Featured

LaBelle resident fights for water safety measures

In a state known for year-round water activities, it seems ironic that Florida leads the ...

Neal returns to Okeechobee to host football camp

Former Okeechobee Brahman and current New York Giant Evan Neal was back in his hometown on June 8 to host a football camp for local youth.

Arrest made in cemetery thefts case

Recently, the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office received a report about the theft of several items from gravesites at Evergreen Cemetery in Okeechobee.

Mobile mental health response unit member charged with DUI

A member of a mental health mobile response team was arrested and charged with DUI after allegedly running into a gas station fuel island.

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Community

FEMA provides tips for filing a flood insurance claim

FEMA urges anyone in South Florida who experienced flood damage in the recent storms...

Flag Day will be celebrated today, June 14, at 5:30 p.m.

The Republican Party of Okeechobee will host Flag Day at Veteran’s Park on the corner of U.S. 441 and S.R. 70 today....

Teenagers passing out donations at food bank donation drive.

Food bank to close for two weeks

The Sacred Heart Food Bank, located Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 901 SW Sixth St....

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Lake Okeechobee

SFWMD regularly samples and tests Lake O water

Sending Lake O water south depends on FDOT

USACE announces virtual LOSOM PDT Meeting and Stakeholder Engagement June 18

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 79 °F

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east northeast … Get the full forecast

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Lake levels

13.36 feet

Last year: 14.09 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Soccer camp will help develop Brahman program

A soccer camp set for July could help the Okeechobee High School Brahman soccer program take the next step in the playoffs next season.

Evan Neal to host 2nd Annual Youth Football Camp on June 8

New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal is returning to his hometown of Okeechobee to host a free Youth Football Camp...

FWC announces license-free freshwater fishing weekend is June 8 and 9

Florida residents and visitors of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to try...

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Human Interest

Baby battles cancer like a warrior

The word cancer is a scary one, and when we hear it as a diagnosis for a baby, it can be terrifying.

Okeechobee teen starts business at 13

An Okeechobee teen is getting a head start in the business world by starting a business while still in high school.

Gator alumni-led company recognized for decade of compassionate growth

Every year for the past 10 years, the University of Florida’s Gator100 program has honored the fastest-growing businesses...

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Schools

Local students tour county during leadership camp

The first group of junior leaders from the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation’s Summer Leadership program graduated on June 13.

Former YMS principal resigns for third time amid harassment complaints

Former Yearling Middle School principal David Krakoff finds himself the center of a third harassment controversy.

Lake ‘O Elite Athletics begins training

Lake ‘O Elite Athletics began their second year at Okeechobee Summer Training Camp

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Wildlife & Environment

FWC seeks meat processors and taxidermists to join fight against CWD

Partners in this program play a critical role in helping the FWC determine how many CWD-positive deer...

Project to help clean up Lake Istokpoga

An AguaCulture project will remove thousands of pounds of phosphorus and nitrogen from Lake Istokpoga.

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Government

Postal Service is closed on Wednesday, June 19

Postal Service retail locations will be closed, and there will be no regular mail delivery except...

Gov. DeSantis signs budget allocating more than $4.6 billion to DCF

On June 12, Governor Ron DeSantis signed his Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2...

Gov. DeSantis’ approves 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act

This legislation provides resources and support to Florida’s correctional professionals and...

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Police/Fire

Woman hits car at AMVETS and is charged with DUI

After reportedly running into another car and walking away, an Okeechobee woman was charged with DUI and resisting arrest.

Man claiming to work for bank cons woman into giving out information

A man claiming to work for a local bank conned a woman into giving out personal information last week.

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Opinion

Medicare increase results in loss of Social Security benefits

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor answers questions about Social Security.

Justices under fire for not bowing to political demands

An independent judiciary is the key to maintaining our constitutional republic. It is the reckoning...

What about senior citizens?

Just wanted to call your attention to the fact that elder citizens are suffering too.

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Hurricane News

FPL meteorologists prepare for potentially active hurricane season

Growing up in Indiana and then living in Oklahoma -- the heart of tornado alley...

FPL offers tips for customers to prepare for hurricane season

Ahead of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, Florida Power & Light ...

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Adopt A Pet

Adopt a pet: Meet Casper

Monday, February 19

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

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, January 22

This week’s Pets of the Week are a mix of adorable dogs and cats.

Adopt a Pet: Meet Max

Monday, January 8

I'm a handsome sweet boy looking and wishing for my forever home with you.

Fur-Tastic Pet Spa hosts visits with Santa

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

In case you missed it, here are some of the pictures from Saturday at Fur-Tastic Pet Spa LLC .

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Veterans

Veteran coalition fights suicide

The Greater Lake Okeechobee Veterans Service Coalition formed in the fall of 2023,

Smart & Safe Florida announces statewide Veterans Coalition

On Tuesday, April 23, the Smart & Safe Florida campaign launched its “Vets Vote #YesOn3” statewide Veterans Coalition...

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Agriculture

Sweaty cattle may boost food security in a warming world

Sweaty cows may not sound like the most exciting company, but in a warming world, researchers can’t get...

Cattle grazing removes phosphorus from watershed

Leasing state land for cattle grazing provides income for the South Florida Water ...

Blue-Green Algae Task Force reviews Agriculture BMPs

Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) were reviewed at the Blue-Green Algae Task Force June 4 meeting.

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Health

Clearing the air about menthol cigarettes

Studies show flavorings like menthol make it easier to start smoking and harder to quit...

Facts and myths about summer skin protection

You may be surprised to learn that higher SPF does not always mean better protection.

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Ok, it’s both

The carefree days of summer without school and schedules beckon children to go outside.

Hot weather brings risk of heat injury

Summer is here and so are the high temperatures that can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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Business

BBB Tip: Preparing for and recovering from flooding

The last few days of heavy rain has caused major flooding in southwest Florida.

Zachary Taylor Waterfront RV Resort wins a Best Park Award

Zachary Taylor RV Resort has won a Best Park Award from the Florida RV Park & Campground Association ...

BBB tallies record number of reports as scammers adopt new technologies

In 2023, phishing scam reports to BBB Scam TrackerSM nearly doubled...

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 16-22

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 16...

FDOT to hold in-person and online public workshops for SR 70 PD&E Study

You can participate live online or in-person. The same materials will be displayed at both...

AAA: Florida gasoline prices are the lowest since February

Florida gas prices are now the lowest since February. The state average has steadily declined the past 17...

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 9-15

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 9...

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State

Demolition of the Parkland classroom building where 17 died in 2018 shooting is set to begin

A crew is scheduled to begin tearing down the three-story classroom building where 17 people died in the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland, Florida’s, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The …

Florida prepares for next round of rainfall after tropical storms swamped southern part of the state

Forecasters have warned Floridians to prepare for additional flash flooding after a tropical disturbance dumped as much as 20 inches of rainfall in the southern parts of the state earlier this week. …

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National & World

- Hurricane season begins June 1 – get ready now
  
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the unprecedented 2004 hurricane season that saw four ...
- AAA Survey: 1-in-4 Floridians would ignore hurricane evacuation warnings
  
  Severe weather like hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home, damage your vehicle...
- Twenty years later: Lessons from the 2004 hurricane season
  
  The hurricane season of 2004 is seared into the memory of those living in the Okeechobee area that year.