Featured

Public fails to participate in town hall meeting...again

The Okeechobee City Council held a town hall meeting on Monday, March 21. The city staff provided a beautiful array of tempting snacks and appetizers...

Ritter presents Inaugural State of the City Address

During the March 21, 2023 city council meeting/town hall meeting, City Administrator Gary Ritter presented the city’s inaugural State of the City Address.

Stranger reaches in a woman's door and turns out her lights

An Okeechobee woman came home one night last week to find a strange man sitting on her back porch, wearing her husband’s clothes and drinking their beer.

Okeechobee School District making progress on bus driver shortage

The Okeechobee School District’s director of operations, Jeff Diefendorf, says the upcoming summer will be a busy one for the district.

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Community

OSWCD announces poster contest winners

The Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District is happy to announce the winners of its annual poster contest!

Photos from the Okeechobee County Fair

The Okeechobee County Fair ran from March 14 through 19 at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center.

Final deadline nears to add names to Cattle Drive Sculpture Project

Want to add your name or the name of a loved one to the Cattle Drive Sculpture Project in Flagler Park?

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Lake Okeechobee

Bass Pro to give update on Okee-Tantie plans at April 13 BOCC meeting

New lake schedule delayed due to red tide concerns

Lake Okeechobee slowly receding

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

A Few Clouds, 88 °F

Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind around 10 mph. Get the full forecast

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LORE March 2023

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Lake levels

14.75 feet

Last year: 14.04 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

OHS Lady Brahmans recognized during basketball awards banquet

The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahman basketball program held an awards banquet on March 14 to recognize and reward players after the end of their season.

Clewiston and Lake Okeechobee set to host MLF Toyota Series

The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston...

New youth athletics program begins in Okeechobee

We are proud to introduce to you Lake O’ Elite Athletics.

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Human Interest

Adopt a pet: Meet Slayer

Howdy Doggo Peeps! Wow I'm a Handsome boy.....

Adopt a pet: Meet Remi

What a handsome boy I am! Hi my Doggo friends. …

Bark in the Park is a hopping good time

Bark in the Park was a huge success. The fundraiser was held to raise money for Okeechobee Animal Control.

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Schools

IRSC issues notice of fee changes

The Indian River State College (IRSC) District Board of Trustees will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting...

IRSC to Host Optics & Photonics Industry Symposium on April 12

More than 100 attendees from industry, academia and government throughout the United States...

County commissioners recognize robotics team

The Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners recognized the Brains on Steam Robotics Team at their March 23 meeting ...

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Wildlife & Environment

New mosquito species reported in Florida

Another new mosquito species has made its way across the tropics into Florida, making a permanent home in at least three counties.

Wildlife corridor helps protect drinking water supply

Preserving the Florida Wildlife Corridor doesn’t just ensure habitat for Florida wildlife ...

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Government

DeSantis proposes expansion of 'Don't Say LGBTQ+’ bill

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has condemned Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to expand the “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” bill to all grades ...

New subdivision to include 21 homes

OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County Commissioners approved the final plat for the proposed Lakeside Shores subdivision ...

Prairie residents question code enforcement rules

OKEECHOBEE -- Two residents of the Prairie (also known as Viking) brought concerns to the Okeechobee County Commission at their March 23 meeting.

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Police/Fire

Lorida woman killed in one-vehicle crash on US 98

A 49-year-old Lorida woman was killed Friday night (March 23) in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 98 North in Okeechobee County ...

Okeechobee County jail expansion makes progress

The new Okeechobee County Jail housing pod building is really starting to come together ...

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Opinion

April is National Stress Awareness Month

Most of us know that too much stress causes health problems like diabetes, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and likely some …

Yoga for Life: Practicing balance in tree pose

One of the best ways to establish better balance in standing postures is to practice “Tree Pose.”

Closing the gaps in minority healthcare helps us all

National Minority Health Month is observed in April, an initiative that targets the health needs...

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Hurricane News

FEMA offers help with damaged wells and septic systems

Residents in designated counties who lost access to water because a private well or septic system was damaged as a result of Hurricane Ian ...

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.

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Veterans

Glades Electric makes needed repairs to Veterans' Park flagpole

OKEECHOBEE — Thanks to Glades Electric, the Veterans' Square Park flagpole has had some needed repairs.

Homecoming provides welcome and healing for veterans

On Saturday, April 15, the skies over Palm Beach International will be a little more glorious than usual...

Veterans Wellness Event scheduled for April 5 at IRSC Pruitt Campus

Indian River State College (IRSC) will host a Veterans Wellness Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, …

Veteran Townsend is still a hero, serving the community as a nurse

Veteran Rhonda Townsend said her career in the Army was pretty straight-forward, not really very interesting.

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Agriculture

Second Chance Livestock Sale planned for April 1

The Okeechobee Livestock Market, 1055 US 98 N., will host the Second Chance Livestock Sale on April 1, 2023.

Fresh Access Bucks double the value for SNAP

SNAP recipients can get double the value of their benefits when they purchase fresh fruits ... .

It takes a lot of work to be beautiful

Rocco Cohen is a 14-year-old 4-H competitor at the county fair each year. He takes his work with his livestock very seriously. Rocco has been showing chickens for four years and …

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Health

HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital earns award for sixth year in a row

HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital, a 100-bed acute care facility, and part of HCA Florida Healthcare...

How much do you know about arthritis?

Arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint.

Website links organ donors with those in need

Did you know that 22 Americans die each day waiting for organ transplants?

Being sleepless may spell trouble for your heart

“We know that people who get adequate sleep manage other health factors better as well...

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Business

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

Mark your calendars for another exciting invitation. On Thursday, March 23, we will have the celebration...

Welcome sign has a new feature

The Chamber of Commerce Leadership Okeechobee 2022 class completed their class project which enhanced the front of...

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

Come help us celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Florida Quality Real Estate...

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Traffic & Road Work

FHP offers tips for driving in fog or smoke

Visibility can change within seconds. It is important for motorist to drive as safely as possible in these conditions.

DeSantis signs Toll Relief Program bill

On Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 6A, establishing the Toll Relief Program through the …

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 …

Subscriber exclusive

Charging station availability determines electric car sales

During the July 18 Clewiston Board of Commissioners meeting, Vice Mayor Greg Thompson urged officials to look into installing …

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State

Push to train workers for jobs in Miami’s growing tech arena

MIAMI (AP) — Since he was 18, Christopher Matthews has worked at Pizza Hut and 7-11, done a stint in food delivery and taught carpentry. Now, the Miami native is trying to forge a vocational path …

Tampa church was built with stones from the river

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — In a city known for century-old buildings made of brick, the St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church at 2708 N Central Ave. is distinct for being made of rocks. It stands …

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National & World

- 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...
- Less than two weeks to apply for an SBA Disaster Loan in Florida
  
  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations...
- FEMA help available for those with storm damage
  
  There are only three weeks left to apply for damages related to Hurricane Ian.