News Cast for December 21st:
World wide event comes to Okeechobee
The Okeechobee Tourist Development Council approved a $30,000 sponsorship of the Jack Links Cup of shooting sports.
The week long event from February 12-28 could bring 3,000 contestants and spectators to Quail Creek Plantation.
The TDC said having banners at the event for Okeechobee should benefit Okeechobee businesses by drawing people into town.
Board member David DeSai said he supports shooting sports but had a question.
“I think we should support Quail Creek but not as a sponsorship. They need to apply for a grant, like we do with others. We need to come up with an amount and approve it. We can support it but do we really need to advertise TDC over there?”
The majority of people that attended last year stayed in motels and hotels on the Treasure Coast in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce.
The TDC approved their list of advertising and promotions for the year.
Coordinator Denise Whitehead said they continue to do well with tourists in February and March.
She noted data shows most of the rodeos do not bring people to our motels and hotels.
They do benefit restaurants, gas stations and the economy.
The Okeechobee City Council continues to work on hardening the old fire station to be an Emergency Operations Center.
They approved a $185,000 contract with Kimley Horne this month.
They will engineer and look at the roofs and windows and other improvements.
The council also honored members of 4 H and the FFA that competed in state and national competitions.
Councilmember Bob Jarriel said he hears a lot of good things about Okeechobee kids as he visits the South Florida fair each year.
No charges were filed after a Moore Haven man was forced to shoot and kill a dog that broke into his screened porch and attacked his dog Tuesday night.
The incident reported on Azalea Avenue.
Wild Florida reported expansions and increases in attendance this year for the tourist attraction in Kenansville.
Co-Owner Sam Haught said they continue to provide special offers for locals and provide jobs to Osceola and other counties.
Haught says they also expanded herds of exotic animals from around the world.
Airboat tours have resumed at the attraction. 28 people were injured when two boats collided in August on Lake Cypress. 13 people were hospitalized.