News Cast for June 6th:
Okeechobee County Commissioners
Approved a comprehensive plan amendment for 150 acres in Lazy 7 for new homes.
The developer plans to put in 75 new single family homes on land located southwest of SW 87th Terrace and southwest of State Road 70 west.
The county also gave preliminary plat approval for the Quail Creek Ranches. It is a 26 lot subdivision planned on property off NE 48th Avenue and north of NE 224th Street.
The county heard from a consultant to discuss growth issues and if there is a need for new roads and streets.
The consultant said there is no need for new roads and there is plenty of open land available for development.
The Okeechobee City Planning Board recommended approval of a small scale future land use map and rezone application for two duplexes at 2104 SW 2nd Avenue. The developer plans to use four lots that measure just under 2/3 of an acre.
It is currently vacant land.
City Administrator Gary Ritter said the council and planning board will meet in workshop session soon to discuss an expansion of the commercial corridor along Parrott Avenue.
Ritter said some issues to discuss include a joint use downtown, affordable housing and the need for more apartments and housing.
A large sand mine was defeated in Highlands County.
The planning board voted 7-0 to deny permits and approvals for the Hicoria Mine in Venus.
244 acres would have been developed on land near Paul Road and Hicoria Road.
The neighbors were opposed due to concerns about truck traffic, the damage that would be done to the roads, impacts on ground water, increases in noise pollution and impacts on property values.
The board discussed the need for a moratorium on sand mines in Highlands County.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested and charged with racketeering and running a $21.6 million illegal gambling operation.
Prosecutors claim Lopez used his position to shied the gambling ring from law enforcement.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed FHP Administrator Christopher Blackmon as the new sheriff as he suspended Lopez from office.
Blackmon said he intends to train deputies to be immigration officers.
He also plans to bring stability to the department and support the deputies and staff.
He said most of the staff was shocked and stunned by the arrest of Lopez as many had no clue an investigation was going on.
He said the FDLE investigation is ongoing.