A Florida appeals court ruled the state’s longtime ban on open carry of firearms is unconstitutional. The decision from the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee stems from a 2022 arrest in Pensacola and cites a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reshaped how Second Amendment cases are reviewed.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier calls it a big win for gun rights and said his office won’t seek a rehearing.
The decision could clear the way in Florida for the first time since the ban was enacted in 1987.
Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly supports open carry of firearms. Senate President Ben Albritton is opposed.
The Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners discussed protests and how they can place them in certain areas of county grounds or certain parts of county buildings.
They have a tight rope to walk legally when considering free speech and other constitutional rights.
The sheriff Noel Stephen said designated areas should be created for protests.
Certain issues come up with outdoor protests like heat and rainfall.
Inside buildings comes the disruption noise can bring which interfere with county employees doing their jobs.
A moment of silence was held at 8:46 am to honor the fallen first responders and all those that perished in the 9-11 attacks.
While Okeechobee had no organized events, the Board of County Commissioners held a short moment of silence and prayer for the victims of 9-11, the family members, and survivors.
Highlands County Fire Rescue held an observance at the West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department on Sept. 6.
Michael Jackson resigned as Pahokee City Manager. He will leave the job on Oct.3 He agreed to work for the city through the budget workshops this month.
While several commissioners said they were surprised by the resignation, Jackson has been often criticized and staff questioned by commissioners in recent months.
Jackson had openly criticized Vice Mayor Sanquetta Cowan Williams for trying to interfere with day to day operations.
She was upset Jackson advertised that the position was open without asking the commission first.
The commission agreed to a special meeting on Sept. 16 to discuss the position.
The city of Okeechobee agreed to support abandonment of an alley along SW 18th Avenue.
Some neighbors had been complaining about barking dogs.
The residents said they have maintained the alley for decades. There is also sheds and other structures in the alley.
An Okeechobee man was caught on video allegedly stealing a trailer in Stuart.
Sam Griffith, 66, was charged with grand theft over $10,000.
The arrest report from Stuart Police said the trailer was taken Aug. 12 from a business on Luckhardt Street. The 2022 Topshelf trailer was valued at $12,000.
Cameras caught the license plate of the vehicle that appeared to tow off the trailer from the parking lot. They found the suspect by learning he was the registrant of the vehicle.
Police said they located the stolen trailer in the mud off SW Dunklin Avenue in Martin County.