Featured

'Elderly' man reportedly shoots BB gun at fishermen

A peaceful fishing trip turned into the type of adventure seen in movies when shots were fired in the direction of an Okeechobee man’s boat.

True Okee: The Death of Charles McArthur

True Okee is a podcast featuring true crime and weird stories from the forgotten heartland of South Florida.

Planned deviation would let more water flow south

A main goal of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) has been to move more freshwater south to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

Man accused of dumping concrete down drains of rental house

An Okeechobee man was arrested after he allegedly dumped concrete down the pipes of a rental home.

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Community

Healthy Start seeking volunteers to decorate for the Father-Daughter Dance

We’re getting everything ready for our upcoming Father-Daughter Dance this Saturday, June 14

Edward Scharfschwerdt along with his brothers Otto and Lous built Park Theatre on Park Street in 1915. [Courtesy photo]

Serendipity is a very interesting thing

A fortunate stroke of serendipity. The word is defined as good luck in making unexpected...

Main Street hosts summer art classes

Okeechobee Main Street offered summer art classes to children this year and the children have had a wonderful...

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Lake Okeechobee

SFWMD & FWC plant eelgrass in Fisheating Bay

Flood control is a key component of the District’s mission

Low lake level gives vegetation a chance to grow

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, NA °F

Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Get the full forecast

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LORE June 2025

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Lake levels

11.19 feet

Last year: 13.30 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Indian River State College Night at Clover Park returns for second year

The Indian River State College Alumni Association is proud to announce the return of Indian River State College Night at Clover Park on Wednesday, July 23...

LaSala's Big O Dojo wins big at international tournament

LaSala's Big "O" Dojo won big at an international tournament in Miami!

FWC: Spend time with dad this license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Go freshwater fishing this Father’s Day during the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s...

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Human Interest

The garbage situation is getting out of hand

A trash can may seem like a strange thing to steal, but it is happening more and more often lately.

Christina Smiley wins prestigious award

Congratulations to Christina Smiley, a graduate student in Musicology, on receiving the prestigious Howard Mayer Brown Fellowship from the American Musicological Society 25-26.

City honors legacy of long-time employee

The City of Okeechobee Honors the Legacy of Former Public Works Maintenance Foreman Palmer Cleveland Lamb. It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow the City announces the passing …

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Schools

Hallstrom Planetarium at IRSC launches Stellar 2025-2026 Starlight Series for 33rd Season

The 2025–2026 Starlight Series features immersive shows and presentations about astronomy and space.

OCFR visits Migrant summer program

On June 11, the Okeechobee County Fire Rescue visited the Migrant Summer Program...

Okeechobee Schools accomplished many things this year

On Tuesday, June 10, several students were recognized at the Okeechobee County School Board meeting...

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Wildlife & Environment

USACE to host CEPP Virtual Informational Meeting

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE), will host a virtual informational meeting Monday, June 30...

FWC scientists watching for Red tide & Sargassum

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is watchful for signs of Karenia brevis (red tide) and Sargassum.

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Government

Florida TaxWatch examines impact of an incomplete census count related to transportation

On June 10, Florida TaxWatch released The Census Undercount’s Toll on Florida Roads...

Governor DeSantis signs FRLA Priority Bill to protect hotels from squatters

On June 3, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) praised Governor Ron DeSantis for signing Senate Bill 606...

Commissioner accused of badmouthing restaurant

Commissioner Bradley Goodbread caused a stir over the weekend when he commented on a Facebook post on a local restaurant’s Facebook page.

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Police/Fire

Man reportedly calls his own doctor and makes threats

Earlier this week, a medical professional reported disturbing phone calls from a patient.

Miami man arrested on turnpike

After a high-speed chase on the Florida Turnpike, the driver of a small white sedan was arrested and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail.

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Opinion

A mother’s plea: The urgent need for productive conversations about gun violence

When I bought my 14-year-old son a crisp, navy suit with a yellow bowtie for his upcoming spring formal...

Franklin voted to restrict state and local government

Congressman Franklin voted to STOP any state or local governmental controls over artificial intelligence for 10 years.

Can my husband work part time and collect Social Security?

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

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Hurricane News

FEMA By the Numbers Weekly Update June 5

Activate Hope: Displaced survivors can apply for State Non-Congregate Sheltering by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com...

Readers share tips for hurricane season preparedness

The Lake Okeechobee News asked readers to share their hurricane season advice for newcomers.

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Adopt A Pet

Dogs find new homes after death of owner

Wednesday, June 4

While grieving the death of her mother, Athena Meeker was left with many difficult tasks to do.

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

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.

Okeechobee and Glades County veterans experience Honor Flight

Veterans from Okeechobee and Glades Counties were treated to the flight of a lifetime last week ...

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Agriculture

UF taps global invasion ecology expert to lead new era of the ISI

In the summer of 2000, a young undergraduate named Luke Flory was knee-deep in invasive plant species at a nature preserve...

Cowboys, cattle drive help teach Florida history

Florida fourth graders will have a chance to participate in a living history lesson in the 2025/2026 school year.

Hurricanes can bring crop diseases, but plant clinics help farmers battle pathogens from storms

Last fall, strawberry fields in the Tampa Bay region and at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center...

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Health

Pick a day to donate blood on the Blood Bus

For the sake of those in need of a blood transfusion, we ask you to pick a day and hop on the Blood Bus...

DOH-Okeechobee observes Revive Awareness Day

The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County (DOH-Okeechobee) observes Revive Awareness Day on Friday, June 6, 2025, and reminds residents that naloxone...

DOH-St. Lucie issues rabies alert

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County (DOH-St. Lucie) is issuing a rabies alert in St. Lucie County in response to a confirmed case of rabies...

HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital celebrates Chief Nursing Officer Dorothy Watson

HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital is proud to announce that our Chief Nursing Officer, Dorothy Watson...

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Business

AAA: Florida gas prices average $3.09 Per gallon

Florida gas prices increased 10 cents last week and then declined 3 cents through the weekend. On Sunday, June 8, ...

Culver's is still coming, but no one knows when

Yes Okeechobee. Culver’s is still coming… eventually.

SFWMD announces upcoming meetings

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

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 15...

Okeechobee Road Watch Report for week beginning June 8

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, June 8. Motorists are reminded...

AAA: Florida gas prices are slightly higher than a week ago

Florida gas prices are slightly more expensive than last week.

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning June 1

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, June 1. Motorists are reminded...

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State

Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father's Day at Zoo Miami

A South Florida zoo’s oldest resident is celebrating his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day. Officials at Zoo Miami say Goliath, a 517-pound Galapagos tortoise, became a father for the …

A Florida man convicted of killing 2 people outside a bar is to be executed in July

A man convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman outside a Florida bar has been scheduled for execution on July 15. Under a death warrant signed Friday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, 54-year-old …

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National & World

- Hurricane season has officially begun: Learn how you can prepare
  
  The annual Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun and now is a good time for all of us living in Florida to ensure we are prepared...
- FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update
  
  As of June 3, 899 FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.
- Better Business Bureau urge Floridians to prepare for Above Average 2025 Hurricane Season
  
  To help residents prepare, BBB has released its 2025 Florida Hurricane Guide, a free resource for consumers...

More Hurricane News

Special Sections

'Elderly' man reportedly shoots BB gun at fishermen

True Okee: The Death of Charles McArthur

Planned deviation would let more water flow south

Man accused of dumping concrete down drains of rental house

Healthy Start seeking volunteers to decorate for the Father-Daughter Dance

Serendipity is a very interesting thing

Main Street hosts summer art classes

E-newspaper

LORE June 2025

Indian River State College Night at Clover Park returns for second year

LaSala's Big O Dojo wins big at international tournament

FWC: Spend time with dad this license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Dogs find new homes after death of owner

Caloosa Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Virtual Career Fair for Veterans to be held June 17

Okeechobee and Glades County veterans experience Honor Flight

Pick a day to donate blood on the Blood Bus

DOH-Okeechobee observes Revive Awareness Day

DOH-St. Lucie issues rabies alert

HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital celebrates Chief Nursing Officer Dorothy Watson

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of June 15-21

Okeechobee Road Watch Report for week beginning June 8

AAA: Florida gas prices are slightly higher than a week ago

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning June 1

Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father's Day at Zoo Miami

A Florida man convicted of killing 2 people outside a bar is to be executed in July

AP News Summary at 12:16 a.m. EDT

Photos of escalating Israel-Iran conflict

Woman claims mother and child kidnapped her

Man accused of dumping concrete down drains of rental house

Hurricane season has officially begun: Learn how you can prepare

FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update

Better Business Bureau urge Floridians to prepare for Above Average 2025 Hurricane Season