Featured

Voters asked to verify addresses

Postcards requesting address confirmation went out to all registered voters in Okeechobee County in late March or early April.

Brahmans win baseball district championship

The Okeechobee High School varsity Brahman baseball team secured a district championship with a dominating 13-3 win over the Sebastian River Sharks on April 17.

Lake releases to Caloosahatchee cut to 650 cfs

JACKSONVILLE -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District will reduce flow from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River on April 19.

Lake O level hits 12 feet

The Big O lake level hit 12 feet above sea level on April 16. Anglers and ecologists hope the lake will stay low enough, low enough for SAV to regrow ...

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Community

Girl Scouts host 2025 Summer Camp at Camp Welaka

The countdown to summer fun is on! Registration is now open for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida’s 2025 summer camp...

Quarters for a Cause to benefit Dawn Helfinstine is May 20

The Quarters for a Cause to benefit Dawn Helfinstine will be held on Tuesday, May 20 at the American Legion...

Ceremony held for new William H Raulerson headstone

The Pvt William H Raulerson Camp 2080 SCV held a dedication ceremony for the new headstone for William H Raulerson.

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Lake Okeechobee

Several Lake Okeechobee Boat Locks are temporarily closed April 15

Navigating through Central & Southern Florida’s interconnected waterways

Boaters advised to use caution due to low water levels

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

A Few Clouds, NA °F

Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light east wind becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Get the full forecast

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Lake levels

11.72 feet

Last year: 14.64 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Okeechobee girl wins individual honors at state archery contest

GAINESVILLE – Kiara Diaz, an Okeechobee home school student, won first place in the Elementary School Female division...

OHS track team holds first home meet in 20 years

The Okeechobee High School track team held their first home meet in over 20 years on April 9.

County names pump track to honor Altobello Family

Okeechobee County has officially named the new pump track at Kiwanis Park as the "Altobello Family Pump Track.

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Human Interest

Mom of autistic child tells their story

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and who better to discuss autism than the parents of an autistic child?

Community helps find dog that was lost after car crash

After a serious car accident in front of Popeye’s last week, little Lucy disappeared.

Scottsdale man works to create children’s hospices across country

When Ryan Cottor was eight months old, his parents learned he wasn’t just a late bloomer when it comes to motor skills.

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Schools

YMS students compete in Math Bowl

On Wednesday, April 16, sixth through eighth grade Yearling Middle School students participated in Math Bowl...

CES hosts 'Wax Museum'

Thursday, April 17, Central Elementary School held its annual Wax Museum. Mrs. Howard’s second grade class...

EES announces speech contest winners

On Friday, April 18, fourth and fifth graders at Everglades Elementary participated in the Florida 4-H...

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Wildlife & Environment

Culvert repairs underway

OKEECHOBEE -- Residents in the Lazy 7 area have noticed dry conditions in the L-62 canal. SFWMD Okeechobee Field Station crews are using the dry weather conditions …

Citizen scientists help researchers protect keystone species

Range maps for diamondback terrapins – a type of vulnerable aquatic turtle species...

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Government

USPS to celebrate 250th anniversaries of Army, Navy, and Marine Corps with commemorative stamps

The U.S. Postal Service to proudly unveil three individual commemorative stamps honoring the 250th anniversaries

Food trucks back on the agenda again

Food trucks were back on the Okeechobee City Council’s agenda this week.

City council reviews budget

Because Finance Director India Riedel was unable to attend the April 15 Okeechobee City Council meeting...

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Police/Fire

Criminal Justice Academy graduates 10 new corrections officers

During a ceremony on Thursday, April 17, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 113 graduated...

Boy saves cousin from drowning

A 4-year-old boy was brought to Raulerson Hospital after nearly drowning in a swimming pool.

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Opinion

When should woman claim Social Security?

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

Being tough on crime includes addressing child abuse

News outlets obsess over shocking, high-profile crimes -- from murders to violent carjackings.

FWC seeks feedback about bear hunting rules

The FWC is seeking feedback from the public on proposed changes to bear hunting regulations in Florida. To help, please complete a short comment tool to share your thoughts on this topic.

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Hurricane News

FEMA opens recovery centers

FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Glades, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties …

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...

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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!

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Veterans

Local veterans to take Honor Flight in May

Veterans from Okeechobee and Glades Counties will soon be taking off on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C....

OCSO assists with benefit poker run

VFW Post 10539 would like to thank the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office deputies Officer Adrian Rogers...

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Agriculture

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Florida avocado tree

With Cinco de Mayo approaching, now’s the time to dig into guacamole and even plant the tree...

UF/IFAS entomologist fights for Florida’s crops against costly pests

Behind every fresh head of lettuce and pepper on your plate, there’s a team of scientists working tirelessly...

Floridians are fertilizing lawns without guidance

A newly published UF/IFAS report reveals significant knowledge gaps about fertilizer among Floridians ...

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Health

Man claims government planted flesh-eating bug in him

When a deputy called to tell a man he was trespassed from HCA Raulerson Hospital...

FDOH reminds residents to vaccinate pets

The Florida Department of Health is warning residents to vaccinate their pets and avoid contact with wild and stray animals.

The hidden threat to care for the Down syndrome community

When my son was born with Down syndrome, I learned quickly that the smallest details of medical care...

Three steps to consider this spring to help you live a healthier lifestyle

Spring into health this season by refreshing your well-being routine and building healthier habits for the rest of the year.

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Business

SFWMD to hold public meetings

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

FWC to hold Gopher Tortoise Technical Assistance Group meeting on April 25

A meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Technical Assistance Group will be held virtually on Friday, April 25...

AAA: Florida gas prices declined 11 cents last week

Florida gas prices declined 11 cents last week. The state average was $3.00 per gallon on Sunday.

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning April 20

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, April 20. Motorists are reminded...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week beginning April 13

Change the date) Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, April 13. Motorists are reminded...

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

US 441 at NE 50th Drive (Hillard Road): US 441 at NE 50th Drive (Hillard Road): (Permit project) Crews are constructing...

Okeechobee County Road Watch

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, March 30. Motorists are reminded...

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State

Students from 2 Florida shootings demand the governor reject a law to lower the gun purchasing age

Students who experienced a shooting at both Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 and Florida State University days ago sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, demanding he rejects a law that …

No injuries reported from fire on Delta plane at Florida airport

A Delta Air Lines airplane caught fire before it was supposed to take off at a central Florida airport, forcing the evacuation of passengers. There were no initial reports of any injuries during the …

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National & World

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