Government

Hendry BOCC approves cellphone tower in Port LaBelle

At the Aug. 25 meeting of the Board of Hendry County Commissioners Skyway Towers LLC requested...

Hendry BOCC recognizes Charlene O. Cooper

Charlene O. Cooper (front center) was recognized for 10 years of service to the citizens of Hendry County...

Audelia Bustamante recognized for 10 years of service

Audelia Bustamante (front center) was recognized for 10 years of service to the citizens of Hendry County...
HURRICANE NEWS
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A record-breaking hurricane season? Reasons to stay prepared with FPL

With the Atlantic on track to potentially set a new record for the latest first hurricane of the season ...
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Halfway through Hurricane Season – but the busiest part is still ahead

True Floridians know that the second half of hurricane season is the busiest, so now is not the time to let your...
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Local storm-chaser faces storms both inside and outside his body

There is a saying that if you choose a career you love, you will never work a day in your life.
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Partly Cloudy, 77 °F
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a steady … Get the full forecast
Lake levels
11.88 feet
Last year: 13.58 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest
The Cohen family has visited 49 of the 50 states in the United States, traveling as a family in their RV.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes , a national award that recognizes inspiring, public-spirited young people, announces its 2026 winners.
Molly O’Neil’s Mini Rex doe won best in show, and her senior solid Holland lop won best of variety in the Holland lop specialty show!
Schools
Eighth grade geography students at Yearling Middle School completed a Hispanic heritage culture project...
Osceola Middle School hosted its first Club Day of the school year on Friday, Sept. 25. Students had a great...
The following Central Elementary School classes earned all of their letters in Perfect Attendance...
Wildlife & Environment
MOORE HAVEN -- The Fisheating Creek Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host an outing on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 a.m.
Flows through the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) will rely on basin runoff and will NOT be supplemented with Lake Okeechobee water ...
Community
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Community theatre presents compelling drama 'Proof'

Okeechobee Community Theatre opened their 2026/2027 season with an emotional drama that tackles the difficult issue of mental illness.
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Volunteers form human chain to unload pumpkins

OKEECHOBEE – The First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is back!
Flyer courtesy Smithsonian

Smithsonian traveling exhibition, 'Americans' comes to Okeechobee

Okeechobee Main Street and Okeechobee Historical Society will host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Americans”
Police/Fire
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) joins partner agencies in sharing the results of Operation Saturday Night Fever, a coordinated overnight commercial motor vehicle enforcemen
An Okeechobee woman was arrested after she allegedly participated in a group attack on another woman.
Opinion
When people hear the words "property tax amendment," it can sound like a conversation about numbers, budgets, and government.
AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor answers questions about Social Security.
The anniversary of Hurricane Ian was this past week. One of the television stations devoted one entire day to the event ...
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis …
On Dec. 1, 2026, communities across the country will come together for Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity dedicated to supporting the organizations ...
Veterans

Buxton Funeral Home is the place to bring your worn out flags

Matt Buxton from Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory has been disposing of worn-out flags for the community for many years.

Benefit planned to help the family of a local veteran

The family of an Okeechobee veteran needs help from the community. The benefit has been moved from Veterans Park to Speckled Perch Park (Park #2).
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Agriculture
For many nursery and landscape workers, back pain does not send them home. It's something they work through ...
When a new invasive pest or plant disease appears, scientists have a small window of opportunity to address the threat ...
Recent recalls involving eggs and salmonella-linked jalapeños, along with investigations into cyclospora and other produce-related illnesses...
Health

DCF highlights statewide resources and partnerships in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) highlighted the state's robust mental health resources in honor of Suicide Prevention ...

"People Worth Caring About Florida" premieres with LaBelle Health & Rehabilitation Center

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is proud to unveil Episode One of People Worth Caring About: Florida, featuring the caregivers ...

Dengue fever cases reported in Florida

Florida Department of Health is reminding Floridians that mosquitoes can carry disease.   Practice mosquito bite prevention and control to prevent the spread of these illnesses.

New Medicare reforms can help seniors -- but only if they opt in

Medicare's prescription drug benefit, also known as "Part D," has undergone major changes that could save seniors hundreds or even thousands of dollars on prescriptions.
Business
First Bank has received an honorable mention in the Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) 2026 National Community Bank Service Awards.
n September 22, the U.S. Postal Service announced the recommended mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season.
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has completed 2,000 miles of overhead-to-underground neighborhood...
Traffic & Road Work

Florida Gas Prices Rose 18 Cents Last Week

Florida gas prices rose 18 cents last week, then declined 6 cents through the weekend.

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 27 – Oct. 3

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 27, ...

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 27 – Oct. 3

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 27 ...

Glades County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 27 – Oct. 3

The following column is the Road Watch report for Glades County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 27,..
National & World

Nurses fight conspiracy theories along with coronavirus

Los Angeles emergency room nurse Sandra Younan spent the last year juggling long hours as she watched many patients struggle with the coronavirus and some die. Then there were the patients who …
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