HURRICANE NEWS
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BRIGHTON -- Seminole princesses wave at the opening of Brighton Bay Hotel and Casino on Feb. 6. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

New Brighton Bay Casino and Hotel opens in Glades County

Photos from the opening of Brighton Bay Casino and Hotel.

Quarters for a Cause benefit planned for the Brahman Band

Quarters for a Cause will be held at the American Legion, 501 SE Second St., on Tuesday, Feb. 18...

Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day

According to Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, on Feb. 2, if the groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow, he will be frightened and go back underground
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Fair, 66 °F
Patchy dense fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Get the full forecast
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Lake levels
14.18 feet
Last year: 16.33 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest
A foggy morning on Lake Okeechobee doesn't even slow the avid fishermen down. A foggy morning on Lake Okeechobee doesn't even slow the avid fishermen down.
Sandra Pearce, a well-known Okeechobee photographer was honored to see some of her photographs featured on this unique dress made by Mandy.
A local woman, Apolonia Nunez, was recently awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2024.
Schools
Get ready for a fun evening of discovery at Indian River State College! The College is excited to host its...
Everglades Elementary School had some awesome kindergarten and first grade students that met...
Friday, Jan. 31, wrapped up Literacy Week at North Elementary School.
Wildlife & Environment
When searching for a great Valentine’s Day gift, you might consider the enchanting orchid.
Have you ever noticed unusual plants, animals or insects in your area? Chances are there is way to help scientists...
Government
Mayor Dowling Watford proclaims February 16 through February 22, 2025, as Engineers’ Week.
On Monday, Jan. 27, the Internal Revenue Service opened the 2025 tax filing season...
Okeechobee County Commissioners honored employees who had reached milestones of service ...
Police/Fire
Due to a mix up between family members, a toddler was able to escape the normally watchful eyes of family...
Just as her mother’s probation sentence begins, a daughter’s ends.
Opinion
A friend in Chicago once shared a fascinating story – the day of his greatest crisis, when he almost ended his life.
Whether we’re aware of it or not, the media we consume strongly influences how we process mental health crises.
Mayors of Belle Glade, Pahokee, Moore Haven, South Bay, Clewiston and Okeechobee sent the following letter to the Florida Oceanographic Society.
Hurricane News
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has placed tarps on more than 7,100 homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton...
Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Federal Emergency...
Veterans

Local non-profit to rededicate helicopter at Memorial Day ceremony

Thank You for Your Service, Inc., a dedicated non-profit organization supporting local veterans,...

Helicopter to be returned home soon

The Veteran’s Park helicopter is being restored and will be home soon.
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Agriculture
You can taste them now – sweet, succulent strawberries. February and March mark the peak time...
The ongoing outbreak of “bird flu” has spread widely across both wild bird populations and commercial poultry operations …
The ability to detect crop nutrient deficiencies and promptly modify fertilizer application to address...
Health

FDOH and DCF offer new parenting resources

On Feb. 4, the Florida Department of Health and Department of Children and Families announced additional...

UF/IFAS researchers take step toward creating Salmonella vaccine

Salmonella might seem like a mild inconvenience to some, but for sensitive groups, it can prove dangerous or deadly.

Nutrition labels meant to promote healthy eating could discourage purchases

Some food labels designed to nudge Americans toward healthier food choices can have the opposite effect...

18th annual Health and Safety Expo and Touch a Truck a resounding success

The 18th Annual Okeechobee Family Health and Safety Expo/Touch-A-Truck Event wrapped up another great year.
Business
On Feb. 3, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026...
A licensed CPA in Florida, McMullen holds an MBA and brings over 15 years of progressive accounting...
Join the South Florida Water Management District for four workshops on the 2025 Update for the Sea Level Rise and Flood Resiliency Plan.
Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of Feb. 9-15

US 441 at NE 50th Drive (Hillard Road): (Permit project) Crews are constructing a temporary road connection to rebuild Hillard Road....

Should I stay or should I go? The fear factor behind hit-and-run crashes

Each year in February, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and our...

AAA: Florida gas prices are 15 cents less than last week

Pump prices continue to pinball, this time falling in Floridians’ favor. Florida gas prices declined 15 cents...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of Feb. 2-8

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

Trump says he's revoking Biden's security clearance, ending intelligence briefings in payback move

President Donald Trump says he’s revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending the daily intelligence briefings he’s receiving in payback for Biden doing the same to him …

Voxx: Fiscal Q3 Earnings Snapshot

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Voxx International Corp. (VOXX) on Friday reported a loss of $44 million in its fiscal third quarter. On a per-share basis, the Orlando, …
National & World

Australia holds its nose for the 3rd rancid bloom of a rare corpse plant in 3 months

A rare bloom with a pungent odor like decaying flesh has opened in the Australian capital in the nation’s third such extraordinary flowering in as many months. Officials say the corpse flower …

Ecuador's conservative incumbent and a leftist lawyer advance to presidential runoff

Ecuador will choose its next president in a runoff election after conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González garnered enough votes Sunday to beat 14 other candidates. The …
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