News Cast for May 25th:

Dad stops theft

Elvis Jahvey, 23 of Clearwater is accused of taking a pickup truck with children inside at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve state park in Okeechobee.

The father stopped at the restrooms and left the motor running.

The father said when he came out he saw Jahvey in the drivers seat. 

The suspect jumped out of the truck and ran.  He was detained nearby and was charged with burglary to an occupied vehicle.

His bond was $5,000.

The village of Indiantown has some land to sell.  The council voted to put up five acres at 15225 South West Warfield Boulevard for sale for $3.25 million.

Janet Hernandez was opposed.

She would like to develop a community center there.

She took a shot a senior citizens in the process.

“We have future generations to think about.    Some people will not be here to see that future generation.  They are not thinking about that they are thinking about the present.  That is my two cents.”

She then suggested the put a $1.5 million price tag on the property which went nowhere.

117 residents of a Clewiston nursing home had to be relocated last night after a strong storm damaged the roof at the Clewiston Nursing and Rehab Center.

The residents of the home were taken to the John Boy Auditorium by bus with the help of local police, deputies and firemen.

No one was injured.  Substantial damage was done to the structure and a decision on their next home is being determined.

The National Weather Service said the storm did not meet the parameters of a tornado.

Florida cattlemen want more access to beef processing, more health research and better access to vaccine banks for their cattle.

Discussions on the 2023 Farm Bill continue.  Cattle herds are down to just over 89 million, the lowest in the US since 1962.

The Okeechobee Education foundation raised $35,000 with their jail and bail fund raiser.  They had set a goal of $20,000.

Executive Director Alicia Barron was asked what attracted her to develop this event.

“The Jaycees used to do jail and bail in the past and it was something that everybody loved and enjoyed.  The foundation was trying to create a signature event that we could use to raise funds.  We wanted to do something that wasn’t already being done.  The Sheriff is on our board and greatly assisted.  We thought about just 10 participants and once the community caught on to this, it greatly expanded, and it turned into a huge first year fundraiser.”

Malissa Morgan was the most valuable volunteer raising over $7,500.  Kayla Tepley helped raise $4,000.  Evan Neal brought in over $3,200.

You can learn how to get ready for hurricane season tonight.

Emergency Management, the health department and the National Weather Service hold a town hall meeting at the Douglas Brown Community center tonight.  Presentations begin at 5:30 pm.  Special needs residents, how to prepare family and pets, emergency supply checklists, and volunteer opportunities are among the topics.

Shirley Mazariegos Morales is the class valedictorian in Moore Haven.  She plans to study software engineering at the University of Florida.  The class of 2023 in Glades County schools graduate tomorrow night.

The Pahokee class of 2023 graduated Tuesday. 

Class valedictorian Madison Jones says they have really grown during some tough times.

“The past four years have brought forth many challenges and hardships from a global pandemic to the unexpected losses of two our beloved students.  I guarantee each one of you has left Pahokee High a better person than you were before.”

A burn ban was lifted in Glades County recently due to our rainy afternoons. They are also considering reimposing impact fees and are looking for a firm to help with them for parks, roads, EMS And schools.

In the courts, Joshua Kolotka of Lakeport was sentenced to just over a year in jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  He allegedly poured gasoline on a friend at the Circle K in Lakeport last July 12th while under the influence of fentanyl.

Deputies originally charged him with attempted second-degree murder.

By Taylor