Featured

BOCC discusses solutions to protestors' interruptions

After another contentious meeting, the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners...

Former commissioner angered by protestor dragging flag

Former commissioner Bryant Culpepper spoke during the citizen comment portion of the BOCC’s March 27 meeting.

Special Olympic athlete receives recognition

Krystal Sims, of Okeechobee, was recently recognized for leadership and being a self-advocate...

Man accused of crashing into trailer

After allegedly running his car up under a trailer, an Okeechobee man was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

More Featured

Community

Leah Suarez is the founder and president of Our Village Okeechobee.

Our Village to host summer camp in Douglas Park again

Leah Suarez, executive director of Our Village told the BOCC during the March 27 meeting...

Voices for Children is Calling all Heroes!

Join us at Clover Park on April 18th for an action-packed night with Voices for Children of Okeechobee...

New K9s United specialty license plate now available

K9s United, a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting law enforcement canines...

More Community

Lake Okeechobee

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces releases under Recovery Operations

USACE reduces lake releases east and west

Lake recession could hit recovery level even if releases east stop

More Lake Okeechobee

Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Partly Cloudy, 77 °F

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Get the full forecast

Read Lake Okeechobee News

E-newspaper

Read the latest print edition here.

View this issue

Browse other issues

Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE March 2025

View this issue

Browse other special sections

Lake levels

12.68 feet

Last year: 15.37 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Spiny lobster season closes April 1

The spiny lobster recreational and commercial seasons close to harvest in state and federal waters starting April 1,

Moore Haven Terriers defeat Donahue Catholic Shamrocks

The Moore Haven Terriers varsity baseball team beat the Donahue Catholic Shamrocks 11-1 on March 14.

Pump track opens to great enthusiasm

What began as a dream is now a reality as Okeechobee County is now home to one of only five pump tracks in the state.

More Sports

Human Interest

Woman fights to have benches returned to Walmart

Okeechobee resident Mary Kennedy has made it her mission in life to bring benches back to the local Walmart.

Chamber of Commerce honors Jessica Lea

Honoring Jessica Lea – Community Leadership Award Recipient

Off duty nurse saves choking baby

An off-duty ER nurse credits God with saving a toddler from choking Sunday morning...

More Human Interest

Schools

IRSC to host a series of Academic Department Open Houses

Indian River State College will host a series of Academic Department Open Houses this spring,...

IRSC receives $1.5M grant to transform former boy school into data campus

Indian River State College (IRSC) has received $1.5 million from Governor Ron DeSantis' Rural Infrastructure Fund...

IRSC, St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce to host State of the College Luncheon

Business leaders, educators, and community members are invited to learn about the College’s latest initiatives...

More Schools

Wildlife & Environment

Manatees are on the move — go slow & look out below

Spotting manatees in the water can be challenging, but going slow and looking out below helps boaters...

Volunteers serve the community at St. Lucie Lock recreational area

Visitors to the St. Lucie Lock Recreational Area can experience a variety of activities while surrounded by nature’s beauty

More Wildlife & Environment

Government

SFWMD announces upcoming public meetings

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

Follow the rules for garbage collection

Since March 2024, approximately one year prior to the installation of Waste Management’s new automated collection process …

Canadian visitors will have to register with authorities

Beginning April 11, Canadians visiting Florida will have to comply with immigration rules being enforced by the Trump administration.

More Government

Police/Fire

Campers charged with drug possession

A man and woman were arrested earlier this week after a passerby reported a potential brush fire at Nubbins Slough.

Two arrested during traffic stop

Two were arrested and one free to leave after a traffic stop by a member of the narcotics task force.

More Police/Fire

Opinion

This month, you could lose access to virtual physical therapy

I have virtual physical therapy to thank for the miraculous recovery. And my story isn't unique.

What the world needs now is love

What can you say and do about a world gone mad?

Advocates to highlight harmful proposed Medicaid cuts in Southern States

A coalition of health advocacy organizations advocating for Medicaid expansion in the South...

More Opinion

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...

More Hurricane News

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!

More Pets

Veterans

Welcome home Honor Flight veterans

Saturday, April 12th, Southeast Florida Honor Flight volunteers will be escorting a full load of veterans...

MCHF spotlights Florida during Nationwide Marines Across America Program

On March 21, The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) celebrates the Marines of Florida...

More Veterans

Find Us On Facebook

Facebook

Agriculture

UF/IFAS to host free online workshop on vanilla cultivation

Aspiring vanilla growers and seasoned agriculturalists in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are invited...

UF/IFAS plant pathologist brings hope and relief to Everglades Agricultural area farmers

Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have a powerful new ally in the fight against crop diseases.

Springtime gardening with iconic Florida citrus trees

Do you have a green thumb? Maybe you’re interested in growing something that will blossom in your yard.

More Agriculture

Health

Alzheimer's Assoc. offers virtual class for caregivers to learn new communication skills

As people living with dementia progress in their journey and lose the ability to use words, caregivers can discover new...

Latest stats show adults, kids aren’t getting enough physical activity for heart health

Less than half of adults and less than one-in-five children in the U.S. get the recommended amount...

Register for Alzheimer Association's virtual Managing Money - A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances

The Brain Bus raises awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias and addresses the benefits of early detection

Spring break travel: 5 ways to protect your health and reduce stress

Spring break is just around the corner for many Floridians offering a chance to relax, explore, and spend more time with family. So, how do you make sure your vacation stays memorable for the right …

More Health

Business

AAA: Florida’s gas price average drops below $3 a gallon

Sunday's state average was $2.97 per gallon. That's 2 cents less than the 2024 low and the lowest daily average price since December 2023.

Model homes under construction near BHR

Lakefront Estates will feature 1,000 homes …

Explore current and future business opportunities with SFWMD

The District’s talented team of procurement professionals establishes contractual relationships with businesses...

More Business

Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 23-29

Crews will begin the installation of pedestrian/bicycle detection systems, conduits and electrical components, and connections to the bridge tender building.

AAA: Florida’s average gas price is 3 cents more than last week

Florida gas prices averaged $3.10 per gallon on Monday, March 17.

AAA: Florida gas prices decline 3¢

Florida gas prices declined 3¢ last week. The state average on Sunday, March 2, was $3.07 per gallon.

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 2-8

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, March 2...

More Traffic

State

Trump-backed Byron Donalds makes his campaign debut in the 2026 race to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis

With the endorsement of President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is holding his first campaign rally in the 2026 Florida governor’s race. The rally begins Friday evening in Donalds’ …

‘The floodgates have really opened’: Democrats raise millions in special House elections in Florida

Democrats, with few electoral outlets for their outrage at President Donald Trump’s dramatic restructuring of the federal government, are pouring millions of dollars into two special elections in …

More State

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.”

More Hurricane News

Special Sections

BOCC discusses solutions to protestors' interruptions

Former commissioner angered by protestor dragging flag

Special Olympic athlete receives recognition

Man accused of crashing into trailer

Our Village to host summer camp in Douglas Park again

Voices for Children is Calling all Heroes!

New K9s United specialty license plate now available

E-newspaper

LORE March 2025

Spiny lobster season closes April 1

Moore Haven Terriers defeat Donahue Catholic Shamrocks

Pump track opens to great enthusiasm

Caloosa Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Welcome home Honor Flight veterans

MCHF spotlights Florida during Nationwide Marines Across America Program

Alzheimer's Assoc. offers virtual class for caregivers to learn new communication skills

Latest stats show adults, kids aren’t getting enough physical activity for heart health

Register for Alzheimer Association's virtual Managing Money - A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances

Spring break travel: 5 ways to protect your health and reduce stress

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 23-29

AAA: Florida’s average gas price is 3 cents more than last week

AAA: Florida gas prices decline 3¢

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 2-8

Trump-backed Byron Donalds makes his campaign debut in the 2026 race to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis

‘The floodgates have really opened’: Democrats raise millions in special House elections in Florida

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:11 a.m. EDT

US defense chief says stronger deterrence needed against China in disputed sea

Former commissioner angered by protestor dragging flag

Woman reportedly sells drugs to support family

Operation Blue Roof extended

MARC is set up at the library to help with disaster recovery

FWC addressing hundreds of vessels displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton