South Central Florida Life

HURRICANE NEWS

- 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.

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Featured

Angler says higher lake levels would destroy Lake O

“Holding the lake higher for longer will result in the death of Lake Okeechobee,” said Scott Martin.

Apartments sit vacant — awaiting their day in court

Despite Okeechobee’s desperate need for housing, one small housing complex remains empty, awaiting its day in court.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

OKEECHOBEE – February is National Teen Dating violence Awareness and Prevention Month. “Relationship violence and intimate partner violence isn’t limited to adults,” …

Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation complete

Federal, state and local officials gathered on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike on Jan. 25 to celebrate the completion of the Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) Rehabilitation project.

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Community

Dial 2-1-1 for community helpline

OKEECHOBEE – Need help and don’t know who to call? Call 2-1-1.

Community rallies to help OHS auto shop win contest

The Okeechobee High School Brahman Auto Shop will be receiving some brand new shop equipment after winning a contest on Jan. 23.

Annual poster contest has begun

The Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District has announced its annual poster contest open to all...

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Lake Okeechobee

USACE ‘banking’ water in Lake Okeechobee

Corps to release Lake Okeechobee water to St. Lucie River

Big O remains high with little water leaving lake

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 68 °F

A slight chance of sprinkles. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North northwest wind around 10 mph. Get the full forecast

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LORE - January 2023

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Lake levels

16.08 feet

Last year: 15.07 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Lady Brahmans win thriller over Heritage

The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahman varsity basketball team came away with a thrilling victory over the Heritage Lady Panthers on Jan. 23.

Former Brahman turned pro giving pitching lessons in Okeechobee

Former Okeechobee High School Brahman and University of Florida pitcher Jonathan Crawford is offering pitching lessons on weekends to local kids.

Brahman basketball bounces back to beat Glades Central

The Okeechobee High School Brahman varsity basketball team came back in the fourth quarter to defeat the Glades Central Raiders 43-39 on Jan. 13.

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Human Interest

Adopt a Pet: Meet Kicha

Meowiser Power! Hi there Catto Peeps. Am I beautiful or what?

Pastor had no intention of going into the ministry

More to Life associate pastor James Garner said he went into the ministry because he was “better than nothing.”

Adopt a pet: Meet Fred

OKEECHOBEE — How could you not love this sweet boy?

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Schools

CES students have fun with Science

On Monday, Jan. 23, fifth grade students at Central Elementary School started a new unit in Science!

EES students attend county Science Fair

These fifth grade students respresented Everglades Elementary School at in the distric science fair...

IRSC issues notice of fee changes

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

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Wildlife & Environment

What happened to the Cuban tree frogs in the freeze? Help UF/IFAS find out!

Do you have a Cuban tree frog invasion in your yard? You can help UF/IFAS study these frogs...

Building on our progress for Everglades restoration and water quality

Increased state investments and historic momentum are making a difference to protect Florida’s precious natural resources...

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Government

'Food is Medicine' Bill would encourage healthy eating

Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Katherine Waldron (D-Wellington) filed Senate Bill 188 and House Bill 173...

Okeechobee mayor celebrates his 40th year as council member

Mayor Dowling Watford was recognized for 40 years of service to the city of Okeechobee during the Jan. 17 city council meeting.

DCF helps Floridians recovering from Hurricane Ian

Florida Department of Children and Families Announces Additional Resiliency Resource for Floridians Recovering from Hurricane Ian

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Police/Fire

Woman slapped in face at Dollar General gets justice

After slapping a woman in the face for taking too long at Dollar General, an Okeechobee man was slapped with a jail sentence.

Man who burglarized the home of a partner in crime goes to prison

An Okeechobee man was sentenced on Jan. 19 for a burglary which took place in February 2022.

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Opinion

Yoga for Life: Test your balance with half moon yoga pose

To initiate “Half Moon Yoga Pose,” stand against a wall, reach one leg straight out to the side against the wall and reach...

Playing the odds: Flying commercially in 2023 is a gamble

These days, it’s a gamble when flying commercially whether your flight will leave on time...

Letter to the editor: Postmaster thanks customers

It is a great honor to serve as your Okeechobee Postmaster.

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Hurricane News

How to apply for FEMA assistance if your home is a boat

If a boat was your primary residence before and during Hurricane Ian making landfall in Florida...

SBA to Offer Disaster Loans with no payments for first year

SBA announces no interest and no payments for first year...

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Veterans

Veteran Lynch is office manager for Total Roadside

Born up north, Veteran Paul Lynch and his family moved to Indiantown in 1980.

4-H club donates Christmas gifts for veterans

On Monday, Dec. 20, the Okeechobee Outsiders 4-H Club presented veteran activist Gregg Maynard with gift baskets and gift cards to distribute to veterans …

Veterans take part in Great Florida Cattle Drive

“The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” – Winston Churchill

Veteran Mixon is an aircraft mechanic, and he loves it

Veteran Scott Mixon was born and raised in Okeechobee.

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Agriculture

Sequestering Carbon & Protecting Florida Land program open

$2.6 million is now available to landowners through the Sequestering Carbon and Protecting Florida Land program ...

Ag-Venture teaches 4th graders about local agricultural industries

Okeechobee County Ag-Venture, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides local fourth grade students...

UF/IFAS helps Floridians launch food business dreams

Starting a food business might seem intimidating, but UF/IFAS Extension courses can help make big dreams a reality.

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Health

Low-cost dental services available at Indian River State College

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular dental cleanings every six months, and recommends X-rays once a year.

You could be smoke-free in 2023

Attention turns to the annual tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Will you be smoke-free in 2023?

Indoor air pollution linked to childhood asthma

Should you be worried about indoor air quality?

Breast milk from those vaccinated agianst COVID may protect infants

A new study from the University of Florida provides more evidence that the breast milk of people vaccinated against COVID-19...

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Business

My Aunt's House to reopen in new, larger store

My Aunt’s House, commonly referred to as “The Closet” has been a fixture in Okeechobee since 2003. The Closet has been faithfully funded by the Children’s …

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

The Chamber Rise-Up Breakfast is hosted by Martha’s House on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. at 4134 US HWY 441 N, ...

Bass Pro has clear path forward to develop Okee-Tantie

OKEECHOBEE – Bass Pro has a clear path forward to develop the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area as a world class fishing resort ,,,

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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

Ex-Florida police officers accused of beating homeless man

Two former South Florida police officers turned themselves in to face felony charges over the beating of a homeless man who had been drinking outside a shopping center last month. Miami-Dade State …

NASA marks 20 years since space shuttle Columbia disaster

NASA is marking the 20th anniversary of the space shuttle Columbia tragedy with somber ceremonies during its annual tribute to fallen astronauts. More than 100 people gathered under a gray sky at …

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National & World

FEMA helps 67K Florida households with housing needs

Less than two weeks to apply for an SBA Disaster Loan in Florida

FEMA help available for those with storm damage