South Central Florida Life
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Lake releases to continue this week, may end soon

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Coronavirus

Mobile COVID-19 testing bus to visit Okeechobee

The mobile testing bus can provide test results in 45 minutes.

Potential coronavirus exposure at Okeechobee Achievement Academy

The Okeechobee County School District has been notified by the Department of Health that a staff member at Okeechobee Achievement Academy tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was last on campus Friday, Oct. 23.

Food & Drug Administration approves COVID-19 treatment

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for use in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 …

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Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Mostly Cloudy, 70 °F
A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. … Get the full forecast
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Lake levels
16.30 feet
Last year: 13.46 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Water Flow Chart
Human Interest

Florida has no shortage of spooky stories

The Sunshine State has no shortage of spooky tales — ghostly pirates still guarding their treasures, spirits of suicides who haunt the places where they died and old buildings where something “just doesn’t feel right.”

Seminoles’ long fight for return of stolen ancestors yields results

After years of advocacy for change, the Seminole Tribe of Florida Repatriation Committee has received a revised repatriation policy from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Veteran Walker was looking for excitement

Veteran Gary Walker grew up in Okeechobee and graduated from Okeechobee High School in 1989. Three weeks later, he joined the Navy and spent the next 22 years serving his country.

Homeowner’s Handbook updated to prepare Floridians for disasters

The second edition of the Homeowner’s Handbook provides updated guidance for Florida homeowners on disaster preparation and can help residents feel ready for approaching storms.

UF expert available to talk about sea-level rise, climate change impacts

After many residents and business owners in LaBelle experienced heavy rains and flooding on Sunday, Sept. 20, the subject of understanding climate change and how it affects Florida became the topic of discussion on social media and around town.

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Community
Oct. 30 is the day for Gilbert Ford’s Drive 4UR Community Test Drive event to raise money for the Fraternal Order of Police’s Public Dog Park. The event is being organized by the Okeechobee Masonic Lodge.
Here are a few Halloween tips to prepare parents and make fun for everyone.
Okeechobee Main Street announces events, contests, the Christmas parade and more!

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Police/Fire
The Okeechobee Arrest Report covers arrest made between Oct. 22 to Oct. 28.
On Oct. 27, 16-year-old Jordan Rickard, from Loxahatchee, was reportedly seen driving around Okeechobee in a 2015 silver Camaro which had been reported stolen in West Palm Beach.
The Okeechobee Fire Report includes the Okeechobee City Fire Department cand Okeechobee County Fire Rescue.

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Election

#walkthevote Parade to take place on Saturday, Oct. 24

Voters of all ages, backgrounds and party affiliations in Okeechobee are invited to participate in a #walkthevote parade on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. to personally deliver their ballot to the ballot box safely, securely and without the need to wait in a long line.
Early voting in Okeechobee started Monday at the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse.

Voting under way in Florida

Floridians turned out in record numbers for the first day of early voting in Florida on Monday. According to state election officials, more than 350,000 Floridians cast their ballots on Monday, when …

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Government
The Okeechobee BOCC heard from a local resident about plans discussed at their Oct. 8 meeting regarding Lock 7.
State and federal officials gathered at the S-333 water control structure on the Tamiami Trail on Oct. 21 to celebrate the start of work on the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), which will increase the capacity to move water from Lake Okeechobee to Everglades National Park (ENP).
The signing of an interlocal agreement for fire services during Tuesday night’s council meeting marks the end of an era for the city of Okeechobee unless the county commissioners decline to sign when presented with the contract.

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Schools
Everglades Elementary School (EES) celebrated their awesome custodial staff for Custodial Appreciation Day!
South Elementary School would like to congratulate its Students of the Week for the week of Oct. 19.
IRSC alumnae Sandra Krischke of St. Lucie County was unanimously elected chairwoman of the IRSC District Board of Trustees.

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Sports

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Agriculture

Dairy industry is slowly recovering

In the first half of 2020, dairy farmers around Okeechobee were forced to dump their own product down the drain due to the economic fallout of COVID-19.

UF awarded key federal grants to continue fight against citrus greening

University of Florida researchers hope to discover new methods to help citrus growers fight the deadly citrus greening.

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Veterans

Saucier joined Marines after high school

Veteran Lawrence Saucier graduated from Melbourne High School in 1965 and then joined the Marines.

Virtual Enrollment Panel for veterans to be held Oct. 28

A Virtual Enrollment Panel for veterans will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. for veterans and military service members.

Veteran Taylor refueled bombers in flight

Veteran Ed Taylor is originally from North Florida, up around the Georgia line, and he joined the Air Force soon after graduating from high school.

Veteran Ochy has led a very interesting life

Veteran Mike Ochy went into the service in 1960.

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Opinion
Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began discharging high volumes of water from Lake Okeechobee to Southwest Florida, a process that often disrupts the fragile ecosystem near Fort Myers.
Okeechobee Blood Roundup volunteer In order to promote awareness of the upcoming 15th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup to be held at the Freshman Campus Auditorium on Nov. 21 and 22, we share …

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Business
On Sept. 30, Bautech USA started receiving the first pieces of equipment for their new facility in the Okeechobee Airport Industrial Park.
In recognition of National Small Business Week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) highlight resources available to small businesses in Florida.
“What can we do in the short term to limit the impact this is having on our lives?” Sen. Marco Rubio asked in a Sept. 1 webinar about Florida’s economic relaunch with the Florida Chamber of …

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Health

Alzheimer’s Association’s Virtual Brain Bus hosts events

The Alzheimer’s Association Virtual Brain Bus offers programs via Zoom in November.

Listeria outbreak hospitalizes 10

If you are at a higher risk for getting sick with Listeria — you are pregnant, 65 or older or have a weakened immune system — you should avoid eating deli meats unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Brain Bus to host virtual events

The Alzheimer’s Association Virtual Brain Bus raises awareness about Alzheimer’s and related dementia from any device connected to the internet.

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Business Insights

Guardian ad Litem takes a different approach

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 19th thru April 25th is National Volunteer Appreciation Week.  Normally this month would be full of public awareness and volunteer …

Stores reserve shopping periods for senior citizens

OKEECHOBEE -- To help those over age 65 who are more at risk of serious complications should they contract the COVID-19 virus, some stores are offering reserved shopping time for seniors. Allowing …

A Conversation About End-of-Life Care: What You Need to Know When Selecting Hospice Services

When Vicky S. was exploring end-of-life services for her husband, she wanted someone who would provide high-quality and compassionate care while respecting his wishes and hers. Her husband …

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Entertainment
Moose Lodge to host adult Halloween party Oct. 31

D & K Entertainment will perform Oct. 31 Halloween party.

Last weekend of Spookyville to feature expanded hours

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Traffic & Road Work

Road Watch for Okeechobee County for the week of Oct. 25

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of October 25.

Okeechobee Road Watch Report for week of Oct. 18

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report covering the week of Oct. 18.

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State

See a Kingsnake? Report it to FWC

Kingsnakes have experienced population declines that biologists can’t explain.

FWC invites public comments for re-accreditation

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement is seeking re-accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).

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National & World

Pelosi scolds White House over no response in virus talks

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a scolding assessment of COVID-19 relief talks on Thursday, blaming Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for failing to produce answers to her …

US vetted stars' politics to showcase Trump virus response

Public relations firms hired by the Department of Health and Human Services vetted political views of hundreds of celebrities for a planned $250 million ad blitz …

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Top Trending Stories
After reportedly hitting one deputy with his head and spitting on another, 25-year-old Zavius Long was arrested and charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
After reportedly cutting his neighbor’s fence twice and allegedly stealing his cows, a local man was charged with grand theft and criminal mischief.
The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), the Okeechobee City Police Department (OPD), the …
A 60-year-old Okeechobee man died Wednesday night, Oct. 28, as the result of injuries from a bicycle accident.
After reportedly throwing a beer can at a vehicle, a local man claimed he was almost run over by the driver of the car.
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