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Police/Fire
jail cell, prison cell

Program to save county money on healthcare for jail inmates

Hendry commissioners voted to take advantage of a program to save the county money on medical expenses at the county jail.
Dallen Steelman has been donating meals to the needy for seven years.

Young man donates meals to help needy

On Friday, Dec. 20,  Dallen Steelman stopped by the Sheriff’s Office to make his Annual Christmas Dinner donation. Dallen Steelman began seven years ago by …

FWC Report

Officer Curbelo was patrolling at night and observed a vehicle driving slowly on a rural roadway.
Business Corner

SFWMD announces upcoming public meetings

Join the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for upcoming public meetings in the next three weeks.
Hendry County News

Pope Francis bestowed a special nickname on AP's Vatican reporter for her often-tough questions

Associated Press reporter Nicole Winfield, who covered Pope Francis at the Vatican during his entire pontificate, earned the nickname “la prima della classe” -- or “the first in class” -- …

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Community News

LaBelle resident fights for water safety measures

In a state known for year-round water activities, it seems ironic that Florida leads the ...
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E-edition

Read the latest Lake Okeechobee print edition here.

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Agriculture
Dyllan Furness, co-owner of Furness family farms, left, and Jonael Bosques, director of UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County, near a creek on the Furness family farms in Hardee County.

‘Cutting-edge science’ from UF/IFAS Extension helps farmer preserve water, other parts of his ecosystem

For about 20 years, Colin Furness and his family have bred and raised miniature cattle and donkeys, and specialized...

A Master Gardener shares tips on wildflower propagation

Lois McNamara has been growing wildflowers for more than two decades, but she...
Sentinel blueberries. [Photo courtesy Doug Phillips/UF/IFAS]

Power through July, aka National Blueberry Month

As we celebrate National Blueberry Month in July, a University of Florida dietitian says the fruit could be called “power berries.”
Wildlife & Environment
Peeples Family Ranch / Peeples Family Ranch conservation easment by FDACS, was presented to the Governor and Cabinet on Dec 17, 2024 to protect 6,212 acres. Photo by Drew McDougall/Wildpath.]

Hendry County land is part of Florida Wildlife Corridor

Florida wildlife abounds on ranch land in  Hendry County. The county is an important part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Sports Around The Lake
The Clewiston High School track and field team performed well at the FHSAA 2A District 12 meet on April 19.  
The Clewiston High School wrestling team is set to host their first ever team banquet this month.  
The Clewiston Tigers varsity baseball team secured a season sweep against the Glades Day Gators on March 12.  
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Schools

Hendry School District named Presence Learning ‘Partner of the Year’ 

The Hendry County School District was recognized as Presence Learning’s Partner of the Year at the April Hendry County School Board meeting.  

School Board receives update on new LaBelle High School 

The Hendry County School Board received an update on the new LaBelle High School plans as the school district begins to head towards the start of construction.  

CHS students to participate in EV building competition 

Students from Clewiston High School will participate in an electronic vehicle building competition thanks to Florida Power and Light.  

Jimena Lara recognized by School Board for perfect score 

Central Elementary’s Jimena Lara was recognized by the Hendry County School Board on Oct. 1 for her performance on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) test.
Government

LaBelle approves permits for upcoming Swamp Cabbage festival

The city of LaBelle is gearing up for the annual Swamp Cabage Festival coming in February. .  

LaBelle commissioners receive update on Forrey Park 

The City of LaBelle Board of Commissioners received an update on construction at Forrey Park during their Oct. 24 meeting from Steven Lynn, Director of Parks & Recreation.  

Pittman, Phillips make their case to be elected Property Appraiser

Candidates for Hendry County Property Appraiser, Dena Pittman and Shone Phillips, participated in a forum hosted by the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce on July 30.  
Health

Hendry Regional awarded for efforts to improve rural stroke care

People who live in rural communities live an average of 3 years less than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood...
Medical injection

Florida provides 9,000 doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to AIDS Healthcare Foundation for vulnerable populations

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health announced a new partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Entertainment

True Okee: special Halloween podcast

In this Halloween True Okee special… Stories of strange creatures and ghosts surround the area around Lake Okeechobee.

True Okee bonus episode: Death of a Sheriff

In this bonus episode of True Okee, we examine the death of Okeechobee County Sheriff John Collier
Traffic & Road Work

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of March 2-8

There are no current projects for Hendry County.

Hendry County Road Watch for week beginning May 12

Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week of Sunday, May 12. Motorists are reminded...

FDOT adds new interactive features to FL511

On March 15, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced upgrades to the Florida 511 (FL511) Advanced Traveler Information System...
Opinion
The state of Florida is known for being a peninsula with an 8,435.7 mile coastline, 7,800 lakes...
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State News
The Krome Detention Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

As immigrant arrests surge, complaints of abuse mount at America's oldest detention center in Miami

As President Donald Trump seeks to make good on his campaign pledge of mass arrests and removals of migrants, the U.S. immigration detention system is being overrun with prisoners. The overcrowding …
The Krome Detention Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

As immigrant arrests surge, complaints of abuse mount at America's oldest detention center in Miami

As President Donald J. Trump seeks to make good on his campaign pledge of mass arrests and removals of migrants, the U.S. immigration detention system is being overrun with prisoners. The …

South Florida deputies respond to reports of a shooting at a warehouse area

South Florida deputies have responded to reports of a shooting at a warehouse area. News footage from Thursday afternoon shows dozens of Miami-Dade County sheriff's deputies surrounding a used car …
Nation & World
People pay their respect to the late Pope Francis who will lie in state inside St. Peter's Basilica until Friday, at the Vatican, Thursday April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope Francis

Heads of state and royalty will begin converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small …
This combination of photos shows members of the 9th U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force, going ashore at Da Nang, South Vietnam, March 8, 1965, top, and a boy playing at the same location on March, 6, 2025. (AP PhotoYannick Peterhans)

AP PHOTOS: The changing faces of Vietnam War landmarks

During the Vietnam War, Da Nang was a major base for both the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. The first American combat troops landed there in 1965, and it became a hub for operations and supply. …
A veteran, center, is assisted as they march past thousands of people lining the street to pay tribute to their war dead during the Anzac Day parade in Sydney, Australia, Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Australians and New Zealanders commemorate war dead on Anzac Day

Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered across Australia and New Zealand for dawn services and street marches to commemorate their war dead on Anzac Day. At least two Australian services on …
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