News Cast for April 3rd:
Commissioners : “Road getting trashy”
Okeechobee County Commissioners took the opportunity to urge Waste Management to clean up the shoulders of Berman Road.
They also discussed a fine against a city business who has a dumpster whose lid had been left up at night and had garbage on the ground.
They reminded the company all trucks going to the landfill should be tarped.
The company will be sending out garbage and yard waste containers to each customer in the county in the months of May and early June.
They want to get customers used to the containers and will pick up from other cans for a time.
Deborah Perez asked for some grace time for the overflows
“During this time period we will still go ahead and pick up the cans. We would like to place this tag, and not non containerized trash were picked up as a courtesy. Try to get them ready for when the automated trucks get here. Its just an arm picking up the container then.”
The commission welcomed back Veterans Services Officer Paul Hyatt, who held the job back in the 1990s.
Hyatt said he’s glad to serve Okeechobee again.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege for me to be back today. For 27 years I’ve been doing the job ever since I was accredited in June, 1996. Okeechobee is my home town. Its an opportunity to be able to come back and I’m looking forward to helping the veterans.”
He has already scheduled meetings with various veterans groups to try and improve relations and services for our vets.
The county also announced Thomas Black as the new airport and commerce director.
Senator Erin Grall said Okeechobee did well in the legislature this year.
The budget approved by the legislature and awaiting the governors signature includes $24.6 million will go to the OHS construction project overruns, $1 million for the county jail, and money to improve Berman Road and drainage.
The tentative state budget has $6 million for the new Moore Haven Elementary School.
The Glades Economic Council signed a quick claim deed for the 50 feet of property the school board needs for the school at the Chalo Nitka grounds.
They continue to negotiate some issues with the 99-year lease.
In the courts, Earl Thomas was convicted of a lesser charge of trespass and was acquitted of resisting arrest.
He was arrested lats May 2nd after he allegedly burglarized a booth at a local flea market and caused $500 in property damage.
The remains of a two and a half year old male Florida Panther were collected by the FWC in Highlands County Monday. The panther was killed on route 70 about four miles west of CR 721.
Officials said it appeared the panther had been hit by a vehicle.