CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County has scheduled a public meeting next month concerning proposed roadway and drainage improvements on 2.5 miles between State Road 85 and Interstate 10 on PJ Adams Parkway.

During the meeting — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Crosspoint Church, 2250 P.J.Adams Parkway, Crestview — Okaloosa County and consultant staff will use maps, drawings and other project information to explain the project. County representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions and receive comments.

The project will widen PJ Adams Parkway from two to four lanes in a divided urban typical section consisting two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, a 4-foot bike lane on each side, and a 6-foot sidewalk on each side, separated by a 22-foot median.

Four stormwater pond sites are proposed with a closed storm drain system, and seven culvert crossings.

The four-phase project will take place between the fall of 2016 and spring of 2018.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview public meeting set for PJ Adams Parkway project

Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners and the Clerk’s Office has launched a budget and financial transparency application powered by OpenGov that provides unprecedented access to county finances.

The web-based platform transforms complex financial data into an interactive, digital format that enables better analysis and understanding of the county's finances. The design makes it easier to explore how taxpayer money is collected and spent.

Access the platform at http://www.okaloosaclerk.com/index.php/transparency-portal/90-transparency-dashboard or through the office's transparency page at OkaloosaClerk.com.

The OpenGov dashboard displays up to five years of Okaloosa County spending and revenue detail in a user‐friendly portal. Site visitors can view historical revenue and expenditure trends over time and explore multiple views of financial data, including by fund, department, expense, or revenue type.

For example, visitors to the platform may answer frequently asked questions such as “What is the proposed budget for next fiscal year?” or “How much will the county will collect in Tourist Development Tax next year?” and then share that information directly from the platform via email or on social media.

This initiative to make the county’s finances more transparent and understandable is a joint effort between Okaloosa commissioners and the clerk’s office to demonstrate their commitment to efficient, data‐driven, open government.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County launches interactive financial transparency dashboard

CHIPLEY — Based on the results of a recent speed study, the Florida Department of Transportation will increase the speed limit from 55 to 60 miles per hour on State Road 4.

The increase takes effect Sept. 21 from east of State Road 87 in Santa Rosa County to Barton Road west of Baker in Okaloosa County.

Maintenance activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State Road 4 speed limit increase takes effect Sept. 24 in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa

CHIPLEY — The outside and middle lanes of State Road 85 over Turkey Creek will be closed from 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 to 6:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 as Florida Department of Transportation crews perform routine maintenance work.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway. 

Maintenance activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Evening lane closures planned Sept. 17-18 for State Road 85

CRESTVIEW — While the nation pauses today to reflect on the 9-11 terrorist attacks, locals also remember another 9-11. On Sept. 11, 1915, Okaloosa County was born.

Okaloosa's origin is traced to Laurel Hill newspaperman and state Rep. William H. “Bill” Mapoles, who tried to sway fellow legislators to create a new county, historian N. Allen Robinson wrote in a series of 1975 Okaloosa Consumer Bulletin articles.

With Walton and Holmes Counties, Senator B.H. Lindsay's support, and a provision that voters in the affected area give it their blessing at the polls, Mapoles’ bill passed on June 3, 1915.

Voters in eastern Santa Rosa and western Walton counties voted 2-1 and a 4-1, respectively, to form a new county on Sept. 11, 1915.

'PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY'

The new 9,000-resident county’s seat was temporarily established in an industrial building in Milligan. On Jan. 3 and 4, 1916, state auditor E. Amos inspected the new county.

“New record books have just been installed and opened up and the business of the county is proceeding satisfactorily,” he wrote in a report to Gov. Park Tramell. “Each county officer seems to be zealously striving to do his full duty and is manifesting much interest in the work entrusted to his keeping.

“The County Boards are using care and good judgment and appear to have the best interest of the county ever in mind. The county commissioners are especially to be commended for the economical and business-like way in which they are managing county affairs.”

A NEW COUNTY SEAT

Mapoles, foreseeing growth 13 miles south of Laurel Hill, moved his family and newspaper to Crestview in September 1915, and championed his new hometown as the county seat.

Other county residents who shared Mapoles’ belief in Crestview’s potential signed a notice to incorporate themselves in a municipal form of government. They met Feb. 22, 1916 at the Congregational church to create the city and select officers.

On March 6, 1917, voters chose between Baker, Crestview and Laurel Hill as their county seat. In an April 3 runoff, Crestview beat Baker by about 80 votes.

In 1918, a yellow brick courthouse was built on property donated by the Crestview Land Company on the site of today’s county courthouse, anchoring Main Street's north end.

WHAT: The Baker Block Museum's Okaloosa County Centennial Celebration, featuring an Indian drum circle and drum-making demonstration by Thom and Judy Dandridge, of Baker; a living history program with Bonnie Grundel, of Baker, portraying a 1933 sharecropper’s wife; and an old-fashioned homemade ice cream social

WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Sept. 19

WHERE: 1307 Georgia Ave., on the corner of State Roads 4 and 189, Baker

NOTES: Admission is free. Call 537-5714 for more details. The museum opens at 10 a.m. and will remain open through the evening celebration events.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CENTENNIAL: Okaloosa County observes 100 years

DESTIN — The Third Emerald Coast Transportation Symposium will be held Nov. 12 and 13 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Keynote speakers and panelists include:

•Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold

•Jim Johnson, profiled by Fast Company Magazine as "a geographer with a PhD, a professor with an endowed chair at a leading business school, an expert on poverty, and a tireless activist for social justice"

•Dan Burden, director of innovation and inspiration at Blue Zones

•Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, executive director of Florida's Turnpike Enterprise

•A representative from the Make It Right Foundation in New Orleans.

Registration is available at www.transportationsymposium.org or call 800-226-8914, extension 204.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Transportation Symposium set Nov. 12, 13 in Destin