Featured

Lake Okeechobee level steady at just over 11 feet

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Community

As summer begins and Memorial Day is near, Red Cross shares ways to stay safe

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend is the unofficial start of summer...

Red Cross offers water safety tips for National Water Safety Month

Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades swings into spring with annual fundraiser

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades hosted its annual “Swing into Spring” fundraising event for its Hendry and Glades agencies...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, NA °F

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West … Get the full forecast

Hendry County News

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Police/Fire

Hendry County Arrest Report

The following individuals were arrested on felony or DUI charges by HCSO, CPD, FHP, FWC, and DOC.

HCSO to host Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention training event

The HCSO will hold Lunch and Learn training event with Sgt. Hainley presenting Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention Training

To crack cases, we need more funding for genetic genealogy

Every year, thousands of murders in the United States remain unsolved. On May 12, there are over 300,000 cold cases on the books.

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Entertainment

Highlands Hammock announces Memorial Day weekend activities

The Memorial Day weekend is an ideal time to visit the park. Visitors may explore the park and enjoy the peace...

Clewiston Museum to host Okeechobee Cattleman Brad Phares

Okeechobee rancher, author, businessman, artist, and cowboy Brad Phares will be in Clewiston to present...

Brighton Field Day highlights Seminole culture

BRIGHTON – Seminole traditions were highlighted at the Brighton Fields Days, Feb. 13-16 at Brighton Seminole Reservation in Glades County.

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Government

- LaBelle boat ramp parking violation fines increased
  
  Parking at the LaBelle boat ramp will be strictly enforced under an ordinance change approved at the May 15 meeting of the Hendry County …
- USPS reminds customers to check and maintain their mailboxes
  
  With National Mailbox Improvement Week (May 18 - May 24), the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging customers...
- HB 1195: 'Gage’s Law' signed into law
  
  Gage’s Law requires hospitals to test for fentanyl in cases of suspected overdose or poisoning, ensuring consistent, lifesaving care across …

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Hurricane News

$1.5 million grant to fund generator for LaBelle Middle School

Thanks to a $1.5 million federal grant, LaBelle Middle School will be a more comfortable hurricane shelter in the future.

FEMA offers help to farmers

LABELLE -- FEMA will hold a farm recovery event on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Hendry Co. Extension Building, 1085 Pratt Boulevard in LaBelle. The program will educate farmers …

FWC addressing hundreds of vessels displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Florida is a haven for boaters and is recognized as “The Boating Capital of the World.”

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Lake Okeechobee

Army Reserve unit conducts parachute training on Lake O

LAKE OKEECHOBEE -- The 478th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) stationed out of Miami practiced parachute jumps into the Big O.

Anglers call on FWC to stop the spraying

Lake O is in “recovery” mode with the goal to keep the lake level below 12 feet for 90 days or below 11.5 feet for 60 days ...

Water managers hopeful for Lake O SAV recovery

John Mitnik said the month of April brought just 16% of normal rainfall, “the lowest on record for the month of April.” …

Could non-native hydrilla help clean Lake O?

Hydrilla is not native to Florida, but it might be just what Lake Okeechobee needs, Newton Cook, of United Waterfowlers of Florida told the SFWMD ...

Sanibel-Captiva wants more Lake O water

West coast officials are once again complaining about freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee, but this time they are asking for MORE water from the big lake.

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Sports

Imani Greave (left) and William Bussott (right). [Photo courtesy CHS Athletics]

Tiger student-athletes honored at athletic award banquet

Clewiston High School held its annual Athletic Award banquet at the CHS gym on May 6.

Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. [Photo by Jessica Therriault/FWC]

Statewide Alligator Harvest Program and Alligator Super Hunt

The application periods for the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program and the Alligator Super Hunt open this Friday, May 2...

Mighty Mussels hosting Michael Jackson tribute concert on May 10

FORT MYERS – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are hitting the rewind button on pop music, bringing music fans back to the 1980s and 90s through a postgame Michael Jackson tribute …

Weston celebrates during the Gators' game against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. [UAA Communications photo by Maddie Washburn]

Clewiston's Ja’ Markis Weston signs with the New York Jets

Former Clewiston High School Tiger Ja’Markis Weston is signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.

Gov. DeSantis announces record 126-day gulf red snapper recreational season for 2025

The expanded season includes additional summer and fall fishing days from 2024...

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Army Reserve unit conducts parachute training on Lake O

LAKE OKEECHOBEE -- The 478th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) stationed out of Miami practiced parachute jumps into the Big O.

Wesley Harwell

Wesley Harwell passed away quietly at Sebring Hospital on May 14, 2025. A private immediate family memorial will be held at a future date. More information in another obituary can be …

Schools

WSE hosts Field Day

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Schools

WSE hosts Field Day

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Human Interest

Scottsdale man works to create children’s hospices across country

When Ryan Cottor was eight months old, his parents learned he wasn’t just a late bloomer when it comes to motor skills.

Palm Beach State College reopened Friday, Oct. 11

College operations resumed Friday, Oct. 11.

Jessica Leon, founder of the Horatio Leon, Jr., Water Safety Program, travelled to Tallahassee to promote her water safety initiatives. [Photo courtesy Jessica Leon]

LaBelle resident fights for water safety measures

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

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Business

SFWMD announces upcoming meetings

Join the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for upcoming public meetings in the next three weeks.

Petition calls for change in how FWC commissioners are appointed

A Change.org petition calls for a change in the way commissioners are appointed to lead the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Clewiston Beef O’ Brady’s celebrates 20 years

Beef O’ Brady’s in Clewiston has now been serving customers in the area for 20 years.

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Traffic & Road Work

AAA rescues more than 356,000 stranded drivers on Memorial Day weekend

As nearly 39.4 million Americans gear up for Memorial Day road trips, AAA is ready to assist thousands...

AAA: Gas prices move lower as millions prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend

AAA: 2.6M Floridians will travel domestically for Memorial Day

AAA trends show a desire to travel this summer despite economic concerns

Stakeholder meeting #2 for SR 29 LaBelle Bypass Feasibility Study

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Health

Red Cross offers tips to help you have a great and safe summer

As we all head outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this summer...

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week runs the week of June 5

Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion annually, impacting beneficiaries through time loss...

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Agriculture

UF/IFAS program expands ag education in primary, secondary schools

Not every child grows up with a deep understanding of the agricultural systems that supply the food we eat every day.

This avocado variety is at a stage where it is still growing at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Florida avocado tree

With Cinco de Mayo approaching, now’s the time to dig into guacamole and even plant the tree...

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Wildlife & Environment

Florida black bear. [Photo courtesy FWC]

FWC approves regulated black bear hunting proposed rule amendments for advertising

At this week’s Commission meeting in Ocala, Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to approve proposed amendments to bear hunting rules for …

Reclaimed water helps protect our natural resources

Florida is a national leader in water reuse, reusing over 950 million gallons per day of reclaimed water

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State News

U.S. Postal Service releases dog bite rankings for Florida

With 193 dog attacks on USPS employees in 2023, Florida ranks No. 7 in the nation for dog bites.

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Opinion

US dietary guidelines have made us ill -- let's change them already

Our nation's top health officials are sounding the alarm on federal nutrition policy.

How do I apply for Social Security?

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

The best way to get illegal immigrants to return home

There has likely never been a more tendentious transfer of power in presidential history than the Biden-Harris team’s final act.

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