News Cast January 17th:
Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen said having more mental health programs would help reduce the jail population and the number of school threats we’ve experienced.
Stephen said he will advocate for more mental health programs for inmates during his last term. He wants to reverse the never ending cycle of people committing crime and crime after crime.
He also wants to give inmates the skills they need to succeed on the outside so they don’t make a return trip to incarceration.
“Just because we can put people in jail, jail is not always the answer.” he told WOKC News.
“We have got to break those trends somehow and someway. I really feel that focusing on mental health will help in a lot of different ways even school threats.”
Mental health is a serious issue in many areas including the school system and the jails.
“We’ve got to start managing those mental health issues better than we have been doing.”
The Okeechobee school system and the Okeechobee Education Foundation announced a record amount of funding for the classroom mini-grant program this year.
Numerous businesses, service clubs, and individuals provided $43,900 in funding this year.
The program also receives matching dollars from the Florida Education Foundation.
66 grants were funded that include funding for STEM Activities, a unique school talent show, and chess techniques that challenge the mind.
Moore Haven City Council learned a developer was expected to purchase and close on 8.6 acres of land along the Caloosahatchee River for a future development.
The city council donated $500 to the Wreaths Across America Plan.
Assistant School Superintendent Brian Greseth said they plan to open the new Moore Haven Elementary School in January 2026.
Gloria Hernandez of Pine Crest Avenue and Martha Garcia of Oakmont Avenue won the Holiday Lighting contests.
A suspect is in custody in connection to a nearly 25-year-old cold case on Florida’s Treasure Coast. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office gave an update earlier today, saying 58-year-old Julian Romero has been arrested for the murder of a couple in October of 2000. He is accused of stabbing 77-year-old Robert Hardwick and 58-year-old Vernice Reese at a rural Fort Pierce home. Investigators believe Romero was traveling from Louisiana to South Florida when his car broke down near the couple’s home.
Police say he killed them before stealing their vehicle. DNA evidence and new witnesses contributed to Romero’s arrest. He is already serving a life sentence in connection to a rape and kidnapping in Broward County.
The Town of Lake Placid will consider a fertilizer ordinance.
Anne Kennedy gave a presentation to the Town Board about the importance of protecting the water in lakes around Lake Placid down to Lake Okeechobee.
99 local governments in Florida have imposed some kind of fertilizer ordinance.
The Lake Placid ordinance would only impact residential use and not agriculture or business.
There was some concern on how this ordinance would impact lawn care companies.
Kennedy predicted dire problems for the lakes if something isn’t done to regulate fertilizer use.
“The disturbing news is within 15 years if phosphorus levels keep rising at the current rate on Lake June, they will exceed all sustainable levels with possible really bad consequences.”
Kennedy said Highlands County Natural Resources Director Dawn Ritter has tried to get commissioners to pass a similar ordinance but so far has been unsuccessful.
The board also honored patrolman Makayla McManus who saved two lives by going into a burning home Oct. 11 helping the residents evacuate safely, and putting out the flames.
Police Chief Mark Schneider presented her with the life saving award.
“Your quick thinking and decisive actions not only limited the damage to the property but potentially saved lives. The level of risk you took by entering the residence under such hazardous conditions demonstrates your unwavering commitment to serving and protecting your community.”
An Okeechobee man who wrote down threats to his alma mater was sentenced to three years in prison and 12 years probation Friday.
Henry Horton IV, 21, scoped out Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and churches in South Florida in possible attacks. He planned to be armed with a handgun and assault rifle in the school shooting and armed with knives in an attack on a Miami-Dade church, authorities said.
Under terms of the guilty plea, Horton can not go near OHS, or Marjory Stoneman Douglas, or have any contact with former teachers of students at Okeechobee High.
Horton wrote he wanted to kill a teacher and 14 others at OHS on January 2, 2026, which happened to be his 22nd birthday.
He also admitted to mental health issues.
He wanted to meet with other like-minded individuals and wanted to kill over 1,000 people in various attacks from Florida to Charlotte, North Carolina and ultimately the United Nations Building.
He also wanted to kill his father and step mother.
He was asked why he wanted to attack a church by a detective and said “I guess I just don’t like religion.”
Ultimately Horton wanted to be killed himself by police.
He was pulled over by Jupiter Police on Sept. 18, 2023 for a blown headlight. In a consensual search officers said they found the written threats.