News Cast for April 14th:
Juveniles able to purchase drug paraphernalia and gamble.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force conducted an operation targeting illegal activities being reported at several local establishments.
Reports of underage sales of drug paraphernalia and gambling were among the local complaints and led Detectives to further investigate.
During investigations, The Narcotics Task Force noticed that several establishments under investigation are known havens for drug activity and dealers.
This operation resulted in multiple arrests:
1. 4993 US HWY 441 South. An underage juvenile purchased beer and gambled, winning $85.00 and cashed out.
2. 3621 SE 34th Avenue. An underage juvenile attempted to purchase a meth pipe, was asked for ID and no purchase was made. An Undercover Law Enforcement Officer purchased a meth pipe, gambled with a cash out, and purchased a THC-A Flower. When requesting a meth pipe, the employee reached under the counter and produced a new meth pipe and concealed it as it was handed to the Undercover LEO.
3. 3609 US HWY 441 SE. An underage juvenile purchased a Nicotine Vape, the clerk requested ID and stated that he was aware that it is illegal to sell to someone under 21. An Adult Undercover gambled and cashed out.
4. 3651 US HWY 441 SE UNIT 7 and 8. An underage juvenile purchased a meth pipe, gambled, and when the juvenile attempted to cash out, was denied due to the cash out totaling only .25 cent. An Adult Undercover Law Enforcement Officer
did purchase a meth pipe, gambled on a slot machine, and cashed out.
5. 1705 S Parrott Ave. An underage juvenile was denied a sale without ID. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer did purchase a meth pipe.
6. 3007 SR 70 East. An underage juvenile was able to purchase a meth pipe. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer also purchased a meth pipe, and gambled with a cash out.
7. 1212 SR 70 East. An underage juvenile was denied sale without an ID. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer did purchase a meth pipe.
8. 4340 SE 26th Street. An underage juvenile was denied sale without an ID. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer was able to purchase a crack cocaine pipe and gambled on a slot machine with a cash out.
9. 3555 US Hwy 441. An underage juvenile was denied sale without an ID. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer did purchase a nitrous oxide tank.
10. 14025 US Hwy 441 North. An underage juvenile was denied sale without an ID. The Undercover Law Enforcement Officer did purchase a meth pipe.
On April 8, 2025, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force, along with The Community Action Team and The Florida Gambling Commission, conducted enforcement on the establishments, including arrests, notices to appear, and warnings to discontinue selling certain paraphernalia.
Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that if current weather conditions persist and the levels of Lake Okeechobee continue to recede, the South Florida Water Management District (District) will close four navigation locks on the north shore for safety reasons.
If the water level in Lake Okeechobee drops below 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD, the following locks will be completely closed to navigation 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Today the Lake Okeechobee is at 12.08 feet NGVD or 10.90 feet NAVD.
The locks that could be impacted soon include;
The S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County.
The G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County.
The S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County.
The S-131 Boat Lock at Lakeport in Glades County.
If the water level in Lake Okeechobee reaches 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD, the S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. If the lake levels reach 11 feet NGVD or 9.70 feet NAVD, the S-193 Boat Lock will also be completely closed until specific water levels are met.
To get the latest information on navigation through District structures and waterways, visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation and follow the District on Facebook and X.
Anglers and boaters may also access local waterways through other public boat ramps. Visit FWC Boat Ramp Finder to find one near you.
The Glades County School District is considering a four day instruction week, Monday through Thursday next year.
They conducted a survey and had 750 responses as of last week. The district said over 72 percent were in favor of the four-day week.
State law requires 1,500 minutes per week or 25 hours.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Barfield said they have gotten more applications for positions since word came down that they would consider the four day week.
Teachers would have to work one Friday per month for paper work and grading.
The average school day would be extended by one hour.
The Highlands County Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a 10-acre compost project in Lorida.
The special exception was approved for property at 20992 Cesily Lane.
The applicant Ronald Nigro said he plan to accept only natural vegetation and no food waste or manure.
He said he did not anticipate any odor problems for neighbors or impacts from truck traffic.
“The smell is really not there because I’m not using manure or food waste.”
The Okeechobee Utility Authority Board reappointed Steve Nelson as chair and named John Gillaland as Vice Chairman.
They reappointed Melanie Anderson to serve as alternate member to serve Glades County.
The Board approved an agreement with the SFWMD to co share in the cost of additional water and sewer lines on 441 north.
The contact cost was $162,646.
They will provide service at the driveways of Margaret Vilas Trailer Park, the Florida Forest Service, various churches, and others located along the highway.
The capacity of the water line was increased from 10 to 12 inches.
A 23-year-old Okeechobee man was held on $120,000 bond accused of improper sexual activity with a minor child.
David Feltenberger was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 16, and two counts of sexual battery upon a victim under 18 involving force.
The charges stem from alleged incidents on August 2-3, 2024.