News Cast for January 30th:
Florida unemployment dropped from 3.6 to 3.1 percent in December.
Okeechobee had a similar decline from 3.8 to 3.3 percent during December.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said 578 people collected benefits in Okeechobee in December and 690 in November.
The report said the workforce in Okeechobee increased from 18,162 to 18,255 between November and December.
The number of employed went from 17,472 to 17,677 in Okeechobee County.
Around the region Glades County had 3.6 percent, St. Lucie 3.5 percent, Highlands 4.5 percent, Martin 2.9 percent and Osceola 3.5 percent.
Another child pornography related arrest in Okeechobee County.
The Criminal Investigations Division reported a tip was made to the Internet Crimes Against Children in December.
The tip led to a search warrant being issued for a residence at 1960 SE 9th Avenue.
Ronald Walsh, 60, was arrested and charged with 8 felony counts after the search. The charges include possession and transmission of child pornography.
Walsh was released on $240,000 bond as the investigation continued.
Additional evidence from the suspects electronic devices allegedly located more illicit materials and more charges against Mr. Walsh. He is now back in jail with a bond set at $550,000.
Sheriff Noel Stephen said he safety of our children and community remains his top priority.
“We encourage anyone with information about suspicious or illegal online activity to report it immediately. Together, we can make Okeechobee County a safer place for everyone.”
Tips can be submitted to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477 and www.okeesheriff.org
A methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to three years in prison and a $50,000 fine for attempting to smuggle in 171 grams of the drug into Okeechobee Correctional Institution.
Shelandra Wilson tried to smuggle in the drugs on November 11, 2023 but a bag of drugs was found on her person during a routine search. The bag contained 58 grams of methamphetamine.
Wilson removed another 113 grams of the drug from her person.
Wilson told investigators she was paid $3,000 by an unknown woman in Yeehaw Junction to smuggle the drugs into the prison for inmates.
Wilson scored up to 88 months in prison. She had prior convictions for criminal mischief, aggravated assault, reckless driving, disorderly conduct and petit theft.
Highlands County Commissioners awarded County Administrator Laurie Hurner a four percent salary hike after a positive employee evaluation.
The vote was 4-1 with commissioner Scott Kirouac the dissenting vote.
He said he felt the county is moving in the right direction. He said communication has improved and commissioners are getting more information and updates since the hiring of J.D Langford as Assistant County Administrator.
“There has been some rough road along the way but things are getting better,” he added.
Commissioner Don Elwell said he has seen a good amount of improvement. He said morale remains high among county administrative staff.