BAKER — Baker Area Girl Scouts is recruiting 2nd-5th grade girls – Brownies and Juniors. Call 525-9265 or email GSTroop639@gmail.com for details.

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Girl Scouts are recruiting Brownie and Junior members

A single-vehicle accident that snarled traffic, darkened part of the city and sent a man to the hospital Thursday night was caused by a medical incident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Donald Osborne Darren, 66, of Fort Walton Beach, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado north on State Road 85 about 6:25 p.m. when he suffered a severe coughing fit that caused him to black out, the FHP reported. The truck veered across the grass median and southbound lanes onto the west shoulder, where it hit a utility pole and fire hydrant just north of P.J. Adams Parkway.

The wreck snarled traffic in both directions and knocked out electricity to portions of Crestview. Power was fully restored about 1:30 a.m.

Darren was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center in serious condition, the FHP reported. He does not face any charges, the FHP said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Man blacks out, hits utility pole

SHALIMAR — The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, needs volunteers to help prepare tax returns in Okaloosa County.

VITA sites provide free income tax preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers (those who make $51,000 and below) who need help filing their returns. VITA sites include JobsPlus in Crestview and Goodwill in Fort Walton Beach. Training will be scheduled for early January.

Tax experience is not required. VITA volunteers are IRS trained and certified. VITA volunteers come from all occupations and include professionals, retirees, college and high school students, IRS employees and others who want to help taxpayers in their communities.

Training is available online and in a classroom setting. 

Call Elaine Courtney, 850-689-5850, or e-mail at ecourtne@ufl.edu, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteers needed for tax return preparation

LAUREL HILL — Residents of this north county town know the winter holidays are here because the season regularly coincides with the annual community Harvest Supper. A record turnout, surpassing more than 150 of the town’s 560 residents, crowded Thursday into First Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall for this year’s event.

Extra tables were set up as more and more families arrived bearing hot covered dishes, salads, desserts and drinks. Plates ran out midway through the feast, but were quickly replaced. Long-time residents said they hadn’t seen the supper so well attended in recent memory.

“This is the most folks I’ve seen in a long time,” George “Woot” Campbell, a retired Crestview High School teacher, said. “I don’t know how long this supper’s been going on. It’s been going on since I moved here” 40 years ago.

Relative newcomers also embraced the community event.

“I’ve been coming here about two years,” Laurel Hill School student Bryce Wooten, 10, said. “It’s fun coming here to see all the people. I like everything about it.”

The Rev. Jonathan Shepard, pastor of event host Ebenezer Baptist Church, delivered the message, first noting, “I know we’re not all Baptist but we have appetites like Baptists. But before we take care of our physical appetites, let’s feed our spiritual hunger.”

Shepard expressed gratitude to see so many denominations represented at the feast and rubbing elbows with each other.

“By golly, we’re going to be in Heaven together so we might as well get along while we’re here,” he said.

Additionally, prayers were raised for Laurel Hill School student Mark Posey, 13, and Mickelly Goode, 8, who were seriously injured in a car crash that afternoon. Stori Henderson, 23, who drove the Jeep in which the children were passengers, turned in front of an oncoming truck around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to news reports. The incident happened on State Road 85.

Attending, in addition to members of the host church, were representatives of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, Magnolia Baptist Church, Campton Assembly of God, First Assembly of God and Auburn Pentecostal Church.

Along with casserole dishes filled with favorite family recipes, many attendees had Bibles tucked under their arms for the brief thanksgiving service that traditionally precedes the supper.

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: Annual Harvest Supper draws largest crowd in recent history

PENSACOLA — People who donate this Thursday and Friday at any One Blood/Northwest Florida Blood Services Center could help save three lives and take home something extra.

On Nov. 15 and 16, each blood donor will get a $5 Winn Dixie Gift Card, a wellness check and a cholesterol screening. Donors are eligible to enter the drawing for a 2012 Kia Soul as well, courtesy of Kia Autosport.

The Crestview center hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at 2400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite B (behind Dunkin Donuts).

Blood donations go to our local hospitals and could literally save the lives of patients who need transfusions for emergencies, traumas, surgeries and cancer treatment. Support the needs of your community by donating blood.

Healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Call 306-2455 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Blood donation this week includes screening and wellness check

CRESTVIEW — For many who attended the Loomis Brothers Circus over the weekend, it was their first time experiencing such an event.

Several area families brought their children to Spanish Trail Park’s pavilion to see the circus, which included specialty acts and animals.

But children’s weren’t the only first-timers.

“This was actually my first time going to a circus and it was awesome,” said Melinda Carrol, 56, who attended with her daughter and three grandchildren. Her grandchildren, especially Brayden Todd, 4, gave the event a favorable review. Brayden particularly enjoyed the show’s animal portion.

“I saw elephants and I got to ride on one of the small horses,” he said.

Kids could pet and feed some of the animals in a small petting zoo of llamas, camels and goats. They also could ride miniature horses and take a ride on one of the show's main attractions, the elephants.

“I liked it, but it was really bumpy,” Luke Love, 11, of DeFuniak Springs, said after an elephant ride.

However, overall, going to the circus with his father was a treat, he said.

“This has been my first time at a circus and it has been amazing.”

“This is actually only the second time that I have been to the circus,” Luke’s father, Thomas Love, said. "I haven't been to one in many years."

Circus acts included the Poema family from Argentina, who performed several stunts and routines, namely using their legs and feet to juggle. Kathy Hannenford wowed the audience with acrobatics.    

The circus saved what many perceived as the best — and largest — for last by featuring three elephants. One elephant, Okha, balanced herself while walking on a ball. Additionally, striped tigers made an appearance, and some even jumped through a hoop of fire.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents attend circus at Old Spanish Trail Park

CRESTVIEW — Organizers already are planning for next year’s Veterans Day Parade, having named the American Legion its host and eyeing the local VFW and AmVets organization for 2013 and 2014, respectively.

This year’s parade — hosted by local Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57 — drew 32 official marching units, down a few from last year’s 40-plus, but last-minute groups that showed up increased the number of participants, organizers said.

“We had 37 total entries this year,” DAV adjutant treasurer Debborah “Pinky” Jimison said. “Once you start counting up the people, gosh, we had well over 500 people who participated.”

From service members’ covers to Shriners’ fezzes, Cub Scout baseball caps to clown hats, the variety of headwear worn by marchers as they paraded up Main Street Saturday morning reflected the diversity of a community united by one goal: to honor local military veterans.

Landon Drake, 5, attending with his sister Jordan, 3, baby brother Dayton, 1, mom Leanne and grandmother Melissa Drake, smiled broadly as the groups went by. He seemed happy to receive an American flag to wave from a 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) soldier.

“I told him ‘thank you,’” Landon said.

“Wave your flag,” Melissa Drake encouraged her grandson. “We’re saluting our veterans today.”

Standing across Main Street was George Ballard, who had a 20-year career in the Army, serving in Vietnam, Germany, France, Okinawa, the Philippines, and in the U.S. from Alaska to North Dakota before retiring at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1979.

“I was one of those who received the notice that says, ‘Greetings. You are hereby ordered to report,’” Ballard said. “Back in those days, the military was not as popular. I sometimes think we should have the draft today.”

The diverse group of participants paraded up Main Street in diverse modes of transport. There were Shriners’ racing carts and all-terrain vehicles, antique cars, 7th Special Forces Group armored vehicles, wreckers, one “Hillbilly Cadillac” (a rusty antique pick-up truck), the Crestview Police Department’s patriotically painted Humvee, wreckers and civic leaders in golf carts.

Retired Chief Petty Officer Keith Van Doren cruised along, standing on a trailer towing one of the Blackwater ATV Club’s vehicles as he tossed candy to cheering supporters. He had entered the Navy during the Korean War, serving from 1952 until his 1978 retirement.

“I’m honoring all my fellow veterans today,” Van Doren said.

Crestview City Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. was among the participants, wearing his Air Force sergeant’s blues as he piloted his ATV up Main Street. He retired after 28 years in the Air Force.

Many marchers on foot included Cub Scout packs, Crestview and Baker high school JROTC battalions and bands, and the Shoal River Middle School band. Members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office posse clattered by on horseback.

“Oooh, I love your horse!” called out Charlotte Bowman, 8, to retired Army Ranger Tom Moody as he rode by astride his horse. Charlotte and her friend Shelby Fetter, 11, were visiting Crestview for the day from Navarre.

Drawing the parade to a close, a woman sat astride the lead of three Loomis Bros. Circus elephants as ringmaster Justin Loomis led the mammals through Crestview’s historic heart.

On Sunday, the DAV presented its annual Wall Ceremony at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial near the county courthouse. The event, always at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, Veterans Day, was well attended, Jimison said.

“We had a hundred programs to hand out and I only had seven or eight left. We had a good turnout,” she said. “We honored World War II veterans by having them stand up and state their name, and giving them a round of applause because they so richly deserve it. There were also a few Korean War vets. The majority of the veterans that were there were Vietnam War veterans.”

A veterans’ luncheon, hosted by the American Legion, and a flag retirement ceremony hosted by the Knights of Columbus followed the ceremony.

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: American Legion named next year's Veterans Day Parade organizer

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Public Works Director John Hofstad is the guest on WFTW Talk Radio 1260 at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. He'll talk about the county's new veterans park, Gulf Coast Marine Life Center and Wild Willy’s Adventure Island.

Call 664-1260 with your questions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New veterans park takes radio and TV show’s focus Thursday

CRESTVIEW — Strength, honor, pride, devotion and wisdom are personal qualities that mark a veteran, Kirby Locklear, in full Native American regalia as guest speaker at the Crestview Public Library, said Tuesday.

"There is a long participation with Native Americans in the military for more than 200 years," Locklear said, noting 1800s American Indians’ duties.

"Scouting the enemy was a particular skill of the Native American soldier," Locklear said. Scouts helped pursue Mexican Revolutionary general Pancho Villa in 1916 and served in the Spanish- American War.

American Indians played a bigger role in World War I and World War II, Locklear said, praising Navajo Indians who created a secret code that opposing Japanese forces couldn't break.

The subject particularly interested Crestview resident Michael Warren.

"I came to learn more about the code talkers; I recently started reading a book them," said Michael, a member of Emerald Coast Young Marines, which prepares young men and women for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Locklear, a Lumbee Indian tribe member, was born in Robeson County, N.C., home of the tribe ranked as the ninth largest in the country, according to lumbeetribe.com. 

Locklear enlisted into the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school. His career took him to many places across the globe and awarded him several high honors.

There was one airbase in particular that Locklear seemed to favor most. 

"I got one of the best assignments you could get (while in the Air Force)," Locklear said. "I was stationed at Hurlburt Field in 1980."

 He returned to the area, having been stationed elsewhere, in 1992. He finished his career in 2000 as lieutenant colonel with 3,100 flight hours.

When he isn't working at Duke Field as a defense contractor, he often volunteers for the American Red Cross in Okaloosa and Walton counties and is the Thunderbird Intertribal Council’s vice chair.

Attendees Tuesday participated in a traditional Native American dance, following Locklear's lead and moving to the beat of Native American music around the meeting room. 

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: Veteran presents information on Native Americans in the military