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Vol. 111 No. 62 Wednesday, July 22, 2020 $1.00 plus tax

54 Dirtbags winchampionship

15 Algae bloom atPahokee marina

“Around the Lake” Edition

Formerly Okeechobee News, Clewiston News,

Glades County Democrat, & The Sun

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/ Tight Splice Charters

Beautiful day on the Big OLAKE OKEECHOBEE — Tight Splice Charters shared this magical moment on Lake Okeechobee. Share your fi shing photos! Email photos as jpg attachments to [email protected].

By Richard MarionLake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee dairy industry has lost one of its origi-nal trailblazers.

Louis “Red” Larson passed away on July 17, according to his son John Larson.

“Last night our Lord took home dad,” said John. “All siblings were

there. Dad was a legend in his own time. He loved life and milked it for all it was worth. He had so many friends and made us all feel so good. The dairy industry lost one of its fi nest.”

Florida Dairy Farmers also released a statement honoring Red’s contribu-tion to the industry.

“It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of Red Larson,”

read the statement. “As a true leader, gentleman and pioneer in the dairy industry, his loss will be felt by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed.”

After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Larson and wife

Red Larson was dairy industry trailblazer

See LARSON— Page 53Louis “Red”Larson

Its COVID-19 data on Hendry Regional

Medical Center does not match HRMC records

By Katrina ElskenLake Okeechobee News

CLEWISTON — The data reported on the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Testing by Laboratory report, updated July 20, does not match Hendry Regional Medical Center’s reports.

The FDOH report for data through July 19, verifi ed at 9:25 a.m. on July 20, showed Hendry Regional Medical Center with 183 positive tests and one negative test.

“I am not sure where DOH is getting these numbers,” said Electa Waddell of HRMC. Earlier in the year, samples col-lected at HRMC were sent to other labs, so those numbers would be reported by those labs, she explained. HRMC started in-house testing on Tuesday, July 7.

“Our in-house testing, which would

FDOH test numbers

questioned

See HRMC — Page 46

Wednesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East-southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: A 20%

chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday night: A 20% chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday night: A 20% chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday night: A 20% chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: A 50% chance of show-ers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A 50% chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near

91. Calm wind becoming south-southeast

around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday night: Mainly clear, with a low

around 76. West-southwest wind 2 to 8 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny with a thunder-

storm possible, with a high near 93. West

wind 4 to 9 mph.

Tuesday night: Mainly clear and humid,

with a low around 75. West wind 4 to 9 mph.

2 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020

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By Katrina ElskenLake Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE — Want faster internet in your community? There’s an app that can prove the need for improvements in the rural areas.

“As a board member for both the Florida Association of Counties along with the Small County Coalition, I am working with the governor’s office and Mario Rubio at Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help the governor in our quest to help broad-band issues throughout Florida,” explained Okeechobee County Commission Chairman Terry Burroughs.

Heres what community members can do to help:

• Go to the App Store on your cellphone. Download the free TestIT app on your phone

from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

• Tap the app to run a test, those results will be reported back to Florida as per speeds and availability.

Your assistance will help in the improve-ment of the National Broadband Map used by the FCC to determine broadband availability and potential grant applications for those with low accessibility, explained Burroughs.

To download the mobile app, visit t.co/KelIXFTHzC https://t.co/jO570yczae”

According to the NACo website, accurate connectivity data is the foundation for invest-ments in broadband infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, connectivity data provided to the Federal Communications Commission is often inaccurate and inflated — leaving many rural communities overlooked and

disconnected,” the website explains.“NACo has partnered with the Local Ini-

tiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Farm Credit to de-velop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastruc-ture is provided across the country.

“TestIT is an iOS/Android mobile app that leverages a broadband sampling tool designed by Measurement Lab (MLab) to aggregate broadband speeds across the country from app users. With the press of a single button, users will be able to test their broadband speed from anywhere. Additional-ly, users will be able to compare their internet speeds to the national average and minimum

standards established by the Federal Commu-nications System. No personal information will be collected through this mobile app.

“A snapshot of each sample will be sent to a database which will allow NACo and partners to analyze connectivity data across the country. The data collected through this app will help identify areas where broadband service is overstated and underfunded by comparing the data to the National Broad-band Map.

“Your help identifying gaps in our nation’s broadband coverage is critical to making substantive changes to the process for reporting broadband service. We hope you will help shed light on this critically important issue and encourage your friends, family and constituents to join in the efforts as well!”

Use app to help your county improve internet speed

Lake Okeechobee Weather Forecast

July 22, 2020 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun 3


To Reach UsAddress: 107 S.W. 17th Street, Suite D Okeechobee, FL 34974Website: lakeokeechobeenews.com

To Submit NewsLake Okeechobee News welcomes submis-sions from its readers. Opinion, calendar items, story ideas, and photographs are welcome. Call (863) 763-3134 to reach our newsroom. Items may be mailed or emailed.Email: [email protected]

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Lake Okeechobee News (USPS # 406-160) is published 1 time a week: Wednesday by Independent Newsmedia, Inc.107 S.W. 17th Street, Suite DOkeechobee, FL 34974Periodicals Postage paid at Okeechobee, FL 34974 and additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Lake Okeechobee News Circulation Administration 110 Galaxy Road • Dover, DE 19901

Additional copies may be purchased for $1.00 each.

StaffPublisher/Editor: Katrina ElskenAdvertising Sales Manager: Jaime LimogesCirculation Sales Manager: Jerry HaydenCreative Services Manager: Kris SchwartzDelivery Manager: Cynthia Eckert

Our Purpose...Lake Okeechobee News is published by Independent NewsMedia Inc, USA. Independent is owned by a unique trust that enables this newspaper to pursue a mission of journalistic service to the citizens of the community. Since no dividends are paid, the company is able to thrive on profit margins below industry standards. All after-tax surpluses are reinvested in Independent’s mission of journalistic service, commitment to the ideals of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and support of the community’s deliberation of public issues.

We Pledge...• To operate the newspaper as a public trust• To help our community become a better place to live and work, through our dedication to conscientious journalism• To provide the information citizens need to make their own intelligent decisions about public issues• To report the news with honesty,

accuracy, purposeful neutrality, fairness, objectivity, fearlessness, and compassion• To use our opinion pages to facilitate community debate, not to dominate it with our own opinions• To disclose our own conflicts of interest or potential conflicts to our readers• To correct our errors and to give each correction the prominence it deserves.• To provide a right to reply to those we write about.• To treat people with courtesy, respect, and compassion

Crossword Puzzle Answer

By Joe SmythChairman, INI Board of Trustees

An article in Sunday’s New York Times put yet another nail in the coffin of local newspa-pers.

In speculating about what the future will be in 2022 (that’s only two years from now), David Leonhardt writes:

“Local newspapers will be one casualty. They were already struggling, because Google, Face-book and Craigslist had taken away their main source of revenue: print advertising. Between 2008 and 2019, American newspapers eliminat-ed about half of all newsroom jobs.

“The virus has led to further declines in ad-vertising and more job cuts — and could end up forcing dozens more papers to fold or become tiny shells of their old selves. If that happens, their cities will be left without perhaps the only major source of information about local politics, business, education and the like.”

Well, he might be right about some news-papers, but not about Independent NewsMedia Inc. USA.

We’re not only going to survive.We’re going to thrive.Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Our people: Thanks to our incredibly dedicated people, our little company has always been blessed with a resiliency that our compet-itors can only envy. Our teams do whatever is necessary to make sure their company remains successful. We are honored that so many of them choose to spend their entire careers with us.

2. Our mission: Community journalism is at risk, but we cannot — and will not — fail our communities. Our mission is journalism, which means as many reporters as we can support. Yes, our industry has been shrinking. But we are constantly searching for ways to support more — not fewer — journalists, and that’s what we’re going to do. As one example, we are already achieving success in attracting philan-thropic grants to support our journalism.

3. Our communities: We are deeply involved in our communities and have earned a great deal of goodwill. Readers know that we care about the community and that they can depend on us to report the news without fear or favor. Advertisers know we care about them and that we are constantly looking for ways to help them be successful.

4. Our ownership: For nearly 30 years, INI has been owned by a nonprofit journalistic trust.

We created this ownership structure precisely for challenging times like these. We don’t have stockholders, so we don’t have to pay dividends. Because we don’t have to manage the compa-ny to please stockholders, we are free to focus entirely on fulfilling our mission.

5. Our leadership: Unlike most of the big newspaper chains, we have never had a desire to own every newspaper in the country. We have been very cautious about acquisitions. As a result, we have almost no debt. We — not the bankers and Wall Street — are in control of our destiny. And we can thrive on much lower profit margins than our competitors.

6. Our print products: Many people love the printed newspaper. Our printers do a great job for us, and our print products do a great job for our advertisers. We’re going to keep giving them what they want.

7. Our digital products: We are creating terrific websites that can provide a front page for each community’s hyperlocal digital newspaper, a replica of the print product, and regional, state, national and world news. These websites also have unlimited space for lighter fare, feature sto-ries, entertainment, sports and special sections. Because there are no printing or delivery costs, we can reach many more readers than has ever

before been possible, and at affordable prices.8. Our readers: People are starting to

realize that “news” from the internet and cable television often isn’t trustworthy, and that they are going to have to help keep honest and nonpartisan local journalism alive. It’s up to us to give them products that are worth paying for. We have been asking readers to support local journalism with digital subscriptions, and we have been gratified by the initial responses. They really value what we do, and that feels good!

9. Our embrace of change: Because jour-nalism is our mission, everything else we do is constantly evolving to meet changing needs. We are always reinventing ourselves so we can continue to serve our communities.

10. Our importance to democracy: “The health of our democracy is contingent on the health of journalism,” says Josh Stearns of the Democracy Fund. “Local news, done right, helps build community by reflecting the voices, concerns and stories of local people in ways that build connection and empathy.”

Yes, that’s what we strive to do in our com-munities. We provide independent journalism. We give people a platform for civil discussions of public issues. This is important, it is our mission and it is our sacred duty.

Are newspapers dying? Not ours!

Speak Out is a reader response column. Comments may be posted on the newspa-per’s website or Facebook pages, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the newspaper office, 107 S.W. 17th St., Suite D, Okeechobee, FL 34974.

Masks required• “Who else is hoping that those who

say they will no longer shop at Walmart will actually do what they say and make the crowds smaller and the selection greater? Sounds like win-win!” — Jerry Mayernik

• “Publix and Walmart now require masks for all shoppers. If you don’t want to wear a mask, both stores have pickup options where you shop online, pay with a

credit card and they bring your stuff to you in the parking lot. But if you want to walk around the store, you have to wear a mask. I am very pleased these stores have taken this action to protect their employees and customers.” — K. Booker.

• “As a person who works at Walmart, I think this is a good idea. We have people that come in every day and that don’t wear masks and they don’t cover their mouths when they cough so as a safety reason, it protects the employees as well as the other customers in the store. If you don’t like wearing a mask, Walmart offers other ways to shop such as pickup and delivery so you shouldn’t be upset that they are making this decision. And for the people who wear masks or face shields and the ones who wear them even if they have medical issues, I’m very grateful and thankful for you for putting your own safety and our safety first.

We have employees that have medical issues and wear the masks all day, so we understand how hard it can be to do that.” — Neil Casanova

• “Praying for the greeters who will be at the entrance way against the ones who chose not to wear one, that they will not cause any injury to them or themselves.” — Betty Roundtree

• “I want to thank Walmart for putting the safety of the employees and custom-ers ahead of corporate profits. Everyone should wear masks in public just because it is the right thing to do, to help protect other people. But some refuse to believe the health officials and refuse to wear the masks because they only care about them-selves. Thank you, Walmart, for making the decision for them and forcing them to act responsibly, at least while they are in your store.” — S. Jones

Speak Out


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Dedicated to Quality & ServiceBy Richard MarionLake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County School District will offer three different options for students returning to school next month.

At the July 14 Okeechobee County School Board meeting, the district revealed that parents will have the choice to have their students attend school in a traditional face-to-face setting, or follow along live with their classes online in an option called Okeechobee Sync, or virtual school.

In the traditional face-to-face setting, face masks will be required for the first nine weeks of school, with the mandate to be revisited after that time.

In the tentative plan laid out to the board on July 14, students have the option to return to school on Aug. 10 to receive traditional face-to-face instruction. Signage will be placed throughout each school site with information on symptoms, encouraging social distancing when possible, hand washing techniques and steps to take if students are not feeling well. There will also be hand sanitiz-er available in key areas to prevent contamination. Extra furniture and other materials will be removed from classrooms to allow for more distancing.

Giving students the option of attended virtually as well was crucial because, as was pointed out during the meeting by Superintendent Ken Ken-worthy, if every student returned to campus, social distancing guidelines would be hard to follow.

“Social distancing is not possible in most of our venues on the school campus,” said Kenworthy. “If everyone returned to face-to-face on Aug. 10, there are classrooms where I don’t think you would even be able to get three feet apart.”

Similarly the cohort model, where students spend their time on campus with the same group of students throughout the day to ease contact trac-ing, will not be possible at the high school level.

The live online option called Okeechobee Sync will have students attend school remotely, follow-ing the standard school schedule and bell times. Synchronous teaching and learning will happen via the internet. The district describes this option as being designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable with in-person instruction.

Students would be formally enrolled in their assigned school, in their grade level and teacher’s classroom and receive daily online instruction following their assigned school’s normal bell schedule. The Okeechobee Sync model is intended for students who will eventually transition back to traditional school. The continuation of this model will be based on the how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out. It is meant to be temporary and will be reevaluated every nine weeks.

For option three, families will have to make a one-semester commitment to Okeechobee Virtual School before returning to their school campus. Full-time online instruction will be completed at home. Families will have the ability to influence their child’s schedule; however, students are expected to be working on lessons each school day. This full-time program must operate on the tra-ditional school calendar and students are required to have all coursework completed on or before the last day of school. The deadline to sign up for either Okeechobee Sync or Okeechobee Virtual School is Wednesday, July 22.

Okeechobee students will have three school options in 2020-21


Mark Steven Goodless, 61OKEECHOBEE — Mark Steven Goodless

passed away at home in Okeechobee, Flor-ida on July 9, 2020.He was born 1958 in Hollywood, Florida to Maxwell David Good-less, M.D. and IoneGoodless.

He graduated from Hollywood Hills High School with the classof 1976. He was a Li-censed State of Florida Security Officer and a Certified Firearms In-structor and Personal Protection Instructor.

Mark was recognized by those who knew him as someone who could easily find com-mon ground with everyone he met, as a car-ing, helpful friend to those around him as well as a loving and protective older brotherand uncle. He had a lifelong love of animals or “critters” as he called them and had manypets including several cats and dogs as wellas larger animals such as a miniature horseand a bull. He will be fondly remembered anddearly missed by many.

Mark is survived by his loving partner of16 years, Darlene Adams and her family; hismother, Ione Goodless Elkins; his brother, Dean R. Goodless, M.D.; his nephews, Zacha-ry and Jordan; and niece, Zoe Goodless.

He was laid to rest in the family’s plot at Temple Beth El Memorial Gardens in Davie,Florida.

Those wishing to leave a message ofcondolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Par-rott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972.

Mary K. Lightsey, 92OKEECHOBEE — Mary K. Lightsey was

called home to be with her Lord and SaviorJesus Christ on July 16, 2020.

Mary was born in Okeechobee on De-cember 31, 1927. She spent her entire life tak-ing care of her family. She always put some-one else’s needs before her own. Her passion was cooking and she was great at it! She took great pride and plea-sure in cooking huge meals, even when it wasjust her and Stewart eating. Homemade bis-cuits were a must with each meal!

She was baptized into the family of God at the Brethren Church in Okeechobee on Au-gust 9, 1964. She later moved her member-ship to the Fist Baptist Church in Okeechobee.She and Stewart attended each Sunday untiltheir health prevented them from going. You could still catch her reading her Bible almostevery day until her sight and her mind gaveout on her.

Mrs. Lightsey was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Stewart R. Light-sey; and her son, Timothy M. Lightsey.

She leaves behind a daughter, Gloria JeanChandler (Dave), of Avon Park; son, Rick Lightsey (Bunny), of Okeechobee; and healthcare provider of eight years, Emma Booker; four grandchildren; seven great grandchil-dren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held 10 a.m. Satur-day, July 18, 2020 at Evergreen Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message ofcondolence may sign the register book at,www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to thedirection and care of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Par-rott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972.

Amon Vickers, Sr., 83Amon Vickers, Sr., 83, retired USAF MSGT.,

went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Funeral services willbe held at 10 am on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at BethlehemBaptist Church with Pastor Paul Edenfieldofficiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Sunset Me-morial Park. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednes-day from 9:30 am until service time.

Mr. Vickers was born on August 16, 1936 inNashville, Georgia and lived the early years ofhis life in Alapaha, GA. He was raised in an orphanage and after graduating from highschool, he joined the US Air Force. Mr. Vickersproudly served his country for 25 years untilhis retirement in 1979. He moved to Tampa,FL, then Okeechobee and worked with Bar-nett Bank for 3 years and then with Florida Power and Light for 10 years before retiring.Mr. Vickers met and married for 35 years thelove of his life, Lillian Knapp Vickers, he wor-shiped the ground she walked on. His love forhis family was always a priority. Mr. Vickersattended Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Mr. Vickers was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, his sister, and by his son, Amon, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian Vickers;his daughter, Vickie Speakman; his two step-sons, Larry (Sandy) Reinhard and Robert(Paula) Reinhard; his grandchildren, Renee(Jason) Rusk, Bradley (Skyler) Speakman,Brendan Speakman, Casey (Marc) Salce, andTyler Vickers; his sisters, Cleta Thompson andOvida Terry; his six great-grandchildren; onegreat-great grandson; and a special K-9 com-panion, Dixie.

Anita Maxcine Darville, 87OKEECHOBEE — Anita Maxcine Darville

died July 19, 2020. She was born July 2, 1933 in Cullman, Ala-bama to Floyd and Ida Whisenhunt.

A resident of Okeechobee for over50 years, Maxcine wasa Lady of unmatchedgenerosity with a pas-sion and genuine love in caring for the elder-ly. A world traveler,there were few places on the planet Maxcinedidn’t experience always returning home toOkeechobee with souvenirs that adorned herbeautiful home. She touched so many livesand was loved by all who were fortunate tohave met her.

We will miss her but will be eternally grate-ful to The Good Lord for blessing us with Max-cine. We will never forget her. Until we meetagain. On The Road Again.

She is survived by her husband, Rocky Guz-man; son, Gary “GW” L. Watson (Kerri);daughter, JoAnne “Jody” Carter (Tony); step-son, Gregory L. Darville; numerous grandchil-dren and great grandchildren; and beloveddogs, Chloe and Mickey.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Those wishing to leave a message ofcondolence may sign the register book at,www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com


Richard Lee Ahrens, 85OKEECHOBEE — Richard Lee Ahrens died July 13, 2020. He was

born January 19, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. A resident of Okeechobee for over 30 years was a member of the New Jersey Power Squad- ron, RV Holiday Ram- blers, Okeechobee Model Airplane Club, Past Chairman of the Republican Party, and an Elder at Peace Lutheran Church. He enjoyed boating, fi shing, and computers. He was also a Seminole Cove Board Member and Rock River Leisure Es- tates Board Member in Wisconsin.

Mr. Ahrens was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Ahrens, Sr. and Helen Hall Ahrens; and his brother, Harold Ahrens, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shir- ley Ahrens; daughters, Debbie Carr (Ray), of Okeechobee, Catherine Ready (Mark), of Sanford, and Mary Feffer (Mike), of Illinois; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and sisters, Pat Brown, of Texas, and Susan Godwin, of Georgia.

Memorial services was held 11 a.m. Thurs- day, July 16, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church. Pastor John Hirst offi ciated.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at

www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.comAll arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton & Bass

Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972.

Obituaries

View obituaries from the past month at http://www.legacy.com

Obituaries

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News

WASHINGTON — On June 19, The Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2020-50 (PDF) to help retirement plan participants affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus take advantage of the CARES Act provisions providing enhanced access to plan distributions and plan loans. This includes expanding the categories of individuals eligible for these types of distri-butions and loans (referred to as “qual-ifi ed individuals”) and providing helpful guidance and examples on how qualifi ed individuals will refl ect the tax treatment of these distributions and loans on their federal income tax fi lings.

The CARES Act provides that qualifi ed individuals may treat as coronavirus-relat-ed distributions up to $100,000 in distribu-tions made from their eligible retirement plans (including IRAs) between Jan. 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. A coronavirus-related distribution is not subject to the 10% addi-tional tax that otherwise generally applies to distributions made before an individual reaches age 59 1/2. In addition, a corona-

virus-related distribution can be included in income in equal installments over a three-year period, and an individual has three years to repay a coronavirus-related distribution to a plan or IRA and undo the tax consequences of the distribution.

In addition, the CARES Act provides that plans may implement certain relaxed rules for qualifi ed individuals relating to plan loan amounts and repayment terms. In particular, plans may suspend loan repayments that are due from March 27 through Dec. 31, 2020, and the dollar limit on loans made between March 27 and Sept. 22, 2020, is raised from $50,000 to $100,000.

As authorized under the CARES Act, Notice 2020-50 expands the defi nition of who is a qualifi ed individual to take into account additional factors such as reductions in pay, rescissions of job offers and delayed start dates with respect to an individual, as well as adverse fi nancial consequences to an individual arising from the impact of the COVID-19 coro-navirus on the individual’s spouse or household member.

Relief available for taxpayers who access retirement funds


L.E. “Red” Larson, 96He Milked Life For All It Was Worth

When Louis Ellwood Larson was just eight years old, the dust bowldays of the early 1930’sblew him and his fam-ily out of South Dakota to Hollywood, Florida to make a new start. From this very mea-ger beginning, Larsonemerged to become a world-wide leader inthe dairy industry.

The founder and owner of Larson Dairy Inc.,“Red” Larson died July 17, 2020 at the age of 96. Larson is survived by his four children, Woody Larson (Grace) and John Larson (Stephanie) of Okeechobee, Barbara LarsonStuart (Charlie) of Orlando, and Kathy LarsonCooley (Tom) of Ocala; thirteen grandchil-dren, nineteen great grandchildren, and four siblings.

Born on the family farm in Brandon, SD, Larson enjoyed farming from the beginning. “Although he had met with presidents andkings in his lifetime, Dad always enjoyed de-scribing himself as simply a farmer. He was very humble,” said son John. “And he loved to work — he died with his boots on.”

Son Woody said, “Dad always met a chal-lenge head on and usually found a way to a resolution. He had the ability to build consen-sus in problem solving, then lead the way.”

After serving in the Army Air Corp as a pilot during WWII, he returned home, attendedthe University of Miami, and got a chance to partner in a dairy farm. He later expanded his company as time and money would allow. In 1990, Larson Dairy Inc. was named the larg-est dairy farm in the USA and Larson’s picture appeared on the cover of “Top Producer”magazine.

“I once asked him to what he credited hisbusiness success,” said daughter Barbara. “He thought it was a combination of neverwanting to be broke again after losing the farm in SD, and the courage to explore oppor-tunities that came his way. He knew he had been very blessed.”

Some of his career accomplishments in-clude: Outstanding Man in Dairying; Out-standing Man in Agriculture; President of Na-tional Milk Producers Association; Dairyman of the Year at the World Dairy Expo in 2006; University of Florida Distinguished Achieve-ment Award; Farm Family of the Year; Florida Southeastern Farmer of the Year, Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of theYear; 4H and FFA Leadership Committees; President, Dairy Farmers, Inc.; Board member Sun Trust Bank; Florida Agriculture MuseumBoard; President of Independent Dairy Farm-ers Assoc.; President, American Dairy Assoc. of Florida; Director, Farm Credit; lifetime membership in The Dairy Shrine; Gamma Sigma Delta, honorary society of agriculture;Dairy Hall of Fame; Florida Agriculture Hallof Fame; Dairyman of the Century by the Palm Beach Post; National. Dairy Advisory Comm. during Kennedy-Johnson administra-tion; Director of National Livestock and Meat board; represented the dairy industry in Hi-ram Drache’s book Creating Abundance, Vi-sionary Entrepreneurs of Agriculture; Federal Land Bank District Advisory Board; UF’s Presi-dent’s Council; Gov. Graham’s Task Force on

the Future of Agriculture; and the AgricultureEnvironmental Leadership Award.

In 2006, in recognition of his service to theUniversity of Florida throughout his career,his family and the university surprised Lar-son with the naming of the UF Dairy Sciencebuilding: the L. E. “Red” Larson Hall. Also es-tablished at that time in his honor were threeagricultural endowments.

Larson married the love of his life, Reda, in 1947 and they enjoyed 67 years of marriagebefore her passing in 2014. He always saidshe was his first and best business partner. Together with friends, they traveled the world during their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

“Dad loved and protected his family, andeven with an incredibly busy work schedule, he always made time for us. And he waswith us every Sunday at church. He alsowas a faithful member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years,” said Kathy, daughter. “Hebelieved in giving back to his community.”He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee, served as a deacon, BibleSchool teacher, grand marshal of the St. Pat-rick’s Day Parade, board member of the Indi-an River Foundation and had numerous othercommunity engagements.

His seven-decade impact on Florida dairy-ing, as well as his positive influence on hiscommunity and his family will be remem-bered by all.

A safe and socially-distanced “drive–thru vis-itation” will be hosted by the family on Sun-day, July 26 from 4-7 p.m., at the OkeechobeeAgricultural Center (4601 FL-710 E). Guestsare respectfully asked to remain in their carsand will have the opportunity to leave a writ-ten message. The casketed body will lie inrepose for guests to pay their respect.

The Celebration of Life Ceremony will beheld at First Baptist Church of Okeechobee,Fl. (401 SW 4th Street, Okeechobee) on Mon-day, July 27, at 11 a.m. The church doors will open at 10:40 a.m., and seating will be social-ly distanced. There will be additional safeseating at The Rock, across the street fromthe church. Masks are recommended but notrequired.

The funeral service will be live-streamed on YouTube.com, search for fbcokeechobee.

Following the service, there will be a pri-vate interment at Evergreen Cemetery,Okeechobee.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested those wishing to make memorial gifts, please direct them to either the University of Florida L.E. “Red” Larson Dairy Endowment which benefits 4-H, agriculture professorships andresearch, (UF Foundation, P.O Box 14425, Gainesville, FL. 32604) or the First BaptistChurch of Okeechobee Building Fund (FBC/Okeechobee, 401 SW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL. 34974); or Florida FFA Foundation (5000Firetower Road, Haines City, Fl. 33844)

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com


Edwin Edward Walpole IIIOn July 18th, Edwin Edward Walpole III left

this life the way he lived it, on his own termsand at full speed. Born in Alabama in 1935to Edwin E. Walpo-le, Jr. and Flora Mae Williams, the family soon moved to Flori-da where they wouldremain. Edwin wouldplay a critical role in the expansion of the family business founded by his father in 1952. Driven and astute, he wasa life-long advocate for the trucking industryand his impact on the industry extends wellbeyond just his own company. He was a graduate of Murray State. During his lifetimehe had memberships with many groups andserved on several boards including SeacoastNational Bank, Okeechobee Economic Coun-cil, the FTA, the ATA, and Murray State Trust-ee Board. He served as Chairman of the FTAfrom 2000 to 2001 and was the founder of Big Lake National Bank.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Carolyn Michel (Kenneth); and niece,Cindy Raimonda.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mimi;sons, Edwin Edward Walpole IV (Shay), Jay Walpole (Stephanie), Keith Walpole (Paige);daughters, Jill Walpole, Kari Kuhn (Kip); step-sons, Eric Handlon (Dawn), Michael Talbott,Lander Talbott; stepdaughter, Ashley Talbott; grandchildren, Julie Weaver (Joel), Nikki Wal-pole (Laurie), Ryan Walpole (Ashley), BradWalpole (Katie), Daniel Walpole (Kathy Jo),Rachel Patterson (Maynard), Bryan Walpole, Mikayla Kuhn; great grandchildren, Alyssa Walpole, Madison Weaver, Bradley Weaver, Jenna Jae Walpole, Ryleigh Walpole, Waylon Walpole, Carson Walpole, Emma Patterson, Buzzy Walpole; nieces, Janet Sanchez, CrystieKlingseisen (Anthony); great nieces and greatnephews, Austin Sanchez, Madison Sanchez, Tommy Klingseisen, Grace Klingseisen, KellyRaimonda; and great great-nephew, MasonHunt.

He was a man full of life and energy. He putthat energy not only into his business but into every aspect of life. His family and friends willremember a person with such great determi-nation. At times, his will seemed capable of bending the world. He was a consummate host and entertainer, he loved bringing peo-ple together to celebrate. He was passionate about causes and charities dear to him. Heloved his family, his friends, and the commu-nities he was a part of. He greeted friends andstrangers alike with a hearty handshake and good humor. He lived his life with a drive that only Death itself could stop and his absencewill leave a tremendous void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

At the request of the family, with the currentpublic health situation in mind, a small privateservice will be held at a later date. In lieu offlowers, the family requests that memorialcontributions be made in Ed’s name to theOkeechobee Education Foundation, 700 SW2nd Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34974.

Louise Raulerson Chandler, 91OKEECHOBEE — Louise Raulerson Chan-

dler died July 11, 2020. She was born March 3, 1929 in Fort Pierce to Keatley and Mar-tha (Scott) Raulerson. A lifetime resident of Okeechobee, except for a few years she livedin New Smyrna Beach,she was a member of Basinger ChristianBrethren Church. Sheworked in school lunchrooms most of her life and enjoyed col-lecting John Wayne memorabilia and watch-ing Gun Smoke along with other John Waynemovies.

Mrs. Chandler was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 58 years, LeRoy Chan-dler; and son, Dalton Chandler.

She is survived by her son, David Chandler (Gloria); daughter, Debbie Chandler; sixgrandchildren, Lonnie (Shelly), Sean (Paula),Angela (Albert), Jennifer, Jeb (Miranda), and Austin (Jessica); fourteen great grandchildren,Ashlee, Cecilia, Josie (Jarred), Keatley, Der-rick, Tyler, Kylei (Andy), Caleb, Kelcei, Emma,Trent, Alexis, Joseph, and Danielle; four greatgreat grandchildren, Ramon, Case, Lachlan(on the way), and Baby Raulerson (on theway); special friends, Esther Hair, Reba Platt, and Gay Carlton; and caregiver, Carolyn Leg-gett-Sparkman.

Graveside services were held at BasingerCemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Trail of Hope, PO Box 364, Okeechobee, Florida34973.

Those wishing to leave a message ofcondolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com


View obituaries fromthe past month at

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Obituaries

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Obituaries


NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Chapter 717.113, FLORIDA STATUTES, that the following unclaimed monies were collected by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in and forOkeechobee County, Florida in her official capacity prior to January 1, 2019 for which claims have not been made. Persons/entities having or claiming any interest in such funds or any portion thereof shall file a written claim with Sharon Robertson, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Finance Division, 312 NW Third Street, Suite 165, Okeechobee, FL 34972, on or before September 1, 2020. Persons/entities shall make sufficient proof ofownership and upon doing so shall be entitled to receive any part of the money claimed. Unless said monies are claimed on or before September 1, 2020, said monies shall be sent to the state:

DATE ISSUED

5/26/2005

4/10/2007

1/12/2010

6/3/2010

12/20/2010

4/7/2011

2/10/2012

11/30/2012

5/9/2013

9/11/2013

12/19/2013

2/14/2014

3/20/2014

7/30/2015

8/21/2015

10/21/2015

2/19/2016

2/19/2016

3/17/2016

5/11/2016

3/20/2017

ACCOUNT

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

Registry

ISSUED TO

THE HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

EDWARD M. KUHN, ESQ.

R A K ENTERPRISES

PNC BANK, N.A.

MARC B. COHEN, ESQ.

SPRECHMAN & ASSOCIATES, P.A.

REGIONS BANK

CLARFIELD, OKON, SALOMONE & PINCUS, PL

PAUL J CORMIER

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ST LUCIE

CLARFIELD, OKON, SALOMONE & PINCUS, PL

HAYT, HAYT & LANDAU, P.L.

POLLACK & ROSEN, P.A.

ROBYN PERRY

ROBYN PERRY

SRMOF II 2012-1 TRUST US BANK TRUST NA

KIMBERLY WILLIAMS

MIKE HUNLEY

KENNETH L SALOMONE PA

ERSKINE & FLEISHER TRUST ACCOUNT

JOHN HENDRICKS

AMOUNT

$100.00

$100.00

$4,754.31

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$235.03

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$800.00

$250.00

$100.00

$475.00

$225.00

$100.00

$100.00

$1,260.00

$9,399.34

So, stop in and save!

Walpole Feed & Supply Co. • 763-6905 • Hwy 98 N.Walpole Feed & Supply Co. • 763-6905 • Hwy 98 N.

Your animals will appreciate it!

We, at Walpole Feed, are dedicated to keeping prices down while still giving you the top quality feed and

service you deserve, as we have done in the past.

By Cathy WombleLake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — Dr. Saeed Khan, who was charged with battery after a former patient claimed he assaulted her in his office earlier this year, claims his accuser is demanding money.

After remaining silent for several weeks, he spoke out on Facebook and said, “Although I have only been charged with a misdemeanor of simple battery, T.B. (name removed), a former patient, has tried to falsely elevate this to a ‘sexual assault’ in the media coverage. I am vigorously contesting her allegations, and I will be exonerated at trial.

“My accuser is demanding money and she has retained lawyers from New York.

“Unfortunately, my hands are currently tied as to what I can share with you about the facts of this matter because my lawyer has instructed me against ‘trying this case in the media’ as my

accuser is apparently attempting to do, and to instead to try this case in the court system where it belongs.

“I am confident that I will prevail in the courts, and I will soon be able to share more with you and to put this false story to rest.

“I have always marveled at our community’s ability to clearly see when someone is corrupt-ing our value system for personal gain. All I ask is for your trust and support as my family and I go through this difficult time.”

His attorney Ned Reagan claims the encoun-ter was consensual.

There was no mention in Khan’s post of the complaints filed by 10 additional patients, which were referenced in Florida Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees’ order restricting Khan’s license.

When contacted by this newspaper, T.B. said her attorney has advised her not to make any comments while the investigation is ongoing.

Dr. Khan claims his accuser is suing him


OKEECHOBEE — A 53-year-old Okeechobee man was killed when for unknown reasons, the front of his pick up truck collided with the front of a tractor trailer driven by a 55-year-old man from Miami. The tractor trailer was traveling

west on County Road 714, also knowN as Martin Highway, and the pickup truck was headed east on July 16 at approximately 5:45 a.m. The driver of the pickup was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident is considered under investigation.

Okeechobee man dies in Martin County accident

By Michele BellSpecial to the Lake Okeechobee News/OCSO

OKEECHOBEE — On July 20 at 11:30 p.m., deputies responded to the Sunoco gas station at 3093 U.S. 98 N. in Okeechobee, in reference to an armed robbery.

The clerk reported being confronted by a white male of slender build, wearing a dark hoodie with longer dark hair sticking out, dark jeans and a blue bandanna with white on it covering his face. The male proceeded to pull out a weapon and demanded money from the register. The suspect then fled the scene with an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect fled in a stolen silver Honda Accord. The vehicle has been recovered.

If you have any information or can identify the suspect pictured, contact Detective Tyler Ott at 863-763-3117, ext. 5124, or to leave your anonymous tip, call Treasure Coast Crime Stop-pers at 800-273-8477.

OCSO investigates armed robbery


OKEECHOBEE — On Jan. 8, 2020, all charges were dismissed in the case against Marshall Kincaide Dreyer of Es-tero, Fla. The charges stemmed from an arrest in 2018 and included possession of a controlled substance.

Charges dismissed in drug case

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsOKEECHOBEE — Pictured is the armed robbery suspect.


SOUTH BAY — Two people were injured July 17 when a vehicle collided with a pole.

According to the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue press release, at approximately 9:21 p.m. on Friday, July 17, fire rescue crews responded to reports of a crash near Palm Beach Road and N.W. Fourth Avenue in South Bay. First arriving firefighters reported a vehicle versus pole crash with heavy damage and trapped occupants.

Firefighters used extrication tools to safely get the occupants out of the vehicle. Two pa-tients were transported to a local area trauma hospital by Trauma Hawk helicopters.

Two injured in South Bay crash


NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Chapter 116.21, FLORIDA STATUTES, that the following unclaimed monies were collected by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for Okeechobee County, Florida in her official capacity prior to January 1, 2019 for which claims have not been made. Persons/entities having or claiming any interest in such funds or any portion thereof shall file a written claim with Sharon Robertson, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Finance Division, 312 NW Third Street, Suite 165, Okeechobee, FL 34972, on or before September 1, 2020. Persons/entities shall make sufficient proof of ownership and upon doing so shall be entitled to receive any part of the money claimed. Unless said monies are claimed on or before September 1, 2020, said monies shall be deposited into the Fine and Forfeiture Fund:ACCOUNTGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating General Operating General OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating General OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating General Operating General OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating

ISSUED TOPIONEER CREDIT RECOVERY, INCREGIONALD J BIGGSJARREN HOODXAVIER T LEWISROBERT R NICHOLASMIGUEL A VALDEZD'ANNA M WILSONPIONEER CREDIT RECOVERY, INCFOUNDATION TITLE & TRUST LLCDANIELLE D NOLAHEAVEN D PEACOCK BRITTANY W RUNYONDAVID R BRAGUE JRPRISCILLA E OROZCO FRANCISCO SANCHEZ JRTELESFORO GARCIALESLIE D MCNITTAUSTIN R PARKERHECTOR PEREZ GWENDOLYN L SHUMWAYJOHNNY W TAYLORDELZEL W ENGLEHARTROSEMARY U FARLESSELIZABETH F MAJORPETER C PASSALAQUATIMMOTHY S AYERSLUIS A BARBOSAJAMES H BLANCHARD IllLOGAN H BOHANNONDALTON E COLLINSCODY L COPPLE JOHN P ELLERBEE GINA M FLOYDDUSTIN C HERRIN VICKI L JUAREZTHOMAS M KAVANAGHNICK KUSBERPATRICIA A MATIHEWS-SARKARDANA M NIEHAUSRUBY M THOMASDAVID F WOLTERCHRISTOPHER M YATESMICHELLE N YOCHIMDAN ROBERT PERSSONCHARLIE M FONSECATIMMOTHY S AYERSDALTON E COLLINSRUBY M THOMASZACHARY B WINGFIELDDAVID F WOLTERCHRISTOPHER M YATESBRIAN R FRANZPAULA S HANCOCKLINDSEY M HARTSTACIA L STEINSSHERYL A ALTMAN ANDREW C CLOSE JIMMY E FLOYDCARLA M SHROUTALLEN L BREWER BENJAMIN M BRITNELL JRKAYLA S JAMESELAINE JOHNSONDARLENE LEWISDALE L MCANELLYMACKENZIE L MIERSDEBORA E PARSONSJASON 0 SUTHERLANDTITLE PRO, LLCTINA H BLOUNTKENDRA R FAIRCHILDJULIETA ROBLEDOLEONARD C BAILEYBELEN M CONEJOCHARLES M HARVEYJACOB R HAVER

DATE ISSUED1/9/2018 2/20/20182/20/20182/20/20182/20/20182/20/2018 2/20/20182/20/20182/27/20183/6/20183/6/20183/16/20183/29/20183/29/20183/29/20184/11/20184/24/20184/24/2018 4/24/20184/24/2018 4/24/20184/27/20184/27/2018 4/27/20184/27/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/20185/9/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/20185/9/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/20185/9/20185/9/20185/9/20185/9/20185/9/2018 5/9/2018 5/9/20185/9/2018 5/10/20185/11/20185/25/20185/25/20185/25/20185/25/20185/25/20185/25/20185/29/20185/29/20185/29/20185/29/20186/8/20186/8/20186/8/20186/8/2018 6/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/21/20186/27/20186/28/20186/28/20187/19/20188/3/20188/3/20188/3/20188/3/2018

AMOUNT$1,707.00

$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00

$1,138.30$950.20

$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$30.00$15.00$10.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$30.00$15.00$30.00$30.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$20.00$15.00$15.00$45.00$30.00$15.00$30.00$15.00

ACCOUNTGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating General Operating General OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating General OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral OperatingGeneral Operating Cash BondCash BondCash Bond

ISSUED TOJAYCE R KUIPERSREBECCA L ROBISONMARGARITA VIEYDRAFRANCIS E MCKENNAISAIAS MOJICA JRWAYNE E SEARCYCATHY R WOMBLE LUWANNA A DRUCKENBROD LEON JONES JESSE J SIMMONS LINDA G THOMPSON LUIS E MENDEZ CLARK R PETTIT GLENDA L STRIPLING AURELIO URBINA ROMERO JR LINDA S USHER AARON L WHITE DAVID L ALDERMAN JAMES M BASS DEBORAH D COVERT DUSTIN 0 HOLMES JEFFREY M YOUNGER VICTIM SERVICES JOHN D HIGHTOWER GUSTAVO GARCIA CHRISTINE F IERARDI NANCY OLVERA LORI M POPE DERRELL R DAVIS BAILEY S TEDDERSMARIELA Y DE LA CRUZ SALEENA L HILDERBRAND VALENTINA R HUMPHRIES CODY L MARSH MARSHA K CHAPMAN RICKY W COURSON JR HENRY B FOLEY Ill DANNY E MACDOWELL JR PAMELA J SNYDER TYJUANNA THOMPSON RICHARD 0 BULLOCK KYLE D MONTI JUAQUIN SILVAS JR MAKAYLA S UNDERWOOD MARIO Tl ESE CLARK BUDGET TRUCK RENTAL, LLC PENORD POLIDOR & OBED POLYDOR ARTURO M & MAGDALENA ALZATE ALIAKIM YAEL EDDIE CANNON EDUARDO & SANDRA L CORTEZGUYTO ALEXISM E SMITH JR & VIRGINIA V SMITHNOTHING BUT LOTS INCPAMELA S & CHARLES F MILLSPAULINO & ELIZABETH MARTINEZRHENOL CHARLESALINE JOSEPHCAROL RICCI MATTHEWSLEAH RUSH MACKNIGHTMARIO STRADI JRROBERT CARNEYSONIA M DAWESESTATE OF ANNA LEE SMITHARLEXI RODRIGUEZJACOB ROBINSONSONIA MALDONADO

Publish: 07/22/2020The Okeechobee News

DATE ISSUED8/3/20188/3/20188/3/20188/24/2018 8/24/2018 8/24/2018 8/24/2018 9/4/2018 9/4/2018 9/4/2018 9/4/2018 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 9/25/2018 9/26/2018 9/26/2018 9/26/2018 9/26/2018 9/26/201810/4/201810/11/2018 10/26/2018 10/26/2018 10/26/2018 10/26/2018 11/2/2018 11/2/2018 12/10/2018 12/10/2018 12/10/2018 12/10/2018 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 12/11/2018 12/21/2018 12/21/2018 12/21/2018 12/21/2018 12/26/20181/5/20182/23/20182/28/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/6/20183/13/20183/13/20183/13/20183/13/20183/13/20183/13/20184/3/20181/19/20184/5/20185/31/2018

AMOUNT$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$30.00

$120.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$15.00$30.00

$1,586.46$240.00$235.00

$75.00$115.00

$75.00$80.00$75.00$75.00$75.00

$315.00$197.00

$75.00$75.00$75.00$75.00$75.00$75.00$75.00

$302.50$500.00

$30.00

$10,321.46

Sharon Robertson, Clerk ofthe Circuit Court & Comptroller

By: Kristen Gonzalez Deputy Clerk

By Chris FelkerLake Okeechobee News

PAHOKEE — The surreptitious cancellation of a regularly scheduled Pahokee City Commis-sion meeting set for Tuesday night, July 14, riled up some residents into a revolt of sorts against the city manager, who made that decision but apparently neglected to post any notification. People really didn’t notice the move until over the weekend, and anger erupted online as the week began.

City Commissioner Regina Bohlen said July 16 she had not initially been notified but had heard about it, so she emailed City Manager Chandler Williamson on Friday, July 10: “I sent him an email asking, ‘Why aren’t we having a meeting on Tuesday, July 14? I don’t remember voting to cancel that meeting.’

“And the answer that I got back, two days later, on Monday, was: ‘Commissioner, as previ-ously mentioned, when there is no city business — a resolution, agreement, contract, procure-ment approval — an agenda is not prepared by staff. We only require votes for cancellation of a meeting if a meeting is planned and it falls on holidays, commission travel or election days. Per our city charter, we are required to post notice and (have) one meeting per month. Not having two meetings does not interrupt our ability to do business as a city. Our next meeting is July 28.’ That’s what Williamson said,” Bohlen recount-ed.

She had made a motion at the previous meeting, June 23, to immediately fire the city manager with cause because of a third Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General (PBC OIG) report in under two years finding misconduct, this time financial in nature, on

Williamson’s part. The move failed on a 3-2 vote with Bohlen and Mayor Keith W. Babb Jr. voting yes, although the city attorney declared it out of order after the motion had been made and seconded.

Bohlen explained: “Protocol for the city man-ager under the Ordinance 2019-02 calls for the city manager to set the agenda,” and “instead of being able to just say, ‘I would like to have this on the agenda for the next meeting’ or whatev-er, now it has to go to a vote. To put something on the agenda, (a commissioner must) bring it up at a meeting, say ‘I’m going to add it to the agenda’ and then ask two other commissioners to say yes to it before it can go on the agenda.” This procedure stands, Bohlen added, under a resolution passed last year over her sole “nay” vote. “I will bring up that and a preliminary resolution to terminate the city manager with cause,” Bohlen declared.

On social media, Mike Steele, an admin-istrator of the Facebook page “Real Pahokee Politics,” posted there on Tuesday: “I am so dis-appointed in the City of Pahokee. I think it is safe to say it is time for all of the city commissioners to resign or quit. If they allow (Williamson) to continue as the city manager, then we are in BIG Trouble! This means that the city commission doesn’t care about the residents in the city, nor do they care about the current state of the city. This also means that (Williamson) isn’t the only one that is stealing money from the city! Here is the Investigative Report 2019-0005. Take a BIG LOOK at this foolishness!!”

Mr. Steele provided the link to the latest OIG report: www.pbcgov.com/oig/docs/reports/06-24-20-Pahokee-City_Credit_Card_Investigative_Report-2019-0005.pdf.

And then he summarized: “Basically, the city

manager used the city credit card for personal use. He funded vacation trips with the city’s money. What is sad is that he broke the law and still has a 125,000-a-year salary. … You cannot steal from the city and expect people to trust you.” The backlash on social media and else-where calling for the removal of City Manager Williamson has been unabated since a the PBC OIG report was released in June recommend-ing state and county prosecutors investigate their findings that he’d used city credit cards for unauthorized expenses. Two previous county OIG reports have found complaints of improper conduct by Williamson were justified.

On another Pahokee Facebook page titled “Home Sweet Home,” Pahokee resident and frequent gadfly at city commission meetings Catherine Marvez posted this remark: “Please

share, everyone. I was thinking about the rec-ommendation to file criminal charges (against Williamson) as per the IG recommendation. If you feel charges should be filed, please call Dave Aronberg, the Palm Beach (County) state attorney, and voice your request that charges be filed, 561-355-7100. I have heard comment about previous investigations not coming to fruition and, as a former investigative staff mem-ber, I know that public requests can make a huge difference and take precedence over cases with no one to champion them. Make your voice heard. The IG listened, and now we must ask the AG (Florida Attorney General’s) Office to listen as well. Ashley Moody is the attorney general...”

Pahokee’s next commission meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.

Backlash loud after Pahokee meeting abruptly canceled10 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020

NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASEThe Hendry County School District will soon consider a measure to increase its property tax levy.

Last year’s property tax levy: A. Initially proposed tax levy ...............................................$14,078,103B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes ..................................................$2,850C. Actual property tax levy ..................................................$14,075,253

This year’s proposed tax levy ..........................................$15,133,261

A portion of the tax levy is required under state law in order for the school board to receive $46,987,830 in state education grants. The required portion has increased by 3.53 percent, and represents approximately six tenths of the total proposed taxes.

The remainder of the taxes is proposed solely at the discretion of the school board.

All concerned citizens are invited to a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on July 28, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. at the School Board Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Old Courthouse, 25 East Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, Florida.

A DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.

NOTICE OF TAX FOR SCHOOLCAPITAL OUTLAY

The Hendry County School District will soon consider a measure to continue to impose a 1.5000 mill property tax for the capital outlay projects listed herein.

This tax is in addition to the school board’s proposed tax of 4.398 mills for operating expenses and is proposed solely at the discretion of the school board.

THE PROPOSED COMBINED SCHOOL BOARD TAX INCREASE FOR BOTH OPERATING EXPENSES AND CAPITAL OUTLAY IS

SHOWN IN THE ADJACENT NOTICE

The capital outlay tax will generate approximately $ 3,694,794 to be used for the following projects:

CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELINGConstruction of up to four (4) Modular Classrooms

MAINTENANCE, RENOVATION AND REPAIRReimbursement of the maintenance, renovation and repairs paid through the General Fund as permitted by Florida StatuteDistrict Wide Repair and Maintenance

MOTOR VEHICLE PURCHASESPurchase of up to six (6) School Buses Purchase of Maintenance Vehicles

NEW AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER AND DEVICE HARDWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE NECESSARY FOR GAINING ACCESS TO OR ENHANCING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC AND DIGITAL INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT AND RESOURCES, AND ENTERPRISE RESOURCE SOFTWAREDistrict Wide School Furniture and EquipmentAnnual lease/purchase payment for energy savings equipment

PAYMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND SITES DUE UNDER A LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENT Annual lease payment for qualified zone academy bonds for various facilities

All concerned citizens are invited to a public hearing to be held on July 28, 2020 at 5:30 P.M., at the Hendry County School Board meeting room, Old Courthouse, 25 East Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, Florida.

A DECISION on the proposed CAPITAL OUTLAY TAXES will be made at this hearing.



PAHOKEE — Palm Beach County District 6 Commissioner Melissa McKinlay has written to the mayor and commissioners of the City of Pahokee criticizing their recent vote to halt progress toward the deal to reopen the marina, campground and restaurant with the operator they had approved three years ago and numer-ous other times since.

On county letterhead, she wrote on July 9:“I am writing to express my disappointment

in the City Commission’s 4-1 vote on June 23 to not go forward with a revised sublease agree-ment with Everglades Reserve Holdings (ERH).

“When the State of Florida approved the sublease on Dec. 3, 2019, it appeared the Pa-hokee Marina complex was finally on its way to

fully reopening.“I, along with Palm Beach County

staff, have invested significant time and resources to secure state funding for this project, including a successful partnership advocating with the City (of Pahokee) in Tallahassee. This collaborative effort resulted in Pahokee receiving over $2 million from the state to help with repairs and renovations.

“However, there has been ongo-ing concern and questions over the delay of these projects. In July 2019, my office received an update from the city manager stating the Phase II Marina renovations were on schedule and due to be completed in August, with the grand reopening of the restaurant in late September/early October along with the re-opening of the public park. Now, it is a going on

a year later with no anticipation of the grand reopening. ERH claims the city has yet to complete many repairs and the property is not up to code nor ADA compliant, leaving it uninsurable.

“The city expected ERH to take con-trol of the complex on an ‘as is’ basis, yet there are understandable concerns about the progress of essential projects to ensure the marina, campground and restaurant are brought to an operable position. Furthermore, ERH claims

it has attempted unsuccessfully over a period of months to work with the city manager on insurance matters and requested more time to assess the property to no avail. The inability of the city to reach a reasonable compromise with ERH to enable the sublease to move forward is troubling.

“I am frustrated by the city’s ongoing delays to reopen the marina complex, an important amenity for the residents of Pahokee, the Glades and all of Palm Beach County. I am frustrated that after years of time and effort from the city, ERH and Palm Beach County that the project would yet again be in limbo. Now the city will discuss at its next meeting to go back out to an RFP (request for proposals). How much longer will this set back the marina reopening?

“I urge you to take the necessary steps to complete the sublease with ERH so that the Pa-hokee Marina can be fully opened to the public as soon as possible.” The commission’s next meeting as of when McKinlay wrote her letter was scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, but it was abruptly canceled by City Manager Chandler Williamson.

McKinlay chastises Pahokee commissioners over marina delays

Melissa McKinlay


OKEECHOBEE — Born and raised in Okeechobee, Wydia Davis joined the U.S. Army because her parents did not have the resources to put her through college. When she was a junior in high school, recruiters began showing up at the school and she began considering the idea. She was ready to get out on her own but was a little iffy about the military, she said. She decided if she joined, she would be able to go to school and get a degree in something. She was not at all athletic, she said. Her oldest brother was the athlete in the family.

She and her younger brother, Marcus, were in band. She was not physically active at all, did not run or exercise. “My recruiter suggested I might want to try running or something, but I was like, ‘Nah.’ I wish I would have listened, though, because my first PT test was horrible. I was only able to do like two push-ups, maybe five sit-ups and running two miles... uh-uh. That was not happening.” Once she got used to it, the exercise got easy for her and even now, she said, she can walk 10-15 miles without a problem.

Her family did not mind that she joined the military, she said, but they were not at all happy with where she went for her first permanent duty station. She went to basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and AIT (advanced individual training) at Fort Gordon, where she was trained as a personnel service specialist. Immediately afterward, she was sent to Germany. She was given three choices — Texas, Korea or Germany. Her recruiter had been to Germany and told her it was really nice and she would love it. An over-seas tour was a requirement anyway, so she decided to go ahead and get it over with, but she never made it back to the States.

She worked as a reassignment clerk and helped people transition back to the States. She started out cutting orders for people who were leaving but had a lot of difficulty with the position, so Chief Vega developed a system to make it easier for people coming down the pipeline. She ended up with a new job checking to make sure each person had all their paperwork ready, and she scheduled briefings for them.

“That was everybody, lieutenants, cap-tains, everybody. If they were leaving, they had to come through me first,” she said. It was a big, heavy load, but it turned out to be a job she was very good at. She stayed there until she left the military. They kept her there because no one else wanted to do her job, she said. When she left, they had a hard time filling the position. She did not mind that she was kept there so long, though. “Once I got into it, it became like second nature to me.”

One of the things she said she will never forget was going through basic training in Missouri and going home for Christmas. Her leave was supposed to be for two weeks, but while she was home, there was a blizzard in Missouri and she was not able to get back for two more weeks. When she finally did get back, there was snow everywhere, and that was the first time she ever saw snow. “I was like, ‘What the heck is this?’”

The same thing happened when she went home for a holiday while she was stationed in Germany. While she was at home, there was a blizzard in Germany. “They had snow piled up everywhere!” She found the cold weather very difficult to get used to when she first arrived, especially when she had to exercise

at 6 a.m. and it was below zero. Eventually, she got used to it, though.

Davis’s tour ended early, because she was medically separated from the service after a car accident. The accident was fatal for her fiance and, because she was driving, it really took a toll on her, she said. It was difficult physically as well, because her pelvis was fractured in two places. Because of her injury, she knew she would not be physically able to complete the requirements to become a sergeant and would be stuck at the same rank for 10 years and then would be discharged anyway. She chose to be medically separated with all her benefits.

When she got home, she struggled a lot mentally and emotionally. She found herself moving all over the place, and her family had no idea where she was most of the time. “I did not know post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was so serious,” she said. “I wish they would do more to educate you while you are in the service, because I had no idea what was wrong with me.” She did not find out that PTSD was a real condition until 2018, she said. Although she was not in combat, the car acci-dent that killed her fiance fueled the PTSD, she said. She had attachment issues; she secluded herself and did not want to be around others. She had a very hard time dealing with people. “I just wanted to be by myself.” She went on to say she is thankful it is not worse, though, because some people with PTSD are unable to function in society at all.

A customer at her last job was kind enough to point her in the right direction for help with benefits. He was a Vietnam veteran and explained what PTSD is and how the VA can help. He came in three separate times to make sure she had the information she needed.

It was like a huge weight being lifted off her shoulders, she said. Her parents have also been very understanding. They never made her feel that she needed to get out on her own just because she is grown. They are very sup-portive and kind. Things are starting to look better for her now, and she is having fewer and fewer panic attacks.


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Veteran Wydia Davis was not an athlete

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsVeteran Wydia Davis was not at all ath-letic when she joined the military, but now finds walking 10-15 miles easy.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsVeteran Wydia Davis is thankful for her family and the way they have helped her cope with PTSD.


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Working as a Team, Your Current Commission• Lowered Millage Rates• Improved County Infrastructure for future growth• $11,300,000 in grants secured• Rehabilitation of drainage and roadways

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OKEECHOBEE — Ken Keller and his little brother Levi were chosen Big Brother/Little Brother of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee (BBBS) this year. Keller has been a Big Brother with the organization for about four years.

After relocating to Florida from Ohio in 2010, Keller went to work for WOKC radio station and his wife began working for the Okeechobee county school system. During their first year in Florida, they lived in Fort Pierce but soon after, they moved to Okeechobee.

Keller was on the United Way’s alloca-tion committee and BBBS was one of the agencies that gave a presentation in order to get funding.

Of course, he had heard of BBBS before, as far back as when he lived in Ohio, he explained. He always knew he wanted to be involved in the organization in some way, but for one reason or another, he never did it in Ohio. When the opportunity presented itself here in Okeechobee, he decided it was time.

He has had the same child (called a little) since he was in the first grade. Levi will be in fifth grade when school starts this year. Keller said it can take a year or more to gain a child’s trust or gain a rapport with them, so having the same big/little team for years is the best thing for the children. “My little is very shy and quiet. The first year, I just remember thinking, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to get him to open up.’ Slowly but surely, it hap-pened, and now, it’s much easier. Children in this program need a male role model, a female role model that’s gonna be there for more than a few months,” he explained.

BBBS has two types of programs — com-munity-based mentoring and school-based mentoring. Keller and Levi are part of a school-based mentoring program, but Levi will age out of that program after the next school year ends and they may transition to the community-based program the following year.

For the last four years, he has been going to Levi’s school and spending an hour a week working with him on his reading and just spent time talking with him and getting to know him.

When the schools closed down in March, he stayed in contact by telephone, nothing formal, he said. He just called to say hello and ask how things were going. Sometimes they read together on the phone. The Kellers have 8-year-old twin boys of their own, and Keller was trying to work from home and help the boys with their distance learning, but he still wanted to maintain contact with his little during that time. “I just want to be somebody in his life he knows he can go to if he needs something.”

Keller and Levi were selected big brother/little brother team of the year for St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties earlier this year after Keller was contacted by Okeechobee’s match support specialist Chris-tina Panigua and asked to fill out an applica-tion and write an essay to enter the contest. In February, they found out they won. He’s not sure what normally happens when you win,

because immediately afterward, COVID-19 shut down normal everyday activities.

Not only is Keller a big brother, but he also serves on the advisory board for BBBS. Each county has its own advisory board, he explained. It’s made up of people who are involved in fundraising for BBBS. They also serve as the liaison between the BBBS offices on the coast and the community. “We’re kind of a buffer between the community and the office, or at least, we advise them on how to reach out to different members of the com-munity,” he said.

Panigua has a one-person office here in Okeechobee, and she is responsible for matching up every little in the program with a big. “As you can imagine, there are more children than there are mentors,” said Keller. “She has a very challenging task, and she does an amazing job with it.”

Keller said they don’t really know what to expect for the coming school year. He doesn’t even know if they will allow the volunteers into the school at all during the first nine weeks. “We are just in a wait and see situation.”

In Okeechobee, the school-based (read-ing) program is very active and has been for over 13 years, but the community-based program has not really gotten off the ground yet, said Paniagua. There are plenty of littles waiting for a big, she said. They just do not have any “bigs” signed up for the program. The community-based program is the one most people are probably familiar with. This is the one where the big brother or sister might take the child to a ball game or out for ice cream as opposed to the school-based program where they only meet at school.

If you are interested in becoming a big brother or sister, you can go to the website bbbsbigs.org/become-a-mentor/ and com-plete an online application. Not computer savvy? Not a problem. Call 772-466-8535 and they will point you in the right direction. You can also help by becoming a donor. Accord-ing to BBBS, “The gift you make today will help us match a child facing adversity with an adult role model. Your gift will allow us to change the life of a child for the better, forever.”

Inspiring People

Ken Keller is proud to be a big brother

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsKen Keller and little brother Levi are part of the school-based program of Big Brothers Big Sisters.


Elect

RILESDemetre

ForOkeechobee

County CommissionerDistrict 3

• Served 20 Years in the U.S. Army• Okeechobee Native• OHS Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach• An advocate for economic development & business friendly initiatives• Creator of Chobee Nation, a non-profit organization mentoring youth & providing academic assistance

Paid for and approved by Demetre Riles, Democrat, for Okeechobee County Commissioner District 3


OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Special Olympic athletes lost one of their own last week, and his loss will be felt for a long time. Mike Rhoden was born and raised in Okeechobee, and one of the things everyone who met him agrees on is that he always had a smile on his face and made you feel like you were important to him, like he cared that you were there. “He loved everybody he met, and he loved the Lord,” said his sister Mary Jane Schoonmaker. “He never met a stranger.”

His aunt Wanda Spradlin said Mike’s par-ents had lost two children at birth, and when Mike came along, everyone was so excited. They did not realize there was anything wrong until he was about 4 months old. They realized he was not able to hold his head up like he should have been able to by that age. “He was the prettiest little fellow. I don’t know who loved him the most,” she said.

They began taking him to doctors to find out what was wrong and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Dr. Francis, who was a naprapath here in Okeechobee, used to walk to their house and do therapy on Mike. “She worked and worked and worked with Mike. She loved him dearly,” said Spradlin. They also took him to see a chiropractor in Bartow a couple times a week. They did not have good transportation, and it was very difficult to get him there. When he was close to a year old, he spent about 9 months at the Harry-An-na Crippled Children’s Home in Umatilla, where they were told he would get the help he needed. “Every time we left after visiting him, he would cry, and we would cry all the way home on the bus,” said his aunt. His mother missed him so much, though, that his father finally told her to go get their boy and bring him home, and she went straight back and got him.

They decided to move to Vero Beach so he could get therapy, and later, they moved to Palm Beach, where he was able to go to school a little bit. When the Sunshine School was opened in Okeechobee in the early ’60s, they moved back to Okeechobee and he has been here ever since.

“Mike’s life has been surrounded by friends, and church was Mike’s thing,” said Spradlin. He was a member at the Church of God of Okeechobee.

When he was young, he was able to walk a little bit, but as he got older, the weakness and wobbliness progressed down his legs. “I cannot tell you how many times he fell and

busted his lip or the back of his head open,” she said. “It was heartbreaking to see it, but he would not let it get the best of him. He would get up and go again.” When he was about 30, he had to have surgery on his hip, and the fusion put a stop to his walking.

Mike never complained, according to both his sister and his aunt. If he had to have something for pain, he always apologized for asking. He was the most thankful person either of them ever met, as well. “Any time he was given something, he was so grateful,” said his aunt.

His aunt told a favorite story of a time Mike came to visit her. One of Spradlin’s sons was joking around about his wife and old girlfriends he had over the years. He told Mike they were all trouble. Mike said, “I don’t have that problem.” His caregiver Deloris spoke up and reminded him that she couldn’t even get to him at church for all the ladies swarming around him all wanting a hug. Mike threw up his hands and said, “What can I say?”

Mike’s sister told a story about his hip sur-gery. He was in a cast and couldn’t bend to sit in the car. They had no idea how they would get him home from the hospital. Lavon Bass told them not to worry about it, he would get Mike and bring him home. “He brought him home in his funeral car,” she laughed. “It

worked. He brought him right to the door.”Mike was a member of the Social Butterfly

group, and he met with them several times a week for activities such as bingo, bowling or a movie. Some of the members have been Mike’s friends since they were young children going to the Sunshine School together.

In the late ’70s, Mike became a Special Olympic athlete. He loved bowling but partic-ipated in other activities as well. He enjoyed being a part of the Special Stars competitions, with his friend Bernard Marker. He was very excited when Special Olympics began again in Okeechobee after about a 30-year break, and found he still enjoyed bowling just as much as he did when he was young.

His sister asked him recently, “Mike, ain’t you tired?” She said he was almost 70 years old, but he just said, “Nope.” He didn’t want

to stay home. If his friends were doing some-thing, he wanted to be there, too.

A few days before he passed away, his sister asked him, “Mike, if you were well, if you didn’t have any handicap, what would you have done?” Mike replied, “I would have worked on the turnpike on the road.” His sister was surprised and happy to hear this. She said, “Mike was always Mama’s boy, be-cause of his disabilities, but if things had been different, he would have turned out to be like Daddy.” Most of their family is in law enforce-ment, but their father worked on the roads, she explained. “He would have been happy to know Mike wanted to be like him.”

Although they miss him terribly, both his aunt and his sister believe Mike is in heaven now, and this gives them peace.

Special Olympic athletes mourn the loss of a friend

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsDuring the last Special Stars event, Mike entered the wheelchair race and re-fused all offers to push him. He was independent and wanted to do it himself.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsThis photo appeared in the Lake Okeechobee News (known as the Okeechobee News at that time) in 1977. It was taken during the first Spe-cial Olympics held in Okeechobee.


PAHOKEE — Algae floating in the waters inside the Pahokee Marina on Lake Okeechobee are nothing new; however, this year with lake levels having been low for some time, there have been large blooms locked in stagnant water near shore inside the marina, giving off a foul stench.

On Tuesday, July 14, residents of the marina were surprised to see airboats from Applied Aquatics, a company contracted by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to treat invasive aquatic vegetation, inside the marina — not spraying but applying the contents of 50-pound bags of some unknown sub-stance to the waters.

Said live-aboard boater Mark Miller on Friday, who saw them arrive and begin working on Tuesday: “I was really impressed at the fact they had two air-boats. There were about 10 young guys, and they’re running around with these 50-pound bags of whatever it was. When they couldn’t get back here with the boat (into the stagnant areas), they used, like, a grass seed spreader and they put the stuff out, some white stuff.”

He left the marina after they started in order to get away from the pervasive odors hanging in the air from the algae. Miller said there was also some algae on the lake surface just outside the marina.

“I was in Okeechobee all day, came back about 6 o’clock and I went, ‘Oh my god, why would you experiment with the entire 720,000 square feet of surface within this marina?’ They could’ve gone up to the far north end, where nobody lives, where the docks are broken and there’s no elec-tric.” Miller said he was under the impres-sion it was some sort of experiment.

“They shouldn’t have done this where people are living,” he said. “We had a little bit of green,” he added, gesturing toward the mists swirling in the water near boats in the docks area. “It’s naturally occurring like this ... it’s everywhere, in every lake in America, and it never goes away.”

Miller counted 10 full-time residents in-cluding himself who live aboard their boats inside the marina, and a few are elderly couples who have health troubles, includ-ing respiratory conditions.

Asked if it’s affected his health (he is handicapped and walks with a cane), he said: “Yesterday (Thursday) when I walked out on the dock, I felt very faint and light-headed and weird when walking this 350 feet from my boat out to the car. I thought I was going to pass out. Sat down and I drank a Coca-Cola, then went inside and closed all the doors on the boat, and I was fine after about 90 minutes. My A/C doesn’t draw any outside air into the system. (A friend) said, ‘Go to the hospital,’ and I thought about that but with COVID, I’m safer here.”

Miller said he and others living at the marina had tried to contact the city to find out what was going on but could not reach anyone.

Late Thursday, Pahokee Mayor Keith

W. Babb Jr. posted an explanation on his Facebook page: “During the past month, as mayor, I have received several complaints from residents about the blue-green algae smell at our marina. Over the last two weeks, a University of Florida research team in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps (of Engineers) have been studying the algae in Pahokee at the marina.

“The research team are studying better ways to resolve algae quicker. They just fin-ished their most recent study, last week. ... A report of their study will soon be released for public review.

“It’s algae, (and) when it sits, it can really smell bad. There is nothing we can do about it but allow Mother Nature to cure it. ... Please be assured that the city will continue to follow up on this and on all other matters of concerns, especially those matters pertaining to the health, safety and welfare of the community.

“The lead researcher contact is Benja-min P. Sperry, Ph.D., research assistant sci-entist, UF Agronomy Department; UF/UFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center.”

On Thursday night, Miller and some friends made a few calls to government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to report the application of the substance. Later, a Florida Depart-ment of Health (FDOH) inspector from the Palm Beach County office in Belle Glade came out, talked with Miller and investigat-ed.

Reached on Monday, July 20, Floyd Wil-liams, FDOH environmental manager for the PBC Division of Environmental Public Health and Facilities Programs in Belle Glade, said he observed “pretty much what you saw.”

He said he explained to Mr. Miller that the propriety of Applied Aquatics’ applica-tion of the chemical(s) they used “would come under the purview of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.” He did not conduct any direct tests himself, saying “the agency that would test that would be DEP.”

Mr. Williams said he only visited to assess any threat to the public health, and was working on his report.

Residents concerned about algae at Pahokee Marina


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August 6th, 7:00pm — Doyle Conner, Moore Haven

Paid by Jamie Brown, NPA, for Superintendent of Schools

Thank you for your service! 10% Military, Law Enforcement & First Responder Discount

A mixture of wholesale, retail and liquidated merchandise

Specializing in housewares & home décor at great prices

Located at Trading Post Flea MarketAir Conditioned Offi ce Building

3100 US 441 S, OkeechobeeStore Hours: Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 3pm

Okeechobee Outlet StoreA kitchen and more store


OKEECHOBEE — Representatives from CenterState Bank came to the Indian River State College (IRSC) Dixon Hendry Campus on Monday, July 13, to present a $12,000 check to finance purchase of 18 new Dell Notebook computers for a laptop lending program that will provide access to tech-nology for Okeechobee County students needing computers to engage in remote learning opportunities with IRSC.

“Access to technology is a critical need to support student success,” shares Russ Brown, IRSC provost for Okeechobee County. “We are so excited to have Center-State Bank partnering with us to introduce our laptop lending program that will help Okeechobee County students to pursue their educational goals.”

“CenterState Bank is absolutely hon-ored to partner with IRSC to provide our students and the Okeechobee community the opportunity to continue the furtherment of their education,” shared Tabitha Trent, vice president and bank manager, Cen-terState Bank. “We recognize challenges that students face today with the increased

need for remote learning and the COVID-19 pandemic. At CenterState we truly believe in investing in the lives of others and the communities we serve.”

Students who qualify for financial aid are eligible to take part in the laptop lending program, which will provide computers to students on a per-semester basis. Students can apply for the program by contacting the Student Services office at the Dixon Hendry Campus.

Located at 2229 N.W. Ninth Avenue in Okeechobee, the Dixon Hendry Campus offers a creative and flexible schedule for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science/Applied Science Degree programs. Career programs directly address the needs of the surrounding community, including custom-ized training for businesses and expanded technical programs in nursing, automotive technology and HVAC. The college is cur-rently registering students for fall semester. For more information on the Dixon Hendry laptop lending program or about courses and programs offered through IRSC, call 863-824-6000.

Local bank supports laptop lending program

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsOKEECHOBEE — Representatives from CenterState Bank visited the IRSC Dix-on Hendry Campus to present a $12,000 check in support of a laptop lend-ing program to provide access to technology for Okeechobee County students in need of computers for online and remote learning with IRSC. Standing are (left to right) Steve Watters, CenterState Bank regional market manager, Russ Brown, IRSC provost for Okeechobee County, and Ann Decker, executive direc-tor of the IRSC Foundation. Seated are Tabitha Trent (left), CenterState Bank VP bank manager, and John Williams, CenterState Bank community president.

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

will meet virtually July 22 and 23 begin-

ning at 9 a.m. ET each day. The meeting

will be held virtually due to COVID-19

(Coronavirus) social distancing guidelines.

Watch live online at FloridaChannel.org.

Public comment will be via telephone.

FWC virtual meeting planned for July 22 & 23


We’re hiring mechanics, drivers, welders and more.


William J. Webb Your Next Glades County

Tax CollectorWilliam J. Webb has a Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and a Master’s Degree in BusinessAdministration with a concentration in Finance. He also attended Law School at Capital Law School in Columbusthe area of Finance, he has held a Series 6, 63, and 65 Investment Licenses having worked as a Financial Advisor foCapital Management and Franklin Coronado Capital Management. He is also a Florida Licensed Realtor and has understanding of property appraisal and tax valuation. William plans to lower taxes and increase revenue by taking advantage of State and Federal grants to update the out of date systems, expand services and locations. Wilwill expand services to include concealed carry licenses, drivers licenses and florida certified birth certificates. Heplans to open a new LaBelle location and expand the hours of the Buckhead Ridge location. These changes will increase revenue and lower taxes by keeping revenue in Glades County.

He lives in Buckhead Ridge where he enjoys hunting and fishing Lake Okeechobee as his family has for generation

GLADES COUNTY 2020Political advertisement paid for and approved by William J. Webb, Republican for Tax Collector

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

The Primary Election will be held Aug. 18th. Early Voting Starts Aug. 8-15

www.webbforglades.com

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/SFWMD

Wildlife spottedTHE EVERGLADES — South Florida Water Management District staff spotted this herd of white-tailed deer strolling by an Everglades restoration project on July 16. The project site is an active construction site and is not open to the public for recreation or hunting. These are federal lands owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.


JACKSONVILLE — Based on informa-tion provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advises the public, marinas and those operating commercial and rec-reational vessels through the Okeechobee Waterway that there is the potential of encountering blue-green algae.

The Lake Okeechobee Waterway includes the St. Lucie River, the St. Lucie Canal (C-44), Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. It allows boaters to travel from coast to coast.

According to the Florida Department of Health, visitors should be aware that water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick, and they should stay away from these areas. This algae may be blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants. People who are very sensitive to smells may have respiratory irritation. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water. See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick.

The following precautions should be taken if you see algae:

• Do not swim at this location.• Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose

or mouth.• Do not eat shellfi sh from affected area.• Rinse fi sh fi llets with tap or bottled

water. Throw out the guts. Cook fi sh well.

• Keep pets and livestock away from affected location.

For Information about algal blooms, visit:

• The Florida Department of Environ-mental Protection’s Water Quality Status Map at protectingfl oridatogether.gov/wa-ter-quality-status/lake-okeechobee

• The Florida Department of Environ-mental Protection’s Algal Bloom Dashboard at fl oridadep.gov/AlgalBloom or call 850-245-2118.

• The Florida Department of Health’s Harmful Algae Blooms web page at www.fl oridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins/harmful-algae-blooms/index.html or call 850-245-4250.

Contact InformationFor up to date lock information, contact

the shift operator 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:• St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or

863-662-9148;• Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-

2858 or 863-662-9424;• Moore Haven Lock & Dam 863-946-

0414 or 863-662-9533;• Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or

863- 662-9846;• W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-

5451 or 863-662-9908;• Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-

662-0298 (6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.)U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Point of

Contact is Gary Hipkins at [email protected] or 863-983-8101.

See algae in the water? Don’t swim, humans or pets


ELECTIONS OFFICE NOTICEAUGUST 18, 2020

PRIMARY ELECTIONEARLY VOTING

VOTE BY MAILTO REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL FOR THE ELECTION CALL 863-

675-5230 OR 902-3392.DISABLED

ELECTION DAY

AVISO DE LA OFICINA DE ELECCIONES18 DE AGOSTO 2020ELECCIÓN PRIMARIA

VOTAR TEMPRANO

VOTE POR CORREOPARA SOLICITAR UNA BOLETA AUSENTE LLAME LA

OFICINA DE ELECCIONES 863-675-5230 O 863-902-3392.INCAPACITADO

-

DIA DE LA ELECCION

ELECTION NOTICENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE

PUBLIC TESTING FOR THEAugust 18, 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION

Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle.CANVASSING BOARD MEETINGS

LaBelle on:

for the purpose of Canvassing Vote by Mail Ballots, Early Ballots, Provisional Ballots, and the Votes cast in the

THE PUBLIC TESTING, CANVASSING, CERTIFICATION AND POST ELECTION AUDIT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

POST AUDIT

AVISO DE ELECCIONEES POR ESTE MEDIO DADO QUE LA PRUEBA

PUBLICA DE LAS ELECCIÓN PRIMARIA DEL 18 DE AGOSTO DE 2020

-

REUNION DE LA JUNTA DE ESCRUTINIO

con el propósito de solicitacion boletas ausentes del Escrutinio, y boletas de votar temprano, boletas provisio--

nará el precinto para la auditoría posterior.LA PRUEBA PÚBLICA, ESCRUTINIO, CERTIFICACION Y POST ELECTORALES ESTÁN ABIERTAS AL PÚBLICO

AUDITORIA POSTERIOR

Brenda Hoots, Supervisor of ElectionsHendry County, Florida


OKEECHOBEE — The Florida Farm Bu-reau of Okeechobee County, Okeechobee County Republican Party, Okeechobee County Democratic Party and the Economic Council of Okeechobee sponsored a virtual forum with candidates for local office on July 16. While the event was held in the Okeechobee Freshman Campus auditori-um, the audience watched online.

Republican candidates for supervisor of elections at the forum were Melissa Arnold, Faith Nielson and Rodney Rucks.

The first question for supervisor candi-dates was about the security of vote by mail ballots.

“Vote by mail is a very safe way to vote and has been for some time,” said Niel-son. “During COVID-19, our voters need a choice that will allow them to feel comfort-able and vote from home.” She said vote by mail ballots are tracked from the time the Supervisor of Elections Office receives a request. “It is tracked when it is sent out in the mail. It is tracked when it comes back in the mail,” she explained. “We check every signature that comes into the office,” she said. After they are checked, the ballots are kept safe in a vault.

“Not only for COVID-19 is vote by mail important but also with our active duty mili-tary and for college students who are away, that is the way that they vote,” Rucks said. He said for those who have the COVID-19

virus and for those whose health concerns mean they cannot leave the house, the vote by mail option is important. He said if you plan to vote by mail, it is important to update your signature regularly because signatures must be verified.

“Security is very important to me,” said Arnold. She said Florida Statutes require vote by mail security measures. The ballots are logged and kept in a secure area. Ballots are opened by a group or team. She said each of Florida’s 67 counties is audited in regard to their chain of custody procedures. “We strive for security and we will follow statute to get it done,” she said.

The candidates were also asked how they would increase voter registration and turnout.

Rucks said he would target the areas of the county with poor voter turnout to increase voter registration in those areas. “I would visit community events to try to get registered voters and to educate.” He said he would also visit summer camps, schools and the college for voter education.

“Marketing is always frequency and reach,” said Arnold. “Be everywhere. Be at the fairs and festivals. This is something I have done already as a candidate, just basically be out there, we need involve-ment, we need activity. We need to be visible in the community. We need to be in the library, the schools, Main Street, the chamber of commerce, all of these places. As we are visible, people will feel they need to be visible and vote.”

“The supervisor’s office does need to be much more involved in the community and at every event,” said Nielson. She said some churches have asked the election’s office for voter registration drives. “We do not utilize nearly enough volunteers to utilize those events,” she said. She said they also need to work with third party voter organizations in a more cooperative way to get more voter registrations, which will

increase voter turnout.The three Republican candidates for

Okeechobee County will be on the Re-publican ballot in the primary election in August. This will be a closed primary. In the general election, the winner of the Repub-lican primary will face Lisa Rodriguez and Donna Howard, who both filed as No Party Affiliation (NPA) candidates.

Supervisor of elections candidates participate in forum


STUART — The Great Place to Work Institute has honored Treasure Coast Hos-pice with certification as a Great Place to Work. The certification process considered employee surveys from across Treasure Coast Hospice’s two campuses. Great Place to Work, an independent research and consulting firm, evaluated more than 60 elements of team members’ experience on the job. These included employee pride in the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference and feeling their work has special meaning. Rankings are based on employees’ experi-ences, no matter who they are or what they do in the organization.

This is the first year Treasure Coast Hospice has participated in the survey, with 83% of staff members saying that it is

a great place to work compared to 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.

“Treasure Coast Hospice is honored to be recognized for being a Great Place to Work,” said CEO Jackie Kendrick. “Our team’s commitment to service and their dedication to delivering compassionate careto this community is what sets our organi-zation apart. Hospice work is a calling that every member of our team takes to heart, creating a dynamic, collaborative environ-ment where our staff members have the ability to truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

According to the survey’s results, 97% of employees said their “work has special meaning” and they “feel good about the ways their work contributes to the commu-nity.”

Treasure Coast Hospice certified as a Great Place to Work

By Becca TurnerSunbelt Ag Expo

BELLE GLADE — Raymond R. “Rick” Roth Jr. is the only son of a very successful second-generation Belle Glade farmer, the late Ray R. Roth. He has been farming in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) in Palm Beach County for 44 years. Rick holds a Bach-elor of Science degree in mathematics from Emory University, graduating in 1976.

“One of the most important things I got from Dad and Junior — the first Afri-can-American farm manager in the EAA — was how to treat people respectfully and honestly, regardless of race, level of education, or background. He put together a diversified farming operation that remains the foundation of what we’re doing now,” Roth recalled.

Today Roth Farms employs 25 full-time staff and approximately 150 seasonal work-ers, both local and H2A labor. It is one of the most diversified farming operations in the state with some of the best soil any-where.

Currently Roth Farms has 3996 acres un-der production with yields as follows: 2,194 acres of sugar cane yielding 55.3 gross tons/acre; 910 acres of radishes yielding 353 cartons/acre; 775 acres of rice yielding 45.6 cwt; 640 acres of lettuce and leafy vegeta-bles yielding 850 cartons/acre; 197 acres of herbs and greens yielding 950 cartons/acre; 110 acres of sod yielding 28,700 sq. ft./acre; 73 acres of Asian vegetables yielding 950 cartons/acre; 69 acres of celery yielding 900 cartons/acre.

Roth Farms uses three sales agencies to market its crops: Gary Norman Produce, Wilkinson-Cooper, and Ray’s Heritage. Its rice has been processed and marketed by Sem-Chi Rice Inc. since 1983. Its sod is sold through another grower in Belle Glade.

Roth remembered, “As early as 1994, I realized I needed to be at least a part owner of a packinghouse facility. That was the beginning of Ray’s Heritage LLC, named in honor of my father.”

This state-of-the-art, 60,000-square-foot insulated concrete tilt wall packinghouse opened in April 2007. Roth noted, “Our packinghouse is the key to sustainable veg-etable production. It allows us to maintain the crop rotation of vegetables, sugarcane and rice and is the secret to higher yields, fewer inputs and soil conservation.”

Located in the Belle Glade Industrial Park, Ray’s Heritage leases space to Roth Farms to grade, process, cool (using ammo-nia refrigeration), and pack 700,000 12- to 14-pound-per-carton radish packages for Roth Farms and Frontier Produce. The fa-cility also operates a wholesale green bean pack line. Lettuce, leafy vegetables and herbs from Roth Farms and other growers are vacuum-cooled by the pallet. Once cooled, the produce is placed in cold stor-age rooms and then trucked to distribution centers of major retailers in the eastern and central United States and Canada.

In 2019, Roth Farms started a new joint venture, Southern Growers LLC, with Hilliard Brothers Inc. and began harvesting sweet corn in 2020. Roth noted, “Diversifi-cation and joint ventures have a proven his-tory of increasing production and lowering risks in the EAA.”

On the county level, Roth is a board member and former president of Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau (WP-BCFB), a board member of Sugarcane Growers Cooperative, a member of Palm Beach County Ag Enhancement Council, a founding member and former president of the Florida Rice Council, and was named Palm Beach County Conservationist of the Year in 1993, and the WPBCFB EAA Farm Family of the Year in 2005.

On the state level, Roth served as vice president of FFBF from 2000 to 2010. Roth has served as state representative for District 85 since 2016. He commented, “Agriculture in Palm Beach County has always been a key player in public policy and elections. I became very involved as WPBCFB president beginning in 1986. After our company underwent major manage-ment reorganization and my son took on more operational responsibilities in 2015, I felt the time was right to step up and run for public office.”

Roth is a board member of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), a co-founder of FFBF District 8 County Conference, a member of FFBF Trade and Sugar advisory committees, and a member of the Florida Ag Council (UF) as well as numerous other industry associations in the past. On the national level, Roth served for many years on the AFBF Sugar Advisory Committee and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Board of Directors.

Roth’s wife, Carolyn Jean “Jeanie” Roth, was pursuing a college education and career in merchandising and marketing when the two met in 1974 by accident in her West Palm Beach neighborhood. “The next day I bought a suit where she worked so I could attend a FFVA convention. I say it was divine timing, not a coincidence. There are no coincidences in my book.”

Jeanie was from a farming background as well. The two have been married for 42 years. She has been a Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau member since 1978 and has served on the Women’s Committee of the WPBC Farm Bureau since 2000.

Rick and Jeanie Roth have three adult children: Lindsay McKeen 38, Ryan Roth 37, and Ashley Alexander 34, and three grandchildren, Hannah McKeen, 9, Ezra McKeen, 5, and Ella Roth, 8. Daughter Lindsay and her husband, Jeremy McKeen, founded Truth Point Church in West Palm Beach four months after he graduated from Knox Theological Seminary in 2009. Daughter Ashley Alexander graduated from Nova Southeast College in 2015 and is now a registered ER nurse in Orlando.

Just after graduating from the University of Florida in 2005 with a B.S. degree in food and resource economics, son Ryan Roth started working at the family farm in the leaf operation. His proud dad said, “Through the years, Ryan has taken on more responsibilities for the farm, and

in 2013 he assumed the role of general manager of Roth Farms. He’s also the crop protection chemical expert and makes all the crop management and vegetable har-vesting decisions.”

In 1995, farmers in the EAA were man-dated to enact Best Management Practices for the reduction of phosphorus runoff.

Roth Farm uses crop rotation, improved water control through culverts with risers on all blocks, and additional control struc-tures to divide the farm into subsections.

A distinguished panel of judges will visit Rick Roth, along with the farms of the other nine state finalists, during the week of Aug. 10–14.

22 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 202022 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020

Okeechobee Livestock MarketCattle Auction Monday & Tuesday

Restaurant Open Monday - Wednesday“Best Burgers in South Florida!”

863.763.3127

Okeechobee Livestock Market Report

Visionary farmer Roth focuses on the future

Raymond Roth Jr.

Prices continue to stay steady in both slaughter and feeder classes, which is positive news in light of big meat supplies. Retail prices are still high while boxed beef cutouts are below pre-COVID levels. Vol-ume this week was close to 2900 head with a lot of good quality cattle coming to town. Pasture conditions are good and cattle are weighing heavier in most cases.

The livestock market is pleased to an-nounce that the Seminole Tribe heifer sale will be held here at the Okeechobee Live-stock Market on Friday, Aug. 28, at noon.

Amy Newman, St. Cloud, topped the calf market with a high of $2.25/195#, bought by Cracker Cattle.

David Daniel, Okeechobee, topped the slaughter cow market with a high of .70/1340#, bought by Florida Beef.

Hendry CountyCLEWISTON — Faith Lutheran Church in Clewiston,

810 Cedar St., and St. Peter’s Lutheran in Belle Glade hold live and online services on Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. Live services will be held at the Clewiston location only. Online services are on Faith Lutheran’s Facebook page. Those attending services are required to keep social distancing and wear masks. For infor-mation, call Pastor Angel Ramos at 786-398-3604.

Glades CountyBUCKHEAD RIDGE — Buckhead Ridge Baptist Church,

1731 Hunter Road, will hold Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., and morning service 11 a.m. Social distancing will be in practice.

BUCKHEAD RIDGE — St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, off State Road 78 at Chobee Loop, has reopened the church with Sunday Mass at 10 a.m.

LAKEPORT — Lakeport Christian Church, 10947 State Road 78, is open on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. for wor-ship. Face masks are recommend-ed and practice social distancing for the safety of members and visitors. No plates will be passed. Offerings may be placed in the plates made available. Communion is distributed individually. You will be welcomed but there will be no handshaking.

LAKEPORT — Point of Light Fellowship Church, 15399 E. SR 78, is hosting Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. Social distancing will be practiced. Services are also on Facebook on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. and Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at facebook.com/PointOf-LightFellowship.

MOORE HAVEN — Moore Haven Church of God of Prophecy, 399 Avenue E, is holding Sun-day services at 10:30 a.m. Social distancing will be observed. Hand sanitizer will be available and some masks but the public is encouraged to bring their own.

MOORE HAVEN — First United Methodist Church of Moore Haven continues online services at fumcmoorehaven.com/sermons. On June 14, the bishop will conduct the online services. Updates on changes to services may be announced at that time.

MOORE HAVEN — St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, on U.S. 27 in Moore Haven, has reopened. Masses are Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (Spanish) and Sundays 8 a.m.

Okeechobee CountyOKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Christian Church,

3055 SE 18th Terrace, will host Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. (no children’s service at this time) and Bible study on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Social distancing is practiced.

OKEECHOBEE — Trinity Free Will Baptist Church, 1840 N.E. 39th Blvd. (Cemetery Road), will hold church services on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon and Wednesday Bible Study from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pastor Thomas Dees. Face

masks and social distancing are required. For information, call 863-763-4962.

OKEECHOBEE — Westside Christian Church, 8082 SR 70 W., will host Sunday services at 10 a.m. and Bible study on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Both will be livestreamed. Social distancing will be observed.

OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Missionary Baptist Church, 4212 U.S. 441, will host Sunday Bible school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m. The Baptist Training Course will be on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday night worship is at 6:30 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced.

OKEECHOBEE — Northside Baptist Church, 51 N.W. 98th St., hosts Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. followed by worship at 11 a.m. Wednesday evening bible study begins at 6:30 p.m.

OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, 312 N. Parrott Ave., is open for worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. (Use the Fourth Street entrance.) Family

groups may sit together, others will need to maintain social distancing.

BASINGER — Community Church of Basinger, 19836 U.S. 98 N., will host Sunday

morning services at 11 a.m. and live on Face-book. No children’s church at this time.

OKEECHOBEE — Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 901 S.W. Sixth Street, Okeechobee, has reopened the church building to the public. Daily Mass, Monday through Friday, is at 8:30 a.m. in English. Wednesday and Friday, Mass is at 7:30 p.m. in Spanish. Saturday Vigil Mass is 4:30 p.m. in English, 7:30 p.m. in Spanish. Sunday Mass is 10 a.m. in English and 12:45 p.m. in Spanish.

Those who attend services are asked to wear a face mask, and maintain social distancing by sitting only in spots designated by blue crosses (couples may sit together). Bath-rooms will not be open. Please do not congregate before of after Mass inside or out of the church. Services are also still available via Facebook.

OKEECHOBEE — Ever-glades Baptist Church is

holding services on the church property across the street from the Everglades Elementary School bus loop (faces Southeast Sixth Street). Service are at 8:30 a.m. every Sunday indefinitely. Bring your own chair. Social distancing will be observed. There are no evening services until further notice.

OKEECHOBEE — Alpha Ministries at Freedom Ranch, 11655 U.S. 441 S.E., will hold Sunday services at 11 a.m. Children’s Church will not be held at this time. Pastor John Glenn. For information, call 863-763-9800; alphaministries.org; churchinthewoodsokeechobee.org; [email protected]; or visit their Facebook page. Social distancing is practiced at services.

OKEECHOBEE — Brighton Baptist Church, 24050, State Road 70 W., will hold Sunday morning worship service at 11 a.m. The Sunday morning preaching service is now on Facebook. The pastor is Calvin H. Fryar. For information, call 863-763-3063 or 863-447-0639.

OKEECHOBEE — First Baptist Church of Okeechobee (ROC), 401 S.W. Fourth St., will hold Sunday services at 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. Senior pastor is Mark McCarter. For in-formation, call 863-763-2171, email [email protected], or visit fbcokee.org.

OKEECHOBEE — Church of Our Saviour Episcopal, 200 N.W. Third St., holds regular services on Sunday, at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. If you plan to attend you MUST call or text Jeanie at 607-759-6560 and let her know which Mass you will be attend-ing. Masks are required and social distancing of 6 feet will be kept. The 10:30 a.m. Mass will be live recorded and shown on Facebook (churchofoursaviourokeechobee) and the drive-up communion will continue from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those not yet ready to attend in person. If you have underlying health conditions, it is advised that you do not attend the in-per-son services.

OKEECHOBEE — Freedom Baptist Church, 1902 S. Parrott Ave. (next to Wolfgang Jewelers), will hold Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday evening service will be held via livestream at 7 p.m. on their Facebook page. For information, call 863-447-1805 Pastor Mike Worf.

OKEECHOBEE — More 2 Life Ministries, Osceola Middle School Gym, holds Sunday services at 10 a.m. You can watch services live online at m2lministries.com. The pastor is Cary McKee. For information, call 863-467-0796.

OKEECHOBEE — Fountain of Life Church, 1302 S.W. 32nd St., holds Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. and Bible study is held on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Livestream services via their Facebook page. Pastor Dave Robertson. For information, call 863-763-8945 or 863-801-1297; email [email protected]; or visit folifechurch.net.

OKEECHOBEE — North Church of God, 15949 N.W. 30th Terrace, holds Sunday services at 11 a.m. and Wednesday eve-ning services at 7 p.m. The pastor is Don Leon. For information, call 863-634-0344.

OKEECHOBEE — Treasure Island Baptist Church, 4209 Hwy. 441 S.E., holds services on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and Sunday evening services are held at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Douglas T. Ryan. For infor-mation, call 561-541-7087 or visit treasureislandbaptistchurch.com.

OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Church of the Trinity, 1857 U.S. 441, holds services on Sunday at 10 a.m. and Bible study on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Youth services are held during the week.

OKEECHOBEE — Calvary Chapel of Okeechobee, 212 S. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee, holds in-person services on Sunday at 10 a.m. Bible student will be held on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Zoom meeting will be held. Pastor Car-los Amador. CDC guildines will be followed including social distancing seating and masks. Temperatures will be taken at the door. For information, call 863 623-5283, email at [email protected], or visit calvaryokeechobee.org.

OKEECHOBEE — Oakview Baptist Church, 677 S.W. 32 Street, is having Sunday morning services at 10:30 a.m.

OKEECHOBEE — The Seventh Day Christian Church, 912 N.W. Park St./S.R. 70 W., invites the public to their Friday service held at 7:30 p.m. and Sabbath School is held on Satur-days at 11 a.m. Social distancing of 6 feet will be required.

Editor’s note: Add your church service updates to this list. Email information to [email protected] or call 863-763-3134.


• OFFICE CALL + EXAM $12• LOW COST

VACCINATION EVERY DAY• TOM CAT NEUTERS $25• BOARDING $10 A DAY

In LaBelle Mon Tue Wed Fri 8 to 5 Thur and Sat8-12

In Clewiston Thur 3 p.m. • Sat 2 p.mBy Appointment OnlyEmergency Service Available!Bath and Nail Trim - $20

ShewmakersAnimal Hospital1095 N. SR 29, LaBelle 863-675-2441

Big Lake area churches plan services

St. Theresa of the Church, off State Road 78 at ned the church with Sunday

port Christian ad 78, is open . for wor-ommend-stancing s ill y be es Youere

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RICHMOND, Va. – In an effort to help those who have been hurt by the economic impact of COVID-19, GPM Investments is teaming up with Feeding America to raise funds to help in the fight against hunger in their local markets. It has been estimated that in just 2020 alone, 54 million people

may face hunger due to COVID-19.“Unemployment continues to be a prob-

lem, and many people are faced with the stress of figuring out where their next meal will come from,” said Arie Kotler, CEO. I am proud that our more than 10,000 dedicated store associates and our millions of custom-ers will raise money to help fight hunger in

their communities.”From July 15 to Sept. 8, GPM Invest-

ments associates across all company-op-erated locations will sell Feeding America pinups for $1. Customers will also have the opportunity to round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar or just make a donation.

GPM Investments LLC, teams with Feeding America to fight hunger


Okeechobee County

Back 2 School Bash set FridayOKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee

County Juvenile Probation Office, 107 S.W. Fifth Ave., will hold a Back 2 School Bash on Friday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Backpacks and other school supplies will be given away. There will be free food, games, give-a-ways, fun and music. (Five hours of community service)

HLT hosts mask galaSEBRING — Highlands Little Theatre,

356 W Center Ave., will host a Mask-A-Rade Gala on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. Come enjoy a night filled with music, fun masks, cocktails, wonderful people and plenty of opportunities to donate to a great cause. Masks can be decorated masquer-ade ball style or be a decorated medical mask. There will be opportunities to bid on silent auction items along with a contest for the people’s choice mask throughout the evening. Tickets are $25 and available online at www.highlandslakesidetheatre.org, or through the box office at 863-382-2525 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CCC holds virtual meetingOKEECHOBEE — The Community

Collaborative Council will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 28, at 10 a.m. in room 102 at 700 S.W. Second Ave.

Join Zoom Meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/87577049368?pwd=ZElNMlJyTTN6TGsxc-DlaNmIxSUh6Zz09

Meeting ID: 875 7704 9368Password: CCCJulyJoin the meeting at meet.google.com/

vrb-dthj-vme.Join by phone at +1-786-886-2148 (PIN:

961519511)

Caregivers virtual workshop setThe Area Agency on Aging will hold

an Area Agency Virtual Workshop titled Powerful Tools for Caregivers on Tuesdays, July 21, 28 and Aug. 4 and 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

For information or to register, call Mau-reen at 561-684-5885 ext. 59103.

Living Healthy workshop setJoin a free “Living Healthy!” online

workshop on Wednesdays, July 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5, 12, 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. For information, call Sherry at 239-652-6900 ext 58240 or 866-413-5337. Pre-register.

Exchange Luncheon setOKEECHOBEE — The Chamber of

Commerce will host its Summer Business Exchange Luncheon on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. virtually! You will need to register for this event at www.okeechobeebusiness.com in order to receive the link as this luncheon is virtual. It will be hosted on the Chamber Facebook and YouTube channels. For information, call Mariah Parriott at 863-467-6246 or email [email protected].

City charter reviewedOKEECHOBEE — The City of

Okeechobee is seeking volunteers to serve on a Charter Review Advisory Committee. This is an opportunity to make a difference in your community. Applicants must be city residents or own property in the city limits. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 19. Applications can be downloaded from the website at www.cityofokeechobee.com/volunteer. Submit completed applica-tions to the Office of the City Clerk, 55 S.E. Third Ave., Okeechobee, 34974. For more information, call 863-763-9814.

Support the Blue fundraiser setOKEECHOBEE — Ray’s Combat Kick-

boxing and Blueline Barbeque will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park in front of Ray’s Combat Kickboxing Fight Center, 415 S.W. Park St. Show support for local men and women in blue by making a donation for them to receive better training and equip-ment for serving the community here in Okeechobee. All funds raised will be split between the county and city police depart-ment for training.

Glades County

Back to School event plannedMOORE HAVEN — The Back School

Event Planning Team will offer a drive-thru pick-up for this year’s event. The planning team would like your agency/organization to please drop off any brochures, flyers, information and any school supplies you can offer at the Florida Community Health Centers, 1021 Health Park Drive (planning for 300 backpacks), by Friday, July 24. The team can pack your information into the backpacks prior to the distribution. For information, call 863-946-0405.

Bountiful Barn Thrift holds saleMOORE HAVEN — A Bountiful Barn

Thrift Store, 442 U.S. 27, is holding a 75% storewide sale for the month of July. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hendry County

COVID-19 testing set July 22CLEWISTON — The Hendry County

Health Department in Clewiston, 1100 S. Olympia Ave., will provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Wednesday, July 22, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (By appointment only) (Weather permitting) For information, call 863-983-1408.

Wednesday, July 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (By appointment only) (Weather permitting)

Back to School event plannedLABELLE — The Back School Event

Planning Team will offer a drive-thru pick-up for this year’s event. The planning team would like your agency/organization to please drop off any brochures, flyers, infor-mation and any school supplies you can offer at the LaBelle Department of Health, 1140 Pratt Blvd. (planning for 500 back-packs), by Friday, July 24. The team can pack your information into the backpacks prior to the distribution. For information, call 239-433-7559.

Back the Blue RallyLABELLE — In Honor of Law Enforce-

ment a Back the Blue Rally will be held on the Hendry County Courthouse lawn, located at the corner of Bridge Street and Hickpochee Avenue, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. Contact Roger Alexan-der for more details at: 863-673-5747 or [email protected].

Palm Beach County

Webinar for small business setPALM BEACH COUNTY — Small

businesses, how prepared are you for this crisis and the next one that’s just over the horizon? Join a webinar on Thursday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to noon. For information, contract Richie Repetti at [email protected] or 561-833-1672. Register at https://score.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N9-CBQClQfKf6RRZ3O0ucw

Webinar for parents setPALM BEACH COUNTY — A group spe-

cifically for parents and guardians of Black African American children with autism to support, encourage, and be a resource on issues related to autism and the Black African American community will host a webinar on Tuesday, July 28, (Last Tues-day of every month) from 6 to 7 p.m. For in-formation or to RSVP, contact Robin Jones at [email protected] or 561-212-4930. A zoom link will be provided after RSVP.


While the federal income tax-filing deadline has passed for most people, some taxpayers haven’t filed their 2019 tax returns yet.

If a taxpayer is entitled to a refund, there’s no penalty for filing late. Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid tax due as of July 16.

Anyone who didn’t file and owes tax should file a return as soon as they can and pay as much as possible to reduce penalties and interest. Electronic filing options, includ-ing IRS Free File, are still available on IRS.gov through Oct. 15 to prepare and file returns electronically.

Taxpayers should then review their payment options. The IRS has information for taxpayers who can’t pay taxes they owe.

Some taxpayers may have extra time to file their tax returns and pay any taxes due. This includes some disaster victims, military service members and eligible support person-nel in combat zones.

Filing soon is very important because the

late-filing penalty and late-payment penalty on unpaid taxes add up quickly. However, in some cases, a taxpayer filing after the dead-line may qualify for penalty relief. For those charged a penalty, they may contact the IRS by calling the number on their notice and ex-plain why they couldn’t file and pay on time.

Additionally, taxpayers who have a history of filing and paying on time often qualify for administrative penalty relief. A taxpayer will usually qualify if they have filed and paid timely for the past three years and meet other requirements. For more information, see the first-time penalty abatement page at https://www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies.

State filing and payment deadlines may be different from the federal July 15 deadline. A list of state tax division websites is available through the Federation of Tax Administrators.

The IRS is processing tax returns, issuing refunds and accepting payments. Taxpayers who mail or who have already mailed a tax return will experience a longer wait. There is no need to file a second tax return or call the IRS.

What someone should do if they missed the July 15 deadline to file and pay


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Okeechobee Roundup


Yatchette Club provides cooling reliefOKEECHOBEE — On Friday, July 17, Ellen and Arnie Whelpley of the Okeechobee Yatchette Club delivered a number of fans of various sizes and styles and automatic coffee makers to Okeechobee Senior Services for dis-tribution to persons ages 60 and above in the community. The timeliness of this donation cannot be overstated in light of the extremely hot and humid days we have been experiencing of late. The Okeechobee Yatchette Club is a longtime supporter of aging adults in Okeechobee County, and this is just another example of their generosity at work. On behalf of those who will benefit from these donated items, Senior Services thanks the members of the Yatchette Club for their support and heartfelt concern for aging adults in Okeechobee County. Pictured in the back row: Arnie Whelpley. Front row, left to right: Ellen Whelpley and Tom Leach, Senior Services program manager. For information about services available through Okeechobee Senior Ser-vices, please call 863-462-5180 and ask to speak to a case manager.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/Tight Splice Charters

Big bass on the Big OOKEECHOBEE — Tight Splice Charters shared this photo of a 9.08-pound bass caught on Lake Okeechobee on Sunday with the message, “Pretty cool when your first-ever flip with a jig results in a giant Lake Okeechobee 9.08-pounder!” Due to the summer heat, fishing is best early in the morning. Do you have a fishing photo to share? Email it to [email protected].


OKEECHOBEE — Many organizations and parents get ready during the summer to have their kids go back to school in the fall. With COVID-19, schools will probably look very different this year. There will also be a greater need for school supplies for students and teachers.

To help families, students and teachers, State Farm Agent Gretchen Robertson in Okeechobee is doing a Virtual Back to School Drive from July 13 to Aug. 7 to support the Okeechobee County School District. Anyone in the community will be able to purchase affordable back to school student and teacher school supply kits online starting at $5 each to donate to

needy children and families at Okeechobee County School District.

To order school supplies for Okeechobee County School District, visit www.educationalproducts.com/donate/log-inlink.aspx?OrgId=SFW015. (You may be prompted for Organization ID: SFW015).

You will have three options of school supplies to order:

• Backpack -– $5;• Teacher supply kits – $9.39;• Student supply pack – $15.The school supplies will be shipped at

no cost to the Okeechobee County School District at the end of the drive.

Robertson also recommends the follow-ing back-to-school shopping and safety tips for families to plan smart and cut costs.

• Look at what you might already have: You’ll be amazed at what you find in the kitchen junk drawer, desks, closets and basements. Also, take a look at the school supplies left over from the previous year because you might be able to reuse some.

• Set a budget and stick to it. Determine how much money you can spend, then evaluate needs vs. wants. Review supply lists before heading to the store and note what you already have. Include your kids in the process for a valuable lesson about budgeting.

• Shop securely. If you’re ordering online, make sure to use secure, reliable websites with “https” and a padlock sym-bol in the address bar. Pay with your credit card instead of debit card.

• Seek out the deals. Go online or buy a newspaper to check weekly ads for the best savings and clip any school-supply cou-pons. Follow your favorite stores on social media to keep up with deals.

• Shop tax-free. Take advantage of the Florida Back to School Sales Tax Holiday from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9. For information, visit floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Pages/default.aspx.

• Stock up in the off season. Many retail-ers mark down school supplies weeks after back-to-school shopping peaks.

For additional information, please call or visit Agent Robertson at 863-763-5561 or visit her office at 309 N.E. Second St. in Okeechobee.

State Farm offers a Virtual Back to School Drive


OKEECHOBEE — The use of cloth face masks to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus was once again a topic of discussion at the July 16 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission.

As the start of school approaches, Okeechobee County officials want to make sure there are enough face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mitch Smeykal of the Okeechobee Emergency Operations Center said he put in a request for more cloth masks, antici-pating the increased need for masks when school starts, but was unable to get more cloth masks from the state. He said they got 79,000 surgical masks instead. “We are leaning forward with the school stuff,” he said. “We know we are going to need a lot of masks for them.”

In the public comments period of the meeting, Dean Irvine brought up the need for everyone to wear face masks in public places.

“First I wold like to address Mr. (Bryant) Culpepper because first thing this morning he came up to me and explained to me how small the particles of the coronavirus

are, and this mask would not protect me,” said Irvine.

“What he is missing is this mask isn’t to protect me. It is to suppress a cough, to make the cough as small as possible so the disease is not spread.

“We’re not wearing masks to protect ourselves. We’re wearing masks to protect the community,” he said. “Your advice is wrong,” he told Culpepper.

“I am sure that you are told that you can’t mandate masks by the governor

of this state. Am I wrong?” he asked the board.

“That doesn’t require a response from us,” said Commission Chairman Terry Burroughs.

“I think some of you, if it weren’t for orders from above, would mandate masks, and you are not allowed to,” alleged Irvine.

He said it has been proven that masks help stop the spread of the virus. “It has been proven that it works,” he said.

“It has to be universal. Everyone has to

wear them. If not, you’ve accomplished nothing. It’s the weak link in the chain,” he said.

“If there was ever a poster child of need-ing to wear a mask, it is our county,” he said. “There are a lot of vulnerable people in this county ... these people should be protected, but they are not.”

Public Safety Officer Ralph Franklin said the Treasure Coast Food Bank will be at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center on Aug. 14 and Sept. 26.


We’re wearing masks to protect ourselves and our community


LANTANA — On Thursday, July 16, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the rules for implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s the three digit number “9-8-8” for suicide prevention services, which will make it eas-ier for those in crisis to connect to help. The new three digit phone number is expected to be implemented nationwide by 2022. The longer NSPL number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will remain accessible during and after the transition to the 9-8-8 number.

Local crisis centers, statewide and nationally, will continue as the contracted responders for the NSPL 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and then 9-8-8 when the number goes live. Contracted crisis centers employ trained staff and are and accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) as well as approved by NSPL to respond to crisis callers.

Here locally calls to the NSPL are routed to your 211 Team who stand at the ready to respond.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know…

Crisis intervention can be reached 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1, texting your concerns and zip code to 898211 or also through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). Online Crisis Chat is also available 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily: visit

www.211palmbeach.org #HelpStart-sHere

Locally- 211 Help Line continues to

answer the National Suicid

Prevention Lifeline

cok20200722_26.crop.pdf 1 22-Jul-20 06:22:38


Glades County at a GlanceBy Chris FelkerLake Okeechobee News

MOORE HAVEN — Glades County commissioners took several actions to ease business development and also reap more revenue from anticipated growth during their regular morning meeting July 14.

Anticipating higher demand for indus-trial and commercial properties in Glades because of the impending development of Airglades General Aviation Airport in Hendry County into a privately owned entity to handle international shipping, the commissioners:

• Rezoned two properties by the coun-ty’s own petition to make available more commercial opportunities in the county (a vacant 0.75-acre tract at the northwest intersection of U.S. 27 and State Road 29, on Fisheating Creek, and a 2.25-acre tract east of U.S. 27 and south of Third Street in Palmdale), to which there were no public objections;

• Adopted a schedule increasing fees for inspections and permits, plus a sepa-rate plan for commercial site plan review requirements and higher fees for the county planning staff ’s reviews, which will help cover more of the costs to taxpayers of regulating new development;

• Sought a way forward to get the

Glades County Business Park property legal-ly prepared for shovel-ready development due to interest expressed in parcels there to several county officials;

• Considered putting out an RFP (request for proposals) that needs some further alterations by the county attorney for development of the former Glades Inn site, 1100 U.S. 27 in Moore Haven; and,

• Voted to move ahead on the exten-sions of their Small County (One-Cent) Tax for another term (unspecified in the staff report) and the Local Option Fuel Tax of 6 cents per gallon for another 10 years. Those were allowed by the State of Florida and/or approved by voters and have been extend-ed before. Because of its small population, Glades often misses out on state funding that larger counties get, and the county and City of Moore Haven have come to depend on these revenues.

Business park plans not setCounty Manager Bob Jones and others

including a couple of commissioners have said business and industrial entities lately are expressing interest in acquiring or leasing sites in the Glades County Business Park. It consists of spacious, vacant acreage near and around the Glades County Sher-iff ’s Office and Detention Center complex

and the Glades County Regional Training Facility, west of State Road 78 and north of U.S. 27.

The problem is, the board never had decided on a master plan for the property. The staff report said the board would:

“Discuss ideals and provide direction for the county’s business park. There has been some interest of companies wanting to locate in the business park. Maps of the park are provided that show a general parcel layout.”

Attached were drawings of conceptual plans dating to 2013, prior to the Training Center’s construction. The report added:

“Items for discussion — (1) Cost per parcel; (2) type of business; (3) building requirements, building frontage; (4) outside storage; (5) fencing; (6) paving require-ments; (7) any restrictions on operation hours; (8) restrictions on the number of parcels a business may own; (9) how long after the business agreements are made before construction needs to start etc.”

This discussion all took place after the commissioners reconvened on July 14; the audio recording of it was not immediately available, as Clerk of Court Sandra Brown and Manager Jones could not be reached Thursday.

County Board Chairman Tim Stanley said the commissioners had a back-and-forth about “what we want to do with the business park, as far as whether we want to lease it or rent it out or whatever. Basically what we told Bob (County Manager Jones) was to check with a consultant before we act ... have the consultant look at it and give us some options.”

During a previous discussion on an

unrelated matter in the meeting, Commis-sioner Weston Pryor suggested there soon will be a need to hire more county staff to deal with new programs being offered due to the coronavirus pandemic and new development.

Talking about a new housing program the county has decided to offer for housing assistance, Pryor said, “I think this is all fine and great … (but) we don’t have the staff to keep up with this stuff … we need to get somebody in there to help our staff with all these documentation requirements.”

Then after the business park discussion started, Commissioner Donna Storter Long threw out the idea of making the training center over partly into a county office facility.

“We’re going to need some space for county offices especially if you’re going to want to add staff,” she pointed out. She also stated they would need to have a set of regulations in place for the business park so that there is a continuity of pleasing designs among whatever facilities are eventually to be constructed on the property.

Mr. Jones told the board, “We really nev-er had any discussions about what you all want out there … we put this on the agen-da to get some direction on this because we are getting some interest in the park.”

Chairman Stanley acknowledged Long’s suggestion as one idea but said: “We didn’t agree to do anything as far as what’s going to happen. We’re basically trying to decide what kind of businesses we want in there, or what we want to do with it, but we want to keep it looking nice, too.”

Glades County prepping for more development

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/USACOE A wood stork flies over South Florida carrying nesting materials.


MOORE HAVEN — “Small town life is where it’s at!” declares Glades County Public Safety Department (GCPS) employee Hiedi White about her home county.

“I am a lifelong resident of Glades County,” she said. She loves her hometown and the small-town family-oriented life she’s able to lead.

“I am a mom to two wonderful children, Bethany, 4, and Augustus, 3,” she said.

Employed by GCPS originally “in June of 2019 on Fire 1 to help the vacant position,” White explained, “I was thankful to Bob Jones for giving me the opportunity to come aboard.”

Mr. Jones is now the Glades County manager; however, he’s spent decades working for the county and was public safety director for many years.

“Then in August,” she said, “I was asked to apply for the administrative assistant po-sition. Well, here I am! I absolutely love this job and look forward to many more years with a wonderful group of coworkers who have become family.”

Firefighter/Administrative Assistant White doesn’t plan to sit still behind a desk for too long at a time, though. She’s got a family legacy behind her and perhaps a higher destiny to fill.

“I am going back to school to get my EMT (emergency medical technician certification) and then Fire 2 to help where I can,” she said.

That’s the more advanced level of firefighters, who must learn additional lifesaving skills.

“Most people never get the opportunity to work in their dream job,” White said, “and here I am living the dream.”

She’s overjoyed to be able to do so in her home county that she loves.

“I will NEVER give up on Glades County, as my paternal grandfather, Jack Wilkerson, was the fire chief, and then my maternal grandmother, Bethany Stephenson, was the local ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner) here in Moore Haven, having her own practice,” White said.

“My parents, Leroy and SuAnn White, owned a pizza and sub shop called Hiedi’s Pizza and Subs. Glades County will always be my home,” she said.

Meet the firefighter

Heidi White, Glades County native with roots in public safety

Heidi White

News from the CDCSpecial to the Lake Okeechobee News

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the public to use cloth face coverings to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus in public places.

Cloth face coverings are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person; between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet); through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyday precautionsMasks are an additional step to prevent

the spread of the virus. It is also important to continue to observe other precautions.

• Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily avail-able, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Who should not wear a maskChildren under age 2, or anyone who

has trouble breathing, is unconscious, in-capacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Cloth face coverings are NOT surgical masks or N95 respirators. Currently, surgi-cal masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for health care workers and other first responders.

How to wear a maskTo prevent the spread of disease, it is

important to wear your mask properly.• Wash your hands (or use hand sanitiz-

er) before putting on your face covering.• Put it over your nose and mouth and

secure it under your chin.• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of

your face.• Make sure you can breathe easily.

Wear a mask to protect others• Wear a face covering that covers your

nose and mouth to help protect others in case you’re infected with COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms.

• Wear a face covering in public settings

when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when it may be difficult for you to stay 6 feet apart.

• Wear a face covering correctly for maximum protection. Don’t put the face covering around your neck or up on your forehead

• Don’t touch the face covering, and,

if you do, wash your hands or use hand

sanitizer to disinfect.

Take off your cloth face covering care-

fully.

• Untie the strings behind your head or

stretch the ear loops.

• Handle only by the ear loops or ties.

• Fold outside corners together.

• Place covering in the washing ma-

chine (or in a plastic bag to wash later).

• Be careful not to touch your eyes,

nose, and mouth when removing.

• Wash hands immediately after remov-

ing your mask.

CDC explains: How to wear cloth face coverings28 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020


Life in theSun News from the Glades communitiesof Belle Glade, Pahokee,

Canal Point and South Bay


Cops hand out popsiclesBELLE GLADE — Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Offi ce deputies handled out popsicles in Belle Glade on July 8 to help local res-idents beat the heat. Publix from Wellington Town Square donated the popsicles.


Lighthouse Cafe receives donationBELLE GLADE — It’s true that there is more joy in giving than receiving. The Lighthouse Cafe Food Pantry knows this better than anyone else in Belle Glade. With the help of The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, PBC-SO donated $1,500 to the LightHhouse Cafe for all they do to feed the com-munities that need them the most.


Masks as fashionBELLE GLADE — Face masks can be fashionable as well as func-tional, as evidenced by this mask worn by Tammy Jackson-Moore of Guardians of the Glades.

By Sharon R. BockClerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County

Homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream, but a growing num-ber of scammers are looking to cash in on your investment.

Deed theft and mortgage fraud, also known as “house stealing,” was identi-fi ed by the FBI in 2008 as the “latest scam

on the block.” Since then, it’s become a problem for homeowners across the United States.

While some companies offer to guard against this crime for a fee of as much $15 a month, my offi ce can help you protect your home for free.

Just like signing up for credit card alerts or identity theft protection, our Property Fraud Alert Program gives you the peace

of mind of knowing that your property is being monitored for signs of fraud.

Here’s how it works:• Register in minutes by visiting our

website, mypalmbeachclerk.com/property-fraud, or calling 800-728-3858.

• Enter the name of the person or busi-ness you would like to monitor.

• If a document is recorded in that name, you will receive an alert from our

offi ce within 48 hours.• This early notifi cation makes it much

more diffi cult for scammers to go unde-tected.

I urge everyone who owns property in Palm Beach County to sign up today for this valuable service. You have enough to worry about when you own a home. Deed theft and mortgage fraud shouldn’t be on that list.

The clerk and comptroller monitors deeds


PALM BEACH COUNTY — During a virtual 10-hour meeting that included sev-eral hours of listening to parents’ and staff members’ recorded messages about re-opening the public schools, after midnight on June 16, the School Board approved Dr. Donald Fennoy’s plan for beginning on Aug. 10 with virtual learning only.

Then when a discussion was sparked of putting off the start date of school also,

however, the board deferred that decision until another meeting, so they will recon-vene at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. At that time board members may prevail in trying to give everyone — students, their parents, teachers and staff more time to prepare and set the start of the 2020-21 school year to Aug. 31 rather than Aug. 10.

Under Dr. Fennoy’s plan, there would be a return to the physical classroom instruction model in stages depending on improving metrics regarding the COVID-19

pandemic’s trends and its effects on hospi-tal capacity, etc., as assessed by the

First to return to the classrooms will be kindergarten and pre-K students, fi rst, sixth and ninth grade students when the district’s health advisory panel concludes they can safely do so. Then second, third, seventh and 10th grades would return two weeks later, and the remainder of students after a month had passed. Any new bend in COVID-19 trends could result in alterations to the planned schedule, though.

Anyone can view the School District of Palm Beach County’s reopening plans, a 52-page document, online at

www.palmbeachschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_270532/File/Students%20&%20Parents/Reopening%20Schools/Reopening%20Plan%20for%20Board%20Presentation.pdf

It is among multiple sources of further information that are available by navigat-ing the district’s website at palmbeach-schools.org.

Palm Beach schools may delay start of school year


ATLANTA — Cloth face coverings are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.

Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. It is important to always remove face coverings correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used face covering.

How to clean in a washing machine

You can include your face covering with your regular laundry.

Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the face covering.

Washing by hand• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water.

• Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for

safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

• Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.

• Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

How to dry a mask• To dry a cloth mask in a dryer, use

the highest heat setting and leave in the

dryer until completely dry.

• To air dry, hang on a clothesline or

lay the mask flat and allow to completely

dry. If possible, place the cloth face cover-

ing in direct sunlight.

CDC: Wash cloth face coverings after every use30 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020


WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks confirmed on Monday, July 13, that she has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is at home, following Florida Department of Health guidelines by self-quarantining.

All staff members in the office have been notified and those who have had recent interactions with the property appraiser, are being tested.

“After experiencing minor symptoms late last week, I was tested and informed on Monday, July 13, 2020, that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” Jacks said.

“I’ve been at home since taking the test on Thursday, July 9, and I am working by phone and computer, self-isolating,” she said. “I am in regular contact with my staff in order to continue to manage the operations of my office.”

The Property Appraiser’s Office has temporarily closed the administration department located on the fifth floor at the Governmental Center, along with the office’s main reception area. All staff who work in this department were notified immediately and advised to go home until further notice.

The office is taking swift measures to mit-igate the spread of the virus, working with Palm Beach County Facilities to thoroughly sanitize all affected areas.

PBC property appraiser tests

positive

Free COVID testing availablePAHOKEE — Florida Community

Health Centers Inc. continues to provide FREE Drive Thru/Walk-Up testing for COVID-19 (appointments are preferred) on Thursday, July 23, at Pahokee Center, 170 S. Barfield Highway Suite 101, from 9 to 11:45 a.m. You can still be tested even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. Only two tests are adminis-tered per car.


in Hendry CountySweet LifeBy Danika J. FornearLake Okeechobee News

CLEWISTON — “It was an honor to accept the Community Reinvestment Grant from CenterState Bank on behalf of Harlem Tenants Association. Harlem Tenants Association has served its community for the past 50 years. Thanks so much for partnering with us and enabling us to continue impacting our commu-nity,” Janet Taylor, vice president and secretary of the Harlem Tenants Association, recently announced after receiving a generous grant from Centerstate Bank.

Centerstate Bank is very proud of its involve-ment in their local communities. Their employ-ees volunteer thousands of hours participating in local events and activities through partnerships with organizations such as the United Way, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Nonprofit donations and grants are an integral part of CenterState’s operations. They work diligently to support the economic, social and cultural life.

“We have sustained effectiveness in the com-munity for the past 50 years. Receiving this grant will allow us to continue to grow and provide life-changing resources and services to empow-er the community,” Taylor said.

She went on to explain that the Harlem Tenants Association is an organization that was incorporated in 1970, with the purpose of providing housing for low-income families. In their gated complex, they provide housing for

126 families.“We are a community-based organization

that promotes healthy families, self-sufficiency, academics and cultural awareness. Although our original goal was housing to meet an imminent need at that time, the scope of our reach has grown and increased over the past 50 years of being in operation,” said Taylor.

The group has become such a dynamic force, providing assistance to individuals in cases of house fires, medical emergencies and funer-als. The also help both young and senior citizens in the community.

“We provide mentoring to our young men

and women who have lost their focus, and scholarships to our graduating seniors. We also provide apprenticeship training in carpentry, maintenance and AC,” said Taylor. “All of our efforts are to combat the high unemployment statistics in our county.

“Our ownership is varied throughout the community and is strategic for the goals we seek to accomplish,” she went on to say. “We have an interactive Community Resource Room on the complex which accommodates meet-ings, training and special events. Our Resource Room is also equipped with a computer lab that provides students and parents with access to the internet and other office amenities.”

They were the first group to own and operate the Harlem Civic Center, and continue to provide information to the community, even employing the use of a large electronic sign.

“Our digital sign that is located at the en-trance of the community is effective in keeping residents informed of current events.”

Their community recognizes the national

issue of living with chronic disease. To provide a local, safe place for healthy activities, they built a 4-acre Community Tree Park and a 2-acre Com-munity Garden. The Tree Park has an exercise trail, with future plans to install individual pavil-ions, running water and lighting. The Communi-ty Garden is in need of clearing and for families to adopt plots and commit to growing produce.

The group has even co-hosted political forums that allow the residents in the commu-nity to personally meet candidates during each election, and co-hosted Lunch and Learns for those interested in entrepreneurship. This year they sponsored the community’s first June-teenth Celebration that provided education and networking for the entire city.

“It has been a pleasure and honor these last 50 years providing and enriching our community with these services. Our senior citizens benefit every Christmas with the help of our churches and businesses to an elaborate Christmas party,” Taylor added, “We believe that the strength of the community is in the strength of the families that reside therein. Therefore we partner with other organizations to provide essential resourc-es and services.”

These collaborations have allowed the Harlem Tenants Association to provide senior citizens with a monthly food distribution, health workshops, transportation, wellness checks, biannual field trips and a yearly Christmas party. For adults they provide training programs such as life skills and parenting classes, leadership training, health workshops, volunteer training and opportunities, community hours for judicial purposes, and job training and job placement programs. Their youth programs include ap-prenticeship training in carpentry, maintenance and AC, mentoring for middle and high school students, community hours for academic pur-poses, youth employment through an on the job training program, a yearly summer camp and scholarships for high school graduates.

Harlem Tenants Association receives CRA Grant

Special to the Lake Okeechobee NewsCLEWISTON — Janet Taylor accepts a CRA grant from CentersState Bank.

Young angler has funCLEWISTON — Roland Mar-tin Marina shared this photo with the message, “Capt. Jose Betancourt may have enjoyed watching Logan Grandio laugh and scream through a morning filled with bass and bluegills as the Tennessee youngster had catching them. They started throwing frog baits and water-melon/red Flukes on the East Wall for bass, and ended up casting Beetlespins for bream along Observation Shoal.”


By Danika J. FornearLake Okeechobee News

CLEWISTON — A series of Hendry County Candidate Forums will be conducted virtually on Thursday, July 30. The events are being hosted by the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce and will be live via their Face-book page.

The event announcements explain, “Be sure to join us during this event or watch and post comments and questions after the fact. Candidates will be monitoring the com-ments to circle back and answer questions.”

The first Facebook Live forum, for candi-dates campaigning for Hendry County sher-iff, will be July 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The next, at 11 a.m., will be the Hendry County judges forum, followed by the event for the Hendry County Commission District 1 candidates at 1:30 p.m., and then the District 2 meet-up at 3 p.m. All of these candidate forums will be shared live on Facebook. For those who need to, the videos will be available for viewing later, as well.

“This forum only includes candidates that will be on the ballot for the primary election. We will host additional events for the gener-

al election at a later date,” the description for the events stated.

Anyone who would like to submit a ques-tion for any of the candidates participating in the forum can post in the Facebook event (links supplied below), or send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to specify which candidates you are directing your question toward.

The Hendry Sheriff Candidate Facebook Live forum link:

facebook.com/events/s/hendry-coun-ty-sheriff-candidat/2660867194183660/?ti=icl

The Hendry Judge Candidate Facebook Live forum link:

facebook.com/events/s/hendry-coun-ty-judge-candidate-/2721764448105033/?ti=i-cl

Hendry County Commission District 1 Facebook Live forum:

facebook.com/events/s/hendry-coun-ty-commission-distr/767295534026338/?ti=i-cl

Hendry County Commission District 4 Facebook Live forum:

facebook.com/events/s/hendry-coun-ty-district-4-candi/3220362778021214/?ti=icl

Hendry County Candidate Forums to be on Facebook Live


HENDRY/GLADES COUNTIES — The Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades Counties continues to provide free COVID-19 Testing. Notices for available testing sites, days and times will be sent out on a weekly basis.

There are no criteria for testing, how-ever, appointments are required and individuals must be 18 years and older. Appointments will not be made more than one week in advance. No same-day appointments will be made. No “walk-ins” accepted.

• Hendry County Health Department in Clewiston: 1100 S. Olympia, 863-983-1408, will offer testing Wednesday, July 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (by appointment only, weather permitting); and, Wednesday July 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Hendry County Health Department in LaBelle: 1140 Pratt Blvd., 863-674-4041, Friday, July 24 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (by appointment only, weather permitting); and, Friday, July 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

•Glades County Health Department, 1021 Health Park Drive (863) 946-0707, Monday, July 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This is a “drive-thru” service. All indi-viduals must stay in their vehicles during the process (during registration and while being tested). Persons tested will be given instructions on how to receive their test results. Results may take five to seven business days.

Residents of Hendry and Glades Counties can secure an appointment for testing by calling the Hendry County Health Department Clewiston at 863-983-1408, LaBelle at 863-674-4041 or Moore Haven at 863-946-0707; Press zero “0” to speak with an operator.

Other testing locations in Hendry County by appointment are:

• Forbes Family Medicine at 500 W Sagamore Ave., Clewiston, Phone: 863-983-3434;

• Hendry Regional Medical Center, 524 W. Sagamore Ave., Clewiston, Phone: 863-902-3000;

• Hendry Convenient Care, 450 S. Main St. #2, LaBelle, Phone: 863-675-2356;

• Florida Community Health Centers, 315 W C Owen Ave., Clewiston, FL 33440, Phone: 863-983-7813 and 1021 Health Park Drive, Moore Haven, Phone 863-946-0405.Should I be tested for COVID-19? Before you decide to make an appointment to be tested for COVID-19, please consider the following:

• Are you ill, or caring for someone who is ill?

• In the two weeks before you felt sick, did you have contact with someone diag-nosed with COVID-19?

• Do you have any of the following?1. Fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweat-

ing)2. Cough3. Sore throat4. Muscle aches or body aches5. Vomiting or diarrhea6. Change in smell or taste - In the last

two weeks have you spent time (visited, worked or volunteered) in a hospital, emer-gency room, clinic, medical office, long-term care facility or nursing home, ambu-lance service, first responder services, any health care setting or taken care of patients

or someone who has been sick?Do you have any of the following condi-

tions?1. Chronic lung disease, moderate to

severe asthma, or smoking2. Serious heart conditions3. Weakened immune system (cancer

treatment, prolonged use of steroids, trans-plant or HIV/AIDS)

4. Severe obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than or equal to 40)

5. Underlying conditions (diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease)

Please stop the spread of COVID-19:• If you have been tested for COVID-19,

please stay at home until you receive your test results.

• Follow social distancing, even when you are at work and home (especially if someone in your home is sick).

• Stay at home if you are sick, or if you have been around someone who has been

sick in the recent past.• Wash your hands often with soap and

water for at least 20 seconds.• Cover your coughs and sneezes;

cough or sneeze into a tissue, or your elbow, NOT in your hands!

• Cover your face with a cloth face covering when you are in public or around others.

• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces.

COVID-19 testing available by appointment in Hendry and Glades32 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020


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THE EVERGLADES — As discussed in length at the July meeting of the South Florida Water Management District, the Tamiami Trail, which bisects the south-ern Everglades, acts as a man-made dam restricting water flow to water control structures. Some of these structures, the S-12 gates, are closed nine months of the year to protect the nesting grounds of a subpopulation of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS).

In a June 22 letter to Mary B. Neumayr, chairwoman of the Council of Environ-mental Quality in Washington, D.C, Billy Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, explained that limits on the flow of water under the Tamiami Trail to protect the nesting grounds of the CSSS cause water to back up north of the trail, damaging tribal lands.

According to last week’s report from the South Florida Water Management District, all of the Water Conservation Areas north of the Tamiami Trail are above regulation schedule due to recent rainfall.

The S-12C and S-12D gates were opened

in June. The schedule called for the S-12A and S-12B gates to be opened on July 15. But only the S-12B gate was opened on that date.

What about S-12A?“The Jacksonville District opened S-344,

S-343A, S-343B and S-12B on July 15, as planned,” explained James Yocum of the US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. “We did not open S-12A after re-ceiving a request from Everglades National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delay flows from that one structure to re-duce the speed with which water will enter areas recently damaged by wildfires.

“By allowing a slower flow into these areas over the next week, the marl prairie has a better chance of repairing the damage from the fires. Our calculations show that leaving the S-12A closed for this short peri-od will result in only .067 inches difference in the elevation of the Water Conservation Area 3A, and the benefit to the natural habitat will be significant. We currently plan to open S-12A Wednesday (July 22),” he added.

S-12A gate closed to protect sparrow habitat


While many grocery and drug stores will require customers to wear face masks starting next week, Winn-Dixie stores will only “encourage” masks, according to a statement from the Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie’s parent company.

“Currently, we are adhering to all local safety mandates within each of our stores and strongly encouraging those who are medically able to wear a face covering to do so,” stated Joe Caldwell, Southeastern Grocers director of corporate communications.

Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Apple Store, Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Verizon, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Sams Club and Costco have all announced plans for mask requirements.

The Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control encourage everyone to wear cloth face masks in public, especially in places where it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of social distance with others.

According to the CDC, the virus is most commonly spread in the droplets of moisture that leave the mouth and nose when you talk, cough or sneeze. The cloth face covering catches those droplets of moisture so they don’t land on other people.

Your mask protects others; their masks protect you.

In a July 12 interview on “Face the

Nation,” U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said wearing face masks helps slow the spread of the virus. If enough people wear masks, the spread of the virus could be significantly reduced in just a few weeks, he explained.

“The disease course is about two weeks. So while we’re seeing cases rise, we can see cases go down just as quickly if the American people will do the things that we know slow the spread of this disease, including wearing a face covering. Critically important for people to know, COVID stops with me. We have the power to turn this thing around.

“We’ve learned more about asymptomatic spread up to 50 percent of people who can spread this disease, spread it without having symptoms. And that’s why the American people need to know that science is about giving the best recommendations you can and when you learn more, you change those recommendations. Our recommendations have changed.

“Now, people of America, important to know you should wear a face covering when out in public,” he continued.

“The disease course is about two to three weeks. So just as we’ve seen cases skyrocket, we can turn this thing around in two to three weeks if we can get a critical mass of people wearing face coverings, practicing at least 6 feet of social distancing, doing the things that we know are effective,” he explained.

Winn-Dixie encouraging, but not requiring, face masks



TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) announces $1,000 hiring bonuses for new hires at institutions statewide. Applicants who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is available.

FDC has expanded the applicant base for correctional officers within the state prison system. The minimum age requirement for a correctional officer is 18 years of age. By expanding the hiring age for Florida’s correctional officers, we are opening more doors for young men and women to begin an honorable public safety career in our state.

Certified new hires are eligible to receive bonuses at the following institutions:

• Apalachee Correctional Institution (Sneads);

• Baker Correctional Institution (Sanderson);

• Calhoun Correctional Institution (Blountstown);

• Century Correctional Institution (Century);

• Columbia Correctional Institution (Lake City);

• Cross City Correctional Institution (Cross City);

• Dade Correctional Institution (Florida City);

• Franklin Correctional Institution (Carrabelle);

• Florida State Prison (Raiford);• Gulf Correctional Institution

(Wewahitchka);• Hamilton Correctional Institution

(Jasper);• Jackson Correctional Institution

(Malone);• Liberty Correctional institution

(Bristol);• Madison Correctional Institution

(Madison);• Mayo Correction Institution (Mayo);• New River Correctional Institution

(Raiford);• Northwest Florida Reception Center

(Chipley);• Okeechobee Correctional Institution

(Okeechobee);• Reception and Medical Center (Lake

Butler);• Santa Rosa Correctional Institution

(Milton);• Suwannee Correctional Institution

(Live Oak);• Taylor Correctional Institution (Perry);• Tomoka Correctional institution

(Daytona Beach);• Union Correctional Institution

(Raiford);• Wakulla Correctional Institution

(Crawfordville);• Walton Correctional Institution (De

Funiak Springs).For more information regarding a career

with the Florida Department of Corrections, please visit FLDOCjobs.com where you can watch our recruitment video.

FDC announces hiring bonuses

By Danika J. FornearLake Okeechobee News

LABELLE — The City of LaBelle Local Planning Agency (LPA) and regular City Commission meeting was held on July 9. During the meeting, Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden explained that he had come to address the concerns about the Hendry County Sheriff ’s Office Use of Force policy, specifically the use of choke holds. He also wanted to address the accusations of racism within the HCSO.

“Normally, I wouldn’t even dignify that with an answer, but I will say that’s simply not true. I think some people confuse enforcing the law with being racist and that’s very sad. But everyone has a right to an opinion whether it’s right or wrong,” he said. “There is a huge call nationwide into the George Floyd incident. One of the biggest calls is for better deescalation training, better cultural diversity train-ing, better crisis intervention training for people with mental illness.” He went on, “I like to pride myself on the fact that I’m always staying on top of things, trying to stay ahead of the curve, before things become an issue.”

Whidden discussed the HCSO five-year plan that was presented to the BOCC in 2019. He explained one of the objectives outlined in the plan was for training to in-clude improved social interaction as well as deescalation techniques. He reported

that they had held deescalation training lessons in February 2020 that incorporated these objectives. He presented a second objective that required all members of the HCSO to be included in lessons on cultural and diversity sensitivity. The third objective related to all staff and sworn officers having ongoing crisis intervention training.

He then addressed the HSCO stance on use of choke holds. He explained that a choke hold is only an option used during a deadly force scenario. He explained that a choke hold was not to be used during a regular or non-violent arrest but can and will be used by an officer in situations where use of force is authorized.

Commissioner Julie Wilkins said she understood use of deadly force to be when an officer felt they were in danger and had no choice. Also, she clarified that a choke hold did not necessarily result in death. Whidden agreed that the policy stated that a choke hold, and/or other use of deadly force, was only to be used during life or death situations, in self-de-fense.

A member of the community asked, “I was told that deputies, when they go to training, they shoot to kill and empty their guns, no matter what the situation is, is that true?”

Whidden responded, “Absolutely false.” He explained that they are taught to shoot as required to stop the threat.

Hendry County sheriff addresses use of force

Motorists are reminded to wear safe-ty belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major road-ways across the state.

Okeechobee County• U.S. 441 S.E. between canal 59

and S.E. 66th Avenue (Maintenance permit project): Crews are constructing a new pumping station including a new driveway connection to U.S. 441 S.E. Watch for workers close to the roadway with shoulder closures. Watch for trucks and equipment entering and leaving the roadway.

Glades County• S.R. 27 from Fifth Street to north

of S.R. 78 (Construction project): Crews will be milling and resurfacing the roadway on U.S. 27 from Fifth Street to north of S.R. 78 in Moore Haven. Additional work includes improving the drainage, sidewalks and road shoulders,and installing curb and gutter, signage and pavement markings, and water and sewer linesalong U.S. 27. Work also includes replacing traffic signals at Sixth Street and 10th Street and adding new streetlights at 10th Street and

S.R. 78 intersections. Motorists should expect periodic nighttime and daytime lane closures on U.S. 27 during construction.

Motorists should expect intermittent daily lane closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday on the inside and outside lanes of eastbound and westbound U.S. 27 near S.R. 78 West.

Please use caution and watch for workers in the construction zone. Estimated project completion is summer 2020. The contractor is AJAX Paving Industries of Florida

Hendry County• S.R. 80 from Dalton Lane to C.R.

833 (Construction project): Crews will widen approximately 11 miles of roadway from two to four lanes and add new turning lanes. Additional work includes repaving the current lanes and constructing ten new bridges. Three of the bridges will require full demolition and removal of the existing bridges to construct the new ones. Work also includes drainage improvements, adding curb and gutter, and installing LED lighting. Please use caution and watch for workers in the construction zone. Estimated project completion is summer 2020. The contractor is AJAX Paving of Industries Florida.

All County Road Watch

By Hendry County Sheriff ’s Office

CLEWISTON — The Hendry County Sheriff ’s Office Major Crimes Unit is cur-rently investigating a shooting in the Harlem community of Clewiston.

The shooting occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on July 16 in or around the 800 block of the Harlem Gardens Apartments in Clewiston.

The shooting victims are being treated

for their injuries, which are not considered

life-threatening at this time.

Major crime investigators are following

up on all leads. The HCSO is asking that

anyone who might have any information

please contact 863-674-5600 and ask for a

major crimes investigator regarding case

number HCSO20OFF002207.

Clewiston shooting leaves two injured


OKEECHOBEE — Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and charged with grand theft motor vehicle af-ter multiple ATV thefts were reportedly traced to them. Mason Turner and Jonathan Thomas were both trans-ferred to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Items reported stolen and recovered were:

• 2006 Suzuki Ozark;• Orange Yamaha

Umax golf cart;• 2012 Honda Ranch-

er ATV;• 2013 Honda Fore-

man ATV.The teens were each

charged with three counts of grand theft mo-tor vehicle, two counts burglary and one count

criminal mischief. The investigations were conducted by the Okeechobee County Sheriff ’s Office.

Teens accused of stealing ATVs

Jonathan Thomas

Mason Turner

Those planning to deer hunt this year are reminded about the deer harvest reporting

requirements that went into effect last year. All hunters, including those exempt from

hunting license/permit requirements, must log and report their harvested deer. Log and

report and receive your confirmation number at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Hunters can log in to report harvested deer



OKEECHOBEE — When Okeechobee County sheriff ’s deputies responded to the report of a shooting in the 1900 block of Southeast 34th Lane on May 30, they found Sara King, 44, bleeding from a wound near her right eye. She did not explain what had happened, but repeatedly said the name of the woman who owned the house.

King was TraumaHawked to Lawnwood Hospital. This left a confusing situation for Okeechobee County Sheriff ’s Office to sort out.

The homeowner was not at the residence when deputies arrived. After reviewing video

surveillance from a neighbor’s camera, the OCSO was able to determine the home-owner’s vehicle had not arrived or departed in the hour surrounding the shooting, and the homeowner was not seen on the video during that time, either.

A male, who was later identified as King’s son, was seen on the video leaving the residence. On the video, he showed no sign of distress or panic, the report notes. Five minutes after King’s son left the home, the video showed King exiting the house, holding her face and yelling.

When the son was contacted later by OCSO, he said King asked him to stop by. He

said when he arrived, he saw a gun on the kitchen counter, and King, who had obviously been drinking, threatened to kill herself with it. He reportedly told the deputies when he tried to take the gun away, it appeared to be jammed, and he believed it was broken and she would not be able to use it. He told deputies he knew nothing about his mother’s injuries.

The homeowner, when interviewed later, told OCSO Deputy Quintin Speed that King, her son’s girlfriend, had been living with her to help her with grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. She said King recently stole money from her bank account. She said King had used her debit card in the past when she went grocery shopping for her, so she knew the PIN. She claimed King also stole checks from her and forged her name. She believed King hid it from her by changing all of her passwords and her email address for the ac-count. The total amount of money reportedly stolen was $3,011.54. She said she discovered the theft prior to the shooting and gave King a choice between paying it back or going to jail.

She said King agreed to pay the money back.On June 10, the homeowner went to

OCSO to press charges against King.Throughout the month of June, OCSO

made multiple attempts to locate King after her release from the hospital, and finally, on June 29, she returned Detective DeMarcus Dixon’s call. At that time, King reportedly told him that when she repeated the homeown-er’s name on the day of the shooting, she did not mean the other woman was the one who shot her. She claimed she was trying to tell them that the homeowner drove her to shooting herself.

On July 14, Detective Dixon interviewed King. She reportedly claimed the homeowner gave her the money and also claimed her family members were witnesses. She refused to talk about the gun.

Sara King, 44, U.S. 441 South, was arrested July 14 by OCSO and charged with grand theft, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and giving false information to law enforcement. Bond was set at $13,000.

Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office investigates shooting

Local doctor’s license restrictedBy Cathy WombleLake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — Following allegations of assault made by a former patient last month, Florida Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, M.D. ordered an emergency restriction of the license of Dr. Saeed Khan to practice in the State of Florida.

The Order of Emergency Restriction states that not only was Khan accused by a former patient, but after she came forward, 10 other patients came forward with similar allega-tions. The order continues, “Physicians are entrusted by the public to provide treatment to patients in a manner that is safe and to protect their patients from harm. Dr. Khan’s actions toward his patient show that he does not have the judgment or moral character to hold a position of power or trust. Dr. Khan vi-olated the patient-physician relationship when he engaged in sexual activity with patient T.B. Dr. Khan’s continued unrestricted practice as a physician presents a risk of immediate and serious danger to the health, welfare and safety of the public. Dr. Khan’s blatant disregard for the laws and rules regulating his profession indicates that his behavior is likely to continue. Because of this risk, Dr. Khan’s

continued unrestricted prac-tice represents an immedi-ate, serious danger to the public heath and to patients under his care.”

The order goes on to state that the license of Saeed Akhatar Khan, M.D. is immediately restricted to prohibit him from treating and interacting with female

patients.Patient T.B. came forward several months

after the alleged incident occurred. She said at first she was embarrassed and upset and did not want to tell anyone, but then, she decided there might be other victims out there. She wanted to come forward so maybe they would be brave enough to tell their stories, too.

Saeed Khan, 63, Jupiter, was arrested Fri-day, June 19, by Okeechobee County Sheriff ’s Deputy Devon Satallante and charged with misdemeanor battery touch or strike. His bond was set at $750. A no contact order was also issued.

No other charges have been filed against Khan at this time.

SaeedKhan

OCSO InvestigationsThe Okeechobee County Sheriff ’s Office

investigated reports of the following crimes last week:

ASSAULT• 7200 block U.S. 441 North• 1700 block U.S. 441 North• 42600 block U.S. 441 North

BURGLARY• 2400 block Northwest Fourth Street• 10200 block Northwest Fifth Terrace• 3800 block Southeast 26th Street• 400 block Northeast 31st Way• 400 block Northwest 36th Street• 3600 block Northwest Fourth Avenue

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF• 5300 block Southeast 128th Avenue• 9300 block Southeast 60th Drive

• 4300 block Southeast 26th Street

FRAUD• Jail• 700 block Northeast 15th Avenue

HIT & RUN• 2300 block U.S. 441 South

NARCOTICS USE• Northwest Eighth Avenue

THEFT • 11400 block U.S. 441 Southeast• 3000 block Southeast 29th Terrace• 4900 block U.S. 441 South• 9000 block Northwest 189th Avenue• 10400 block State Road 78 West• 2100 block Southeast 25th Drive• 2800 block Southeast 35th Avenue

Okeechobee Arrest ReportThe following individuals were arrested

• Katie Suggs, 33, Moore Haven, was arrested July 10 by OCSO and charged with possession of methamphetamine, posses-sion of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence. Bond was set at $3,500.

• Stesha Lanham, 31, Southeast Sixth Avenue, was arrested July 10 by OCSO and charged with grand theft. Bond was set at $2,500.

• James Timmons, 36, Southwest Sec-ond Street, was arrested July 12 by OCSO and charged with two counts battery on a law enforcement officer and one count escape. Bond was set at $10,000.

• Katie Kimbrough, 39, Northeast 48th Avenue, was arrested July 13 by OCSO and charged with smuggling contraband into prison and with domestic battery. Bond was set at $3,000.

• Fred Mulroney, 44, U.S. 441 Southeast, was arrested July 13 by OCSO and charged with felony criminal mischief. Bond was set at $2,500.

• Logan Yorke, 14, Northwest Sixth Street, was arrested July 13 by OCSO and charged with aggravated fleeing with injury.

• Sarah King, 44, U.S. 441 South, was arrested July 14 by OCSO and charged with grand theft, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and giving false informa-tion to law enforcement. Bond was set at $13,000.

• Russell Osceola Jr., 37, Sports Complex Road, was arrested July 14 by OCSO and charged with aggravated stalking, three counts contempt of court, intimidation or threatening a witness or victim, trespass on property and writing or sending threats to kill. Bond was set at $417,000.

• Luis Alverez, 42, Okeechobee, was arrested July 15 by OCSO and charged with DUI. Bond was set at $1,000.

-

Okeechobee Fire Report• Okeechobee City Fire Department

responded to 29 medical/EMS and eight fire related calls last week.

• Okeechobee County Fire Rescue responded to 125 medical/EMS, three fire related, six dispatch and cancel and four mis-cellaneous calls last week. Out of 97 possible transports, eight were refused.

• On July 11 at approximately 8 p.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding a brush fire on Northwest 284th Street. When they arrived, they found three palm trees on fire. The owner said he was trying to burn off the vines. They extinguished the fire and returned to the station.

• On July 12 at approximately 12:45 p.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding a brush fire in the 3000 block of Northeast 52nd Drive. When they arrived, the homeowner showed them where they fire was located, but they were unable to access it because a canal blocked the way. They contacted sur-rounding ranches and finally gained access through the cemetery. The department of forestry arrived and established fire lines and contained the fire.

• Okeechobee County Fire Rescue reminds everyone to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

CrimestoppersSpecial to the Lake Okeechobee News

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Jose Alonso, 44 years old, Spanish, male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150 pounds, black hair and brown eyes

His last known address was on Bethune Street in Belle Glade.

Alonso is wanted on a warrant for first degree murder, and as a person engage in criminal offense having a weapon.

Anyone with in-formation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone. Jose

Alonso


News from the FDOHSpecial to the Lake Okeechobee News

The Florida Department of Health gives the following guidance for large or extended families living in the same household.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from coro-navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). If your household includes people in these groups, then all family members should act as if they, themselves, are at higher risk. This can be difficult if space is limited for large or ex-tended families living together. The following information may help you protect those who are most vulnerable in your household.

Protect the household when you must leave the house

Don’t leave the household unless abso-lutely necessary!

For example, only leave if you must go to work, the grocery store, pharmacy, or medical appointments that cannot be de-layed (such as for infants or for people with serious health conditions). Choose one or two family members who are not at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 to do the needed errands. If you must leave the household, follow these nine tips:

1. Avoid crowds, including social gather-ings of any size.

2. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people.

3. Wash your hands often.4. Don’t touch frequently touched surfac-

es in public areas, such as elevator buttons and handrails.

5. Don’t use public transportation, such as the train or bus, if possible. If you must use public transportation, Maintain 6 feet of distance from other passengers as much as possible. Avoid touching frequently touched surfaces such as handrails. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as soon as possible after leaving public transportation.

6. Don’t ride in a car with members of different households.

7. Wear a cloth face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

8. Wash your hands immediately when you return home.

9. Maintain a physical distance between you and those at higher risk in your house-hold. For example, avoid hugging, kissing, or sharing food or drinks.

You can find more information about running essential errands at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/es-sential-goods-services.html.

Protect members of the household who are at higher risk for severe illness

Adults 65 or older and people who have serious underlying medical conditions are at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If your household includes people in these groups, then all family members should act as if they, themselves, are at higher risk.

Here are seven ways to protect your household members.

1. Stay home as much as possible.2. Wash your hands often, especially

after you have been in a public place or after

blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Information on when and how to wash hands can be found here: www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.

3. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if you can’t wash with soap and water. Place a dime-sized amount in your palm and rub your hands together, covering all parts of your hand, fingers, and nails until they feel dry.

4. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

5. Cover your coughs and sneezes. If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of

your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands.

6. Clean and then disinfect your home. Wear disposable gloves, if available. Clean frequently touched surfaces daily with soap and water or other detergents. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter-tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Then, use an EPA-registered disinfectant that is appropri-ate for the surface. Follow the instructions on the label for safe and effective use of the cleaning product. Disinfectants are chemi-cals that kill germs on surfaces.

EPA-registered disinfectants are listed here: www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-useagainst-sars-cov-2.

More about cleaning and disinfecting can be found here: www.cdc.gov/corona-virus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-sick/clean-ing-disinfection.html

7. Don’t have visitors unless they need to be in your home.

Protect children and others from getting sick

Adults 65 years and older and people who have serious medical conditions should avoid caring for the children in their house-hold, if possible. If people at higher risk must care for the children in their household, the children in their care should not have con-tact with individuals outside the household.

Follow these five tips to help protect children and others from getting sick.

1. Teach children the same things every-one should do to stay healthy. Children and other people can spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/pre-vent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html.

2. Don’t let children have in-person play dates with children from other households.

3. Teach children who are playing outside to stay 6 feet away from anyone who is not in their own household.

4. Help children stay connected to their friends through video chats and phone calls.

5. Teach children to wash their hands. Explain that hand washing can keep them healthy and stop the virus from spreading to others. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

How to care for a household member who is sick

Most people who get sick with COVID-19

will have only mild illness and should stay at home to recover. Care at home can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people who are at risk for getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

If you are caring for someone who is sick at home, follow these six tips:

1. Have the person stay in one room, away from other people, including yourself, as much as possible.

2. Have them use a separate bathroom, if possible.

3. Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake. bluish lips or face This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any oth-er symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

4. Make sure the person with COVID-19 drinks a lot of fluids to stay hydrated, rests at home, and uses over-the-counter medicines to help with symptoms (after talking to their doctor). For most people, symptoms last a few days and they get better after a week.

5. Have their doctor’s phone number on hand, and call their doctor if the person with COVID-19 gets sicker.

If English is your second language, a household member should know how to ask for an interpreter.

6. Call 911 for medical emergencies. Tell the 911 operator that the patient has or is suspected to have COVID-19.

If English is your second language, a household member should know how to ask for an interpreter.

You can find more information about caring for someone who is sick at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html.

Isolate a sick household member when household space is limited

If you cannot provide a separate room and bathroom for a person who is sick with COVID-19, try to separate them from other household members. Try to create adequate separation within your household to protect everyone, especially those people at higher risk (those over 65 years and those who have medical conditions).

Follow these ten tips when isolating a household member who is sick:

1. Keep 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

2. Cover coughs and sneezes; wash hands often; and don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Have the sick household member wear a cloth face covering when they are around other people at home and out (including before they enter a doctor’s office).

The cloth face covering can be a scarf or bandanna. But they should not be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is not able to remove the covering without help. You can find more about cloth face coverings at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

4. Keep people at higher risk separated from anyone who is sick.

5. Have only one person in the household take care of the person who is sick. This

caregiver should be someone who is not at higher risk for severe illness. The caregiver should clean where the sick person has been, as well as their bedding and laundry. The caregiver should minimize contact with other people in the household, especially those who are at higher risk for severe ill-ness. Have a caregiver for the person who is sick and a different caregiver for other mem-bers of the household who require help with cleaning, bathing, or other daily tasks.

6. Clean and disinfect surfaces, door-knobs, and other commonly touched surfac-es with EPAregistered disinfectants daily. Find a list here: www.epa.gov/pesticide-registra-tion/list-n-disinfectantsuse-against-sars-cov-2.

7. Limit visitors to those with an essential need to be in the home.

8. Don’t share personal items like phones,dishes, bedding, or toys.

9. If you need to share a bedroom with someone who is sick, make sure the room has good air flow. Open a window and turn on a fan to bring in fresh air. Place beds at least 6 feet apart, if possible. Sleep head to toe. Put a curtain around or place another physical divider to separate the bed of the person who is sick from other beds. For example, you might use a shower curtain, room screen divider, large cardboard poster board, quilt, or large bedspread.

10. Have the person who is sick clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in a shared bathroom. If this is not possible, others who share the bathroom should wait as long as possible after the sick person uses the bathroom before entering it to clean and disinfect or to use the bathroom. Make sure the room has good air flow. Open a window and turn on a fan (if possible) to bring in andcirculate fresh air.

Take care when feeding someone who is sick

If possible, make a plate for the sick household member to eat in the separate area they are staying in. If they cannot eat in the separate area they are staying in, they should stay at least 6 feet away from other members of the household during meals. Or, they should eat at a different time than others in the household.

Also, follow these seven tips:1. Don’t help prepare food if you are sick.2. Wash your hands for at least 20

seconds with soap and water before eating. This includes everyone in the household!

3. Use clean utensils when placing food on every household member’s plate.

4. Don’t eat from the same dishes or use the same utensils as someone else in the household.

5. Wear gloves to handle dishes, drinking glasses, and utensils (food service items), if possible. Also, wash these non-disposable items with hot water and soap or in a dish-washer after you use them.

6. Have only one person bring food to the sick person and clean-up the sick person’s food service items. This should be someone who is not at higher risk for severe illness.

7. Wash your hands after handling used food service items.

DOH provides guidelines for families facing challenges with COVID-19


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ATLANTA — In an editorial published July 14 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), CDC reviewed the latest science and affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread, particularly when used universally within communities. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others.

“We are not defenseless against COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

This review included two case studies out July 14, one from JAMA, showing that adher-ence to universal masking policies reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission within a Boston hospital system, and one from CDC’s Mor-bidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showing that wearing a mask prevented the spread of infection from two hair stylists to their customers in Missouri.

Additional data in July 14’s MMWR showed that immediately after the White House Coronavirus Task Force and CDC ad-vised Americans to wear cloth face coverings when leaving home, the proportion of U.S. adults who chose to do so increased, with 3 in 4 reporting they had adopted the recom-mendation in a national internet survey.

The results of the Missouri case study provide further evidence on the benefits of wearing a cloth face covering. The investiga-tion focused on two hair stylists — infected with and having symptoms of COVID-19 — whose salon policy followed a local ordinance requiring cloth face coverings for all employees and patrons. The investigators found that none of the stylists’ 139 clients or secondary contacts became ill, and all 67 clients who volunteered to be tested showed no sign of infection.

The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that cloth face coverings provide

source control — that is, they help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19. The main protection individuals gain from masking occurs when others in their communities also wear face coverings.

When two stylists at a Missouri hair salon tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers from CoxHealth hospi-tals, Washington University, the University of Kansas, and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department worked together to trace contacts, investigate the cases, and publish their findings in the MMWR.

One of the stylists developed respirato-ry symptoms but continued to see clients for eight days. The other, who apparently became infected from her co-worker, also de-veloped respiratory symptoms and continued to see clients for four days.

The salon in which they worked had a policy requiring both stylists and their clients to wear face coverings, consistent with the local government ordinance. Both stylists wore double-layered cloth face coverings or surgical masks when seeing clients. The median appointment time was 15 minutes and ranged from 15 to 45 minutes. More than 98% of clients wore a face covering — 47% wore cloth face coverings, 46% wore surgical masks, and about 5% wore N-95 respirators.

When customers were asked whether they had been ill with any respiratory symp-toms in the 90 days preceding their appoint-ment, 87 (84%) reported that they had not. None of the interviewed customers devel-oped symptoms of illness. Among 67 (48%) customers who volunteered to be tested, all 67 tested negative for the virus that causes COVID-19. Several family members of one of the stylist’s subsequently developed symp-toms and received a diagnosis of COVID-19.

CDC analyzed data from an internet survey of a national sample of 503 adults during April 7–9 and found that about 62% said they would follow the newly announced recommendations to wear a face mask when outside the home. A repeat survey during May 11-13 showed that the percentage of adults endorsing face mask wearing increased to more than 76%.

The increase was driven largely by a signif-icant jump in approval by white, non-Hispan-

ic adults, from 54% to 75%. Approval among Black, non-Hispanic adults went up from 74% to 82%, and remained stable among Hispan-ic/Latino adults at 76% and 77%.

There was also a large increase in face-mask approval among respondents in the Mid-west, from 44% to 74%. Approval was greatest in the Northeast, going from 77% to 87%.

CDC calls on Americans to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 spread



PBCSO thanks Glades Health CarePAHOKEE — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t like sharing the spotlight, but it doesn’t mind sharing it with these local heroes. They deserve all the appreciation and respect for taking care of the community. It’s because of the health care professionals’ bravery that many are winning the fight against this evil COVID-19 virus. On, Wednesday, July 15, PBCSO wanted to thank the staff at Glades Health Care Inc. with the help of “In Ja-cob’s Shoes.”


WEST PALM BEACH — Experts say we are in for a busy hurricane season this summer, and the American Red Cross needs volunteers to help in our community.

“The coronavirus pandemic will make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volun-teers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. In light of this, the Red Cross is asking you to be ready to help your community,” said Grace Meinhofer, regional director of communications and marketing for the South Florida Red Cross. “Train now to be a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises here in our region.”

Full information on volunteer opportuni-ties is available at www.redcross.org/volun-teer/volunteer-role-finder.html.

Shelter help needed — There is a spe-cial need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce. We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and super-visory level opportunities available.

Health services support needed — If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT,

paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screen-ing for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.

Roles are also available for certified nursing assistants, certified home health aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, provid-ing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.

Furry friends need help, too — When people leave their homes during an emergen-cy, they take their pets with them. The Red Cross is looking for established partner orga-nizations to support the pet sheltering effort.

For those interested in volunteer-ing — If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/SFLVolunteer or contact your local chapter office. For more information on office locations and phone numbers, visit redcross.org/SouthFlorida.

Red Cross needs local volunteers


LAKELAND — On July 21, Publix started requiring customers to wear face coverings while shopping in its stores.

“With the number of coronavirus cases continuing to grow and current CDC guid-ance indicating face coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19, we believe requiring face coverings in our stores is another way we can do our part to help protect our communi-ties,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous.

Signs announcing the new requirement are posted at store entrances, and in-store announcements will be made. This require-

ment will not apply to young children and those with medical conditions who are not able to wear face coverings. Publix remains committed to serving customers through all channels but encourages those who are not able to wear face coverings to consider using Publix Delivery and/or Curbside Pickup.

In addition to requiring face coverings, Publix previously implemented a number of process changes in our stores to safeguard the health and well-being of customers, asso-ciates and communities, including:

• increased sanitation efforts through frequent and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces like carts, door handles, PIN pads,

ATMs and vending machines, using a disin-fection cleaner before every store opens and throughout the day;

• reduced store hours to allow extra time for store cleaning and preventive sanitation;

• implemented contactless pay in all stores, allowing customers to pay by placing their smartphones or contactless pay-enabled credit or debit cards near a payment device rather than touching the PIN pad;

• installed plexiglass shields at all registers and pharmacies to better protect both associ-ates and customers;

• implemented one-way shopping on each aisle to help with customer traffic flow;

• initiated intercom announcements to re-mind customers to follow one-way shopping and maintain the recommended 6-foot dis-tance between themselves, Publix associates and other shoppers;

• provided store managers discretion to limit the number of customers inside stores;

• provided store associates with masks to wear while at work and the option to wear non-latex plastic gloves.

Publix is actively monitoring the evolving pandemic and will continue to review guid-ance provided by the CDC, as well as state and local agencies.

Publix to require customers to wear face coverings40 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun July 22, 2020

CALL TODAY: 772-463-2344TO SET UP A FREE CONSULTATION


WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County restaurants must close at 11 p.m. under Palm Beach County Emergency Order 2020-014, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 16.

The order states: “No establishment permitted to serve alcohol for on-site con-sumption, whether indoor or outdoor, shall serve alcohol between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. No establishment permitted to serve food for on-site consumption, whether indoor or outdoor, shall serve food between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Delivery, drive-through, pick-up or take-out services are permitted for off-site consumption.

“Additionally, the following businesses and venues, to the extent they have been authorized to legally operate, shall be closed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.: amusement parks, hookah and smoking bars and lounges; kava, kratom and similar bars and lounges; banquet halls; and ballrooms.

“This order applies in all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County.”

PBC restaurants ordered to close 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — As growing numbers of health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are now urging everyone across the United States to wear face coverings in public to help protect communities and stem the spread of COVID-19, Walgreens is expanding require-ments for customers to wear face covers while in stores across all Walgreens locations chainwide beginning Monday, July 20.

Face covers have already been mandato-ry at thousands of Walgreens in states and jurisdictions where they are required. Now, furthering the company’s commitment to health and well-being in communities across America, Walgreens is asking customers at all stores nationwide to wear face masks when entering the store.

There will be new and additional signage on exterior doors with this information.

Walgreens will require face

coverings


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5084-M: VIKING large remodeled 4BD/2BA Double-wide on 4.50± ACRES. 2,650 Total Sq Ft.,/2,280 under air. Huge entertainment room, new appliances. Master bedroom features walk in closet, Garden Tub/Shower, his & her sink. Beautiful front

deck and fenced yard. Call for an easy showing. $178,000

5011-H: LOCATION & UNIQUE CONSTRUCTION MODEL! Right off 70 east. Commercial or Residential. Huge home on 4.66+/- ACRES. Garage & Circular driveway.

Located next to TRIPLE E EQUIPMENT-All dimensions are approximate. $450,000 MLS OK219265

6023-L: FOUR SEASONS AREA Clean beautiful lot-a little under half an acre ready for a new home with lots of trees. Electricity, culvert, well & septic (functionality of all

road. Adjoining lot is also available for sale also with electric, culvert, well and septic. Both lots had a mobile home on them in the past. Making them almost 1 ACRE if bought

together. Great location for east coast commuters. $30,000

MLS OK219256 & MLS OK219257

5076-M: KISSIMMEE RIVER ESTATES~ Well taken care of- nice & tidy 3BD/1BA Single-wide Mobile home. Total Sq Ft., 1,023. Lots of space and large garage/workshop. Workshop

showing. $34,000 MLS OK219266

1200 S. Parrott Ave. • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL Visit our website to view more listings | www.Century21okeechobee.com | [email protected]

MAKE OFFERREDUCED


TECNAVIA [CROPPDFINORIG] crop = 25 10 25 10


Real Estate Directory

Find yourdream home!

In addition to this weekly real estate directory, you can search online for your new

home in the Lake Okeechobee Real Estate magazine

LakeOkeechobeeRealEstateMagazine.com

~ Meet Our Newest Agents ~

Wayne Williams863-261-4138

[email protected]

Jacalyn Sutton863-801-4755

[email protected]

Amy Moyer863-633-0319

[email protected]

RIM CANAL- WATERFRONT: Multi-Family. Five units. 2006 DWMH 4BD/ 2

Ba, Family room in main home w/privacy fence patio. Front deck overlooks rim

canal water, water, carport, shed. 2004- DWMH 4Bd/2Ba, Family room, 2004 DWMH 3Bd/2Ba w/carport, screened

porch, shed, near water. 2Bd/1Ba Park Model. All unite in excellent condition. Three RV hookup spots. Privacy fence

with automatic gate. Beautiful trees/ planting in an RV like setting. Seawall.

Retirement/investment=income Producing Property. Truly a turn Key.PERFECT FAMILY COMPOUND!

OR INVESTORS DREAMCall Lori (863) 634-1457

MLS # OK 218737 $449,000

FOUR PLUS ACRES! LOCATED IN FRONT OF KINGS BAY. 550 Ft of road frontage x 330 Ft deep. Great location! Seller can provide storage unit building plans

and previous permits. Highly populated area. Property backs up to community captive lake which would be beautiful for condominiums or apartments. Priced to Sell!

Call Lori (863) 634-1457 MLS # OK212900 $249,000

LAKE OKEECHOBEE ACCESS~ON TAYLOR CREEK Waterfront Beauty! 3Bd/ 2 Ba, CBS

home. Realistically 1,705 sq ft under air. Metal roof. Very spacious with

offi ce room, plus workshop or “man cave”. Concrete drive. Screened

porch on the back. Dog run fenced area. Well for irrigation system. Beautiful garden and play area.

Concrete seawall, Floating dock. Under the shade of the trees, enjoy

panoramic view of creek.FISHERMAN’S PARADISE!Call Lairen (863) 458-1707

MLS # OK219040 $225,000


Hendry County Emergency Management has provided an updated list of major chain stores that require face masks to be worn by the public while shopping.

• Costco — In effect: May 4 – Exception for people under 2 and with a health condi-tion.

• Starbucks — In effect: July 14 – No mask? Curbside pickup, delivery, drive-thru available.

• Best Buy — In effect: July 15 – Face coverings will be provided for customers who don’t have one, and small children and customers unable to wear a mask for health reasons can shop without one. Curbside pickup is available.

• Walmart and Sam’s Club — In effect: July 20 – Signs and staff at front doors remind-ing people to put on face covering. Trained health ambassadors will be stationed in stores to remind people of the rule. Sam’ s Club will provide complimentary masks if the member doesn’t have one.

• CVS — In effect: July 20 – Employees will not enforce but will ask customers to follow rule.

• Lowe’s — In effect: July 20 – Free masks will be available at the customer service desk of every store for customers who need them.

• Publix — In effect: July 21 – Signs at front and in-store announcements to remind shoppers of the rule. Does not apply to children and people with health conditions, who are encouraged to use curbside pickup/delivery.

• Winn-Dixie — In effect: July 27.• Kohl’s — In effect: July 21 – No mask?

Drive-up service or kohls.com. Does not apply to people with a health condition.

• Home Depot — In effect: July 22 – Small children or those who have a valid medical condition will not be required to wear a mask.

• Target — In effect: Aug. 1 – Does not apply to those with underlying medical condi-tions and young children. Stores will provide disposable masks. There will be signage and audio reminders within the stores.

• BJ’s Wholesale — Effective Monday, July 20 – Anyone entering a BJ’s location will be required to wear a facial covering that covers both the mouth and nose at all times while shopping.

• Walgreens — Effective July 20 - Cus-tomers to wear face covers while in stores across all Walgreens locations chainwide.

Major chains requiring face masks while shopping


A Moment of Truth“Give Me That Old

Time Religion”

Mike Hanlon, MinisterOkeechobee Church of Christ • 401 S. Parrott Avenue

We sing the words, it was good for Paul and Silas and it’s good enough for me so what religion did Paul and Silas preach?In Jeremiah 6:16 we read: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way…” When seeking that “Old Time Religion” we need to turn to God’s word. In Acts Chapter 2 the apostles all assembled on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them. Peter and the Apostles

death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After hearing the word over three thousand were baptized for the remission of their sins. Acts 2:38 God’s Gospel is good enough for me.

You are welcome to come visit and enjoy the traditional worship

and music.

Come and share in the word of God

Trinity Free Will Baptist ChurchSunday Morning Service

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Wednesday Bible Study

6 - 7:30 p.m.

Pastor: Thomas Dees1840 NE 39th Blvd. (Cemetery Rd)

Okeechobee, Florida 34972Telephone: 863-763-4962

In Good CompanyBelle Glade Community PartnerSponsor of 2,000 courtesy copies of Lake Okeechobee News delivered to

the Belle Glade community.

At Independent News Media, proprietors of Lake Okeechobee News, we seek to

provide community websites and purposeful newspapers that encourage and support meaningful community involvement and

elevate the level of citizenship in our communities.

We believe our dedication to conscientious journalism and free speech with civility is the

best way to help each of our communities become a better place to live and work.

We salute area businesses who share our commitment to community:

Florida Crystals

Good ShepherdEpiscopal Church

1098 Collingswood Pkwy just south of SR 80 east,

Port LaBelle • 863-675-0385All Welcome

Sunday Service 10:00 AM

with Rev. Elizabeth Nelsonplease visit our all renewed

and sanitized

THRIFT SHOPReopen Now

Last Saturdays of the month8AM till 3 PM

Wearing a face mask is required free hand sanitizer and face

masks are available July 25 August 29 September 26

Ran by volunteers • Many new items weeklyGood Shepherd Episcopal Church 863-675-0385

ACPA hold group meetingsHENDRY COUNTY — The ACPA

(American Chronic Pain Association) will host a Pain Management Support Group on the fourth Saturday of each month via Zoom at 1 p.m. This group is for people who suffer from chronic pain or are the caregivers of a person that suffers from chronic pain. The group meetings are a place where people can take two to three minutes during meetings and talk about their pain freely and not be judged; and second the meetings edu-cate people in positive ways to manage their pain. For information, contact Ed at 863-612-8939 or email: [email protected].


New baby welcomedOKEECHOBEE — Matt Mitchell and his fiancée, Sarah Bryant, are pictured with baby Luka, who was born on July 9 at 6:23 a.m.(Luka’s name was incorrect in the July 15 story about the veteran. We regret the error and any inconvenience it might have caused.)


WE DIDN’T INVENT AIR.WE JUST PERFECTED IT.

Don’t pay until 2021 when

system for as little as

$132 A MONTH*

RECEIVE UP TO

$1,200IN REBATES

with the purchase of a new Lennox® system**

CAC057219Offer expires August 14, 2020.*Offer available July 6, 2020 to August 14, 2020. Offer based on a retail price of $10,000. Requires purchase of qualifying system. Financing available to well-qualified buyers on approved credit. No down payment required. No monthly payment required and no interest is accrued during the 6 month no interest no pay period. After the no payment period, the loan is rolled into 9.99% APR for 120 Months with equal monthly payments of $132 a month. Normal late charges apply. Can be combined with any eligible consumer rebate offer. Minimum loan amount $3,000. Maximum loan amount $100,000. You may prepay your account at any time without penalty. Financing is subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only. See Truth in Lending disclosures available from lender for more information. **Rebate requires purchase of qualifying items between July 6, 2020 to August 14, 2020. Qualifying items must be installed by August 21, 2020. Rebate claims (with proof of purchase) must be submitted (with proof of purchase) to www.lennoxconsumerrebates.com no later than September 3, 2020. Rebate is paid in the form of a Lennox Visa® Prepaid card. Card is subject to terms and conditions found or referenced on card and expires 12 months after issuance. Conditions apply. See www.lennox.com/terms-and-conditions for complete terms and conditions. © 2020 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses.

AND

863-216-2948

208 SW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34974Okeechobee’s Longest-Established Lennox

Dealer Since 1975


OKEECHOBEE — At the Okeechobee Primary Election Candidate Forum on July 16, Republicans Ned Hancock and Kaylee Tuck each made their pitch to be next to represent District 55 in the Florida House of Represen-tatives.

They’re running to replace incumbent Re-publican Cary Pigman, who has hit his term limit and can no longer run.

Hancock, a citrus grower out of Avon Park, spoke first at the forum.

“I work with and for local businesses throughout this district,” said Hancock. “We have ties to every corner of this district. I understand what it means to make a payroll and have employees that are dependent on you. I also understand what it means when there are regulations passed by a governing body in Tallahassee and how they impact our businesses.”

Ahead of the forum, Hancock secured a key endorsement from Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel E. Stephen. According to Trans-parency USA, to date Hancock has raised $204,149 for his campaign from 517 unique donors.

Tuck, a land-use lawyer from Sebring, used her opening statement to explain her reason-ing for running for the open seat.

“So why am I running for office?” asked Tuck. “I do not want AOC to be the legacy of my generation. I believe the millennial genera-tion has an opportunity to make an impact on our country, county and state. And I want to be the voice of our millennial generation. I’m 100% pro-life, Second Amendment and conservative.”

AOC refers to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York in the United States House of Representatives and came to fame after upsetting the Democratic Establishment candidate Joe Crowley, a 10-term incumbent

at the time, in a 2018 primary.According to Transparency USA, Tuck has

raised $105,098 from 290 unique donors. She has received endorsements from former U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney and former Florida Sen. Pat Neal.

Both candidates have said that they will keep an office location in Okeechobee County if elected.

The issue of charter schools reviving tax dollars was raised near the end of the forum.

“Charter schools aren’t a bad thing if they are run correctly,” said Hancock. “I’m not as big of a fan of the capital dollars that have been siphoned off to charter schools. The concept behind them is good.”

Hancock went on to say that although charter schools aren’t the answer for every-one, they play a role in continuing to look for different opportunities in education.

“As the child of a public school teacher I see the issue with siphoning off tax dollars for charter schools,” said Tuck. “But I do see the need to expand our school choice so that we can cater to every educational need.”

In their closing statements, each candidate highlighted their primary appeal.

“If you look around this district, there are great people,” explained Hancock. “There are people who have done this before us. Mr. Bert Harris did a phenomenal job representing us. Denise Grimsley and Joe Spratt. For years we’ve had great representation. There are good people trying to make a difference. We need to support that in Tallahassee. We need somebody that understands each and every corner of this district. We deserve better than what we got in the last several years. I hope to be able to be the person that supports this area.”

In her closing statement, Tuck said she is running to bring conservative values to the next generation and offered to answer any questions for those who still had concerns after the forum.

Hankcock and Tuck square off at Okeechobee political forum


THE EVERGLADES — As discussed in length at the July meeting of the South Florida Water Management District, the Tamiami Trail, which bisects the southern Everglades, acts as a man-made dam restricting water flow to water control structures. Some of these structures, the S-12 gates, are closed nine months of the year to protect the nesting grounds of a subpopulation of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS).

In a June 22 letter to Mary B. Neumayr, chair-woman of the Council of Environmental Quality in Washington, D.C, Billy Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, explained that limits on the flow of water under the Tamiami Trail to protect the nesting grounds of sub-population A of the CSSS causes water to back up north of the trail, damaging tribal lands.

According to last week’s report from the South Florida Water Management District, all of the Water Conservation Areas north of the Tamiami Trail are above regulation schedule due to recent rainfall.

The S-12C and S-12D gates were opened in June. The schedule called for the S-12A and S-12B gates to be opened on July 15. But only the S-12B gate was opened on that date.

What about S-12A?“The Jacksonville District opened S-344,

S-343A, S-343B and S-12B on July 15, as planned,” explained James Yocum of the US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. “We did not open S-12A after receiving a request from Everglades National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delay flows from that one structure to reduce the speed with which water will enter areas recently damaged by wildfires.

“By allowing a slower flow into these areas over the next week, the marl prairie has a better chance of repairing the damage from the fires. Our calculations show that leaving the S-12A closed for this short period will result in only .067 inches difference in the elevation of the Water Conservation Area 3A, and the benefit to the natural habitat will be significant. We currently plan to open S-12A Wednesday (July 22),” he added.

S-12A gate closed to protect sparrow habitat


Cheryl Eby Gutjahr(863) 228-1562

Anabel Miranda (863) 228 6296 Español

Curt Thompson (863) 677-1064

(863) 983-8559528 E. Sugarland Hwy. Clewiston, FL

See our other listings at rawlsrealestate.com

CLEWISTON HOMES / CONDOS• 4/3.5 106 Sugarland Circle with pool $295K• 3/2 Mobile home 321 Avenida Del Sur $94,900• 2/2 Bass-n-Sun Condo, fully furnished #223 $119,900 PENDING• 2/2 215 S. Nogal, 1.25 ac $125K• 3/1 809 Florida Ave. $80K SOLD

COMMERCIAL / INVESTMENT PROPERTY • 622 Sugarland Hwy $419K (Office/Exec)• lndustrial Park 3013 C.R. 835 (Open storage and Warehouse) Call for details• Medical office 51 Ave. J, Moore Haven $139,9K• US 27 Frontage, South Bay, Lrg. Warehouse with rail, newly remodeled. $1,500,000• 316 Bond St. Medical Office $224K or lease $1600 per month

ACREAGE, LAND & LOTS• 4 Buildable lots available in Sky Valley, Clewiston Starting at $25K• Indian Hills Lots $10K & up • Moore Haven Meyerchick Dr Buildable lots starting at $8,500• Moore Haven City Lots Starting at $7K• 5 ac Ladeca, 13456 Center Ave. $65K• 525 S. Jasmine St., 1.25 ac $20K

OWNER FINANCING - LAND• 77 ac. $11,5K per acre, Venus (great hunting)• 10 ac. $12.5K per acre, Venus• 20 ac. 13301 E. SR 80 $20K per acre HWY FRONTAGE• 28 ac. Hwy 27 Frontage $16K per acre Venus• 13995 S.E. SR 80 $29K per acre. HWY FRONTAGE. RES/COMM. APPROVED FUTURE LAND USE 112± ACRES

3/2 mobile home 321 Avenida Del Sur $94,900

J

w

v

be directly attributed to HRMC lab, is as follows as of July 20: 67 tests performed, 22 positive, 45 negative.

“All test results positive or negative are sent to the DOH,” she added.

HRMC’s update for July 16 states:• HRMC has collected a total of 2,242

specimens for COVID-19 virus testing since the onset of the virus, 359 are still pending results; 587 have been reported as positive; 1,296 have been reported as negative.

• HRMC currently has four COVID-19 patients and six patients pending results in isolation units. One positive COVID patient has been discharged in the past 24 hours.

• Yesterday (July 15), HRMC saw 43 pa-

tients through the emergency department.

HRMC Employee Quarantine and

Self-isolation: Currently, there are six

employees quarantined/self-isolated from

HRMC awaiting testing results. There is one

employee quarantined/self-isolating due

to non-work related COVID-19 exposure

and four employees have tested positive

for COVID-19 virus and are self-isolating.

Additionally, zero employees are self-quar-

antined due to recent travel.

The FDOT report for data through July

20, verified as of July 21, showed HRMC

with 184 positive tests and two negative

tests.

At presstime, FDOH had not responded

to questions about the HRMC test numbers.

HRMCContinued From Page 1


OKEECHOBEE — Last week, news me-dia in Florida discovered some of the small-er testing labs apparently had only positive COVID-19 tests logged in Florida Depart-ment of Health (FDOH) data, although they are required to report both positive and negative. While this does not change the number of positive tests, it could change the positivity rate.

In a statement released to media, FDOH explained: “All COVID-19 cases are con-firmed through diagnostic and antigen testing and then reported to the state by the labs performing the testing. Private and public laboratories are required to report positive and negative test results to the state immediately. In recent days, the

Florida Department of Health noticed that some smaller, private labs weren’t reporting negative test result data to the state. The department immediately began working with those labs to ensure that all results were being reported in order to provide comprehensive and transparent data. As the state continues to receive results from various labs, the department will continue educating these labs on proper protocol for reporting COVID-19 test results.”

Did the data from the labs that did not report any negatives skew Flori-da’s positivity rate?

FDOH has reported more than 3 million people have been tested in Florida since March. However, some people may have been counted more than once. Staff at long-term care facilities are required to be tested every two weeks. Some first responders

who believe they may have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient may have been tested more than once. According to FDOH, all of those tests are included in the total until that person tests positive. Once a person tests positive, all other tests — both positive and negative — for that person are not added to the FDOH dashboard totals. First responders and health professionals who test positive must be tested negative twice before being cleared to return to work. Those additional tests are not added to the dashboard totals.

The FDOH COVID-19 Testing by Labo-ratory report is updated daily. The report of July 20 was 25 pages with about 45 labs listed per page.

The report shows the larger labs report-ed positives and negatives fairly close to the state average while some of the labs report-ing just a few tests had 100% positives.

As of the July 20 report, each of the labs that reported 100% positives (with no negatives) had between one and 488 tests. Many of those labs reported only one test (positive) each. As of that report, the total

number of positive tests reported by the

labs that had no negatives was 5,426.

As of July 20, FDOH reported 3,055,922

tests in Florida, with 360,394 positive, for a

positivity rate of 11.79%.

If you subtract the labs that only report-

ed positive results, the positivity rate would

be 11.63%.

The July 20 report indicated the seven

largest testing labs accounted for 2.25

million tests, with positives ranging from

3% to 12%. Quest Diagnostics in Tampa

reported 594,470 tests with 12% positive.

Laboratory Corporation reported 545,061

tests with 12% positive. Bio Reference Lab-

oratories Inc. reported 398,955 tests with

15% positive. Genetwork reported 330,293

tests with 12% positive. Realtox Labs LLC

reported 163,953 with 12% positive. Advent

Health reported 111,635 with 12% positive.

Northwest Laboratory reported 110,037

with 3% positive.

COVID-19 positive test numbers questioned

By AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell GloorAssociation of Mature American Citizens

Dear Rusty: I have been a widow since November 2019. I retired under the Federal Civil Service Retirement System. Before my husband died, I made an appointment with Social Security to see if I could receive his Social Security if he passed on. I was told I could. Since he passed, Social Security has adamantly re-fused to let me have my husband’s Social Security. I have lost $1,400 per month. My Social Security check is about $126 per month. Signed: Frustrated Widow

Dear Frustrated Widow: First, please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you.

Because of your Federal Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension, you are subject to the “Government Pension Offset” (GPO) provision of Social Security. The GPO reduces the survivor benefit for anyone who also has a pension from an employer which did not participate in Social Security (neither the employer or the employee paid into Social Security), and your Federal CSRS pension falls into

this category. GPO reduces any survivor benefit you might otherwise be entitled to by 2/3rds of the amount of your CSRS pension, which often eliminates the sur-vivor benefit. For clarity, GPO also applies to a Social Security benefit from a living spouse.

As you probably already know, your CSRS pension caused your own Social Security benefit, earned from other work outside of your federal employment, to be reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Unfortunately, whoever you previously spoke with at the Social Security Administration prior to your husband’s death gave you some incorrect information, because you are also subject to the GPO. And that is why Social Securi-ty will not now pay you a survivor benefit from your husband. I’m afraid you have no recourse on this, as both the GPO and WEP have been the law for decades. The Federal Government has now changed to a “Federal Employee Retirement System” (FERS) which fully participates in Social Security (both employees and the employ-er contribute to Social Security), so more recent federal retirees are not subject to the WEP and GPO rules.

Social Security Matters


Employment - Full Time


John Deere Grade A Mechanic/Service Tech. Location: Belle Glade

Job Description:Technician is responsible for repair and main-tenance of a variety of agricultural, lawnmaintenance and construction equipment. This technician may be required to go out

-date will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills from basic mechanical to complextechnical diagnostics of modern computerizedsystems. Must be able to provide own basic tool kit. Must be able to navigate product sup-port software, computer programs for work order maintenance and write reports for cus-tomers invoicing. Will be required to exercisegood customer relations and handle customercomplaints as well as maintain working rela-tionship with fellow employees. Must alwaysfollow safety practices.

• Experience working on equipment; preferable-

tion.• Valid Florida Driver’s License.• Mechanical knowledge, preferably z-tracks to

2 Stroke equipment.•• Read hydraulic schematics and diagnose hy-

draulic system faults.• Read electrical schematics and diagnose elec-

tronics faults.• Experience in diagnosing and repair of diesel

engines. • Experience with telematics, desirable.• Strong communication skills, great sense of

humor preferred.•• Basic Data Entry and write reports.• Must be able to work in a fast paced, extreme

environmental conditions and meet deadlines.• Team builder • Self-motivated, over achiever

This position offers a very competitive ben-

Experience Requirement: 3-5 years of mechanic experienceTravel Requirement: As needed to achievesuccess

Please send resume to: [email protected] @or fax to (561)296-7158




NOW HIRINGCLASS A OR B CDL

DRIVERSfor local deliveries.

Must know the area,have clean driving record

and pass a drug test.

apply at:Walpole Feed & Supply Co.

2595 NW 8th St.

SLP PT COOK/HOUSEKEEPERLykes Bros. Inc. is in need of a cook/house-keeper who will be primarily responsible formaintaining food inventories, planning andpreparing meals for lodge guests at the re-quest of the Silver Lake Preserve Manager.General housekeeping duties of the lodge as scheduled.

Education/Experience Requirements:1 year of line and/or prep cook experience

(must obtain within 30 days of hire).Valid Driver’s License with insurability.

Please apply online atwww.lykesranch.comy under the careers tab.

Drug-Smoke Free Workplace/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer



Now Hiring DRIVERSWe want YOU to join our TEAM

Drive into a GREAT CAREER with MV!Experienced and Entry Level!

NO CDL REQUIRED!!Palm Beach County including Belle Glade area

Part-time to full-time DRIVERS (three (3) weeks paid full-time training

required - competitive wages!!)WALK IN APPLICANTS WELCOME:

Monday through Friday from 8 am-5pm

Walk In Location Address: Career Source: 1085 South Main Street,

Belle Glade, FL 33430, 561.829.2040MV Transportation Inc : 3301 Electronic Way

Unit D, West Palm Beach, Florida 34407Questions? Please call: 561-370-7072

Can’t stop by?? Please apply online at careers.mvtransit.com

Hendry County BOCC is seeking applications for a full-time and/or part-time Temporary p yCustodian I. Applications must be received at the Human Resources Department, 640South Main Street, LaBelle, FL 33935. A com-plete job posting and application forms are available on the Hendry County website at

Hendry County is a VP, EEO/AA, DFWP em-ployer and participates in E-Verify. Individuals needing assistance in the application process should contact the County Human Resources department at 863-675-5352

Cyber Electric of Central Floridais looking for an Electrical Journeyman/Fore-

man with 8+ years of experience runningcommercial projects( Water/ Wastewater ) from beginning to completion. Pay range $25hr-$40hr Experience will be reviewed.

Electrical Apprentice/ Helper with 1+ years experience. pay range $15hr-$20hr.

Experience will be reviewed.

Please send Resume to:[email protected] @g

( No Phone Calls Please)


NOW HIRINGCLASS A CDL DRIVERS

Must have DOT medical, drug free,

clean driving history & tanker endorsement.

Call M-S (813)956-5150

Cemetery Lots OKEECHOBEE -

FOR SALE 4 EVERGREEN CEMETARY LOTS. NEW SECTION

$2,800.00 FOR ALL. CALL 352-693-5123 OR

352-456-9349

PersonalsAttention Farmwork-

ers/seasonal workers: you are invited to participate in a study about preventive health care (18 years or older). A $20 gift card for your time. Call Angie 440-225-7130. (PhD student)

Miscellaneous Notices TAKING BIDS for

a lawn to be cut in Okeechobee. Call 989-289-6448


FT/Part time also, AutomotivePaint & Body

Man needed in Okeechobee,

Hours 8am-3pmMon. thru Fri.

Apply in personat 1851 NW 9th

Street 34972 561-762-3060

Employment - Part Time

Part Time Handyman needed

at the Big “O” RV Park

Please callVonda Dye

at 863-467-5515



Reading a newspaper helps youunderstand the world around you.

No wonder newspaper readers enjoy life more!

One man’s trash isanother man’s treas-ure. Turn your trashto treasure with anad in the classifieds.

Get a quick response toany item you may be sell-ing with a classified ad.

Earn some extra cash.Sell your used itemsin the classifieds


BusinessOpportunities

Business Opportunities

earn extra CASH

Earn extra income

delivering

one day a week!

Call Cynthia at 863.763.3134.Valid Driver’s License, dependable

transportation and insurance required.

Public Notice Public Notice

NOTICE OF MEETING OFHENDRY COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

COORDINATING COUNCILNotice is hereby given that the Hendry County Public Safety Coordinating

Council will hold a meeting on August 7, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., at the Hendry County Extension Office, 1085 Pratt Blvd., LaBelle, Florida. This meeting is open to the public.Due to the public health emergency presented by COVID-19 and pursuant to

the authority granted by Executive Order Number 20-69, as extended, issuedby the Governor of the State of Florida, members of the public and the Councilmay participate in the meeting by telephone by calling 877-853-5257 and en-tering meeting identification number 890 6232 3122#. Anyone wishing to submit public comment on an item should email Tracy No-oo

bles at [email protected] @ y with “PSCC Meeting” in the subject line by t9:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Please note that the Council may consider items not on the prepared meeting agenda. During the meeting prior to the Council voting on a matter interested persons will be permitted to make oralcomments in person or over the dedicated telephone line. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter

considered at this meeting, he/she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence uponwhich the appeal is to be based.If you have a disability that will require special assistance or accommodation for

your attendance at the meeting in person or by telephone, please contact TracyNobles at (863) 675-5354; Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1; or [email protected] @ y .Hendry County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.Si necesita la asistencia de un intérprete que hable español para participar

en esta reunión, por favor póngase en contacto con Myra Johnson al (863) p q p p p p

675-5240420274 LO 7/22 CB 7/23/2020

NOTICE CALLING FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City/County Public Works Authority will accept sealed bids up to 2:00 PM, August, 20, 2020 at the City Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 399, City of Moore Haven City Hall, 299 Riverside Drive, Moore Haven,Florida 33471 for the following project: Various Sewer Hookups within the Cityof Moore Haven.

Scope of Services: To provide all materials and labor to hookup residentialsewer. Contractor is also responsible for securing all necessary permits and inspection fees.

Bid Opening: 2:00 PM, August 20, 2020, in the Council Chambers, City of MooreHaven City Hall, 299 Riverside Drive, Moore Haven, Florida 33471.

Notice is hereby given that the City/County Public Works Authority acting byand through its Governing Board, hereinafter referred to as “City/County”, will receive up to, but not later than, the above-stated time, sealed bids for the award of a contract for the above project. Bids shall be received in the place identified above. Those bids timely received shall be opened and publicly readaloud at the above-stated time and place.

Plans and specifications and Project documents are on file at the City of MooreHaven, City Hall at no charge. They can be obtained by contacting Ashley Wills at (863)946-0711.

The CITY/COUNTY reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding process without disclo-oosure of a reason. The failure to make such a disclosure shall not result in accrual of any right, claim or cause of action by any unsuccessful bidder against the City/County Public Works Authority.

419665 GCD 07/15, 22, 29; 8/05, 12/2020

REQUEST FOR BID (RFB) NO. 6000001074S-291 SCADA Retrofit & Automation Project,

Glades County, FloridaThe Procurement Bureau of the South Florida Water Management District, B-1 Building, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, will receivesealed bids up to August 26, 2020 @ 2:30 p.m. opening time for . S-291 SCADA Retrofit & Automation Project, Glades County, Florida.

The project includes but not limited to; The scope of the project is to retrofitthe controls of the head water section of S-291 and install SCADA equipmentincluding stilling wells on both sides (C-40/L-59) and a new control building toallow for remote operation.

An OPTIONAL PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held on August 4, 2020 @ E10:00 a.m. via Web ex/conference call:Access InformationMeeting Number: 992 700 195Meeting Password: (This meeting does not require a password.)

Audio Connection6800 (Internal Number)561-682-6800 (WPB Local Number)855-682-6800 (Toll Free Nationwide)

For driving directions only call 863-462-2629.

All bids must conform to the instructions in the RFB. Interested respondentsmay obtain a copy of the complete RFB (1) at the above address; (2) by downloading the solicitation from our website at www.sfwmd.govg ; (3) by callv -ing 561-682-2011. The public is invited to attend the bid opening. Further information on the status of this solicitation can be obtained on our website - www.sfwmd.gov.

419886 ON 7/22 CB 7/23/2020


NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGHENDRY COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Notice is hereby given that the Hendry County Tourist Development Council will hold a meeting on July 30, 2020 at 3:00 pm, at the Clewiston Chamber of Com-merce, 109 Central Ave., Clewiston, Florida. This meeting is open to the public.Due to the public health emergency presented by COVID-19 and pursuant to

the authority granted by Executive Order Number 20-69, as extended, issuedby the Governor of the State of Florida, members of the public and the Councilmay participate in the meeting by telephone by calling 877-853-5257 and en-tering meeting identification number 859 8397 2500#. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter

considered at this meeting, he/she will need a record of the proceedings, andthat, for such purpose, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence uponwhich the appeal is to be based. Please note that matters may be discussed atthe meeting which are not on the prepared agenda for the meeting.If you have a disability that will require special assistance or accommodation

for your attendance at the meeting, please contact Hendry County Tourist De-eevelopment Council at (863) 675-5304; Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1;or e-mail [email protected] @ y . Hendry County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.Si necesita la assistencia de un interprete que hable espanol para participar

un esta reunion, por favor pongase en contacto con Myra Johnson al (863)675-5240.

Hendry CountyTourism Development Council

Darrell Harris, Chair420437 LO 7/22 CB 7/23/2020

NOTICE OF MEETING OF THECOQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR COQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT WILL HOLD ITS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020, AT 9:00 A.M. AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 17429 NW 242 STREET,OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA ND 34972. A COPY OF THE PROPOSED AGENDA MAY BE OBTAINED UPON REQUEST FROM THE UNDERSIGNED. IF ANYPERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION BY THE BOARD WITH RE-SPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT SUCH MEETING; THAT PERSONWILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND FOR SUCH PURPOSES THAT PERSON MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPONWHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED, IS MADE. ANY PERSON WISHING TOSPEAK AT THE MEETING MUST HAVE THEIR NAME AND TOPIC PLACED ON THE AGENDA ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DATE OF THE MEETING. ALL LAND-OWNERS WITHIN THE DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PER-RRSONS NEEDING A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION OR AN INTERPRETER TOPARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEEDINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE DISTRICT’S OFFICE BY CALLING (863) 763-4601 AT LEAST TWO (2) DAYS PRIOR TO THEDATE OF THE MEETING.

ROBERT STARKCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS17429 NW 242ND STREETOKEECHOBEE, FL 34972(863) 763-4601 420494 ON 07/22/2020

Pahokee Housing AuthorityPublic Notice

Public Housing Program: Pahokee Housing Authority’s Waiting List for Public Housing only, is open for 3, 4 & 5 Bedroom sizes. Applications are avail-able Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Main Office located at 465 Friend Terrace, Pahokee, FL 33476. The office is closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch hour.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC): The LIHTC Wait-tting List is open for applicants who qualify for Elderly Designation (55 years old and older) only.

The effective date of opening the Public Housing Waiting List is the date thatthis notice is published.

Pahokee Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity employer and promotes aDrug-Free Workplace. Pahokee Housing Authority will not discriminate against any person or family because of race, color, creed, age, sex, religion, disability,national origin, actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, maritalstatus or familial status in administering any of its programs.

420542 ON 7/22/2020

Employment -Part Time

Employment - Part Time

Field Interviewer (Part-time)Westat seeks motivated, detail-oriented in-dividuals to work part-time on an importantstudy, the Population Assessment of Tobaccoand Health (PATH). Interviewers will collectinformation from respondents about tobacco use and its effects on health. Interviewerswill show respondents how to collect urinesamples using a self-collection kit and coor-dinate appointments for a blood sample to betaken by a trained health professional.

To apply, go to and enter 15908BR in the space provided.

WESTATEOE, including disability/veterans

Okeechobee County School Board meetings fory gJuly, August and September 2020y, g p

The Okeechobee County School Board will meet for a regular business meet-tting on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The School Board will meet on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., to consider advertisement of proposedmillage rates and proposed budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Regular SchoolBoard business will also be conducted at this meeting.

The School Board will meet on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., for a public hearing to consider adoption of tentative millage rates and the tentativebudget for 2020-21. Regular School Board business will also be conducted at this meeting. The previously scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2020,has been cancelled.

As previously scheduled, the School Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting as well as a final public hearing for adoption of the 2020-21 millage rates and district budget on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

All meetings will be conducted in Room 303 of the School Board AdministrativeOffice at 700 SW 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee, and are open to the public.

416565 OKEE 07/15, 7/22/2020

Okeechobee County School Board is hiring substitute teachers!You must have a High School

diploma or GED to apply.Starting pay is $11.50 an hour

and goes up to $13.50. To apply visit

. For more details contact

Amanda Liscomb at 863-462-5000 extension 1028.

Lots - Sale

BUILDABLE LOTS1.25+ ACREOKEECHOBEE

COUNTY, AG/RES.GREAT

INVESTMENT!OWNER FINANCING

$160 MONTH NO CREDIT

CHECKS866-820-6523

VIKING ESTATES

Business Opportunities

NOTICE

Independent Newspa-pers will never acceptany advertisement that is illegal or consid-ered fraudulent. In allcases of questionablevalue, such as prom-ises of guaranteed income from work-at-home programs - if itsounds too good to be true, chances are that it is. If you have questions or doubtsabout any ad on thesepages, we advise that before responding orsending money aheadof time, you check with the Better Busi-ness Bureau at 772-878-2010 for previouscomplaints.

Some 800 and 900telephone numbersmay require an extracharge, as well as longdistance toll costs. We will do our best to alert our reader ofthese charges in the ads, but occasionallywe may not be awareof the charges. There-fore, if you call a num-ber out of your area,use caution.

Apartments

Greentree East Apartments2 BedroomApartmentsp

Spacious Apartmentin quiet, country

setting

Full time bilingual Site Manager

Rental ratesstarting at $605

plus Utilities

Farm workerswelcomed

Call 902-1577TDD #

1-800-955-8771701 W Ventura,

Clewiston9:00 AM -5:00 PM,

Mon-FriEqual HousingOpportunity Provider & Employer

Apartments

Now Renting - Sugar Country Apartments

$99 MOVE INSPECIAL –

MOVE IN BY 7/31

Available for Immediate Occupancy

626 West Avenue SW, Moore Haven

occupy new affordable units,

starting at $510 for 1BR and $623 for 2BR apartments

Income limits apply.

Phone 863-946-6600 or email

sugarcountryapts@g y p @centurylink.nety

for a rentalapplication.

Equal HousingOpportunity

Provider

Houses - Sale

OKEECHOBEE - 3/2HOUSE FOR SALE IN SOUTHWEST

SECTION OF TOWN. 1306 SW 19th TER.

$190,000. SERIOUS

INQUISITIONS ONLY.FOR APPOINTMENTS

PLEASE CALL (863) 633-8252.

Land - Sale

OKEECHOBEE- LAND FOR SALE

BY OWNER 24.5 ACRES ON US HWY 441 SE

$499,000.00CALL FOR MORE

INFORMATION 863-561-3666

Open House

OKEECHOBEE -OPEN HOUSE

Sat. 7/25 9am-5pm3435 SE 36th Ave.,Mobile home Studio

Apt., air, TV, completely furnished,

no pets, 55+, $150.00 per week

Fifth Wheels 2006 SURVEYOR

5TH WHEEL, VERY CLEAN, NEW

ITEMS INCLUDE AWNING FABRIC, QUEEN & TWIN MATTRESS, BAR STOOLS,

TV IN LIVING AREA & BEDROOM, 30 AMP EXTENSION CORD &

SEWER HOSE. NADA VALUE $9,600.00

ASKING $8,555.00 O.B.O. CALL 863-484-3952

Search obituariesnationally at




IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIVIL DIVISION: CASE NO.: 19-CA-443

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC,Plaintiff,

vs.MARTIN W. TINER A/K/A MARTIN TINER; NATHALIE TINER; and UNKNOWN

TENANT IN POSSESSION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTYDefendants.

RE-NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order Resetting Foreclosure Sale dated the 16th day of June, 2020, and entered in Case No. 19-CA-443, of the Circuit Court of the 20TH Judicial Circuit in and for HENDRY County,Florida, wherein LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC. is the Plaintiff and MARTINW. TINER A/K/A MARTIN TINER; NATHALIE TINER; and UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY are defendants. KIMBERLY BARRINEAU as the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at the, at the HENDRY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 25 E HICK-KKPOCHEE AVE., SECOND FLOOR, LABELLE, FL 33935, 11:00 AM on the 30th day of September 2020, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit:

LOT 55 AND THE NORTH ONE-HALF OF LOT 56, PARKWOOD ES-SSTATES, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RE-CORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE(S) 23, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDSOF HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDA

IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS REMAIN-ING AFTER THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BEENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER THE FUNDS ARE REPORTED AS UNCLAIMED, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS.

If you are an individual with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in a court proceeding or other court service, program, or activity,you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Re-eequests for accommodations may be presented on this form, in another writtenformat, or orally. Please complete the attached form (see website) and return it to [email protected] as far in advance as possible, but preferably at least seven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance or other court activity. Upon request by a qualified individual with a disability, this document will be made available in an alternate format. If you need assistance in completing this form due to your disability, or to request this document in an alternate format, please contact Dawn Oliver, Court Operations Manager, phone (863) 675-5229,e-mail [email protected]

Dated this 6th day of July, 2020. Kimberly Barrineau Ad Interim Clerk of The Circuit Court BY: Charlee Robinson Deputy ClerkSubmitted by: Choice Legal Group, P.A.P.O. Box 771270 Coral Springs, FL 33077Telephone: (954) 453-0365Facsimile: (954) 771-6052Toll Free: 1-800-441-2438DESIGNATED PRIMARY E-MAIL FOR SERVICE PURSUANT TO FLA.R. JUD ADMIN [email protected] CN 7/22,29/2020

SECTION 00103INVITATION TO BID

Sealed BIDS will be received by the CITY OF MOORE HAVEN (hereinafter referred to as Owner), 299 Riverside Drive, Moore Haven, FL 33471 until 2:00 PM on July 29th 2020y at whichtime they will be publicly opened by the City Clerk or designee

not be accepted.

The BIDS shall be based on providing all materials, equipment and labor for the construction of the City of Moore Haven Thatcher Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Improvements. The Contractorshall be responsible for providing all materials, equipment andlabor necessary for the installation of one 4-foot diameter sanitary sewer manhole and one dog house outside drop manhole and approximately 340 LF of 8-inch diameter PVC gravity sanitary sewer mains including the installation of

-itary sewer mains to the right-of-way property line and all required appurtenances, as necessary to complete the project

Drawings, specs and other contract documents can be accessed for

. All technical questionsshall be in writing at least 5 work days prior to the bid opening

craigasmith.com.

tial BIDS will not be considered. Each BIDDER shall submit withthis BID evidence that he is licensed to perform the work and ser

Each BID shall be submitted in TRIPLICATE (ONE ORIGINAL& TWO COPIES)

as a guarantee that if the BID is accepted the BIDDER will execute

The City of Moore Haven reserves the right to: waive informalities in any BID, delete any portion of the project; extend the project within the limits of the work involved. The Owner has the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

marked: “BID - City-of Moore Haven Thatcher Blvd. Saniy -tary Sewer Improvements..y p City Clerk


IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,IN AND FOR HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDA

CASE NO.: 2019CA000729

THE MONEY SOURCE INC., Plaintiff, vs.JOHN P. FROTTEN AKA JOHN PAUL FROTTEN; et al., Defendants.

CLERK’S NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with the Order on Plaintiff’s Motion to Cancel and Reschedule Foreclosure Sale entered on June 24, 2020 in the above-styled cause, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash on Sep-tember 30, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hendry County Courthouseat 25 E. Hickpoochee Ave., SR 80 corner SR 29, LaBelle, FL 33935.

LOT 11, BLOCK 1, MONTURA RANCH ESTATES FIRST SUBDI-VISION, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RE-CORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE(S) 37 THROUGH 39, INCLU-SIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDA.

Property Address: 8178 County Road 833, Clewiston, FL 33440

ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMEDDated: July 7, 2020 KIMBERLEY BARRINEAU, CLERK

HENDRY COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT By: Charlee Robinson Deputy Clerk

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACTIf you are an individual with a disability who needs an accommo-

dation in order to participate in a court proceeding or other court service, program, or activity, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Requests for accommodationsmay be presented on this form, in another written format, or oral-ly. Please complete the attached form and return it to [email protected] as far in advance as possible, but preferably at leastseven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance or other court activity. Upon request by a qualified individual with a disabil-ity, this document will be made available in an alternate format. If you need assistance in completing this form due to your disability,or to request this document in an alternate format, please contact Dawn Oliver, Court Operations Manager, phone (863) 675-5229,e-mail [email protected] LO 7/22,29/2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDERADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Glades County, Florida, will hold a public hearing at the regular meetingon Monday, July 27, 2020, at 6:00 PM, or soon thereafter, in the GladesCounty Regional Training Center, 1030 Industrial Drive, Moore Haven,Florida, 33471, for the adoption of the following Ordinance:

A copy of the proposed Ordinance is on file at the Glades County Clerk of Court’s Office, 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven, Florida, 33471. Normalbusiness hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

GLADES COUNTY, FLORIDAORDINANCE NO. 2020-¬¬¬___

AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING AND EXTENDING A SIX CENT ($.06)LOCAL OPTION FUEL TAX UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 336.025, FLORIDA STATUTES, UPON EVERY GALLON OF MOTOR FUEL AND DIESEL FUEL SOLD IN GLADES COUNTY AND TAXED UNDER THEPROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 206 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES; PRO-VIDING THAT THE IMPOSITION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE FOR A PERIOD OF TEN (10) YEARS, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BE-TWEEN GLADES COUNTY AND THE CITY OF MOORE HAVEN LOCATED THEREIN REPRESENTING A MAJORITY OF THE INCORPORATED AREA POPULATION WITHIN GLADES COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THEBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MAT-TTTER CONSIDERED AT THE HEARING, THAT PERSON WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND HE/SHE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICHRECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IF AN INDIVIDUAL REQUIRES SPECIAL AID OR SERVICES AS ADDRESSED IN THE AMERICANS WITH DIS-SSABILITIES ACT (ADA), PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNTY MANAGER,BOB JONES, AT (863) 946-6000.

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND BE HEARD.418955 LO 7/15,22/2020


CITY OF OKEECHOBEEPUBLIC NOTICE

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council for the City of Okeechobee

will conduct a regular meeting on Tues, Aug. 4, 2020, 6 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, at City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave, Rm 200, Okeechobee, FL.

The public is invited to attend; seating is limited in accordance with Execu-tive Order No. 20-150. Municipalities may conduct meetings of their governingboards without having a quorum of its members present physically or at any specific location, and utilizing communications media technology (CMT) such astelephone or video conferencing, as provided by Section 120.54(5)(b)2, FloridaStatutes. The City Council may conduct this meeting using CMT to constitutea quorum. Zoom.com, a web-based virtual meeting platform allows the City Council, Staff, and public to participate via laptop, desktop, smartphone, or tele-ephone. Instructions to participatep p in the meeting will be published with the eagenda on the website at cityofokeechobee.com/agendas.html. If you need assistance, contact Robin Brock BEFORE 4:30 PM on the day of the meet-tting, 863-763-3372 ext. 9812.

Public Comment: Citizens have options to submit public comments and/or questions by 3:00 PM the day of the meeting; submit in writ-tting to [email protected] including your name, ad-dress and topic of comment; or call the City Clerk’s Office, 863-763-3372 ext. 9814, to either dictate your message to an employee orleave a detailed voice message with a call back number. Comments will be read aloud during the corresponding item(s) of the meeting.Contact the City Clerk’s Office with any questions.

ANY PERSON DECIDING TO APPEAL any decision made by the CityLCouncil with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need to en-sure a verbatim record of the proceeding is made and the record includes thetestimony and evidence upon which the appeal will be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person with a disability as defined by the ADA, that needs special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, contact the City Clerk’s Office no later than three days prior to pro-oceeding, 863-763-3372 ext. 9814.

BE ADVISED that should you intend to show any document, picture, video Dor items to the Council in support or opposition to any item on the agenda, acopy of the document, picture, video, or item MUST be provided to the City Clerk for the City’s records.

By: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr.

420369 ON 7/22/2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDERADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Glades County, Florida, will hold a public hearing at the regular meetingon Monday, July 27, 2020, at 6:00 PM, or soon thereafter, in the GladesCounty Regional Training Center, 1030 Industrial Drive, Moore Haven,Florida, 33471, for the adoption of the following Ordinance:

A copy of the proposed Ordinance is on file at the Glades County Clerk of Court’s Office, 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven, Florida, 33471. Normal business hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

GLADES COUNTY, FLORIDAORDINANCE NO. 2020-¬¬¬___

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GLADES COUNTY, FLORIDA LEVYING AND IMPOSING A DISCRETION-ARY ONE PERCENT (ONE CENT) SALES SURTAX IN GLADES COUNTY,FLORIDA PURSUANT TO SECTION 212.055(3), FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING THAT THE LEVY AND IMPOSITION SHALL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL RESCINDED BY A SUBSEQUENT ORDINANCE OF THE BOARDOF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GLADES COUNTY, FLORIDA UP TO______ YEARS; PROVIDING FOR SCRIVERNER’S ERRORS; PROVID-ING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDINGFOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MAT-TTTER CONSIDERED AT THE HEARING, THAT PERSON WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND HE/SHE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICHRECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IF AN INDIVIDUAL REQUIRES SPECIAL AID OR SERVICES AS ADDRESSED IN THE AMERICANS WITH DIS-SSABILITIES ACT (ADA), PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNTY MANAGER,BOB JONES, AT (863) 946-6000.

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND BE HEARD.419075 LO 7/15,22/2020

INVITATION TO BIDCURVE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ON CR835,

HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDAFINANCIAL PROJECT NO. 438372-1-58-01

Bid No. 2020-25OPENING DATE AND TIME: JULY 29, 2020 AT 2:00 P.M.

Sealed Bids will be received by the Board of County Commissioners of Hendry County, Florida, for “Curve Safety Improvements on CR835, Hendry County, Florida”. In order to be considered, bids must be received by the Board of Coun-ty Commissioners, c/o the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Attn: Kimberley Barrineau,Ad Interim Clerk of Circuit Court, at the C.E. Hall Building, Room A-226, HendryCounty Courthouse Complex, 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, Florida 33935by July 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., at which time all responses to this request will berecorded in the presence of one or more witnesses.A copy of the Instructions and Bid Documents can be obtained online at www.

hendryfla.nety under the Public Information tab, or from the Hendry County Ent -gineering Department, located at 99 E Cowboy Way, LaBelle, Florida (for pick up), or by calling (863) 675-5222.Firms are required to attend the MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference one

Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 3:30 PM at the Dallas B. Townsend Agricul-tural Center, located at 1085 Pratt Boulevard, LaBelle, FL 33935. Bidders must be FDOT Prequalified in all of the following work classes: Electrical

Work, Flexible Paving, Grading, Grassing, Seeding and Sodding, Guardrail, Hot Plant-Mixed Bituminous Courses, Pavement Markings, and Roadway Signing.The solicitation does not commit Hendry County to award any contracts, to

pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this solicitation, or to contract for any services. The County retains the right to cancel this solicitation or reject any or all responses for any reason set forth in the County’s Procure-eement Policy and may choose to re-procure at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners.Hendry County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.Si necesita la assistencia de un interprete que hable espanol para participar un

esta reunion, por favor pongase en contacto con Veronica Gonzalez al (863) 675-5324.417298 LO 7/1,8,15,22 CB 7/2,9,16,23/2020


INVITATION TO BIDSIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION ON OLD CR78,

HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDAFINANCIAL PROJECT NO. 435016-1-58-01

Bid No. 2020-16OPENING DATE AND TIME: JULY 29, 2020 AT 2:00 P.M.

Sealed Bids will be received by the Board of County Commissioners of Hendry County, Florida, for “Sidewalk Construction on Old CR78, Hendry County, Flor-rrida”. In order to be considered, bids must be received by the Board of County Commissioners, c/o the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Attn: Kimberley Barrineau,Ad Interim Clerk of Circuit Court, at the C.E. Hall Building, Room A-226, HendryCounty Courthouse Complex, 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, Florida 33935by July 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., at which time all responses to this request will berecorded in the presence of one or more witnesses.A copy of the Instructions and Bid Documents can be obtained online at www.

hendryfla.nety under the Public Information tab, or from the Hendry County Ent -gineering Department, located at 99 E Cowboy Way, LaBelle, Florida (for pick up), or by calling (863) 675-5222.Firms are required to attend the MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference on

Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 2:00 PM at the Dallas B. Townsend Agricul-tural Center, located at 1085 Pratt Boulevard, LaBelle, FL 33935. Bidders must be FDOT Prequalified in all of the following work classes: Drain-

age, Grading, Grassing, Seeding and Sodding, and Sidewalks.The solicitation does not commit Hendry County to award any contracts, to

pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this solicitation, or to contract for any services. The County retains the right to cancel this solicitation or reject any or all responses for any reason set forth in the County’s Procure-ement Policy and may choose to re-procure at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners.Hendry County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.Si necesita la assistencia de un interprete que hable espanol para participar un

esta reunion, por favor pongase en contacto con Veronica Gonzalez al (863) 675-5324.416973 LO 7/1,8,15,22 CB 7/2,9,16,23/2020

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

JUVENILE DIVISIONCASE NO.: 472018DP000050

IN THE INTEREST OF:G.R.L. DOB: 7/22/2011

Minor Child(ren)

NOTICE OF ACTION - PUBLICATION

TO: Cheri Newton

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A PETITION UNDER OATH HAS BEEN FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE ABOVE-STYLED COURT FOR THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS RELATIVETO THE ABOVE NAMED CHILD, G.R.L., WHO WAS BORN IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, STATE OF FLORIDA, ON THE 22 DAY OF JULY 2011, YOU ARE COM-MANDED TO BE AND APPEAR BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT IN THE ABOVE-STYLED COURT LOCATED AT 312 NORTHWEST 3RD STREET, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972, ON AUGUST 10, 2020 AT 01:15 P.M. FOR A HEARING AND TO SHOW CAUSE WHY SAID PETITION SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED. FAILURE TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THE ADVISORY HEARING CONSTITUTES CON-SENT TO THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE CHILD. IF YOUFAIL TO APPEAR ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED, YOU MAY LOSE ALL LEGAL RIGHTS AS A PARENT TO THE CHILD NAMED IN THE PETITION AT-TTTACHED TO THIS NOTICE.

BE ADVISED THAT YOU HA VE THE RIGHT TO HA VE AN ATTORNEY REPRE-SENT YOU IN THIS MATTER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY, ONE MAY BE APPOINTED FOR YOU.

WITNESS MY HAND AS THE CLERK OF SAID COURT AND THE SEAL THERE-OF THIS 7TH DAY OF JULY 2020.

Sharon Robertson, Clerkof Circuit Court and Comptroller

418853 ON 7/15,22,29,8/5/2020


JUVENILE DIVISIONCASE NO: 472017DP000117

IN THE INTEREST OF:J.G.V, JR. DOB: 11/30/2017

Minor Child(ren)

NOTICE OF ACTION - PUBLICATION

TO: Juan Carlos Guerrero

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A PETITION UNDER OATH HAS BEEN FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE ABOVESTYLED COURT FOR THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS RELATIVETO THE ABOVE NAMED CHILD, J.G.V, JR., WHO WAS BORN IN SAINT LUCIE COUNTY, STATE OF FLORIDA, ON THE 30th DAY OF NOVEMBER 2017, YOU ARE COMMANDED TO BE AND APPEAR BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT INTHE ABOVE-STYLED COURT LOCATED AT 312 NORTHWEST 3RD STREET,OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972, ON JULY 27, 2020 AT 01:15 P.M. FOR A HEARING AND TO SHOW CAUSE WHY SAID PETITION SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED.FAILURE TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THE ADVISORY HEARING CONSTI-IITUTES CONSENT TO THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THECHILD. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED, YOUMAY LOSE ALL LEGAL RIGHTS AS A PARENT TO THE CHILD NAMED IN THEPETITION ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE.

BE ADVISED THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY REPRE-SENT YOU IN THIS MATTER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY, ONE MAY BE APPOINTED FOR YOU.

WITNESS MY HAND AS THE CLERK OF SAID COURT AND THE SEAL THERE-OF, THIS 23rd DAY OF JUNE, 2020.

Sharon Robertson, Clerkof Circuit Court and Comptroller

416208 ON 7/1,8,15,22/2020

PUBLIC NOTICEOkeechobee County Board of County Commission

COVID-19 County Briefing

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners will conduct a COVID -19 County Briefing on Thursday July 30, 2020 at 4:00 PM in the “Judge William L. Hendry Courtroom” at theHistoric Courthouse, 304 N.W. 2nd Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34972. Public comment for the COVID-19 county briefing can be submitted two (2) ways, no later than 1:00 p.m. the meeting and will be read into the record:• Email at [email protected]• Residents without Internet access can comment by phone 863-467-

7249

Notice to Attendees: Room seating capacity will be limited due to social distancing requirements, screening will be conducted before entering the BOCC Room, and all persons are required to wear masksq while in the building and smeeting room. We encourage all citizens to attend or watch live through our website at: http://okeechobeecountyfl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspxp // y q / / p

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Administrator’s Office no later than four (4) working days prior to the rproceeding at 304 N.W. 2nd Street, Room 123 Okeechobee, Florida 34972, orcall 863.763.6441. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD 1-800-222-3448 (voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY).

Terry Burroughs, ChairBoard of County CommissionersOkeechobee County, Florida

Sharon Robertson, ClerkBoard of County CommissionersOkeechobee County, Florida

Publish: 07/22/2020

418374 LO 07/22/20

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE:TIMS TOWING & RECOVERY

gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lienand intent to sell these vehicles on 08/07/2020, 10:00 am at 74S INDUSTRIAL LOOP LABELLE,FL 33935, pursuant to subsection713.78 of the Florida Statutes.TIMS TOWING & RECOVERY re-eeserves the right to accept or rejectany and/or all bids.

2HGES16521H5486402001 HONDA

420080 CN 7/22/2020

Grab a bargain from yourneighbor’s garage, attic,basement or closet intoday’s classifieds.

Your new car could bein today’s paper. Haveyou looked for it?

Your new home could bein today’s paper. Haveyou looked for it?

The classifieds are themost successful sales-person in town.


http://www.legacy.comFind it faster. Sell it soonerin the classifieds


Public Notice Public Notice Public Notice

NOTIFICACIÓN LEGALNOTIFICACIÓN DE REUNIÓN PÚBLICA

ELECCIÓN PRIMARIA DEL 2020 EVENTOS DE LA JUNTA DE ESCRUTINIO DEL CONDADO DE OKEECHOBEE

LEGAL NOTICEPUBLIC MEETING NOTICE2020 PRIMARY ELECTION

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY CANVASSING BOARD EVENTS

Notice is hereby given that meetings of the Okeechobee County Canvassing Board will be held onthe following dates:

July 27, 2020 9:00 a.m Logic and Accuracy Test August 7 and August 14, 2020 9:30-10:00 a.m. Public Inspection of Mail (Absentee) Ballots received 10:00 a.m. Opening of Mail Ballots

Process and duplication of Mail Ballots received August 17, 2020 4:00 p.m. Upload Early Vote and Mail Ballots received August 18, 2020 8:30-9:00 a.m. Public Inspection of Mail Ballots received (if necessary) 9:00 a.m. Opening of Mail Ballots (If necessary) Process and duplication of Mail Ballots received (If necessary) 5:30-6:00 p.m. Public Inspection of Mail Ballots received 6:00 p.m Opening of Mail Ballots

Process and duplication of Mail Ballots received 7:00 p.m. Canvass of Election Returns August 20, 2020

August 21 and/ or August 22, 2020 8:30 a.m. Recount (if necessary) August 24, 2020

(Selection of precinct and race for Audit, if no manual recount) August 26, 2020 10:00 a.m. Audit of Selected Precinct and Race

the random selection of precinct/race to be audited)

In accordance with the Sunshine Law of Florida, this meeting is open to the public.

Note: Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, state that if a person decides to appeal any decision by the board, agency, or commission with respect to any matter considered at a meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceeding, and that, for such purposes, he or she may needto ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Diane HaganSupervisor of ElectionsOkeechobee County418368 ON 07/22/2020

Notice to Creditors

Notice to Creditors

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY,FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISIONFile No. 2020 CP 105

Division Probate

IN RE: ESTATE OF:AIMEE RENEE RUMBAUGHDeceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Aimee Renee Rumbaugh, de-ceased, whose date of death was May 10, 2020, is pending in theCircuit Court for Okeechobee County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 312 NW 3rd St., Okeechobee, FL 34972. The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims ordemands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this no-

ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OFTHE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having

claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OFTHE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOR-EVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE,ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECE-DENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

July 15, 2020y ,

Attorney for Personal Representative: Personal Representative:Pamela Stewart, Esq. Mark D. RumbaughAttorney 7285 S.W. 9th StreetFlorida Bar Number: 021938 Okeechobee, FL 34974649 5th Avenue SouthNaples, FL 34102Telephone: (239)263-2613Fax: (239)919-1320E-Mail: [email protected]

419631 ON 7/15, 22/2020

Administration of Estates

Administration of Estates


PROBATE DIVISIONCASE NO.: 2019-CP-000227

IN RE: the Estate of LOUIS CARL FERRERO, JR.,

Deceased,

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LOUIS CARL FERRERO, JR., deceased, whose date of death was August 29, 2018 is pending in the Circuit Court for Okeechobee County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 312 NW3rd Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34972. The names and addresses of the per-rrsonal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands

against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be servedmust file their claims in duplicate with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or de-ee

mands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SEC-CC

TION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM

FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is July 22, 2020.

Attorney for Personal Representative: Personal Representative:COLIN M. CAMERON, ESQ. BONITA L. FERRERO200 N.E. 4th Avenue 2801 SE 33rd DriveOkeechobee, FL 34972 Okeechobee, FL 34974(863) 763-8600Florida Bar No. [email protected]@420429 ON 7/22,29/2020

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

The Barron Water Control District Board of Supervisors will conduct a publichearing and special meet at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the Dis-sstrict Office, 3293 Dellwood Terrace, Port LaBelle, Florida.

The purpose of the public hearing and meeting will be to adopt a proposedoperation budget for the fiscal year 10/1/20 – 9/30/21, levy a per acre mainte-eenance tax for 2020, and conduct other business requiring action by the Board.

Pursuant to Executive Order 20-69 issued on March 20, 2020 by Governor Ron DeSantis, “Local government bodies may utilize communications mediatechnology, such as telephonic and video conferencing, as provided in Section 120.54(5)(b)2, Florida Statutes.” Public input may be made in advance byemail or during the meeting via conference call. Instructions are provided atthe bottom of this notice.

Instructions for calling and providing Public Comment:g p gThe July 29, 2020 public hearing and special meeting of the Barron Water

Control District Board of Supervisors will be conducted via conference call with no public in attendance in the district office. Members of the public may listen to the meeting by telephone by dialing (701) 802-5321 and entering passcode1899522. Public comment may be made during the conference call or sent in advance via email to [email protected] @

Mark Colbert, Chairman420507 ON 7/22 CB 7/23/2020


Special Facilities Meetingp gThe Okeechobee County School Board will host the Florida Department of Edu-cation’s Special Facility Construction Committee at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020. The purpose of the meeting is to determine if the District’s project request is deemed a critical need. The committee will tour the high school and freshman campus prior to making a decision. The Board invites public attendance and input. The virtual meeting will be held at the OHS Lecture Hall, 2800 Highway 441 North, Okeechobee, followed by a tour of the high school and then travel to the Freshman Campus, 610 S.W. 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee, for a tour and tocomplete the meeting. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend with masks and socially distanced. Due to COVID-19 and an abundance of caution, themeeting portion will also be a Zoom meeting. To join the Zoom meeting go to:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82165157159?pwd=RFpaLzVPeWpIYzZCaVZlNp // /j/ p p p -HZQdGZVdz09Q Meeting ID: 821 6515 7159, Passcode: rLLRi19

420809 ON 7/22/2020

Okeechobee County School BoardyVirtual Meetingg

Monday, August 3, 2020, 6:00 p.m.y, g , , pThe Okeechobee County School Board will meet on Monday, August 3, 2020,at 6:00 p.m., to consider advertisement of proposed millage rates and proposed budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Due to COVID-19 and an abundance of caution, this is a Zoom meeting. To join the Zoom meeting go to: https://zoom.us/j/95328194459?pwd=eFJwZFExMmZmYWtqWXk0NEY3cmxVQT09

Meeting ID: 953 2819 4459, Password: 0PVbzt Zoom Accessibility Features:Closed Captioning, Automatic Transcripts, Keyboard Accessibility, and ScreenReader Support.

The virtual meeting will be conducted in Room 303 of the School Board Admin-istrative Office at 700 SW 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee. Due to COVID-19 there islimited access to the building. The public is invited to attend the virtual meeting.For more information please call 863-462-5000 x 1026.

419301 ON 7/22/2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: CLEWISTON TOWING & AUTO SALVAGE gives Notice of Foreclo-oosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 08/03/2020 10:00 am at 600 E SUGARLAND HWY CLEW-WWISTON, FL 33440-3213, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the FloridaStatutes. CLEWISTON TOWING& AUTO SALVAGE reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids

2017 FORD 1FADP3E29HL212999

2004 HONDA5J6YH18604L012125

2000 VOLK3VWBA21C6YM400290

2006 FRHT1FUJBBCK56LU40660

2016 UTIL1UYVS2531GM672510

2005 CHRYSLER1C4GP45R05B328992

420137 ON 7/22/2020

Fictitious Name

Notice Under FictitiousName Law

We hereby give notice to registeri tiin compliance with Section 865.09, Florida Statutes. NOTICE IS HERE-BY GIVEN that the undersigned,desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of:

Yaca Turf1414 S. Parrott Ave #194Okeechobee, FL 34974

intends to register the said namewith the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.

OWNER NAME & ADDRESSFair Sod, LLC

1414 S Parrott Ave #194Okeechobee, FL 34974

Dated at Okeechobee, Okee-chobee County, Florida this 17th Day of July, 2020By: Joanna Hoover420276 LO 7/22/2020

Fictitious Name

NOTICEUNDER FICTITIOUS

NAME LAWNotice is hereby given thatthe undersigned pursuant to the “Fictitious Name Statute” will register withFlorida Department of State, Division of Corpo-

to wit;Natural Ways Farm

Under which we expect to engage in business at:18331 County Road 731Venus, Fl. 33960In Venus/County of Glades,Florida.That the party interested insaid business enterprise is:

Wayne Webb419078 LO 7/22/2020

Public Notice

LEGAL NOTICEA public auction will be held atTOTAL ROADSIDE SERVICES,located at 3176 Hwy 710 E,Okeechobee 34974-3532 at 9:00 a.m. On the date listedbelow Pursuant to Florida statute 713.78 for unpaidtowing and storage. Year,make and model as follows:

AUCTION 08/13/2020/ /2008 VOLKSWAGENWVWAK73CX8E010336

1998 FORD1FMRU1760WLB23036

Terms of sale are CASH ONLY,no checks will be accepted. The seller reserves the right

No refunds will be made. Said automobile will be sold “as is” with no guarantees.Location:3176 Hwy 710 E

863-357-8772416148 ON 07/22/2020

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9

bers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Fun By The Numbers

Find it faster. Sell it soonerin the classifieds

Grab a bargain from yourneighbor’s garage, attic,basement or closet intoday’s classifieds.

How fast can your cargo? It can go evenfaster when you sellit in the classifieds.

Love the earth Recycleyour used items byselling them in theclassifieds.


AIR CONDITIONING

EMORY WALKER CO. INC.Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

24/7 SERVICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS208 SW 5TH Ave. Okeechobee

Serving the Lake Area for

50 Years!CAC042747CAC057219863-763-6742

WANTED TO BUY

ADVERTISE HERE

Elliott’s Pawn Shop419 W.S. Park St. • 863.763-5553

We Buy Scrap Gold,Silver and Coins

Crossword Puzzle

By Dick Shlakman©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

04/10/20

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

04/10/20

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

ACROSS1 Stat cousin5 Acronym often

seen with a plus sign

10 1886 debut at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta

14 Unflappable15 Stop on the

Métro?16 Anderson of

“WKRP in Cincinnati”

17 How to get buns of steel?

20 Rental at Aspen21 All agog22 Mme.

counterpart23 Samsung :

Bixby :: Apple : __25 Axes one of

the market employees?

33 Sleep disturbance

34 Roxette and Eurythmics

35 “The Puzzle Palace” org.

36 D-Day invasion city

37 Draining target?39 Pressure40 Adherent’s suffix41 High-tech read42 “The Power of

Now” author Eckhart __

43 “All these steaks are too well done”?

47 __ & Chandon Champagne

48 Popular U.S. street name

49 Cheese shape52 Transmission

problem57 Hilariously react

to a butt-baring prankster?

60 “Get it?” response61 Mazda MX-5,

familiarly62 Fly in the

ointment63 Drink garnish64 Researcher’s aid65 Besmirches

DOWN1 Musical pair,

commonly2 Drench

3 World Golf Hall of Famer Isao

4 Working-class Roman

5 Capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province

6 Activist Thunberg and actress Scacchi

7 Support group?8 Saigon New Year9 NBA div.

10 Place with outpatients

11 The last Mrs. Chaplin

12 Was forewarned13 Cork’s home18 Puccini heroine19 Winds, in a South

American city name

23 Film on water24 Restaurant in the

same corporate group as Applebee’s

25 Water holder26 Decide one will27 Vacant, in a way28 Opposite of

paleo-29 Saw30 Prepared to talk

to a tot, perhaps

31 Virtual transaction

32 Zagat, for one37 Bob Hoskins’ role

in “Hook”38 Small flaw39 Sweetie41 Name on a

historic B-2942 Beat44 Western, e.g.45 Rub out46 Turning point49 Phenom

50 Cheat51 Rams’ fans?52 Herring known for

its roe53 Military

installation54 “Frozen”

princess55 Reverse, say56 Joule fractions58 Texter’s “I didn’t

need to know that”

59 __ ear

Call 863.763.3134 or email [email protected]

Answers to this week’s Crossword Puzzle can be

found on Page 4

About 8% of those who tested positive for

COVID-19 have been hospitalized


OKEECHOBEE — As the COVID-19 positive test numbers continue to climb, the percentage of COVID-19 positive patients who are sick enough to be admitted to a hospital remained steady in the past week, and the death rate dropped slightly. Accord-ing to Florida’s Community Coronavirus Dashboard (a private site that uses public Florida Department of Health data), as of July 21, 8% of those who tested positive were admitted to a hospital and 1.3% of those who tested positive have died. A week ago, on July 14, it showed 8% of Flo-ridians who tested COVID-19 positive have been hospitalized, and 1.5% had died.

As of July 21, 365,244 Florida residents have tested positive for COVID-19, accord-ing to FDOH.

According to the Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention (CDC) report updated July 14, 70.8% of all inpatient hospital beds in the state of Florida were occupied, with 16.7% of inpatient beds in Florida occupied by COVID-19 patients. (This CDC report is updated every 14 days.)

A week ago, on July 14, 8,051 Floridians who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized, and there were 1,152 ICU beds available in the state. On July 21, 9,463 Floridians who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized, and there were 1,108 ICU beds available in the state. Not every-one who is hospitalized with COVID-19 requires an ICU bed, and some ICU beds are in use by those with other health issues.

Statewide, since COVID-19 testing started in March, 21,780 Florida residents who tested positive have been hospitalized, according to FDOH. To date, 5,206 Florida residents who tested positive have died.

ICU bed availabilityCommunity leaders are keeping a

watchful eye on the number of available Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds.

As of July 21, the dashboard showed 1,108 available ICU beds in Florida. Of the counties in the South Central Florida area, on July 21:

• Collier County had 22 ICU beds available, about 27.5% of the ICU beds in that county. Since March, 542 Collier County residents have been hospitalized for

COVID-19; 177 are currently hospitalized.

Of those who tested positive, 109 have died.

• Glades County does not have a

hospital. Since March, 24 Glades Coun-

ty residents have been hospitalized for

COVID-19. No Glades County residents are

currently hospitalized for COVID-19. One

Glades County resident who tested positive

has died.

• Hendry County had zero ICU beds

available. Since March, 124 Hendry County

residents have been hospitalized for COVID.

Currently, nine Hendry County residents are

hospitalized for COVID-19. Of the Hendry

County residents who tested positive, 31

have died.

• Highlands County had three ICU beds

available, about 10.7% of the ICU beds in

the county. Since March, 117 Highlands

County residents have been hospitalized for

COVID-19. Currently, 63 Highlands County

residents are hospitalized for COVID-19.

Sixteen of those who tested positive have

died.

• Martin County had 30 ICU beds

available, about 76.9% of all ICU beds

in the county. Since March, 281 Martin

County residents have been hospitalized

for COVID-19. Currently 45 Martin County

residents are hospitalized for COVID-19.

Fifty-four COVID-19 positive Martin County

residents have died.

• Okeechobee County had one ICU

bed available as of July 21. Since March, 62

Okeechobee County residents have been

hospitalized for COVID-19. Currently, 20

Okeechobee County residents are hospital-

ized for COVID-19. Two COVID-19 positive

Okeechobee County residents have died.

• Palm Beach County had 109 ICU

beds available, about 25.6% of all ICU beds

in the county. Since March, 2,312 Palm

Beach County residents have been hospi-

talized for COVID-19. Currently, 621 Palm

Beach County residents are hospitalized

for COVID-19. Palm Beach County had 701

deaths of COVID-19 positive persons.

The number of ICU beds available in

Florida hospitals varies from day to day.

FDOH data does not disclose how many

of the ICU beds are occupied by COVID-19

patients and how many are occupied by

patients with other life-threatening ailments

such as accident injuries and heart attacks.

COVID-19 death rate down slightly from last week

OHS fishing teams fundraiser scheduled Aug. 15OKEECHOBEE — A fishing tournament fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Aug.

15, from Safe Daylight until 2 p.m. at the C. Scott Driver Park, 10100 State Road 78 W.

Proceeds will benefit three Okeechobee High School teams that qualified for the 2020

B.A.S.S. High School National Championship. Sign-ups and exemptions will be han-

dled at the ramps the morning of the tournament, beginning around 4:30 a.m.


All Tours last

3 hours

Call for an

appointment

863-623-5881

Come see the Incredible Scenic Wildlife and much more…

Anniversaries, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, Birthday, Singles, Couples and Private parties.

Outdoor music by Wayne Purvis

3-7pm

Daily - $40starts as early as 7 a.m.

Sunset - $50

Moonlight - $50last cruise of the

evening starts at 9 p.m.

We provide Ice, cooler, cups,

blenders, water and sodas;

BYOB

No alcohol is provided by Back to Butch’s

Back to Butch’s offers great music and outdoor seating. Bar open for

package sales 12-9 Fri, Sat & Sun

Welcome to the Green Room, open air, water view, home feel seating while

watching the multiple species of birds, manatees, otters and alligators. Or, take on

a challenge of “Jenga.”

machine.

pp

pp

pp


GAINESVILLE — In a virtual meeting on July 20, the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Sports Medicine Ad-visory Committee (SMAC) recommended that schools delay the start of football and volleyball seasons.

The committee also recommended three important benchmarks in order for schools to return to play, including an overall down-ward trajectory for positive cases, less than a 5% positivity rate for cases over a 28-day period and at least two weeks of practice before competition to allow for appropriate heat acclimation and conditioning. SMAC is chaired by Dr. Jennifer Maynard.

“Although all members of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee acknowl-edge the incredible benefits of sports par-ticipation on both the physical and mental health of our youth,” said Dr. Maynard, “it is imperative that we take into account the scientifically proven risks of this very novel and unpredictable virus as we make recom-mendations.

“It is important to recognize that devel-oping medical evidence indicates possible detrimental impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the lungs, heart and increased risk of formation of blood clots throughout the body,” contin-ued Dr. Maynard.

After hearing SMAC’S recommendations to delay the start of football and volleyball, the FHSAA board of trustees unanimously voted to reject them.

Instead, the FHSAA voted to keep July 27 as both the calendar start date and start of high school practices.

Individual school districts will still have control over whether or not they allow their schools to participate in fall sports.

SMAC also recommended that schools have a plan if a student or coach tests posi-

tive. SMAC suggested 10-day isolation with contact tracing. Students who test positive must have medical clearance including a cardiac assessment in order to return after testing negative for COVID-19.

Players, coaches, staff and officials on the sidelines must wear masks and officials must use electronic whistles.

SMAC recommended that fans not be

allowed to attend games at the time, but ac-

knowledged that it will be a local decision

for each school district to make.

FHSAA is scheduled to meet again

on Friday, July 24, to further discuss the

SMAC’s recommendations.

FHSAA rejects SMAC’s recommendations to delay football

Lake Okeechobee News/Richard MarionThe Florida High School Athletic Association has voted to not delay the start of football season in the state — for now. That means the Clewiston Tigers could be back on Cane Field for a game again in as soon as four weeks.


The People of U.S. Sugar Help Fuel Florida’s Economy

ell before the sun rises, our family of farmers are hard at work:planting, growing, harvesting, and processing food for American families.

The people who work at U.S. Sugar are also owners of the Company, and we’re 2,500 strong.

For generations, U.S. Sugar has provided good paying jobs that also help fuel Florida’s economy.

We’ve successfully combined traditional values and a reverence for the land with cutting-edge farming technology, and over the years

we’ve grown with the South Florida community.

Come meet our team – and let’s grow together.

w

Serving South Florida Since 1929

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Reda started their first dairy in 1947 west of Fort Lauderdale. A few years later they moved the farm to Palm Beach County and then to Okeechobee County in the 1960s.

In the span of his life Red went from a teenage farmhand milking cows for $2 a day by hand to leading one of the largest dairy families in the state of Florida.

Larson served on the USDA Dairy Advi-sory Committee during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations and was instru-mental in developing milk-marketing meth-ods that benefit both the dairy industry and the consumer.

In 2016 Red was presented with the Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Florida.

The award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a UF supporter. It recog-nizes exceptional achievements of the individual in his or her chosen profession, demonstrated leadership, and other exem-plary accomplishments that merit special recognition by the university.

“Through (Larson’s) hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, business ability and willingness to embrace modern science and cutting-edge management practices, he built Larson Farms from the ground up by leading people and building a team of employees that believed in Larson and his vision for modern dairy operation,” said

the Executive Vice President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Jim Handley in his letter of support for Mr. Larson’s nomina-tion for the award.

Services will held on July 27 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Okeechobee. The service will be livestreamed on Youtube on First Baptist’s channel located at www.youtube.com/c/FBCOkeechobee/.

In lieu of flowers, the Larson family has requested those wishing to make memorial gifts to please direct them to either the Uni-versity of Florida L.E. “Red” Larson Dairy Endowment which benefits 4-H, agriculture professorships and research, the First Bap-tist Church of Okeechobee Building Fund or the Florida FFA Foundation.

LARSONContinued From Page 1

Special to the LON/Florida Dairy Farmers Inc.OKEECHOBEE — The Larson fami-ly has been in the dairy business for generations, and has been involved in many dairy innovations. Left to right are Woody Larson, “Red” Larson and John Larson.


www.JudgeDarrellHill.comPolitical advertisement paid for and approved by Darrell Hill, non-partisan for Hendry County Judge, Group 1

Judicial & Legal Experience:• Currently serving as your

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OKEECHOBEE — The Chobee Dirtbags can add another trophy to their collection.

Fresh off going undefeated in a tourna-ment in Tavares on July 12, the Dirtbags took home the USA Travel Baseball Championship on July 19.

Chobee went 6-1 in the tournament, going on to claim the championship trophy with a win over Warstic.

“It was a really good tournament with some really good teams,” said Dirtbags coach Ruben Guerrero. “We beat the 1, 2, 3 and 5 seed in the tournament after starting as the 4th seed. We lost to the Warstic out of Palm Beach but came back to beat them in the championship game.”

The Dirtbags won the first four games of the USA Travel Baseball tournament, beating Next Level 14-3 and then Evolution Elite in two close games 8-7 and 5-4, and blowing out Legacy 16-5.

During their first match-up against Warstic, the Dirtbags fell 11-2.

But Chobee fought their way to the cham-pionship round with a 10-7 win over WBT to set up a rematch against Warstic. And, this time, Chobee came out on top, winning 14-6.

In addition to a trophy, each player was awarded a championship ring for the tourna-ment win.

In the previous tournament on July 12, the Dirtbags went undefeated, winning five games in a row. Chobee beat Ocala Elite 17-8, Volusia Cudas 10-9, Ocala Elite 12-7, FLX 16-1 and WGPA 18-3. The team also managed to

hit 15 home runs during the tournament.The team was able to get back on the field

again in early June after Florida Gov. Ron

DeSantis made the decision to lift restriction on youth activities in late May.

“The kids were very excited to get back

on the field,” said Guerrero of the first games back. “The kids were a little rusty, but after the first game they were back to normal.”

Dirtbags win USA Travel Baseball Championship

Lake Okeechobee News/Richard MarionThe Chobee Dirtbags show off their championship rings and trophy after winning the USA Travel Baseball Championshipon July 19.


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FDOH test numbers questioned - UFDC Image Array 2

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