News Cast for October 11th:

The donuts were not funny

A 21-year-old received 373 days or time served for a scary incident of reckless driving last April 22.

Bryton Bennett was captured on video driving a Toyota sedan recklessly on the sports complex grass practice area getting dangerously close to tee ball players and their parents.

The video raised a lot of concerns from Okeechobee about the safety and security of our kids at the facility.

Bennett fled from angry parents but returned that night and crashed the same vehicle he borrowed into a ditch.

Bennett also was sentenced to one year probation and $1,100 dollars in court costs and fees.

The guideline sentence was higher.  He faced up to 37 months in prison for charges of child abuse, reckless driving, driving with no license, and leaving the scene of an accident.

The Okeechobee County Planning Board approved a special exception to allow a 250 foot cell phone tower in Quail Woods off Berman Road.

AT&T representatives said it would improve cell phone coverage in southeast Okeechobee.

Astenia John spoke for the applicant at the hearing.  She explained that the tower could only be placed in this area to serve the purpose of improving cell coverage.

One resident spoke in favor saying they need to be able to make phone calls inside their homes in case of emergencies.

The tower will go on a five-acre residential plat that is zoned agriculture.

Okeechobee City Council approved a proclamation for October as Domestic Violence Awareneess month.

Sally Savage with Martha’s house says domestic violence continues to be an issue in Okeechobee.

They had 37 new clients in September alone.

She said no one wants to get involved to help solve the problem.

The city approved a bid from B and B Site development to build a lake and dry retention areas in the commerce center.  It satisfies South Florida Water Management District permit requirements so more development can occur there.

The estimated cost is $560,000.

The St. Lucie County Fair Board applied for a grant from the state to add an agriculture education and promotion facility at the fairgrounds.

County Administrator Jason Davis spoke in favor of the application.  He said the facility could be used for cattle shows and education.

St. Lucie is also giving residential areas more options to cover up chicken coops allowed now in residential areas.  They will allow vegetative covers rather than the existing requirement of an opaque fence.

Planners said there is more demand for backyard chickens to offset the rising costs of food.

ByTaylor