News Cast for September 11th:
A deadly Friday
Two men died after a head on collision on 710 just inside Martin County Friday afternoon. The Florida highway patrol said a semi truck and a sedan collided head on.
Martin County authorities said one of the vehicles was trying to pass in the rain. The 5 pm accident closed the road for several hours near Tommy Clements Street.
A community night of prayer was held in Okeechobee to remember two young lives that were lost on the roads Friday.
Two children headed to Okeechobee high school died, ages 15 and 17.
A love offering was collected to try and help the family with expenses.
Okeechobee City police closed up the 100 block of SE 1st Street last night after they had a strange smell in the building.
Police Chief Donald Hagan said they are thinking it was the grinder system on the sewer line. Things were back to normal at the police station today.
The Okeechobee County airport is now self-sufficient.
Manager John Hurst said they have improved customer service, kept fuel prices competitive, and made it more convenient on pilots. Hurst said they also have more fuel truck activity.
“We have seen a 73% increase in revenue from the gas truck from October to July over the same period this year.”
The county collected over $123,000 this year for fuel sales.
County Commissioner Kelly Owens said the surplus funds will come in handy for future improvements.
“Make capital improvements where we can. Looking for those grants will bring us a larger return on our investment. The local match is 25% and that can be a huge return on investment if we can hold onto those dollars and look for opportunities.”
An Okeechobee landlord went to the extremes in a dispute with a tenant and now will spend a year in jail. Marcus Barrett was found guilty at his trial of improper display of a firearm.
City police said he went to a rental property at 912 NW 12th Street on August 5th, 2020 wearing a bullet proof vest and armed with an AR 15. He was originally charged with aggravated assault.
The suspect video-recorded the incident on his cell phone. There were no shots fired and no one injured.
St. Lucie County Commissioners delayed until October 5th taking action on two mine project in the western part of the county.
A 78 acre mine is proposed on Sneed Road north of 70.
An 80 acre mine is proposed at 10241 Carlton Road.
The fill dirt and material needed to help with development projects on the Treasure Coast.
Neighbors have raised concerns about both mines citing noise, dust, and truck traffic.