2019-11-12 Ad Publication Affadavit & News Articles0
INDEPENDENT
NEWSMEDIA INC. USA
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF OKEECHOBEE
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared
Katrina Elsken, who on oath says she is the Publisher of the Lake
Okeechobee News, a three times a week Newspaper published at
Okeechobee, in Okeechobee Count , Florida, that the attached
copy of advertisement being a,L'-�
in the matter of `Vi i t?L o f . I
in the 19th Judicial District of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee
County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues of
Affiant further says that the'said Lake'Okeechobee News is a
newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County,
Florida, and that said newspaper has heretofore been published
continuously in said Okeechobee County, Florida each week and
has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in
Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, for a period of
one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy
of advertisement, and affiant further says that she has neither
paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount,
rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this
advertisement for publication in the said newspaper.
Katrina Elsken
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
dayof ! ID
a
Notary Public, Sate of Florida at
Lake Okeechobee News
107 SW 17th Street, Suite
Okeechobee, Florida'34974,
863-763,-31344
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6 Lake Okeechobee News November 8, 2019
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CO. MMUNITY NEWS
6 to 9 p.m. For more information, call Keith ioni@okee.kl2.fl.us or 863-462-5025 ext
Tomev at 863-763-3378. This is a smoke- 1006. %Attend a
free environment.
VFW Post 9528 hosts events
BUCKHEAD RIDGE — The VFW Post
9528, 29012 State Road 78 East in Buck -
head Ridge, will host the following events
The post will serve dinner on Friday, Nov
8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Menu includes
grilled boneless rib eye steak, grilled pork
tenderloin, fried fish and shrimp, baked
and french fried potatoes, baked sweet
potatoes, onion rings, salad, and dessert.
Music by Karaoke Kop from 6 to 10 p.m.
The VFW Riders will serve a full breakfast
from 8:30 to 1 I a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m.
on Saturday, Nov 9. On Sunday, Nov 10
a full breakfast will be served from 8:30 t
10:30 a.m. by the Amvets. Proceeds bene
veteran services.
Moose Lodge to host events
D.A.R. to host meeting
The Okeechobee Chapter of the daugh-
ters of the American Revolution will have
a meeting on Saturday, Nov 9, at 10 a.m.
at the Okeechobee Public Library, 206
S.W. 16th St. Lite refreshments begin at
9:30 a.m. Come and meet others who are
interested in preserving the history of our
great nation.
BHR VFW recognizes veterans
BUCKHEAD RIDGE — VFW Post 9528,
29012 State Road 78 East in Buckhead
Ridge, will recognize military veterans on
o Monday, Nov 11. Grilled chicken with
fit sides served at 3 p.m. and a flag retirement
ceremony at dusk. The public is invited to
atjend.
The Moose Lodge # 1753, 159 N.W.
36th St., will host the following events: On
Friday, Nov 8, the kitchen is open from
4:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, Nov 9,
there will be fried chicken served starting
at 5 p.m. Get it while it lasts! There will be
music by Double D from 6 to 9 p.m. On
Sunday, Nov 10, breakfast is from 8 to
9:45 a.m. and three-card bingo is from 3:30
to 5:30 p.m.
Retired educators to meet
The Okeechobee Retired Educators will
meet on Monday, Nov 11, at I I a.m. at
Beef O'Brady's, 608 S. Parrott Ave.
- U..J. -"1 ).L, Vl l.Qll 0 U dr OT- I-LOYJ.
Fire Service Workshop
Okeechobee County Board of County
Commissioners is hosting the Okeechobee
County and City of Okeechobee Fire
Service Workshop on Tuesday, Nov 12, at
6 p.m. at the Okeechobee Historic Court-
house, 304 N.W. Second St. in room 270.
The purpose of this workshop is to discuss
fire service. The public is invited and en-
courage to attend. The agenda is published
at co.okeechobee.fl.us. Any person needed
special accommodation to participate
needs to call 863-763-6441 no later than
\,our working days prior.
.e�
Elks Lodge holds events
Okeechobee Elks lodge, 131 N.W. 36th
St., a smoke free facility, will hold the
following events: Quarter bingo will be
held on Monday, Nov 11, from 2:30 to
ACity
4:30 p.m., with dinner following. Wednes-
hall closes Nov. ti*
day, Nov 13 is $1 day for hamburgers or
Okeechobee City Hall offices will be
french fries from l I a.m. to 7 p.m. Food
and drinks will be served Wednesday
closed on Monday, Nov 11, in observance
through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
of Veterans Day. Their website, cityo-
An AYCE pancake breakfast will be served
fokeechobee.com allows you access 24/7.
on Sunday, Nov 17, from 8 to 11 a.m.
City Hall will re -open on Tuesday, Nov 12,
,Open to the public. For information, call
8 a.m. //863-623-5738.
�earn
about your blood type(
Businesswomen to meet
The Okeechobee Blood Roundup
presents "The True Blood Story" on
Thursday, Nov. 14, at the public library,
206 S.W. 16th St., at 4 p.m. Learn the
facts about donating blood and your
blood type.
The Okeechobee Businesswomen's Re-
ferral Network (OBRN) will meet on Friday,
Nov 15, at 11:30 a.m. at Lakeside Grill,
1111 S. Parrott Ave. Bring a small exchange
gift and enjoy learning about the variety of
businesses and services women are involved
today. For information, call 8631167-2557.
Obituaries
Obituaries should be submitted to
the Lake Okeechobee News by emailing
obits@newszap.com. Customers may
also request photos and links to online
guestbooks. A link to the obituaries is
available at lakeokeechobeenews.com.
Martha C. Woodward, 84
MOORE HAVEN — Martha C. Woodward
passed away
2019 in Lake I
She was 1
29, 1935 in c
to the late I
and the late I
(Lawrence) C
She is survived by
her loving husband xw ,
of 66 years, Bobbie L.
Woodward; daughters:
Cindy Davidson (Tommy), Tierney Pearce
(Jimmy), Bonny Rhymes (Timmy), Jill Bry-
ant (Dewayne), Ami Neese (Bud); grandchil-
dren: Bridget, Marcy, Casey, Stacy, Tami, Josh,
Chelsey, Brittany, Jason, Jamie, Jenna, Logan,
Savannah, Bobby; and thirty-five great grand-
children.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 31,
2019 at 10:00 am at the Ortona Cemetery Pa-
vilion, Moore Haven. Visitation was Thursday
one hour prior to service at Ortona Cemetery
Pavilion Interment was Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019
in Ortona Cemetery.
Arrangements by Alin -Davis Funeral Home -
Clewiston.
6 Lake Okeechobee News November 10, 2019
A810
An 0 u sk a Z3 goli7y N
M M� N1' EW1S
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ii.1`-Ms wtftwnol
more information, call 863-7634600.
3HR VFW recognizes veterans
BUCKHEAD RIDGE —VFW Post 9528,
29012 State Road 78 East in Buckhead
Ridge, will recognize military veterans on
Monday, Nov 11. Grilled chicken with
sides served at 3 p.m. and a flag retirement
ceremony at dusk. The public is invited to
a#tend.
City hall closes Nov. 11
Okeechobee City Hall offices will be
closed on Monday, Nov 11, in observance
of Veterans Day. Their website, cityo-
fokeechobee.com allows you access 24/7.
City Hall will reopen on Tuesday, Nov 12, , • pate nee
at 8 a.m. ., four wo
retired educators to meet FRLCR
I
The Friends of the Library will host its
monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov 12, at
4:40 p.m. in the library meeting room, 206
S.W 16th St.
/Attend
Fire Service Workshop
Okeechobee County Board of County
Commissioners is hosting the Okeechobee
County and City of Okeechobee Fire
Service Workshop on Tuesday, Nov 12, at
6 p.m. at the Okeechobee Historic Court-
house, 304 N.W. Second St. in room 270.
The purpose of this workshop is to discuss
Fire Service. The public is invited and en-
courage to attend. The agenda is published
at www.co.okeechobee.fl.us. Any person
needed special accommodation to partici-
d call 863-763-6441, no lat
rking days prior.
The Okeechobee Refired Educators will
-ieet on Monday, Nov 11, at 11 a.m. at
Beef O'Brady's, 608 S. Parrott Ave.
Church to host bingo
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 901
S.W. Sixth St., will host bingo on Mon-
day, Nov 11. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
and bingo begins at 7 p.m. The kitchen
will be serving sandwiches, snacks and
drinks for a reasonable price. The publi
is welcome.
to host yard sale
LA�..���e.- �.-.-LSA-+ 7►T..—
exc�iange gift and enjoy learning about the
variety of businesses and services women
are involved today. For information, call
Raye at 863-467-2557.
Raffle benefit to be held
A fresh water bow mount electric start
trolling motor will be the prize in a raffle
benefit to be held on Saturday, Nov 16,
at I p.m. at the American Legion Post, 501
S.E. Second St. Proceeds from the benefit
will help Sherri Ihinger with medical and
rehabilitation costs from a severe brain
trauma. Tickets are available at Lakeshore
Marine, 1365 S.E. 14th Terrace; Cypress Hut
Eagles, 4701 U.S. 441 S.E; or call Bud at
863-261-2845.
er than Moose
5 Moos
will host
Real Life Children's Ranch, 7777 U.S.
441 S.E., will host a yard sale on Wednes-
day, Nov 13 through Friday, Nov 15, from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. There will be lots of
great bargains.
Learn about your blood type
The Okeechobee Blood Roundup pres-
ents "The True Blood Story" on Thursday,
Nov 14, at the public library, 206 S.W.
C 16th St., at 4 p.m. Learn the facts about
donating blood and your blood type.
Lodge 1753 events
e Lodge 1753, 159 N.W. 36th St.,
the following events: The Moose
will observe Veterans Day with the theme
of We Love Our Veterans on Monday, Nov
11. Kitchen will be open from 5 to 8:30
p.m. Nine -ball pool league will begin at
7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov 13, the
kitchen will be open from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Eight -ball pool league begins at 7:30 p.m.
Seminole Cove hosts sale
Seminole Cove will host its annual art,
crafts and bake sale show at its clubhouse,
1799 S.W. 35th Circle, on Saturday, Nov
16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Joyce was Don August
20, 1949, in Grand Forks, N.D. She attended
Wheatfield #65 elementary (one room coun-
try school), Larimore High School and majored
in Math and Economics at the University of
North Dakota.
Upon graduation Joyce moved to Bemi-
dji, Minn. and worked for the Bemidji Public
School System as a junior high math teacher
until her retirement.
She was a member of the First Lutheran
Church, sang in the choir, and served as a Ste-
phens Minister. Joyce loved singing and was a
member of "Jubilation" sextet with whom she
traveled and performed throughout the area.
Joyce is well remembered for her many pas-
sions in fife - golfing, dog obedience, photog-
raphy and her love of friends and neighbors.
She was so very filled with the love of her Lord,
which was reflected in her ability to capture na-
ture through the lens and sing praises to God.
She is survived by sisters, Nancy (Richard)
O'Connor, Shirley (Terry) Jones; brothers, Gary
(Connie) Kleven and Paul (Deb) Kleven; spe-
cialfiends, Shirley (Deny) Froseth.
Joyce loved and was extremely proud of
her many nephews and nieces, Tanya (Jerry)
Decker, Rodney (Chris) Kleven, David Kleven,
Daniel Kleven, Donnie (Julie) Becker, Michael
(Paige) O'Connor, Katie (Matt) Baker, Kyle
Kleven, Kory Kleven, Brian (Heidi) Lasham,
Todd (Amanda) Lasham. She also delighted
in each birth of her many great nephews and
nieces.
Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneral-
Home.com
i
vol. 110 No. 137Friday, November 15, 2019 $1 m®® plus tax
7City, county.
discuss fire
protection
By Cathy Womble
Lake Okeechobee News
OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee City
Council and Okeechobee County commission-
ers sat down together along with Okeechobee
County Fire Rescue Chief Ralph Franklin on
Tuesday, Nov. 12, to discuss the possibility of
merging the two fire departments. Prior to the
meeting, Commission Chairman Terry Bur-
roughs made it clear the commissioners were
there to listen. He said they need to know what
services the city wants them to provide and
what mechanism they plan to use to pay for the
services. Once those questions are answered,
their board can begin to discuss them.
FIRE— Pace 5,
"Butler joins "
SFWMD board
Special to the Lake Okeechobee News
FORT MYERS — Benjamin Butler was sworn
in on Thursday, Nov. 14, as a member of the
South Florida Water Management District's Gov-
erning Board at its monthly meeting. Mr. Butler
was appointed last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"1 would like to thank Gov. DeSamis for
appointing Benjamin Butler, a respected mem-
bers of our vital agricultural community, to the
SFWMD Governing Board," said SFWMD Gov-
eming Board Chairman Chauncey Goss. "With
Benjamin's impressive credentials and a track
record of community involvement, the entire
district will benefit from the governor's wise
pick as our newest colleague on the governing
board."
Mr. Butler, of Lorida, is the manager of
Butler Oaks Farm, a family owned dairy farm.
Butler Oaks Farm has operated for more than
See SFWMD — Page 5
Lake Levels
13.27 feet
Last Year 13.48 feet
t� SponSorod By:
POV59'sFS. Parrott AvOP V. AZwrrt
e.
863-763-7222
Source.' South Rondo Water
Management District.
Depth given in feet above sen level
See Page 4 for information about
how to contact this newspaper.
Special to the Lake Okeechobee Ne•,vs It
Little angler reels in ig bid fishird Point on hwt� NMYt
h II'I I II �IIIIIIIII
OKEECHOBEE — Gavin caught a bass almost as big as he s, at T
Lake Okeechobee a few weeks ago. This big fish weighed 9.5 lbs. and was caugh4
with a Zebco rod and reel. Show off your big catchl Email photos to okeenews@
newszap.com. a 6 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 s
2019
Continued From Page
When the meeting began, he turned it
over to Mayor Dowling Watford because
lithe city council requested the workshop.
Mayor Watford asked each of the council
members in turn if they had anything to say.
"ISO rating" is a term that has been
tossed around often throughout the merger
talk, and council member Monica Clark
asked Chief Franklin to explain exactly what
it means. Chief Franklin explained ISO is
short for Insurance Service Office. That is
an organization that comes in and looks at
each department as a whole. They look at
communications. They look at operations,
which is the response, he said. They look
at training and fire prevention, inspection
and public education. Each of those has
a formula within it, and based on how a
department scores in those categories, they
give the area a final score, and that is where
your classification is. The county and the
city are both ISO 3, he explained.
Councilman Bob Jarriel said his reason
for requesting the workshop was strictly
financial, and from all the figures he has
seen, he believes they can cut the amount
of money spent each year by going to
the county. He said he plans to make a
business decision that will represent the
people of the city and stressed that no one
is unhappy with the city fire department at
all. "For a number of years we have drawn
from our reserves. We need to balance our
budget, and I think this is one of the issues
we need to talk about," he said. He would
like the county to do the ambulance, the
fire, the inspections — everything, includ-
ing taking over the taxing of it. "Those are
the kind of figures I would like to see so 1
can vote intelligently," he said.
Councilwoman Clark expressed concern
about the 12 people who work for the city
fire department and said she hopes they
can work together to secure their futures.
Mayor Watford asked whether com-
missioners would be willing to figure out
what it would cost to provide the service to
the city, and then they could decide if they
wanted to contract it or do it as a fire tax.
In his opinion, if they contract it, they might
save some, depending how the figures
come out, but he thought the goal was to
cut the millage, and if they want to do that,
they need to let the county do the fire tax,
he said.
Commissioner Kelly Owens was con-
cerned about whether the ISO would be
affected and said that would need to be
looked at. What effect would that have on
businesses? Another issue is employees.
The county is not obligated to take on all
12 employees, but if it did, the city and the
people paying the fire assessment would
need to understand the cost of taking them
on would have to come from somewhere,
and of course, the county would not be re-
sponsible for any of the city pensions. Then
there is level of service. They would have to
determine how many additional employees
are needed to ensure everyone maintains
the same or higher level of service, maybe
three, maybe more, maybe none. They
don't know yet. These are all things they
need to evaluate.
\ Commissioner Bryant Culpepper
Okeechobee News
wondered why the city did not train them Information sought about
firefighters as paramedics and buy an
ambulance so they could stop paying an
EMS assessment. If they did that, they could local mailbox vandalism
just pay the county on a case-by-case basis.
If they need the county for a call, they could S ial to the Lake Okeechobee News
pay for that call, but if they don't need them
that month, they would not pay anything. OKEECHOBEE —The Okeechobee
Commissioner Brad Goodbread wanted County Sheriff's Office is asking for the
it made clear the board of county commis. public's help after multiple cases of
sioners did not go after and does not covet criminal mischief were reported. Deputies
the city fire department but said they are responded between Nov. 9 and Nov. 12 to
more than happy to meet and listen and the Peevine area (N.W. 192nd Avenue/NW
try to help make things better. He asked if 294th Street; N.W. 192 Avenue/N.W. 282
there were any consulting firms that might Street) in northern Okeechobee County.
be able to do a study as an outside source Numerous complaints were filed by resi-
and come back with a recommendation. dents in reference to their mailboxes being
He also wondered if this should be left up damaged. Several mailboxes were de -
to the voters of Okeechobee the city and be stroyed, along with mail that was tampered
put on the ballot. with. Some of the mail had been strewn
Councilman Jarriel said the city did hire a8 about the roadway and in one area, the
an outside consultant to do a study in 2017 suspect(s) burned the mail in a pile.
and paid $40,000. Anyone with information is urged to
Councilman Bobby Keefe believes the contact Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Holden at
county fire chief is smart and responsible 863-763-3117, or you may remain anorty-
enough to adjust county procedures to mous and contact the Treasure Coast Crime
ensure a level of service that is appropriate Stoppers at 800-273-8477. You may be
countywide to include the municipal area. entitled to a reward.
It is a small area, and he believes they will
have no problem providing fire protection
to the city, he said. "We would like to con-
solidate." He said that was just his opinion,
but he believes they need to unify and
come right out and say it.
Several local pastors spoke during the
public comment time and expressed con-
cerns about churches and nonprofits being
taxed. Pastor Mark McCarter of First Baptist
Church said he knew Cornerstone Baptist
Church closed its doors partly because they
could not afford to pay their fire assess-
ment.
Several city business owners were
concerned about their taxes going up. They
already pay city taxes. If this goes through,
they will have to pay a fire assessment.
Can they count on their millage rate to go
down? They were also concerned that they
would not have the services they are accus-
tomed to now.
A letter was read into the record from
the Economic Council of Okeechobee
stating it fully supports the merger of city
and county fire rescue services, and Hoot
Whorley commented that the Economic
Council has nothing against the city fire _
department at all.
County firefighter Dan Ciorrocco said C1gMD
he understood people were worried about Continued From Page 1
loss of care if the departments merged or
maybe some people felt they would get
better care if the departments combined. 80 years and has received the Agricultur-
He wanted to reassure everyone. "With- at -Environmental Leadership Award from
out a doubt," he said, "the 50 men and the Florida Department of Agriculture and
women who serve the community now are Consumer Services. Mr. Butler has been the
absolutely 100% able to do the job whether director of the Okeechobee Farm Bureau
separate or together or upside down." They since 2007 and the president and past
will do their jobs and the community will director of the Okeechobee Youth Livestock
not suffer, he said. "That's why we are here. Show since 2008. He earned his bachelor's
We don't work at the fire department to be and master's degrees in animal science
millionaires. We do it because we love this from the University of Florida.
community, this county and this city." His "My family has lived, worked and played
biggest concern is for the careers of the 12 all around South Florida for generations.
people who work For the city.e have always prided ourselves on being
The next workshop will be held on No . good stewards of one of Florida's most
26. precious natural resources, its water," Mr.
Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/OCSO
Pictured is one of the mailboxes that
has been vandalized.
Residents are requested to stay vigilant
and report any suspicious activity to the
Sheriff's Office.
Special to the Lake Okeechobee News
New SFwMD Governing Board member Benjamin Sutler (left) was sworn in on
Thursday, Nov. 14, at the monthly business meeting In Fort Myers.
Butler said. "I am honored that Gov. DeSan-
tis has chosen me to represent the district's
important Heartland area and look forward
to serving on the governing board."
Mr. Butler's father, Robert Butler, was
present at the SFWMD Governing Board
meeting in Fort Myers to administer the
oath of office to Mr. Butler along with his
mother, Pam Butler, his wife, April Butler,
and his daughter, Hannah Butler.
Mr. Butler will serve as an at4arge
governing (ward member representing
an area that includes Glades, Highlands,
Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola and Polk
counties. This appointment is subject to
confirmation by the Florida Senate. The
seal representing the Heartland counties
had been vacant since March.