Featured

LaBelle continues revising fence ordinance

The City of LaBelle is still tweaking its fence ordinance, adjusting verbiage as recently as its ...

WM to deliver carts for trash and yard waste

In July, Waste Management (WM) will deliver trash carts to Okeechobee County residents for use with their new automated trucks.

Postal carrier describes dog attack

Each year in June, we recognize National Dog Bite Awareness week.

Clewiston improves data security with move to cloud

The City of Clewiston and Tyler Technologies modified its agreement during the June 18 ...

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Community

City offices close for July 4

The offices at City Hall Public Works, and the administrative offices of the Police Department, will be closed on Thursday, July 4

Maria Wolfe (left) presents book to Kresta King.

Garden Club presents book to librarian

A new Garden Club has started and it is called the Okeechobee Garden Club.

Oxbow Exo Center, Port Saint Lucie trail.

Enjoy the summer on SFWMD’s lands

Did you know the South Florida Water Management District offers many ways for you to explore the natural beauty...

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake releases halted until stormwater recedes

Heavy rainfall raises lake level

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Partly Cloudy, 77 °F

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

June LORE 2024

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Lake levels

13.37 feet

Last year: 14.28 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

New baseball program open to children ages 8 to 15

A new baseball program is coming to Okeechobee County.

Skydive on July 13 and become a World Skydiving Day record holder

On July 13, participants from around the world at hundreds of skydiving centers will set the first record...

Forrey Park completion nears

The Hendry County Commission agreed to a $50 per household fee increase on the west ...

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Human Interest

Jessica Leon's journey to bring water safety to Florida

No one knows how Horatio Leon, Jr., fell off a Chicago sidewalk into Lake Michigan in 2018, ...

LaBelle resident fights for water safety measures

In a state known for year-round water activities, it seems ironic that Florida leads the ...

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.

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Schools

School board approves new CFO appointment

Hendry County School Board Member Stephanie Busin had concerns over the appointment ...

The Immokalee Foundation receives grant from the Women's Foundation of Collier County for $40,000

The Immokalee Foundation is pleased to announce it has received a $40,000 grant from the Women's Foundation of Collier County.

Christina Norman takes over as principal at OHS

Christina Norman is set to be the next principal at Okeechobee High School for the upcoming school year.

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Wildlife & Environment

SFWMD seeks input on Draft 2024 Sea Level Rise and Flood Resiliency Plan

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is actively addressing the impacts of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing rainfall and flood patterns. As part of our ongoing …

Help plan the future of the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area

FWC invites you to attend the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area 10-year Land Management Plan public hearing on Tuesday, July 23.

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Government

Candidates qualify for Okeechobee County elections

The qualification period for Okeechobee County elected offices closed June 14.

Clewiston to review parking ordinance

Semi trucks parking on residential roads was the topic of discussion during the Clewiston ...

Museum reports exhibition a resounding success

Okeechobee Main Street reports that so far the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition “Voices and Votes...

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Police/Fire

North Industrial Loop cleared

Testing continues Thursday, June 21, at 310 North Industrial Loop. Detectives with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office...

CPD arrests two men on alleged drug charges

During the initial warrant service, officers discovered a male in a locked shed...

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: OCSO Sheriff Stephen congratulates staff

We are elated to be the first to bring the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office into compliance...

The Weekly Clothesline: Follow me

What does it mean to become a follower of Jesus? Some ask lots of questions like…

How To Survive A Panic Attack When It Strikes

Many people do not know what they should do when dealing with a panic attack, here are eight easy steps a person...

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Hurricane News

FPL meteorologists prepare for potentially active hurricane season

Growing up in Indiana and then living in Oklahoma -- the heart of tornado alley...

FPL offers tips for customers to prepare for hurricane season

Ahead of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, Florida Power & Light ...

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Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, June 3

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

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, May 20

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

Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Monday, May 13

The Caloosa Humane Society has a mix of adorable dogs and cats who are in need of loving families!

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, May 6

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

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Veterans

Veteran coalition fights suicide

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

Quail Creek hosts Salute to Veterans Golf Tournament and Concert

Quail Creek Country Club hosted more than 120 people at its 4th Annual Salute to Veterans ...

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Agriculture

Cooling ‘blood oranges’ could make them even healthier

An orange teeming with antioxidants and other health benefits may be a shot in the arm...

UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ launches new award: Natural recognition

Florida Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) has created a new award to honor homeowners who install...

Glades farmers experience heavy rainfall

Local farmers were experiencing dry conditions and welcomed some rain in June. However, the recent deluges were excessive.

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Health

Aging America: Tips for reducing Alzheimer’s risk and improving brain health

As more Baby Boomers approach or exceed age 65, they are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease...

Healthy Start hosts annual meeting

Mark your calendars, everyone! Ensure you have the Healthy Start Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 26...

TRICARE authorizes temporary prescription refill waivers due to flooding

The Defense Health Agency announced that TRICARE beneficiaries in 12 Florida counties may receive...

Clearing the air about menthol cigarettes

Menthol can be great when added to things like candies or chewing gum, but when smoked can prove deadly.

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Business

AAA: Florida gas prices fall 5 cents

Florida gas prices have declined the past three consecutive weeks, falling to the lowest level since mid-February.

United Way’s Jeannine Joy named finalist for 2024 APEX Award

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades President and CEO Jeannine Joy has been named ...

BBB Tip: Preparing for and recovering from flooding

The last few days of heavy rain has caused major flooding in southwest Florida.

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Traffic & Road Work

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of June 23-29

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, June 23...

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of June 23-29

The following column is the Road Watch report for Glades County for the week beginning Sunday, June 23...

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 23-29

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 23...

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 16-22

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, June 16...

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State

3 Alabama men die after becoming distressed while swimming at Florida beach

Authorities say three Alabama men are dead from likely drowning after becoming distressed while swimming at a Florida Panhandle beach. The Bay County Sheriff's Office says the young men had traveled …

Ex-Florida law enforcement official says he was forced to resign for defying illegal DeSantis orders

A former top law enforcement official is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying he was forced to resign after defying illegal orders. Former Florida Law Enforcement Chief of Staff Shane Desguin said …

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National & World

- Hurricane season begins June 1 – get ready now
  
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the unprecedented 2004 hurricane season that saw four ...
- AAA Survey: 1-in-4 Floridians would ignore hurricane evacuation warnings
  
  Severe weather like hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home, damage your vehicle...
- Twenty years later: Lessons from the 2004 hurricane season
  
  The hurricane season of 2004 is seared into the memory of those living in the Okeechobee area that year.

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Special Sections

LaBelle continues revising fence ordinance

WM to deliver carts for trash and yard waste

Postal carrier describes dog attack

Clewiston improves data security with move to cloud

City offices close for July 4

Garden Club presents book to librarian

Enjoy the summer on SFWMD’s lands

E-newspaper

June LORE 2024

New baseball program open to children ages 8 to 15

Skydive on July 13 and become a World Skydiving Day record holder

Forrey Park completion nears

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Humane Society seeks forever homes for pets

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Veteran coalition fights suicide

Quail Creek hosts Salute to Veterans Golf Tournament and Concert

Aging America: Tips for reducing Alzheimer’s risk and improving brain health

Healthy Start hosts annual meeting

TRICARE authorizes temporary prescription refill waivers due to flooding

Clearing the air about menthol cigarettes

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of June 23-29

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of June 23-29

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 23-29

Okeechobee County Road Watch for week of June 16-22

3 Alabama men die after becoming distressed while swimming at Florida beach

Ex-Florida law enforcement official says he was forced to resign for defying illegal DeSantis orders

Israeli national found dead after being shot in West Bank Palestinian town

Italian coast guard recovers 14 more bodies of shipwreck victims off Calabria, dozens still missing

Citizen group focuses on proposed Bridge Street bypass

Belle Glade local named to the Dean’s List

Hurricane season begins June 1 – get ready now

AAA Survey: 1-in-4 Floridians would ignore hurricane evacuation warnings

Twenty years later: Lessons from the 2004 hurricane season