Featured

T-Mobile awards grant for wheelchair-accessible playground equipment

A community gathering at Kiwanis Park celebrated the announcement that Okeechobee has been selected...

She isn't run off easily

Last week, Jo Mayfield set up her table on the steps of the Okeechobee County Tax Collector/Property Appraiser office asking passers by to sign a petition making the use of …

Okeechobee teen soon heading to Africa to serve as missionary

After spending nearly a year volunteering at a Christian camp for youth in Western North Carolina,...

Urinating out your front door is not illegal

A self-proclaimed “Hillbilly” shocked his neighbors last week when he opened his front door and urinated.

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Community

Student ACES raise over $70,000 at Annual Golf Tournament Presented by D3 Energy

On May 29, 2025, Student ACES hosted its highly anticipated Annual Golf Tournament...

Glades County School District expands summer meal options for families

This summer, families living in Glades County will have greater access to free, nutritious meals for children...

Healthy Start seeking volunteers to decorate for the Father-Daughter Dance

We’re getting everything ready for our upcoming Father-Daughter Dance this Saturday, June 14

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Lake Okeechobee

USACE to host bi-annual informational meeting on all phases of the CEPP

USACE to host a Project Delivery Team meeting on June 30

SFWMD & FWC plant eelgrass in Fisheating Bay

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, NA °F

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE June 2025

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Lake levels

11.13 feet

Last year: 13.39 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Special athletes enjoy rodeo

Okeechobee Rodeo Team in conjunction with Florida High School Rodeo Association hosted the Special Needs Rodeo...

Indian River State College Night at Clover Park returns for second year

The Indian River State College Alumni Association is proud to announce the return of Indian River State College Night at Clover Park on Wednesday, July 23...

LaSala's Big O Dojo wins big at international tournament

LaSala's Big "O" Dojo won big at an international tournament in Miami!

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Human Interest

The garbage situation is getting out of hand

A trash can may seem like a strange thing to steal, but it is happening more and more often lately.

Christina Smiley wins prestigious award

Congratulations to Christina Smiley, a graduate student in Musicology, on receiving the prestigious Howard Mayer Brown Fellowship from the American Musicological Society 25-26.

City honors legacy of long-time employee

The City of Okeechobee Honors the Legacy of Former Public Works Maintenance Foreman Palmer Cleveland Lamb. It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow the City announces the passing …

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Schools

$1.3 million awarded to IRSC to support workforce training initiatives

Indian River State College (IRSC) will receive $1.3 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand...

Brilyn Capling named to University of Alabama Spring 2025 Deans List

Brilyn Capling was named to The University of Alabama Dean's List for Spring Semester 2025.

Hallstrom Planetarium at IRSC launches Stellar 2025-2026 Starlight Series for 33rd Season

The 2025–2026 Starlight Series features immersive shows and presentations about astronomy and space.

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Wildlife & Environment

Get outside and explore SFWMD lands this summer

The District is the steward of more than 1 million acres of public lands throughout our 16-county region.

SFWMD announces upcoming public meetings

Join the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for upcoming public meetings in the next few weeks.

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Government

Florida TaxWatch releases 2025 Budget Turkey Watch Report

This year’s review of Florida’s $115.1 billion budget for FY2025-26 identifies 242 items totaling...

Okeechobee County launches new online permitting system

Okeechobee County is pleased to announce the implementation of a new permitting system...

County commissioners discuss decorations on graves

CLEWISTON – Hendry County Commissioners hope to resolve ongoing problems with cemetery maintenance.

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Police/Fire

Demands for money are often a scam

It seems like scams involving government agencies are becoming more and more common.

Hendry County Arrest Report

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office...

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Opinion

Main Street in crisis – A national emergency deserves a national response

Main Street embodies more than nostalgia; it represents a dynamic system of commerce, identity, and...

The Price of Independence: Veteran health support and PACT Act coverage gaps

As America celebrates its Independence Day, beyond parades and commemorations for current and former U.S. Military service men and women...

Intellectual property policies unlock better access to healthcare

Every day, medical discoveries are made in American labs. But turning those discoveries into accessible diagnostics...

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Hurricane News

FEMA By the Numbers Weekly Update June 5

Activate Hope: Displaced survivors can apply for State Non-Congregate Sheltering by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com...

Readers share tips for hurricane season preparedness

The Lake Okeechobee News asked readers to share their hurricane season advice for newcomers.

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Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

2 days ago

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies...

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, June 9

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies...

Dogs find new homes after death of owner

Wednesday, June 4

While grieving the death of her mother, Athena Meeker was left with many difficult tasks to do.

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, June 2

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies...

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Veterans

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Virtual Career Fair for Veterans to be held June 17

Over 60 companies are primed to hire at the upcoming Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans organized by DAV & RecruitMilitary.

Okeechobee and Glades County veterans experience Honor Flight

Veterans from Okeechobee and Glades Counties were treated to the flight of a lifetime last week ...

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Agriculture

U.S. Sugar partners with Everglades Equipment Group

As part of U.S. Sugar’s commitment to sustainably producing sugar for American consumers...

Brewers find success with UF/IFAS hops

Before 2015, no one had grown hops successfully in Florida. Over the past decade...

UF taps global invasion ecology expert to lead new era of the ISI

In the summer of 2000, a young undergraduate named Luke Flory was knee-deep in invasive plant species at a nature preserve...

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Health

Living Strong: How men may maintain bone health and prevent falls

As we grow older, we begin losing bone density and mass, which may make us more susceptible...

Healthy Start announces relaunch of Motherhood Unfiltered support groups

The Motherhood Unfiltered group will meet every second Tuesday of the month...

Alzheimer’s Association to hold virtual Caregiver Support Group

The Alzheimer’s Association to hold virtual Caregiver Support Group on the fourth Thursday of every month...

Pick a day to donate blood on the Blood Bus

For the sake of those in need of a blood transfusion, we ask you to pick a day and hop on the Blood Bus...

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Business

AAA: Florida gas prices average $3.09 Per gallon

Florida gas prices increased 10 cents last week and then declined 3 cents through the weekend. On Sunday, June 8, ...

Florida Hometown Title celebrates a decade of deeds

Florida Hometown Title is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of deeds—a milestone that reflects...

Culver's is still coming, but no one knows when

Yes Okeechobee. Culver’s is still coming… eventually.

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 15...

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, June 15...

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

The following column is the Road Watch report for Glades County for the week beginning Sunday, June 15...

Okeechobee Road Watch Report for week beginning June 8

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, June 8. Motorists are reminded...

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State

Florida can't enforce a new immigration law while court challenge continues, judges rule

Authorities can’t enforce a new Florida law making it a misdemeanor for people in the U.S. illegally to enter the state while the law is being challenged in court. That's according to two new …

Florida lawmakers pass charter school expansion on last day of session

On the 105th day of what was supposed to be a 60-day legislative session, Florida lawmakers passed a bill to allow charter schools to “co-locate” inside traditional public schools. It’s the …

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National & World

- Letter to the Editor: Hurricane season is here
  
  Hurricane season is here and it’s time to prepare for everything that comes with it. Less than a year ago, Hurricane Milton...
- Hurricane season has officially begun: Learn how you can prepare
  
  The annual Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun and now is a good time for all of us living in Florida to ensure we are prepared...
- FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update
  
  As of June 3, 899 FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.

More Hurricane News

Special Sections

T-Mobile awards grant for wheelchair-accessible playground equipment

She isn't run off easily

Okeechobee teen soon heading to Africa to serve as missionary

Urinating out your front door is not illegal

Student ACES raise over $70,000 at Annual Golf Tournament Presented by D3 Energy

Glades County School District expands summer meal options for families

Healthy Start seeking volunteers to decorate for the Father-Daughter Dance

E-newspaper

LORE June 2025

Special athletes enjoy rodeo

Indian River State College Night at Clover Park returns for second year

LaSala's Big O Dojo wins big at international tournament

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Dogs find new homes after death of owner

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Virtual Career Fair for Veterans to be held June 17

Okeechobee and Glades County veterans experience Honor Flight

Living Strong: How men may maintain bone health and prevent falls

Healthy Start announces relaunch of Motherhood Unfiltered support groups

Alzheimer’s Association to hold virtual Caregiver Support Group

Pick a day to donate blood on the Blood Bus

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

Okeechobee Road Watch Report for week beginning June 8

Florida can't enforce a new immigration law while court challenge continues, judges rule

Florida lawmakers pass charter school expansion on last day of session

Israel unleashes intense airstrikes in Tehran in conflict that has killed hundreds

The Latest: Israel strikes Tehran for a sixth day as Iranian casualties rise

Planned deviation would let more water flow south

Okeechobee teen soon heading to Africa to serve as missionary

Letter to the Editor: Hurricane season is here

Hurricane season has officially begun: Learn how you can prepare

FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update