Government

Fire chief gives quarterly update to city council

Okeechobee County Fire Rescue Chief Justin Hazellief gave a quarterly report to the Okeechobee City Council on Oct. 19 during the regular council meeting.

County projects completed under budget

OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County completed eight capital improvements projects in Fiscal Year 2026; All came in under budget.

FDOT plans traffic light at SR 70 and Berman Road -- in 2028

Traffic light at dangerous intersection planed ... in 2028.
HURRICANE NEWS
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Hurricane expected to make landfall in Florida Panhandle

While rain is expected this week, it's not from Hurricane Isaias, according to information shared at the Oct. 8...
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Newspaper accounts chronicle 1926 hurricane that wiped out Moore Haven

On Sept. 18, 1926, a hurricane devastated what had been the thriving and growing town of Moore Haven.
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A record-breaking hurricane season? Reasons to stay prepared with FPL

With the Atlantic on track to potentially set a new record for the latest first hurricane of the season ...
Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Fair, 61 °F
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 10 mph. Get the full forecast
Lake levels
12.50 feet
Last year: 13.96 feet
Depth given in feet above sea level.
Human Interest
April Martin has been a part of the Okeechobee community for more than 23 years.
After a June 2023 mammogram revealed a small spot on her breast, Shawna May found herself fighting breast cancer.
Mayor Watford has officially proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Okeechobee! We were proud to see Martha’s House Executive Director …
Schools
LaBelle Elementary School congratulates the following students for collecting the most money for their school’s Jog-A-Thon.
Behind every student’s growth is a community helping them succeed. From teachers encouraging new ideas to classmates ...
Thursday, Oct. 20, was Attendance Takes Teamwork Day at Seminole Elementary School and students...
Wildlife & Environment
Audubon Florida recently honored conservation leaders during its annual Assembly, held October 15–17...
The FWC has updated the Panther Pulse web page with mortality information through Oct. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. 
Community
OKEECHOBEE -- Okeechobee County Commissioner Brad Goodbread (right) presented Pastor Ellis McKenzie with a proclamation honoring Mt. Olive Baptist Church at the Oct. 22 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

County Commission honors Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church was honored for 104 years of service to the Okeechobee community during the Oct. 22 meeting...
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Area Agency on Aging for SWF reminds residents how to report elder abuse

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, through its Secure Seniors Florida elder abuse prevention effort, is reminding residents ...
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Chick-fil-A grant strengthens Harry Chapin Food Bank's In-School Pantry Program

Harry Chapin Food Bank has been awarded a Chick-fil-A Child and Family Feeding Grant through Feeding America to help expand access to nutritious food for children and families ...
Police/Fire
The following individuals were arrested on felony or DUI charges by OCSO, OCPD, FHP, ONTF, FWC, CAT, or DOC.
The following individuals were arrested on felony or DUI charges by GCSO, FHP, or SPD.
Opinion
Jesus talked a lot about faith, about faith the size of a mustard seed, about faith that can move mountains.
Thank you to everyone who joined our Wildlife of Fisheating Creek Photography Outing!
For 50 years, Florida Community Health Centers (FCHC) has been Okeechobee’s medical home. Since 1976, generations of Okeechobee residents ...
Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition needs more donations to help continue MOM Mobile prenatal care.
Every morning, we wake up with decisions to make, responsibilities to fulfill, and plans for the day ahead.
Veterans

Buxton Funeral Home is the place to bring your worn out flags

Matt Buxton from Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory has been disposing of worn-out flags for the community for many years.

Benefit planned to help the family of a local veteran

The family of an Okeechobee veteran needs help from the community. The benefit has been moved from Veterans Park to Speckled Perch Park (Park #2).
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Agriculture
A career advancing agricultural research and helping South Florida farmers protect the land and water...
The University of Florida has been selected by the U.S. Department of State to lead the new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for High-Value Crops — SAFE (Safeguarding Agriculture, Food and Economy). …
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Publix Super Markets, Inc. its 2026 Customer of the Year, recognizing the ....
Health

The GLP-1 conversation is missing muscle and bone

For millions of Americans, GLP-1 medications have become an important tool for managing diabetes...

Florida’s “Support Autism Programs” license plate fuels nearly $170,000 in grants

Thanks to 16,000 Florida vehicle owners choosing the “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plate this year, ...

Florida receives $16,740,989 in federal funding to deliver home visiting services to families

On Oct. 7, Florida received $16,740,989 in federal funding through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program 

5 questions to ask before choosing a health plan

Millions of Americans review their health plan options during open enrollment each fall, often the only time they can choose or change coverage.
Business
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the S.R. 70 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study ...
As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly reshape the world around us, including the grocery...
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Rep. Darren Soto and Okeechobee County Commissioner Terry Burroughs...
Traffic & Road Work

AAA: More than one-third of drivers fail to slow down or move over

Most drivers say they slow down or move over when approaching a vehicle stopped on the roadside.

AAA: Rising oil prices could push Florida gas prices higher

Florida gas prices jumped early last week, reaching $4.23 per gallon on Thursday before declining...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Oct. 18-24

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 18...

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week Oct. 18-24

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 18 ...
National & World

Nurses fight conspiracy theories along with coronavirus

Los Angeles emergency room nurse Sandra Younan spent the last year juggling long hours as she watched many patients struggle with the coronavirus and some die. Then there were the patients who …
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