Health
The COVID-19 map for July 31, 2022 from the CDC shows most of Florida high risk. Only Glades, Collier and Franklin counties are at medium risk.

Florida at high risk for COVID-19

Florida’s COVID-19 new case positivity rate remains high, at 20.7% for July 22-28, according to the Florida Department of Health.
This July 17 map from the Centers for Disease Control shows counties at low, medium and high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Okeechobee County (highlighted) is at high risk, as our Highlands, Hendry, Palm Beach and Martin counties. Glades and Collier counties are at medium risk. [Art courtesy CDC]

New covid variant blamed for increased positive cases

Ave Maria

Most of Florida is at high risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Most of Florida is now at high risk of COVID-19. Glades and Hendry County (highlighted on map) are at medium risk. [Image courtesy CDC]

Most of Florida at high risk for COVID-19

Pahokee

Most of Florida is now considered at “high” risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Mostly Cloudy, 88 °F
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West … Get the full forecast
Read Lake Okeechobee News

E-newspaper

Read the latest print edition here.

View this issue

Browse other issues

Human Interest
Meet Blaze

Adopt a pet: Meet Blaze

Pahokee

This handsome redhead is BLAZE, and he will melt your heart.
Meet Patches

Adopt a pet: Meet Patches

Pahokee

Meow out there in Kitty land! Am I beautiful or what?
Meet Kiera.

Adopt a pet: Meet Kiera

Ave Maria

Hi my doggie friends! Are you looking for a beautiful loving special girl online?
Community
A Glades Central High School student has been selected by Bank of America to participate in its Student Leaders® program ...

Pahokee

Guadalupe Center will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child Care Food Program...

Pahokee

At the Believing in Girls Empowerment Luncheon, Pace Center for Girls - Collier at Immokalee announced State Farm...
ccc
Police/Fire
SPRING HILL, Fla. (AP) — Investigators have confirmed that remains unearthed in a Florida junk yard 41 years ago match a missing teenager, the victim of a serial killer now imprisoned for life in …
The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges. 

Pahokee

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office...

Pahokee

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office...
Opinion
For many of those who live in Florida, recent months have brought some changes — many linked to Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Don’t say gay.” Regulation of books and classroom discussion. Teachers, …
NASA’s Artemis 1 mission is poised to take a key step toward returning humans to the moon after a half-century hiatus...
Weather
Heavy rains are predicted to impact our area this weekend. It is important to be prepared for flooding.

Ave Maria

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an above-normal Atlantic season, with 14 to 21 name storms...
Find Us On Facebook
Schools
Three of the 11 schools in Hendry County School District saw grade improvements ...

Pahokee

In a couple of weeks, from July 25 through Aug. 7, Florida will hold its annual school sales tax holiday.

Ave Maria

On July 7, the FLDOE announced that the School District of Palm Beach County maintained its “A” rating...
Government

$21.2 million available to support responsible fatherhood

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced the availability of $21.2 million through the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.

Florida Senate passes property insurance overhaul

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate on Tuesday approved sweeping legislation that would overhaul the state's property insurance system, which has struggled due to insolvencies, high costs …

Voter registration and party change deadline for the 2022 Primary Election

Ave Maria

In order to vote in the Primary Election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by Monday, July 25, 2022.
Health
Digitally-colorized electron microscopic (EM) image depicting a monkeypox virion (virus particle), obtained from a clinical sample associated with a 2003 prairie dog outbreak, published June 6, 2022. The image depicts a thin section image from a human skin sample. On the left are mature, oval-shaped virus particles, and on the right are the crescents and spherical particles of immature virions.

What do you need to know about the monkeypox virus?

Pahokee

There’s a new virus in town, and public health officials want to get the word out about what it is, who is at risk, what the symptoms are and how to treat it.

Stay safe when temperatures rise

Pahokee

The Florida Department of Health reminds residents and visitors to be aware of heat related illness as temperatures rise.

Yoga for Life: An affirmation of a yoga lesson

Create your new self through yoga, as it is a practice and philosophy based on reinforcing positive physical, mental, emotional...
Business
As the Federal Reserve battles inflation, consumers and businesses are looking at how to keep their credit scores in check...

Pahokee

O’Reilly Auto Parts (NASDAQ: ORLY) is pleased to announce the opening of their store in Immokalee.

Pahokee

Brian Johnson, a 25-year radio broadcast engineer for The Rush Limbaugh Show, is the new chief operating officer for Glades Media.

Pahokee

SOUTH BAY — The Clarence E. Anthony Branch in South Bay celebrated its 30-year anniversary on Wed, May 18 from 1:00 pm-6:00 pm. After a brief ceremony, everyone enjoyed refreshments.
Veterans

Be on hand to greet Honor Flight Veterans

Pahokee

On Saturday, May 21, Palm Beach International Airport will be the place to be as Southeast Florida Honor Flight returns from its second...

Be on hand to welcome 78 veterans home

Pahokee

On Saturday, April 9, Palm Beach International Airport will be the place to be as Southeast Florida Honor Flight returns from its first Honor Flight mission...

Welcome veterans home from Honor Flight mission

Pahokee

On Saturday, April 9, Palm Beach International Airport will be the place to be as Southeast Florida Honor Flight returns from its first Honor Flight...
Opinion
Move over bacon and ranch dressing – There's a new hot flavor in town.
When someone mentions a “banana republic,” they’re referring to a small, poor, politically unstable country...
The past two election cycles have seen an explosion of attention given to “echo chambers”...
Traffic & Road Work
The Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 and Thursday, July 21...

Pahokee

Palm Beach County plans to install 1,000 street lights along a 20-mile stretch of State Road 80.

Ave Maria

FDOT invites you to join us in-person or online for a public meeting regarding the roundabout...
Agriculture

Gardening can cultivate better mental health

Ave Maria

Many longtime gardeners will tell you that the garden is their happy place. New research suggests that...

Research identifies needs and tools to help urban farmers

Ave Maria

The needs of commercial urban agriculture (CUA) operations in Florida have been relatively unknown...
Wildlife & Environment
Researchers deploy a mooring, which will help them measure exchanges of waters. [Photo courtesy FAU]

FAU to assess water discharge impact to Florida Bay

Ave Maria

The ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is working to restore the historical flow of the Florida Everglades ...

Research on crocodiles provides key insights on wildlife aging

Pahokee

Many wildlife scientists worldwide need to know why certain species live longer than others.
State News
Prosecutor: Deputy could have stopped Parkland school shooting but chose to take cover

Opening statements are underway in the trial of a former Florida sheriff's deputy charged with failing to stop the Parkland school massacre five years ago. Prosecutor Steven Klinger told the …

A look at restrictions on LGBTQ+ people in the US, and the pushback

Sheriff probes self-defense claim of white woman who fatally shot Black neighbor in front of kids

National and World
AP Exclusive: Drone images of collapsed dam show ruined structure, devastation and no signs of life

Exclusive drone footage of the collapsed Ukrainian dam and surrounding villages under Russian occupation show the ruined structure falling into the flooded river and hundreds of submerged homes, …

Authorities recover train from Austrian tunnel after fire forces evacuation

Knife attacker injures several people, including children, in French Alpine town

x