News Cast for August 21st:
Reservoir site comes into view
The South Florida Water management accepted public comment on the proposed LOCAR project, a reservoir in eastern Highlands County.
They are finalizing the site selection and are looking to store some 200,000 feet of water before it reaches Lake Okeechobee.
Liz Cornejo explained the facility can handle up to 54 inches of rain at one time. They can store the water in the reservoir when the levels of Lake Okeechobee are high, like this year.
They can also put the water back into the system in times of drought, when water is needed.
The public wants to use the facility for boating, fishing and other recreation.
The concerns raised were seepage and flooding potential.
John Mitnik with South Florida water management says they don’t expect a dam failure and that the facility will be designed by experts to withstand a category five hurricane.
Environmentalists and fishermen said Lake Okeechobee has too little submerged vegetation this year, with one estimate, just 1,500 acres.
Highlands County sheriff deputies are looking for the firearm allegedly used in the shooting of a 16-year-old Okeechobee teen earlier this month.
Heartland crime stopers is offering a $1,000 reward to locate a Springfield Hellcat 9 millimeter.
It had a red laser and swamp fox sight attached.
19 year old Cameron Rios of Arcadia is accused of firing multiple rounds at a crowd of people August 5th striking Colton Pendergrass of Okeechobee and 19 year old Matalynn McNabb of Sebring. Both were hospitalized with serious injuries after the shooting.
You can anonymous provide tips at 1-800-226-TIPS or Heartlandcrimestoppers.com.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes to stop the spread of chronic wasting disease. It was detected in the panhandle earlier this year.
31 states have the always fatal disease that impacts our deer herds, as well as caribou, and elk.
Bill George told the commission that there is a risk the disease can spread throughout Florida as hunting preserves often transport deer to new locations.
The disease can not be spread to humans.
Three Moore Haven men have been charged with drug possession in Clewiston.
Police there pulled over a suspicious vehicle and found nearly 14 grams of methamphetamine, and small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. One of the occupants had a warrant out of Glades County.
Facing charges are 42 year old Donald Mathias, 53 year old David Swanson and 35 year old Preston Wooten.