News Cast for December 3rd:
Corps begins ‘Lake Recovery Operations’
Releases began this week from Lake Okeechobee.
The US Army Corps of Engineers will send 2,100 cubic feet per second out the Caloosahatchee and 1,400 cubic feet per second out of Port Mayaca for the foreseeable future.
They want to reduce the lake levels by four feet so they can get some vegetation growing.
Biologists said the lake needs to be at 12 feet or lower for at least 90 days to do any good.
Meteorologist Robert Moyette said the outlook for the dry season is less moisture, less rain and fewer cold fronts.
“The average temperature departure when you combine La Nina and the trends indicate a fairly high likelihood of warmer than normal temperatures,” he said.
Major Cory Bell said he thinks the lake can get low enough long enough to help the vegetation.
“You can see natural recession on Lake Okeechobee right now. We are very positive that we can meet our targets for lake recovery operations.”
They could also replant vegetation in marsh areas if the levels are low enough.
The Corps said they will continue to evaluate the releases and note they can be altered based on changing conditions in the lake and in its estuaries.
Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputies investigating an assault and armed robbery reported.
A male was reportedly jumped by two males at gun point and assaulted. The investigation is ongoing and few details have been released.
Some $10,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from a construction site on Eagle Island Road.
Okeechobee deputies said the copper was stolen sometime in the past week.
The Okeechobee Tourist Development Council approved $7,000 to help advertise the promote this months Battle of the Lake youth Football tournament.
It will take place on Dec. 14-15 at the sports complex and soccer complex.
Organizers said over 50 teams are expected to take part in the tournament.
The money can also help the non-profit pay the county EMS ambulance fee.
The TDC said this event will bring a lot of people to town.
The TDC estimated bed tax collections for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to reach $490,000.
The Bassmaster College Series has decided to go elsewhere for a tournament in 2025. The TDC will continue to lobby the series to come to town in 2026.
Martin County Commissioners discussed the need for more fire stations west of Palm City due to the ongoing growth.
They have an unmanned station on Martin Grade near route 710 but they have no plan to turn that into a manned station.
Some of the commission complained it can take up to 30 minutes to reach remote areas near Lake Okeechobee should there be a medical emergency.
Martin County Fire Chief Chad Cianculli said he agrees that more stations are needed.
“They are doing a study or needs analysis for future fire stations. That will be presented to the board in December. You will see a true need for another fire station and have firefighters to compliment that station as well.”
Geraldine Checko Dubay said it is taking too long to get an ambulance to areas west of Palm City due to traffic congestion.
“What are the thresholds that you are addressing to assure these people that they have advanced life support. I mean 20 minutes that is not survivable.”
Glades County Schools announced the employees of the year.
At West Glades School Sandra Van Wagner is teacher of the year, and Flora Zimmerly is support person of the year.
The Moore Haven Elementary School teacher of the year is Olivia Everett and Ana Borovicka is support person of the year.
The teacher of the year at Moore Haven Middle High School is Sean Holligan with Dennis Washington support person of the year.
The winners at Pemayetv Emahakv School are Tracy Phillips, teacher of the year, Cindy Pearce, support person of the year, Taylor John Cultural Heritage teacher of the year, and Tracy Maxwell Downing, principal of the year.