News Cast for March 12th:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized Florida bass as a unique species and changed its name at the February meeting.
The American Fisheries Society confirmed Bass is a separate species from largemouth bass.
The update will not impact or change the existing bass fishing regulations.
The FWC committed to conservation and promotion of the Florida bass so future generations can experience the thrill of catching the big bass.
The Florida bass is found as far north as North Carolina.
The Village of Indiantown accepted the donation of the former Indian River State College Classroom Building for village use from Martin County.
The will rename the building the Indiantown Community Center.
It is expected to cost about $5,000 to put a new sign on the building.
An Okeechobee man was arrested after he allegedly drove a large truck into a St. Lucie County home.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Deputies said it appeared to be a domestic incident.
Mark Stewart was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and reckless driving causing property damage.
The arrest report said Stewart was tased after he confronted deputies. He was treated at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital for minor injury.
Deputies said alcohol likely played a role in the incident.
Stewart allegedly threatened a person with a knife inside the home before the person heard the truck strike the home twice.
Lane Davis signed a national letter of intent to compete for the Montebalo University Fishing Team in Alabama. He is the first member of the OHS fishing team to be recruited and to sign a scholarship with a collegiate team.
Okeechobee Schools also named Amy Medina as the new director of Food Service.
Glades County continues to grow the volunteer fire department.
Chief Lawrence Factor said 17 people have been regularly attending training and class work this winter.
“We hope to make an army and get a lot of volunteer firemen back on board so we can provide the service.”
They also support a new fire academy in Clewiston that should produce for firemen and EMTs.
The academy is being talked about but Glades had committed to participating once its available.
Glades County has a small department with just one unit available at one time to serve the entire county.
“We are very diligent about our needs versus our wants. My job is to bring the needs for our department backed up with statistical data and facts to the BOCC to make a decision for the best decision on expenditure of county funds.”
If interested in a career in fire service you can apply online at myglades.com
Glades County Chief Deputy Duane Pottorff said the sheriff signed a contract with ICE to return immigration detainees back to the Glades County jail beginning on April 1.
They have moved the inmates out of the downtown jail to the former facility on State Road 78.