HURRICANE NEWS

FEMA opens recovery centers

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Featured

Changes in LDRs to reduce light pollution

“To think that one day I would not be able to go outside and look up and see the sky, it breaks my heart,” said Okeechobee Mayor Dowling Watford ...

Senior Services provides meals, in-home care and more

Some Okeechobee County seniors struggle to keep food in the house, according to information shared at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission.

Warren Sapp says he’s suing OCSO after wrongful arrest

NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp says he has filed suit against the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, alleging he was wrongfully arrested in Okeechobee last year.

Man who planned a school shooting gets 3 years in prison

A 21-year-old Okeechobee man was sentenced to 3 years in state prison followed by 12 years probation...

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Community

Forward Bound Youth Services plans fundraising events

Forward Bound Youth Services, a non-profit organization, will host a youth dance in March and a Christmas in July dinner at the Douglas Brown Community Center in July.

Warming Center to open at RiteLife Thursday - Friday, January 23-24

Okeechobee County partnered with RiteLife Services, Inc. to offer a warming center to be open during the overnight hours...

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel and Casino opens Feb. 6

Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform in Glades County on Feb. 6, as part of the celebration of the grand opening of the new Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel and Casino.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake O could reach target level by end of April

Julien Keen Jr. Lock open with width restriction

ASR wells provide water storage alternative

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Overcast, 43 °F

A slight chance of sprinkles. Cloudy, with a low around 41. North northwest wind around 10 mph. Get the full forecast

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January 2025 LORE

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Lake levels

14.59 feet

Last year: 16.23 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

New fitness trail added at sports complex

Aa new fitness trail is open at the Darrell Enfinger Sports Complex in Okeechobee County ...

FWC: New year, new TrophyCatch website!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reeling in the new year with an upgraded TrophyCatch website...

FWC enhances boater safety with interactive waterway app

For years, waterway users in Florida have had to juggle multiple sources of information to plan, prepare...

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Human Interest

Nunez receives President's Volunteer Service Award

A local woman, Apolonia Nunez, was recently awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2024.

Local artist to be featured at Ritz-Carlton

Wildlife and nature artist, Fawn McNeill Barr, recently received an invitation to showcase her work in an exclusive...

Local boys win bikes

During BMJ Towing's annual contest, Blake Mullin and Lorenzo Torres won bikes for Christmas.

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Schools

School board recognizes FFA students and school employees

Several FFA students were recognized at the Tuesday, Jan. 21, meeting of the...

New roof planned for South Elementary School

Among the items discussed at Okeechobee County School Board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21...

IRSC Foundation honors Michael D. Minton with Director Emeritus Title

The Indian River State College (IRSC) Foundation has unanimously voted to designate Michael D. Minton...

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Wildlife & Environment

S-65D boat lock on Kissimmee River will be closed Jan. 29-31

The S-65D Boat Lock on the Kissimmee River in Okeechobee County will temporarily close next week...

Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force addresses problem of Red Tide

The Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force has recently released its third consensus document...

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Government

City Council proclaims National School Choice Week

Okeechobee City Council proclaims National School Choice Week. "I call upon all citizens to honor those who devote their talents and energies to …

Code Enforcement hearing is Jan. 21

The Okeechobee County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate will hold a hearing on Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. in the Health Department Auditorium.

Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments installs new officers

The Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments installed their new officers on Wednesday, Jan. 8...

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Police/Fire

Good Samaritan assists cops

A “Good Samaritan” assisted the sheriff’s office after a man tried to make off with property belonging to Tractor Supply.

Unruly woman removed from train

A New York woman was removed from an Amtrak at the Okeechobee station after reportedly causing a disturbance.

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Opinion

Can my wife claim her Social Security now and get half my benefits later?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

The reason for the post-Covid lack of trust in doctors’ advice

Vaccines may not be the most spectacular of all the miracles of modern medicine, but they are arguably the most...

Letter to the Editor: Healthy Start will intensify advocacy efforts in 2025

As we welcome 2025, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued partnership and collaboration.

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Hurricane News

Operation Blue Roof helps hurricane victims

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has placed tarps on more than 7,100 homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton...

Operation Blue Roof extended

Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Federal Emergency...

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Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

The Caloosa Humane Society has a mix of adorable dogs and cats who are in need of loving families!

Adopt a pet: Meet Casper

Monday, February 19, 2024

This Handsome boy is CASPER #2309129. He has been at the shelter for over six months.

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Veterans

Helicopter to be returned home soon

The Veteran’s Park helicopter is being restored and will be home soon.

Veterans center to host “Hobbies & Helping Hands” Fair for military families

The Veterans Center of Excellence at Indian River State College invites veterans and their families to discover...

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Agriculture

UF/IFAS researchers deploy drones to perfect nutrient rates

The ability to detect crop nutrient deficiencies and promptly modify fertilizer application to address...

IRSC Students help decode genome of destructive citrus disease vector

A groundbreaking research collaboration led, in part, by Indian River State College Professor Tom D’Elia has...

Researchers combat devasting citrus greening disease

Scientists at the University of Florida are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the tiny insects...

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Health

Child hunger should not become the norm in Florida

January is often a time for new beginnings, resolutions, and aspirations. For many families, it means...

Alzheimer Association will hold virtual Caregiver Support Group meetings

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance...

2025 FREE Health & Safety Expo is THIS weekend

The 2025 Health and Safety Expo and Touch a Truck are this weekend!

DOH-Okeechobee office to close in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Florida Department of Health office in Okeechobee County (DOH-Okeechobee) will close on Monday...

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Business

BBB Tips: How to avoid scams when donating to wildfire relief

As Southern California wildfires devastate communities, scammers will take advantage of generosity...

Historic Seminole Inn is for sale

INDIANTOWN -- The historic Seminole Inn is on the market, with an asking price of $4 million.

Why are there cows on the theater?

Did you think you were dreaming when you saw cows on top of the old movie theater?

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning Jan. 19

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, Jan. 19. Motorists are reminded...

AAA: Florida gas prices break even for the week

Florida gas prices continued to yoyo up and down. The state average went from $3.11 per gallon down to $3.06...

Okeechobee Road Watch for week beginning Jan. 12

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, Jan. 12. Motorists are reminded...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of Jan. 5-11

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Jan. 5

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State

SouthState: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — SouthState Corporation (SSB) on Thursday reported fourth-quarter profit of $144.2 million. On a per-share basis, the Winter Haven, …

CSX: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — CSX Corp. (CSX) on Thursday reported fourth-quarter profit of $733 million. On a per-share basis, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company …

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National & World

- MARC is set up at the library to help with disaster recovery
  
  If you are in need of help after the recent hurricane and its accompanying tornadoes, turn to your local library.
- FWC addressing hundreds of vessels displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
  
  Florida is a haven for boaters and is recognized as “The Boating Capital of the World.”
- WM contributes $1 million to support hurricane relief efforts
  
  WM is focused on helping communities thrive, and over the last several weeks, its teams across the Southeast U.S.

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Special Sections

FEMA opens recovery centers

Changes in LDRs to reduce light pollution

Senior Services provides meals, in-home care and more

Warren Sapp says he’s suing OCSO after wrongful arrest

Man who planned a school shooting gets 3 years in prison

Forward Bound Youth Services plans fundraising events

Warming Center to open at RiteLife Thursday - Friday, January 23-24

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel and Casino opens Feb. 6

E-newspaper

January 2025 LORE

New fitness trail added at sports complex

FWC: New year, new TrophyCatch website!

FWC enhances boater safety with interactive waterway app

Caloosa Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Adopt a pet: Meet Casper

Helicopter to be returned home soon

Veterans center to host “Hobbies & Helping Hands” Fair for military families

Child hunger should not become the norm in Florida

Alzheimer Association will hold virtual Caregiver Support Group meetings

2025 FREE Health & Safety Expo is THIS weekend

DOH-Okeechobee office to close in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning Jan. 19

AAA: Florida gas prices break even for the week

Okeechobee Road Watch for week beginning Jan. 12

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of Jan. 5-11

SouthState: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

CSX: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

AP Week in Pictures

After 80 years, not many Auschwitz survivors are left. One man makes telling the stories his mission

13-year-old Okeechobee boy killed in crash on US 27

Good Samaritan assists cops

MARC is set up at the library to help with disaster recovery

FWC addressing hundreds of vessels displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

WM contributes $1 million to support hurricane relief efforts