CRESTVIEW — City Council President J.B. Whitten on Wednesday continued his series of town hall meetings to inform city residents about the upcoming referendum on changes to Crestview’s city charter.

The May 24 meeting at Hub City Smokehouse was the second of three planned events. The first took place April 26 at Casbah Coffee, and a third event is planned for June. Whitten said his goal is to hold the meetings at different times during the day to accommodate everyone who would like to attend.

Whitten has been an outspoken proponent of amending the city charter to allow for a city manager form of government. If the referendum is successful, the city council would be able to appoint a city manager, and all department heads would report to that person. Under the current form of government, some departments report to the mayor, while others report to the council.

“Out of 412 cities in Florida, only 85 have our form of government,” Whitten said. “Of those 85, 83 of them have fewer than 1,700 people. Here we are in Crestview. We’re heading toward 25,000 people and we’re still operating the same way that smaller cities are.”

The current charter has been in place since 1965 and has been amended various times over the years. A previous attempt to change the form of government in 2012 failed. Whitten believes that was largely due to lack of voter education on the subject.

“It’s incumbent upon us in the city to reach out and educate people,” Whitten said. “That’s why we’re having these town hall meetings.”

Whitten said the benefit of having a city manager is that the position would be filled by a professional who understands budgets, finances and management. There are no requirements that city council members have those qualifications.

“I’m not even trained in the budget process,” Whitten said. “We educate ourselves, but it’s a learning curve. A city manager is going to be someone that’s already gone to school having learned about every department in the city. They’ve learned about doing budgets. They’ve learned about sunshine laws.”

In Whitten’s view, the charter change is the most important issue that voters can have a direct impact on.

“I’m asking everybody to get educated. Tell your friends and neighbors,” Whitten said. “You definitely have to come out and vote. This is the most important vote that you can have concerning the future of Crestview.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'The most important vote'

CRESTVIEW — See, touch, hear, and play a variety of instruments during the Crestview Library Instrument Petting Zoo. Doors open at 10 a.m. June 2 at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Attendees may play instruments with their mouth, hands, and even a flip flop. Registration is not required for this free event. 

This Family Library Time is designed for ages four and up. If you bring smaller children, please keep a close eye on them. 

Summer Reading Challenge Reading Logs, including stickers and book review sheets will be available. 

Call Heather at 682-4432 with questions. Special thanks to Upbeat Music and the Pelican Pickers for sharing their instruments.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Instrument petting zoo is in June

Here are upcoming Crestview Public Library-related events. The library's address is 1445 Commerce Drive. 

OPEN MIC: 6:30 p.m. June 12, the Crestview Public Library’s next monthly open-mic for poets and musicians to read, perform, improvise and play together. Everyone is welcome, even if you don't write poetry or play music. Free. Contact Esther at the library at 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us. Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks, the poetry starts at 6:30p.m.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Fridays in the Story Room, with sign-in at 9 a.m. It is limited to 30 children per class and their caregivers. Older children are welcome if they want to attend. A story, songs and finger plays are part of the event. The May 18 topic is Praiseworthy Parents.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, Crestview Public Library. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php. There is no May meeting due to the Memorial Day holiday. The next 6 p.m. meeting is June 25.

BEGINNER'S CHESS CLUB: 3-4 p.m. every first and third Thursday at the library. For ages 6 and up. Learn to play the game.

CHESS CLUB: 3:15 p.m. first and third Thursdays, at the library. For ages 6 and up. Bring a snack or drink to share.

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays at the library for students in grades six through 12.

READ TO DOZER: 10 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturdays of each month (as long as it's not raining).

COFFEE & CRAFT: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Crestview library. Call 682-4432 to reserve your spot.

BRIGHT FUTURES VOLUNTEER HOURS: for students in grades nine through 12 to use toward Bright Futures scholarships. Contact Youth Librarian Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Public Library events

NICEVILLE — The Vietnam Vets and Legacy Vets MC Z Chapter are holding a Memorial Day ride May 28.

Riders will meet at Bayou Plaza parking lot at 10:30 a.m. at Highway 85 South and John Sims Parkway for a safety briefing. Kick stands go up at 11 a.m.

Riders will head to Niceville's Fallen Soldier Monument. Food follows the ceremony with music, a 50/50 raffle and more at the American Legion Post 221, 244 John Sims Parkway in Niceville.

The public is welcome to attend.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Memorial Day ride

CRESTVIEW — After months of anticipation, a new Italian eatery in Crestview is finally open for business.

Vitaliano Pizza, Pasta & More opened its doors May 21 for lunch and dinner. The menu features authentic Napoletana-style brick-oven pizzas, homemade lasagna and gnocchi and other Italian favorites. The wine list includes a variety imported from Italy, starting at $15 per bottle.

Giuseppe Vitagliano had originally hoped to have the restaurant open in March, but he ran into some problems that caused delays.

“The problem was our pizza oven took three months just for the shipping,” he said. “It’s 5,000 pounds.”

The brick pizza oven was brought in from Italy, and the roof of the building had to be removed in one area in order to install the oven. The entire process took five months from start to finish, three just to get the oven to Crestview.

“The pizza oven is my toy,” Vitagliano said. “It’s perfect for cooking the real Napoletana style.”

The restaurant business is nothing new to Vitagliano, whose father opened a restaurant in Italy in 1962. Vitagliano is still a part owner of that restaurant today.

In 2012, Giuseppe and his wife Daniela moved to the United States, along with their daughter, Gaia. The Vitaglianos opened a restaurant in Santa Cruz called Tramonti, named after the region of Italy where Giuseppe was born.

The family moved to Crestview in 2017 after a friend told them the city was in need of an authentic Italian dining experience.

“We came here to Florida for our new adventures and we found this place,” Vitagliano said. “We remodeled everything and now we’re ready to open.”

 Vitaliano Pizza, Pasta & More is located at 398 East Hickory Avenue. It is open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Italian restaurant opens in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The dog mentioned in an earlier post on the News Bulletin Facebook site has already been reunited with its owner.

The original announcement posted May 19 by Raychele Miller contained a picture of a dog that had been running around the Silver Oaks neighborhood off Old Bethel.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Update:Dog's owner claims it

CRESTVIEW — Upcoming North Okaloosa County events and surrounding area activities are as follows.

FAMILY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 8-10 a.m. May 19, Applebee's Grill and Bar, 215 Rasberry Road, Crestview. Cost: $8 per person, which includes unlimited pancakes, bacon and beverage. Servers will be students from Elevate Student Ministries of The Summit Church in Crestview.

EMERALD COAST NATIONAL JURIED FINE ARTS RECEPTION: 6-8 p.m. May 19, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. In the McIlroy Gallery of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. See works in a variety of media by artists from across the U.S. Over 300 works were submitted, and only 61 were chosen for exhibition. This opening reception includes an award ceremony, with over $3,000 in prizes. Free. Galleries open 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. weekdays. Director KC Williams, 729–6044 or artgalleries@nwfsc.edu.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST HOMECOMING: 10:30 a.m. May 20, 3198 Highway 602, Laurel Hill. Features "Sound and Spirit" of Milton. Rev. Richard Martin, former interim pastor, will bring the message. Lunch and fellowship will follow. 652-2300.

CRESTVIEW LANE CLOSURE: The eastbound right lane 400 feet west of U.S. Highway 85 will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. May 21-23 on U.S. Highway 90/ State Road 10 as crews remove existing driveways and pour a curb.

SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM DEADLINE: May 22, at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton. The two-week training program is June 4-14 and offers employment readiness workshops and a work experience placement with a local employer. The goal is for youth participants to gain invaluable work experience and earn incentives for participation. For Okaloosa and Walton participants ages 16-18 who meet household income criteria. Contact Chris Budney, 833-7587 extension 221 to see if space is available at a location near you.

TAX CERTIFICATE LIVE STREAMING WORKSHOP: 6 p.m. May 21, on Okaloosa County Tax Collector's Office Facebook page, from the Okaloosa Administration Building in Shalimar. Learn how to participate in tax certificate sales. Tax Department, 651-7604.

CHILDREN IN CRISIS OPEN HOUSE: 11 a.m. May 23 in the CIC playground area. Fish fry lunch is in celebration of the CIC's 15 anniversary. Tour of the Children's Neighborhood included. 864-4242 for details.

MOTORCYCLE POKER RIDE BENEFIT: 9:30-11 a.m. June 9 at SOCKS, 498 Carmel Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Raises funds for Animal Protection League and Save Our Cats and Kittens. Funds will help spay or neuter feral cats, and help low income people get their pets spayed or neutered to reduce the euthanasia of companion animals.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's happening in North Okaloosa County

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County Master Gardeners have selected the graduating class of interns for 2018.

Interns must now complete 75 volunteer hours in their communities by sharing the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences Florida Friendly Landscape and horticulture knowledge gained during their 16-week training course. Residential Horticulture Extension Agent Larry Williams conducted the course.

The Okaloosa County Master Gardeners have three locations in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville to assist area residents with their gardening and grass questions and soil testing. The Crestview office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Soil testings is available there on Mondays. Call 689-5850 to insure a Master Gardener is on duty for assistance.

The Fort Walton Beach office is open for walk-ins Fridays until noon at 127 Hollywood Blvd., and the Niceville location is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays at the Niceville Youth Center, 200 Campbell Drive.

Visit gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu or solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu for on-line assistance.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Master Gardener interns graduate training program

CRESTVIEW — Air Force Airman Jordan Zimmerman graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed eight weeks' training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Basic training graduates earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Jordan is the son of Jonathan and Kenyetta Zimmerman of Crestview and a Member of New Life International Worship Center in Crestview. He is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School. He will be stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zimmerman graduates from basic military training

BAKER — Baker School’s JROTC unveiled a new patriotic display this week honoring military and first responders.

The freedom shrine was dedicated at a May 17 ceremony at the school. The shrine consists of seven wall-mounted panels displaying a collage of photos from each branch of the military, as well as panels for law enforcement and firefighters.

Each panel also has historical documents displayed over the photos. The documents run in roughly chronological order along the length of the shrine, starting with the Mayflower compact and ending with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, telling the story of American history throughout. Important historical documents like the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Address are also present.

The Exchange Club of Crestview, which is no longer in operation, helped coordinate the project. Exchange Clubs across the country facilitate freedom shrines in schools and supply the historical documents for the displays.

Mayor Cadle, who served as President of the Crestview Exchange Club, played a key role in making the freedom shrine a reality.

“One of the main targets that we had for our projects was Americanism, and the shrine was the biggest gift that we could give,” Cadle said. “It was quite evident where we felt the freedom shrine would get the best attention and the greatest respect (at Baker School). We’re extremely proud of this.”

JROTC officers raised $1,200 by calling potential donors and taking contributions. Battalion Executive Officer Peyton Horton led the project, collecting photos from each military branch and first responders, and putting together the collages.

The freedom shrine fulfilled a JROTC requirement that students put together a yearly project that benefits the community in some way.

“The shrine is a constant reminder of the fundamental principles upon which this great nation was founded,” Baker Principal Mike Martello said. “The words of the documents echo our great American history, and the best thing we can derive from history is the enthusiasm it raises in us.”

Martello gave a dedication speech before the unveiling of the shrine, speaking about the reminder of the sacrifices Americans have made and continue to make to secure freedom.

“We are here today to emphasize the message of encouragement these documents hold for our students, our faculty and the entire Baker community.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker School dedicates freedom shrine