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Corps stops releases from lake to St. Lucie River

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Coronavirus

- Glades County has walk-in covid vaccinations on Sundays
  
  Walk-ins are welcome at the Sunday vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays at the Glades County Regional Training Center.
- COVID vaccines available in Clewiston now through Friday
  
  CVS Pharmacy in Clewiston has vaccines available through Friday, April 9. You will need to schedule an appointment.
- Federally-supported sites to transition to one dose Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
  
  The four federal vaccination sites in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami are using the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

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Community

Okeechobee County promotes tourism to international audience

Brand USA gave Okeechobee County a chance to reach an international audience.

“Kitten Season,” as it’s known in the animal welfare field, starts each spring and lasts through fall.

Kitten season is anything but cute for animal shelters

What may sound cute to the general public causes a shudder every year among animal shelter staff across the country.

Hendry County Waste Management to hold Toxic Round Up

Hendry County Waste Management will hold a Toxic Round Up in Clewiston April 12-13 and LaBelle April 14-15.

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Weather

Five-day Rainfall Totals from Tropical Storm Eta Across South Florida.

Eta was rare November surprise for South & SW Florida and the Keys

Now that the water has receded and the cleanup is underway, let’s take a closer look at Eta’s track as well as how rare of an event...

National Hurricane Center updates projections for Tropical Storm Eta

MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center has updated the projected path of Tropical Storm Eta.

Floridians now need to brace for Eta

IMMOKALEE — The National Weather Service provided a special briefing Thursday morning about the expected path and strengthening of Tropical Depression Eta toward the Florida peninsula, which …

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Police/Fire

Red Cross helps five people affected by a home fire in Clewiston

On Monday, April 5, local American Red Cross volunteers responded virtually to a home fire that occurred in Clewiston, Fla.

Aftermath Services acquires Florida biohazard experts - Accident Scene Cleaners

Aftermath Services, a biohazard remediation service recently acquired Accident Scene Cleaners, a biohazard cleanup company.

Shout out to HCSO Deputy Oscar Gonzalez

HENDRY COUNTY - Sandy Lepley, of Ft. Myers Beach, recently sent a special thank you to HCSO Deputy Oscar Gonzalez.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake O having good year for Snail Kites

WEST PALM BEACH – Lake Okeechobee is finally back in the ecological envelope, Lawrence Glenn Water Resources Division Director told the...

SFWMD Governing Board declares April Water Conservation Month

The South Florida Water Management District has declared April to be Water Conservation Month.

South Bay boat ramp closed April 12 and 13 due to work on dike

SOUTH BAY -- The boat ramp at the South Bay Recreation Area will be closed temporarily on Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13, due to cutoff wall construction on the Herbert Hoover …

Okeechobee Waterway Port Mayaca Lock and Dam has 25-foot width restriction

The Port Mayaca Lock & Dam currently has a 25-foot width restriction due to a mechanical failure of Sector Gate #1.

Glyphosate in Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers not coming from EAA

Going down another rabbit hole to connect the dots between sugar industry’s use of glyphosate in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and impacts to manatees...

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Sports

Tigers win Clewiston Track and Field Invitational

The Clewiston High School track and field teams came out on top at the 2021 Clewiston Invitational on April 1.

Freshwater license-free fishing Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4

Try your hand at freshwater fishing this weekend on Saturday, April. 3 and Sunday, April 4, without needing a freshwater fishing license.

Clewiston softball holds senior night; Lady Tigers improve to 12-5

The Clewiston High School varsity softball team honored four of its seniors before their game against Moore Haven

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Entertainment

Harney Pond observation tower offers great view of the Big O

Stop by the Harney Pond Recreation Area, off State Road 78 near Lakeport, for a great view of Lake Okeechobee.

Heritage Festival celebrates Highlands County History and the Lockett Estate

Edna Pearce Lockett Estate to host pioneer heritage festival.

Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center Events

Recreational riding nights are an opportunity for local residents to ride their horse in the covered arena. You must have a current Coggins certificate.

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Human Interest

Local youth work to gentle wild horses

A group of wild horses from the west coast, including California, have been rounded up

Inspirational Women of Hendry County: Margarita “Margie'” Nelson receives recognition for her service

Her passion for serving others is not limited to working with students ...

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Schools

Eastside Elementary celebrates with students

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Schools

Eastside Elementary celebrates with students

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Tigers roar to 6-1 with win over Lake Placid

CLEWISTON– The Clewiston High School Tigers varsity baseball team is 6-1

Government

Average’ Atlantic hurricane season to reflect more storms

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will use 1991-2020 as the new 30-year period of record.

Clewiston FYI

As you can see from several of the updates in this FYI, the City is in the process of doing a number of Spring clean-up type activities and improvements to public properties.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation launches statewide art contest: What does home mean to you?

On April 1, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) announced the launch of a statewide art contest...

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Business

PSC grants CenturyLink ETC Status, helping bridge digital divide

This approval means CenturyLink—with its affiliate Embarq Florida, Inc.—is a step closer to obtaining federal funding to help bridge the digital divide in Florida.

Florida PSC approves change in FPL’s fuel charge

On April 1, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a fuel factor increase for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) customers...

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Agriculture

With beginning of Florida blueberry season comes new UF/IFAS variety

As April starts this week, we’re getting into another Florida blueberry season and the sweet taste that comes with the fruit.

Scientists use AI technology to breed better-tasting strawberries

A tastier strawberry may come from a computer.

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Health

Rural health network offers programs on chronic disease management and health literacy

PALM BEACH GARDENS – The Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network (LORHN) will offer two free workshops for rural residents around Lake Okeechobee in April and May.

Upcoming Alzheimer’s Association program delves into potential of ocular biomarkers

On April 2, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue its virtual “Ask the Expert” series with “Seeing the Brain Through the Eyes,”...

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Traffic & Road Work

Hendry County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, April 11

Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week of Sunday, April 4. Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and...

Survey Work begins April 7 on Carolina Avenue and Florida Avenue

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State News

Woman fatally struck by bullet as neighbor's gun discharges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman was fatally shot in the head when her neighbor's gun discharged as he was cleaning it a short distance from her home, sheriff's officials said. The …

Teenager dies when electrocuted during Florida storm

SPRING HILL, Fla. (AP) — A 17-year-old girl died Sunday during a strong storm that swept through central Florida, damaging homes and businesses. The woman was driving in Spring Hill, north of …

Hit-and-run crash in Florida kills New York federal judge

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman who claimed she is Harry Potter fatally struck a federal judge visiting from New York and seriously injured a 6-year-old boy after swerving her car onto a …

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National & World

AP PHOTOS: From Moscow to Pacific, Russia glorifies Gagarin

MOSCOW (AP) — From a giant statue towering over Moscow to a more modest monument on the Sakhalin Island in the Pacific Ocean, dozens of memorials across Russia commemorate Yuri Gagarin, the …

Soviet cosmonaut made pioneering spaceflight 60 years ago

MOSCOW (AP) — Crushed into the pilot's seat by heavy G-forces, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin saw flames outside his spacecraft and prepared to die. His voice broke the tense silence at ground …

EXPLAINER: Iran atomic sites targeted by diplomacy, sabotage

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's nuclear program has been targeted by diplomatic efforts and sabotage attacks over the last decade, with the latest incident striking its underground Natanz …

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