News Cast for March 11th:
Straight winds caused damage in Okeechobee Little Farms in and around NW 102 Street Monday afternoon.
The Okeechobee County Road Department, Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, the Sheriffs Department and Glades Electric Cooperative all sent crews to the scene.
There were no injuries reported but the county reported at least five homes and two commercial buildings had some kind of roof damage from the winds. One large box truck was also flipped onto its side.
The crews also found power lines down and trees in the road.
There were several strong storms and even tornadoes confirmed in Central Florida Monday afternoon.
4 people were arrested after a search warrant was served at a suspected drug house in Okeechobee.
The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force, a sheriff’s SWAT team, and the Drug Enforcement Agency all provided manpower to the search at 804 NW 12th Street on March 6.
The search allegedly netted fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription pills, other
controlled substances, paraphernalia, multiple firearms and ammunition.
Facing charges after Corey Hardy, Melissa Carnley, Linda Carnley and Calina Kimla.
The sheriff confirmed all were convicted felons. Hardy has been convicted of 26 felony crimes and was just released from prison in 2024.
The sheriff said the alleged drug operation is located near a church.
Hardy was held in jail on $1.7 million bond. Melissa Carnley, a five time convicted felon, was held on bond of $1.4 million.
Dairy Agent Colleen Larson of IFAS-Extension, held a conference with agriculture leaders around the state to update them on the condition of the dairy industry in the state.
Larson also spoke on new technology that helps dairy farmers.
There continues to be a declining number of dairy farms in the state but the amount of dairy cows have remained the same.
The state also has fewer dairy processing facilities.
“The Florida dairy industry undoubtedly has been decreasing. We have seen a declining number of farms but an increasing
size of farms. The economy of scales make larger operations more efficient and that is no different in the dairy industry.’
Dairies also continue to enter the carbon market with some capable of powering 1,000 homes or more from the operations.
“There has been a lot of hesitance from farmers to jump into the carbon market due to the unknowns.”
Larson said she realizes the ag industry is under pressure to help solve the problem.
“There is a demand on the ag industry to be part of that solution and to carry the load to improve our carbon footprint and offering that excess that we can for carbon sequestration to other industries.”
The Town of Lake Placid will research a noise ordinance.
A resident complained in February about noise coming from his neighbors back yard. It turned out to be a wedding ceremony and celebration.
Ernest Fentris said the volume of the music was too loud for comfort.
“I was taught my rights ends when my neighbors nose begins. That is the way it should be in a free society.”
Lake Placid Police investigated the complaint and said the noise was not loud enough to be considered a nuisance and allowed the wedding party to go on.
Police Chief Mark Schneider said they have decibel limits in Highlands County but also no way to measure the decibels.
“While they (police officers) were there the music was not that loud. I appreciate that you feel differently. I also watched their body camera video and you really can not hear the music from the roadway.”