CRESTVIEW — Here’s a calendar of upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas. 

23RD ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST IN BLUEWATER BAY: Friday, Sept. 29, 5 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Market Place near Winn-Dixie on Highway 20, Bluewater Bay, Niceville.Featuring live music, entertainment for adults and children, arts and crafts, soft drinks, bratwurst, hotdogs, baked chicken and beer. Sponsored by the Mid-Bay Rotary Club. All proceeds go to local charities. Free admission.

CRESTVIEW MANOR BUNCO BENEFIT: Doors open 9 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Senior Center in Old Spanish Trail Park, on Stillwell Boulevard in Crestview. Games begin at 9:30 a.m. $25 per ticket; catered lunch provided. Proceeds will be used to support Manor residents' needs to assist with their living expenses not covered by insurance or Medicaid. Tickets: Jean Shaw, 582-4030, or Kathy Neidig, 682-5324.

FORT WALTON BEACH COIN CLUB COIN SHOW: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Park in the White Wilson parking lot. Free admission. Everyone who attends gets a free new collectible quarter while supplies last. There will be dealers willing to buy, sell and trade coins, currency, gold and silver. Free appraisals. Dave, 512-4904.

HISPANIC FEST RESCHEDULED: The Hispanic Fest originally scheduled for Sept. 10 was postponed due to Hurricane Irma. The new festival date is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, Okaloosa Island. Proceeds benefit the 13th Annual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children’s Fiesta. Business sponsorships and vendor information are available. Call 368-3505 or email united4agoodcause@gmail.com for details.

'KINGS OF HARLEM' PERFORMANCE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Layon Gray's off-Broadway play depicts the story of the Harlem Rens, the first all African-American basketball team formed in the 1920s and their struggles against the overt racism and discrimination encountered in establishing their legitimacy as a professional team. Tickets cost $37.50 at the theater box office, www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, or by calling 729-6000.

BRIGHT FUTURE COMMUNITY YARD SALE: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Vendor booths cost $40 for a single booth or $60 for a double booth. Nonprofits get $10 off each price. Call 612-9271 or see the Bright Future Ministries Facebook page for a booth application.

ANN COULTER HEADLINES WALTON REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER: 6 p.m. Oct. 12, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach. Coulter, a New York Times bestselling author, legal correspondent, syndicated columnist and frequent talk show guest, will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at its Lincoln Day Dinner. The 6 p.m. VIP reception is followed by dinner and her keynote address at 7 p.m. A book signing follows the event. General tickets cost $125; $120 for active duty military or veterans, by check or online at www.anncoulterlincolnday.eventbrite.com or www.waltongop.org. Make checks payable to and mail to Walton County Republican Executive Committee, P.O. Box 2283, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, and postmarked no later than Oct. 6.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS HAUNTED HOUSE: 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 13, at the former Lakeside Hospital at 1290 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs. Debut of "An Evening with Jason – Long Night at Camp Blood," inspired by the “Friday the 13th” movies. Inner demons, hallucinations and rages result in high body counts as slasher Jason Voorhees avenges the decapitation of his mother at Camp Crystal Lake on Friday the 13th. Encore presentations are 7-10 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21, and 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 27 and 28. Tickets cost $13. Advance tickets are available at https://defuniakspringshau.wixsite.com/mysite. Email defuniakspringshauntedhouse@gmail.com or call the Art Co-Op, 419- 3007.

NICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1972 REUNION: Oct. 20-22, Niceville. The 45th reunion includes the following:

●5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at LJ Schooners Dockside, 290 Yacht Club Drive, Niceville (pay for yourself, bluewaterbaymarina.com).

●Barbecue buffet, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21, Eglin Golf Course Clubhouse, 1572 Fairway Drive, Niceville. $35 per person, cash bar.

●Potluck picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22, Turkey Creek, 340 W. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Bring something to share.

Contact Mary Ann Aldridge Rierson, maryannri54@gmail.com for details.

BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING AIR SHOW: 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10 and 11 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Sky Hawk Drive. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Admission, parking and blanket seating are free. Other seating tickets may be purchased at www.naspensacolaairshow.com/. The Friday Night Air Show is 4-6 p.m. Nov. 10 at NAS. The non-Blue-Angels event features aircraft that light up the sky with full afterburner and pyrotechnics. Performances include Bob Carlton in a Vertigo Air Shows Jet Glider;  Paul Wood in an A-4 Skyhawk; a Mig-17 with pilot Randy Ball; the Super Stearman, with Greg Shelton and Wing Walker Ashely Shelton; and John Klatt in the Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco. The Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team; Chris Darnell, driving the 300-plus-mph Shockwave Jet Truck; and other acts will perform. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 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: 7 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.

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

HACKERS GOLF TOURNAMENT: 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30, Blackstone Golf Course, 108 Blackstone Lane, Mossy Head. Call 682-3212 or visit crestviewchamber.com for sponsorship opportunities. The chamber is also selling $5 raffle tickets for a propane Broilmaster Grill with a retail price of $1,597. Purchase tickets at the chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Winner announced after the golf tournament, and need not be present to win.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department went to the scene of an accident near Holt at 4:27 a.m. Sept. 22 near mile marker 46 on Interstate 10.

The accident occurred when a 24-year-old Crestview resident's car veered off the road and collided with an asphalt cutter machine parked in the median, according to Crestview Fire Department Capt. Corey Winkler.

The Holt Fire Department called for an assist to remove the unconscious woman from the vehicle using its cutter and spreader tools. Okaloosa Emergency Medical Service employees transported her by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Agencies responding to the accident also included the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol.

The FHP is investigating the accident.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman transported to hospital after Interstate 10 accident

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 — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Mr. Mattress store's new location with a ribbon cutting Sept. 19.

Owner Jeffery Douglas, who opened the store in October 2012, relocated it from the strip mall across from Walmart Supercenter.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday at 3045 Ferdon Blvd. S. in Crestview.

Douglas opened the first Mr. Mattress in 2011 in Enterprise, Alabama, and expanded it to three additional stores in Dothan, Troy and Andalusia, Alabama.

He has been a member of the Crestview chamber since 2012.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview chamber holds Mr. Mattress ribbon cutting

CRESTVIEW — Some Crestview writers and their colleagues will have a local book signing.

The free meet and greet is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

Attendees may get autographed copies of their favorite books from:

•Sheritta “Nikki” Bitioker; M.C. Brown; Devin Lee Carlson; Jocelyn Donahoo; Melita Gardner; Tammie Hunter; Delois Jackson; and Jeff Janes.

•Tami Kidd; Daniel McKnight; Terry B. Miles; and Bob Newkirk.

•Charles Williams; Ashley West; Donna Wilke; and D.V. Wilson.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview book signing to feature various authors

CRESTVEW — North Okaloosa County has received numerous road improvements, specifically in the North Crestview and Auburn areas.

According to Okaloosa County Public Works Director Jason Autrey, there are four projects the county is currently working on to improve the streets in Auburn.

On Locke Lane, the county public works department has repaired and improved culverts and applied dirt-to-surface stabilization, which is a way of improving the weight bearing capabilities and performance of dirt roads to strengthen road surfaces. According to Autrey, the work on Locke Lane is almost complete; the county just needs to return to clean up the materials and equipment.

On Adams Road, the county applied dirt-to-surface stabilization, repaired culverts and driveway pipes, and installed asphalt millings — recycled asphalt that is crushed to form gravel that is able to harden and bind together to fill holes. According to Autrey, the public works department plans to finish work on Adams Road this week.

In addition, the county has participated in pavement preservation projects on Main Street and Old Hickory Road in Auburn. The projects include overlay on both roads, where the county lays asphalt over existing pavement to reinforce the structure rather than totally replacing the road when there is only minor damage.

According to Autrey, the county has provided routine maintenance on many streets in North Crestview including mowing, ditch work and erosion control, which he said makes for a better product and requires less maintenance.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County improves roads, drainage

CRESTVIEW — Shortly after 7 p.m. Sept. 20, the Crestview Police Department responded to the intersection of North Ferdon Boulevard and Beech Street in reference to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash.

When officers arrived on scene, 35-year-old Antonio McLaughlin of Crestview was laying in the roadway with serious leg and head injuries after a vehicle hit him.

According to witnesses, McLaughlin was standing in the middle of the northbound turn lane of Ferdon Boulevard designated for vehicles turning left to drive westbound on U.S. Highway 90 (James Lee Boulevard). They said McLaughlin was standing in the middle of the turn lane waiting for other vehicles in other traffic lanes, when 26-year-old Kirkland Long of Crestview, driving a 2014 Dodge four-door, entered into the turn lane with intentions of turning on U.S. Highway 90.

Long advised officers that he was unable to see Mr. McLaughlin in the dark and didn’t expect anyone to be standing in the middle of the road when he struck him, according to a Crestview Police Department media release issued Sept. 21.

"Antonio McLaughlin was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center with leg and head injuries and was listed in stable condition at the time of the [CPD media] release. "McLaughlin was not utilizing a cross walk which was available to him at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 which is approximately 150 feet from the location where he was struck. There were no improper driving actions made by Mr. Kirkland and there are no charges pending in this accident," the release stated.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pedestrian hit by car in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department is participating in National Child Passenger Safety Week through Sept. 24. The observance is an annual National Highway Traffic Safety Administration observance focused on keeping children and families safe in and around cars.

The fire department is providing free car seat safety checks from 4-6 p.m. at 321 Woodruff Ave. Sept. 20-22 as part of the observance. It is also having a safety day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Woodruff station.

CFD Public Information Officer Corey Winkler said the department's technicians will talk residents through installing car seats at the event, and distribute new Evenflo car seats for cash or money order donations ($25 minimum required). All proceeds will be used to promote and purchase items for the department's car seat safety program.

Safety day activities also include a blow-up fire prevention smokehouse kids can explore; fire truck tours; and fingerprinting for identification kits by the Crestview Police Department.  Free food from Subway will also be served.

See https://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS  for more about the NHTSA safety week.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Fire Department observance includes car seats, safety checks

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

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: for ages 4 and up. Visit the library for details as the date nears. Here are other FLT Crestview library events.

• 6:30-7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 — The Library Run is a tour. Learn to use the catalog and race to find items.
• 5 or 6 p.m. Oct. 17 — Escape Room, 10 people per session. Register at the library to solve puzzles together.
• 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.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, Hats Off to You (wear a favorite hat); Oct. 10, airport field trip at Bob Sikes Airport (www.emeraldcoastaviation.com); Oct. 24 and 31, Autumn and Halloween (wear a non-scary costume on Oct. 31); Nov. 7 and 14, Giving Thanks; Nov. 28, On the Road, Dec. 5 and 12, Wrap It Up.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Sept. 29, Mice; Oct. 6 and 13, Piggies; Oct. 20 and 27, Autumn and Halloween (wear non-scary costume if you like); Nov. 3 and 17, Thanksgiving; Dec. 1, On the Go; Dec. 8 and 15, Christmas.

FIRST TUESDAY TALKS: 10:30 a.m. first Tuesdays at the library. Topics are: Oct. 3, Seniors and Fraud, by JB Whitten, Seniors vs. Crime spokesman and city councilman; and Nov. 7, How to Love Your Wardrobe, by Anna Maria Garza, fashion designer and stylist.

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. Wii and virtual reality games, etc. For grades 6-12.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPCOMING

CRESTVIEW — Damonie Johnson, a 14-year-old Crestview author, will attend a free Teen Boss magazine and book signing.

The signing is 1-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin. Johnson and her co-author, Laila Turner, 10, will attend and sign copies of their journal and the magazine featuring it for the public. 

The two published their first journal, "A Girl’s World," where they penned their coming-of-age experiences, according to a previous Crestview News Bulletin article.

“When I wrote 'A Girl’s World,' I was hoping that it would help girls get a better understanding. I think we all feel like we all have to be a certain way, have to look a certain way and have a certain body type; there’s always this expectation," Johnson said.

In addition to the journal, Johnson and Turner have created “vision/dream boards” and a coloring book for purchase on their company’s website, www.true2youpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview teen to sign books at 'Teen Boss' event