South Central Florida Life

HURRICANE NEWS

- SBA exceeds $1 billion in Hurricane Ian assistance
  
  More than $1 billion in disaster assistance has been approved by the SBA for small businesses, homeowners...
- SBA extends deadline to Jan. 12 for businesses and residents
  
  On Nov. 22, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will extend its deadline to Jan. 12...
- FEMA extends deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance
  
  FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in...

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Featured

Veteran Mixon is an aircraft mechanic, and he loves it

Veteran Scott Mixon was born and raised in Okeechobee.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive is underway

The Great Florida Cattle Drive attracted participants from all over the United States.

Corps increases lake releases to Caloosahatchee River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase lake releases to the Caloosahatchee River on Dec. 3

Bicycles donated to 'Ride to Work' program

This is the season to give, and Mr. Bob of Bob’s Bicycle Basics did by donating two truck beds of bicycles ...

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Election

More than 15,000 Florida vote-by-mail ballots flagged for signature, other issues

People who voted by mail in Florida should track their ballot online to ensure it was accepted without issue, given that more than …

Online exclusive

Early voting underway throughout Florida

Early voting is underway in Florida through Nov. 5.

Last day to request a ballot be mailed to you in Florida is Saturday

All voters have until Saturday Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. to ask their Supervisor of Elections office to send...

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake O at 16.5 feet and rising

Lake Okeechobee is a foot higher than the optimal ecological envelope and is still rising.

Boaters warned of low power line on St. Lucie Canal

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports there is a low power line east of Port Mayaca Lock before the Railroad Swing Bridge.

Water continues to drain south into Lake O from Orlando/Kissimmee

The heavy rainfall left by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole continues to drain south.

Federal funding for water storage north of Lake O delayed

Plans for water storage north of Lake Okeechobee have hit another snag.

Lake O level at 16.3 feet and rising

Lake Okeechobee was at 16.3 feet on Nov. 18 and is still rising.

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 72 °F

Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Get the full forecast

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E-edition

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE - December 2022 edition

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Lake levels

16.45 feet

Last year: 15.86 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Community

Iris Wall is proud to be a Florida Cracker

Iris Wall, 93, of Indiantown, happily shared information about Florida Crackers to participants...

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was the keynote speaker at First Bank's centinnial celebration Nov. 16.

First Bank celebrated centennial celebration Nov. 16

First Bank celebrated 100 years of service and centinnial celebration at the Bronson Arena in Moore Haven on Nov. 16.

Postal Service closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2

Post Offices will be closed for the observation of both federal holidays on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

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Hurricane News

Hurricane Ian Disaster Recovery Centers reopen

Disaster Recovery Centers for Hurricane Ian survivors have reopened...

BBB warns: Watch out for scams after Nicole

Better Business Bureau warns consumers that in the aftermath of Hurricane Nicole...

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Police/Fire

ATF offers $10,000 reward in firearms theft from business

ATF is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of ...

Man allegedly brings gun to banquet

On Saturday, Dec. 3, an altercation took place at a banquet being held at the Okeechobee KOA...

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Human Interest

Auto mechanics class is connecting with OHS students

When it comes to high school classes, there are some more popular than others.

Milly Francis was the 'Florida Pocahontas'

The story of a beautiful Native American girl saving a captured white man from a death sentence might sound familiar.

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Schools

NES congratulates 1st Year Teacher of the Year

Join North Elementary School in congratulating their 2022-2023 First Year (Project ONE) Teacher of the Year...

NES congratulates Employee of the Year

Join North Elementary School in congratulating the 2022-2023 Related Employee of the Year - Mrs. Ana Waldron.

NES congratulates Teacher of the Year

North Elementary School congratulates their 2022/2023 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Emily Streelman...

SES announces Employee of the Year

South Elementary School congratulates Nicola Coker (center) as the School Related Employee of the Year...

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Sports

Brahman basketball defeats Pahokee 49-31

The Okeechobee High School Brahman varsity basketball team defeated the Pahokee Blue Devils 49-31 on Nov. 30.

Father and son team win Roland Martin Marine Center Series qualifier

The top finishers in the Roland Martin Marine Center Series Qualifier #3, presented by HUK on Nov. 19, made the event a family affair.

Big Bass on the Big O

Tight Splice Charters shared these images from fishing on Lake Okeechobee on Nov. 6. Share your fishing photos! Email photos to okeenews@iniusa.org.

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Wildlife & Environment

Go big this holiday season: Adopt-A-Manatee®

Go big this holiday season when you Adopt-A-Manatee® from Save the Manatee Club!

FWC updates Gopher Tortoise permitting guidelines

On Dec. 1 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff’s recommendation to update ...

FWC approves grant-funded removal of derelict boats

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

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Government

Architect says Okeechobee County Jail expansion project progressing well

According to an update given at the Nov. 22 Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners meeting, the ongoing expansion and renovation project at the Okeechobee County Jail

Is the U.S. ready for a new political party?

Does the United States need a new political party? A group of former Democrats and Republicans think so.

DeCarlo, Burroughs sworn in at County Commission

Terry Burroughs and Frank DeCarlo were officially sworn in before the Nov. 22 Okeechobee County Commission meeting.

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Veterans

Local veteran refused service ... again

A local veteran was refused service this week when she went to have her nails done.

Okeechobee County schools do not close for Veterans' Day and this is why

Many have asked why the schools in Okeechobee County are not closed in honor of Veterans' Day.

Church hosts spaghetti dinner for veterans

Attention veterans! The Gathering Church is hosting a Veteran Appreciation dinner TONIGHT in your honor.

Veteran Pancake needs help

Veteran Joshua Pancake was born and raised in Southern Indiana. He considered going into the military after 911...

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: One Blood thanks blood donors

A very large THANK YOU goes out to all those who donated at the 17th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup...

How do I avoid pitfalls and get maximum Social Security?

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

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Agriculture

FAWN expands weather stations to some Florida state parks

FAWN stations can come in handy for farmers and nurseries this time of year, as we approach cooler weather in Florida.

Find Your Frugal: Keeping produce fresh

With inflation continuing to rise and the holidays just around the corner, keeping produce fresh...

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Health

Yoga for Life: A yoga practice for holiday calmness

The pace of the day can be exhausting when our lives become filled every minute with working...

Mosquito spraying planned Dec. 5-7

OKEECHOBEE -- Mosquito control spraying is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5, through Wednesday, Dec. 7 ...

Alzheimer Association’s announces virtual events

The Alzheimer Association will host virtual Brain Bus events and support groups.

Cleanliness and temperature key to safe holiday meals

Q: What makes holiday food safety different from everyday meals?

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Business

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

The 50-year anniversary celebration for Garrard’s Bait and Tackle is on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mark your calendars and let’s help them celebrate an amazing 50 …

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...

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

The Chamber of Commerce has been given a special “scout elf” this year and we have named him Jolly.

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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 …

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 …

Notice of road closure

Okeechobee County has scheduled a road closure at westbound NW 144th Drive (Potter Road) to install...

Subscriber exclusive

City public works department hires first female 'in the field' employee

The city of Okeechobee hired its first "in the field" female employee in March of this year.

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State

Florida beach erosion uncovers wooden ship from 1800s

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. (AP) — Severe beach erosion from two late-season hurricanes has helped uncover what appears to be a wooden ship dating from the 1800s which had been buried under the sand …

Florida lawmakers set to meet on ailing insurance market

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Legislature will meet next week for a special session on property insurance and property tax relief in the wake of damage caused by Hurricane Ian, officials …

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National & World