News Cast for August 15th:
County seeks manufacturing and other industry
The Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation continues to get interest from new business and industry.
They are working on 11 new projects including three proposed industrial parks.
Alex Tijerina told county commissioners they continue to assist new business and businesses already here.
“We are learning the work force challenges local business are facing. We realize the corporate entities hire human resources staff that are not local and are not aware of our local programs to recruit people. By introducing them to our local resources we are able to aid their workforce fulfillment efforts.”
Two of the industrial parks are proposed on route 710 and the third near the landfill on Berman Road.
Commissioner Kelly Owens said she wants to see the road fixed before these parks are developed.
“That road should have been addressed by FDOT years ago in my opinion. If we are going to develop these parks, it is still added traffic to the road and it is time for the state to pony up a little bit.”
Buckhead Ridge voters have three candidates on the ballot to consider for county commissioner on Tuesday.
Stu Taylor, Kevin Flanaghan and Tim Stanley are all on the ballot.
A recent forum touched on improvements made to Buckhead in the past decade.
Taylor said he hasn’t seen enough street repairs and noted the parks need some maintenance.
“The ballfield was destroyed when the sidewalks went in. It still has nails and glass in the ball field. It is not that we don’t have money. WE just put in a bathroom in Washington Park they waited for four years. I can not make any promises. I am the director of the mosquito control board and I have kept all my promises.”
Stanley said he has always fought for Buckhead Ridge and Glades County’s best interests. He pointed to new sidewalks, improved streets, and preventing a reservoir proposed in areas north west of Buckhead Ridge along the Kissimmee River.
“We have growth coming with this project next door. That will put in an ambulance and some firemen. It may lower your taxes when they move in. The ad valorem may double when this project is developed. It can bring a lot of good things. If you don’t have growth you don’t have services.”
Mr. Flanaghan did not participate in the forum.
School district grades were handed out listing Okeechobee as a C district, Highlands remained a C, Osceola a B, Indian River an A district, St.Lucie a B and Martin County a B district.
The city of Fort Pierce Manager Nick Mims was led away in handcuffs from city hall Wednesday accused of rigging bids to benefit his niece’s non-profit organization.
It is alleged Mims arranged to favor the non-profit to lease two city properties.
FDLE handled the investigation. Mimms is facing charges of bid tampering and official misconduct.
He has been the city manager since 2015.
The city commission will hold a special public meeting Thursday at 3 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the arrest.
Two arrests made after a search of a residence at 4026 US 441 south east.
The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force said they found some cocaine, fentanyl, various pills, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
23-year-old Antonio Bartell Junior and 22-year-old Evelyn Mireles are facing various felony charges.
There was a child living in the residence.