True Country WOKC

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Texaco Country Showdown Info

******Hurricane Preparedness Seminar for June 11th

First Responder/Firefighter Classes in Glades County

Employees of 1st Quarter 2013 at Sheriff’s Office

Charles Murphy News 5/22

News Cast for May 22nd:

Body of missing Lake Marian commercial fisherman found The body of a commercial fisherman who has been missing on Lake Marian in Osceola County since last night was recovered today by FWC officers and Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The victim is William Louis Platt (DOB 12-14-48) of St. Cloud. His body was found floating around 2:20 p.m. this afternoon by an OCSO deputy.

Sometime prior to 11 p.m. Monday Platt was setting trot lines to catch catfish when apparently the lines became entangled in the outboard motor of Platt’s 1983, 16-foot fishing skiff. It appears the victim somehow fell overboard while trying to untangle the nylon line. The FWC is investigating this as a boating accident and there is nothing to suggest foul play.

FWC and OCSO searched all night on the water and with helicopters, as well as using side scan sonar. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. – Joy M. Hill

The Okeechobee school board will meet June 11^th to decide whether Traci Brown should be reinstated as the Assistant Principal at Okeechobee High School. She appealed to the board last week to rescind her resignation days after she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge.  The charge was later dropped. She said the incident was a great misunderstanding and media reports of it were inaccurate. Brown says she feels she has a lot to offer the school system. Superintendent Ken Kenworthy recommended Brown remain suspended without pay until this hearing. He said he would comply with whatever decision the school board makes.

Ken Kenworthy on Traci Brown case

Traci Brown remarks to school board

In the courts, a charge of 3^rd degree grand theft was dropped against 43 year old Gary Fralix of Okeechobee in Osceola County on May 14^th.

Fralix was charged in March of last year with the theft of over 1500 dollars from his employer, Bealls’s Outlet Store on John Young Parkway in Kissimmee.

Among arrests today, 40 year old Travis Hull faces numerous charges including battery, aggravated battery on a pregnant person, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. Hull was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute, and allegedly struck two females.  While leaving the property he allegedly ran through a chain link fence and struck a parked car on the side of the road.

Sports Cast for May 22nd:

Dalton Murray was named the Most Valuable Player for the Brahman baseball team this year. It said it was a great ending to his high school career. Murray was praised for his defense this year.  He also was a key batter in the middle of the lineup.

He said Okeechobee played a tough schedule but could have had more wins. Murray will play American Legion Ball this summer and plans to attend Indian River State College in the fall and play baseball. He was also invited to play in the Treasure Coast All-Star baseball classic for seniors on June 4^th at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie.

Dalton Murray on baseball mvp award

The Hersheys Track and Field boys ages 11 and 12 division winners this year included Jason Sampson in the 100 and 200 meter dash and the standing long jump, Jerry Stalans in the 400 meters and Adrian Guerrero in the 8 hundred meters.  Alyke Baker won the softball throw and the North Elementary School 4 by 100 relay team was victorious.  Members include Alex Raya, DeNitrick Whittaker, Jaret Jimenez and Diego Reyna.

Florida Families First Budget Invests to Protect Florida’s Natural Resources

Florida Families First Budget Makes Strategic Transportation Improvements

O.L. Raulerson Scholarship BBQ Photos

Operation Drug Take Back Results

Shooting and Death Investigation

Jane Doe In Moore Haven

Eighth Annual Motorcycle “Ride for Rights”

WOKC Okeechobee’s True Country Events

• The Shrine Club will be having the weekly spaghetti dinners on Tuesday night from 4-7pm and reservations are not required. The Shrine Club is located at 1740 SW 53rd St. (off HWY 78) with smoke free dining, there will be dancing and music from 5-8pm and the dinner is available for a donation of $6 dollars. Call Kip Gardner for more information @ 863-357-0427.

• The Humane Society & Pet Rescue is looking for 5 to 10 adults’ responsible volunteers to give 2 to 3 hours of their time a week to supervise community service workers. Days and times available (you pick the day or days you want) 8 am until 10 am or 12:30 to 3:30. To sign up please come to our office on any Thurs or Fri 10 until 2 for interview. Own transportation is a must, and clean police record.

• The 2013 OHS Brahman Senior Class is set to graduate June 6th. As in the last twenty-four graduations, our community will unite to offer our best wishes to our graduates by hosting the annual, all-night GRAD NITE Celebration. The celebration is open to all graduating seniors and their guest. This highly anticipated event will continue to be filled with food, fun, games, prizes and as always, NON ALCOHOLIC. Plans are underway to make this year’s event the best ever with new games, events and chances to win! We are keeping the best of the past while raising the standard for this and future events. Your help is needed. A celebration such as Grad Nite does not happen year after year without the support of the community including people and businesses. Whether it is volunteering your time, donating prizes and food, or writing a check, it is all appreciated. If you would like to donate funds, please make your tax deductible check payable to the Okeechobee Educational Foundation and contact Kristy Crawford (Center State Bank) at 863-763-5573 or email her at krcrawford@centerstatebank.com to arrange a pick up. Checks can also be mailed to the Okeechobee Education Foundation at 700 SW 2nd Ave, Okeechobee Florida 34974. To donate prizes and other items to give away, contact Kristi Crawford, information is above. To volunteer your time, contact Jim Benton (Faith Farm Ministries) at 863-763-4224 or email jbenton@faithfarm.org. Volunteers are needed for everything from set up to clean up, hosting games, serving food and security. To donate food, contact Gena Gray-Lagos (OHS) at 863-462-5025, or email gena.gray-lagos@okee.k12.fl.us

• The Okeechobee County Civil Air Patrol is in need of volunteers and cadets. Cadet membership is for ages 12-18 and has many opportunities for scholarships, training events, camping, even flying. The Civil Air Patrol will pay for cadets to get their private pilot’s license, attend camps, and even college. There are countless opportunities in the cadet program. Senior membership is for anyone above 18, seniors can serve their community by preforming search and rescue, disaster relief, and homeland security missions. Senior membership is a great way to earn community service, serve your community state and nation, and have some fun doing it. For more information on the countless opportunities available in the Civil Air Patrol contact Lt. Angel Garcia at 863-532-0525

• Okeechobee County Parks and Recreation is having a 7 week Summer Play Camp. Signups start May 6th from 8:30am to 5pm at the Sports Complex, 640 NW 27^th Lane.  There are only 80 spots available and it is on a first come, first serve basis.  If you would like to pick an application early, just stop by 640 NW 27^th Lane or call 863-763-6950.  Applicants must have a copy of their reduced or free lunch letter in order to receive the reduced rate for the weekly camp.  There is a $5 registration fee, which includes a camp T-shirt. For more information, click on the flyer. Summer Camp Flyer 2013The camp dates are Monday through Friday from June 17^th to August 2^nd, excluding July 4^th at the Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 HWY 98N. Regular camp hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm, extended hours from 7:30am to 8:30am and 4:30pm to 5:30pm for an additional fee. Ages 6 to 12 are welcome to join. Kids will visit Lion Country Safari, Gatorland, SkateTown U.S.A., Stardust Lanes, Brahman Movie Theater, and Legoland. Volunteer opportunities are available for ages 13-15 of the selected youth; they’ll assist the staff with setting up games and activities, camp fees are waived but they’ll have to pay activity fees for that week’s planned trips.

• The Humane Society Pet Rescue will be having a pet vaccination clinic on Saturday, May 25th from 1pm to 2:30pm at the Humane Society, off 98N past the Livestock Market. Their veterinarian looks at your pet without any hidden fees, rabies vaccines are only $12 dollars. Bring your pet on a leash, or feline in a carrier.

• The B.R.A.T. Club is hosting a “Teen Dance” party this Saturday, May 25th from 7-10pm at the Okeechobee Freshman Campus, 610 SW 2nd Ave. Ages 12-16 are invited to attend and admission is 7 dollars and includes pizza, soda and chips. For more information contact Teresa at 863-801-4996.

• Okeechobee Goat and Lam 4-H Club hosts a “Farm Swap” this Saturday, May 25th from 9am to 12pm at 801 SW Park St, Jones Supply Parking Lot. Stop by for hot dogs and chips, no vendor fees and they must arrive by 8am. Buy, sell or trade animals, tack, plants and other farm related items. Any questions contact Debbie @ 863-634-6181.

• VFW Post #10539 is hosting a Memorial Day BBQ this Sunday, May 26th from 2pm till it’s gone! They’ll have Don Orf’s chicken and ribs with potato salad and baked beans for just $7 dollars! All proceeds benefit the veterans. Music by Al Jones as well, stop by and have some fun!

• Fountain of Life Church is having guest speaker Dr. Charles Gauldin, Associate Professor of Religion at Southeastern University in Lakeland. He is a renowned bible scholar and evangelist. Fountain of Life is located at 1302 SW 32nd St in Okeechobee, call 863-763-8945 or 863-801-1297 for more information.

• Considering adoption? Join the Children’s Home Society of Florida at their Adoption Orientation session on Thursday, May 30th at 5:30pm. This session will be at the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County at 804 S. 6th Street in Fort Pierce, Florida. This is fun, casual and a free open house style orientation will provide overview of foster care adoption and answer all questions related to adoption and CHS adoption process. To RSVP or for more info call Children’s Home Society of Florida at 772-429-2001

Sport Related Events

*send all of your event information to Countrystore@wokc.com, fax: 1-888-875-1570, or stop by the station at 210 WN Park St. Suite 102 anytime between 9am and 4:30pm!