The US Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting tonight in Basinger for the Kissimmee River Headwaters Revitalization Schedule Public Scoping Process.
It gets underway at 5:30 pm.
The meeting at the Alton Chandler Civic Center.
An eight year prison sentence was handed down against Sebastian Urbano for shooting to death a 16 year old Okeechobee boy on August 27, 2023.
Urbano will also serve three years on probation, pay court costs of approximately $1,200 and make restitution to the victims family of just under $5,000.
The state amended the information in the case on Aug. 18 to aggravated battery with a firearm, attempted burglary of a vehicle with a firearm and with an assault, and attempted first degree murder.
A charge of second-degree murder and two other felony charges were dropped in the plea deal.
Urbano scored 197 months in prison. He entered a no contest plea and was sentenced as a youthful offender.
The fight against property taxes continues in Florida. A state House committee will meet on September 22-23 to discuss the issue. Governor Ron DeSantis is in favor of putting a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot. However, local governments are concerned about losing funding if the amendment passes.
Okeechobee Mayor Dowling Watford said it would be difficult for the city to operate without ad valorem tax revenue.
“We can’t just do away with them. It would be impossible. I do think there is a concerted effort to do away with local government period.”
Lobbyist Jim Spratt told the council that the measure would likely pass Florida voters if placed on the ballot.
Okeechobee City Council agreed to reimburse OUA board members $35 per meeting. They also agreed to change the board appointee procedure for the representative from Glades County.
The residents of Buckhead Ridge will get preference for this seat. However, if no resident applies, the representative can be a resident of the former Beach Water Association territory.
The city learned the state budget did not include funding for a sewage treatment plant to serve the Lakefront Estates project.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Executive Director Roger Young spoke to the US House Natural Resources Committee about the state’s successful effort in reducing manatee deaths in Indian River Lagoon.
He also spoke about the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the effort to secure even more funding for land purchases and conservation.
Central Florida Congressman Darren Soto said the corridor has been a great investment for Florida.
He said the US government has provided millions for the corridor.
“I think when we talk to people about conservation and recreation and the importance of them, we are not just doing it for these species but for the whole ecosystem.”
The village of Indiantown is considering a $375,000 purchase of a half-acre of land next to village hall for possible expansion.
They could add a second floor and new offices for staff as the village grows.
There are plans to change the government facilities for Martin County as well inside the village.
Martin County plans to move the fire station out on Allapattah Road leaving the fire station on Warfield Blvd to the Sheriff.
The tax collector also wants to move to another location in Indiantown, village officials said.
Vice Mayor Angelina Perez said she thinks voters should decide whether the village buys the land for village hall.
Resident Linda Nycom said the land is appraised at $160,000 and the village would be paying too much.
Supporters said the land is more valuable than the appraised value, especially to the village.