South Central Florida Life

Featured

EAA STAs provide flood protection as well as water treatment

Use of the Everglades Agricultural Area stormwater treatment areas was questioned at the April 11 SFWMD meeting

IRS says man owes $90,000 after scam artist does his taxes

An Okeechobee man discovered he was the victim of a fraud this week when he learned he owed IRS $90,000.

OHS Bass Club is Florida Team of the Year

- Okeechobee High School Bass Club was first established in 2016 and since then has been a competitive force that other teams across the state ...

Delap denied parole for 1975 Okeechobee murder

David Delap will be in prison for seven more years for the 1975 murder of Paula Ethridge.

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Community

Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Vitunac visits Okeechobee

The Kiwanis Division 16 Lt. Governor Doug Vitunac made an official visit to the Kiwanis Club...

Kitten season is here

According to Best Friends, nearly three times the number of felines enter shelters...

Rummage sale is April 27

Lighthouse Refuge is a rehabilitation home for homeless and abused women.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake water releases beneficial to Caloosahatchee River

FGCU to study Lake Okeechobee water issues

USACE seeks multi-year deviation to allow more water to flow under Tamiami Trail

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 72 °F

Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE - January 2023

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Lake levels

14.75 feet

Last year: 14.34 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

Lady Brahmans win over Port St. Lucie 17-0

The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahman varsity softball team defeated the Port St Lucie Lady Jaguars 17-0

LaSala's Big "O" Dojo offers free self-defense class for women and girls

LaSala's Big "O" Dojo, located in the Cedar Plaza on Southwest Third Terrace, is owned and operated by Master Chris LaSala and offers Christ-centered martial arts.

Chobee 10u Smashers takes the Gold Bracket

The Chobee 10u Smashers took first in the Gold Bracket softball tournament against the very strong...

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Human Interest

Veteran Wright is a hard working man with a sense of humor

Clyde James “Jim” Wright was known to everyone as Clyde growing up in Jacksonville.

New ultrasound machine is a game changer

The Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee has been a part of the Okeechobee community for many years, serving those...

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs to start new group in Okeechobee

Today’s garden clubs are not your grandmother’s club — getting together in someone’s home to sip tea and talk about plants.

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Schools

OCA students safely view eclipse

Okeechobee Christian Academy students were able to safely view the solar eclipse on April 8 while wearing special glasses.

Nutmeg's hosts tea party

Nutmeg's Cafe hosted Rock Solid Christian Academy's annual fourth grade Narnia tea party on April 4.

Science fair involves whole school

Rock Solid Christian Academy held its annual science fair on Friday, April 12.

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Wildlife & Environment

SFWMD Governing Board proclaims April as Water Conservation Month

Florida has observed Water Conservation Month since 1998 to highlight how each of us can do our part...

UF/IFAS scientists launch landscape water use survey to enhance water conservation

Looking for ways to help save on your household water bill? Wondering how often to irrigate the lawn? Perhaps you are looking...

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Government

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Examining Democracy in America Coming to Okeechobee

The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Florida Humanities Council, presents “Voices and Votes:

'Voices and Votes' Smithsonian exhibit to visit Okeechobee

A traveling Smithsonian exhibit “Voices and Votes: The Story of Democracy in America,” will be in the Okeechobee County Courthouse May 28 to July 12. At the April …

Hikers ask to park vehicles overnight at county facility

Outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend several days hiking may soon be able to leave their vehicles overnight ...

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Police/Fire

Bicyclist hit by sports car suffers minor injuries in hit & run

As he passed through an intersection in front of Walmart, a bicyclist was hit by a red sports car.

Reported bullet through window turns out to be an egg

An Okeechobee woman was frightened last week when she heard what she thought were shots coming through her window.

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Opinion

Christians should tell people about Jesus Christ

I was praying this morning and had a lot of things going through my mind. One being that...

Can I claim Social Security and still work?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

Reflections from the Pulpit: Who are you spending time with?

I remember as a young boy growing up in south Florida that my parents always warned...

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Hurricane News

It’s not luck! Don’t leave disaster preparedness to chance

As Spring approaches, so do hurricane and wildfire seasons, along with an increased threat...

UF/IFAS facilities rebuild from Hurricane Idalia with help

When Hurricane Idalia barreled through the Big Bend region of Florida...

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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

Inaugural Vietnam Veterans' Day breakfast is a success

Approximately 50 Vietnam veterans and their spouses were treated to a breakfast smorgasbord Friday in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans' Day.

Paul Hiott returns as Okeechobee Veterans Services Officer

The Okeechobee County Commission welcomed new Veterans Services Officer Paul Hiott at their March 28 meeting.

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Agriculture

UF/IFAS multi-state survey seeks to find out more about avocado disease management

There is no shortage of consumer appetite for avocados. Frequently incorporated into starters and desserts, demand for avocados...

UF experts gives tips to manage the eastern lubber grasshopper

They’re munching away on landscape plants, citrus and vegetable crops...

Survey opens for insights on usage of horse genetic testing tools

The goal of the survey is to get ideas and feedback from various sectors...

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Health

Hanley Foundation to provide emergency overdose boxes

Overdose emergency kits will be installed on county buildings thanks to the Hanley Foundation.

UF and Swedish researchers connect childhood microbiome with development of autism, ADHD

The researchers analyzed data from the first five years of life...

Alzheimer's Association offers virtual caregiver support group

The Alzheimer Association invites caregivers of those with Alzheimer disease and dementia to attend a virtual support group.

Alzheimer Association provides virtual Caregiver Support Group

Join the virtual Caregiver Support Group provided by the Alzheimer Association on the first Thursday...

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Business

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee News

Join us for an enriching afternoon at our upcoming Business Exchange Luncheon, hosted by the...

Florida gas prices dropped 12 cents last week

Florida gas prices are on a 9-day streak of declines, falling a total of 15 cents.

BBB Tip: Give yourself a spring digital makeover

The weather is warming in Florida, inspiring people to clean up or clear the clutter.

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Traffic & Road Work

Lofton Road improvements planned

Okeechobee County has begun the design and engineering phase for the Lofton Road Improvement Project …

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of April 14-20

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, April 14,...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week beginning April 7

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, April 7. Motorists are reminded...

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week beginning March 31

Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week of Sunday, March 31. Motorists are reminded...

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State

US deports about 50 Haitians to nation hit with gang violence, ending monthslong pause in flights

The Biden administration says it has sent about 50 Haitians back to their country, marking its first deportation flight in months to the Caribbean nation struggling under surging gang violence. …

Alpine Income: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) — WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) — Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc. (PINE) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results surpassed Wall …

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National & World

- Okeechobee County continues to monitor Hurricane Storm Idalia
  
  Okeechobee County emergency officials are continuing to monitor Hurricane Idalia. Okeechobee County is currently...
- FWC reminds vessel owners to secure their boats and have a plan
  
  Taking time to prepare well in advance of an impending storm reduces risk to life and property.
- Okeechobee Waterway Lock operations during Hurricane Idalia preparations
  
  Safe harbor lockages began on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 to allow...