The Okeechobee Utility Authority received an award for work place safety from Preferred Safety and Risk Management.
The award comes after a 2024 work safety audit found no incidents at the OUA.
The OUA also implemented a defensive driving course for OUA employees and added a fence to surround the waste water treatment plant.
The OUA Board considered an $11.6 million operating budget. Revenues are expected to go up by six percent or approximately $680,000.
They are looking at proposed rate hikes of four percent for water and sewer customers.
Executive Director John Hayford defended a proposed three percent cost of living raise and up to five percent for merit increases.
Alligator Alcatraz can stay open after all.
An appellate court ruled Thursday that the state can continue running the immigrant detention facility in the Everglades.
The ruling overrules a federal judge who ordered the facility to close. This may not be the end of the legal battle.
The Miccosukee Tribe sued to shut down the facility, and they will continue to litigate the matter.
The Okeechobee County Site Plan and Review committee reviewed three recent applications.
The Landquire RV Park is proposed on 18 plus acres at 8275 US Highway 441 southeast.
The plan includes 172 recreational sites, a club house and other amenities are planned.
A food truck court is proposed at 50 US Highway 441 southeast at Lakeshore Curve.
The court would provide sites for several vendors and would include a Tiki hut and boat dock.
The Pin Creek Sporting Club plans a 100 acre expansion of the facility on Hilolo Road.
The property is 23023 NE 41st Path.
The plan includes 7,000-square foot indoor shooting operations building for members only. Other facilities include a maintenance facility, multiple covered parking areas, a refurbished dog kennel, storage building and other support structures.
Glades County Commissioners rejected the idea of another budget workshop despite concerns about rising spending and inflation.
Commissioner Jeff Patterson wanted his colleagues to consider a millage rate decrease this year.
Commissioners Tim Stanley and Hattie Taylor said they supported keeping the existing tax rate.
Stanley said Glades County has a lack of services.
An Okeechobee woman was sentenced to six months in jail and two years drug offender probation after she was arrested twice in 11 days for drug charges.
Linda Matute pled no contest to charges that include possession of methamphetamines, possession with the intent to sell methamphetamines, and possession of pain killers.
A traffic stop at 4993 Highway 441 south on February 8th resulted in the seizure of 151 pills and methamphetamines that measured 16 grams.
A second traffic stop on Feb. 19 resulted in the location of a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamines.
An Okeechobee man was charged with aggravated battery in Madison County.
Devin Crofton, 37, was arrested after a report of a disturbance with a possible armed and dangerous suspect.
Madison County deputies pulled over the suspect and retried a 9-millimeter handgun from the suspect.
The female victim was treated at Madison County Memorial Hospital.