Community
OKEECHOBEE -- A $50,000 grant from T-Moibile will fund wheelchair accessible playground equipment in Kiwanis Park in Okeechobee. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

Wheelchair-accessible equipment ordered for Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis Park is on track to be upgraded with about $70,000 worth of new playground equipment.

July 4th event proceeds despite bad weather

On Friday, July 4, the Independence Day Celebration at the Okeechobee Agri-civic Center went on as...

7 Brew to celebrate opening week

Okeechobee, it’s time to “Rise and Grind!” 7 Brew — the rapidly-growing drive-thru beverage brand, known for cultivating kindness …
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Partly Cloudy, 75 °F
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in … Get the full forecast
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Lake levels
11.48 feet
Last year: 13.48 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest

From clutter to crisis: Hoarding disorder is on the rise—here’s what to do

Okeechobee Rodeo Team in conjunction with Florida High School Rodeo Association hosted the Special Needs Rodeo...
After spending nearly a year volunteering at a Christian camp for youth in Western North Carolina,...
Schools
The termination hearing for an employee of the Okeechobee School District was held at the meeting...
Teens from Dunklin Memorial's youth group spend a day spreading 100 yards of mulch on the playground of Okeechobee Christian Academy. According to principal Melissa King, they did an …
Indian River State College announces that both of its charter schools have earned prestigious “A” ratings from...
Wildlife & Environment
Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot.  More than 4,000 animal species...
 Twice each year, the Audubon Florida Everglades team brings together updates on restoration, research, and policy issues impacting the River of Grass.
Government
At their July 10 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners voted to purchase a sandbagging machine from The Sandbagger LLC for $23,336.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed confidence that Florida would be ok during the upcoming hurricane season, despite any planned cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency …
Protestors gathered at the entrance of the proposed 'Alligator Alcatraz' on June 28.
Police/Fire
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue firefighters attend the county's summer camp and spread a little water fun around for the kids.
Okeechobee County Sheriff's deputies expressed gratitude for the hot meal provided to them by  Okeechobee Church of God and Our Community Table during their shift on Independence …
Opinion
Yesterday, July 8, in another victory for Florida voters and grassroots democracy...
America has long been the world's "most favored nation" when it comes to drug development, innovation, and access to lifesaving medicines.
Throughout the session, 1000 Friends of Florida stood firm in advancing our legislative priorities...
Hurricane News
Many emergency preparedness items are now tax-free year round.
How can you keep your boat safe during a hurricane? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers the following tips:
Veterans

Veteran needs your help

An Okeechobee veteran is in need of a helping hand from our community.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Virtual Career Fair for Veterans to be held June 17

Over 60 companies are primed to hire at the upcoming Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans organized by DAV & RecruitMilitary.
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Agriculture
Targeted weed-spraying can save tomato farmers 71% of the herbicide they use, new University of Florida research shows.
Imagine using a generative AI platform similar to ChatGPT to get crop-damage information after a hurricane.
Florida’s citrus industry is a cornerstone of the Sunshine State – its legacy has been passed down in hardworking Florida families...
Health

West Palm Beach VA announces the Dietetic Internship Program

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System (WPBVAHCS) is proud to announce that the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Board has …

Heat wave safety tips for older adults

Experts are forecasting that this summer will be particularly hot, which may pose heightened health risks for older adults. Seniors may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses like heat stroke …

AI-powered research aims to protect young adults from tobacco addiction

Every year, hundreds of thousands of kids and young adults take their first puff of an e-cigarette – oblivious...

Naples Concierge Health to host a complimentary webinar on advanced cancer prevention

Naples Concierge Health invites the public to attend a comprehensive and informative webinar, "Advanced Cancer Prevention,"...
Business
Holiday Builders is pleased to announce the debut of its newest model home in Mallard Landing...
This summer, shoppers across Florida are gearing up for a season full of exciting online deals...
As nearly 61.6 million Americans gear up for Independence Day road trips...
Traffic & Road Work

AAA: Gas prices climb in Florida - up 12¢ from last week

Florida gas prices rose last week as drivers prepared to hit the road for Independence Day...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of July 6-12

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, July 6

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week beginning June 29

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, June 29. Motorists are reminded...

AAA: Record 4M Floridians expected to travel for July 4th week

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during the Independence Day holiday period...
State

Florida lawmakers who were denied access to 'Alligator Alcatraz' sue Gov. DeSantis

Five Florida state lawmakers who were denied access to a new immigration detention center in the Everglades are suing Gov. Ron DeSantis. The plaintiffs argue that the governor overstepped his …

Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump wants to represent himself in Florida case

A man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump says he wants to fire his lawyers and represent himself. Ryan Routh asked a federal judge in court Thursday to let him serve as his …
National & World

Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street closes higher and edges to more records

Asian shares are mixed in cautious trading Friday after Wall Street closed at an all-time high with Delta Air Lines kicking off earnings season with a solid outlook for the rest of 2025, spurring an …

Wildfires force evacuations at Grand Canyon's North Rim and Colorado's Black Canyon national park

JACOB LAKE, Ariz. (AP) — Visitors and staff at two national parks in the U.S. West have been evacuated because of wildfires. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, about 260 miles (418 …
HURRICANE NEWS
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