CRESTVIEW — The Main Street Land Title Company, Inc. is continuing its annual effort to provide Christmas gifts to the 57 residents at Crestview Manor.

The company, its clients, industry partners and friends have worked together over the past several years to provide a merrier Christmas for them, according to a media release.

MSLTC is accepting items or cash donations that its employees can use to purchase items for gift bags through Dec. 15.

They'd like to present each resident with a gift bag containing:

•two washcloths

•a bath towel

•a bottle of mouthwash

•a tube of toothpaste

•a small bottle of laundry detergent

•a box of tissues

•a roll of paper towels

•snacks such as a can of soda, microwavable macaroni and cheese, microwave popcorn, crackers and miniature individually wrapped cakes

•activity items: word find or crossword puzzle books, or adult coloring books with colored pencils.

Call 689-8537 or email crystal@mainstreetlandtitle.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wanted: gifts for Crestview Manor residents

Hello, my name is Taylor Wilken and I am the new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 4-H Extension Agent for Okaloosa County. 

I was born and raised in Medina, Ohio, which is just outside Cleveland. Growing up I enjoyed camping, boating and horseback riding. When I graduated high school I moved out to Ames, Iowa, where I attended Iowa State University and worked at the university’s child development center. 

In 2014, my military husband got orders to Florida and we moved to Crestview. I graduated from Iowa State in 2015 with my bachelor’s degree in Child, Adult and Family Services. I just completed a master’s degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. 

I am very excited to join the faculty in Okaloosa as the 4-H Youth Development agent. There are many exciting things happening over the next several months so if you want to join us, please contact me for further details.

Last year Okaloosa 4-H reached over 3,911 youths through school enrichment programs, five community clubs and our four 4-H military base clubs.

Some of the activities that we provide for our local youth include 4-H summer camp, 4-H day camps and special interest topics throughout the year.

One main goal for 2018 is to recruit and train new 4-H leaders/adults that are interested in starting a 4-H community club.

Florida 4-H aspires to be the leading youth development program that creates positive change in youths, families and communities.

Our slogan is "To make the Best Better" and our motto is "Learn by Doing." 

4-H is known for experiential learning where youths are both experiencing and processing what they are learning. Youths experience the activity, share the experience with others, process the experience, generalize from the experience, and apply what they have learned. 

Youths have the opportunity to identify what they have learned from their 4-H experience and apply it to other experiences and situations.

If you would like to find out more about 4-H in our county, I can be reached via email at twilken@ufl.edu or by calling the extension office at 689-5850.   

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4-H agent joins Okaloosa’s UF IFAS Extension

U.S. Air Force Airman Brandon Renner graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Renner earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of Lori Renner of Fort Walton Beach, and Matthew Renner of Valparaiso, brother of Tyler Renner of Orlando, and grandson of Burvil and Shiela Kincaid of Fort Walton Beach. He is also the husband of Morgan Renner.

Renner is a 2011 graduate of Crestview High School.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High alum completes basic military training

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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: She'll be coming 'round the mountain…

Okay, here we go with the Conference Playoffs, with the teams win-lost to help everyone pick. "Hail to the Victors"

Here are your nine picks for the week plus a tiebreaker. 

1. Central Florida (UCF) Knights (11-0) vs. Memphis Tigers (10-1), American Athletic Conference: If this game is anything like last week it’s a game to watch; high-scoring game. Knights by 3.  

2. Clemson Tigers (10-1) vs. Miami Hurricanes (10-1) Atlantic Coast Conference: The Hurricanes are looking for an upset here and they just might pull it off. Clemson is looking at the final four and forgot Miami by 6. 

3. Texas Christian Horned Frogs (10-2) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (10-1) Big 12 Conference: a lot of hopping going on here as the TCU hops right over Oklahoma Frogs by 4.  

4. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (12-0) Big 10 Conference: Badgers need not worry about being ignored all season long after the they put the Buckeyes back on the bus. Wisconsin by 12.

5. Florida Atlantic Owls (9-3) vs. North Texas Mean Green Machine (9-3) USA Conference: Quite a turnaround for the Owls but do they have it when it counts up against Mean Machine? Somehow, they do it. Owls by 7. 

6. Toledo Rockets (10-2) vs. Akron Zips (7-5) Mid-American Conference: I’ll have to go with the rockets on this one. All I can find is very impressive for their conference. Toledo by 12.

7. Auburn War Eagles (10- 2) vs. George Dawgs (11-1) Southeastern Conference: a bit of de-ja vu; the last meeting was 40-17 Auburn. Can they do it again? Ah, don’t be looking at the final four; right through your hand goes the game. It should and could be the game of the week. Dawgs by 3.

8. Troy Trojans (9-2) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-3) Sun Belt Conference: Hey, if you can knock off LSU then you can win your Conference: Troy by 10.

9. Stanford Cardinal (8-3) vs. USC Trojans (10-2) Pac 12 Conference (Friday, Dec. 1 night game ESPN Special). I smell an upset in the making here; very close game, but I think USC by 1. 

Tiebreaker: Dec. 9 at Philadelphia — Navy Naval Academy Midshipmen (6-5) vs. Army West Point Black Knights (8-3). This is for the Military Prestigious Commander Trophy plus bragging rights up to next year’s game.

Army last year went to the Heart of Dallas Bowl and beat North Texas; this year they beat Navy by 10 and go to another bowl with a 9-3 season and the Commander Trophy. 

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks on the SEC, ACC

UPCOMING

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

LAUREL HILL — The city of Laurel Hill has scheduled its seventh annual Christmas parade.

The event begins 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Industrial Park on New Ebenezer Road, crosses State Road 85 and continues down Fourth Street. It will then continue up Third Street and end on Second Avenue at the post office.

City Clerk Nita Miller said about 20 to 30 participants usually form the parade, including the city's fire department, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Mayor Robbie Adams, Council member Debra Adams and local churches. Laurel Hill School athletes and students participate as well.

"We've been growing over the past seven years and it's getting bigger and bigger," Miller said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill sets Christmas parade

CRESTVIEW — Pvt. Dylan Winans completed Army basic combat training Nov. 2 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Over 10 weeks, Winans learned basic tactical and survival skills, along with how to shoot, rappel and march. He also learned the basics of Army life and military customs, including the Seven Core Army Values.

He is now attending Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, to become an information technology specialist.

Winans graduated from Crestview High School in 2017. His parents are Lisa and Wayne Winans of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHS alum completes basic military training

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.

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.

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

CRESTVIEW — When then-police officer, now investigator, Christie London responded to a call for service at a local store’s parking lot, she found a distraught woman who had just bought what she thought was a bargain: gold jewelry for only $50.

Except the metal was cheap gold-tone plate, and the seller, who had advertised the jewelry on social media, was long gone, taking with her the woman’s $50 in cash.

As residents become innovative with their Christmas shopping, turning to social media such as Craigslist, Freecycle and Swap.com, mixed among the bargains and rarities are occasional pieces of worthless junk.

While the Crestview Police Department can’t always track down the hoaxers — who usually operate under fake names and use temporary accounts they often abandon right after sales — the agency can offer a safer place to bring sellers and buyers together.

Under 24-hour daily video surveillance, the CPD "safe swap zone" is in a well-lit west section of the parking lot right in front of the Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd.

Activity in the zone is covered by the same security system that protects police headquarters, with digital video back-up on a two-week loop, so any questionable exchanges can be immediately reviewed.

"We can’t completely stop fraudulent swaps from occurring," Police Chief Tony Taylor said. "But our safe swap zone will certainly discourage most con artists, none of whom like the idea of being clearly captured on security cameras."

Taylor said the safe swap zone also has other benefits, such as providing a safe place for estranged parents to exchange children from one former spouse’s custody to the other’s care.

If necessary, a police officer can also be called to supervise the custody exchange by simply requesting one at the Police Department’s Dispatch Center window inside the Whitehurst Building or calling 682-2055.

London was unable to find the con artist who stiffed the unfortunate jewelry purchaser. But with the implementation this summer of the Police Department’s safe swap zone, residents will have a secure location where such transactions are recorded on security video and potential hoaxers can possibly be identified.

"We can’t completely stop fraudulent swaps from occurring. But our safe swap zone will certainly discourage most con-artists, none of whom like the idea of being clearly captured on security cameras."

—Police Chief Tony Taylor

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Safe swap zone’ available at Crestview PD