News Cast for January 30th:
A two vehicle crash slowed traffic at US 98 and Mitchell Road around 2:30 pm Monday. A pickup truck collided with a SUV.
Cattlemen visit with Cattlemen
The 41st annual Florida Cattlemen’s Association Trade Show drew a crowd and plenty of vendors to the Okeechobee Ag Center last week.
The show was focused on ways to maximize cattle profits in Florida.
The beef prices are high and the cattle herd in the nation is at a 60-year low due to drought, the economy, and other factors.
President Pat Durden said he has been pushing the message of conservation and environment this year.
“My theme has been cows keep Florida green. We say that in a hash tag on social media and we say that when were talking to groups. We have partnered with the Florida Wild Turkey Association and Ducks Unlimited, and have worked on conservation of land and wildlife habitat.”
IFAS agents and other speakers spoke about cattle health, ways to reduce input prices, and control of the breeding season.
They honored Rock R Ranch and Sarah Childs of Highlands County for her contributions to agriculture.
“The good water quality we do work we do on the ranch with water recharge that benefits the gulf. There are a lot of misnomers about ag. We are a very small percentage of the population and we have to raise our voices a little louder. That
is why we entered into collaborations with other organizations that reach a different section of people. We hope that makes a big difference.”
Okeechobee schools honored their best rookie teacher with the Green Apple Award.
10th grade English teacher Mary Albright was honored from Okeechobee High School.
She expected her students to be very excited for her.
“Oh my goodness. They heard about this opportunity for me and they were all very happy. They were like we hope that you win but you’ve already won.”
Other teachers nominated this year included Audrey Maselli of Okeechobee Achievement Academy, Kristin Labrador of Seminole, Melissa Brewer of Yearling, Kimberly Morris of Central, Amanda Liscomb of Everglades, Scott Van Deman of North and Donald Kelly Mohr of Osceola.
Two duck hunters from Hendry County got in trouble when their 12-foot John boat sunk in the Harney Pond Canal earlier this month.
Glades County Sheriff Deputies and Glades County Fire Rescue were both dispatched to the scene.
Glades County Sheriff’s Deputy D Kelly said they were located near mile marker 5 in some very cold water.
“We were able to get both gentlemen on board with us. The older gentlemen, 25 years old, was in a little better condition from the hypothermia and the younger, age 24, was in a little worse off condition.”
Good Samaritans from Lee County assisted Deputies Kelly, Hawthorne and Eugene reach the men.
EMS provided care after deputies put jackets on them and removed most of the wet clothes and warmed them up in patrol cars. Neither man went to the hospital.
Kelly said the deputies just reacted and did what they are trained to do.
“When you are doing it, you just do it. It’s your job and your react appropriately and take the best course of action. A boat with some gentlemen just happened to be there, offered their help, and we took it.”
Fire trucks and deputies stood by at the Okeechobee County Airport Sunday as a plane low on fuel landed safely. They were there just as a precaution as the pilot radioed in that he was worried he might not make the runway.
He was able to land safely and fuel up as airport personnel checked for any damage to the plane.
