Featured

Thousands enjoy beautiful day at Sugar Festival

CLEWISTON -- The 2025 Sugar Festival drew thousands of people to Clewiston's Civic Park March 14 and 15.

Indecent exposure at a tanning salon results in arrest

An Okeechobee man has been accused of exposing himself at a tanning salon while an underage girl was present.

Dr. Wendy Lugo Gallegos joins the Immokalee Foundation as director of program services

The Immokalee Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Wendy Lugo Gallegos has accepted the pivotal Director of Program Services position. In this role, she oversees …

Lake recession could hit recovery level even if releases east stop

WEST PALM BEACH – Lake releases to coastal estuaries may be slowing soon, but Mother Nature could bring the Big O lake level down anyway.

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Community

Lunar Eclipse over LaBelle

Lunar Eclipse over LaBelle at 3:22 a.m. on March 14 during the totality phase, with the stars...

Stevens Construction begins Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida

Stevens Construction has started construction of Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida’s newest location, located at 169 W. Hickpochee Ave. in LaBelle...

Residents hear noise from Avon Park Range

OKEECHOBEE – “What was that boom?”

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Lake Okeechobee

Lake recession could hit recovery level even if releases east stop

Direct rainfall slows lake recession

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 52 °F

Sunny, with a high near 77. North northeast wind around 10 mph. Get the full forecast

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Lake Okeechobee Real Estate

LORE March 2025

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Lake levels

13.11 feet

Last year: 15.75 feet

Depth given in feet above sea level.

Water Flow Chart

Sports

FWC: Splash into license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Mark your calendars for an opportunity to go freshwater fishing during the upcoming FWC license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Tigers secure a season sweep over Glades Day

The Clewiston Tigers varsity baseball team secured a season sweep against the Glades Day Gators on March 12.

Lady Terriers secure back-to-back victories

The Moore Haven Lady Terriers softball team secured back-to-back victories over the Glades Day Lady Gators and the Frostproof Lady Bulldogs.

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Human Interest

Woman fights to have benches returned to Walmart

Okeechobee resident Mary Kennedy has made it her mission in life to bring benches back to the local Walmart.

Chamber of Commerce honors Jessica Lea

Honoring Jessica Lea – Community Leadership Award Recipient

Off duty nurse saves choking baby

An off-duty ER nurse credits God with saving a toddler from choking Sunday morning...

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Schools

ESE 4th graders visit museum

On Thursday, March 13, fourth grade Wildcats of Eastside Elementary School enjoyed a trip to AH-TAH-THI-KI...

WSE students receive ice cream reward

On Friday, March 14, students in Mrs. Flores’ class received ice cream sundaes...

GVE recognizes academic achievements

On Monday, March 17, Glade View Elementary School celebrated academic excellence with its Eagles...

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Wildlife & Environment

Help conserve Florida’s wildlife this spring

Much of Florida’s diverse wildlife becomes more active in springtime.

Now is the time to plan for bat maternity season

While Florida’s 13 native bat species are beneficial and typically roost in trees, caves or other natural spaces...

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Government

USPS promotes National Safe Driving Campaign

The Postal Service has one of largest fleets in the world, with more than 246,000 vehicles...

Clerk Abruzzo Launches New Online Tool for Taxpayers to see how their money is spent

OpenGov is an interactive online portal that provides access to county financial records.

Ordinance protects Dark Sky park from light pollution

OKEECHOBEE – A new ordinance passed by Okeechobee County Commissioners at their March 13 meeting creates a buffer zone...

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Police/Fire

Animal Control takes dog after second attack

After her son was attacked twice by the same dog, the boy’s mom called the law.

Man accused of stealing property from family member

An Okeechobee man was arrested after allegedly stealing and then selling two air compressors last month.

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Opinion

Trump delivers unwanted 'help' to our friends.

When Donald Trump assumed the presidency, two allies of the US, Israel and Ukraine were mired in bloody wars...

Pahokee votes for further stagnation and uncertainty

Pahokee held an election on March 11, 2025. The ballot consisted of one race that normally would have seen 3 of the 5 Commission seats up for voting.

The Weekly Clothesline: The precious gift of “touch”…

Even Jesus was aware of the power of touch. He used it often, not just to heal, but to let someone know they were loved.

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Hurricane News

BBB & SBA raise awareness about business recovery resources in West Florida

The SBA’s disaster loans offer immediate financial relief, allowing individuals and businesses...

$1.5 million grant to fund generator for LaBelle Middle School

Thanks to a $1.5 million federal grant, LaBelle Middle School will be a more comfortable hurricane shelter in the future.

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Adopt A Pet

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, March 3

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families!

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Tuesday, February 18

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies...

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Wednesday, February 12

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families!

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Monday, January 27

This week’s Pets of the Week are beautiful fur babies in need of loving families! You can come meet these babies at...

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Veterans

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans will be held Feb. 25

DAV & RecruitMilitary will break down barriers for veteran employment at the Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans...

Record-breaking turnout at IRSC Foundation Clay Shoot

The Indian River State College Foundation’s Annual Clay Shoot attracted 136 participants and generated $153,000...

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Agriculture

Farm but no fowl: Florida aquaculture is growing the economy

Florida’s thriving aquaculture industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, generating more than $165 million in sales...

Florida farms reduce water use by 25% with simple change in crop beds

Lipman Family Farms wanted to mitigate flood risk associated with heavy rain on their 2,000-acre farm in Naples.

Two UF/IFAS-bred strawberries better at resisting nasty pest

Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida has found two...

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Health

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Cancer advocates urge lawmakers to prioritize funding for lifesaving early-detection programs

Advocates are calling for $3 million in recurring state funding for the Mary Brogan Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program...

Alzheimer Association announces time change of virtual support group meetings

There's a time change for the Alzheimer Association's Support Group, virtual, entitled "Alzheimer Association's Support Group...

Blood mobile visits planned for April

The OneBlood bloodmobile will visit Okeechobee on the following days:

Tampa General Hospital & Lakeside Medical Center team up to enhance healthcare access

Tampa General Hospital and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County reached an agreement...

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Business

Veterans Job Fair, employers ready to hire

Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary will break down barriers for veteran employment ...

Hometown Furniture Okeechobee open on N.W. Park Street

Jason Lamb and Michelle Braswell are excited to continue serving their community with a new adventure ...

Touch a Truck and Career Expo help inspire the next generation

The Okeechobee County Economic Devlopment Corporation (OCEDC) was proud to partner with Okeechobee Touch a Truck for the second year.

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Traffic & Road Work

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, March 16...

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, March 16...

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

The following column is the Road Watch report for Glades County for the week beginning Sunday, March 16...

AAA: Florida gas prices decline 3¢

Florida gas prices declined 3¢ last week. The state average on Sunday, March 2, was $3.07 per gallon.

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State

NASA's stuck astronauts are finally on their way back to Earth after 9 months in space

NASA's two stuck astronauts are finally on their way home after more than nine months in space. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams left the International Space Station in a SpaceX capsule early Tuesday, …

Who are the NASA astronauts who have been stuck in space for 9 months?

NASA's stuck astronauts are heading home now that a replacement crew has arrived at the International Space Station. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched last June as the first test pilots for …

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National & World

- FEMA offers help to farmers
  
  LABELLE -- FEMA will hold a farm recovery event on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Hendry Co. Extension Building, 1085 Pratt …
- FEMA opens recovery centers
  
  FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Glades, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties …
- Operation Blue Roof helps hurricane victims
  
  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has placed tarps on more than 7,100 homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton...

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Special Sections

Thousands enjoy beautiful day at Sugar Festival

Indecent exposure at a tanning salon results in arrest

Dr. Wendy Lugo Gallegos joins the Immokalee Foundation as director of program services

Lake recession could hit recovery level even if releases east stop

Lunar Eclipse over LaBelle

Stevens Construction begins Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida

Residents hear noise from Avon Park Range

E-newspaper

LORE March 2025

FWC: Splash into license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Tigers secure a season sweep over Glades Day

Lady Terriers secure back-to-back victories

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Caloosa Humane Society presents Pets of the Week

Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans will be held Feb. 25

Record-breaking turnout at IRSC Foundation Clay Shoot

Cancer advocates urge lawmakers to prioritize funding for lifesaving early-detection programs

Alzheimer Association announces time change of virtual support group meetings

Blood mobile visits planned for April

Tampa General Hospital & Lakeside Medical Center team up to enhance healthcare access

Okeechobee County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

Hendry County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

Glades County Road Watch Report for week of March 16-22

AAA: Florida gas prices decline 3¢

NASA's stuck astronauts are finally on their way back to Earth after 9 months in space

Who are the NASA astronauts who have been stuck in space for 9 months?

North Macedonia appeals for calm as nightclub fire deaths trigger protests

Last surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain, John 'Paddy' Hemingway, dies at age 105

Indecent exposure at a tanning salon results in arrest

Man accused of stealing property from family member

FEMA offers help to farmers

FEMA opens recovery centers

Operation Blue Roof helps hurricane victims