A 72 year old Okeechobee man allegedly chased after another man with two machetes.
Okeechobee County Sheriff deputies said the incident happened on Thursday.
They add that alcohol was a factor.
The male victim was cut in the back of the arm but declined medical treatment and didn’t want to press charges.
Pedro Juan Espada was charged with multiple counts of possession of a concealed weapon as a convicted felon and was held on $70,000 bond.
Deputies said they found two machetes, three large knives and a quantity of ammunition.
Inflation will likely raise the cost of the Lower Kissimmee Storm Water Treatment Area project to $480 million.
South Florida Water Management District Director of Ecosystem Restoration Jennifer Reynolds defended the merits of the project which many neighbors and the county oppose.
Reynolds said it is not known yet the final cost as they are negotiating. They are also looking into whether they will have to get permits from the county.
The facility, most of the former Rio Ranch on the river front would take all of the remaining frontage from route 70 to route 78 for this project.
South of the River was not deemed suitable as the district intends to pursue several wetland restoration projects.
The district does expect to provide the county with payment in lieu of taxes on these properties.
Reynolds said even with the LOCAR reservoir being planned in Highlands County, and storage from this project, they will still need to find more acreage to store water in Okeechobee County.
The district intends to provide public access for certain boating and other recreational activities.
Reynolds said the nutrient level in the river remains too high and this project will help reduce pollution entering Lake Okeechobee.
The city of Okeechobee said it is pleased with the steady growth at the commerce center. The city and the Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation have both been pushing the site for development.
Landmark Pre-cast, Southeast Concrete, West Lake Royal Roofing, and WSF Industries have all either expanded or moved into the center this year.
The city also applied for a rural infrastructure grant through the state for $1.2 million and plan to resurface sections of NE 9th and NE 12th Streets east to 441.
City Administrator Gary Ritter said the companies have created 75 new jobs for the community.
The city still is marketing a four acre tract in the commerce center. Adron Fence also has up for sale a parcel of seven acres located in the park.
The Martin County Fair Association continued efforts to move out to Citrus Blvd. They received a one year extension from the county for the fair in Stuart. That fairgrounds measures 11 acres.
The plan is to move out to Citrus Blvd for the 2027 fair. The lease would be for 30 acres.
The fair grounds would be part of the Treasure Coast Agri plex. This property will include a motorcross track, amphitheater, equestrian center, RV park and a working farm.
Commissioners supported the move and stressed the importance of the fair to the community, its history, agriculture and for entertainment.
4 teenagers were arrested after a chase in western St. Lucie County Friday morning.
Deputies said they found a replica handgun, and multiple ski masks inside a stolen vehicle, reported stolen out of Brevard County.
The report said the alert deputy noticed the stolen vehicle turn on Ideal Holding Road off route 70 and attempted a traffic stop.
The vehicle left the road and crashed into a canal bank. The occupants then attempted to flee on foot into a citrus grove.
A perimeter was set up by St. Lucie deputies and Fort Pierce Police and two K-9 units were called in to locate the teens.
Two adults, ages 18 and 19 were charged with grand theft motor vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, trespass, and resisting arrest.
There were two children ages 14 and 16 that were taken into custody and delivered to the Department of Children and Families. They were reported runaways from Charlotte County.
A fire burned up a marine boat mechanic shop in Indiantown late Thursday.
Martin County Fire Rescue responded sent 10 units to the Indiantown Airport on SW Citrus Blvd and found a pickup truck and enclosed trailer fully involved in flames just outside the building.
There was considerable damage done and the vehicle and trailer were a total loss.
There were no injuries reported. The cause might have been a lithium-ion battery in the bed of the pickup.