News Cast for April 16th:
The lower Lake Okeechobee problem has begun for local boaters.
With the lake now below 12 feet, the South Florida Water Management District closed four locks as of Tuesday night until further notice.
The S-135 boat lock at the J&S Fish Camp, G-36 at Henry Creek, S-127 at Buckhead Ridge, and S-131 in Lakeport were all closed.
Also closed five days per week is the S-193 at Taylor Creek.
That lock will remain open on Saturday’s and Sundays until the lake reaches 11 feet.
The boat ramp at Lock 7 and at Indian Prairie Canal remain open as an access to the lake.
The City of Moore Haven imposed a boil water advisory after a main water line break.
The notice only impacts customers located outside the city limits.
City Officials said crews worked on the break and did expect an extended period without water service.
Okeechobee County is looking at tightening their belt due to discussions on spending in the state legislature.
The governor wants to eliminate property taxes while the house has suggested lowering the sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%.
Commissioner Terry Burroughs wants the FDOT to explain the increase in truck traffic in Okeechobee.
He suggests that trucks are leaving the Florida Turnpike in Yeehaw Junction due to the cost of tolls.
The Indiantown Village Council want to allow developers to reserve capacity before they build the expansions to the water and sewer plants.
They are close to reaching capacity at the existing facilities.
Attorney Wade Vose said it has always been legal to reserve capacity before it is available.
Mayor Carmine DiPaolo said he supports letting landowners already in Indiantown have priority when it comes to future water and sewer needs.
A Fort Drum woman was charged with 2nd degree arson.
Leona Hubbard is accused of setting a couple of fires on property at 32751 highway 441 north.
The State Fire Marshal investigator said about $5,000 in damage was done.
He said the woman told a fire official she had set the fire.
An outhouse, some fence line, a vehicle and trailer were damaged in the fire on March 25.
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue said there were no injuries reported.
A 25 year old Brighton man was charged after a brief chase with Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputies turned up a large amount of illegal narcotics.
Edgerrin Billie was allegedly clocked at 55 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone on NW 36th Street.
Deputies gave chase and Billie, who was operating a motorcycle, allegedly crashed into the guard rail at the S curve.
Deputies went on to report that Billie tried to flee on foot. They noticed a motorcycle helmet near a canal and found Billie trying to hide in the canal.
Deputies said they found 74 grams of methamphetamine, 11 grams of fentanyl, 61 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The arrest report said Billie had lost his driver’s license due to multiple suspensions.
Bond was set at $512,000 on charges that include trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of marijuana, possess of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement.