News Cast July 29th:
More drug arrests
Three Okeechobee residents were arrested for charges they sold methamphetamine during Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force Operations this summer.
Marc Harrell allegedly sold methamphetamine in May at a home on NW 4th Avenue in Whispering Pines.
Danny Stokes allegedly sold methamphetamines in May at a home in Viking off NW 284th Street.
Jason Maupin allegedly sold methamphetamine earlier this month out of a residence on NW 35th Avenue.
Bonds for Harrell and Stokes were set at $30,000.
Maupin was held on $50,000 bond.
St. Lucie County Commissioners purchased a motel on US 1 and will convert it into a homeless shelter for veterans.
11 individual rooms and one two-bedroom unit will be created at the former Relax Inn.
The purchase price was $1.15 million.
The renovations are expected to pay $900,000.
JoAnne Riley told commissioners that services are needed for veterans on the Treasure Coast.
“Veterans often face homeless due to untreated PTSD, substance abuse, limited access to health care, difficulty in adjusting to civilian life and financial hardships.”
The state of Florida is holding a sales tax holiday for school supplies again this year.
The state 6 percent sales tax holiday runs from today through August 11th.
Police Officer Alex Munoz spoke at a governors press conference about what this means to families.
“It is no secret that inflation has impacted our nation. Gov. DeSantis and this sales tax holiday will help thousands of families. When you see what you have to pay at the register, it hurts, because as a hard working person you want to provide for your families.”
Items eligible for the exemption includes clothing under $100, school supplies under $50 and personal computers up to $1,500.
All the items can be found a Florida revenue.com/back to school.
The first day of school is August 12th in Okeechobee and Glades County.
The murder trial of Venus Bubel resumes this morning as attorneys will give closing arguments.
Bubel is facing life in prison if convicted of killing Pamela Bearden following a verbal argument on a residential street in Four Seasons over three years ago.