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Coronavirus

More COVID-19 vaccinations available this week

More COVID-19 vaccination clinics will open this week, although appointments...
Medical injection

Florida nears 1 million people vaccinated for COVID-19

Statewide as of Jan. 17 (reported Jan. 18), Florida had vaccinated 938,537 people with the first dose...

VA offers COVID-19 vaccine to veterans who are over the age of 70

The Veterans Administration hospital in West Palm Beach will have a vaccination clinic Monday for veterans over the age of 70.

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Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Fog/Mist, 46 °F
Sunny, with a high near 73. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Get the full forecast
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Lake levels
15.62 feet
Last year: 12.96 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Water Flow Chart
Community

Foundation contributes more than money, it delivers on dreams

The Kathryn A. Basile Foster a Dream Foundation contributed $10,000 to...

Christmas duo recognized for going the extra mile

Communities Connected for Kids congratulates Linda Beland and Christina Kaiser for winning the most recent Going the Extra Mile...

CCKids staff shine on national stage

Jerra Wisecup and Chyna Degginger, both CCKids staff members, were two of only eight child-welfare professionals recognized nationally,,,

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...

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

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Human Interest
OKEECHOBEE – Baby Bottle Boomerang is a simple program, and a great way for kids and people of all ages to get involved in the life-saving ministry of the Pregnancy Center of …
When the first pioneers settled along the shores of Lake Worth in the late 1870s, they found a pristine wilderness and assumed...
With Valentines Day coming up, one of our readers thought an inspiring love story...

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Weather
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 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.
Flood expected from Tropical Storm Eta. Okeechobee County schools will be closed Monday.
MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center has updated the projected path of Tropical Storm 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
A local woman was charged with child abuse after she reportedly hit another woman’s baby in an effort to convince the child’s mother to fight her.
Sheriff Steve Whidden and the Hendry Country Sheriff’s Office will host the Ride Around the Lake Motorcycle Rally...
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.

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Government
On Jan. 14, the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation to County Administrator, Robbie Chartier in honor of her Retirement...
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.
At their Jan. 14 meeting, Okeechobee County officials struggled with the desire to keep residents safe...

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Schools
OKEECHOBEE– Okeechobee County School Board members will be reviewing an architect short list for a new high school at their next meeting on Jan. 19. The long process of getting funding for a …
The Paulie Strong Charitable Foundation who raises funds for IRSC Scholarships, collected $10,000 at the inaugural #PaulieStrong Golf Tournament.
A panel of business leaders will offer their perspective on the “State of the Florida Landscape Industry
Everglades Elementary would like to congratulate its Students of the Week for the week of Jan. 11.

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Sports

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Veterans

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.

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 …

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Opinion
The Salvation Army would like to thank all Okeechobee Citizens as well as the volunteers...
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
The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is launching a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online now.
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
After months and months of speculation, Okeechobee City Administrator Marcos Montes de Oca said WaWa...
The Businesswomen's Referral Network will host it's monthly meeting on Friday, Jan. 15.
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 Road Watch for week of Jan. 17

Okeechobee County Road Watch for the week beginning Sunday, Jan. 17.

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.

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State

Sheriff: Deputy charged with threats after US Capitol attack

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) — A Florida deputy was arrested Tuesday for threatening to kill federal officials following the riot at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, officials said. Polk County Sheriff …

2 Florida men arrested by FBI in US Capitol breach probe

MIAMI (AP) — Two Florida men, one of whom ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature, are the latest from the state to be arrested by the FBI for allegedly taking part in the U.S. Capitol breach, …

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National & World

China labels Pompeo 'doomsday clown' over genocide claims

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry described outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday as a “doomsday clown” and said his designation of China as a perpetrator of …

Jack's back: Chinese e-tycoon ends silence with online video

BEIJING (AP) — China’s highest-profile entrepreneur, Jack Ma, appeared Wednesday in an online video, ending a 2 1/2-month absence from public view that prompted speculation about the future of …

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Top Trending Stories
After a store manager allowed an employee to come to her home and use her washing machine...
A mistake by a county office led to a property owner purchasing a mobile home...
After nearly five months, a man and woman have been arrested and charged with grand theft auto after being accused of stealing a U-Haul...
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