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Corps stops releases from lake to St. Lucie River

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Coronavirus

- Glades County to provide walk-ins & appointments for COVID-19 Vaccination
  
  The Glades County Health Department will be providing a first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations on Sunday, April 11.
- 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.
- Rural areas still lag behind in covid vaccine availability
  
  Approximately 30% of Florida’s total population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot

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Community

Okeechobee County promotes tourism to international audience

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

Rotary plans Wine & Chocolate Gala

Okeechobee Rotary Club plans a Wine and Chocolate Gala

“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.

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Weather

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...

Okeechobee County closes emergency shelters; flood watch in effect

Okeechobee County opened emergency shelters on Sunday due to the approach of Tropical Storm Eta. On Monday morning, shelters were closed. No one used the shelters. A flood watch is still in effect.

Glades County Schools closed Monday, Nov. 9 due to tropical storm

Glades County schools will be closed Monday, Nov. 9.

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Human Interest

Business Corner: Sassy Pies offers delicious plant-based treats

This new vegan micro bakery sold 60 slices and 30 bags of their locally famous crusties less than an hour.

Okeechobee's Trail of Hope Rescue has puppies galore

OKEECHOBEE – If you’re in the market for some puppy love, check out the Trail of Hope rescue in Okeechobee.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake O having good year for Snail Kites

SFWMD Governing Board declares April Water Conservation Month

Bass Pro moves forward with plans for Okee-Tantie

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School News

Pre-k class has show and tell

Mrs. Spivey’s Pre-K class had a virtual show and tell on animals. This assignment concluded their monthly theme on pets.

Masonic Lodge donates pencils to teachers

On April 9, Moore Haven Elementary School(MHES) posted the following statement to Facebook: Thank you to the Masonic Lodge...

MHES has abundance of eyeglasses

Moore Haven Elementary School has an abundance of eyeglasses that have been left around the school.

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Police/Fire

Aftermath Services acquires Florida biohazard experts - Accident Scene Cleaners

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

Naples man seriously injured in crash in Glades County

GLADES COUNTY -- A 49-year-old Naples man was seriously injured in an accident in Glades County on April 1, at 7:31 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Motorcycle crash leaves man in critical condition

At approximately 5:54 p.m. on March 21 a 34-year-old man, of Miami, was traveling south on U.S. 27 approaching State Road 78.

Dangerous road! Deputies to enforce new speed limit on County Road 721

MOORE HAVEN – The speed limit on County Road 721, from north of Brighton Seminole Reservation to the county line, is now 40 mph. At their Feb. 22 meeting Glades County Commission voted to...

FWC Division of Law Enforcement achieves reaccreditation

FWC Division of Law Enforcement received recognition Feb. 18

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Government

This picture is of the eyewall of Hurricane Katrina.

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.

Glades County Commission meets April 13

Glades County Commission meets April 13.

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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Sports

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.

Proposed legislation would require school board members serve without pay

OKEECHOBEE – Local officials should be aware of bills currently under consideration in the Florida Legislature that could hurt home rule...

Tilden Hooper bareback riding at RAM NCFR.

Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo offers action-packed excitement April 9 & 10 in Kissimmee

RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo returns to Osceola County.

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Traffic & Road Work

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

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

Glades County Road Watch report for the week beginning Monday, April 5

Road Watch report for Glades County for the week of Monday, April 5. Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and...

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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.

LORHN to host upcoming health workshops

As COVID-19 continues to impact the nation and our rural communities, it’s more important now than ever to

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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Veterans

Missing In America Project – Florida coordinator Kathy Church issues statement

Today, February 25, 2021, at 11:00am, MIAP – Florida, in cooperation with Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapels in Miami-Dade County, and the...

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center helps VA reach milestone vaccinating its 1 millionth veteran

The VA has vaccinated 1 million veterans.

West Palm Beach VA to host veteran enrollment vent January 30

WEST PALM BEACH — The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center will host a Veteran Enrollment Event on Saturday, Jan. 30

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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.

Dr. Vance Whitaker in one of his strawberry fields at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, Florida.

Scientists use AI technology to breed better-tasting strawberries

A tastier strawberry may come from a computer.

USDA encourages the public to protect plants against invasive pests in April

WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared April 2021 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month (IPPDAM). The national outreach initiative enlists the …

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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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Opinion

Can Social Security benefits be suspended?

National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, Russell Gloor, answers questions about Social Security benefits.

Social Security Matters

Your Social Security questions answered by National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, Russell Gloor.

Social Security Matters

National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

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State News

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 …

Trump : The key to Republican success is more Trumpism

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Staking his claim to the Republican Party, former President Donald Trump is casting his populist policies and attack-dog politics as the key to future GOP success. In a …

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Nation & 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 …

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