News Cast for August 13th:
Judge denies motion to dismiss OHS threat case
The prosecution of Henry Horton the 4th will continue in Palm Beach County.
The Okeechobee High School graduate allegedly wrote down threats to attack the high school and shoot an administrator there.
Jupiter Police uncovered the plot written down in a notebook they found as they searched his vehicle during a traffic stop last year.
The defense argued that Horton did not publish the threats and kept them hidden and thus couldn’t be charged with transmitting threats.
The judge ruled because Horton agreed to let police search the vehicle he was publishing the threats.
There is no trial date set yet in the criminal case.
Sunbrite Citrus was approved for a packing house expansion in western St. Lucie County.
The facility on route 68 west of Fort Pierce would expand from 51,000 to 90,000 square feet.
The facility is located near Shinn Road. The applicant said new jobs could be created.
A two-vehicle crash claimed the life of a 75-year-old Okeechobee woman in Glades County Saturday.
The accident on route 78 near Charlie Close Road east of Lakeport.
Two passengers in the vehicle, both adult males, were hospitalized.
The Florida highway patrol is still investigating.
The other driver was a 34 year old male. The man’s address was not yet available.
An Okeechobee man died in a two-vehicle crash near St. George, South Carolina.
The highway patrol said Kenneth Brewer, 88 died as he was existing I-26 in Dorchester County.
Trooper Brittany Glover said the victim was in a 2008 Cadillac The other driver was in a 2012 GMC pickup truck. He was not injured.
Glades County voters will elect a school superintendent on August 20th.
The candidates are Felinda Langdale and the incumbent Dr. Beth Barfield.
Langdale said she wants to expand opportunities for students.
“My vision for Glades County schools is one where every student is given tools and support to reach their full potential. We will focus on academic excellence, grow our CTE program and prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be great if every student left school with some type of industry certification.”
Dr. Barfield said the district is doing well academically and is now fully accredited.
“We are also the top school district in the Heartland Consortium. When I took office four years ago, we were at the bottom. I’m committed to leading the schools with vision, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility. With your support we can continue to make our schools a beacon of excellence and a source of pride for our entire community.”
Three St. Lucie County men arrested after a fight at an Okeechobee bar. The victim said he was looking for his cell phone after a game of pool.
24-year-old Jose Olandez and 22-year-old Angel Tzintzun of Port St. Lucie faced felony charges.
The male victim said he asked the suspects if they had seen his phone when a third suspect became aggressive and started throwing punches.
The third suspect was charged with misdemeanor battery.
The arrest report said the third suspect started to swing at the victim when Tzintzun got involved and struck the victim numerous times in the face.
Olandez allegedly ran over to the female and struck her with the beer bottle. Other bar patrons then broke up the fight.
They fled the scene. One suspect when questioned by a deputy said lawyer, the other denied being there.
The charge is aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.