Featured

Top 10 property owners pay about 30% of county taxes

Okeechobee’s top 10 property owners paid 30% of the county’s total property taxes in 2025, according to the Okeechobee County Financial Report ...

Clicking on link leads to fraudulent charges

It is so easy to become the victim of fraud these days.

Lady Brahmans sweep Glades Day for second time this season

The Okeechobee High School varsity Lady Brahman volleyball team made the trip to Belle Glade on Sept. 28 and left with a sweep of the Glades Day Lady Gators...

Walmart fire caused by electrical issue

On Sept. 28, at approximately 1:18 PM, Okeechobee City Police received a call reference possible fire in the meat section of Walmart...

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Community

Community theatre presents compelling drama 'Proof'

Okeechobee Community Theatre opened their 2026/2027 season with an emotional drama that tackles the difficult issue of mental illness.

Volunteers form human chain to unload pumpkins

OKEECHOBEE – The First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is back!

Smithsonian traveling exhibition, 'Americans' comes to Okeechobee

Okeechobee Main Street and Okeechobee Historical Society will host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Americans”

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Lake Okeechobee

USACE advises boaters of intermittent closures at the St. Lucie Lock & Dam

U.S. Coast Guards authorizes Torry Island Bridge closure

With algae and alligators, err on the side of caution

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Partly Cloudy, 77 °F

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a steady … Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

October 2026 LORE

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Lake levels

11.88 feet

Last year: 13.58 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

TrophyCatch launches season 15 with new challenges and prizes

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program is celebrating 15 seasons...

D&G Kickboxing brings home gold & silver

D&G Kickboxing competes in Pride Muay Thai on Sunday, Sept. 27 in Davie.

Football around the lake this week: Oct. 2

Glades Central and Glades Day were the only area teams to win last week, and the Raiders did it in a big way with a 60-0 shutout to open district play. Okeechobee is headed into Homecoming Week this week.

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Human Interest

Family visits 49 states in RV

The Cohen family has visited 49 of the 50 states in the United States, traveling as a family in their RV.

Young heroes offer inspiration and great hope

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes , a national award that recognizes inspiring, public-spirited young people, announces its 2026 winners.

Girl and her rabbit take home ribbon

Molly O’Neil’s Mini Rex doe won best in show, and her senior solid Holland lop won best of variety in the Holland lop specialty show!

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Schools

Yearling students celebrate Hispanic Heritage

Eighth grade geography students at Yearling Middle School completed a Hispanic heritage culture project...

Osceola Middle hosts Club Day

Osceola Middle School hosted its first Club Day of the school year on Friday, Sept. 25. Students had a great...

North Elementary students visit Oceanographic Center

Students at North Elementary School had an exciting day of hands-on learning at the Florida Oceanographic Center...

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Wildlife & Environment

Wildlife photography walk planned

MOORE HAVEN -- The Fisheating Creek Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host an outing on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 a.m.

Did You Know: Where the water goes when it rains

When it rains in South Florida, the raindrops flow from your roof, your yard and your street into an interconnected system designed ...

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Government

Florida launches newly designed driver licenses and identification cards

Beginning Sept. 30, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will begin issuing a newly designed Florida driver license.

Cemetery rules are available online

OKEECHOBEE -- Okeechobee County cemetery regulations are online on the county’s website www.okeechobeecountyfl.gov . Prohibited items include in-ground …

County to enforce cemetery decoration rules

Okeechobee County will enforce the decade-old regulations on placement of items at Evergreen Cemetery with fines if necessary.

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Police/Fire

FHP participates in multi-state strike force operation

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) joins partner agencies in sharing the results of Operation Saturday Night Fever, a coordinated overnight commercial motor vehicle enforcemen

Woman allegedly beaten by several members of ex's family

An Okeechobee woman was arrested after she allegedly participated in a group attack on another woman.

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: What happens when funding runs out?

When people hear the words "property tax amendment," it can sound like a conversation about numbers, budgets, and government.

When will Congress repay Social Security money taken years ago?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor answers questions about Social Security.

Letter to the Editor: Healthcare crisis coming Oct. 22

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis …

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Hurricane News

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 ...

Halfway through Hurricane Season – but the busiest part is still ahead

True Floridians know that the second half of hurricane season is the busiest, so now is not the time to let your...

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Adopt A Pet

Big Dog Ranch Rescue has secured the release of an additional 135 Beagles

Wednesday, June 3

BDRR has secured the release of an additional 135 Beagles Ridglan Farms and will transfer 67 dogs to the Big Dog Ranch Rescue Florida Campus ...

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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

New study sheds light on the hidden toll of back pain among horticulture workers

For many nursery and landscape workers, back pain does not send them home. It's something they work through ...

UF launches initiative to support rapid-response research against invasive pests

When a new invasive pest or plant disease appears, scientists have a small window of opportunity to address the threat ...

Are food recalls becoming more common? UF food expert puts recalls into perspective

Recent recalls involving eggs and salmonella-linked jalapeños, along with investigations into cyclospora and other produce-related illnesses...

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Health

DCF highlights statewide resources and partnerships in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) highlighted the state's robust mental health resources in honor of Suicide Prevention ...

Dengue fever cases reported in Florida

Florida Department of Health is reminding Floridians that mosquitoes can carry disease. Practice mosquito bite prevention and control to prevent the spread of these illnesses.

New Medicare reforms can help seniors -- but only if they opt in

Medicare's prescription drug benefit, also known as "Part D," has undergone major changes that could save seniors hundreds or even thousands of dollars on prescriptions.

Let’s Walk Florida! Join the fall program to learn virtually, walk locally and get healthier

As the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to join an easy, supportive way to become more active.

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Business

Postal Service recommends 2026 holiday mailing and shipping dates

n September 22, the U.S. Postal Service announced the recommended mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season.

2,000 miles of powerlines now underground in Florida thanks to FPL

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has completed 2,000 miles of overhead-to-underground neighborhood...

Security Summit closes summer series with data security reminder for tax pros

The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today urged tax professionals to stay vigilant against identity theft.

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Traffic & Road Work

Florida Gas Prices Rose 18 Cents Last Week

Florida gas prices rose 18 cents last week, then declined 6 cents through the weekend.

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 27 – Oct. 3

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 27, ...

Florida gas prices reach 4-month highs; rose 21 cents last week

Florida gas prices surged 21 cents per gallon last week as rising crude oil prices pushed fuel costs...

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 20-26

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 20, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

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State

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National & World

- Local storm-chaser faces storms both inside and outside his body
  
  There is a saying that if you choose a career you love, you will never work a day in your life.
- Knowing tropical weather terms helps you stay informed this hurricane season
  
  The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and it’s important for all of us to understand the tropical weather terms ...
- Hurricane season and your water: What happens behind the scenes
  
  When Floridians prepare for hurricane season, most people think about batteries, flashlights, bottled water and plywood.

More Hurricane News

Special Sections

Top 10 property owners pay about 30% of county taxes

Clicking on link leads to fraudulent charges

Lady Brahmans sweep Glades Day for second time this season

Walmart fire caused by electrical issue

Community theatre presents compelling drama 'Proof'

Volunteers form human chain to unload pumpkins

Smithsonian traveling exhibition, 'Americans' comes to Okeechobee

The latest edition of Lake Okeechobee News

October 2026 LORE

TrophyCatch launches season 15 with new challenges and prizes

D&G Kickboxing brings home gold & silver

Football around the lake this week: Oct. 2

Big Dog Ranch Rescue has secured the release of an additional 135 Beagles

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

Benefit planned to help the family of a local veteran

DCF highlights statewide resources and partnerships in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Dengue fever cases reported in Florida

New Medicare reforms can help seniors -- but only if they opt in

Let’s Walk Florida! Join the fall program to learn virtually, walk locally and get healthier

Florida Gas Prices Rose 18 Cents Last Week

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 27 – Oct. 3

Florida gas prices reach 4-month highs; rose 21 cents last week

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week Sept. 20-26

Nurses fight conspiracy theories along with coronavirus

The latest edition of Lake Okeechobee News

Motorcyclist dies in U.S. 441 crash

Local storm-chaser faces storms both inside and outside his body

Knowing tropical weather terms helps you stay informed this hurricane season

Hurricane season and your water: What happens behind the scenes