CRESTVIEW — The third annual Emerald Coast Aviation Fly-In took place Saturday at Bob Sikes Airport. Area residents visited open hangars to have lunch, listen to live music and see vendors. Visitors also saw planes that flew in.

 Nearly 30 small passenger planes flew in for food, entertainment and a chance to win prizes.

Pilots who flew in represented a range of flight experience. Some were military members; others just developed a passion for flying.

Daniel Nowling, 39, of Harold, always wanted to fly and just recently started the process of getting his pilot's license.

"This year, I am flying in as a student and hopefully next year, I will be flying in as a private pilot," he said.

Being a pilot may be costly, but it’s an attainable goal, he said.

"The average person can afford to do this; they just don't realize it," Nowling said.

Obtaining a private pilot's license can cost nearly $6,000 for 40 to 50 hours of training, according to First Landings Aviation School. 

One plane that particularly caught much of the public's attention was a personally made aircraft by Jerry Dotson. The North Okaloosa County resident built the single engine plane from blueprints and flew it to the airport.

"I started working on the plane in June of 2009," he said. " I flew it (for the first time) in June of this year."

Dotson used his own personal touches in designing the plane, which included motorcycle tires for landing gear.

Dotson must have 40 hours in the air before he can take anyone for a ride, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

The event served to raise awareness of the airport, some said.

 “A lot of people in Crestview don’t know that Bob Sikes (airport) is here,” Jonathan Dunn, Emerald Coast Aviation president and owner, said. “A lot of people that come to this event want to see airplanes and their kids want to see them as well.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents, pilots gather for Fly-In (gallery)

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa residents can now visit the Murder Creek Cornfield Maze until 10 p.m. The fall-themed course, which opened Oct. 6, has extended its hours.

The cornfield maze will be open on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 27 and 28) and Oct. 31 from noon to 10 p.m. The maze will also be open on the same hours on Nov. 3 and 4.

The Murder Creek Cornfield Maze and Spooky Woods are north of Crestview off U.S. Highway 85. Take a left on Senterfitt Road and another left on Jack Road. The maze will be on the right.

Tickets cost $6 for adults 18 and up. Tickets cost $5 for 5- to 17-year-olds. Children 4 and under get in free.

In addition, visitors can pass through “Spooky Woods,” which feature wolf howls, mechanical jumping spiders and spider web tunnels.

The attractions were memorable enough for some visitors to come back.

“This is our second time coming out here,” Jennifer Bradley said on Saturday. “It’s something fun for the kids to do.” Bradley and her daughter, Jordan, 9, invited Wendy McGowan and her three children to come. Jordan served as a guide while the group meandered through the maze. Although they hit a few dead ends in the cornfield, they eventually made their way into the spooky woods, Jordan’s favorite part.

“I liked it better the second time,” she said. “I like the spider webs (in the spooky woods) and how the spiders lurked around (and jumped out).”

Other activities include a petting zoo with goats, which patrons can feed corn. In addition, kids can let loose in the corn pit, which resembles a large sand box with corn kernels replacing sand grains. Kids also can take a lawn mower-led train tour of a hayfield.

Parents can take fall family pictures beside a festive backdrop at the entrance area. Food and refreshments are also available.

"The kids had a great time out here tonight," Wendy said.

This is the second time that Danny Arnett and volunteers have organized the maze, which he said is a safe alternative to other activities, and a viable date-night option.

“You see so many young people with nothing to do around this time of year,” Arnett said. “The kids love it … and a lot of teenagers will bring their girlfriends out here.”

Arnett used Google maps and his phone’s GPS to map out the maze from nine acres of corn; the process took two weeks.

Like last year, Arnett enlisted help from the Crestview High School girls’ softball team; the players have collected tickets and aided with other duties at the field. Like last year, Arnett plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to the team.

Updated Oct.25 12:45 p.m. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa corn maze, ‘Spooky Woods’ extend hours (SLIDESHOW/UPDATED)

Britainy Pate wears a smile despite ongoing challenges this past year.

The 27-year-old mother of three has been wheelchair bound since June following mysterious paralysis. Now, she seeks financial aid to find the problem’s root.

She started a non-profit organization, Britainy Will Walk Again Foundation Inc., and said all proceeds will cover her medical expenses. However, after her problems are resolved, she hopes the non-profit can help others with similar situations.

The goal is to raise $7,000; so far, $500 has been collected.

Britainy — let go from her job after losing feeling in her legs — lost feeling in her right arm on Sept. 9.

"I was in church, when it happened …. I felt a tingling sensation going up my arm, before it went numb,” she said.

She also received a couple of days’ treatment at North Okaloosa Medical Center following respiratory failure. She has sought doctors willing to take her case, but it’s been difficult without health insurance.

Still, through it all, she stays positive.

"I'm sad, but I still try to keep a smile on my face," Britainy said. "No matter what you go through in life, you can still put a smile on your face."

Some things have improved since the News Bulletin first reported on her situation. Several residents lent a helping hand — among them, Ruth Jenkins, owner and physical therapist at Manual Therapy LLC in Crestview.

“I've been following up with Britainy and encouraging her, making sure she gets the help that she needs,” Jenkins said.

In addition, Bryant Pate no longer carries his wife up and down stairs from their previous second-floor apartment. Property managers found a ground-level apartment for the Pate family, which includes Alexandria, 2; Annastasia, 4; and Xavier, 14. Xavier is Bryant’s son from a previous relationship. The family also cares for Bryant's 87-year-old father, James.

"We have been in the new apartment for about a month now," Britainy said. "Life is now ten times easier."

Newlin Carter, her father, built a wooden ramp outside the apartment, making it easier for her get outside.

Diara Scott, a former Crestview resident, reached out to help her friend after learning about her situation on Facebook.

"It just broke my heart,” said Scott, a nutritional coordinator for St. Vincent's Medical Center in Jacksonville. Scott spoke to several officials at the medical center, namely Dr. David Chabolla, a neurological specialist.  

The Pates traveled to Jacksonville on Oct.4 to run several tests, trying to determine what keeps Britainy from walking or using her right arm. A News Bulletin reporter couldn’t reach Chabolla for comment by deadline.

Britainy — who anticipates learning the test results and uncovering her ailment — said her family will return to the Jacksonville center on Oct. 24.

"To me, its closure," she said. "Even if there is no cure, I just want to know what it is."

Scott stays optimistic.

"I have faith that Britainy will walk again," she said. "God can heal all things."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman establishes foundation to find answers

CRESTVIEW — Lake Silver Road neighborhood trick-or-treaters will have some swashbuckling entertainment to go along with their treats.

"You can't miss it; I’m going to have lights pointing at it," Ron Medlock, 80, said, referring to his pirate ship display, the "Carib Witch" and its crew. The setup has been a Halloween fixture at his house for three years. Medlock will reprise his role as Capt. Gray Beard while entertaining visitors on Oct. 31. The show should run 5-8:30 p.m., or until his candy runs out.

"I have a lot of fun with it, especially when the kids come around," Medlock said.

The captain also will introduce a familiar jolly elf, making an earlier-than-usual appearance. 

"Santa pirate is the ship's navigator and he is the best there is," Medlock said, referencing the elf’s ability to deliver presents to every child in the world all in one night.

Medlock also has gags for adult audience members; among them is an introduction to the captain's girlfriend and her son, Hagga Lee and Ug Lee, respectively, who will be stationed near the ship.

"If you drink enough rum, you'll think she (Hagga Lee) is Miss America," Medlock said in his deep pirate voice. "If you think she's pretty, then you've had too much rum."

Medlock said he has had 60 people stop by to see his show, and expects to see more this year.

"People (who) have seen it last year said that they plan to bring their friends to the show next year," he said.

Medlock’s experience with sea vessels extends well beyond his Halloween tradition — he served in the U.S. Navy as an electrician on submarines. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1971. Medlock and Donna, his wife of 41 years, moved to Crestview three years ago from Illinois.

"You can take a sailor out of the water, but you can never take water out of a sailor," Medlock said.

He drew from his military experience to create a homemade cannon that fires off ping-pong balls and baby powder, an addition to this year’s festivities. He used cardboard and a washing machine water valve for the project.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man’s neighborhood Halloween pirate show returns

LAUREL HILL — Clifton Hall during Tuesday night's regular meeting was voted to fill the council's seat that has been vacant for the past 18 months.

"He is a smart man," Mayor Joan Smith said after the meeting. "He will definitely be an asset." Hall wasn't present at the meeting, but he is expected to be sworn in as a council member at the next meeting.

Hall has been listed as a potential candidate to fill the seat for the past several months. His candidacy joined that of former council member Johnny James, Charles Lennard and Mike Blizzard.

Members couldn't fill the seat due to a lack in majority votes.

All of the council members were present, except for Willie Mae Tolles. Her absence allowed council members Betty Williamson and Larry Hendren to vote in Hall 2-1 against councilman Robby Adams, who was looking forward to meeting Hall.

"I would just like to welcome him aboard," Adams said. "I'm glad we can put this behind us so we can move forward."

Also that night, the council voted in favor of lowering the transaction fees for water bill payments to $2.75. Customers were paying a $3.50 fee to use a credit or debit card to make payments.

During the meeting, city water clerk Cindy Oloughlin announced her resignation from her position. Oloughlin, who served at the position for more than a year, said her last day would be on Oct. 10.

"I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you have done for me and giving me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Laurel Hill," Oloughlin told city officials.

Oloughlin stated that she had found another job opportunity closer to where she lives.

The council voted to hold the next meeting on the second Tuesday of next month so that it wouldn't coincide with Election Day on Nov. 6.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council appoints new member