CRESTVIEW — Some social media rumors are true: A second Walmart is not coming to the Crestview area.

In a letter to the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management, Jason Toole of CPH Inc. in Panama City stated that Walmart Management has ended its attempt to build a second store; this one would have been on Richbourg Lane in Crestview.

Walmart spokesperson Phil Keene confirmed the decision via email.

He stated that the company is focused "on investing in new ways to serve our customers through innovative in-store and online offerings that save time and money, by improving our existing stores and by investing in associate training in order to provide superior customer service.

"With that in mind, after rigorous review, and consideration of several business factors, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with building a new store in Crestview. We greatly appreciate the support of local officials and members of the community as we worked through the development process," he stated.

Walmart still has plans for Florida branches, though.

"Florida continues to be an important market for the company, and one of our largest, with more than 375 stores and clubs and more than 107,000 associates. We announced plans in May to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Florida this year through new store growth, store remodels and innovations that will save our customers time and money," Keene stated.

To that end, the organization will hire up to 95 associates for a Navarre Neighborhood Market, and a Pensacola Neighborhood Market opened in May. It also remodeled one Pensacola store and will finish remodeling another before the end of the fiscal year, according to Keene.

Walmart Neighborhood Markets are smaller-footprint stores that employ up to 95 people and offer fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items, household supplies, health and beauty aids and a pharmacy, according to the company website.

Keene's statement confirms growing social media rumors that led some readers to ask the News Bulletin for the project's status.

Walmart's decision means Crestview's South Ferdon Boulevard location, located just near the Interstate 10 exit, will remain the Hub City's lone branch.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: No second Walmart for Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Community leader Gary Johnson is ready to move forward with a new outlook and a new ministry following a tumultuous couple of years.

Johnson, who once headed the Brotherhood of Love ministry, was arrested in January 2016 after signing a stolen vehicle’s title and bill of sale as a witness. Authorities say he knew the vehicle was stolen; Johnson, who spoke to the News Bulletin over the phone Wednesday, said he was just trying to help a friend and wound up paying a price for it.

“At first I said it was a mistake, but I don’t see it being a mistake; I really don’t think I did nothing wrong because I had no knowledge of it,” Johnson said. “Rather than just let it keep going on, I went and I didn’t plead guilty, I didn’t plead not guilty. I got a year probation and I did six months probation; they cut it off early.”

Now, Johnson and his wife, Doris, are looking toward the future as heads of a new organization. New Way of Life Outreach Ministry is their newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit, through which they plan to serve the community by reaching out to troubled youths and others who might be headed down a dangerous path.

“We are creating a new way of communication, a new way of love and a new way of peace and a new way of happiness and joy so we can come together as a people,” Johnson said. “It don’t make any difference what your race is, it’s about us as a community and as a people, and wanting to make a change. And the only way you can make a change is with a new way — cause the old way ain’t the way.”

With the holiday season coming, New Way of Life plans to hold the same Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas toy giveaway held in years past under the Johnsons’ previous organization. This year, New Way of Life seeks local businesses and individuals who can help donate food and supplies for the Thanksgiving feast, including turkey, roasts, macaroni, sugar, napkins and plastic ware.

The meal will be served at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at 398 Spring St. N., Crestview.

For Christmas, the Johnsons hope to gather toys and clothes, both new and gently used, to give away to children as part of their “Santa Claus is coming to town” campaign, where they are looking to bring hope to children who might not experience the same “Santa Claus” joy other children get to have.

“There are kids in Crestview and surrounding areas that have heard what other kids say about the wonderful clothes and toys they get from Santa Claus, but they never get a chance to see it,” Johnson said.

All donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off at 398 Spring St. N., Crestview, or can be picked up by Johnson or his wife by calling 229-379-1741 or 398-0431.

“It don’t make any difference what your race is, it’s about us as a community and as a people, and wanting to make a change. And the only way you can make a change is with a new way — cause the old way ain’t the way.”

—Gary Johnson

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gary Johnson has a 'New Way of Life'

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. info@occsw.org.

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

TUESDAYS

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.

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

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

PIONEER DAY: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 State Road 20, Niceville. Family-oriented event. Activities include making rag dolls, dipping candles, churning butter and learning pioneer survival skills. Demonstrations include campfire cooking, blacksmithing and beekeeping. A 19th century chuck wagon will be on display, as well as toys and fishing tackle from days gone by. Children will enjoy the storyteller. Food concessions available. Admission costs $5 per car with up to eight people. No pets allowed. Rain date, noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 19. Details: 833-9144.

GLOBAL MISSION GIFT FAIR: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 19, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church's Christian Life Center, 363 Miracle Strip, Fort Walton Beach. Theme: 20 Years of Sharing God’s Love. The fair focuses on feeding those in the world who still hunger—both at home and abroad. Eight booths (four local organizations and four global ones) will offer ministries one can support while giving Christmas gifts to loved ones in the process. There will also be a gift shop and a bake sale. June Gunnerson, 651-5955.

WASTE PRO HOLIDAY CLOSURE, SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Nov. 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. Residential garbage collection will take place Nov. 27 instead. Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday recycling will be picked up Nov. 24.

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.

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 — A Crestview man has been promoted to the eighth-degree black belt level.

Sensei Regie Toussaint is co-owner of USA Karate Academy in Crestview, and a seven-time National Black Belt Karate champion.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Resident advances in black belt training

CRESTVIEW — Moniya Harris was surpised to see her father, Jermaine Harris, show up as her date to Duke it Out's annual Princess Ball.

Jermaine is leaving for his seventh deployment in 11 years next week, according to Moniya's mom, Alisha Hamilton. On the morning of Nov. 11, Alisha surprised  her boyfriend's two daughters and Moniya with tickets to the Princess Ball, the Duke it Out team's fundraiser for Crestview's American Cancer Society Relay for Life. They all thought Alisha's boyfriend would be their date.

When the announcer called Moniya's name, however, a familiar face snuck up behind her.

Moniya last saw her father during the summer. Jermaine lives in Georgia, and Moniya thought she wouldn't see him again until he returned from deployment.

His deployment should last from six to eight months, Alisha said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Father surprises daughter at Princess Ball before deployment

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

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