News Cast for May 19th:
multiple states and Mexico to have controlled burns at the former Okeechobee School for Boys.
The Treasure Coast H.O.T or hands on training, included about 200 firemen from Texas, South Carolina and Mexico.
Several of the old buildings at the campus was used for the training. They also did realistic interior rescues and window rescues.
The college wants to redevelop the campus to use for a possible data center.
Florida leaders warned about the dangers of hot vehicles and leaving children behind unattended in vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol, the Department of Children and Families and other agencies and advocates took part in a public information press conference to get the word out about the dangers of hot weather.
In 2024, the Florida Legislature passed a bill for Ariya Paige, an infant who lost her life in July, 2023 after her babysitter left behind in a hot vehicle for five hours.
The effort it to spread education and awareness on the dangers of leaving children in these hot cars.
Activist Caitlyn Gillespie said it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 140 degrees or higher in these vehicles.
Taylor Hatch advised drivers to leave something in the back seat along with your child to make sure you double check before you leave the vehicle.
Major Gary Howes of the FHP said these events are 100 percent preventable.
An Okeechobee woman was sentenced to 40 months in prison and a $50,000 fine for methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Christina Garrrett, 40, will also pay over $3,400 in court costs.
The maximum sentence was 65 years in state prison. She scored 81 months in prison.
Garrett served 310 days in jail awaiting sentence and was on probation at the time of her arrest.
The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force said a search of a residence on NW 26th Avenue on May 7, 2024 resulted in the seizure of over 122 grams of methamphetamines and $1,689 in suspected drug cash.
The found other pills and various items of drug paraphernalia and ammunition during the search.
A co-defendant in the case, Eliceo Mendoza, is awaiting his day in court.
St. Lucie County Commissioners approved the plat for an industrial project on Rangeline Road west of Port St. Lucie.
137 acres could be divided into nine lots for industrial sites. The plan includes a private road and a rail spur.
The board also received an update on the drought and wild fires. Bion Pauley told the commission that things remain dry and they expect wild fire activity to pick up until it starts raining consistently.
The Fort Pierce Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned Sunday after a report critical of her department.
Fort Pierce Commissioners were to meet this morning to discuss a report conducted by the Center for Public Safety management regarding the operations of the Fort Pierce Police Department.
In her resignation letter, Hobley-Burney said comments made in the meeting undermined trust in the police department, introduced division and significantly eroded morale of employees.