News Cast for July 7th:
Several animal rescue organizations appeared at an Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners meeting offering to help the county solve the problem of feral dogs and cats, and unadopted animals at the animal shelter.
The groups would like to expand spay and neuter low cost programs for county residents.
They provide veterinarians that are willing to do these operations at below market costs.
They would also like to help the county with animal adoptions to avoid euthanasia.
The sheriff’s office has operated animal control and the shelter for many years now.
The commission directed the organizations to talk with the Sheriff to possibly enhance local services.
Barbara Birdsey suggested the county create a committee to try and come up with solutions and new programs to help solve the issue.
“Animal control is overwhelmed with the number of animals coming in, animals that have been surrendered or have been abandoned. The committee would look into ways to put in place a county wide low cost spay and neuter program. We understand the Okeechobee animal care and control is in huge stress.”
A winning Fantasy 4 ticket sold in Yeehaw Junction for Sunday nights drawing, the Florida Lottery said.
The winning ticket was sold at the Race Trac at 3010 State Road 60 in Yeehaw.
The winning numbers were 10-12-24-29 and 32.
There were three winners across the state with the others solid in Largo and Miami.
The prize for the drawing was $40,093.
St. Lucie and Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputies are looking for a missing and endangered woman last seen in Okeechobee on July 5th at 10:30 am.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department said Cheryl Austin, 59, is described as 5’1” and wore a purple shirt, blue jeans and an orange backpack.
Deputies urged anyone in the public who can help to call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.
Florida is sending help to Texas as it deals with catastrophic flooding. Governor Ron DeSantis announced Sunday he has directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to deploy resources. The state will send three swift water rescue teams to assist with response and recovery.
DeSantis said they’re stand by to lend more help as requested by Texas.
Republican Congressman Scott Franklin voted in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill or the federal spending plan for the next two years.
Franklin said he also continues to support the efforts to remove illegal immigrants.
“People had a lot of justified concern with the Biden administration with millions of people coming in like we had opened the flood gates. We saw pretty quickly how enforcing the law can rapidly change things on the border. Border crossings are decreased by 96 percent in the most recent numbers.”
He said President Trump has campaigned on illegal immigration and is keeping his campaign promises.
Franklin said the southern border is now secure and ICE has done a good job rounding up wanted criminals who are here illegally.
Franklin said some immigrants are needed to serve in job sectors including agriculture, restaurants and the hotel and motel industry.
Osceola County Commissioners approved a resolution of support for the Lake to Lake regional trail.
It would be in Osceola and Okeechobee County and connect Lake Monroe to Lake Okeechobee.
The trail is designed to highlight Florida’s history of farming, logging, cattle ranching and wildlife conservation.
It would also compliment and enhance the Florida Wildlife Corridor and eco-tourism in the region.
Two abandoned railroad corridors are part of the plan, the Kissimmee Valley Extension and the Peavine Railroad.
The state said it thinks it will attract history buffs and slow travel tourism. It would likely include sign and information kiosks for hikers. It would serve only non-motorized vehicles.
The trail would run through former and some existing towns like Geneva, Chuluota, Bithlo, Wewahotee, Lokosee, Holopaw and Kenansville.