News Cast for December 12th:
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and organizers of a power parachute competition had a few complaints from neighbors this week.
An incident report said a homeowner complained about a low flying aircraft coming near the roof of her home.
The resident said they fly so low she feels her privacy is being violated and is destroying the quiet enjoyment of her property.
The deputy witnessed a power parachute approach the property headed toward the home at 300 feet off the ground but climbed higher with full throttle when they saw the deputy.
A competition was held at the property on NE 56th Avenue from Dec. 8-16.
The event coordinator Leah Catullo told deputies the pilots took pat in a short take off and landing competition. She said all of the pilots are required to run a GPS unit that will track their flight and the pilot’s altitude throughout their flight.
She went on to tell the deputy that these are the top pilots in the country and they know all the rules and laws. She said this was the third complaint she received and she would address the issue with pilots.
Any complaints about low flying paramotors can be made to the Federal Aviation Administration. The hotline is 1-866-835-5322.
Citrus production is down across Florida. A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the Sunshine State is expected to produce roughly six-million fewer boxes of oranges this season compared to the previous one, which ended in July. Hurricane Milton’s destruction is listed as one of the main reasons behind the anticipated decline. In addition to oranges, the new forecast is also expecting a drop in grapefruit and tangerine productions. If everything is correct, Florida’s citrus industry would experience its smallest harvest this season in more than a century.
St. Lucie County Commissioners approved the rezoning to allow the Neill Farms and Palermo Estates projects along Range Line Road.
The city of Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County have been complaining about the growth.
The city added 14,000 new residents in the past year.
The county said it was unfair to blame them about all the growth inside the city.
Former County Commissioner Chris Dzadvovsky suggested a development moratorium.
“The growth that has come to St. Lucie County is from Port St. Lucie. A lot of folks who come in here think they live in Port St. Lucie County. This turmoil that has come has created a rift and an attack to the board of county commissioners.”
The city has complained about the traffic impacts all the new projects in the county will have.
Winter time means more vehicles on Florida roads.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported more high speed chases as drivers refuse to pull over.
There was a record amount of fatalities in the US last year.
Lt. Greg Bueno urged motorists not to try and flee a traffic stop.
“It is such a bad choice and is certainly not worth it. You are exposing yourself and others to danger. Make good choices, drive mature, drive responsible and disciplined.”
Lt. Bueno said he is not surprised to see a chase every night in SW Florida.
These are individuals driving reckless at extreme speeds, impaired, putting lives in danger. When we as a law enforcement agency attempt to intervene and stop those vehicles before they injure someone or damage someone’s property, they don’t stop.
South Florida Water Managers signed off on the Lake Okeechobee drawdown. The US Army Corps of Engineers began releases on Dec. 7 out the Moore Haven locks and at Port Mayaca.
The goal is to get the lake under 12 feet for up to 90 days.
The long range weather forecast is for a dryer, dry season this winter.
“This could be a fantastic year and set up to do a lake recovery, “ Lawrence Glenn said.
LOSOM has a recovery mode and all the triggers have been tripped, I would hope the Corps moves forward with enacting it, said Ben Butler, member of the SFWMD Governing Board.
Suzanne Martin said anglers around the lake begged and requested to put the lake in recovery mode.
“Do everything you can to focus on Lake Okeechobee for projects that will increase the vegetation and habitat on the lake.”