News Post for July 31st:
County starts budget process
Okeechobee County will see a 14 percent increase in revenue this year which is an additional $440 million due to higher property values and growth.
They are considering a tax rate decrease. They also are looking at assessment increases across the board. $8.05 for fire and $12.21 for EMS.
Sheriff Noel Stephen presented his budget of $29 point 44 million to the commission. It represents a near seven percent budget hike.
He said there is more and more demand for law enforcement services, especially traffic enforcement.
He said calls for service have increased by 10 percent to 36,000 calls this year.
The fire department is looking at two new ambulances, a fire engine and brush truck.
Property Appraiser Micky Bandi was not happy the county hadn’t provided him information on the level of salary hikes for employees.
“I’m confused for the second year in a row because we can’t add salary increases without county directive. For the second year in a row, we hear cost of living and merit. Last year I had
staff members asking about merit and I didn’t know anything about it. It is frustrating.”
An Okeechobee jury deliberates for three hours and finds Venus Bubel guilty of 2nd degree murder in the slaying of Pamela Bearden 38 months ago.
The prosecution had two eye witnesses and also video from a door bell camera that captured the shooting on NE 9th Lane in Four Seasons.
Prosecutor Ashley Albright talked about the impacts of the video evidence.
“Certainly the video evidence is always wonderful for a prosecutor because you take out any chance of a witness claiming things that you clearly don’t see on the video.”
He said the video clearly showed the shooting and Bubel holding the gun and firing the two rounds.
One of the eye witnesses Jr. Hernandez is a neighbor to the victim, he was outside burning leaves when he saw the argument and shooting.
“She got in her car and drove away from where they were talking. She drives off. For some reason, I don’t know why she stops on the opposite side of the road, gets out of her car, the hood of the trunk opens in the back. She gets out, goes to the
back of the car, reaches into the trunk, pulls out a gun, racks the slide and shoots twice in that ladies direction.”
Prosecutors said Bubel was jealous that her boyfriend was seeing another woman. She previously had worked for the state attorney as a crime victims advocate.
She is facing 25 years to life in prison for the murder and additional time for tampering with evidence and aggravated assault charges.
An Okeechobee man is charged with selling prescription pills Dilaudid on two occasions near a church.
The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force said the incident occurred on NW 10th Street in the city limits during May within 1,000 feet of the church.
37-year-old Terry McQueen was facing four felony charges related to drug sales and possession with bond of $400,000.
The city of Pahokee looking to budget for four new entrance signs into the city as a way to make the city more inviting.