News Cast August 6th:
City could relax ban on fireworks sales
Okeechobee City officials discussed the ban on fireworks sales in the city limits.
The discussion came after a request from a local businessman wanting to sell fireworks out of a tent on his property.
Mayor Dowling Watford said it might help some businesses during a slow time of the year.
Watford said he doubted many businesses would sell them directly but would contract with a vendor to set up tent sales.
The death toll in Belle Glade is up to nine after a single vehicle accident. They had one survivor 26-year-old Jorden Hall of the Glades who is hospitalized in serious condition.
Palm Beach sheriff deputies said the crash occurred on Hatton Highway near Connors Highway at 7:30 last night.
Deputies said the westbound Ford SUV failed to negotiate a left curve on the roadway, it went onto the grass, struck a guard rail and overturned into the canal..
They have been notifying next of kin since the crash. Four died at the scene and the remainder at hospitals in Palm Beach County.
An Okeechobee man allegedly had a dog commit sexual acts on a child under 16 in Highlands County.
31 year old Travis Butts was arrested on a warrant for alleged incidents in 2022.
He is a registered sex offender. He faces three felony charges.
Excitement at the Indian River State College Fort Pierce campus Monday as a felon allegedly flees a traffic crash and police and security run after him.
John Laviano is facing a host of charges including resisting arrest.
St. Lucie Sheriff Keith Pearson thanked the public and other agencies. He noted college security, Fort Pierce police and college staff helped them in locating the armed man and to seize a firearm.
In politics two primaries will be held August 20th for Okeechobee County Commission district 5.
On the democratic side, Glenn Attaway is competing with Austin Harvey for the party nod.
They face the winner of a republican primary in November.
Both candidates took part in a forum last week at Osceola Middle school.
Future growth, planning, infrastructure, drainage and budgets among the questions.
Attaway said the expansion of the jail had to be done but the county should plan these projects years in advance. He compared it to having a mortgage on a home.
Harvey says Okeechobee has turned into a second choice retirement village and weigh station for the interstate.
He blames republican leadership on the commission for a lack of leadership. He said national chain stores and developers are taking too much revenue from Okeechobee, hurting local business, and underpaying our residents.
Law enforcement in the region has been cracking down on the illegal picking of palmetto berries on private property.
Glades County reported six arrests over the weekend in the Muse community.
A St. Cloud man was charged with picking berries on Boondock Road in Lorida.