergency Response) teams,” Zethmayr said. “We’ve added more than 100 licensed amateurs. Okaloosa County now has more than 800 licensed hams.”

Through regional radio networks, Crestview area hams provide communications linking and guiding emergency responders using satellite positioning and related technology. Local hams helped set up the emergency center’s amateur radio communications equipment, Zethmayr said.

“If other equipment fails, amateur radio will keep working,” he said. “A lot of the guys have solar power now, and many have generators in case the power goes out.

“For example, if Crestview has a situation where you can’t get into Crestview when water comes up over the roads — and it’s happened before — we’re geared up to provide additional communications to the network.”

Want to go?

The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of each month at the old Dorcas Fire Station 42, 5232 Deer Springs Drive. The location is 8 miles east of Crestview off U.S. Highway 90. Contact club President Bob Walker at n4cu@AMSAT.org.

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: Library receives set of amateur radio operating books amid budget crisis

CRESTVIEW — One injury was reported from a house fire that occurred on December 24, according to a press release from the Crestview Fire Department.

Fire and rescue crews from the Crestview Fire Department, North Okaloosa Fire District and both Holt and Dorcas volunteer fire departments responded to a fire call at a residence located at 105 Camellia Place at 1:15 p.m.

After the fire was extinguished, fire officials estimated the total amount of property damage and contents at $150,000.

The cause of the fire could not be determined at the scene and is currently under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal's office.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: One injury reported in Dec. 24 structure fire

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Built in 1981, OASIS may close its doors without new funding

CRESTVIEW — A collection of timetables, artifacts and a G-scale model train comprise a Crestview Public Library exhibit that recalls when the railway was king.

Crestview and Laurel Hill began as railroad towns, with regular daily train service hauling forest and field to distant markets. Towns including Campton, Svea and Baker grew up along the rail routes.  

Timber, turpentine, peanuts and cotton regularly departed local communities on the Yellow River and Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. railroads. Dry goods and groceries arrived on return trips.

Local passengers enjoyed the convenience of regularly scheduled runs on smooth rails —versus rutted, bumpy and washed out dirt roads —for shopping and commuting throughout the area.

Folks could hop the Yellow River Rail Road in Florala, Ala., or Laurel Hill — at 7:10 a.m. or 7:42 a.m., respectively — and be in Crestview at 8:35 a.m. Ten minutes later, the L&N train would whisk them off to Pensacola, where they’d arrive at 10.

The library display was assembled from collectibles belonging to the West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton, the Emerald Coast Garden Railroad Club and the Shalimar Model Railroad Club.

Laurel Hill resident Paul Weston curated the exhibit, which will remain through the first week of January.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library exhibit celebrates local railroad heritage

CRESTVIEW — As 2013 approaches, millions of Americans will contemplate what changes they’ll make.

Many people call it “turning over a new leaf.”

It usually amounts to more or less. More exercise, more time with family or more saving hard-earned dollars. Alternatively, it may be less spending, less smoking or eating fewer calories.

The News Bulletin is collecting data on local residents’ New Year’s resolutions.

What are your resolutions? We want to hear from you. Please see the poll on the right column of our homepage, crestviewbulletin.com, to weigh in.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: TELL US: Lose weight? Save more? What's your 2013 resolution?