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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

AP News Summary at 12:14 p.m. EDT

Israeli probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza finds 'professional failures' JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in …

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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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Browse other issues

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 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.  
For the second year in a row, the Clewiston High School Tiger varsity wresting team is sending a wrestler to the state tournament.  
Top Trending Stories

During his campaign, Donald Trump said repeatedly that he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” upon taking office. He has changed his tone since becoming …

After a deadly shooting at Florida State University, questions are emerging about how the stepson of a beloved sheriff’s deputy tasked with school safety at a middle school became the accused …
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 day after an active shooter on campus Florida State students place electronic candles on a platform during a vigil on campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Florida State classes resume Monday after fatal shooting, but in-person attendance isn't mandatory

Classes will resume at Florida State University on Monday, four days after a deadly shooting on campus left two people dead and six others injured. University officials say that students and …
A brown pelican hunts mullet in tandem with a dolphin in Florida Bay, part of the Everglades ecosystem, near Islamorada, Fla., during a media visit organized by The Everglades Foundation, Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Everglades restoration would protect Florida Keys while scientists watch drought conditions

The Everglades is more than just swamps, fan boats and alligators and restoration efforts impact more than the land between Florida’s east and west coasts. Florida Bay is a body of water between …
Crime scene vehicle at the Woodward Avenue entrance to the Florida State University campus after a shooting, in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Questions emerge about how a deputy's stepson became the accused gunman in deadly FSU shooting

After a deadly shooting at Florida State University, questions are emerging about how the stepson of a beloved sheriff’s deputy tasked with school safety at a middle school became the accused …
Nation & World
A Christian pilgrim rests her head while praying during Easter Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site where according to tradition Jesus was crucified and buried, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

PHOTO GALLERY: Christians around the world celebrate Easter as the pope makes a surprise appearance

Faithful Christians around the world celebrated on Sunday the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from Vatican City where Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in his popemobile, to Ukraine, where a …
Worshippers walk to Saint Mary Greek Melkite Church, background, to attend the traditional Palm Sunday procession in Quraye, near the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

PHOTO ESSAY: An Easter reenactment in a Lebanese village

QURAYE, Lebanon (AP) — It’s become a Good Friday tradition in Quraye: residents and visitors converging on the southern Lebanese village to witness a portrayal by some Christians there of …

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:57 a.m. EDT

It's a girl! 2-way star Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers is now a father ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is now a father. The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger has posted on Instagram …
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