Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is sounding off about an illegal immigrant charged with vehicular homicide in a deadly crash along the Turnpike near Fort Pierce.
Harjinder Singh was in the country illegally, and granted a C-D-L in California, something DeSantis is upset about.
“He shouldn’t have been here in the first place and should never have been issued a CDL license.”
The FHP said Singh was making an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer when a minivan, unable to stop, slammed into the truck. Three Floridians in that vehicle were killed. Singh and a passenger flew to Sacramento after the crash and he was arrested on Saturday by U.S. Marshals. He has an ICE detainer and is expected to be extradited to St. Lucie County next Wednesday.
The Village of Indiantown continued to discuss growth at a joint meeting with the school board and county commission.
Manager Taryn Kryzda reported there is a data park proposed for property on Silver Fox Lane. 16 businesses are currently operating at the former Louis Dreyfus Citrus Plant. Florida Power and Light also has proposed to put in a battery pack facility at the former co-generation site.
The school board also plans to expand Warfield Elementary School.
The plan includes a new library or media center, new administrative offices, a new playground and parking area, and the renovation of 12 classrooms.
Okeechobee County recently accepted and put into service a new fire engine.
Fire Chief Earl Wooten said unfortunately the engine had earlier mechanical problems that resulted in them taking it to the repair center in Fort Myers.
It had AC problems, an air leak and some corrosion issues.
He said the service center made the repairs so the engine could go back into service.
Commission Chairman David Hazellief said he was displeased that a brand new engine was delivered in that condition.
“Not only do we want it restored, we should be entitled for a discount for the time it has been out of service. That thing was paid for, for two years.”
A suspicious incident at a local school bus stop caused some concern and a police investigation.
The incident report said an unknown man walked by a young girl at the bus stop and grabbed her.
Later it was learned the girl had missed the bus and she observed an older man, 5’ 10” tall that smelled bad walking toward her. She said as he passed behind her he grabbed the corner of her backpack. She said excuse me and then walked to her home.
The incident occurred at SE 93rd Trail and 57th Drive.
The South Florida Water Management District hosted a quarterly recreation forum and focused on Lake Okeechobee.
Chairman and facilitator Newton Cook said the lake should have its own committee.
Professional fisherman Scott Martin would like Lake Okeechobee to have its own budget.
Martin is pushing for a lake cleanup. He noted there was new vegetation planted and improvement in the water quality this spring.
“We did some projects on the lake this year but it was laughable. We put 1,000 plants of eel grass on the lake.”
Martin said the ecology of the lake is in a great place and he was encouraged about it. He was looking for the return of eel grass and pepper grass.
Bishop Wright said the lake is in the best shape he has seen it in, in 15 years.
“Everybody is scared of it because they think its toxic. I’ve been out there, waist deep, chest deep, every time catching everything I can get out of there and putting it in a frying pan when I get home.”