News Cast for September 27th:
A driver will face at least 93 months in prison for causing three deaths in Okeechobee.
The old case of Michael Murph dates back to May 11, 2018. It was a three vehicle crash on 441 north in Okeechobee, just south of the Osceola County line.
Troopers said Murph caused the crash by dangerously passing other vehicles. The impact killed Tonya Macon, Valerie Edlemon and a 13 year old Jaeden Edelmon.
Troopers said Murph had been driving on a license suspended four years before the crash, was impaired by the use of marijuana, and was driving 91 miles per hour in seconds before the crash.
One of the vehicles involved was a tractor trailer.
He will be sentenced on November 5th. He pled no contest to driving while license suspended with death or serious bodily injury.
Schools and governments reopened around the Lake Okeechobee region today as we were only slightly impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Glades Electric crews restored power in one outage of 870 customers around Basinger and another 270 around Ortona in Glades County.
Four people are confirmed dead in the path of the storm.
First responders had a long night in west and northern Florida with hundreds of rescues from rising flood waters.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said many chose not to evacuate and placed their lives in jeopardy.
Citrus County Sheriff Michael Prendergrast said his deputies rescued adults, children, dogs and elderly residents who chose to try and sit out the storm in flood prone areas.
Okeechobee County and its fire rescue union agreed to a new contract. It brings a pay hike and also a better schedule for firemen.
They will be working 48 hours on, 96 hours off.
County Commissioner Kelly Owens wants to take care of first responders.
She said she wanted to see a large percentage in support of the contract.
While people around the lake are not pleased with the new lake regulation schedule, interests on the east coast are celebrating.
Ben Hogarth with the City of Stuart said there will no longer be regular releases to the east coast.
The lake was expected to be around 15.4 feet after the storm passes through.