CRESTVIEW — For $3 per child, local businesses or individuals can help the Crestview Police Department’s Community Services division put safety materials in the hands of area children.

"These are materials we get from the National Child Safety Council," Community Services Officer Sam Kimmons said. "There are booklets and things that cover a wide range of safety issues we try to address, like school bus safety, anti-drug messages and anti-bullying."

Since 1955, when it was known as the Police Safety Service, the National Child Safety Council has provided low-cost, carefully researched and designed printed materials such as booklets, coloring books, stickers, games and activity sheets to kids from elementary school through the early teens.

The council’s Safetypup child safety mascot has made appearances at Crestview schools, where he encourages kids to lead safer lives and watch out for threats such as strangers, peer pressure and unsafe situations at school and on the school bus.

The police department’s annual Child Safety, Bullying and Drug Education program is a dedicated effort to help keep local kids safe and drug-free. Through classroom visits and distribution of National Child Safety Council materials, officers work to counter negative messages that bombard kids.

"A great deal of materials are utilized each year educating children and adults," Kimmons said. "We need the help of the business community and individuals to get these materials into our kids’ hands."

Kimmons said donations, which are payable directly to the National Child Safety Council, are tax-deductible and can be made in any amount, bearing the $3 per child cost in mind.

Thus, $30 can provide materials for 10 kids; $75 can support 25 kids; $150 can help 50 kids; and so on.

Business and individuals who wish to help purchase child safety publications for distribution by the Crestview Police Department Community Services division may send their checks, made payable to the National Child Safety Council, to the Police Department, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview FL 32539-2221.

A $3 donation covers material for any child, so gifts in amounts divisible by three work best.

WANT TO HELP?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Support sought for child safety efforts

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this weekend in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Poets and musicians can read, perform, improvise and play together during an open-microphone event 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Crestview Public Library.

The poetry starter is "Blue Moon, Blue Room." Anyone can attend, and admittance is free.

The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive in Crestview.

Contact Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library sets open microphone night

Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. 

OKALOOSA COUNTY 

• State Road 189 (Beal Parkway) resurfacing from Manring Drive to S.R. 188 (Racetrack Road): Crews will grade and remove the median at the Clifford Street intersection. Lane restrictions will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday.
• S.R. 189 (Beal Parkway) intersection improvement at S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard): Expect intermittent northbound and southbound lane restrictions from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Jan 26 on Beal Parkway between Ewing Court and Water Street as crews perform construction activities.
• S.R. 8 (Interstate 10) from east of County Road 189 (Holt/ Mile Marker 45) to west of Yellow River: Intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 25 as crews perform asphalt and guardrail work.
• U.S. 98 widening from Airport Road to the Okaloosa/Walton County line: Motorists can expect alternating east and westbound lane closures 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 25 from Henderson Beach State Park to Matthew Boulevard as crews continue road-widening work.
• U.S. 98 turn lane construction from St. Mary Avenue SW to 3rd Avenue SW: The eastbound inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 25, and from Monday, Jan. 29 until the project’s completion as crews remove the existing curb and construct a new eastbound, left-turn lane. 

WALTON COUNTY

• U.S. 98 widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive: Motorists can expect alternating east and westbound lane closures 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 25 from the Okaloosa/Walton County line to Tang-O-Mar Drive as roadway widening and drainage upgrades continue.
• In addition, side streets and driveways along U.S. 98 between Emerald Shores and St. John Court in Walton County will be reduced to one lane during daytime hours for approximately one week starting Thursday, Jan. 25. Motorists traveling Emerald Shores, Sandy Cay Drive, Bancorp South and Maravilla (St. John Court) will encounter intermittent lane and driveway restrictions between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Thursday, Jan. 25 to Friday Feb. 2 as crews install pipe underneath the roadway. Traffic flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the work area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 7 Okaloosa and Walton traffic changes

CRESTVIEW — The Emerald Coast Bag Ladies (and men) seek volunteers to help them make mats for the homeless. No experience is needed and all ages are welcome.

"Come share a smile and make a difference — it's easy," a media release for the organization states.

The group meets 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Crestview Public Library and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday, except the second Tuesday, of each month at the VFW on Highway 90.

Email Emeraldcoastbagladies@gmail.com or see Crocheted Mats For Homeless on Facebook for more information.

Click to listen:

LISTEN: From the Newsroom

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Bag Ladies seek volunteers

You have probably heard that diversification is a key to investment success. So, you might think that if diversifying your investments is a good idea, it might also be wise to diversify your investment providers. After all, aren’t two (or more) heads better than one?

Before we look at that issue, let’s consider the first half of the "diversification" question. Namely, how does diversifying your investment portfolio help you?

Consider the two broadest categories of investments: stocks and bonds. Stock prices will move up and down in response to many different factors, including good or bad corporate earnings, corporate management issues, political developments and even natural disasters. Bond prices are not immune to these dynamics, but they are usually more strongly driven by changes in interest rates.

To illustrate: If your existing bond pays 2 percent interest, and new bonds are being issued at 3 percent, the value of your bond will fall because no one will pay you full price for it. (Of course, it may not matter to you anyway, especially if you planned to hold your bond until maturity, at which point you can expect to get your full investment back, providing the bond issuer doesn’t default.)

Here’s the key point: Stocks and bonds often move in different directions. If you only own U.S. stocks, you could take a big hit during a market downturn, but if you own domestic and international stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit and other types of investments, your portfolio may be better protected against market volatility, and you’ll have more opportunities for positive results. (Keep in mind, though, that even a diversified portfolio can’t prevent all losses or guarantee profits.)

So, it clearly is a good idea to diversify your investment portfolio. Now, let’s move on to diversifying financial service providers. Why shouldn’t you have one IRA here and another one there, or enlist one advisor to help you with some types of investments and a different advisor assisting you with others?

Actually, some good reasons exist to consider consolidating all your investment accounts with one provider. For one thing, you’ll keep better track of your assets. Many people do misplace or forget about some of their savings and investments, but this will be far less likely to happen to you if you hold all your accounts in one place.

Also, if you have accounts with several different financial service providers, you might be incurring a lot of paperwork — and many fees. You can cut down on clutter and expense by consolidating your accounts.

But most important, by placing all your accounts with a single provider, possibly under the supervision of a single financial advisor, you will find it much easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

You won’t get conflicting advice and you’ll receive clear guidance on important issues, such as the amounts you can afford to withdraw each year from your retirement accounts once you do retire.

Of diversification and consolidation, one is good for building an investment portfolio, while the other can help you invest more efficiently and effectively.

Put the two concepts together, and make them work for you.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Diversify your investments, but consolidate your providers

Traditionally, many crapemyrtles are routinely topped, leaving large branch and stem stubs. This practice has been called “crape murder” because of the potential impacts on the crapemyrtle health and structural integrity.

Topping is the drastic removal of large-diameter wood (typically several years old), with the result of shortening all stems and branches.

Hard pruning (topping) stimulates crapemyrtle sprouting from roots, upper stems or the base of main stems. If basal and root sprouts are not removed, one or more may form woody stems that eventually compete with existing main stems. These additional or competing stems may result in poor form and structure, such as stems that rub against each other.

Topping typically delays flowering up to one month, compared to unpruned crapemyrtle. On some cultivars, topping also shortens the season of bloom. Long-stem sprouts emerge just below large-diameter cuts that result from topping. These sprouts usually develop into upright, unbranched stems that eventually flower, often bending under their own weight. Rain or wind storms can cause extreme bending and some will break because they are weakly attached to the main stem.

Topping removes large amounts of starches and other food reserves stored within branches. Topping dramatically reduces the size of the plant canopy, ultimately decreasing the plant’s ability to produce food (starches) through photosynthesis.

The large branch stubs caused by topping result in large areas of exposed wood that allow access by insects and wood-rotting organisms, weakening the plant’s structure. Finally, topping results in many dead stubs throughout the tree.

Proper pruning may be needed, just like with any other tree. Lower limbs of crapemyrtle are removed to increase clearance for pedestrians or vehicles. Stems are cut to increase branching. Other pruning may be conducted to direct growth away from structures, stimulate flowering and remove spent flowers, seed capsules, and dead or damaged branches and twigs.

Properly placed crapemyrtle is a low-maintenance plant needing little or no pruning. Problems with overgrown, misshapen or misplaced crapemyrtle can be greatly reduced with proper selection of crapemyrtle cultivars, proper plant selection at the nursery and proper placement in the landscape. Go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg266 for more information on cultivar selection.

If pruning is necessary, use these recommendations:

•Pruning for safety may be done any time. This may involve removing damaged or weak branches or pruning lower limbs for pedestrian and vehicle clearance and visibility.

•Pruning to improve plant structure, redirect growth or alter plant shape and appearance should occur when plants are leafless and dormant — typically December through February. Although this can be accomplished at any time, without leaves, the branching structure is clearly visible to more easily determine appropriate branches for pruning.

•Prune to remove crossing or rubbing branches.

•Prune dead, damaged or diseased branches at the branch collar.

•Remove vigorous branches growing toward the center of the canopy.

•Severe pruning should be performed late in the dormant period. Pruning too early might stimulate new growth that could be damaged by low temperatures.

Sheila Dunning is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Don’t commit 'crape murder'

CRESTVIEW — Freezing temperatures in North Okaloosa County this week have increased the need for various items at a local homeless shelter.

Ann Sprague of the Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless said the organization has a range of needs.

"We can use more financial help to pay for the electric bill, because it's going to be huge," she said. "We could always use more blankets and hoodies, for men and women."

She described conditions as "jam-packed four nights a week at Helping Hands." The organization usually has about 14 people who use the shelter during regular winter months, but with the freezing temperatures, they had 15 to 20 a night.

"If we get any more people I don't know what we're going to do with them," Sprague said.

She mentioned her gratitude to First United Methodist Church, which donated the Helping Hands building at 428 McLaughlin St. in Crestview, and to the various people and organizations that have made contributions.

"Okaloosa County has been very generous to provide us with disaster aid kits and blankets, and a lot of people in the community have come forward with clothing donations, food and blankets from Okaloosa County (and surrounding areas). Anderson Columbia came with quite a few blankets," Sprague said.

Area Girl Scouts and the Woodlawn Baptist Church ladies group brought in knitted hats, gloves and other accessories.

"It's pretty nice when somebody walks in and their hands are ice cold and we're able to give them gloves, jackets and hats," Sprague said.

The organization also welcomes food donations. Soups and casseroles have been the main dishes being served. Homemade or store-bought items are wanted, as are countless cups of coffee brewed and served each day.

Sprague said, "And of course, you know people like their sweets, cookies and cakes and things like that.

"For people who don't have time to make something, we go through five gallons of tea in a day. If they want to bring coffee or tea, that would be wonderful. I don't know how many cups of coffee we've been going through."

Sprague invites people who are homeless in North Okaloosa County to participate in the shelter's annual point in time count. Volunteers will assist attendees with surveys for the count, and provide hair cuts and basic medical screenings.

The count is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 26 at the First Presbyterian Church soup kitchen, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, and then from 1-5 p.m. the same day at the Helping Hands house, located at 428 McLaughlin Ave., Crestview.

Volunteers are also needed for the event to pick up pizzas and bring them to HH, and to help people fill out the surveys.

Information from the count will be turned in to the federal government for grant funding.

"This helps us get our grant money for doctor visits, medicine (and) IDs," Sprague said.

—

For more information, contact Ann Sprague, with Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless, at 826-1770.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Too cold for comfort

CRESTVIEW — Caitlin Randle has joined the staff at the Crestview News Bulletin.

Randle, who started working at the CNB on Tuesday, served as an intern at the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. She also wrote for The Beacon at Florida International University (where she graduated in 2017), and the South Florida News Service.

Randle has reported on various issues in the past three years.

"Caitlin has reported on a lawsuit related to alleged rape within a fraternity; South Florida measures to protect sea life from cigarettes; threatened coral and what's being done there; and music, among other things," CNB Editor Thomas Boni said. "She has a diverse portfolio and interned at some great publications. We're so glad to have her join the team."

"I covered community features at the Herald, including charity events, protests, marathons, etc. At the Sentinel, I covered breaking news, crime, local government and the environment," Randle said.

"One of my favorite stories was about a dance company traveling the country giving lessons to underprivileged children who otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to take lessons."

Randle said the things she enjoys most about journalism are being part of the community she writes for and serving that community.

To that end, Boni said, "I know we will see great things from her as she learns more about North Okaloosa County and its people, places and issues."

The Pensacola native has lived in New Orleans, Washington D.C. and Miami. She weight-trains five to six times a week, is vegan and likes doing yoga.

When asked if there was anything else she'd like to add, Randle said, "Contact me! I want to know what readers are concerned about and the stories that they want the Bulletin to cover."

Email crandle@crestviewbulletin.com or tweet @cnb_crandle.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview News Bulletin staff welcomes reporter Caitlin Randle

Want to get your 2017 income taxes done for free? Have tax questions? Need tax forms? Then take advantage of the Tax-Aide program.

Tax-Aide is a free service comprising IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who will do your taxes at no charge. The service is open to low to moderate income tax filers.

Six sites serving the area include the Crestview Public Library, Destin Library, Niceville Library, Bob Hope Village, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar and a Fort Walton Beach site at the First Christian Church at 201 St. Mary Ave.

Last year, these sites prepared over 2,600 returns whose refunds totaled over $2.3 million. They start doing tax returns Feb. 1 and go through April 17. To find the location nearest to you and hours of operation, call 1-800-227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org and follow the prompts.

Those interested in the program must bring a photo ID, Social Security cards or other official documentation for the tax filer, spouse and any others on the return; all income and expense documents such as W-2s and 1099s; and it’s helpful to bring your 2016 tax return.

Returns are electronically filed for quick refunds.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free tax help available in Northwest Florida