CRESTVIEW — Need help or want to volunteer for a worthy cause? Here are some local services and organizations for consideration. 

MEDICARE HELP FOR SENIORS: Florida Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, provides free, unbiased, confidential counseling to help elderly residents with their yearly Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance plan reviews. Medicare open enrollment takes place Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Call 1-866-531-8011 or visit www.FloridaSHINE.org to make an appointment with a counselor, or to volunteer. It is a Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging program.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 306-3176 or 800-203-3099, or see www.seniorsvscrime.com for more information. 

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NEEDY RESIDENTS: 9 a.m. second Saturdays, 383 Texas Parkway, Crestview. Dry goods and fresh produce available while supplies last. Hosted by House of Restoration, a partner agency of Feeding the Gulf Coast. Details: Ruby Chatman, 398-0577.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over “Services” and click “School Readiness” to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS to appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

VEHICLES NEEDED: Covenant Hospice accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats and RVs. Qualified professionals pick up vehicles from Pensacola to Tallahassee at convenience. Rachel Mayew, 428-0605.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County services calendar

Have you ever noticed how the best always rises to the top? Well, here in the top 10, not much has changed other than Florida State dropping out of it, and everyone else moving up one or two spots.

What an upset with Maryland over Texas — both Texas and Florida. State should have opened with someone from the Conference USA — you know, for a sure win. Well, it seems that both Florida and State are out of the National Championship Title running and that Alabama, Clemson are the big picks from here on out, but they are looking over their shoulders at Georgia, LSU, Virginia Tech, Duke — yes, Duke!  

 Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tiebreaker for Sept. 9:

1. Marshall Thundering Herd vs. N.C. State Wolfpack — here we have the movie (“We Are Marshall”), the underdog that everyone loves to cheers for, but the Wolfpack pull it out by 3.

2. Wake Forest Demon Deacon vs. Boston College Eagles — the Eagles get their wings clipped by the Demon Deacons by 7.

3. Auburn War Eagles vs. Clemson Tigers — the War Eagles forgot their war paint, Clemson Tigers by 14.

4. Northwestern Wildcat vs. Duke Blue Devils — The Wildcats are not a pushover type team but are not plays as they usually do, Blue Devils by 6.

5. Louisville Cardinals vs. North Carolina Tar Heels — Cardinals can make the football fly up and down the field, Louisville by13.

6. Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions — so early for an interstate rivalry with these Two Cats, but Nittany Lions make it look easy, Penn. State. by 21

7. TCU Horned Frogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks — this is one of those games that these two teams are so much alike that this could be the game to watch, Horned Frogs by 1

8. George Bulldogs vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Hey Bulldogs, want to be the only contender for the SEC Championship, here’s your big test… not so fast; this is a close game, but George wins by 3

9. South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Missouri Tigers — wonder if the Gamecocks are still in last year’s mood? Win one, lose one win one lose one? Don’t think so, South Carolina by 10

10. Miss. State Bulldogs vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs — who let dogs out; big dog fight with Miss State with the biggest bite by 12

TIE BREAKER:

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Ohio State Buckeyes — last week both teams had a good showing. Sooners over UTEP WOW! I’m impressed but not as much as Ohio St. over Indiana — Buckeyes win this by 10.

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: SEC and ACC football picks, Sept. 9

This Crestview mother and daughter tap their sticks together at library class.

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: Tapping sticks

If you’ve spent much time in the Crestview Public Library at all, you’ve probably heard me say, “Walk, please.” There’s just something about our building that makes kids (even pretty old ones who are taller than me) want to run. 

Well, Friday, Sept. 22’s Family Library Time is for every person who’s ever wanted to run in a library. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., I’ll give a tour (including the office area you normally don’t get to see), teach you how to use the catalog, and then… we’ll race to find items. 

So, put on your running shoes and join us!

Registration is not required for this free event, designed for children ages 4 and up with their adults. Please call 682-4432 with questions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library sets race

CRESTVIEW — Author J.J. McDaniel has released a new book, “Papyrophilia,” a tribute to baseball card collecting.

“It is a historical novel, love story and inspirational book in one obsessive compilation,” the publisher states.

The Crestview author will sign copies during the Sports Cards and Collectibles Show, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Panama City Mall in Panama City.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview author releases new book, sets signing

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 — Few things can hit the spot on a hot Florida day like an old-fashioned banana split or an ice cream sundae.

How about a chocolate malt or vanilla shake? Tom’s Main Street Ice Cream (formerly Buchanan’s Ice Cream and Soda Shop) will soon celebrate a grand reopening at their 269 N. Main St., location.      

Tom and Brenda Petoskey are the new owners of Tom’s Main Street Ice Cream, which is located inside the Rustic Reflections building across from Tropical Palm. They take over from Leah Buchanan, who had owned the ice cream shop since October of 2016.

Buchanan had moved to Crestview in 2015 and felt that the Main Street area needed an ice cream shop.

“It has been an amazing adventure and the new owners have my full support!” Buchanan said.

The Petoskeys moved to Crestview in 1998 from South Florida. Tom retired in May of this year as a lineman with Duke Energy. Brenda is an administrator at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Tom was originally planning to go into the cattle business after retirement, but when he heard about the ice cream shop looking for new owners, he decided that was where he needed to be.

“We will keep the store as it is for a few weeks,” he said. “We will still have the same local Southern Craft Creamery ice cream. We will have five flavors of ice cream each day and probably change out the flavors every three days.” Southern Craft Creamery is a family- owned business in Marianna.

Petoskey will be running the day-to-day operations of the new store and Brenda will be there when not at her other job. The same employees who were working for Buchanan’s will also be employed at Tom’s, according to the new owners. Opening and closing times will remain the same for a while. Earlier and later times may be added later.

Ice cream favorites like the banana splits and chocolate sundaes will still be a staple at Tom’s Ice Cream. Other treats such as malts, shakes, floats and cones will also be served.

“We are really excited about this! Main Street in Crestview is building and growing. Having an ice cream shop downtown keeps us connected to the community,” said Petoskey.

The Petoskeys said government hurdles have forced them to change their expected grand opening date, which was not available for this publication.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are having to push back our opening to the week of September 11,” the shop’s Facebook page states. “Our Grand Opening will be September 15 and 16 if no further complications arise. We will be working to make up for lost time by having an expanded selection of ice cream on reopening.”

Regular hours are Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m. The shop is closed on Sundays.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘We are really excited about this!’

Editor’s Note: This story is part of our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — The Oscar E. Wilson American Legion Post 75 is a nonprofit that works to strengthen the Crestview community, promote patriotism and support veterans and their families.

The group's weekly events such as dinners and other fundraisers are used to provide scholarship money to area students, and take care of necessities for veterans and other area residents in need.

Some issues they've tackled recently in Crestview include:

•donating new picnic tables to a local nursing home.

•supporting annual Christmas toy runs and motorcycle drives.

•raising funds to repair a veteran's home.

•raising funds for families of ill or deceased veterans.

They are currently raising funds to build a home for a disabled veteran, Mark Benoit, the post's historian, said.

One of the annual programs the Crestview post participates in is the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Through the contest, high school students learn more about the U.S. Constitution, leadership, duties, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Students who do well at the local levels progressively advance to the national American Legion contest.

The post also has a Young Marines program for youths age 8 through high school. The program focuses on developing discipline, mental, moral and physical strength among participants. Youths also learn about attention to duty, love of God, and fidelity to the U.S. and its institutions, according to the Post 75 website.

The Crestview organization also includes the The American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Riders (for motorcycle enthusiasts).

Visit http://www.alpost75.org, the Facebook page, or call 689-3195 for information on post membership or events.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: American Legion Post 75 helps local veterans

CRESTVIEW — Shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3, the Crestview Police Department responded to a multi-vehicle accident at the intersection of South Ferdon Boulevard and Aplin Road.

When officers arrived on scene, it was determined that there were two motorcycles and a pick-up truck involved in the accident, according to a CPD media release.

There were two motorcycles driving northbound on Ferdon Boulevard, one a 1998 Harley Davidson, being driven by 31-year-old Michael L. Rose of Enterprise, Alabama. The second motorcycle was a 2010 Harley Davidson, being driven by 50-year-old Cranston Tickle of Laurel Hill, with his wife as passenger, 49-year-old Robin R. Tickle.

A black 2004 Dodge Pickup being driven by 19-year-old Timothy J. Commee of Crestview, made a right turn on a red light off of Aplin Road, attempting to drive north on South Ferdon Boulevard. During the turn, Commee entered into the path of the two northbound motorcycles. Because of the impact, all occupants of the motorcycles were thrown from the motorcycles, according to the release.

When officers arrived on scene, Robin Tickle was unresponsive and resuscitative efforts were underway. She was transported to the Trauma Center at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where she later died as result of her injuries. Her husband was also transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, with multiple broken bones; he is currently listed in serious condition.

Although two helmets were observed in the buckled position near the motorcycle, witnesses stated neither driver nor passenger was wearing the helmets at the time of impact.

The second motorcyclist, Michael Rose, was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center with a broken arm. He was listed in stable condition and expected to be released.

The driver of the 2004 Dodge pickup truck, Commee, was uninjured.

This is an ongoing investigation; charges may be pending.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman dies in Crestview multi-car traffic accident

Most universities or colleges' first season football games are with an un-ranked team that they think 99 percent of the time will mean a sure win.

This year it’s a lot different for some of the top 10 teams in the nation, with the other top 15 using the first game as a team builder for a long winning season. This includes teams like University of California at Los Angeles, which is looking to upset Texas A&M. But then, it's gameplay as usual for contests like Oklahoma versus University of Texas at El Paso.

Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tie breaker for Sept. 2.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida State Seminoles (at the Atlanta, Georgia new stadium): Jimbo Fisher has Florida State rating of No. 3 in the National. After this game it’s a big drop to No. 11, and Alabama by 17.

2. Florida Gators vs. Michigan Wolverines: Its an upset in the making, as the odds makers are calling the Wolverines the winner. But wait — the Gators have a huge bite on them and pull this one out. Florida by 3.

3. LSU Tigers vs. BYU Cougars: This game is so evenly matched, which has a very big repercussion on the outcomes. LSU drops to 20th in the top 25 and drops its Coach Ed Orgeron also. Hey, they can swap with Florida Atlantic Owls Coach Lane Kiffin. BYU by 6.

4. Texas A&M Aggies vs. UCLA Bruins: Wow! Aggies give up 7 points just to go to California, and what a tune up for the Aggies, who march up and down the field. Texas A&M by 21.

5. Louisville Cardinals vs. Purdue boilermaker: Cardinals do a lot of flying in this game. Louisville by 21.

6. California Golden Bears vs. North Carolina Tar Heels: This should be a good game at Chapel Hill, NC for all to see as the Tar Heels win by 18.

7. Virginia Tech Hokies vs. West Virginia Mountaineers: This game is Sept. 3 at Landover, Maryland. Some may be very angry that this game is on a Sunday, and the Hokies will wish they were back in Blacksburg, Virginia after this game is over. West Virginia  by 10 (only Notre Dame/BYU can play on Sunday).

8. Boston College Eagles vs. Northern Illinois Huskies: The Eagles have the same team as 2016, with the same results but with this game they win their first right out of the box. Boston College by 10.

9. North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: This is a very close game, and only the “fan support” causes N.C. State pull it off by 3.

10. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: This is a Sept. 4 game in the new Atlanta stadium. The Volunteers were a big disappointment for most of their fans and were calling for the coach Butch Jones to follow Lane Kiffin over to Florida Atlantic. Yes, this is one of the hot seats in college football, but Tennessee pulls it out and wins by 14 and Coach Butch Jones is safe for another game.

The Tie Breaker: Maryland Terrapins vs. Texas Longhorns. This is where the Longhorns begin their comeback season. Texas by more than 20

See you next time for week two of the SEC/ACC picks.

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: The top 10 college football picks