Featured

Airborne rangers drill on Lake Okeechobee

An Airborne Ranger Army Reserve Unit from Miami spent the day on Lake Okeechobee practicing parachute jumps.

Man with rifle was just hunting lizards

An Okeechobee man discovered that hunting invasive lizards was more hazardous than he expected yesterday...

Brahman football hosting spring game this week

The Okeechobee High School Brahman football team will be hosting their annual Spring Game this Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m.

CSX holds up traffic for nearly an hour

Motorists were left stranded after two of the three main railroad crossings between the...

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Community

Healthy Start’s spring cleaning yard sale

Healthy Start is excited to invite the community to their Yard Sale this Friday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ...

Red Cross offers water safety tips for National Water Safety Month

Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

SAR member Jim Pippin presented stars for ancestors

Okeechobee SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) member Jim Pippin (left) was presented two stars by SAR President Preston Croslyn (right).

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Lake Okeechobee

Anglers call on FWC to stop the spraying

Toxins found in other Florida waterways, but not Lake O

Water managers hopeful for Lake O SAV recovery

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, NA °F

Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Get the full forecast

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Lake levels

11.18 feet

Last year: 13.69 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Fall quota and special-opportunity hunts

The application periods for fall quota and special-opportunity hunts open tomorrow, May 15 at 10 a.m. ET!

Father and son team win fishing tournament

Qualifier #2 of the 2025 Roland Martin Marine Center Series presented by HUK was a big deal.

D & G Kickboxing and Fitness hosts first yellow belt testing

D & G Kickboxing and Fitness hosts first yellow belt testing for 11 members. Accompanied by sister gym...

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Human Interest

Cities with the most UFO sightings in Florida

Woman gives her father's violin to young violinist

More than 70 years after her father’s death, his legacy lives on as Joyce Bussell gifted his prized violin to a young man she met by chance.

Jersey Mike's donates more than a quarter million to Quantum House

As a result of Jersey Mike’s annual “Month of Giving,” the restaurant chain was able to raise...

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Schools

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum to honor teachers with free admission throughout July

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is proud to announce the celebration of Teachers Appreciation Month in July.

Hailey Greeson graduates from Berry College

Berry College recently announced its newest class of graduates for 2025.

School board recognizes FFA students and Science Olympiads

The meeting of the Okeechobee County School Board on Tuesday, May 13, was so packed...

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Wildlife & Environment

FWC launches new Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a longstanding FWC program that connects people to over 500 birding...

Registration now open for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™

Are you looking to help raise awareness about nonnative species and remove invasive Burmese pythons...

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Government

City takes care of business

During the May 6 Okeechobee City Council meeting, Robbie Chartier gave a presentation regarding the insurance coverages and services provided by PRM.

USPS reminds customers to check and maintain their mailboxes

With National Mailbox Improvement Week (May 18 - May 24), the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging customers...

Bautech wants to expand business in Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE – Sergio Park, of Bautech, made a presentation to the Okeechobee County Commission on May 8 ...

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Police/Fire

Local law officers remember those who have fallen in the line of duty

Okeechobee County law enforcement officers gathered Thursday morning to pay homage to those who have fallen in the line of duty during 2024.

It is still legal to spank your child

Did you know you can legally spank your child, within reason? In the last few decades, ...

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Purse Bingo was a huge hit, thank you!

What a night! Our Purse Bingo Fundraiser on May 3, 2025, was full of energy, laughter, and generosity...

The best way to get illegal immigrants to return home

There has likely never been a more tendentious transfer of power in presidential history than the Biden-Harris team’s final act.

A new twist on celebrating Mother’s Day

See how the “M” and the “ay” are connected? Here is something important to know about mothers...

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Hurricane News

AAA shares insurance advice to help residents prepare

As National Hurricane Preparedness Week kicks off, AAA – The Auto Club Group urges residents to take proactive steps...

Prepare your landscape and trees for the hurricane season

Given the damaging impacts of hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year, you may want to prepare your landscape...

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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

Welcome home Honor Flight Veterans

Saturday, May 31, Southeast Florida Honor Flight volunteers will be escorting a full load of veterans on the free trip of a lifetime...

Ancient Oaks supports veterans

Many residents at the Ancient Oaks Condominium Resort in Okeechobee are veterans or have a close family member...

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Agriculture

UF/IFAS program expands ag education in primary, secondary schools

Not every child grows up with a deep understanding of the agricultural systems that supply the food we eat every day.

As USDA halts animal imports, UF experts explain New World screwworm risk

The screwworm could pose a threat to U.S. livestock, wildlife and domestic animals...

Feeding cows seaweed reduces methane emissions, but does it make economic sense?

As they digest grass and hay, cows produce significant amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas. In the quest to identify an alternative livestock feed, seaweed has emerged as a promising contender. …

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Health

Stay sun-safe in Florida: The truth about melanoma

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, and skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

Event speakers share stories of personal trauma

Two speakers at the May 14 Mental Health Awareness Luncheon had personal stories to share.

Breastfeeding provides health benefits to both babies and their mothers

Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants exclusively breastfeed during their first six months of life...

Raulerson Hospital recognized for hospital safety

The Leapfrog Group is an independent, national watchdog organization that advocates for health care transparency and safety.

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Business

Petition calls for change in how FWC commissioners are appointed

A Change.org petition calls for a change in the way commissioners are appointed to lead the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Chesaco RV hosts Spring showcase

Chesaco RV, 4300 U.S. 441 South, held a Spring Showcase Block Party on May 10. Local partners included Gilbert Ford and Garrards Bait and Tackle Shop.

Florida gas prices fall below $3 a gallon

Florida gas prices fell below $3 per gallon last week. The state average dropped to $2.93 per gallon on Sunday.

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning May 18

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, May 18. Motorists are reminded...

AAA: 2.6M Floridians will travel domestically for Memorial Day

AAA predicts a record-breaking 2.6 million Floridians will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period...

AAA trends show a desire to travel this summer despite economic concerns

As temperatures rise, so does the desire to travel. A new survey from AAA – The Auto Club Group reveals...

AAA: Florida gas prices average $3.10 per gallon during the weekend

Florida gas prices seesawed again last week. The state average went from $3.04 per gallon on Monday, April 28...

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State

Florida airport closes after vehicle catches fire in parking garage, officials say

Officials say a Florida airport was closed after a vehicle caught fire in a parking garage. Arrivals and departures were halted Friday at Jacksonville International Airport as firefighters contained …

Board of Florida's only public HBCU picks a lobbyist with ties to DeSantis as its next president

The board of Florida’s only public historically Black university has chosen a lobbyist with ties to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the school’s next president, alarming students, faculty and …

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National & World

- Workshops to discuss funding for long-term resiliency
  
  HUD has announced that Florida Commerce will receive more than $925 million in funding to support long-term resiliency efforts ...
- 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...