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2020-09-03 News ArticleSeptember 9, 2020 Lake Okeechobee News - merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun 5 Economic corporation Dedicated to Quality & Service gives back money BY Cathy Womble the corporation would be getting $40,000 lake Okeechobee News from the city in the coming year. He said OKEECHOBEE — During the Sept. 3 the corporation greatly appreciated the meeting, the Okeechobee City Council dis- support of the city in years past, but in this cussed the annual operating budget for the year with the way things were, their group 2020/2021 fiscal year. The proposed millage wondered if the city council could use that rate discussed was 7.6018. Millage rates are money instead for the development of the used to calculate local property taxes. They downtown parks. He explained the corpo- represent the amount a homeowner has ration was OK financially this year, and if to pay for every $1,000 of a property's as. they. accepted the money, they could not sessed value. The final public hearing date u5e it themselves to develop the parks, but to discuss the budget was set for Monday, thought possibly the city could. Sept, 21. After some discussion, the council A letter from the Economic Council decided to leave the budget as is; with the of Okeechobee was read into the record understanding that the $40,000 would be expressing its desire to see the council do earmarked for use in downtown park devel- four things: opment. • Follow through on its path to finalizing In other business, Council Member an interlocal agreement for fire services. Monica Clark expressed gratitude she will • Inrrease the prioritization of the gener- not have to run for office as onlyshe and at appearance of our city. former Okeechobee City Police Department • Increase council support for code officer Russ Cale qualified to run for the enforcement and staff. two available seats. She and Cale will be • Continue to find and prioritize initia- sworn in on Jan. 4, 2021. CouncilmanWes lives already in place. Abney's term will end in erg Frank Irby of the Okeechobee County was appotnte to fill the seat left vacant by _ Economic Development Corporation said the resignation of Michael O'Connor. Abney '\he understood under the proposed budget did not seek reelection. \FWC rules reduce the risks to deef Special to the lake Okeechobee News TALLAHASSEE -Currently, Florida is one of 24 states where chronic wasting disease, or CWD, has NOT been detected. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is continuing its work to reduce the risk of CWD spreading into our state, and your involvement in these efforts is vital. Knowing and following the requirements for importing harvested deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family are important ways you can help protect Florida deer populations. With big game seasons opening in neighboring states and across the country, we want to remind everyone hunting out- side of Florida that carcasses and carcass parts of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other members of the deer family may not be imported into Florida from anywhere. Following are exceptions to this require- ment: • Hunters may import into Florida de- boned meat; finished taxidermy mounts; antlers; and hides, skulls, skull caps, and teeth if a0 soft tissue has been removed. • White-tailed deer legally harvested in Georgia or Alabama may be imported into Florida, provided the person: 1. Possesses an FWC Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Permit prior to the carcass being imported into Florida (The FWC's Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importa- tion Permit is available by logging in or cre- ating an account at the FWC's PermitMe! webpage and following the instructions to self -issue the permit.) 2. Reports the carcass importation within 24 hours of entering Florida using the FWC's online Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Reporting Form (through the PermitMel Webpage. 3. Disposes of any remains using FWC-approved deer carcass disposal options. • White-tailed deer legally harvested from Georgia or Alabama properties bisect- ed by the Florida state line and under the same ownership are exempt from importa- tion permit, reporting and disposal require- ments. If CWD is detected in Georgia or Alabama, importing a white-tailed deer carcass and carcass parts from that state would be prohibited. Learn more about the special require- ments for importing deer carcasses and carcass parts outlined in executive order by visiting MyFWC.com/Deer. At its Decem- ber Commission meeting, FWC staff will present draft rule amendments regarding importing deer carcasses and carcass parts. Hunters ask how banning carcasses and carcass parts from being imported into Florida can help safeguard our deer popu- lation. Here's the reason. Unintentionally transporting infected deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses is a known risk for intro- ducing CWD to new areas. This disease is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that accumulate in the brain and spinal column, causing irreversible damage and ultimately death for members of the deer family. CWD can be transmitted in different ways including direct animal -to -animal contact. It also can be transmitted indirectly. Members of the deer family can become infected when they consume CWD prions from soil contaminated with the feces, urine, saliva, other bodily fluids or decom. posed tissues of a CWD-infected carcass. ROOFING &; REPAIRS Residential j Commercial Licensed and Insured . St. Lic. CCC046939 Roofing with the name you trust! WOK; � r1• LvA �- y,,, Our services Include: t/glaoa+• • Re -Roofing • Roof Repairs Roof Inspections Energy Efficient Metal Roof Systems ® Shingles ® Flat Roofs Insulated Tapered Systems for Flat Roofs FREE Esti►naies Don't Make a Mistake! Call Big Lake 863 -763 -ROOF (7663) biglakeroofing@yahoo.com 6 9 ?/3/2o C(4� C 4c; l fV1+5 P-, 2020 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun Special to the Lake Okeechobee News Plunger Action Month OKEECHOBEE — City of Okeechobee Mayor Watford presented a procla- mation recognizing the month of September 2020 as "Hunger Action Month" at the Sept. 3 Okeechobee City Council meeting. Recipients from Treasure Coast Food Bank were Community Outreach Coordinator Luis Rivera and Food Safety Supervisor Erika Chavez. Beware of home repair scams Special to the Lake Okeechobee News HENDRY & GLADES COUNTIES — This busy hurricane season Southwest Floridians need to be on their toes as door-to-door con artists head into thecommunities looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These thieves and shady characters especially like to prey on the elderly who might be unable to clear debris or perform repairs themselves after a storm. Some pose as home repair specialists but are simply con artists looking for easy access and easy money. For your safety, do NOT open your door, step outside or be distracted. Florida seniors can protect themselves from becoming victims of home repair fraud by following these important tips: • Before you agree to or sign any con- tract, have your lawyer review and explain the terms. You may contact the Senior Legal Helpline at 1-888-895-7873 or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342- 8011 for legal assistance. • Make sure the contractor has a valid contractor's license and insurance. An occupational license is NOT a construction license. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues li- censes and.takes complaints of contractors at 1-850A87-1395. You can also check with your local law enforcement agency and the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints or reports of fraud against the business. • If you suspect unlicensed activity, con- tact the DBPR Unlicensed Activity Division at 1-866-532-1440. • Never fall for phone or door-to-door offers of free estimates, home inspections or "special deals." Very few, if any, legiti- mate contractors do this, especially after a storm. • Never pay cash! Never pay for un- finished work or jobs that have not been inspected. Paying by check or money order provides a written record. If a contractor wants money in advance, consider paying the material supplier directly. • Always compare estimates carefully; it's a good idea to get bids or estimates from at least three companies. • Protect yourself from liens against your home. Make sure your contract states that the contractor will obtain notarized, written releases of lien from all subcontrac- tors and suppliers before you will pay each payment. • Never agree to get your own permits; that will make you directly responsible for everything. • Never be pressured into making hasty decisions. • Never let a stranger in your home and never accept an offer to take you to the bank to withdraw money for any reason. Keep a8 doors, including the garage door, closed and locked at all times. • Don't hesitate to immediately report unknown or suspicious people, activity, or vehicles to your local law enforcement agency.. Important Contacts: For help, call: • Senior Legal Helpline: 888-895-7873; • Elder Abuse Hotline: 800 -96 -ABUSE (1-800-962-2873); • Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida – Elder Helpline: 866413-5337. Hendry County felony/DUI arrests for Aug. 31 through Sept 6 include: • Thomas Eugene Cherry, 36, Im- mokalee, was arrested by Hendry County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Deputy M. Afonso on charges of possession of methamphet- amine and possession of drug equipment. • Tyrell Earl Henderson 21, Lehigh Acres, was arrested by HCSO Deputy R. Mo- rales on charges of grand theft of a firearm, petit theft, resisting arrest w/o violence. • Thomas James Hester, 41, LaBelle, was arrested on charges of petit theft and dealing in stolen property. • Salvatore Phillip Katz, 35, Lehigh Acres, was arrested by HCSO Deputy Cross - back on charges of burglary and petit theft. • Debra Jean Killackey, 42, LaBelle, was arrested by HCSO Deputy G. Hull on charges of DUI and DUI refusal to submit to breath test. OCSO Investigations OKEECHOBEE –The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office investigated reports of the following crimes last week: ASSAULT • Northeast 16th Avenue • 17900 block Northwest 208th Street • 7800 block Northeast 207th Street BURGLARY • 5200 block Southeast 43rd Street • 6300 Northeast Ninth Way • 1700 block Northwest Eighth Street CRIMINAL MISCHIEF • Northeast 13th Avenue • 500 block Northwest 27th Lane FRAUD • 3700 block Southeast 28th Street • David Allen Rose, 40, LaBelle, was arrested by HCSO K9 Cpl. H. Kearns, on charges of possession of methamphet- amine and possession of drug equipment. • Senaida Ruiz, 35, Lehigh Acres, was arrested by HCSO Deputy J. Miller, on charges of possession of methamphet- amine with intent to sell, Trafficking in methamphetamine, and destroying/tamper- ing with evidence. • Jonathan I. Villa, 15, LaBelle, was arrested by HCSO Deputy E. Vasquez, on charges of grand theft of motor vehicle. This column lists arrests and not convic- tions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found innocent or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. 77ie information will be confirmed and printed. • 800 block Southwest 24th Avenue • 2700 block Northwest 128th Avenue • 7700 block Southeast 57th Drive • 4100 block U.S. 441 Southeast NARCOTICS USE • Jail x4 • 1400 block Northwest 44th Avenue • 1400 block U.S. 441 Southeast • 1500 block Northeast 208th Street OVERDOSE • 5900 block Southeast 95th Trail THEFT • 1600 block State Road 70 West • 17600 block Northwest 33rd Terrace • 2800 block Northwest 50th Avenue • 3200 block Southeast 33rd Terrace VFW Post 9528 invitesstudents to join essay contest BUCKHEAD RIDGE —Okeechobee County and Glades County middle school students are invited to participate in the Veterans of Foreign Wars "Patriot Pen" essay contest. This VFW -sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on this year's patriotic theme "What is Patriotism to Me?" Patriot's Pen is open to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The deadline for enrollment is midnight on Oct. 31. Winners will be announced by Nov. 7. For details and entry form, contact Buckhead Ridge VFW Post 9528 at post9528(awfwfl.org. our__Fly Control Cente_ • Fly Control Mineral • Fly Bait • Fly Blocks • Pour -ons • Fly Spray • Fly Bags 140,00114, Walpole Feed & Supply Co. 863-763-6905 Hwy 98 N •Okeechobee 9 14;LU cc mt