News Cast for May 29th:
The Glades County Board of County Commissioners applied for a near $3.7 million grant to upgrade the Indian Prairie Park and boat ramp.
The grant program is administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
County Manager Paul Carlisle said several boaters have complained about the declining condition of the boat ramp.
The grant could be used to improve the ramp, add lighting and additional parking.
The Okeechobee City Planning Board recommended of a rezoning and future land use map for 4.3 acres to change the use from only single family to multi family residential.
The property is located between NW 6th and NW 7th Street and NW 9th and NW 10th Avenue. It is currently vacant property.
The applicant plans to put in 26 dwelling units that would include 18 single family homes and four duplexes.
A local man who owns and operates a business near the project wanted to make sure the new residents won’t be complaining about the noise and impacts from his business after this project is built.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed into law the Florida Farm Bill sponsored by Rep. Kaylee Tuck of Sebring.
The bill includes protections for farmers and ranchers, hunters, and shooting clubs from harassment by drone operators.
It also bans fluoride from public drinking water and increases regulations for food labeling for plant based products.
The legislation also protects FFA and 4-H programs in local schools from local governments zoning laws by ensuring local programs can have agriculture facilities on school property.
Another provision allows the state to return solar fields back into agriculture production.
The bill also bans local government from banning housing for legally verified agriculture workers on farms.
Okeechobee County applied for a $1.5 million grant through the small city community development block grant program to benefit the special needs hurricane shelter.
The grant would be 100 percent funded with no local match in the form of property tax dollars.
The county recently accepted at $10.7 million in grants for the Okeechobee County airport apron rehabilitation program.
The Indiantown Village Council will hold an annual festival.
They worked with Martin County and received approval to use Timer Powers Park on the third week of January to hold the Indiantown Heritage Festival.
The festival could include musical performances from Indiantown Middle School from the school chorus and band. Other events could include certain 4-H and livestock shows, food vendors, and a midway.
The Jupiter Elks Lodge would like to create a club in Indiantown.