News Cast for August 26th:
Woman killed in crash
US 98 a mile south of 68 west was the location of a fatal crash early Sunday morning.
The road shut down for hours. The crash reported at 2:16 am.
Two vehicles were involved, a 20-year-old girl from Sebring was killed.
She was driving north in a Hyundai Elantra.
Troopers said a south bound Jeep Cherokee driven by a 35-year-old Sebring man allegedly crossed the center line and caused the head on crash.
The highway patrol said that driver was critically injured.
He was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce.
FHP said the investigation into the crash is ongoing and criminal charges may be pending.
Three candidates qualified to run for Okeechobee City Council in the November 5th election.
Jamie Gamiotea will challenge incumbent councilmember Noel Chandler and incumbent Vice Mayor Monica Clark.
There are two seats up for grabs in the election.
Okeechobee County is looking to allow more development on four parcels of land they deemed industrial overlay districts.
Commission Chairman David Hazellief wants to be more like St. Lucie in how we handle growth
“When I ride down Kings Highway and I see those large industrial sites my mouth waters. If we ever get the first one, we will break lose and get some more. We have to be proactive and be ready for those.”
He says 1,100 acres just west of Okeechobee is now poised for development.
A Yeehaw Junction man is competent to stand trial according to court appointed experts.
Charles Bell Junior is scheduled to go on trial as soon as next week.
He’s accused of shooting his ex-wife to death, Patricia Davis on August 28, 2021 as she stood in her yard on SW Magnolia Court.
The Glades County planning board discussed plans for mines and how best to regulate them.
A key issue is getting a contract or bond from the mine developer so Glades County is paid for road damage.
Residents also don’t want the mines near their homes or by schools.
One suggestion was keeping them out of recorded and active subdivisions.
Planning Board chair Steve Dobbs said in his opinion the current proposals mean there won’t be any mines in the county.
“The way you want to do it, you will shut this county down. If you have shell somewhere and its not where I can get toa county road, I won’t be able to mine it. I’ll have to go to Okeechobee or Hendry County for shell. Do you know the hauling cost for that? You are putting this county at a disadvantage by doing that.”
Glades County has long been a key source of sand for Florida beaches.
The right north bound lane of 441 or Parrott Avenue will be shut down to one lane from now until 5 pm. It runs August 26 through Thursday, August 29.
Crews are installing some drainage improvements. The right lane will be closed between Home Depot and just north of SW 21st Street.
St. Lucie Fire Rescue put out a landfill fire after several hours of work this weekend, limiting the flames to the top of the trash pile.
A fan in the stands yelled gun at a high school football game in Ft. Pierce on Friday. Law enforcement from all over responded and the game between Westwood and John Carroll had to be cancelled. Police searched but did not locate any firearms. Law enforcement also broke up fights in the parking lot.