USACE lake operations support strong season for endangered Okeechobee gourd

USPS Operation Santa adoption registration is officially open!

Bassmaster Elite Tournament planned in February

Flooding leaves more than $2 million in damages to Okeechobee homes

Couple trespassed after having sex on church property

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Government

U.S. Postal Service to observe Veterans Day Holiday, Nov. 11

The U.S. Postal Service will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.

City Council makes decision regarding new city clerk

Okeechobee City Council held a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5 to make a decision regarding the appointment of a new city clerk.

Soto holds lead in Okeechobee’s redrawn district

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto held a razor-thin lead over Republican Dan Green on Wednesday morning in Florida's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, a seat Republicans reshaped this year to unseat him.

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake level rising thanks to heavy rainfall

Taylor Creek Lock closed to boat traffic

Four boat locks on Lake O North Shore to reopen Oct. 28

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HURRICANE NEWS

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...

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.

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 ...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 72 °F

Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Get the full forecast

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Lake levels

13.95 feet

Last year: 13.93 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

FSW honors first African American student-athlete who changed the game

FSW will honor the life and legacy of Luther James “Luke” Adams II, the first African American student to attend Edison Junior College, now FSW.

Celebrate the year’s biggest bass at FWC’s TrophyCatch Hall of Fame Ceremony

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program is recognizing the top eight bass ...

OHS football seniors honor teachers who changed their lives

Before the Okeechobee Brahmans played their final home game of the 2026 season, the team's seniors paused to thank the people who helped get them there, teachers.

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Human Interest

You are invited to celebrate Kissimmee Prairie State Park's anniversary

Kissimmee Prairie State Park will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary as an International Dark Sky State Park.

Having survived two bouts of breast cancer, Darlene Bass is a fighter

Darlene Bass is a fighter and describes herself as an overachiever. Unfortunately, her body is overachieving in the wrong direction.

Two little artists honor mayor

On Oct. 24, during the Am Vets Flag Burning Ceremony, the Mayor received two very special gifts from two young girls — their very own coloring pictures!

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Schools

Locals graduate from University of Maryland Global Campus

niversity of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) graduated more than 4,300 students worldwide in the summer...

IRSC Foundation launches fundraising campaign for swimming and diving programs

The Indian River State College Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign for the men's and women's swimming and diving programs. The Foundation has established a $15 million fundraising …

Boy OK after falling on stick at school

A 10-year-old boy was transported to Raulerson Hospital last month after he fell while playing with a stick and injured his eye.

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Wildlife & Environment

Postponed: Community meeting for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment and Recreation Area Project

The South Florida Water Management District is postponing the public meeting on the Lower Kissimmee Basin...

A century of river data reveals key gaps in water quality monitoring

The United States has spent over a century collecting water-quality data from its rivers, building a scientific...

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Community

Marty Johns (left), General Manager, and Aaron Mollura (right), Director of Marketing and Promotions at Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino, present a $5,000 Hard Rock Heals Foundation grant to Kenya Reinhardt, Community Relations Coordinator at 4KIDS Treasure Coast, to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing hope and healing to children and families in crisis.

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino awards $5K grant to 4KIDS Treasure Coast

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino is proud to announce that 4KIDS Treasure Coast has been...

Food bank launches innovative Smart Food Locker Program

Harry Chapin Food Bank has launched its first Smart Food Locker Program in Clewiston, introducing an innovative...

Overflow parking lot planned near sports complex

An overflow parking lot is planned near the Darrell Enfinger Sports Complex.

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Police/Fire

FHP marks the season of giving with its “Stuff the Charger” Food Drive

It’s time to “Stuff the Charger” again and help Floridians in need this holiday season!

Man shot while taking shower in his own home

Recently, an Okeechobee man was shot while taking a shower in his own home.

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Opinion

What parents should know about vaccines this school year

This year it also brings noise around vaccines, and a lot of parents asking some version of the same question...

Thanks to “the lady in the red car'

I am writing to thank the kind woman in a red car on NW 42 Ave who went out of her way, on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 3...

America’s innovation economy runs on small businesses

Small businesses are the engine of America’s economic and technological future, and the Trump administration knows it.

America's sweetest town has a twin in Grand Theft Auto VI

On November 19, Rockstar Games releases Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated video games...

Reader reminds elected officials who they work for

Election Day. Amendment 3. Here we are. For five days I’ve said plenty, so I’ll spare you another sermon.

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Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Tuesday, October 20

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies ...

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Thursday, October 1

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies at the Caloosa Humane Society, ...

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, September 14

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies ...

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Tuesday, September 8

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies at ...

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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

Florida Farm Bureau opens Disaster Relief Fund for farmers and ranchers affected by flooding

As flooding continues to impact farm families across Florida's east coast, Treasure Coast...

Researchers secure USDA-NIFA Rapid Response grant to address pasture mealybug invading sugarcane

University of Florida researchers have secured $200,000 in federal funding to combat the invasive pasture mealybug, an emerging threat ...

USDA announces $65 million in innovative projects that help farmers improve operations and conserve natural resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $65 million in 34 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects ...

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Health

Flood waters may bring hidden health hazards

OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County was under flood watch most of Sunday as some parts of the county received more than 8 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours. As the flood waters recede, …

DOH-St. Lucie issues water quality health advisory

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County (DOH-St. Lucie) has issued a water quality advisory for the following locations: ....

Health Care District and Tampa General Hospital expanding access to cancer care

On Oct. 22, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) hosted a Community Town Hall ...

The GLP-1 conversation is missing muscle and bone

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

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Business

BBB: November is “Thank a Business Month”

As the holiday shopping season approaches, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is encouraging consumers to recognize the businesses that have made a difference in their lives. This November, BBB’s Thank a …

UF/IFAS Extension series explains Florida’s Cottage Food Law

What is the Florida Cottage Food Law and how can I become an entrepreneur? Do I need to register my business name or pay taxes ...

Lykes Bros. Inc. announces planned retirement of CEO Johnnie P. James Jr.

On Oct. 28, Lykes Bros. Inc. announced that President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Johnnie P. James Jr. will retire ...

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week beginning Nov. 8

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Nov 8.

Portion of SR 78 closed while water pumped over roadway

OKEECHOBEE – The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office closed SR 78 from U.S. 441 S to S.W. 16 th Avenue at 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.

UPDATED: SR 78 in Glades County reopens SR 29 in Glades County still closed

Due to severe flooding from heavy rainfall in the region, State Road 78 and State Road 29 are closed in both directions until further notice.

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week Nov. 1-17

S.R. 29 (Bridge Street) LaBelle Drawbridge over the Caloosahatchee River: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues to monitor the LaBelle Drawbridge ...

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State

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National & World