News Cast for March 22nd:
Not enough lighting
Okeechobee Schools will support getting more lights at school bus stops.
Former County Commissioner Bryant Culpepper, during public comment, asked the board to put in or help support new street lights in areas like Viking or NW 110th Street or other outlying areas.
He said he worries about children safety standing out in the dark waiting for a school bus each morning.
Interim School Superintendent Dylan Tedders said the schools are willing to support more lighting and will work with the county on the issue.
“There is always a concern when you have students standing in the dark. Our bus tiers leave high school kids standing in the dark and it is never safe for them. We will look at areas that we can highlight for him. He has taken on the mission of getting the bus stops lit up. Our bus drivers would be the best source of information. Then we can go to the county or whomever has the resources to pick away at those bus stops where students are standing in the dark.”
Tedders noted in 2026 state law will require the high school to not begin instruction until 8:30 am or later and that will likely mean younger kids going to school earlier.
The city of Okeechobee voted to ban vaping and smoking in parks like Kiwanis and Taylor Creek.
Courtney Moyette has pushed the ban for a long time. She said the effort paid off.
“I know you have many more pressing issues but this is very important to the youth in our community in that they are not subjected to second hand smoke. I appreciate you guys taking the time to make this a priority.”
The city also approved a sale of one acre in the commerce center to Advanced Medical Sanitation of South Florida. They will create five jobs.
Certain city officials visited their plan in South Florida and came away convinced the facility will not cause any odor problem for the nearby Douglas Park neighborhood.
Glades County Commissioners honored two firemen for bravery and valor after they were involved in a crash in a county fire truck on route 78 on December 29th.
Lalo Rodriguez freed his colleague Hunter Mehrer from the burning fire truck, and then ran to assist the injured in the other vehicle including a five-year-old child. It turned out there were no serious injuries.
Resident Neal Chapman said he was very proud of what these guys did.
“The valor award is the most prestigious award you can get in the fire service. It is that thin line where the firemen decides I will risk my life to save other people’s life.”
Rodriguez also pulled some valuable equipment off the fire truck before it could be damaged.
Fire Chief Larry Fector the firemen’s actions were extraordinary.
“They showed outstanding execution of duties that demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, integrity, bravery and personal risk.”
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue crews were out early today for a structure fire at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club at 9985 Highway 441 north.
The building was fully involved as firemen arrived just after 3 am. There were no injuries reported. The building was deemed a total loss.
Flames could be seen going through the roof and all sides of the structure.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The murder of 13-year-old Madelline Soto in Osceola County remains under investigation. Her body was found in a remote part of the county between Holopaw and St. Cloud on March 1.
Her mother’s boyfriend is a suspect in the case. Stephan Sterns is behind bars on 60 charges related other crimes.
Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said parents and guardians can learn a lot from this case.
“This was a very tragic event. It is up to each family member to have conversations with their kids and report any suspicious of abuse to a school resource officer, responsible adult or any police officer out there. Just report any abuse you suspect and let law enforcement investigate.”