News Cast for December 5th:
City holds crowded lighting ceremony.
60 kids from North and South Elementary School participated in singing Christmas Carols at the annual tree lighting ceremony.
Kim VanWormer led the group along with her husband Josh and Suzette Murphy.
The group sang Jingle Bells, O’Christmas Tree, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas for the large crowd.
The students were third, fourth and fifth graders.
The old #1 fire truck carried in the guests of honor, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus without incident.
Mayor Dowling Watford urged the crowd to appreciate what they have this year. He encouraged people to help someone in need this holiday season.
He also appreciated the fact that in Okeechobee you can still use the word Christmas.
This was the 26th annual tree lighting observance.
Okeechobee County Commissioners continue to discuss whether to allow backyard chickens.
Supporters said it would help offset the high costs of eggs and help families financially.
The county is considering up to six chickens on residential lots.
They are also considering a $15 permit to have a chicken.
County Planning Director Bill Royce said they want to be clear with the regulations so residents and neighbors know what is allowable.
The chicken ordinance was on today’s agenda of the BOCC.
A Lorida man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was accused of molesting two small children.
Jasper Phipps entered a no contest plea to charges of tampering with a witness, armed false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer without violence and criminal mischief.
The state dropped nine criminal charges in the plea deal.
Phipps scored 163 months in prison.
The arrest report said Phipps told Highlands County deputies he attempted to kill himself because he knew investigators would believe the children and that his life was over.
Phipps told deputies during an investigation into a domestic squabble that he would wrap his truck around a tree or make law enforcement shoot him, rather than go to jail.
Phipps led deputies on a chase and allegedly drove intentionally into the railroad crossing on Cow House Road at US 98.
The mother of the two victims said Phipps held a knife to her throat and made threats after she confronted him about the abuse claims.
The report went on to state that Phipps improperly touched the children in a boat, in a residence, in his truck and at a local store.