News cast for September 3rd:
No trial in shooting case
Okeechobee State attorneys dropped attempted murder charges that stem from a city shooting incident on January 22nd.
Okeechobee Police arrested Zarnell Fitzgerald and James Solis on attempted second degree murder charges after a lengthy investigation.
The victim claimed he was invited to a residence in Deans Court by a former girlfriend to pick up some of his things. He claims the two men were waiting for him and jumped and assaulted him.
Later the two sides apparently exchanged gun fire in the street.
One of the suspects, Solis was shot in the buttocks area.
12 shell casings were collected at the scene by detectives.
A third suspect was facing an aggravated assault charge. At last report the case was still active.
An ATV crash claims a life east of Lake Placid.
The Florida highway patrol said the accident happened Monday morning just after 1 am on Highlands Boulevard and Cumberland Street.
The 26-year-old man operating the ATV was in the wrong lane and collided head on with a pickup truck.
The driver of the truck was uninjured.
Troopers said the crash remained under investigation.
The University of Florida Cooperative Extension office continued its monthly series of lectures addressing topics of interest to our farmers and ranchers.
The US Natural Resource Conservation Service was the featured presenter.
Howard Harrison explained the programs they have in place to help with costs insurance, flooding, and even fences.
Harrison says there is talk the farm bill will again be continued to 2025.
He was asked if that will have any local impacts.
“Right now, we would be under a continued resolution so it will be business as usual. We just keep going on and on. Until things change we don’t know what the changes are. It does have some drawbacks on people but overall it is business as usual.”
The farm bill remains in US Senate committees.
Harrison said they often get concerns about government red tape.
“There is a lot of paper work to get eligibility. After you get that done it does ease up. To me it is worth it because it helps our farmers and ranchers and helps with their operations.”
A man wanted in Okeechobee for aggravated battery charges was located in Pahokee.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Deputies said they caught up to 86- year-old Emilio Perera during a traffic stop on State Market Road.
Booker Park and the village of Indiantown hope to work out a solution to permits for the annual Swamp Fest.
The organizers didn’t like all the hoops for the permit and the limitations on alcohol use and consumption, when loud music can be played and the large amount of law enforcement on hand for security.
Kimberly Jackson Brown said the village has to be clear what they want and treat all events fairly.
“Once we have done X, Y and Z, we don’t want you to go behind us unless that is what you do for everybody. All we want is fair and equal treatment.”
The village is holding meetings to discuss land development regulations and special use permits on September 5.
“I don’t want to make it about race. Maybe its just passion. It may be about the park. Lets can this. I’m tired and I’m frustrated from the back and forth. I never expected this in Indiantown,” Brown added.