News Cast for December 9th:
US Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that they will streamline applications and help agriculture producers effected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“USDA’s announcement could be a game changer in helping Florida agriculture producers who’ve been pummeled by storm after storm the last few years,” Franklin said.
Franklin said unnecessary and onerous requirements should be waived to expedite disaster applications to get the financial aid out more quickly.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded 17 grants that total $20 million from the Florida Communities Rural Infrastructure fund.
Indian River State College will receive $1.5 million to complete the property assessment and planning for the Okeechobee School for Boys property.
The are planning to develop a Data Center on the property.
A 32 year old Broward County man tried to smuggle contraband into Martin Correction on Thanksgiving, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
Tarik Jean-Jourdain, was caught on prison property by staff in the middle of the night.
Two bags were confiscated that allegedly contained t-shorts, watches, toiletries, cell phones and cell phone chargers. The bags contained cigarettes, marijuana and methamphetamines.
Snyder said it looked like Jean-Jourdain had a partner inside the prison, most likely an inmate, who would gain access to these bags and then sneak them into the prison undetected.
Okeechobee County announced some mosquito spraying on Tuesday night.
Residential neighborhoods west of the Okeechobee County airport will be treated between 7 pm and 5 am.
They plan to spray about 20 miles of road in those areas.
Anyone who has a mosquito problem can contact the Clarke hotline at 1-800-203-6485.