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.

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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.

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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

UPCOMING

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday starting Jan. 22 at the Crestview Public Library. Teen author Noah Barfield will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 26 meeting. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php

EMBROIDERERS' GUILD OF AMERICA: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic  Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., Niceville, in the Religious Education building. The Sand Dunes Chapter celebrates various forms of hand embroidery. 496-3466.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays through May 7, 2018. Call President Ruth Herington, 683-0839, for non-listed locations at members' homes.

•Feb. 5, Sonshine Studios, 426 James Lee Blvd., Crestview, "Fairy Gardens."

•March 5, member's home, "Shapes and Shadows in the Garden."

•April 2, member's home, "Wacky Gardening Secrets"

•May 7, member's home, salad luncheon. Bring one to share.

RECURRING　

MONDAYS 

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview, for beginners and newcomers. Details: Jerry, 830-6218. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

HELP OTHER PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: 6 p.m. third Mondays at Community of Christ, Crestview.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. Details: info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mount Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TUESDAYS 

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 7 a.m. 2nd and fourth Tuesdays, Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. crestviewlions@hotmail.com, secretary Charlotte Jones, 533-9931.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays at First Baptist Church of Garden City, 3140 Haskell-Langley Road, Crestview. Details: Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●5 p.m. weigh-in; meeting starts from 5:25-5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com/.

SHOAL RIVER REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays of each month at Hideaway Pizza in downtown Crestview. Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

PANHANDLE SADDLE CLUB: 6 p.m. first Wednesdays, David’s Catfish House, 1296 N. Ferdon Blvd. Crestview. Includes socializing, dinner and a meeting. November topic: how to keep your horse healthy. Details: Donna Curry, 830-6403 or donna@embarqmail.com.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays, Foxwood Country Club, Antioch Road. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations

PERU, Neb. — Peru State interim athletic director Steve Schneider recently announced the hiring of J.L. Thomason to serve as the Bobcats’ interim head softball coach.

Thomason takes the place of long-time Peru State head coach Mark Mathews, who died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve.

In making his announcement, Schneider noted, "JL is a 2012 Peru State graduate and received his master’s from Peru State in 2014. He has served as Coach Wayne Albury’s lead assistant coach for the past six years. He understands our systems/procedures, is a good teacher of the game, knows the recruitment business, fundraising and most importantly is a person of character. He will build upon the good works of Coach Mathews."

Thomason is a former student-athlete at Peru State and came to the college from Holt. He is a 2007 graduate of Crestview High School and was a four-year letterman on the varsity baseball and football teams at CHS.

In the winter of 2012, Thomason completed his Bachelor of Science in business administration-management and later went on to earn his Master of Science in organizational management-entrepreneurial and economic development in winter of 2014.

As an athlete at Peru State, Thomason participated in baseball for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. While he was a member of the team, Thomason ranked first in the NAIA for fielding percentage (2012), maintained a career batting average of 0.381 (2011-2012), and held a career fielding percentage of 0.852 (2011-2012).

Following the 2012 season, Thomason was named as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete and a conference scholar-athlete.

Thomason was a member of the first Peru State baseball team that made it to a NAIA National Tournament. In 2012, the Bobcats played in the Paducah, Ky., regional where the team went 2-2, with an upset over in-state rival Bellevue University.

Before stepping into the interim head softball coaching position, Thomason served as a coaching assistant to the Peru State baseball team for five-and-a-half years.

Over the course of these five years, Thomason assisted the Peru State baseball team in becoming the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Western Division Champions in 2013 and achieving the Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award (2013-2014). In the 2015 season, Thomason was crucial in assisting the Bobcats to winning both the Heart regular season and tournament championships, which propelled the team to their second national tournament experience. Peru State finished 1-2 in the Grand Rapids, Mich., regional.

JL is also no stranger to the strategies behind baseball and softball as he is an expert in creating accurate scouting reports and spray charts to ensure a victory for Peru teams. He also adds that he has been a hitting coach, infield and outfield instructor, third base coach, and strength and conditioning instructor.

In addition to being a coaching assistant at Peru State, Thomason contributed to other athletic programs by managing home games for football, volleyball and basketball.

Thomason said he is pleased to have the opportunity to lead the Bobcat softball program, but is aware of the challenges. He stated, "Having been here for over seven years while Coach Mathews’ was here, I am aware of the Peru State softball traditions. I am excited to have an opportunity to serve as a head coach and will work my hardest to make the program the best it can be to honor the past and look to the future of the program."

Brooks Ivey of Falls City and Amberlin Scharsch of Aiea, Hawaii will assist Thomason this spring. Ivey is in his second year as a graduate assistant while Scharsch is serving as a student assistant having completed her eligibility last spring.

—

Article updated to include more biographical information. (Jan. 23, 2018, 8 p.m.)

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A person of character'

CRESTVIEW — Young visitors to the Crestview Public Library enjoyed various craft projects in January based on their age groups.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Craft time