North Okaloosa Community Briefs

CRESTVIEW — Here are some of the latest North Okaloosa events, from Northwest Florida organizations.

Crestview Fire Department extinguishes vehicle, dumpster fires

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Fire Department responded to a fully involved vehicle fire at 10 p.m. Sept. 21 at the intersection of Tallokas and Old Bethel Roads in Crestview.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. 

According to an online CFD Facebook post, the fire was the result of the driver of the vehicle losing control and overcorrecting, causing the vehicle to leave the road and then return back to the roadway.

"Once the vehicle had returned to the roadway, damage from under the vehicle created friction with the roadway asphalt. It is believed that the fuel tank had ruptured and the heat caused by the roadway friction lead to the ignition of the fire," the CFD stated in the post. 

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire and the vehicle was considered a total loss. The Crestview Police Department also assisted with the incident.

The CFD also responded to several dumpster fires after 3 a.m. Tuesday in the Miramar Apartment Complex on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Crestview, according to information on the CFD Facebook page.

"Firefighters arrived at the apartment complex and were able to quickly extinguish the dumpster fires. Personnel were not able to determine what, or who, caused the fires, but it is believed to be the result of criminal mischief," the CFD stated.

The fires caused minimal damage to both dumpsters and their contents, but no other property was damaged. No injuries were reported as the result of the fires. The Crestview Police Department also assisted with the incident.

Okaloosa commissioners board passes surprise county clerk audit

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County Clerk agents visited all locations of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Sept. 10 and 13 to ensure all funds were accounted for and used appropriately, as well as to inspect the cash collection procedures and physical safeguards in place to protect the taxpayers’ money from theft and fraud. No discrepancies were noted at any locations.

In a statement to the Board, County Clerk J.D. Peacock stated that the results of the audit were exceptional, with no discrepancies were noted in any of the locations.

While this was not a full review of the practices in place, it shows the level of honesty and

transparency the Board of County Commissioner’s employees operate with on a daily basis, the BOCC stated.

“County government will never be perfect, but I am very pleased at the great strides in accountability that have been made over the last six years. Clerk Peacock has been an invaluable partner, working with the Commission and County staff to develop a 'trust but verify' culture that promotes integrity and open communication,” Commissioner Nathan Boyles said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Community Briefs