Laurel Hill Living Nativity Draws Many Visitors

Santa letters from Stacy Callahan’s and Angela Raybon's classes PAGES 3A, 5A

CRESTVIEW

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | CRESTVIEWBULLETIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Laurel Hill Living Nativity draws many visitors

Voters in Foxwood Estates last month approved the annexation of their neighborhood and the adjacent, now-defunct Foxwood Country Club into Crestview. This view shows a path and stream at the former country club site. [FILE PHOTO/DAILY NEWS] Crestview to seek state funding Tony Judnich Northwest Florida Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK

CRESTVIEW — Expanding the At the end of their "journey to Bethlehem," visitors to the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church's Living Nativity reach the wastewater treatment system and manger, where Mary and Joseph, portrayed by Tammie Becker and Rémy Kublick, shared their miraculous story during providing sewer service to the Fox- the Dec. 12 event. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HUGHES/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO wood Estates neighborhood are two of a handful of projects that Crestview officials plan to seek state funding help Brian Hughes Special to the News Bulletin for in early 2021. USA TODAY NETWORK The next state legislative session runs from March 2 through April 30. LAUREL HILL — One of the advan- On Monday, the City Council approved tages of being a small church in a tight- a list of projects presented by City ly knit country community is there's Manager Tim Bolduc that officials plenty of room for social distancing. hope will receive state aid. Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church's The council agreed with Council- 10th annual Living Nativity took ad- man Andrew Rencich that seeking vantage of the fresh country outdoors state money to expand the wastewater and tweaked the "journey to Bethle- treatment system and provide sewer hem" a bit to give it a fresh look. service to Foxwood Estates represent "COVID actually dictated some of the city's top legislative funding re- the updates," the church's pastor, the quests. Rev. Mark Broadhead, said with a While Bolduc did not have an esti- smile. "We allowed for more social dis- mated amount of money yet that the tancing, moved the entire event out- city will seek from the state for the po- doors and adjusted our casting accord- tential wastewater treatment system ingly." expansion, he said the project would With many churches in the region consist of building wildlife-friendly cancelling their Christmas pageants wetlands near the wastewater treat- and nativities, the Laurel Hill Presby- ment plant spray field. The spray field terian event attracted visitors whose Pauline and Ron Medlock, portraying Dr. and Mrs. Luke, welcome visitors with See CRESTVIEW, Page 2A See NATIVITY, Page 6A mints and an introduction to their journey to Bethlehem.

Legendary legislator Hutto dies at 94

Ex-sportscaster had humble, affable demeanor “We were housed so well as siblings Rex and Merle, were fed far on the other side of and clothed. From Staff Reports Hutto died peacefully at his Pensaco- the railroad tracks, we His family life, while extremely mod- Pensacola News Journal la home surrounded by his family on were practically out of est, was constant — held together by USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA Monday. town,” he told the News their strong faith in God. Later, more Hutto was born on May 12, 1926, to Journal in a 2018 inter- than once his refusal to accept ciga- Former Congressman Earl Hutto died Lemmie and Ellie Mathis Hutto in Mid- Hutto view. rette/liquor advertising during his Monday at the age of 94. land City, Alabama. The family made Those early years were broadcasting career, would put his job Hutto served Florida’s First District frequent moves around rural Southeast marked by a nationwide depression that on “pause” briefly. Those conservative in the U.S. House of Representatives for Alabama before settling in Ewell, near saw a young Hutto in the cotton fields values successfully guided him eight terms, from 1979 to 1995. Previous- Ozark, when he was a teenager. Though alongside his father. To be paid, bags throughout his life. ly, he represented District 8 in the Flori- they were poor by the world’s stan- had to weigh 100 pounds, so Hutto In elementary school he was held da House of Representatives from 1972 dards, Earl Hutto remembered growing crawled on his hands and knees, drag- back one year — one of those life-chang- to 1978 and was a longtime radio and up rich in love along with his younger ging his bag behind him. His mother television sportscaster. sister and brother, Merle and Rex. took in laundry to make sure Earl, as See HUTTO, Page 2A

Business owners speak out Sharing joys and burdens Weather Volume 45 | No. 102 A Gannett newspaper read by Many Florida businesses recognize the The Pandemic and loss unite 2 rural High 61° | Low 47° 10,450 people every week. ©2020 $0.50 QADADJ-28242t threats from rising seas. Opinion 4A Missouri pastors around faith. Faith 9A 2A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | CRESTVIEW NEWS BULLETIN

tates, the annexation of which could be completed in storm protection for the community center and up- Crestview January. grade its kitchen, and $200,000 to pay half of the an- Last month, more than 63% of Foxwood Estates’ ticipated cost of remodeling the historic Lorenza Bush Continued from Page 1A residents who are registered voters approved the an- House. nexation of their neighborhood and the adjacent, now- The Bush House, at 198 Wilson St., houses an office stands north of Interstate 10 and about halfway be- defunct Foxwood Country Club into the city from un- for Elder Services of Okaloosa County. The building tween Antioch Road and State Road 85. incorporated Okaloosa County. also could contain a Crestview history museum once Grasses and plants in the potential wetlands would The overall area that will be annexed covers 202 renovations are completed. serve as an additional wastewater treatment method acres, has more than 140 single-family residential lots Bolduc said legislators earlier this year approved by helping to filter out harmful waste. and stands south of U.S. Highway 90 and east of Anti- giving $200,000 toward the Bush House renovations “I could borrow money and go pump (much of the och Road. The city eventually plans to convert the old but the request was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. City treated effluent) somewhere else, but that just pushes country club site into a multi-use recreation complex. officials have $200,000 in city Community Redevelop- the problem down the road,” Bolduc said after Mon- Many homes in Foxwood Estates have failing sewer ment Agency dollars set aside for the remodeling pro- day’s meeting. “I’m looking for a permanent solution lines, Bolduc told the council Monday. It’s expected to ject. to where we could increase our capacity and treat it cost about $1 million to provide sewer service to the For the upcoming legislative session, Crestview of- here locally.” neighborhood. ficials also will request $750,000 in state money for a The city also will seek as much state money as pos- Crestview officials also will ask legislators to help fire training tower that would be used by city firefight- sible to help it provide sewer service to Foxwood Es- pay for about $350,000 worth of work to provide better ers and firefighters from surrounding jurisdictions.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who currently holds the seat, Hutto also praised Hutto in a statement on Twitter. “Earl Hutto served his nation honorably as a sailor, a Continued from Page 1A statesman, and a community leader,” Gaetz said. “His devotion to service reflected the patriotic spirit of our ing moments he later realized better prepared him for constituency. Our entire district mourns his loss.” everything that happened in his roller coaster life. In Waters said Hutto was a “Reagan Democrat” who high school, he sold newspapers at Fort Rucker. Draft- often voted with Republicans on bills, and he used the ed into the U.S. Navy before finishing school, he “aw shucks” attitude he developed growing up in rural earned his diploma by correspondence. Hutto became Alabama to disarm people. the first in his family to finish college, earning his “A lot of people, I think, to their detriment, mistook bachelor’s degree in Business-English-Education that for a lack of intelligence,” Waters said. “But Earl from Troy State (then known as Troy State Teachers Hutto had learned long ago, the value of being under- College) in 1949. estimated. And he used that to great benefit through- In 1954, Pensacola’s WEAR-Channel 3 was in its in- out his career. … After a while, you would realize that fancy and at age 27, Hutto was hired as the station’s he probably was the smartest person in the room.” first sports director. He became known as Captain Su- Waters recalled Hutto’s first re-election campaign preme, the on-air spokesman for the Dothan Ice in 1980 when he ran against the Republican candidate, Cream Co., which sponsored Rocky Jones, Space former Pensacola Mayor Warren Briggs. As the cam- Ranger, the weekly kids’ show. paign was heating up, Hutto broke his jaw in the annu- Conducting interviews and creating on-air com- al congressional baseball game and doctors had to mercials honed Hutto’s innate ability to connect with wire it shut for it to heal. people and is evident in one of his most enduring traits Congressman Earl Hutto is pictured with his family in Because he could hardly speak, Hutto brought in a — his humble, affable demeanor and direct eye con- this photo from the early 1990s. From left are his woman named Pella Pompier to act as his interpreter tact. It was at Channel 3 that he coined his sports seg- daughter, Amy, wife, Nancy, and daughter, Lori. during campaign events and debates with Briggs. ment sign-off, “Remember, fans, in the game of life, as COURTESY OF UWF HISTORIC TRUST “They would go around to different campaign in any game of ball, play it clean, play it fair, or not at events and Earl would mutter something in her ear,” all.” Waters said. “And then she would come along, and His enthusiasm for broadcasting only heightened first six months on the Hill. with this very melodious voice would explain what after researching opportunities and applying for a FM Craig Waters, who is now communication director Earl had just told her. I really suspect she was ad-lib- radio station license. He personally built and owned for the Florida Supreme Court, was a reporter at the bing quite a lot.” Pensacola’s first FM station. Known as WPEX-FM, the News Journal who covered Hutto in the late 1970s and Bringing in Pompier, Hutto turned his inability to Golden Sound of the Gulf Coast, it offered easy-listen- early 1980s. Waters told the News Journal on Wednes- speak during the campaign into an obstacle for his op- ing music. Shortly after he landed a job with WJHG-TV day that when Hutto won Sikes’ former seat, it was a ponent. Waters said during debates, Briggs going after in Panama City. surprise to everyone. Hutto became him going after Pompier, who would re- Hutto considered his time in Panama City the most “He was viewed as a relatively obscure state legisla- act negatively as if she was being attacked. significant, as that’s where he met Nancy, his beloved tor at the time,” Waters said. “But he came in and he “It came across with this very grandmotherly atti- wife of 53 years, and where their daughters, Lori and immediately took the task of following the interest of tude of her scolding this wayward schoolboy, who was Amy, were born. those military bases, which he certainly understood the former mayor of Pensacola, and Warren never real- A casual remark to a Panama City television col- was how Bob Sikes had made his reputation and how ly figured out quite how to deal with her,” Waters said. league about a desire to enter politics became reality (Hutto) also would make his.” Despite the election of 1980 being the year Ronald when he decided to run for the Florida State Legisla- For the previous four years, Congress had voted to Reagan won the presidency in a landslide, sweeping ture in January 1972. consolidate helicopter training from Whiting Field many congressional Democrats out of office, Hutto Hutto received 85% of the vote and a new phase be- with the Army’s program at Fort Rucker, Alabama. was able to hold on to his seat and keep it until he re- gan. Hutto was convinced that eliminating the Whiting tired. Hutto handily won three terms as Florida’s District Field operations would have been a severe economic In Congress, Earl earned seats on the Merchant Ma- 8 legislator. During his tenure, he successfully au- blow to Northwest Florida. rine and Fisheries Committee and the Armed Services thored several bills, including the Florida Organ Donor Hutto spent months rallying delegates from both Committee, so crucial to Florida’s First District. He Registry; amended child labor laws affecting those sides of the aisle before the bill came before the House went on to chair the Coast Guard and Navigations Sub- who worked on farms; and championed the Florida once again on Sept. 27, 1979. When votes were tallied committee as well as the Panel on Special Operations Education Funding Program, which provides equal with 244 to 131 voting against the $33 million consoli- Forces. In 1989, he became chairman of the Readiness education throughout the state. dation, Hutto had demonstrated he was the man who Subcommittee, where he oversaw a $90 billion annual Perhaps the most controversial issue he addressed could fill the shoes of the legendary Bob Sikes. budget. during this position was the need for implementation After that historic vote, then Sen. Lawton Chiles Hutto also introduced the Sexual Exploitation of of the mandatory statewide setback line on Florida’s commented, “they failed to figure into their calcula- Children Act, and sat on a committee that produced coasts, which had been approved a year earlier. It was tions the Earl Hutto factor.” the most far-reaching reform legislation for the mili- often referred to as the Hutto-Askew Confiscation Hutto was the last Democratic politician to win tary in half a century, the Goldwater Nichols Act. Line. Beach access and beach preservation is still a Northwest Florida’s Congressional District. Those who Hutto was preceded in death by his parents, Lem- highly contested matter to Florida’s voters. held the seat after him offered condolences in mes- mie and Ellie Hutto; his sister, Merle Hutto Blacksher; In 1978, U.S. Congressman Bob Sikes announced his sages posted online Tuesday and Wednesday. and brother, Rex Hutto. He is survived by his wife, decision not to seek re-election to Florida’s 1st District. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough won Hutto’s seat in Nancy; daughters, Lori Hutto and Amy Hutto Stubble- With 38 years in office, Sikes was the longest-serving Congress in 1994 and said Tuesday on Twitter that field and her husband, Marty; granddaughters, Abbie Florida congressman at that time. Hutto put his hat in Hutto will be missed. and Sarah Grace Stubblefield; and granddaughter, El- the ring and a new chapter began. “I was so honored to follow Congressman Earl Hutto lie Stubblefield Escobar, her husband, George; and a Hutto recognized the importance of the military to after he represented FL-1 for 16 years,” Scarborough great-grandchild expected in May of 2021. the district he served. Actively involved in military is- said. “Earl was as good and decent a man as I ever met Final arrangements are pending. sues, his greatest milestone victory came during his in Washington and was a man of great faith.” Portions of this story were taken from a previous Pensacola News Journal story by Julie B. Connerley. PNJ reporter Jim Little also contributed to this story.

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Special to Crestview News Bulletin USA TODAY NETWORK

The Crestview News Bulletin is publishing Santa letters written by North Okaloosa second-graders through Christmas. Dear Santa, How have you been this year? I hope you are doing well. I wanted to share a few things I wanted for Christ- mas this year. I would like a skateboard, skates, a bike, a Barbie doll, a LOL doll, a big Barbie Doll, a boy and girl elf, hair chalk, binger makeup, real earrings, high heels, OMG doll, hairclips, phone case, a new iphone 12, a cute water bottle, a bracelet, necklace, fake eye- lashes, nail polish, and slime. Love, Alexis Dear Santa, I’ve been good. I’ve been getting As and Bs this year. I would like some sketching supplies and a bunch of snacks. I hope you have a nice trip from the North Pole to Florida. Merry Christmas Santa. Love, Ollie Dear Santa, Is it cold up there? It is kind of cold here. I would like for Christmas is a new scooter, a new tent, a jewelry kit, and a Gotta go flamingo. Please bring something to my daddy in Korea. Love, Rosie Dear Santa, I want a JoJo dress. I also want a unicorn mug and unicorn slippers. Thank you for making things at Christmas time. Does Rudolph like carrots? Be careful when you deliver all the presents on Christmas Eve Enjoy these letters from North Okaloosa second-graders. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO night. Love, Macie Dear Santa, How has it been in the North Pole? I hope you have a Dear Santa, Dear Santa, safe trip to Florida for Christmas. I would like an Amer- How have you been this year? I can’t wait for you to Are you ready for the big trip? I have been a good boy ican flag for my razor. I think I have been a good boy. come see me this year! I have been a good girl. I would this year. Here are a few things I would like for Christ- Love, Fisher like a Barbie house. I will leave you milk and cookies on mas, a gaming chair, a running watch and a new switch Dear Santa Claus, Christmas Eve. Love, Nevaeh controller. I hope you have a safe trip! Love Ayden I hope you, Mrs. Claus, the elves and reindeer are Dear Santa, Dear Santa, doing well. I have been a very good girl this year. I How are you doing? I’m doing well. What would you I have been a good boy. There are a few things I would like a Camera to take pictures with for Christ- like for Christmas? What is your favorite type of cook- would like a computer for Christmas. What are your mas and also a reborn doll. Thank you Santa. Love, ie? I will list 3things I want this Christmas. I want a favorite cookies? I hope you have a safe trip. Love, Chloey bike and a nerf gun. Love, Noah Bradley Dear Santa, Dear Santa, Dear Santa, I would like for Christmas is a phone, dirt bike, and How was your Summer break? I have been a good I would like lots of shoes, Fort Nite figures, books, an i-pad. I hope you like the milk and cookies that I boy. Here are some things I want. I would like bay- hot wheels, a Play Station 5, and a pet dog. I hope you leave for you. Have a safe trip. Love, Averitt blades, and Avenger toys. We have some treats for you have a safe trip. I will leave some milk and cookies for Dear Santa Claus, when you visit. Love, Arren you. Love, David Have you been staying safe with the COVID-19? I Dear Santa, Dear Santa, think I will be on the nice list(again) as I’ve been a very How are the elves? I hope they are doing good! I What is your favorite cookies? I want 100 hatchi- good girl this year. Here are a few things on my Christ- would like a new bicycle and a Nintendo Switch for mals, ten big hatchimals, 1,000 LOL dolls, and 5,000 mas list...telescope, real life doll, clip on earrings and Christmas. Thank you for everything! Love, Cole big LOL dolls. I promise to be a good girl. Love, Cooper some nail polish. Do you like chocolate chip cookies or Dear Santa, Dear Santa, sugar cookies? I will be sure to leave some out. Be safe I’ve wanted to see how you do it all in one night. I am 8 years old. How are you, Mrs. Claus, the elves, out there! Your friend, Josalyn How are you doing so far this year? Merry Christmas to and the reindeer doing this year? I was wondering if Dear Santa, you! I have a lot for you. I just want to spend time with you were going to be able to deliver presents to all the I have been a good girl this year. My year was good my family. Nothing is more important. There's nothing boys and girls around the world as usual because of and I played with my friends this year. I can’t wait to more important than spending time with my family. Covid-19. If you are I would like v-bucks, a screen pro- come see you and tell you what I want for Christmas. I Love, Zachary tector for switch. I will leave milk and cookies for you am really hoping for a choker necklace. Love, Amelia and carrots for the reindeer. Love, Declan AC PROBLEM?

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OUR VIEW ANOTHER VIEW

A bartender prepares large format cocktails to-go at Grove in Lakewood Ranch. Two lawmakers have proposed a bill that would allow Florida restaurants to continue serving alcohol to-go with food orders, provided the drinks are in sealed containers and the establishments meet other requirements. HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2020 ‘Drinks to go’ makes sense During the coronavirus pandemic, Florida restaurants took it on the chin. Even before Gov. Ron De- Santis shut down in-person dining in March, many were voluntarily limiting capacity. And though the governor gradually eased Florida restaurants and bars back to full capacity, a significant number of customers saw on-premises dining as too risky. Legislature listens The result has been widespread suffering in the restaurant industry. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association reported in September that more than 336,000 hospitality workers have lost their jobs. The review site Yelp identified restaurants to business owners and bars as the hardest-hit among businesses listed on its site; through Aug. 31, 10,200 restaurants in Florida were listed as “closed,” with about 70 percent By the Miami Herald Editorial Board of those closures believed to be permanent. Mean- while, the ones that have remained open often oper- In Florida, when business speaks, the Legislature ate with smaller staffs, limited hours and fewer menu listens. options. And when business is under threat, the state’s Re- The one bright spot – and for many restaurants, publican leadership can catapult itself into action, the lifeline – has been the explosion of carry-out din- for example, passing the Clean Waterways Act to rein ing. It’s a sparser option for restaurants, because it in toxic blue-green algae, which ravaged Florida wa- frequently deprives them of the chance to “upsell” ters in recent years. profitable add-ons such as appetizers, desserts and, Algae blooms, deadly to wildlife, were toxic to rev- most of all, alcoholic beverages. Foreseeing that, De- enue-generating tourism and recreation, too. Gov. Santis included a provision in his March shutdown Ron DeSantis made reducing nutrients entering the order allowing restaurants to offer wine, beer and state’s waterways and groundwater a priority. Give cocktails as to-go options as part of a food order, so some credit for the success to the Southwest Florida long as the drinks are sealed in containers and only Alliance of Chambers, made up of hundreds of busi- consumed once customers have reached their desti- nesses in the region that made clean water their sin- nation. That dispensing dispensation has become a gular mission. saving grace for some restaurants, industry experts Now, Florida businesses are taking the lead in say. adapting their strategies to address — and survive — A pair of state senators want to make drinks to go a sea-level rise and a changing climate. They know permanent possibility for Florida eateries. They are that climate change is bad for business. And they not only are taking the lead, they are taking responsibil- See DRINKS, Page 7A ity to be part of the solution. Florida legislators have failed to do either until recently, and even then, they barely took a baby step. “The bar is so low for what counts as action be- The bloom of a fallen flower floats in an cause we’ve had inaction, hostility or optics from Tal- algae-covered canal near the Midpoint Bridge in lahassee,” former state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez Cape Coral on Aug. 8, 2018. Cape Coral-based told the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Ecological Laboratories has a possible solution to the CRESTVIEW “Legislative leaders can talk about future propos- algae problem that is plaguing Cape Coral and als that deal with the impact of climate in vague Southwest Florida waters. They got a letter of no terms — and it’s seen as Florida finally taking action objection to start testing a section of this canal that by a lot a people.” is filled with algae. They took water samples on Aug. But lawmakers who might foolishly dismiss envi- 28, 2018. The process involves a denitrification Address: 638 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536 ronmentalists’ concerns need to listen to business, process. Online: crestviewbulletin.com take those concerns seriously and address them with ANDREW WEST/THE NEWS-PRESS, ANDREW WEST/THE NEWS-PRESS sound, practical and forward-looking policies. Address: 638 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536 Online: crestviewbulletin.com And "The Invading Sea" is going to make it easy for them to get up to speed. homes in Florida most at risk from rising seas by 2045 Publisher Jim Fletcher...... [email protected] Monday, our network of news outlets around the contribute almost $350 million in property taxes. Editorial Assistant state will kick off “The Business of Climate Change,” Those at risk by 2100 contribute $5 billion. The major- Renee Bell ...... [email protected] a weekly series of interviews with Florida business ity are in South Florida or the Tampa Bay area. Legals CNB...... [email protected] leaders discussing the challenges of rising seas, how Former Sen. Rodriguez was the Legislature’s most Legals NWF Daily News ...... [email protected] they are confronting the issue — and who needs to vocal, and accomplished, champion of confronting Circulation Assistant Dale Robinson...... [email protected] sign on as partners in the battle. changing climate. Media Consultant That means you, foot-dragging state lawmakers. “The impact for business, the economic piece, is ob- Sherrie Stanley...... [email protected] Each piece, posted at theinvadingsea.com, will in- vious, looking at taxes, tax base, the state’s bond rat- Receptionist & Legal Clerk clude a written question-and-answer interview, plus ing, infrastructure and where and how you make long- Shannon Agerton...... [email protected] Ashley Davis...... [email protected] a recorded video chat. term investment,” Rodriguez said. But when it comes First up: Philip Stoddard, former mayor of South to protecting Florida’s economic prowess and its busi- SUBSCRIPTION RATES Miami and a professor of biological sciences at Flori- nesses, Rodriguez says, “The state hasn’t yet shown it In County 13 weeks...... $9.45 da International University in Miami, will discuss the has a commitment.” 26 weeks ...... $17.85 innovative idea of “climate restoration bonds.” This year, Rodriguez cobbled together a bipartisan 52 weeks...... $32.76 According to restorationbonds.org: “Developers coalition to pass his Senate Bill 178, forward-looking Out of county and subsequent property buyers can post a surety legislation that says when state funds are being spent 13 weeks...... $14.70 26 weeks ...... $23.10 bond or pay into a restoration fund that will cover the on a proposed development in a coastal zone, there 52 weeks ...... $38.01 clean-up and site restoration costs. Spread over time, must first be a sea-level impact analysis so that tax- Delivery subscriptions may be charged a higher rate for holiday the costs are low and affordable, but the money will payers know just how much value they are getting — or editions. be there when needed, even if the owner walks away not getting — for construction along the threatened NEWS BULLETIN ADVERTISING or declares bankruptcy.” coasts. Ask your advertising representative about all available options It’s an idea worth exploring, especially because SB 178, now law, is a planning tool, not one of en- by calling 850-682-6524. taxpayers are not on the hook for those clean-up forcement. “Senate Bill 178 says we are already spend- CONTACT US costs. ing money, let’s know what we’re doing when we Call 682-6524 to report news, subscribe or learn about our Make no mistake: The changing climate already spend it,” Rodriguez said. classified and display advertising options. The Crestview News costs Floridians. In some cases, they are voluntarily But even though, as the former senator acknowl- Bulletin is published each Wednesday and Saturday by Gannett at 638 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL32536. paying for seawalls and street pumps. But it also edges, the law can’t derail a project, it was like pulling Periodical postage paid at Crestview, Florida. POSTMASTER: means the possibility of higher taxes to drill new teeth to push through even that measure of scrutiny. Send address changes to 638 N. Ferson Blvd., Crestview, FL wellfields because saltwater intrusion has damaged “The primary challenges to dealing with climate 32536. USPS 010-209 existing ones; coral reefs are dying as oceans absorb right now are all political,” he said. “It’s not like we All material is property of the Crestview News Bulletin. more than a quarter of greenhouse-gas emissions, don’t know what we should be doing. With COVID, we making waters too acidic. It’s a threat to tourism, on are building the plane as we fly it. That’s not the case which so many Florida communities rely. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that See LEGISLATURE, Page 7A crestviewbulletin.com | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | 5A Antioch Santa letters, Stacy Callahan's class

Special to Crestview News Bulletin Dear Santa, USA TODAY NETWORK Chrismas time is almost here and I’m so excied! This year I would like an The Crestview News Bulletin is pub- O.M.G remix super suprize with 2 rock lishing Santa letters written by North bands, a new puffy jacket, and for my Okaloosa second-graders through family and friends to be happy. Thank Christmas. you for sending Snowflake back! Happy Dear Santa, Holidays, Addison Santa I am so excited for Christmias! Dear Santa, I hope your elves are ready for Christ- Hey! Santa, are you excited for mias. I want a happy mom and I want a Christmas? Santa, may I have a morph- hoverboard please. I need a new pair of boad? I want my family to have a good soks. Merry Christmas, Corra Christmas. Merry Christmas, Savannah Dear Santa, Dear Santa, I want a toy car a toy car and I need I can’t wait for Christmas and i’ve al- clothes and pants for Christmas. Merry ready thought of a gift. I want a fake Christmas, Kaiser bunny that looks like a rel bunny. I need Dear Santa, new jeans and for my family to be happy How are you doing? How many elves for Christmas. Merry Christmas, Brook- do you have? I would like a roller skate lynn with a walker with wheels, plees. I need Dear Santa, a new jacket and a happy school plees. How are you doing? Santa, I would Merry Chrismas, Kenzie like a GoPro and if you can get my dad a Dear Santa, black watch. That would be good want Enjoy these letters from North Okaloosa second-graders. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO I am so happy because Christmas is my family to be happy and glad. Love, almost here! What I want for Christmas Brycen R. is a PC computer. What I need for Christ- Dear Santa, mas are pjs and shoes for Christmas. I would really want a Nintendo for Merry Christmas, Bryce G. Christmas. I need my famy, friends, and Dear Santa, my teacher. just want everybody in my Are you excited for Christmas? What life to have presents and be joyful. mer- I want for Christmas is the phone that ry holidays, Jonas you can put money in, one peir of shoes, Dea Santa, and to spend Chrismas with my whole I really want a Nintendo Switch a pair family. Merry Christmas, Mia of shoes for Christmas. Hoppy Hoipays, Dear Santa, Romel Up To 10.25 Hi How are you doing? and what Dear Santa, BATTERY LIFE! about Rudolph? are you going to be able Oh man I can’t wait untill Christmas! to get thorgh the coranavirus? I hope so Are you happy? This year, I need a new OxyGo becuse I want a laser battle hunter for pair of pants. I also need evryone to be 5 Settings | 4.8 lbs Christmis I also need to see my mom happy. The present I want the most is 8.75” x 3.0” x 7.25” sooner than it should take for Christms. stuffed animals. Merry Christmas, Jor- Merry Christmis, Paxton dan Dear Santa, Dear Santag are you excied about Christmas? Merry Chrisms Santa! I need a long what I want for Christmas Barbies, and I sleeved shirt and long pants please. I OxyGo FIT™ need shoes. Merry Christmas, Amery want a Nintendo Switch. Mierry Chrit- UP TO 5 Hour Dear Sonta, mas, Devon Battery Life Hii I am excited for Christmas! Are Dear Santa, 3 Settings l 2.8lbs. you I need my baby sister to have a great How are you Santa? I want a phone 5.91” x 2.68” x 7.2” birthday. I would like new clothes form. for Christmas. I need a new jacket and Love Alexa for my family to be happy. Merry Christ- Dear Santa, mas, Piper Have you been having fun? I have. I Dear Santo want a new dinopedia, and I need for Whot do you do up there in the North FAMILY–OWNED & OPERATED you to make my mom feel better and be Pole? for Christmas I want X-box game I 850.331.7831 able to spend more time with my family. need my family and my cats to have fun. Merry Christmas, Skyler Merry Crismis, Matthew M-F9amto5pm/Sat10amto2pm SERVING NICEVILLE since 2002 NF-11111050 ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS!

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Visitors visit the campﬁre of Joseph, a lowly carpenter from Nazareth, played by Kyle Lusk. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HUGHES/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Nativity

Continued from Page 1A

local celebrations were shuttered this Because of you, season. Guests from Niceville, Fort Wal- ton Beach, Holt, Crestview, Baker; and Florala, Andalusia and Bradley, all in we’re building up Alabama, joined Laurel Hill locals in at- tendance. They followed a winding can- dlelit path around the historic 1902 church's spacious yard. our communities "Two of our cast members had brushes with the coronavirus at the last The historic 1902 Laurel Hill minute, so we had to change up the cast Presbyterian Church, one of the together. a little," Broadhead said. "We dropped region's few examples of carpenter the Angel of the Lord, reassigned two of Gothic wooden church architecture, is the wise men, and had the third reimag- dressed in its Advent ﬁnery for its ined as a retired magi reminiscing about annual Living Nativity. Over 900 �� the marvelous journey he and his two �� colleagues had made to Bethlehem �� $3,334,663 �� many years before. Our many returnees Individually-packed bags of cookies loved it!" awaited guests at an outdoor table as Past productions had groups of 10 or they departed. �� gannettfoundation.org/act� 15 people assemble in the church sanc- As for those two cast members, their tuary, then proceed for an introduction subsequent COVID-19 tests were nega- to their journey at the home of "Dr. tive, thankfully, and members of Laurel Luke." They would then return to the Hill Presbyterian look forward to wel- Fellowship Hall for refreshments. coming them back to next year's Living This year, church members wel- Nativity cast.

PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK comed guests at the street and invited "We are still pleased that we were them to proceed right to Dr. Luke's able to share the blessing of the story of house in small groups of friends or fam- Jesus's miraculous incarnation with 81 ily, There, Dr. and Mrs. Luke, played by people, and hope they enjoyed this Ron and Pauline Medlock, welcomed year's rather unusual production of our them from their front porch. Living Nativity," Broadhead said.

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NF-11111938 crestviewbulletin.com | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | 7A Legislature “The primary challenges to Continued from Page 4A ATTENTION dealing with climate right with climate change.” now are all political. It’s not Unfortunately, Rodriguez lost his bid SUBSCRIBERS! for reelection when a “phantom” candi- like we don’t know what we date with the same last name siphoned oﬀ votes he likely would have received. should be doing. With The sabotage not only cost him the Sen- COVID, we are building the ate seat, it cost climate-concerned Flo- ridians a champion. plane as we fly it. That’s not Florida businesses, small and large, the case with climate stand ready to step into the breach and raise their voices. Florida lawmakers change.” would be wise to listen. Former State Sen. Jose Javier “The Invading Sea” is the opinion Rodriguez arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news or- ported by a grant from the Environmen- ganizations across the state. It is sup- tal Defense Fund.

Drinks Other restaurants are experimenting Continued from Page 4A as well. St. Augustine’s famous Columbia Restaurant offers its on the right track. Done right, this could signature sangria in to-go portions, provide a bump in profit for restaurants. and Cantina Louie’s, one of the newest And it makes customers happy, says chains in the area, sells margaritas in Errin Reese, bar manager at LuLu’s shareable sizes from its restaurants in Oceanside Grill in Ormond Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, which serves a wide range of signature Palm Coast and Daytona Beach. Subscription payments are no longer cocktails featuring fresh-squeezed juice processed locally. and will be forwarded and house-made syrups, wines by the Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would both glass and beers to go. “Our alcohol sales accomplish that, enshrining in law the to our lockbox for processing. have definitely risen,” she says. Drinks rules that restaurants like Lulus’ are al- Mailing subscription payments to our are served in lidded, sealed cups with- ready using. out straws, and customers are told they To satisfy potential naysayers, we’d local address will cause delay. can’t be consumed in their vehicles. suggest one addition: Include an infor- Other restaurants are experimenting mation-gathering element that could Please make subscription payments online or as well. St. Augustine’s famous Colum- quickly determine whether Floridians bia Restaurant offers its signature san- are compliant with those regulations. It please mail subscription payments to: gria in to-go portions, and Cantina could be as simple as asking police to TheHolmes Santa County Rosa Times-Advertiser, Press Gazette Louie’s, one of the newest chains in the note, on DUI arrest forms and citations area, sells margaritas in shareable sizes for open-container violation, whether POPO Box 791074, 791075, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD MD 21279-1074 21279-1075 from its restaurants in Ponte Vedra the offending alcohol was obtained at a Beach, St. Augustine, Palm Coast and restaurant for off-premises consump- Daytona Beach. tion. If drinks to go become a problem, DeSantis said in September that he lawmakers can revisit the restrictions. favored making the to-go rule perma- We suspect, however, that this won’t PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDEYOUR nent. “I think that you guys need all the have a significant impact on public safe- ACCOUNT NUMBER IN THE MEMO FIELD help you can get, and I think it would ty. And it could provide a real boost to an make a lot of sense,” DeSantis told a industry that is critical to Florida’s sta- gathering of restaurant owners in Ft. tus as one of the world’s top tourist des- Myers. Bills filed by Sen. Jennifer Brad- tinations. This should be an easy ‘yes’ ley, R-Fleming Island, and Sen. Jeff for lawmakers.

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TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD CALL: 352-807-2657 or 352-807-5898 • HELP WANTED: EMAIL [email protected]

THIRTY DAYS AFTER pending in the Circuit Niceville, FL 32578 THE DATE OF SERV- Court for Okaloosa FOR LEASE ICE OF A COPY OF County, Florida, Pro- Grant Martin Tully Don’t share office THIS NOTICE ON bate Division, the ad- 601 Parkdale Avenue space! Small and THEM. dress of which is 101 Rochester, MI 48307 WANTED!! large private offices All other creditors of James Lee Blvd E., Local Non-Profit needs - No sharing of the decedent and per- Crestview, FL 32536. Joseph Peter Tully CLIMATE common area or sons having claims or ALL INTERESTED 1601 Wake Lane CONTROLLED bath! Central Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 demands against the PERSONS ARE NOTI- STORAGE L o c a t i o n . decedent’s estate, in- FIED THAT: 10 x 15. Leave mes- cluding unmatured, All creditors of the de- Patrick Benton Tully sage with location 850-682-4220. contingent or unliqui- cedent and other per- 2175 Kinsley Lane (FWB) & cost. 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Pandemic, loss unite 2 rural Missouri pastors around faith

Luis Andres Henao, David Crary and Jessie Wardarski ASSOCIATED PRESS

NOEL, Mo. – Thirty miles of rural Missouri separate the two churches, and so much else. One is mostly white; the other hosts services in five lan- guages for a flock that spans the world. Still, every Tuesday the pastors meet midway between their houses of worship, seeking each other’s counsel, sharing their joys – and, more often, their burdens. Because in these pandemic-wracked days, they are some- times overwhelmed by the crucible of ministering. “Whether it be the death of a mem- ber, whether it be somebody upset, whether it be losing funding, whether it be just all sorts of different things, or maybe just our own depression, just Pastor Mike Leake, of Calvary of Neosho, a Southern Baptist church, rests his head on his Bible as he prays during service dealing with being locked up at home,” in Neosho, Mo., Nov. 22. JESSIE WARDARSKI/AP said pastor Mike Leake at Calvary of Ne- osho, a Southern Baptist church. And still, they persevere. While they ahead. both want to keep parishioners safe, “I have to basically balance two dif- they are determined to carry on with in- ferent things,” the 41-year-old pastor person services as long as members of said. “I have to preach the gospel. The their congregations are eager to attend. church has to meet together. Businesses “Our mission to profess the Gospel have to run. Without the poultry indus- doesn’t end because the coronavirus is try running, people don’t get paid, and here,” said pastor Joshua Manning of people don’t eat.” the Community Baptist Church in Noel. “You have to have school, you have to “And so, we have to still function. We have those things. And doing any of still have to preach. We still have to meet those things causes risk.” together.” Speaking in his second-floor office On a given Sunday, Community Bap- after a day of back-to-back services, tist offers five services for five interna- Manning said the church was still “af- tional congregations – in all, about 200 fected by COVID, but … the effect isn’t people – who worship at the church in largely negative.” Noel. The pandemic, he said, also brought The town of 1,800 in the far south- a revival of faith. He estimated that in west corner of Missouri has a large im- the past three months, a record 50 peo- migrant population, including Pacific ple have been baptized in the five con- Pastor Luke Jesse of the First Marshallese Throne in Jouj church wears a mask as Islanders, Mexicans, Sudanese and ref- gregations that worship in his church. he baptizes Danny Baro on Sunday, Nov. 22 in Noel, Mo. After the coronavirus ugees from Myanmar. Most arrived here “The spiritual hunger of people is swept through the town of about 1,800 people, the First Marshallese Throne in drawn by the opportunity of a job at the very different than what it was before,” Jouj and four other churches that worship at the building of the Community local Tyson Foods chicken processing said Manning. Baptist Church experienced a faith revival with an estimated 50 baptisms in plant. Melody Binejal, 27, a Hawaiian of three months. JESSIE WARDARSKI/AP At the start of June, McDonald Coun- Marshallese parents who moved to Noel ty, where Noel is located, had fewer than this year, was baptized on a recent Sun- and local restrictions, halted such ser- As of late November, no one in the two dozen confirmed cases of COVID-19. day at the church. Her father-in-law vices for seven weeks while resorting to congregation had died of COVID-19, By June 23, 498 cases had been con- died after contracting the virus. online worship. Leake said, but several contracted the firmed. Three days later, Tyson Foods It’s a struggle, she said, but “it’s the On May 10, as the restrictions on in- disease or had friends or relatives who announced that 371 employees tested perfect time to just give your life to Je- door gatherings eased, Leake resumed died. positive for COVID-19 at its chicken sus, because you never know when or services at the church. Worshippers Throughout the pandemic, Leake has processing plant in Noel. Tyson said it is what time he’s going to arrive and just were asked to maintain 6 feet of social encouraged Calvary worshippers to implementing a new COVID monitoring take everything away from us.” distance and no longer gather in prayer wear masks, but has not mandated it. strategy, but did not provide an update A 30-mile drive north from Noel is circles. The offering plate was no longer Scott Tucker, who works at a local golf on confirmed cases up to December de- the town of Neosho, nicknamed the passed through the congregation; in- course, is in the majority that does not. spite multiple requests. Flower Box City. Its population of 12,000 stead, donation baskets were placed at “I’m not going to live in fear,” he said. At the onset of the pandemic, Man- is far less diverse than Noel’s – roughly exits. “Whatever happens here on this Earth ning closed the church for two months 85% white, with relatively few immi- When the church reopened, drawing isn’t going to affect my eternity. … If I die to follow safety guidelines. When he re- grants. a congregation about half the normal from COVID, then I’m better off anyway, opened it in June, he contracted the vi- Back in March, the coronavirus size, Neosho’s Newton County of because I know where I’m going.” rus and was forced to shut it down again seemed to pose no threat to southwest 58,000 people had recorded only 19 Leake, 39, says the issue has troubled for a month. Missouri as its toll mounted overseas cases. By July 1, there had been 427 many local pastors. His wife, Lauren, and three children and in a few distant parts of the U.S. cases; by late November, about 3,000. “If you had a mask mandate, you’d also were sickened, as was Lauren’s But late on March 9, a day before Cal- The county’s COVID-19 death toll stood have people leave your church,” Leake grandfather, who died in October. And vary of Neosho was to send a mission at one in early June; it’s now approach- said. “By the same token, you’d have the church’s Spanish-language pastor, trip to Mexico, Leake learned that the ing 40. some people leaving if you don’t man- Roberto Nunez, died in July. A pastor Southern Baptists’ International Mis- Like other Neosho pastors, Leake has date masks.” has been driving more than five hours sion Board had urged churches to cancel wrestled with whether Calvary should It’s hard being a minister these days, back and forth from Nebraska to lead such trips. Calvary did so. again halt in-person services. Instead, he said. “Some weeks I don’t know a sin- the Spanish service each Sunday. Leake held an in-person service the he’s encouraging congregants to stay gle pastor who wants to be pastoring Amid all of this, Manning has pushed next Sunday and then, following state away if they’re sick or at risk. right now.”

Christ still shines today

Bible. This is among the most favorite. great joy the incarnation, the fulfilling of light shone on. The gospel of John was written with Immanuel – God with us, the coming of Jesus was later crucified and killed. the intent to appeal to the Greek intelli- light into the world. They thought they had won. But they From the Pulpit gentsia. They enjoyed philosophical God saw the plight of humanity and had failed. He rose from the dead. The Rev. Mark Broadhead discussions, using metaphors and simi- realized something needed to be done – light shone on. And it still shines today. Columnist les. personally. So God came to this world in Darkness can never conquer light. So John accommodated them, sub- person through a tiny baby born in More darkness cannot be added to any stituting Jesus Christ with “the Word.” Bethlehem. situation to snuff out light. The only way John 1:1-5 in the New Revised Stan- John used language he knew would God brought true light into the world; darkness increases is when light de- dard version states: “In the beginning draw the Greeks into a discussion and light that brings joy and peace. This creases. was the Word, and the Word was with better understanding. light shines everywhere when people So remember this on Christmas Day, God, and the Word was God. He was in The metaphors of “light” and “dark- are able and willing to see it. that God’s light came into the world the beginning with God. ness” were used. Although not new con- And no matter how much evil there is through Jesus Christ. That light will al- "All things came into being through cepts in describing good and evil, it was in the world the gift of God’s light can ways shine. If it seems to have dimmed, him, and without him not one thing again a description of how the goodness never be conquered. change your focus. came into being. What has come into of Christ shines in every circumstance After Jesus was born, Herod tried to The light of Jesus Christ still shines being in him was life, and the life was in life. have the baby Jesus killed. It failed. The brightly. You will see it when you look. the light of all people. The light shines in “The light shines in the darkness, light shone on. Merry Christmas! the darkness, and the darkness did not and the darkness did not overcome it.” The religious leaders sought numer- The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at overcome it.” The celebration of Christmas is fast ous times to have Jesus arrested and Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and I have many favorite passages in the approaching. It is the day we recall with thrown in prison. These plots failed. The First Presbyterian Church of Crestview. 10A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | CRESTVIEW NEWS BULLETIN

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Holidays Taste Better with Natural Gas

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe courtesy of www.lilluna.com INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS 1/2 cup butter softened 1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, oven to 350 and line two baking sheets with 3/4 cup sugar beat together the butter and sugar, until light parchment or spray with cooking spray. 1 large egg and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and food Roll the dough into one inch balls, and top each 1 tsp vanilla extract coloring, and mix until smooth. ball with a few extra chocolate chips. Bake 9 1 tsp red food coloring 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa minutes, then remove from oven. The cookies 1 1/4 cup flour powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. will be puffy and fat, then flatten slightly as they 1/4 cup cocoa powder Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1/2 tsp salt and mix until just combined. Fold in the white 10 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. 1 tsp baking powder chocolate chips. 1/2 tsp baking soda 3. Refrigerate the dough 30 minutes. During the 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips last ten minutes of chilling time, preheat the 729-4700 • OkaloosaGas.com