News Cast 5/12
News Cast for May 12th:
At the Tuesday night Board meeting, it was approved that face masks are recommended but not required and temperature checks are no longer needed effective Thursday, May 13, 2021.
More lake level problems
The constant debate over releases from the lake led to a helicopter tour of Lake Okeechobee by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
He urged the Corps to keep the lake levels lower during the winter.
“Reducing or eliminating harmful discharges during the summer season is our goal. We want the type of flexibility in 2018 and 2019 that avoided these harmful discharges and improved management during the dry season.”
South Florida water management district governing board chairman Chauncey Goss said they are doing all they can to take water any place besides the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers.
While coastal interests said they worry about pollution and algae blooms, DeSantis said he didn’t see as much algae as he expected on the lake during his tour.
Glades Sheriff unsure what is causing violence in the streets
A shooting in Washington Park last Friday night was the third in recent weeks.
Two arrests were made.
Glades County Sheriff David Hardin said he is unsure what has prompted this but has been told it is about a neighborhood beef.
He said one suspect has been involved in all three shootings.
A bystander was injured in the shooting on Avenue E.
Hardin also reports a rash of burglaries and thefts in Buckhead Ridge including attempts to steal golf carts.
One resulted in a police chase.
He urged residents to always lock up their golf carts in a secure area.
Former Congressman Tom Rooney said he is considering a run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner
Rooney served 10 years in congress in a mostly agriculture district including Okeechobee and Glades County.
He said at age 50 he’s not retired and still interested in politics.
He retired from congress to spend more time with his family.
He expects to make a decision on his political future in the summer or fall.
Current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is probably running for Governor in 2022.
An Okeechobee was man charged with going into a home uninvited and assaulting a female inside.
Jimmy Wellman, 28 allegedly was going through the woman’s things when she caught him and asked him to leave.
He fled on foot after assaulting the female with his fists.
The incident occurred in the area of North West 42nd Avenue.