The city of Pahokee discussed when they should provide a break or funds for parents to pay for their child when they play city youth football this year.
Mayor Keith Babb had a concern about using tax dollars for athletics when they can’t afford to pave and maintain city streets.
Commissioner James Scott said he felt the investment in kids was worth it.
City Manager Michael Jackson supported giving kids an opportunity.
“Our goal is to serve every single kid that wants to participate in sports. We don’t want to turn any of them away and that has been my directive to the parks and recreation department.”
Vice Mayor Sanquetta Cowan Williams continued her campaign against city staff by stating some employees are discouraging kids from playing football.
“Why would staff tell kids they don’t have money and they can’t play if this is part of the program and your staff is aware of it.”
Florida U.S Senator Rick Scott lead a Senate Aging Committee Hearing in agriculture issues like family farms and the agriculture workforce.
Another issue that came up is the advancing average age of farmers in the country. The average age in Florida is 58 which is among the oldest in the nation.
One in three farmers in the United States is over the age of 65.
There is also a declining number of young people entering farming. The committee also wants to make it easier for farmers to transition their operations for the next generation.
Farmer Jim Alderman of Belle Glade testified before the committee. He said something must be done to make it more profitable for farmers.
“Nearly 40 percent of our producers are 65 or older. We are proud of our experience and knowledge. The problem is who is coming behind us. That keeps me up at night.”
He went on to state the foreign trade deals and tariffs might help..
“Why can’t they make a profit? The first reason is imports are being shipped into our country below our production costs. If a farmer can not make money, he is not going to expand his operation.”
The Okeechobee County Commission set fire rescue assessments at $143.34 and the EMS assessment rate at $179.11. The final hearing is in September.
The Sheriff also made some cuts to his proposed $30 million spending plan. He cut $300,000 in the latest version under consideration.
An Okeechobee man was sentenced to 61 months in prison for trying to lure a child into sexual relations.
Corut records show Jordan Rickard pled no contest to lewd exhibition, using a cell phone to commit a felony, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
The maximum penalty for the crimes was 95 years. He scored 104 months under Florida sentencing guidelines.
He had prior convictions for grand theft firearm, a weapons charge, marijuana purchases, drug possession and grand theft motor vehicle.
The sentence does not require Rickard to register as a sex offender.
The arrest affidavit said Rickard viewed pornography of a child at the Okeechobee County jail as he awaited trial on other charges on May 28, 2023.
He also had been charged with trafficking 164 grams of various controlled substances and pain pills but that case was no prossed.
The plea deal also involved a grand theft motor vehicle case in September, 2020 and a firearm charge related to the drug trafficking.