News Cast for January 24th:
Support staff honored for schools
Lindsay Yates was named the School Related Employee of the year for Okeechobee Schools.
Yates has worked as a coach, substitute teacher and teacher’s aide at the school in the past year.
Yates said there is a great team at Yearling.
“I love the atmosphere; the administrators are truly amazing leaders. It is very supportive teaching atmosphere. A very supportive pod and colleagues. They support me if I need any assistance. Teachers in the school itself, if I have any questions or need I can go to them.”
Yearling Principal Pat McCoy said the awards banquet was a big night for her school. She praised her staff for their commitment to student education.
“I am so proud. This has nothing to do with me personally but everything to do with the culture of our school and the people we’ve been able to attract to come work for us.”
Other employees nominated this year include Todd Ochsenbine of Osceola Celica Mungary of Seminole, Caroline Vest of South, Jerri Lynn Tope of Transportation, Greta Wheeler of operations, Kimberly Harris of Okeechobee High, Cora Morrisey of the freshman campus, Selena Tagle of OAA, Jasmine Futch of North, Roland Arnold of Everglades, Patty Wagoner of District office and Eidrit Renteria of Central.
Other awards went to Dr. Joseph Stanley as district administrator of the year, Nancy Cruz as managerial supervisor of the year, Lauren Meyers principal of the year, and Kellyann Campbell as assistant principal of the year.
The district also honors several volunteers for serving the district, student Rosa Salas Garcia and adults Michelle Cohen and Cheryl Worlow. Pat Kenney was senior volunteer of the year.
The Okeechobee Childrens Services council helped to fund programs that benefited over 16,000 kids in 2023. Executive Director Toni Wiersma said $1.1 million was spent in local funds.
159 kids took advantage of summer programs they funded this year.
A Country Hills Estates man, a convicted felon, faces 13 new felony charges.
The Okeechobee Sheriff’s office alleges he drove a car on a suspended license, possessed an ammunition clip in his home, and surfed the internet looking for child porn and animal porn.
Thomas McClain is also suspected of approaching children in the community in an unlawful manner. He has not been charged with that crime, however.
A 44-year-old Okeechobee man, Wendell Bradley locked up for dealing narcotics charges.
Pills, cocaine, and marijuana along with over $1,000 in cash was seized in the investigation.
Deputies said some of the sales took place near community parks.
Okeechobee Sheriff Deputies said they were able to help an 82- year-old man who got lost and confused after leaving his home in Riviera Beach.
Aloysius Woodrick was holding up traffic on route 710 by driving under 40 miles per hour in a 60 mile per hour zone resulting in a traffic stop.
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue transported Woodrick to HCA Raulerson Hospital for an evaluation.
The incident report said Woodrick said he got lost trying to find a Chinese restaurant in Riviera Beach.