Youths’ job training available

CRESTVIEW — Local youths ages 16-24 looking for employment or job training who meet certain criteria may sign up for the Career Pathway to Success, a CareerSource Okaloosa Walton program.

Eligible candidates must meet the age requirement and have one of the following additional requirements apply.

They:

•May not attend high school or they are a high school dropout

•Are in ABE/GED prep classes

•Are homeless, a runaway, or in foster care

•Are pregnant or a parent

•Have a disability

•Live in an out-of-home placement

•Are an offender

Program participants receive Adult Basic Education and GED program classes and earn work-readiness incentives. They learn about job applications, how to create a resume, interviewing skills, employability skills and money management, and the opportunity to complete up to eight weeks of work experience.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Community Briefs

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library's class for 0-2-year-olds was all about eggs.

Two one-year-old Crestview residents, Cesar Estrada II and Grant Reeves, were among the attendees.

Have a cute photo of your kids out and about? They could be our next The Bulletin Kid! Email a photo with your child's name, age, hometown and a description of the action to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shake an egg

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

HOLIDAY VICTORIAN TEA: 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Experience a history program about Victorian tea etiquette, costume, and holiday traditions while enjoying a variety of teas and light refreshments. Cost is $18 per person, or $16 for museum members.  Recommended for ages 8 and up.  Reservations are required due to limited space. RSVP: 678-2615.

EMERALD COAST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CHILDREN’S FIESTA: 1-7 p.m. Dec. 17, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Free giveway for needy families. New toys for all who attend.  The 1-2 p.m. hour is only for families with kids with disabilities. The public will be allowed to enter at 2 p.m. Food, games, DJs, singers, church choirs, clowns, magicians, dance contests for bikes and more. Free coats courtesy of the United Way’s Coats for Kids program will also be given out. Business sponsorship opportunities, volunteers and monetary or in-kind donations welcome. Visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org for details, or see the group's Facebook page. David, 368-3505, or Estela, 305-3686 or e-mail united4agoodcause@gmail.com.

WASTE PRO HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Residential waste collection will be on Dec. 28. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up Dec. 26 due to the Christmas holiday.

Waste Pro will also be closed Jan. 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day. Residential waste collection will be on Jan. 4. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up on Jan. 2.

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETING: 3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar. Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or email tiffany.bates@wfrpc.org, or 332-7976, extension 217.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall. 

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 29, Crestview chamber office, 107 Commerce Blvd. Become more involved in the Crestview chamber of commerce, network and grow your business. Amber Ellis or Karen Donaldson, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

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

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 week in Northwest Florida

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) intersection improvement at S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard): Expect intermittent south and northbound outside lane restrictions on Beal Parkway, between Ewing Court and Water Street, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Nov. 13 as crews perform paving operations, sidewalk and driveway construction, and drainage upgrades.
• U.S. 90 driveway construction in Crestview at West James Lee Boulevard: The eastbound, outside lane will be closed at West James Lee Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Dec. 14 as crews perform new driveway construction activities.
• Interstate 10 resurfacing from east of County Road 189 (Holt/ Exit 45) to west of Yellow River: Expect intermittent eastbound and westbound closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., through Thursday, Dec. 14 as crews perform construction activities.
• U.S. 98 Deceleration Lane construction near St. Mary Avenue: Eastbound traffic near St. Mary Avenue will encounter lane restrictions Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 14 and Monday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 21 as crews construct a deceleration lane in the median and new curb, gutter, and sidewalk. 

For the upcoming holiday season, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on state roads beginning 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 and ending 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa traffic changes to expect

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Health Center will host its annual “Cookies with Santa” 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14.

"Come see Santa as he visits Florida," an event media release states. "Children can tell Santa all their Christmas wishes and, just in case Santa needs a little reminder, your little one can send him a letter to the North Pole, dropping them off in Santa’s mail bag."

Parents are welcome to bring their camera to this free event.

Crestview Health Center, a part of the North Florida Medical Centers network, is located at 800 Hospital Drive in Crestview, across from the North Okaloosa Medical Center ER.

Contact Crestview Health Center, 850-682-1164, with questions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Health Center sets 'Cookies with Santa'

CRESTVIEW — Since 1990, the AMVETS, Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders have shared Christmas dinners for those in need. That tradition continues this year.

"We will be delivering meals in the area from Shoal River in the east and south, Yellow River to the west and Auburn Road to the north," Craig Sarrasin, commander of AMVETS Post 35, said in a statement. "If you would like to have a meal delivered to you at no charge, please call [850-682-8435] with your name, address, phone number and how many meals you will need. 

"Or if you wish to pick them up please let us know how many you will be requesting.  If you do not get through, please try again."

Here’s the menu:

• Turkey and/or baked ham
• Mashed potatoes with gravy
• Green beans and whole kernel corn
• Dessert
• Roll

Those seeking help should call between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Event organizers ask that you make your meal requests before 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22.

Meals will be delivered sometime between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: AMVETS to provide free Christmas dinners

Winter weather struck the deep South over the weekend. Crestview News Bulletin readers shared these photos of a rare sighting: snow in Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Snow in Florida