News Cast for January 21st:
The Okeechobee County School Board
Honored the businesses, volunteers and staff that helped organize and put on the teachers and employees awards banquet this year.
The list of businesses honored included Mid Florida Credit Union and Gilbert Family of Companies.
Owner Christa Luna said it was an honor this year for the company to help teachers and the school system.
“I think they recognize the whole committee. It was a great night and it was a wonderful evening celebrating all of the great talent in this community.”
The district learned 173 have taken CTE classes in the past year. 70 percent of the students have already earned certifications in various industries.
The board also voted to expel an 8th grade student at Yearling Middle School for the spring semester.
The child allegedly possessed a weapon at school.
“This is the second time this student has been disciplined for bringing something on campus that should not have been there,” Superintendent Dylan Tedders said, “Anytime a student brings anything on campus we have to access it.”
Tedders could not by law confirm if this was the incident where a handgun was found in a bathroom at the school.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission asked cattle ranchers to promptly call the Wildlife Alert Hotline if they suspect a Florida panther has killed some of their livestock.
The alert hotline is 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Commercial cattle ranchers who experience loses due to panthers can qualify for payment through the panther compensation pilot program.
A calf attacked must result in death to be eligible for payments that range from $1,358 to $1,901.
The 42nd Annual Florida Cattlemen’s Institute & Allied Trade Show is scheduled for Thursday at the Okeechobee Ag-Civic Center.
The theme is “Rediscovering Practical Applications for Cattle Management Practices.”
The schedule includes remarks from the Florida Cattlemen’s Association President this year Dale Carlton, Dr. Andra Johnson UF IFAS Dean for Extension, and presentations about making ranches secure and biosecurity.
A murder suicide was reported in St. Cloud on Monday.
The bodies of a man and woman were found inside a home. Police said the shooting was related to a domestic incident.
The Florida Department of Health said Okeechobee has seen decreasing flu numbers this month. This bucks the state trend. In Florida the Flu cases have increased by 75 percent over the past 30 days.
The peak of Flu season in Florida is usually in December.