News Cast for March 19th:
The Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District approved a contract to build the new field station and service center in Okeechobee.
The estimated cost is $80.7 million.
The facility is planned on the west side of 441 north at Hilliard Road.
The construction is expected to begin this spring.
The existing field station will be used for storage but no longer term plan has been announced.
The district has been leasing office space for the service center in recent years.
The facility will also include a water quality lab, an alternate emergency operations center, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife alligator nuisance program.
An Okeechobee man, Layne Vargas, was charged with DUI, fleeing and attempting to elude police and assault on law enforcement after a short chase down 441 Southeast.
Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputies said the incident began as a domestic squabble at a local nightclub.
They located the suspects vehicle and tried to pull it over. The chase lasted for about three miles until SE 34th Avenue in Treasure Island.
The arrest report said Vargas drove recklessly, passing in no passing zones and forced two vehicles off the road. There were no injuries or auto accidents reported.
The report added Vargas shoved a deputy when he refused to step out of the vehicle. He had to be tased twice by lawmen to be brought into custody.
An incident of apparent road rage landed an Okeechobee man in jail on felony charges, Okeechobee Deputies said Tuesday.
Benito Jose Jaimes Antunez faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of three grams of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The victim said he was driving on SW 16th Avenue behind the vehicle when the suspect stopped his vehicle, stepped out of the vehicle, and pointed a handgun at him.
Deputies located the vehicle on SW 24th Avenue and pulled it over without incident.
They found the suspect had an active arrest warrant for failure to appear in court on other charges.
They also seized a loaded Glock 17 handgun from the vehicle.
US 27 and State Road 80 motorists were impacted overnight by a gas lead near South Bay.
The Florida Department of Transportation closed US 27 between South Bay and the Broward County line.
Florida Public Utilities is bringing in workers from across the state to repair the damages.
Workers had struck an underground line causing the leak at about 4:30 a.m.
Holopaw residents had some excitement Tuesday as a brush fire came dangerously close to homes.
Fire Rescue said nine homes had to be evacuated as a precaution due to the flames, smoke and high winds.
The fire burned up to 20 acres off 441.
A town hall meeting held in central Florida to discuss budget cuts at the Veterans Administration.
Veterans who spoke said they are concerned about federal worker layoffs and cuts in spending.
The meeting was hosted by two democratic congressman Darren Soto and Maxwell Frost.
They said they suspect the next budget cuts will be to veteran’s benefits.
Veterans said they can’t afford losing health benefits and disability checks.
“We have deep concerns and we will continue to work with everybody to make sure we have the utmost and top care for our veterans in central Florida,” Soto said.
Frost said cutting VA staff is going to impact services provided veterans in our state.
“The VA is uniquely equipped and qualified to handle the specific needs of our veterans. We must continue to strengthen it and not dismantle it.”