News Cast for September 6th:
**Okeechobee Police Department Special Attention**
In reference to case #2308250009, On August 25, 2023, a home was burglarized in the 100 Block of NE 10th Street. The suspect entered the residence with a screwdriver and used bolt cutters to enter the secured storage container.
Items reported stolen:
2002 red/white Yamaha Banshee 4-wheeler, and an additional 1996, Yamaha Banshee, silver frame were taken from a locked storage container.
A total of 5 guns, PlayStation and Xbox were also reported stolen.
If anyone has information in reference to this case or has seen the below-pictured items, please contact Detective Yates at (863) 763-9785. You can remain anonymous.
Few impacts from Idalia on lake
The US Army Corps of Engineers said they did not see a large amount of water coming into Lake Okeechobee from Hurricane Idalia.
They did not change their release schedule in the week before the storm hit, confident in the forecast track.
Col. Jamie Booth told reporters the National Marine Fisheries Service is still doing their review of the new Lake regulation schedule. They expected an update this week on the timetable.
Col. Booth said he thought the new regulation schedule could still be approved by the end of the year.
The Corps might reduce the releases to the Caloosahatchee River in the near future, it is currently at 2,000 cubic feet per second.
Today’s lake level was 15.35 feet.
The Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation said we are getting more and more interest from business and industry wanting to move here.
President Kaylee King said we are in a good position moving forward.
“This is the right place at the right time with the right people. I think we are going to turn the corner as a rural community. Our properties are now front facing to site selectors which is huge for the community.”
The site selectors handle large investors and corporations that are looking for new locations and markets for new facilities and expansions.
Glades County schools have set goals of reducing student truancy rates this year.
They also want to do a better job of informing parents on the progress of their children toward graduation.
Board member Jean Prowant would like the schools to crack down on dress codes.
“It is a little easier with elementary kids to put a t-shirt on them. In high school its complicated with low cleavage and see through shirts, I know if Mary goes to class and she is not in dress code, every other girl thinks it is okay for them to wear the same thing.”
Superintendent Dr. Beth Barfield said they would refer more truancy cases to the court system this year. She noted they educate a student if they don’t show up.
The City of Pahokee hired a contractor to repair three floating docks at the marina. The improvements have been sought since around 2007.
The state has given them until January to complete the work.
H. Kelly Marine was awarded a contract for $576,000.
Chris Lowden told the commission that they are getting a much better product than they have right now with brand new decking materials that if maintained properly will last a very long time.
The company noted they are paying more for insurance due to the risks from alligators and blue green algae in the water.