Top 10 most viewed Crestview Bulletin stories in 2019

CRESTVIEW — With 2019 coming to a close, the Crestview News Bulletin wanted to take a look back at our top stories throughout 2019.

This year, with two of the top five stories being about new restaurants coming to town, it’s easy to see that our readers were interested and excited about new eateries.

Other stories in the top 10 include a few sad stories, some fun stories, deaths, country music singer Luke Bryan and a couple of legal issues.

Let’s take a look at what readers were interested in:

1. Crestview resident killed in ATV accident – 22,871 page views

In July, a tragic accident at Boggs & Boulders in Andalusia, Alabama took the life of a 21-year-old Crestview woman.

Bridget Allen was killed after the Polaris RZR she was driving flipped. A passenger, Autumn Cadenhead, was also injured in the crash survived.

Allen was survived by her boyfriend and their 3-year-old son.

2. 72 live roaches, roach feces cited in restaurant inspection – 12,810 page views

In May, two area restaurants were temporarily closed after health inspectors found multiple violations.

Peking House in Navarre had violations including 72 live roaches found in the kitchen, roach feces, a roach egg on the floor and two eggs under the grill. Jin Jin in Crestview had five violations including the finding of 20 live roaches and raw animal foods not separated.

Both restaurants were allowed to reopen the next day.

3. 4 new restaurants coming to Crestview – 11,331 page views

In June, a list of four restaurants set to come to the city were released.

Fresh Table Gastro Pub, Juicy Crabhouse, Voodoo BBQ & Grill and Yardbirds were all in the process of opening. Since then, three of the restaurants (excluding Fresh Table Gastro Pub) have opened for business.

4. What’s cooking: Three new restaurants coming to Crestview – 11,328 page views

In November, another list of three additional restaurants set to open was released.

Crooked Tale Gastro Pub, Panda Express and The Heights Classic Chicago Cuisine were all named as restaurants preparing to open. Panda Express opened earlier this month, while the other two have yet to be opened.

5. Crestview man convicted for sex trafficking of a child – 9,326

In November, Crestview resident Anthony J. Miles was found guilty on the charge of human sex trafficking of a child. According to a press release from the State Attorney’s office, Miles placed advertisements on BackPage that featured sexually explicit photos of a minor and offered services for a fee. The wording of the ads suggested sexual services and that drugs would be involved.

Miles is awaiting a sentencing date of January 13. He is facing a sentence of up to life in prison. He will also e designated as a sexual predator and required to register as such for life.

6. 21 pets discovered dead at home near Crestview – 8,987 page views

In March, 21 pets were found dead at a home on Woodcliff Drive after an Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy noticed the smell and saw dead animals while checking on the welfare of a woman believed to be living there.

Nine dogs, six cats and two rabbits were found in a garbage can in various stages of decomposition. Another four dead dogs were found wrapped in blankets in the treeline.

7. Man dead after shooting himself in ER – 8,840 page views

In July, a press release from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a man walked into the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and shot himself.

8. 2 Okaloosa elementary staff members placed on leave – 8,039 page views

In October, two Walker Elementary School staff members were placed on administrative leave, while an investigation into a second-grade student being made to “duck walk” in front of his classmates as a form of discipline was conducted.

According to the child’s mother, her 8-year-old son was disciplined technique, in which children by being made to squat and walk like a duck in front of classmates.

9. Luke Bryan among a busy Crab Island crowd on Fourth (VIDEO) – 7,770 page views

On the Fourth of July, a video of country music star Luke Bryan went viral.

Bryan posted a video on his Instagram of he and his wife at Crab Island in Destin during the holiday.

10. Florida lawmakers file bill to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over 21 – 6,939 page views

In June, Florida lawmakers filed a bill that could legalize marijuana in the state for adults 21 and over.

Under the bill, anyone over 21 will be able to “use, possess and transport” up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana along with pot accessories.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Top 10 most viewed Crestview Bulletin stories in 2019