Featured

Man who killed two fathers in DUI accidents requests sentence change

Sam Youngblood, the man who caused two fatal car accidents in 2020 was back in court last week.

Orioles Club raided for slot machines

OKEECHOBEE -- On July 15, 2025, the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force, along with the Florida Gaming Commission, executed a search warrant at the Orioles bar located at 1855 SW 53RD Street. This …

Reservoir to store water from Caloosahatchee River

A 10,700-acre reservoir will store excess water from the Caloosahatchee River ...

Reservoir to store water from Caloosahatchee River

A 10,700-acre reservoir will store excess water from the Caloosahatchee River ...

More Featured

Community

Youth group helps freshen-up OCA playground

As part of project, Dunklin Memorial Church’s youth group camp spent two days in early July worked on...

Kids enjoy Water Day

Sunshine, sirens, and smiles — Our Village Kid’s Camp Water Day with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue...

OKEECHOBEE -- At the July 10 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Habitat for Humanity shared an artist's rendering of a sample Habitat home. [Courtesy image]

Habitat for Humanity seeks land in Okeechobee County

OKEECHOBEE – What makes housing “affordable”?

More Community

Lake Okeechobee

S-193 Taylor Creek boat lock update

FWC completes revegetation projects on Lake Okeechobee

More Lake Okeechobee

Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

A Few Clouds, 79 °F

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Get the full forecast

Read Lake Okeechobee News

E-newspaper

Read the latest print edition here.

View this issue

Browse other issues

Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE July 2025

View this issue

Browse other special sections

Lake levels

11.81 feet

Last year: 13.57 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Air boats dry fields ahead of OCRA baseball tournament

Rain ahead of the 2025 Diamond Youth Tournament at the Okeechobee County Sports Complex left the field soggy, but the Okeechobee community came together to get the fields ready for …

Airboat and buggy show planned for February

The Lake Okeechobee Association of Airboaters will host an airboat and buggy show at Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Evan Neal football camp is a lot of fun for everyone involved

Commissioner Frank DeCarlo and Sheriff Noel E. Stephen had a great time Saturday at the 3rd Annual Evan Neal Football Camp at the Douglas Park Community Center.

More Sports

Human Interest

Hoarding is on the rise: What to do if your loved one is a hoarder

From clutter to crisis: Hoarding disorder is on the rise—here’s what to do

Special athletes enjoy rodeo

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

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,...

More Human Interest

Schools

Department of Education funding freeze looms over Hendry Schools budget workshop

Hendry Schools superintendent Michael Swindle says the district is in good finical shape ahead of the upcoming

Glades School District maintains B rating from FDOE

For the second consecutive year, the Glades County School District has earned a B rating from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE)

Physicians Regional supports The Immokalee Foundation in workforce development initiative

For the fourth consecutive year, Physicians Regional Healthcare System has generously provided funding and hands-on...

More Schools

Wildlife & Environment

Miccosukee Tribe joins lawsuit to oppose Alligator Alcatraz

The Miccosukee Tribe has joined the lawsuit to stop the old jetport property from being used for the federal detainee facility, which the DeSantis administration has dubbed “Alligator …

Miccosukee Tribe joins lawsuit to oppose Alligator Alcatraz

The Miccosukee Tribe has joined the lawsuit to stop the old jetport property from being used for the federal detainee facility, which the DeSantis administration has dubbed “Alligator …

More Wildlife & Environment

Government

Franklin and Mast vote to block release of Epstein files

Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked an attempt to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files on July 15. The final vote was 211 to 210.

Commissioner presented with Certified County Commissioner designation

Okeechobee County Commissioner Frank DeCarlo was presented with the Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation...

Code Enforcement Magistrate hearing set for Tuesday

The Okeechobee County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate will hold a hearing on Tuesday, July 15 at 9 a.m. in the meeting room at 1700 N.W. Ninth Avenue.

More Government

Police/Fire

Vehicle transport driver charged with DUI

Recently the local Dodge dealership called 911 to request help regarding a transport driver they believed was intoxicated.

Miami man arrested on drug charges in Clewiston

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira witnessed a vehicle traveling...

More Police/Fire

Opinion

The Weekly Clothesline: Decisions…discernment…FAITH!

Sometimes it’s difficult to make decisions. The last time I had a major decision to make, I prayed about it...

This summer, be your kid’s tennis coach

As summer vacation begins, parents across America face a familiar challenge: how to keep children active...

Lawmakers visit the ‘Gator Grift’ Detention Camp in the Everglades

On July 12, around 20 Democratic members of the Florida Legislature and the Florida Congressional Delegation...

More Opinion

Hurricane News

Okeechobee County to purchase sandbagging machine

At their July 10 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners voted to purchase a sandbagging machine from The Sandbagger LLC for $23,336.

Florida budget includes sales tax holidays

Many emergency preparedness items are now tax-free year round.

More Hurricane News

Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, July 7

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

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, June 30

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 23

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families!

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, June 16

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

More Pets

Veterans

Mission United to serve veterans and service members in Okeechobee

Our Village recently announced the start of a Mission United — a system of care for veterans and their families.

Veteran needs your help

An Okeechobee veteran is in need of a helping hand from our community.

More Veterans

Find Us On Facebook

Facebook

Agriculture

Scientists seek to curtail bird flu’s spread through education, outreach efforts

Though the current public health risk of H5N1 bird flu is low, the University of Florida (UF) is taking a proactive approach...

Scientist uses AI to target weeds -- not nearby tomatoes

Targeted weed-spraying can save tomato farmers 71% of the herbicide they use, new University of Florida research shows.

AI technology to help growers assess crop damage after hurricanes

Imagine using a generative AI platform similar to ChatGPT to get crop-damage information after a hurricane.

More Agriculture

Health

High temperatures inside of a car can turn deadly for children and babies

On July 1, Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition posted the following message on their Facebook page warning parents and caregivers of the danger....

CORRECTION: Partners for Breast Cancer Care to host Aug. 15 free Breast Health Caravan

Partners for Breast Cancer Care (PFBCC), a nonprofit that funds breast screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for low-income women and men...

How music heals: The benefits of music on the mind, body, and soul

Music is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool that can enhance both our physical health and mental well-being.

West Palm Beach VA announces the Dietetic Internship Program

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System (WPBVAHCS) is proud to announce that the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Board has …

More Health

Business

AAA: Florida gas prices drop to 2-month low

Florida drivers are paying the lowest gas prices in two months. The state average has declined for the past 10 consecutive days...

Holiday Builders announces exclusive Realtor preview and Grand Opening Weekend

Holiday Builders is pleased to announce the debut of its newest model home in Mallard Landing...

7 Brew to celebrate opening week

Okeechobee, it’s time to “Rise and Grind!” 7 Brew — the rapidly-growing drive-thru beverage brand, known for cultivating kindness …

More Business

Traffic & Road Work

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, July 13...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, July 13, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. Motorists are reminded to wear …

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

The following column is the Road Watch report for Glades County for the week beginning Sunday, July 13...

AAA: Gas prices climb in Florida - up 12¢ from last week

Florida gas prices rose last week as drivers prepared to hit the road for Independence Day...

More Traffic

State

Emails show DeSantis administration blindsided county officials with plans for 'Alligator Alcatraz'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration left many local officials in the dark about the immigration detention center that rose from an isolated airstrip in the Everglades. That's according to …

DeSantis administration blindsided officials in county where 'Alligator Alcatraz' was built, emails obtained by AP show

DeSantis administration blindsided officials in county where 'Alligator Alcatraz' was built, emails obtained by AP show.

More State

National & World

- DeSantis says Florida can survive hurricane season even with FEMA cuts
  
  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed confidence that Florida would be ok during the upcoming hurricane season, despite any planned cuts to …
- United Way 211: SWFL’s leading resource during hurricane season
  
  The United Way 211 helpline is a trusted resource that streamlines access to essential services for Southwest Floridians...
- FWC offers tips to prepare your boat for a storm
  
  How can you keep your boat safe during a hurricane? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers the following tips:

More Hurricane News

Special Sections

Man who killed two fathers in DUI accidents requests sentence change

Orioles Club raided for slot machines

Reservoir to store water from Caloosahatchee River

Reservoir to store water from Caloosahatchee River

Youth group helps freshen-up OCA playground

Kids enjoy Water Day

Habitat for Humanity seeks land in Okeechobee County

E-newspaper

LORE July 2025

Air boats dry fields ahead of OCRA baseball tournament

Airboat and buggy show planned for February

Evan Neal football camp is a lot of fun for everyone involved

From clutter to crisis: Hoarding disorder is on the rise—here’s what to do

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Mission United to serve veterans and service members in Okeechobee

Veteran needs your help

High temperatures inside of a car can turn deadly for children and babies

CORRECTION: Partners for Breast Cancer Care to host Aug. 15 free Breast Health Caravan

How music heals: The benefits of music on the mind, body, and soul

West Palm Beach VA announces the Dietetic Internship Program

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of July 13-19

AAA: Gas prices climb in Florida - up 12¢ from last week

Emails show DeSantis administration blindsided county officials with plans for 'Alligator Alcatraz'

DeSantis administration blindsided officials in county where 'Alligator Alcatraz' was built, emails obtained by AP show

AP News Summary at 12:49 a.m. EDT

Stephen Colbert says CBS is ending his 'Late Show' in May 2026

Okeechobee Arrest Report

Everglades Youth Academy staffer accused of having sex with teen

DeSantis says Florida can survive hurricane season even with FEMA cuts

United Way 211: SWFL’s leading resource during hurricane season

FWC offers tips to prepare your boat for a storm