South Central Florida Life

Featured

Photos from the 2024 Best of the Lake awards

The 2024 Best of the Lake Awards were held on May 16 at the Okeechobee KOA.

RSCA students hold living history museum

Rock Solid Christian Academy third grade students took part in a living history museum this week.

New bunkhouse at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Audubon and the Florida Park Service celebrated the ribbon cutting for a new bunkhouse at Kissimmee Prairie ...

Okeechobee Garden Club off to a good start

Okeechobee's new garden club held its first meeting on Tuesday morning, May 14 at the Okeechobee County Library.

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Community

Memorial Day service planned

A Memorial Day service to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces...

OKEECHOBEE -- Healthy Start's Community Baby Shower attracted more than 100 families on May 17. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

Healthy Start hosts Community Baby Shower

More than 100 families turned out for the Healthy Start Community Baby Shower ...

Agri-Civic Center May events schedule

The Okeechobee County Agri Civic Centerwill hold the following May events.

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Lake Okeechobee

USACE preparing for active storm season

STA project near Lazy 7 expanded to 4,800 acres

Airboaters help clean up waterways

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 88 °F

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West northwest … Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE - January 2023

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Lake levels

13.56 feet

Last year: 13.79 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

FWC and partners provides instruction to kick off National Safe Boating Week

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Florida State Parks...

Keep Florida the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World

This course is a great educational resource for clubs focused on the great outdoors...

Purple and White football scrimmage set for this weekend at OHS

The Okeechobee High School Brahman football program is hosting a Purple and White scrimmage game on May 11 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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Human Interest

Baby battles cancer like a warrior

The word cancer is a scary one, and when we hear it as a diagnosis for a baby, it can be terrifying.

Okeechobee teen starts business at 13

An Okeechobee teen is getting a head start in the business world by starting a business while still in high school.

Gator alumni-led company recognized for decade of compassionate growth

Every year for the past 10 years, the University of Florida’s Gator100 program has honored the fastest-growing businesses...

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Schools

North Elementary launches school newspaper

The student council at North Elementary held their final meeting of the year on May 14 and celebrated their work launching a school newspaper.

Glades Electric Educational Foundation awards $49,000 in Scholarships to students

The Glades Electric Educational Foundation proudly announces the awarding of $49,000...

Protect children's eyesight by getting them to play outside

Spending two hours a day outdoors will help protect children’s eyesight, according to research.

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Wildlife & Environment

Protect beach babies this Memorial Day

Audubon is calling on beachgoers to make beaches safer for birds by avoiding their nesting areas...

More than 100 American Flamingos counted in Florida during February Census

In February, Audubon Florida organized an American Flamingo survey across the Sunshine State.

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Government

Mailbox Improvement Week Arrives in Time for Spring Cleaning

The U.S. Postal Service is asking all homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 19-25.

Party at Douglas Brown Center draws noise complaints

An April 27 event at The Douglas Brown Community Center resulted in 19 complaints of loud and vulgar music ..

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Kathy Selby from HCA Raulerson Hospital brought light to Stroke Awareness ...

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Police/Fire

Okeechobee Arrest Report

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges...

FWC Report

FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report from April 26 - May 2.

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Opinion

Reflections on 7 minutes in the dark

The announcement came over the school intercom that the school was on lockdown.

Are we really going to let the mob set American public policy?

Mass protests have become popular with the radical Left because they work.

Reflections from the Pulpit: Pentecost is 50 days after Easter

When worshiping with us on May 19 this year you will see that the Paraments...

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Hurricane News

FWC offers tips for keeping your boat safe in hurricane season

How can you keep your boat safe during a hurricane?

Innovative technology to evaluate forest damage helps with rapid response after hurricanes

When hurricanes careen through Florida, they not only damage homes and businesses, they also...

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Adopt A Pet

Adopt a pet: Meet Casper

Monday, February 19

This Handsome boy is CASPER #2309129. He has been at the shelter for over six months.

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, January 22

This week’s Pets of the Week are a mix of adorable dogs and cats.

Adopt a Pet: Meet Max

Monday, January 8

I'm a handsome sweet boy looking and wishing for my forever home with you.

Fur-Tastic Pet Spa hosts visits with Santa

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

In case you missed it, here are some of the pictures from Saturday at Fur-Tastic Pet Spa LLC .

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Veterans

Veteran coalition fights suicide

The Greater Lake Okeechobee Veterans Service Coalition formed in the fall of 2023,

Smart & Safe Florida announces statewide Veterans Coalition

On Tuesday, April 23, the Smart & Safe Florida campaign launched its “Vets Vote #YesOn3” statewide Veterans Coalition...

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Agriculture

Plant the right tree in the right place with help from UF

Homeowners, business owners and others can plant the right tree in the right place in cities...

Learn about meat quality, robotics, reptiles and more at Youth Field Day

ONA — You want to see cattle up close and find out how Florida ranchers bring beef to your dinner table?

UF/IFAS researchers work to make beer hops a Florida crop

Although plenty of Florida’s craft brewers advertise their libations as brewed with state-grown ingredients...

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Health

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Four health tips to help make the most of Mother’s Day

As we celebrate the women in our lives and the important role they play in our families...

DCF Champions hosts Mental Health Awareness Month roundtable

Leaders from across the state joined together to highlight the considerable strides Florida...

May is Save Your Tooth Month

May is Save Your Tooth Month, an annual celebration of tooth-saving procedures...

Florida Retail Federation thanks DeSantis for HIV screening & treatment expansions

Governor Ron DeSantis signed into Florida law Friday, April26, House Bill 159, HIV Infection Prevention Drugs...

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Business

BBB® marks Inaugural Scam Survivor Day with launch of new scam survival toolkit

The Scam Survival Toolkit connects people with the information they need to restore...

AAA: Florida gas prices jump to 2024 highs; relief may be in sight

Relief may be in sight, after Florida gas prices rose to 2024 highs. The state average reached $3.64 per gallon...

Better Business Bureau celebrates National Moving Month

Moving across town or the country requires time, patience, money, and, most importantly, trust.

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of May 19-25

SR 70 at SE 10th Avenue: (Driveway permit project) Crews are re-constructing sidewalks...

FDOT workshop to consider traffic on SR 70

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites the public to an alternatives workshop for the SR 70 Project Development ...

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning May 12

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, May 12. Motorists are reminded...

AAA: Florida gas prices are slightly lower than last week

TAMPA — Florida gas prices increased the past three days, erasing eight consecutive days of losses. The state average dropped from $3.64 per gallon to $3.48/g last week. It then rebounded nine …

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State

Families of Mexican farmworker bus crash victims mourn the loss of their loved ones

Families are mourning the loss of their loved ones from a bus crash in Florida earlier this week. Officials say eight Mexican farmworkers were killed after 41-year-old Bryan Howard sideswiped a bus …

Webb telescope uncovers merger of two massive black holes from early universe

The Webb Space Telescope has discovered the earliest known merger of black holes. Scientists reported Thursday that these two gigantic and distant black holes and their galaxies consolidated just 740 …

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National & World

- May 5-11 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week
  
  Perhaps Benjamin Franklin said it best: “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.”
- Alzheimer’s caregivers need special plan for hurricane season
  
  As hurricane season approaches, caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s have to put a plan in place a bit different than others.
- Begin preparing for hurricane season during Hurricane Preparedness Week
  
  The annual Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, and it is important for all of us....