News Cast for January 9th:
Courts resolve manslaughter case
An Okeechobee man is headed to state prison for 13 years after he admitted to driving impaired and killing his female passenger in an automobile crash.
Adrian Espada Hernandez, 25, lost control of a Mercedes sedan on SW 67th Drive in Lazy 7 on September 10, 2021. The sedan struck a culvert, overturned and struck a fence. He told troopers he had been drinking and had used cocaine and marijuana before he got behind the wheel.
The name of the victim was not released due to the family choosing to use Marcy’s Law that prevents release of the names of crime victims.
Okeechobee County is encouraging some motel and hotel owners to lower their rates.
The county would like to see more people stay in Okeechobee during the Jack Link’s Cup event hosted by Quail Creek Sporting Ranch between February 13-18.
Tourist Development Council Director and Parks and Recreation Director Denise Whitehead said the event will benefit our economy.
“Quail Creek has done an amazing job in drawing in more and more international shooters and domestic shooters. Attendance has been increasing at their events exponentially. We are excited to partner with them at this event.”
The TDC secured a $30,000 sponsorship for the event.
County Commissioner Terry Burroughs said local motels and hotels are missing an opportunity for revenue due to high rates.
“Until these hotel (Owners) decide they want to play in the right game they are going to lose out on money. They continue to do the wrong thing about trying to cultivate that opportunity for themselves.”
Property insurance and health care figure to be two of the main focuses for the state legislative session that begins today.
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell said the legislature should focus on making things affordable for everyday Floridians and not continue culture wars.
Glades County Schools opted to close today due to the high threat of wind gusts this afternoon and night.
They cancelled all after school events other than the annual Teacher of the Year ceremony planned at 6 pm.
The city of Moore Haven is seeing more construction debris left along their rights of way. The city requires construction dumpster for these large home improvements. One resident was fined $250 for this violation.
Vice Mayor Jake Eigner advocated for more code enforcement inspections on weekends.