News Cast for May 2nd:
The extreme heat season has arrived.
The National Weather Service said they will continue to issue heat advisories when heat indexes reach 105 degrees this summer.
Extreme heat advisories will be issued when the feels like temperatures reach 110 degrees.
South Florida reported 130 days that reached 90 degrees or warmer in 2024.
Extreme heat is considered the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States.
The state legislature has passed “Troopers Law”
The bill aims to prevent animal cruelty in times of crisis.
Troopers Law would create a new offense of animal cruelty for those who restrain dogs outside during natural disasters and abandon them.
The offense would be a third-degree felony charge.
The bill is named after a dog who was found tied to a fence along I-75 in Tampa last October during Hurricane Milton.
A trooper found the dog and brought it to safety.
Third degree felony charges are punishable by up to five years in prison.
Glades County Public Safety said Loop Road in Lakeport was shut down this morning near Van Cleave due to a traffic accident.
County officials said it will likely be closed until about noon.
There was some major cleanup and some power line repairs to be done this morning.
The county urged motorists to use alternative routes.
An RV was destroyed while driving on route 710 in western Martin County.
Martin County Fire Rescue out of Indiantown dispatched Thursday at 11:30 am.
They found the RV fully involved. There were no injuries reported.
The incident was in the 20000 block of SW Warfield Blvd.
Three kids who spray painted and vandalized the bathrooms located outside the Buckhead Ridge Community Association building and park came forth to take responsibility and apologize.
Glades County had installed cameras at the facility and caught the crimes.
Instead of prosecuting the young kids they worked with the parents to make restitution and clean up the mess.
Commissioners said they appreciated the kids taking responsibility and coming forward to apologize. They said they hope they learn from the mistake.
The Okeechobee Ministerial Association observed the annual National Day of Prayer Thursday on the lawns of the Okeechobee County Court House.
The prayer day dates back to 1775 before the US was formed. It was officially adopted in 1952 by then President Harry Truman.
The event included the posting of the colors by the Okeechobee High School JROTC instructed by Valparisia Gibson. The group included cadets Kameron Warmoth, Clinton Bast, Sydney Gould and Alec Harris.
Music was provided by Sandy Perry, Loy Mershimer and Renee Burks.
Those who offered prayers in the program included Tom Pasquarella, Mayor Dowling Watford, Douglas Ryan, Dr. Christine Bishop, Warren Kelly, Mike Cornell, Emmaline Harris, Loy Mershimer, Matt Phillips, David Hazellief, Mark Mayers, Dustin Spratlin, Don Hanna and Danny Enfinger.
The Okeechobee Kiwanis Club provides free refreshments and lunch each year.
The Glades Electric Educational Foundation awarded $46,000 in scholarships to 11 local students this year.
The scholarships included $5,0000 to Jackson Holcomb a senior at Okeechobee High School.
In Glades County Cross Fulford of Moore Haven Christian Academy received a $5,000 scholarship for college.
Jeff Brewington, CEO of GEC, said these young leaders are the future of the community.
“We’re proud to support them as they take the next step in their educational journeys.”
Since its inception the foundation has awarded over $809,000 in scholarships to students pursuing college and career education in the cooperative’s service territory of Okeechobee, Highland, Glades and Hendry County.