Government

Tax Collector Gannon announces property tax bills are in the mail

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon announced on Oct. 30, the start of the 2026 Property Tax season ...

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...
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
Unknown Precip, 73 °F
A 20 percent chance of showers before 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 … Get the full forecast
Lake levels
12.71 feet
Last year: 13.99 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest
Darlene Bass is a fighter and describes herself as an overachiever. Unfortunately, her body is overachieving in the wrong direction.
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.
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
  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking public input on two separate draft Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines (Guidelines) for the limpkin ( …
It’s the time of year when we celebrate bats! These unique flying mammals are not only interesting ...
Community
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Collaboratory opens applications for Community Impact Rural Micro Grant

Collaboratory is accepting applications until Nov. 12 for its Community Impact Rural Micro Grant program, which will award up to eight grants of $5,000 ...
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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...
Police/Fire
As families across Florida prepare to celebrate Halloween, the FDC, in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies, is taking proactive measures...
A bait shop owner was accused of disposing of dead minnows along the fence line between his property and a neighbor’s.
Opinion
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
What is important to you? I’m often teased about the labeled boxes I have around the house.
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.
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
University of Florida researchers have secured $200,000 in federal funding to combat the invasive pasture mealybug, an emerging threat ...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $65 million in 34 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects ...
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced an investment of over $325 million in 42 projects to help farmers ...
Health

DOH-St. Lucie issues water quality health advisory

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County (DOH-St. Lucie) has issued a water quality advisory for the following locations: ....

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, ...
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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