Government

Management of United Way Hub in LaBelle to change

The United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades Counties (United Way) has submitted their notice of non-renewal...

New mobile home and RV park could be in LaBelle’s future

At the regular meeting of the Board of Hendry County Commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 27, a request was submitted...

City administrator gives update of essay contest, flooding and more

During the Oct. 20 city council meeting, City Administrator Denise Whitehead provided the council with some interesting statistics regarding Okeechobee County.
HURRICANE NEWS
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Hurricane expected to make landfall in Florida Panhandle

While rain is expected this week, it's not from Hurricane Isaias, according to information shared at the Oct. 8...
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Newspaper accounts chronicle 1926 hurricane that wiped out Moore Haven

On Sept. 18, 1926, a hurricane devastated what had been the thriving and growing town of Moore Haven.
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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 ...
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Mostly Cloudy, 79 °F
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. … Get the full forecast
Lake levels
12.58 feet
Last year: 13.96 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest
On Oct. 24, during the Am Vets Flag Burning Ceremony, the Mayor received two very special gifts from two young girls — their very own coloring pictures!
April Martin has been a part of the Okeechobee community for more than 23 years.
After a June 2023 mammogram revealed a small spot on her breast, Shawna May found herself fighting breast cancer.
Schools
Central Elementary School students had a blast showing their school spirit at the Quarter One Awards Rally
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, students at Seminole Elementary School wore red to celebrate Red Ribbon...
Students in Everglades Elementary School’s Aftercare Program had a spooky time...
Wildlife & Environment
It’s the time of year when we celebrate bats! These unique flying mammals are not only interesting ...
Audubon Florida recently honored conservation leaders during its annual Assembly, held October 15–17...
Community
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Walmart and Sam’s Club partnership helps strengthen food access across Southwest Florida

Walmart and Sam's Club are helping strengthen hunger relief across Southwest Florida through their annual "Fight Hunger.
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AAA: Saturday Halloween raises the stakes for road safety

Halloween brings added dangers to the road every year, but AAA warns motorists...
Gary Miles receives SAR Award.OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee Chapter SAR President Gary Kirsch (right) presented a 10 year Founders Award to Gary Miles (left) on Oct 10. Gary was a founding member of the Chapter and served as the first president. [Photo courtesy Okeechobee Chapter SAR]

Gary Miles receives SAR Award

The Okeechobee Chapter SAR President Gary Kirsch (right) presented a 10 year Founders Award...
Police/Fire
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is expanding recruitment incentives...
On the morning of Oct. 26, 2026, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol deputies responded to a residence ...
Opinion
We want to thank our oldest living member Sister Tommie Lee Fisher for her record keeping and outstanding memory.
Western Palm Beach County has been home to my family for more than 100 years.
Jesus talked a lot about faith, about faith the size of a mustard seed, about faith that can move mountains.
Thank you to everyone who joined our Wildlife of Fisheating Creek Photography Outing!
For 50 years, Florida Community Health Centers (FCHC) has been Okeechobee’s medical home. Since 1976, generations of Okeechobee residents ...
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
Woody Larson, of Okeechobee, has been selected as the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year award for 2026.
Researchers at the UF/IFAS IRREC are working to identify and evaluate new therapies for citrus greening disease...
LaBelle Middle School’s FFA Dairy Goat Exhibitor Team officially kicked off their journey on Oct. 21 by diving into...
Health

Health Care District and Tampa General Hospital expanding access to cancer care

On Oct. 22, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) hosted a Community Town Hall ...

The GLP-1 conversation is missing muscle and bone

For millions of Americans, GLP-1 medications have become an important tool for managing diabetes...

Florida’s “Support Autism Programs” license plate fuels nearly $170,000 in grants

Thanks to 16,000 Florida vehicle owners choosing the “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plate this year, ...

Florida receives $16,740,989 in federal funding to deliver home visiting services to families

On Oct. 7, Florida received $16,740,989 in federal funding through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program 
Business
On Oct. 28, Lykes Bros. Inc. announced that President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Johnnie P. James Jr. will retire ...
Dollar General is excited to announce its store at 3601 US Highway 441 S in Okeechobee is now open to provide ...
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the S.R. 70 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study ...
Traffic & Road Work
ONLINE EXLUSIVE

Temporary turn lane closures at U.S. 27 (S.R. 25/S.R. 80) and Olympia Street

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) advises motorists of temporary turn lane...

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week beginning Oct. 25

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 25.

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week beginning Oct. 25

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 25.

AAA: More than one-third of drivers fail to slow down or move over

Most drivers say they slow down or move over when approaching a vehicle stopped on the roadside.
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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