Because of our visit from your friend and mine, Irma, and the evacuees from Florida, parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, I'm not sure whether some of the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast Conference games will be played on schedule, rescheduled or canceled all together. (Editor's Note: As of this writing, the following information should be correct, according to Google's college football schedules.)

Most of all, I hope everyone is safe and that we all can eventually get back to normal and enjoy the SEC/ACC games we all love so much.

As for now, I'll write as if both conferences can play all scheduled games on Sept. 16.

Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tie breaker for Sept. 16.

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Boston College Eagles: Both teams are 1-1. Notre Dame is really upset in more ways than one and is going to take it out on the Eagles. Notre Dame by 10.

2. Clemson Tigers vs. Louisville Cardinals: The Tigers quarterback showed a bit of weakness last week and the Cardinals are going after him on each play. This could be a very big upset in the making, but again the Tigers pull it out, winning by 1.

3. Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles (rescheduled to Oct. 7): The Seminoles feel they get no respect in the state of Florida. Miami will have a big loss to the Little Brother of Florida State by 7.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Panthers: There is no rodeo at Heinz Field Stadium. Pitt by only 3.

5. California Baylor Bears vs. Duke Blue Devils: The Bears found another buzz saw, with the Devils winning by 26 or more.

6. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators: The Vols have only two more teams that they will beat. Florida and UMass are the two. After that it’s all downhill from there. This is a close one, but Tennessee will come up with the win by 2.

7. Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: The teams are alike and are both 2-0. The team that can control the ground game is the winner. Gamecocks by 7.

8. Louisiana State University Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: This is an upset in the making, with four teams in the SEC/West looking to win. This game will thin it out a bit, with a Bulldogs big win by 10.

9. Ole Miss Rebels vs. California Golden Bears: Ole Miss is having problems feeding the team with all this west coast food. Ole Miss will win a quick 60-minute game by 21, and go back home to ribs, grits, biscuits and gravy.

10. Colorado State Rams vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: How do you stop a train? The Crimson Tide Train by 20.

TIE BREAKER: SMU Mustangs vs. TCU Horned Frogs: A stampede is coming to Fort Worth, Texas, with the Horned Frogs corralling and taming the Mustangs: TCU by 16.

I hope everyone is safe from this horrible Hurricane Irma and the path of destruction it is leaving behind. And no, we have not forgotten all the people over in Houston.

Maybe, just maybe, you can find a bit of enjoyment for just a few minutes this Saturday, Sept. 16, knowing your team is beating its competitor up and down the field.

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, week 3

Pvt. Natalie Booker, a Baker School class of 2013 alumna, just completed training at Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Hawaii as a Distinguished Honor Graduate.

From a class of 127 soldiers, Booker carried the highest class score of 98.60, according to a media release. After 22 days of intensive training, Booker's culmination event comprised her management of a squad executing a jungle assault and reaction to an improvised explosive device. Booker will be promoted the rank of sergeant in October.

NCO Academy Hawaii trains current and future U.S. Army Junior Noncommissioned Officers and international military students from countries around the Pacific Ocean.

Trainees develop the Warrior Leader Skills needed at the team and squad level, and they develop professional attributes that promote confidence in their ability to handle modern day leadership challenges.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker alum earns Army Distinguished Honor Graduate honors

CRESTVIEW — The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organization is organizing a patriotic essay contest.

The theme is "Why Our Veterans Are America's Heroes." The contest is open to students enrolled in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades during the 2017-2018 school calendar year preceding June 30, 2018. Local schools have been contacted and are aware of this essay contest.

Mayor David Cadle of Crestview has joined the Elks in proclaiming Sept. 11-17 National Patriotism Week. Cadle signed this proclamation and gave it to Crestview Lodge 2624 Exalted Ruler Bob Daniel and Esteemed Lecturing Knight and Americanism Chairwoman Jean Daniel.

"The members of Crestview Lodge 2624 want to thank Mayor Cadle for his support," an Elks media release states. "We urge all citizens to join with Mayor Cadle and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in expressing gratitude for the privilege of American citizenship. God bless America!"

The BPOE, founded in 1868, serves local communities through programs such as Adopt a Vet, Exceptional Children's Day, Kids on the Water, Hoop Shoot, Drug Awareness programs in conjunction with local law enforcement organizations, and in-home therapy for thousands of children across Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mayor proclaims National Patriotism Week

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

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Sept. 19, Magic Pasta Pot; 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. 15 and 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.

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.

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: Crestview Public Library events

CRESTVIEW — Act4Murder in September will present dinner theater featuring comedy, mystery and murder.

The professional comedy troupe's next North Okaloosa presentation is titled, "Killer in the Kitchen."

Seating begins 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Samuel’s Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview. The show begins at 6:30 p.m.

It includes a three-course meal and is $38, which includes tax and tip. Order regular or VIP tickets at http://www.act4murder.com.

Two other Act4Murder presentations are: "A Medley for Murder," 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Redd’s Fueling Station, 2320 West County Highway 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, for $48; and "Killer in the Kitchen," 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at La Paz, 950 Gulf Shore Drive, Destin, for $34.95.

Call 862-2885 for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Act4Murder to present 'Killer in the Kitchen'

CRESTVIEW — Area companies will set hours and closures as listed below due to potential effects of Hurricane Irma.

Bridgeway offices: Bridgeway Center Inc. is closed Sept. 11 due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irma. Offices will reopen for all services at 8 a.m. Sept. 12.

City of Crestview: The city's offices will close at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11, and will resume regular business hours Sept. 12. Because Northwest Florida is expected to experience high winds due to Hurricane Irma, scheduled meetings will be moved to Tuesday to city hall, 198 Wilson St., Crestview, as follows:

•5 p.m. Sept. 12, Citizen of the Year presentation. This year's winner is Raymonda "Rae" Schwartz of Crestview.

•5:30 p.m. Sept. 12, tentative millage and budget public hearing.

•6 p.m. Sept. 12, city council meeting. All agendas are currently available at  www.cityofcrestview.org.

Northwest Florida State College: NWFSC is closed Sept. 8 and 11. The Monday film club meeting is cancelled.

Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office: Branches are open Sept. 8 except for Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base. All offices will be closed Sept. 11 and open Sept 12. Online services continue to be available at www.OkaloosaTax.com.

The following fee changes will be in effect through Oct. 9. – If residents incur late fees due to evacuation or office closure, the late fee may be waived.

•Fees for replacement driver licenses and identification cards may be waived for residents who lost their credentials as a result of severe weather.

•Fees for duplicate title certificates and registrations may be waived for residents who lost their certificate/registration as a result of severe weather.

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, we will continue to provide services to all Floridians with their vehicle and vessel titles, driver license and identification cards, and other State and local services," Tax Collector Ben Anderson said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hurricane Irma office hours and closures

BAKER — A Baker grocery store's lack of handicap-accessible parking or a fire lane has attracted one woman's concern.

Lorie Barker of Baker said she is upset that the Pic N Sav grocery store in Baker has no handicap parking; that's because her father is 78 years old, on oxygen and walks with a cane.

“They don’t have handicap parking, they don’t have a fire lane,” Barker said. “I have been trying for four years to try to get them to add a handicap spot.”

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, all businesses must have handicap-accessible parking. If the total number of parking spaces in a parking facility is between one and 25, there is a minimum requirement of one handicap-accessible parking space. Pic N Sav has approximately 25 parking spots.

Accessible parking spaces must be identified by signs that include the International Symbol of Accessibility. Signs should be mounted so that the lower edge of the sign is at least 5 feet above the ground, which helps ensure visibility both for motorists and local enforcement officials, according to the act.

Local attorney Nathan Boyles said many businesses in the community predate the 1990 ADA and that Okaloosa County urges them to bring their facilities into compliance with the law. However, there are certain exemptions, like an excessive cost exemption that states businesses must provide accessible parking unless it would be a financial burden for the business owner.

Pic N Sav’s owner and store manager, Amy Cooper, said that this is the first she has heard about this concern, but she is happy to resolve it.

“I can’t say that anybody has ever brought this to my attention,” Cooper said. “We lease the building, so the building is not mine. I have zero problem going to obtain a sign and designate one of the spots on the side of the building; it’s absolutely not an issue. The volume of our business and the size of our parking lot, the accessibility to my knowledge has never been an issue for anybody.

“We are in the business of serving people. We’ll help them with groceries; we’ll even go get groceries for them… If somebody would have come to me about it, it wouldn’t have been a problem. I will absolutely do my best to [get] a sign and designate one of the spots.”

As for the lack of a fire lane, federal law states that the fire chief for the city, or a designee, in conjunction with the building official establishes fire lanes.

The chief of Baker Fire Department, Dusty Talbert, said that there is no fire lane in front of Pic N Sav because there is no space for one in the small parking lot.

“They could use a fire lane, but there is nowhere to put it,” Talbert said. “There’s a drive in and there’s a drive out; that’s all there is.

"Okaloosa County would handle that [regulation], but I’m pretty sure they deemed at the time that it wasn’t really an issue because there is nowhere to put one.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman questions business' lack of handicap parking, fire lane

CRESTVIEW — Dogwood Garden Club members meet 10:30 a.m. on the first Mondays through May 7.

Meetings and topics are as follows:

•Sept. 11, Crestview Public Library, Adding Color to the Fall Garden

•Oct. 2, member's home, 60+ Years of Gardening

•Nov. 6, member's home, Trees

•Dec. 4, Woman's Club, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview, Christmas auction and party

•Jan. 8, member's home, Seeds on Ice

•Feb. 5, Sonshine Studios, 426 James Lee Blvd., Crestview, Fairy Gardens

•March 5, member's home, Shapes and Shadows in the Garden

•April 2, member's home, Wacky Gardening Secrets

•May 7, member's home, salad luncheon. Bring one to share

Call President Ruth Herington, 683-0839, for non-listed locations, which take place at members' homes.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dogwood Garden Club of Crestview sets meeting topics

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa Community Emergency Response Team will conduct basic certification training. CERT members help emergency responders in the first 72 to 96 hours after a natural or human-made disaster.

Training hours are 7-10 p.m. Sept. 22; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23; 1-4 p.m. Sept. 24; and 7-10 p.m. Sept. 29; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30; and 1-4 p.m. Oct. 1. All meetings are at the Crestview Fire station No. 1 at 312 Woodruff Ave. N.

Attendance at all six sessions are required for certification. Training is free and available for any adult citizen age 18 or over. No special skills or experience are required.

Topics include first aid, disaster psychology, fire prevention and fire safety, disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and terrorism. Completion of the class does not create any obligation to become part of North Okaloosa CERT, but it does qualify the student to be part of any Community Emergency Response Team in the country.

Pre-registration is required. Fill out the CERT application at https://okaloosaflcert.samariteam.com/Default.aspx to register.

Email NOkaloosacert@gmail.com for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Community Emergency Response Team sets training

CRESTVIEW — Less than a week after the Panhandle Youth Football Association suspended every Crestview Area Youth Association team, CAYA has new board members.

William Shingles and Derrick Walker take the place of Terry Jackson and Jennifer Jackson as CAYA president and secretary, respectively, after concerns arose between CAYA teams and the president of PYFA.

After two Crestview parents shared their safety concerns, PYFA President Cornell Tinner suspended the Crestview teams, which affected more than 250 CAYA athletes ranging from 5 to 12 years old. According to Tinner, CAYA was slandering the PYAF “to justify a loss.”

Three players on a Crestview team were injured during an Aug. 26 game. Two received concussions and the third has a badly sprained arm. All three were injured during plays involving a Niceville player who allegedly failed the initial weigh-in that would have prevented him from running the ball.

Ryan Hardy and John Contri, both of whom coached the injured boys, said they watched one of Niceville’s players weigh three times, finally stripping down to his underwear to make weight.

According to Jackson, Tinner posted a list of rules on PYFA’s Facebook page for CAYA to follow before he would remove the suspension.

According to the post, CAYA had “exactly 72 hours” to produce another president or area representative to continue in PYFA. Also, the cheer competition would be removed from Crestview as a host “to ensure [PYFA] girls get the chance to compete [in] the most pleasant situation.”

In the post, Tinner said, “The demands must be met or the PYFA will continue the fun of Little League football without the distractions.”

Jackson said less than 24 hours later, Tinner added new demands to the list. Hardy was to step down as the coach for the age 9-10 team; Jennifer was to resign as secretary; and Jackson’s two children and the children of Hardy would not be able to play with CAYA anymore.

According to Jackson, remaining board members convinced Tinner to allow the children of Jackson and Hardy to play, and Tinner complied.

When contacted by a News Bulletin reporter, Tinner said he had no time to comment on the matter as of this writing.

"We had to step down for the kids to be able to play," Jackson said. "So [myself], the secretary and the 9-10 coach decided we'd go ahead and step down without any arguing so that way these kids could get back on the field."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Area Youth Association gets new board members