South Central Florida Life

HURRICANE NEWS

- FEMA extends deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance
  
  FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in...
- All SFWMD navigational locks resume operations
  
  The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) re-opened most of its navigational locks to public access...
- SBA announces temporary closure of Florida Business Recovery Centers
  
  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is closing its Business Recovery Centers in Florida from...

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Featured

Broadband projects awarded state funding

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Community News

New deadline for community event submissions

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Overcast, 61 °F

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Get the full forecast

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Police & Fire

- Hit-and-run crashes on Florida roads average over 103K per year
  
  TALLAHASSEE — February is Hit-and-Run Awareness Month in Florida, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) …
- Glades County Arrest Report
  
  The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges.
- FHP investigating fatal head-on crash on U.S. 27
  
  A Fort Lauderdale man driving the wrong way on U.S. 27 in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 was involved in a fatal head-on crash …

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Schools

Glades Electric sponsors students for Washington, D.C. tour

Allyson Lara and Salome Ortiz, two local high school juniors, were selected to represent Glades Electric Cooperative...

Blessings in a Backpack to serve CES & MHS

Blessings in a Backpack SWFL will now feed more local students than ever before with the addition of...

MES congratulates Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Moore Haven Elementary (MHES) School’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Watson.

MHMHS celebrates Throwback Day

Students and teachers celebrated Throwback Day

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Human Interest

On the Trail with Katrina and Callie: The Great Florida Cattle Drive 2022

The week of Dec. 4-10, I lived in a land where the days brought open skies, vast prairies dotted with hammocks of live oaks draped with Spanish moss ....

Hiker follows 2022 Great Florida Cattle Drive

The Great Florida Cattle Drive, held Dec. 4-10 in Osceola County, included about 350 riders, 14 wagons and one man on foot.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake level dropping about 1 inch per week

UPDATE: S-131 Boat Lock in Glades County will remain open on Feb. 2

Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation complete

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Veterans

Fallen Heroes Benefit planned for Oct. 8

The 14th Annual Fallen Heroes Benefit will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, in LaBelle.

Wreaths placed on veterans' graves in Ortona

ORTONA -- Glades County community members gathered at the Ortona Cemetery on Dec. 18..

Cassandra McPeak, auxiliary president VFW Post 4423, and Alicia LaChance, president of the Republican Club of Lake Okeechobee worked together along with members of both groups to pack baskets for those in need.

Thanksgiving baskets delivered to those in need

Okeechobee’s VFW North post celebrated Thanksgiving by donating food baskets to those less fortunate...

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Agriculture

Be aware of these common toxic plants

Weeds and invasive plants can be a nuisance to a home or business landscape, and some of them are also toxic...

Ag-Venture teaches 4th graders about local agricultural industries

Okeechobee County Ag-Venture, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides local fourth grade students...

Increase in egg prices due to avian flu and rising costs of grain, fuel and labor

Some consumers are experiencing sticker shock at the high price of eggs in the grocery store.

EPA to reconsider use of bee-killing pesticide

On Dec. 21, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the EPA to reconsider its decision to expand the use of sulfoxaflor …

Horse owners help protect water quality with new tool

Managing manure can be a challenge for horse owners. One horse can produce an average...

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Government

News from the Glades County Property Appraiser

I have GREAT NEWS! Effective January 1, 2023, the widows, widowers, disability (civilian) and blind exemptions have increased from $500 to $5,000 in value.

Governor signs disaster relief and property insurance bills

On Dec. 16, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills following the special session that took place that week. Governor DeSantis signed …

Commissioners pause plan to spend county funds on internet improvements

OKEECHOBEE – A proposal to spend $4 million to improve internet access was put on hold at the Dec. 22 because internet service providers (ISPs) can apply directly for grant …

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Sports

Hookin' Specks fishing tournament planned

Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office and Glades County Sheriff's Office will host the Second Annual First Responders Hookin' Specks …

Moore Haven's Thompson and Wilcher sign letters on intent

Two Moore Haven Terriers signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day.

FWC adds new rules for boating safety

At its Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Commission Meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved …

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Traffic & Road Work

9-year-old Okeechobee girl killed in SR 78 crash

A 9-year-old Okeechobee girl was killed in a crash on State Road 78 on Sunday afternoon …

FDOT adds new interactive features to FL511

On March 15, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced upgrades to the Florida 511 (FL511) Advanced Traveler Information System...

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Health

Yoga for Life: Breaking free!

When the way of the world becomes to much for us, turn over a new leaf into a new yoga practice!

Yoga for Life: Yoga body tune-up for the new year

With the beginning of another new year, it’s time to do a physical, mental and emotional tune-up.

South Florida at 'medium' risk for covid

Most of South Florida is a “medium” risk of covid transmission according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control …

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Business

Bass Pro has clear path forward to develop Okee-Tantie

OKEECHOBEE – Bass Pro has a clear path forward to develop the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area as a world class fishing resort ,,,

Taxes on fuel vary by state

Why does gasoline cost more in one state than another?

SBA and SBDC work together to assist Florida businesses recovering from Ian

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) today announced a new pilot program geared toward helping businesses …

Florida had second highest credit card delinquency rate in 2021

Access to credit is an important resource for managing personal finances, whether to pay for major purchases...

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Opinion

Why is it so hard to contact Social Security Administration?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security

Will the Family Maximum limit my Social Security benefits?

AMAC certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

When should you claim Social Security?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

Social Security Matters - Ask Rusty

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security Benefits.

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Wildlife & Environment

Wild horses available for adoption in Okeechobee

According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approximately 35 wild horses will be available for adoption Feb. 10-11.

What do you wear to a prescribed fire? UF/IFAS fire scientists explains

In honor of Florida’s Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, we talked with UF/IFAS fire scientist Raelene Crandall about...

What happened to the Cuban tree frogs in the freeze? Help UF/IFAS find out!

Do you have a Cuban tree frog invasion in your yard? You can help UF/IFAS study these frogs...

FWC reports 800 manatee deaths in 2022

Eight hundred Florida manatees died in 2022, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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State News

Mexican actor Pablo Lyle gets prison for road rage death

Mexican actor Pablo Lyle has been sentenced to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after fatally punching a man during a road rage confrontation in Miami in 2019. The sentence handed …

Jupiter's moon count jumps to 92, most in solar system

Astronomers have discovered 12 new moons around Jupiter, putting the total count at a record-breaking 92. That's more than any other planet in our solar system. Saturn, the one-time leader, comes in …

Florida lawmakers to meet next week on Disney, immigration

Florida lawmakers will meet next week to complete a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and debate proposals on immigration and election crimes, as Republican Gov. Ron …

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Nation & World

Olympic echoes of boycott era as Ukraine vs IOC intensifies

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — A contest that could define the 2024 Paris Olympics is playing out 18 months before medals are awarded. It's giving the International Olympic Committee a political …

Missing Florida Lyft driver's car found with slaying suspect

The car owned by a missing 74-year-old Florida Lyft driver has been found in North Carolina and the man who was driving it is wanted in connection with a homicide last week in southwest Florida. …

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FEMA extends deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance

All SFWMD navigational locks resume operations

SBA announces temporary closure of Florida Business Recovery Centers