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Coronavirus
Medical injection

Lakeshore Medical Center provides free COVID-19 Moderna Vaccination

Florida Community Health Centers will hold a free COVIC-19 Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

Many sites offer covid vaccinations without appointments

The recent increase in vaccination sites means COVID-19 vaccinations are easier to get in South Florida. Many sites do not require appointments.
MOORE HAVEN -- Nurses are ready to administer shots. The team had six cubicles set up on Sunday, and can add three more if needed.

Glades County has walk-in covid vaccinations on Sundays

Walk-ins are welcome at the Sunday vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays at the Glades County Regional Training Center.

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Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
, 73 °F
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. … Get the full forecast
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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate
Lake levels
14.17 feet
Last year: 11.41 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Water Flow Chart
Community

Recyclables make great craft supplies

Crafting does not always have to cost a fortune. There are many beautiful crafts out there that can be made using recycled materials.

Meet sweet Georgia

All eight of her pups have been adopted, but Georgie is still waiting for her happy home. If you can give Georgia the happy home and love that she deserves...

Highlands County Heritage Festival celebrates area history

Visitors to the Highlands County Heritage Festival at the Edna Pearce Lockett Estate on the Kissimmee River lined up ..

Sons of the American Revolution dedicate Liberty Tree

A majestic live oak tree at the Edna Pearce Lockett Estate was dedicated as a Liberty Tree

New law prioritizes kindness, comfort when working with birth families

A law that went into effect last fall is changing the way child-wellbeing professionals work with birth families while their children are in foster care.

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Human Interest

Adopt-a-pet event planned May 2 at Freedom Ranch

Freedom Ranch will host a pet adoption drive on May 2 from 2-6 p.m.

Fundraiser in the works for family who lost infant son

Community comes together to help a family through their bereavement.

Septuagenarian Couple flies sea to shining sea

On a wing and a prayer, a couple in their 70s flew from sea to shining sea in a 70-year-old airplane.

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Weather
The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office shared this report: On the afternoon of April 1, on a small tornado touched down in the area of Okeechobee County known as Dark Hammock (NE 144th St.) No …

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Police/Fire
The following were among those arrested this week in Operation Bitersweet:
The following individuals were arrested on felony or DUI charges last week:
A new study shows Florida was the No. 3 most catfished state in 2020 with 1,603 victims losing $40,173,934 to romance scammers.

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Government
The City of Okeechobee invites local businesses to be part of a City Beautification Program.
The Internal Revenue Service today continued an ongoing effort to help those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic by reminding people who...
Taxpayers need to know their correct filing status and be familiar with each option.

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Schools
The team qualified for a bid and is advancing to the regional championship competition.
Everglades Elementary would like to congratulate its Students of the Week for the week of April 12.
Indian River State College (IRSC) has distributed more than $4 million to 6,330 eligible students enrolled during the spring 2021 term...
IRSC will hold its spring commencement ceremonies “drive-in” style on Monday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 4, in Fort Pierce.

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Sports

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Veterans

DAR presents quilt to veteran

At a recent joint meeting of the Okeechobee Chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution...

Hospice honors Vietnam Veterans

On March 31, Hospice of Okeechobee honored Vietnam veterans at the Hamrick Home.

Mayor Watford instructs ROTC cadets

Army ROTC groups came to hear Mayor Watford speak on the Seminole Wars.

The American Legion is not just a social club

The Okeechobee American Legion is more than just a social club. They are an integral part of the community.

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Opinion
How can we slash carbon emissions, build a more resilient grid and continue to keep utility bills well below the national average?
Your Social Security questions answered by National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, Russell Gloor.

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Agriculture
Parasitic nematodes cause $125 billion in agricultural damage around the world each year, but University of Florida scientists hope to alleviate some of that destruction.
As you bite into a peach, remember farmers are harvesting the fruit this month and next in Florida.

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Health

Raulerson Hospital breaks ground on $17 million medical office building

As the latest step in an initiative to recruit physicians to our community, construction has now begun on a new 53,000 square foot state-of-the-art medical office...

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

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Business
Financial services firm Edward Jones ranks highest in investor satisfaction with full-service brokerage firms, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Full-Service Investor Satisfaction Study
The Outpost and Staffords Salon, 311 S.W. Park St., will host the Okeechobee Main Street Mixer (OKMS) on Thursday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining the local chapters, Tropical Trekkers or FishEating Creek chapters to assist with maintenance or for social hikes can find information at...

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, April 18

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, April 18...

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

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

FDOT won't narrow lanes on SR 70 East

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials brought good news to the Okeechobee commission's April 8 meeting.

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State

DeSantis signs Florida's anti-riot bill, cites Chauvin trial

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's top Republicans cited events in cities around the country — but not the Jan. 6 riots in Washington — as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday to create …

Sheriff: Man shot by police said 'I'm going to die tonight'

Winter Haven, Fla. (AP) — A police officer fatally shot a 52-year-old Florida man who told them “I'm going to die tonight" when the officer arrived to investigate a sexual harassment call. A …

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National & World

EU estimates 150,000 Russian troops near Ukraine's borders

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is estimating that 150,000 Russian troops have already amassed for the biggest military buildup ever near Ukraine's borders and that it will only take “a …

Myanmar junta cracks down on celebrations of new shadow govt

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Security forces in Myanmar used violence on Monday against demonstrators who sought to celebrate last week’s formation of a shadow government to serve as an alternative to …

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Since the death of their daughter seven years ago, the Medrano family has been seeking retribution.
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