CRESTVIEW — Wayne Harris, who spent most of his two terms as a county commissioner battling to get Okaloosa Lane in Crestview paved, spoke succinctly when told work that needed to be accomplished is at long last getting underway.

“About damn time,” he said.

Harris recalled epic battles trying to convince residents living along the roadway to release some land so the county could pave Okaloosa Lane and put in sidewalks.

“Finally our engineer (now Public Works Director), Jason Autrey, readjusted the road,” he said.

At present, the county is constructing a bridge over a stream that flows across Okaloosa Lane, according to county engineer Scott Bitterman. When that work is completed, likely by the end of the year, the paving will commence.

“We’re in the process of taking bids to pave the right of way,” Bitterman said. “We will start to pave early 2018, as soon as the bridge is done, basically.”

Bitterman acknowledged that one property owner on Okaloosa Lane did decline to sell right of way to the county; the planning done to move the road will cause a portion of Okaloosa Lane not to have sidewalk when the paving is complete.

The sidewalk that will be in place is important for school children, Harris said. Both Riverside Elementary School and Shoal River Middle School are located on Redstone Avenue, close to its intersection with Okaloosa Lane.

Harris said one of the reasons he fought so hard for so long to get Okaloosa Lane paved is that as a dirt road it was prone to washouts. One rainstorm in 2014 that dropped almost 2 feet of rain on Okaloosa County scratched a trench 6 feet deep in the roadway near the stream.

Bitterman confirmed “paving a dirt road clearly helps with washouts and water quality.”

A paved road running north and south, providing connecting routes to State Road 85 and U.S. Highway 90 will obviously improve bus access to the schools, Harris said.

“This project will save the school district thousands of dollars a year,” Harris estimated. “If they have a ribbon cutting or something, I want to be there.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Paving project underway on Okaloosa Lane

CRESTVIEW — A Walker Elementary student had the privilege of being the first resident to tour the new Publix store Nov. 8 at 1355 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview.

Jordan Justiss, 9, was able to tour the new store before anyone else, including his family members. 

"His aunt was in line for the grand opening and he got to see it before she did," Guadalopi Justiss, Jordan's grandmother said, adding that he has been fascinated with the store since construction started near his house in North Crestview.

"He's been waiting for weeks like it's Christmas. I'm not kidding, his hype was too much. He jumped up 30 minutes earlier on the day of the 8th, so he could go by the store before school. My dad took him up there to see if they could get in, but the store wasn't open yet," his mom, Alesia Ortiz, said.

Jared Davis, the new store's manager, said Jordan's enthusiasm during the grand opening was catching.

"I can tell you it made me excited. It brought me back to being a kid shopping at Publix at his age before I started working here. With it being the grand opening too, it was awesome."

Davis was 16 when he started working at Publix as a bagger, and advanced to manager over 20 years with the company.

"His grandpa brought him up to the store and basically asked one of our people that was out front before we opened at 8. He had been looking forward to it for months … and had begged his grandpa to bring him. How could you say no?" Davis said.

Davis and Publix Jacksonville Merchandising Manager Hugo Vega let Jordan into the store, locked the doors, and gave him a complete tour.

"We just showed him all the departments and things we thought he would maybe like," Davis said.

It wasn't the last Davis saw of Jordan, either. Various family members, including Jordan's 11-year-old brother, TJ, visited the store three times that day.

"I got to meet his family later in the day … Right now he's our number one customer," Davis said.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated TJ Justiss's age as 13 years old, based on an interview with a family member.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'He's our number one customer'

CRESTVIEW — A pool services company will expand its holdings with a Crestview area franchise before the end of 2018.

With headquarters in Virginia Beach, Pool Scouts currently has five locations in New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

The company provides pool services and maintenance and typically employs an office manager and one or two technicians to start.

"Pool Scouts' ultimate plan has been to create businesses where they can provide a first-class experience for their customers, aligning with the goal of providing a better quality of service in a fragmented sector. They accomplish this by providing the best-in-class marketing, systems, training and purchasing power for their franchisees," Pool Scouts President Michael Wagner stated.

"We're currently looking for a qualified franchisee (that) embodies Pool Scouts' core values on delivering a quality, consistent brand experience while providing pool cleaning, maintenance and minor repair services at residential properties," Wagner said.

Buzz Franchise Brands founded Pool Scouts in 2016. BFB also owns Mosquito Joe, which provides mosquito control. Wagner said Buzz Franchise already owns 13 Mosquito Joe locations in Northwest Florida, and is looking to open two Pool Scouts locations in the Florida panhandle on the heels of their two signings this year in the state.

Pool Scouts starts franchising at $7,500, with a total initial all-in cost between $54,500 and $98,000, according to Wagner.

"With no need for a physical retail location, a recurring revenue model, and a leadership team capable of running a 500-unit company, Pool Scouts will be a competitive force in the most active pool markets in America like Crestview," Wagner stated.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pool Scouts expanding to Northwest Florida

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

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Crestview library. Topics: Nov. 17, Thanksgiving; Dec. 1, On the Go; and Dec. 8 and 15, Christmas.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Nov. 14, Giving Thanks; Nov. 28, On the Road; and Dec. 5 and 12, Wrap It Up.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: for ages 4 and up. Visit the library for details as the date nears.

• 6:30-7:15 p.m. Nov. 21 — Wild Things. Guess which wild animal left the waste. Dissect owl pellets.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 — Noel Night. Music, makings and munchies.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.; for children ages 4 and up.

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

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays in the meeting room, Crestview library. Featuring Wii and virtual reality games, etc. For sixth- through 12th-graders.

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

CRESTVIEW — Two Crestview High School graduates have completed U.S. Army basic training, and three have completed U.S. Air Force and USAF Reserves basic training.

U.S. Army Pvts. Labresha Paschall and Travis Andrew Slentz graduated from basic military training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, respectively.

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

Paschall is now attending advanced individual training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, to become an information technology specialist. The 2017 Crestview High School graduate's parents are Elkeya and LaBaron Paschall of Crestview.

Slentz is now attending advanced intensive training as a drone pilot at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The Crestview High School Class of 2017 member's parents are Andrew and Jennifer Slentz of Fort Worth, Texas. His siblings are Halley Robinson of Nebo, North Carolina, and Grace Slentz of Fort Worth.

USAF basic training graduates are Airman Joseph J. Gelzer, Airman 1st Class Deatric J. Herring, and Reserve Airman 1st Class Stephanie Russano. They completed an 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.

Gelzer is the son of Jodi L. Gelzer of Crestview. He is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School. Herring is the son of Deanna and Steve Tanner of Crestview. He is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School.

Russano is the daughter of Iris Miller of Crestview, and Karl Miller of Fort Walton Beach. She is the stepdaughter of Angela Miller of Fort Walton Beach, and David Velez of Crestview. Her husband is Christopher Russano.

Airman Russano graduated in 2010 from Crestview High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 2014 from the University of West Florida in Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 Crestview High graduates complete basic military training

Is your grandmother’s pass-along Christmas cactus blooming really early? Do the leaf segments have “teeth” along the edges? Are the “stringy things” sticking out of the flowers yellow in color?

Well, I hate to tell you this, but that is not a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). It is a Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata). You can tell the Thanksgiving cactus apart from the Christmas cactus by the shape of the leaves and flower anthers.

The leaves, botanically referred to as phylloclades, are serrated on the Thanksgiving cactus. Additionally, the pollen-bearing anthers in Thanksgiving cactus flowers are yellow. Christmas cactuses have smooth-edged leaves and pinkish-purple anthers.

Both of these species are native to the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil, where they are found growing in trees or on rocks. Therefore, the preferred potting media for Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti should contain about 40 percent perlite to ensure good drainage and aeration.

To care for your Thanksgiving cactus, allow the soil to dry out when it is not blooming. As flower buds develop, the soil should be moist to the touch. However, overwatering can kill the plant. Additionally, provide plenty of indirect light and temperatures of 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Want to get last year’s plant to bloom again? Beginning in mid-September, it will need 12-14 hours of total darkness, along with cool (60-65 degrees F) nighttime temperatures for three to four weeks. To achieve the light control, the cactus can be placed in a closet or covered with a large brown paper bag overnight.

Once buds start to form, fertilizer can be applied to encourage growth and blooms. However, flower buds will fall off with any significant changes in temperature (below 50 degrees F), light or watering.

Now, if your “Christmas cactus” doesn’t set flowers until spring, it is probably an Easter cactus, a totally different species (Rhipsalidopsis gaetner). The leaf margins of Easter cactus have small bristles and are more three-dimensional, with a thick ridge on one side. Additionally, the flowers are more star-shaped than the other two cacti.

All three cacti species have flowers that come in a range of colors including variations of red, pink, peach, purple, orange or white.

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: About that Christmas cactus…

CRESTVIEW — Crowds lined Main Street Saturday morning for the annual Veterans Day Parade.

An enormous American flag hung over the parade route hoisted by a Crestview fire truck. Veterans of American wars wore hats and clothing representing the conflicts in which they served. Men, women and children waved American flags along the sidelines in honor of those who served our country.

‘WE … CAME BACK AS BROTHERS’

Those participating in the annual parade included the almost 300 members of the Crestview High School “Big Red Machine” Marching Band, the Shoal River Middle School Band, and the Baker School Band. There were Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts along with Crestview and Baker School ROTC units.

The Panhandle Saddle Club rode horses and dressed patriotically. Members of the Crestview City Council drove veterans in cars and golf carts in the parade. ERA American Real Estate handed American flags to crowds lined along the parade route. The Carver-Hill Memorial Historical Society also rode in the parade.

Air Force veteran Al Blaker stood along the parade route proudly waving the American flag, as did Vietnam veteran Terry Faulkner. Faulkner served in Vietnam from 1967-1969. His father was a Marine in World War I and his brothers served in the military.

“We went over there as soldiers and came back as brothers,” Faulkner said.

Vietnam veteran Thornell Henderson and his wife Pearl also stood along the parade route waving the American flag. He served in the Army from 1966-1969 and was in Vietnam in 1967.

“Veterans are forgotten lots of times. Remembering veterans with this parade is nice,” said Henderson. He and his wife are the parents of three sons who serve in the Air Force: Damian, D’Andre, and Dante.

Vietnam veteran Bobby Sullivan volunteered along the parade route as he does every year. He served in Vietnam from 1966-1967 and was in the Air Force for 29 years.

Retired Navy veteran David Legerton was there with his wife Donna supporting the military.   

‘THESE VETERANS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE’

After the parade, a ceremony took place at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial honoring those who served and serve in the U.S. military.

Raymond Horton, an Army veteran with the 4th Infantry Division, Field Artillery, who served in Vietnam, was there with his wife Rena. The Hortons have been married for 66 years. Those who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan were also recognized.

     Airman Amani Perry opened the ceremony singing the National Anthem. The guest speaker was Cmdr. Anthony Mitchell, who spoke about why men and women join the military.

“We put on a uniform to be part of something great! It is also a reflection of those who raised us. When these men and women are sitting in the middle of the most God-forsaken places, they remember the good things about back home. Let us also be worthy of the sacrifice that these men and women make and thank them,” Mitchell stated.

Different veteran groups then laid wreaths at the base of the memorial. There was a 21-gun salute and a Crestview High School trumpet player played Taps. Perry then sang “America, the Beautiful” to conclude the ceremony.

“These veterans put their lives on the line serving their country,” Crestview City Council President JB Whitten said at the end of the ceremony.

“Once a year, the city comes together to thank those people for their service with the parade and ceremony.”

“Veterans are forgotten lots of times. Remembering veterans with this parade is nice.”

—Vietnam veteran Thornell Henderson

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview comes together, honors veterans

CRESTVIEW — An educational workshop for the deaf community on self-advocacy and Americans with Disabilities Act is scheduled this weekend.

The “HEARD: Deaf Access to Justice Workshop” will offer discussion and collaboration with attorneys, self-advocates and returned individuals from 9:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3252 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

The rest of the schedule follows:

12-1 p.m.: Lunch break (bring your own)

1-4 p.m.: Know Your Rights Workshop (presented in ASL by Sharon Caserta, Disability Rights Attorney with Morgan & Morgan, Deaf/Disability Rights Unit in Jacksonville)

4-5 p.m.: Community Forum

This event, presented by the Agency for Deaf Advocacy and Services, is free and open to the public. HEARD stands for Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of the Deaf. 

Contact ADAS Director Mark Ehrlichmann at deafservingdeaf@gmail.com or 443-453-5785 with questions or requests for accommodations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Deaf Access to Justice Workshop set in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School's Thespian Troupe is presenting "Little Shop of Horrors" this week.

The first performance was 7 p.m. Nov. 9, and remaining dates and times are 7 p.m. Nov. 11 and 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at Crestview High School. Cost is $10 per person at the door.

The musical comedy tells the story of shy Seymour Krelborn, who loves Audrey from afar as they work at Mushnik’s Flower Shop on Skid Row. Mushnik’s is in danger of closing because nobody buys flowers on Skid Row. With Audrey’s urging, Seymour introduces a new and interesting plant to the world — changing the lives of everyone involved.

"It’s a big show which comes with a lot of expectations from the audience, and I felt that the students were ready for it," Annette Gebhardt, troupe sponsor and CHS Theatre and World History teacher, said. She is also director of the show.

Gebhardt is proud of the way the students have coordinated their efforts.

"They are hardworking and so supportive of each other. For months they have committed themselves to this show while doing schoolwork and managing other extracurricular activities. I want them to know how much I appreciate their work and dedication. I also hope all of Crestview will come out to support their efforts," she said.

The cast includes Jacob O'Hara as Seymour; Hannah Hancock as Audrey; Jeremy Tymon as the plant; Jolvin Mejias as Mr. Mushnik, who owns the store; Kemison Bacon as dentist Orin Scrivello. Actors who portray the three-girl "Greek chorus" are Kennedy Brown as Crystal, Jasmine Allen as Ronnette, and Amber Sticha as Chiffon. Spencer Peugh portrays Wino No. 2, and Haily Jernigan and Nate McCallum portray Mrs. Luce.

Performers also include Hunter Brown; Jessi Holderness; Abigail Odom; Alex Smith; Hannah N. Smith; and Lindsey Smith.

Crew members are: assistant director Alex Smith; tech director Hunter Morrison; music directors Hannah N. Smith and Jolvin Mejias; stage managers Jess Van Liere and Cody Morton; set manager Jess Van Liere; publicity manager Nelly Arnett; light manager Ally Love; prop manager Hannah N. Smith; makeup manager Spencer Peugh; and costume manager Emily Keiffer.

The lighting crew includes McKenna Steele, Chandler Stallings, Nekailah Harrison, and Alana Berry. Shawn Milton, Jordan Locke, and Seth Sutton handled sound. Jessi Holderness and Alana Taylor assist with props. Felicia Gordon, Karly Celano and Baillie Gouthro also handle makeup.

Ariana Fulton handled costumes, and stagehands are Tati Mason, Hailey Campbell, Tucker McDonald, Isabel Suero, Zachary Wiseman, Katie Wagner, Lillianna Cipriano, Connor Slattery, Matthew Zamorksi, Bonnie Boaz, Alix Dolzanie, Tori Raley, Baillie Gouthro, Ade Morales-Miller, and Angelina Alexander.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High's Thespian Troupe presents 'Little Shop of Horrors'