HURRICANE NEWS

- Disaster Recovery Centers are a one-stop-shop for assistance
  
  At a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), you can speak directly with someone about your unique case and receive guidance.
- FEMA helps 67K Florida households with housing needs
  
  FEMA has awarded grants to 63,000 households affected by Hurricane Ian for rental assistance or basic repairs...
- Hurricane Ian assistance exceeds $4.5 billion
  
  More than $4.5 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided...

Featured

Broadband projects awarded state funding

On Feb. 2, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the awarded projects totaling more than $144 million for 58 projects in 41 Florida counties.

Broadband projects awarded state funding

Internet service providers were awarded nearly $13 million dollars to expand access and improve broadband internet service in Hendry County.

Battle of Okeechobee Re-enactment is Feb. 25 & 26

The annual Battle of Okeechobee Re-enactment will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 & Sunday, Feb. 26 2023 at the Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park ...

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Health

Florida teens lack awareness of fentanyl dangers

A new survey conducted by the Incubate Foundation of high school students throughout Florida has revealed an alarming lack ...

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month and there is no time like now to learn about heart health and ways to keep your heart healthy.

Alzheimer Association provides virtual support groups

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop...

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Community News

Left to right: Xavier Anzualda, Armando Nunez and Alexavier Cook.

Two Immokalee High School students awarded grants

Two Immokalee High School students received a grant from the Benison Center to aid them in starting and expanding their small businesses.

Agri-Civic Center announces events

The Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center hosts events in February.

Local artist paints what she loves

Barb Swift’s vibrant watercolor renderings are the result of years of art experimentation, exploration and skill refinement.

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Human Interest

Adopt a pet: Meet Charlotte

The Isabella Eghrari Memorial Scholarship awards Immokalee Foundation postsecondary Students with Fun Money

Remembering the contributions of Black Americans

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Current Conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Mostly Cloudy, 55 °F

Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Windy, with an east northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Get the full forecast

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E-edition

Read the latest Lake Okeechobee print edition here.

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Lake levels

15.97 feet

Last year: 14.91 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE February 2023

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Okeechobee Arrest Report

The following individuals were charged with DUI or felonies last week.

Harry Maurice Kelley

Harry, 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep December 17th, 2022. He was born on December 3, 1929 to Eva and Calvin Kelley.He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Johnnie Kelley, …

Motorcyclist killed in two-vehicle accident

OKEECHOBEE — A 41-year-old Okeechobee man was killed Monday, Jan. 30 after he crossed the double yellow line in order to pass the vehicle ...

Highlands Hammock announces 36th Annual CCC Festival

Highlands Hammock State Park is celebrating Florida history, culture, and nature at the 36th Annual Civilian Conservation...

Hendry County Clerk of Court staff fights against human trafficking

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Hendry County Clerk of Court Kimberley Barrineau and her entire staff...

Lake Okeechobee

Lake level dropping about 1 inch per week

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Sports

Bassmaster Elite tournament to include Outdoors Expo

The 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series will open on world-famous Lake Okeechobee Feb. 16-19.

Lady Gators soccer wins back-to-back district championships

The Glades Day School varsity Lady Gators soccer team secured another district championship this season.

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Schools

Glades Day juniors attend showcase

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the junior class at Glades Day School attended the BDB’s 2023 Claim Your Future Showcase!

WES gets into robotics

Students and family came out on Literacy Night, Thursday, Feb. 2, came out to see the Robotics Club show off

WGS Literacy Week winners announced

West Glades School announced winners of Literacy Week Book Trivia on Thursday, Feb. 2

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Government

County's animal control ordinance updated

OKEECHOBEE – Changes to the Okeechobee County Animal Control Ordinance which was updated on Jan. 1, prohibits the feeding of feral cats on public property and prohibits leaving a dog chained or …

Hendry County approves zoning variance for Southwest Ag Service, Inc.

Southwest Ag Service, Inc., a land-clearing and excavation service in LaBelle, received approval from the Hendry County Board of ...

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Veterans

Veteran Farquhar is an author

Veteran Jerry Farquhar wrote the book, “In the Sky” to fulfill a promise to his late wife.

Paul Lynch joined the Army right out of high school at the age of 18.

Veteran Lynch is office manager for Total Roadside

Born up north, Veteran Paul Lynch and his family moved to Indiantown in 1980.

The Okeechobee Outsiders 4-H club donated gifts to veterans for the holidays. Pictured left to right are (back row) Thomas Crum, Gregg Maynard, William Crum and Matthew Hutson. (Second row) Jo'Navi Sewell, Gracie Hutson, Jessica Sewell, Betty Jo Campbell and Calleigh Teague. (Front row) Kaleb Rucker, Kamdyn Teague, Ricky Brown, Jacob Weeks and Grayson Elad.

4-H club donates Christmas gifts for veterans

On Monday, Dec. 20, the Okeechobee Outsiders 4-H Club presented veteran activist Gregg Maynard with gift baskets and gift cards to distribute to veterans …

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State

Why 'Point-in-Time' count of Brevard's homeless matters

MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) — Carl Brown has no permanent address, much less a kitchen and dinner table. But on a recent Monday night, the setting sun blazing orange behind him, the 49-year-old …

A wooden migrant boat lies grounded on the reef alongside mangroves, at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Increasing numbers of Cuban and Haitian migrants have attempted the risky Florida Straits crossing in recent months to illegally enter the Keys Island chain and other parts of the state as inflation soars and economic conditions deteriorate in their home countries. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Migrants trying to reach Florida leave abandoned boats

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Grounded in sand bars, adrift in the sea or washed onto private beaches, the boats keep piling up: rafts made from styrofoam, sailboats, hollowed-out drums attached to …

Brazil's right wing former President Jair Bolsonaro speaks at an event hosted by conservative group Turning Point USA, at Trump National Doral Miami, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Bolsonaro defends tenure, questions Brazil election defeat

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro spoke to hundreds of supporters at a property owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump Friday and did not discourage them from claiming he lost his …

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Opinion