Featured

Veteran Ackland enjoys working indoors and playing outdoors

Graduating from Cooper City High School in Fort Lauderdale in 1975, veteran Bryan Ackland joined the Air Force when he was 18 years old.

Okeechobee Health Department official says COVID-19 positive rate high

COVID-19 cases in Okeechobee County are on the rise, Tiffany Collins of FDOH in Okeechobee County told the Okeechobee County Commissioners.

Friends of the Library donate to K-9 program

During their meeting on Jan. 12, the Friends of the Library non-profit group presented a check to Deputies Brian Cross and Ashley Waskiewicz...

Lakeport hosts Sour Orange Festival

The third Saturday in January brings the Lakeport Sour Orange Festival, sponsored by the Lakeport Community Association.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Task Force tmeets Jan. 12

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Task Force tmeets Jan. 12

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Coronavirus

Florida Community Health Centers offer COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday, Jan. 16

Florida Community Health Centers will also host vaccination clinics on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to vaccinate those 65 and older, first responders and health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Rural areas wait for more vaccine

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) offices in Okeechobee, Hendry and Glades counties did not receive any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine...

Public encouraged to contact legislators about vaccine supply

Okeechobee County officials are as frustrated as their constituents about the difficulties local residents are encountering...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 64 °F

Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Get the full forecast

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Lake levels

15.67 feet

Last year: 13.04 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Community

Okeechobee, Our Village has a new home

Although everyone will miss the little “starter home” where Our Village set up housekeeping two years ago, like most starter homes, it has been outgrown

Teacher rallies community to donate games for kindergartners

This is McPeak’s first year as a kindergarten teacher. As a matter of fact, prior to this, she was a deaf interpreter...

Local restaurants are ‘Cooking for a Cure’

Once again local restaurants will come together to help finish the fight with cancer...

Virtual roundtable to discuss child welfare

Please join faith leaders and child welfare professionals for An Act of Good Faith, for the Okeechobee and Treasure Coast virtual roundtable event on Jan. 21...

Community events for the Lake Okeechobee area

Community events in Okeechobee and the communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee including, Clewiston, Moore Haven, LaBelle, Pahokee...

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Human Interest

Inspiring Okeechobee ... Love is in the Air

With Valentines Day coming up, one of our readers thought an inspiring love story...

Inspiring Okeechobee: Optical Gallery’s Gwen King does not know the meaning of the word impossible

The best way to ensure Gwen King will never give up is to tell her to give up...

Inspiring People: Smith wants to teach young men to give back to the community

In addition to being a coach and a teacher, Tyrone Smith is a Man of Distinction.

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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.

Okeechobee County declares local state of emergency for Tropical Storm Eta

Flood expected from Tropical Storm Eta. Okeechobee County schools will be closed Monday.

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

HCSO hosts Ride Around the Lake Motorcycle Rally

Sheriff Steve Whidden and the Hendry Country Sheriff’s Office will host the Ride Around the Lake Motorcycle Rally...

A local homeschooler reportedly tried to run over two of his neighbors

After he reportedly tried to run over his neighbors and then shot them a bird, a 16-year-old was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Okeechobee Fire Report

The Okeechobee Fire Report lists calls that were reported in Okeechobee City and county and responded to by OCFR and OCFD.

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Government

Chartier honored by County Commission

On Jan. 14, the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation to County Administrator, Robbie Chartier in honor of her Retirement...

Glades County plans to lower speed on County Road 721

At their meeting, Glades County Commissioners discussed lowering the speed limit on County Road 721 to 30 mph from SR 78 to the Highlands County line.

Okeechobee County to allow church to host children’s program at Kiwanis Park

At their Jan. 14 meeting, Okeechobee County officials struggled with the desire to keep residents safe...

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Schools

Virtual Urban Landscape Summit starts Jan. 20

A panel of business leaders will offer their perspective on the “State of the Florida Landscape Industry

EES congratulates Students of the Week

Everglades Elementary would like to congratulate its Students of the Week for the week of Jan. 11.

RSCA students are happy and excited to be at school

“Students at Rock Solid Christian Academy are very happy and excited to be at school,” said director Joy Yates.

Okeechobee schools fight against “covid fatigue”

When students first returned to school in Okeechobee in 2020, parents had three options to choose from.

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Sports

Lady Brahmans tame Lady Tigers to become 10-1

OKEECHOBEE– The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahmans came back to defeat the Martin County Lady Tigers on Jan. 11, winning 36-29.

Lady Brahmans slay Lady Dragons

The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahman varsity soccer team conquered the Lake Placid Lady Dragons 5-1 on Jan. 11.

Applications available for FWC’s 2020-21 High School Fishing Program

The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant will award up to 30 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist...

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Veterans

Ramps for Veterans seeking next deserving veteran

Ramps for Veterans was founded by Wade Hunt and helps Veterans in need in the community who cannot afford to build their own ramps.

Veteran Whitlock calls himself a motivational specialist for students

Veteran Jeff Whitlock was born and raised in Okeechobee. He was one of the last babies born in the old hospital...

Ramps for Veterans makes 18th free ramp

OKEECHOBEE — Wade Hunt, with Ramps for Veterans advertised recently asking if any local veterans needed a ramp built free of charge. He and his crew try to do one ramp per month for a veteran …

Veteran Glossup is an advocate for peace

When asked to tell his story for this series, Joe Glossup was hesitant. He considers himself an advocate for peace and found himself pondering...

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Salvation Army Bell Ringing

The Salvation Army would like to thank all Okeechobee Citizens as well as the volunteers...

Nonprofits in a pandemic: The strongest year yet

This is my 21st year in education and nonprofit management, and crisis is no stranger to any professional in this field. In a pre-pandemic world, our daily efforts faced the realities of every …

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Agriculture

UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp virtual workshop available

The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is launching a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online now.

Pandemic eating among the food-secure: more comfort foods, but not a drastic increase

During the first three months of the pandemic, food-secure people did not change their eating habits very much...

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Health

New Horizons announces new CEO William Wims joins the team as chief executive officer

New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee is pleased to announce William Wims has assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer and President.

Visitors are not allowed at Raulerson Hospital due to COVID-19

For the safety of their patients, visitors, physicians, colleagues and community there will be no visitors allowed at Raulerson Hospital.

Blood donation brings health benefits

In March, the Red Cross showed a drop-off of 86,000 fewer blood donations across the United States...

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Business

WaWa Corporation finally releases tentative opening date

After months and months of speculation, Okeechobee City Administrator Marcos Montes de Oca said WaWa...

Businesswomen’s Referral Network hosts its monthly meeting

The Businesswomen's Referral Network will host it's monthly meeting on Friday, Jan. 15.

FPL ends coal-fired power generation in Florida

After the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31, Florida Power & Light Company formally closed its last coal-fired plant in Florida...

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Roadwatch Report for week of Jan. 10

Okeechobee Road Watch for the week beginning Sunday, Jan. 10. Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution.

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of Jan. 3

Okeechobee County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, Jan. 3.

Road Watch for Okeechobee County for week of Dec. 13

The following is the Florida Department of Transportation’s Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Dec. 13.

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State

Virgin Island cops charged, 328 kilos cocaine inside luggage

MIAMI (AP) — More than 300 kilos of cocaine bricks were found during a baggage scan at a Miami airport. Two of the men charged in the drug bust are police officers in the U.S. Virgin Islands, …

One fraud after another for teen who faked being a doctor

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The young man who as a teen faked being a doctor, who swindled a “patient,” who once tried to forge his way into a Jaguar, and who was spared from serving decades in …

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National & World

Semeru volcano on Indonesia's Java island spews hot clouds

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java, spewed hot clouds as far away as 4.5 kilometers (nearly 3 miles) on …

Sidelining experts, Brazil bungled its immunization plans

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Like many Brazilian public health experts, Dr. Regina Flauzino spent most of 2020 watching with horror as COVID-19 devastated Brazil. When the opportunity to join the …

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