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Sam Griffin Scenic Tower dedicated at Harney Pond

“You never know what will happen to you out on this water ..."

Okeechobee County Fair was 'Buckets of Fun in 2021'

The 17th annual Okeechobee County Fair was a great fair, Linda Syfrett told the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners at their June 10 meeting.

Man found slumped over the wheel of his burning truck

A local man was found in a ditch, slumped over the wheel of his burning truck with his foot on the accelerator.

Gay Pride Month proclamation is voted down

In a four to one vote, the Gay Pride Month proclamation was voted down...

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Lake Okeechobee

Water storage north of lake needed to help lake ecology

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Lake Okeechobee

Water storage north of lake needed to help lake ecology

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Coronavirus

CDC advises all eligible Americans be vaccinated against COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control last week warned the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant is likely to become the dominant strain in United States.

COVID-19 vaccinations available

OKEECHOBEE -- COVID-19 vaccinations are available free to anyone age 12 and over in Okeechobee County.

State shuts down COVID-19 dashboard

According to the Centers for the Disease Control, those who are fully vaccinated can safely go out in public...

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Community

Okeechobee Main Street hosts 2021 Art and Wine Walk

OKEECHOBEE- Okeechobee Main Street held their 2021 Art and Wine Walk in downtown Okeechobee on June 19.

U.S. Sugar to restore 101-year-old steam engine and use train for tours

A steam locomotive that traveled the Florida rails 100 years ago will soon have a new home in the “Worlds Sweetest Town.”

Deacon Kay Mueller named pastor in charge at Episcopal Church of Our Saviour

This will mark the first time since the formation of Church of Our Saviour in 1951 that a woman will be at the helm.

Best Friends Animal Society urges people to protect pets from heat

Spring is in full swing, and temperatures in many parts of the country are already alarmingly high. While some states may still be enjoying spring...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

, 73 °F

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in … Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE - June 2021

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Lake levels

12.57 feet

Last year: 12.35 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Human Interest

Local woman needs help with cancer treatments

Former Okeechobee teacher is struggling to pay for cancer treatments.

Local daredevil celebrates 100th birthday

A local daredevil celebrated her 100th birthday at OHCF on June 12.

Inspiring Okeechobee:
Chuck Akers has 'always had his hands in fire stuff'

When Inspiring stories are mentioned, the name 'Chuck Akers' is always brought up.

Our Village offers those in need a 'hand up'

Our Village is giving a hand up, not a hand out.

Family thanks OCSO

Narcisse family surprised members of the OCSO with a thank you meal and more...

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Police/Fire

Boy charged with two counts burglary

A 14-year-old boy was charged with two counts burglary this week.

DeSantis signs bill supporting LEO canines

Governor Ron DeSantis supports bill to help LEO K9s injured in the line of duty

Man charged with burglary with assault

A local man was charged with burglary with assault or battery...

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Weather

Make a hurricane plan for your pets

When a hurricane threatens, do you have a plan for your pets? Do you have a safe spot for them in your home? What will you do with them if you can’t stay in your home?

2021 Hurricane Season: Be prepared

Weathering storms is a part of every Floridian’s life. As the 2021 Hurricane Season begins, please take a few minutes to review some of the mandatory supplies.

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Schools

Okeechobee school district searching for new YMS principal

OKEECHOBEE- Yearling Middle School will be looking for a new principal ahead of their 2021-22 school year.

Okeechobee students gain skills in leadership summer camp

OKEECHOBEE- Members of the Employability Skills and Okeechobee Junior Leadership summer programs celebrated the end of their two week camp at Okeechobee High School on June 18.

UA names Neal to Dean’s List

Evan Neal of Okeechobee was named to the Deans List.

Greseth returning to YMS as principal

OKEECHOBEE- At their June 8 meeting Okeechobee School Board Members approved the appointment of Brian Greseth as principal of Yearling Middle School.

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Sports

Okeechobee T-ball squad finishes second in district

OKEECHOBEE- The Okeechobee T-Ball American All-Stars finished in second in their district tournament on the weekend of June 12 and June 13.

Big O Open announces winners of June Tournament

The “Big O Open” held its June 2021 Tournament out of Okee-Tantie with nine teams participating.

All Star 8U team qualifies for state tournament

The Okeechobee All Star 8U Coach Pitch team placed Runner-Up this past weekend, June 12 and 13, in the District 8 Tournament in Avon Park.

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Wildlife & Environment

UF wildlife ecologists teach public to help boost bluebird population

As pest-eaters, Eastern bluebirds benefit Florida farmers. Not only that, they’re cute. Two good reasons Hance Ellington has started a program to preserve them.

Reef-wide outplanting of corals susceptible to stony coral tissue loss disease begins

Reef restoration experiments in Florida have never been replicated on such a large scale before, with 24 outplanting sites spanning from Martin County down the coast of southeast Florida to Key West.

CDC begins new study on the health effects of cyanotoxins

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will start a new study in south Florida during the 2021 algal bloom season to assess the health effects of exposure to …

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Government

From the Archives: Charles Harvey passes away

Hundreds turn out to pay respects to Charles Harvey at the Okeechobee County Courthouse on April 20, 1995.

Okeechobee County Clerk’s Office issues notice of upcoming changes

Jerald D. “Jerry Bryant, Okeechobee County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, is issuing this notice to the public about a recent change in the filing of court records...

Sherman Building houses tax collector, property appraiser and driver's license offices

June 10 was a historic event as the Okeechobee County Board of County Commission conducted a building dedication and ribbon cutting at the W.C. “Bill” Sherman …

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Veterans

Veteran Sutherland was known for his sense of humor

WWII veteran Thomas “Jack” Sutherland was born on September 12, 1926...

New well at Veterans' Park

A new well is going in at Veterans' Park. It was donated to the veterans by Frank DeCarlo and should be big enough to run water for all of the parks.

Cpl. Earl Hansel's family attends memorial service

OKEECHOBEE - Family members of the late Cpl. Earl Hansel attend the ceremony honoring him for his service. Hansel served in both WWI and the Korean War. He was a POW and was killed in action.

Ramps for Veterans donates another ramp

Volunteers complete another ramp for a veteran

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Opinion

A look into Florida’s 2021 legislative accomplishments

We are blessed by the Good Lord to live in the Sunshine State. Here in Florida, we’re surrounded by natural beauty, plentiful food and endless opportunity.

Letter to the Editor: South Elementary thanks community

South Elementary School now has a book vending machine and would like to thank those in the community for their support and making it possible.

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Agriculture

Florida farmers meet with national lawmakers

Florida farmers, ranchers and small business owners spoke up for agriculture during Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Hill to the Field Advocacy Week, June 1-4, 2021.

UF/IFAS, Miami chocolatier cook up winning recipes with Florida-grown vanilla

What happens if you mix a cacao bean with a vanilla bean produced from a specific Florida-grown vanilla cultivar? The outcome was a winning combination...

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Health

FDOH offers free HIV, STD, Hepatitis C testing and COVID vaccines

The Florida Dept. of Health, Okeechobee County, 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave., will provide free HIV/STD & Hepatitis C Testing and free COVID-19 Vaccinations...

Raulerson Hospital acquires second surgical robotic system for minimally invasive procedures

Raulerson Hospital, owned by HCA Healthcare, has acquired another robotic system for minimally invasive surgery.

Mobile dental unit visits Okeechobee schools

The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County has partnered with the Okeechobee County School District to provide children with dental assessments and preventative treatment...

Live, Love and Laugh through Yoga

Breaking through unproductive thoughts and behaviors requires attention to a new dimensional awareness beyond “the now.”

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Business

Florida Power & Light waves goodbye to coal

Wednesday, June 16, brought the end of an era. Florida Power & Light’s last standing coal-powered energy plant succumbed to implosion.

FPL demolishing last coal-fired plant in state

INDIANTOWN -- While dismantling the last coal-fired power plant in its fleet, Florida Power & Light Company officials Wednesday (June 16)  announced more solar and clean energy …

FPL to implode Indiantown coal-powered plant on Wednesday morning

INDIANTOWN -- Florida Power & Light (FPL) will implode the coal-powered plant in Indiantown at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16. The detonaton will be livestreamed on FP&L's YouTube …

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, June 20

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 20, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Advance notice of road closure

There will be a road closure on Tuesday, June 22 in Treasure Island. Please seek alternate routes during this time.

Okeechobee County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, June 13

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 13, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Portion of U.S. 441 (Parrott Avenue) to be closed June14-23

OKEECHOBEE – A section of U.S. 441 North, from N.E. Fifth Street to N.E. Ninth Street will be closed for 10 days starting June 14 at 6 a.m. for road work by the FDOT

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State

Bodies of two young girls pulled from South Florida canal

LAUDERHILL, Fla. (AP) — The bodies of two young girls were found, hours apart, in a South Florida canal, and investigators are treating the case as a homicide. The body of the first girl, who …

Florida governor: Students will be taught communism is evil

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Civics education will be expanded in Florida, including instruction about communist and totalitarian governments, and state universities will be prevented from quashing …

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National & World