News Cast for November 1st:
Public sleeping now illegal
Okeechobee County Commissioners banned public sleeping in prohibited areas as mandated by the state.
Commissioner Brad Goodbread had concerns about drowsy drivers even trucks sleeping in vehicles.
He noted he often drives across the country and will stop to rest and sleep in his vehicle in public parking lots.
He doesn’t want law enforcement telling these drowsy motorists that they can’t do something that is safe.
Casey Rogers told commissioners that some people are homeless in Okeechobee because they can’t afford the rent and something needs to be done to help them.
The state law prohibits sleeping in parking lots, in front of businesses, and on sidewalks.
The Okeechobee Utility Authority explained to city council the precautionary boil water notice they posted in the days before Hurricane Helene hit Florida.
Executive Director John Hayford said they just want to be safe with our drinking water.
He noted hurricanes often bring a lot of rain and down trees that can damage pipes and the water system.
He said the arrival time for Helene was difficult to predict and they wanted to be on the safe side.
St. Lucie County has plenty of developments to review west of Port St. Lucie headed out toward Okeechobee. One application was withdrawn called Rainbow Groves for further study.
It includes 151 acres of industrial, 72 acres of light industrial and 22 acres of commercial use.
The city of Port St. Lucie has complained about the impacts all these homes from these developments will have on their streets.
Councilmember Jolien Caraballo said a lot of growth is coming. The developments the city council approved in past years are also having a huge impact.
Glades County schools added prayer to their school board meetings this month.
They plan to invite pastors from various churches to open meetings.
School Board member Jean Prowant said a recent court decision opens this up to all churches.
She said if they invite one church they have to invite them all, even the church of Satan.