CEECHOBEE


Saturday, January 19, 2008


NEWS
*********ALL FOR ADC 320
205 SMA U FL LIB OF FL HISTORY
PO BOX 117007 i
GAINESVILLE FL 32611


Briefs

Man charged
with assault
A brief confrontation over
$40 led to the arrest of an
Okeechobee man on charges
that he pulled a gun and threat-
ened the victim.
Bruce Lee Snell, 30, N.W 34'1
Ave., was arrested Jan. 17 on a
charge of aggravated assault
with a deadly weapon. He was
booked into the Okeechobee
County Jail in
lieu of $5,000
bond.
An ar-
rest report by
Deputy Paul
Jackson of the
Okeechobee
County Sher-
iff's Office Bruce
(OCSO) states
that around Snell
9:30 a.m. Thursday the victim
went to Snell's home in order to
recoup the $40 supposedly owed
him by Snell's girlfriend.
Anargumentensuedbetween
the two men and before the vic-
tim could leave Snell stepped out
of the house, pointed a gun at
the victim and told him to get out
of his yard, stated the report.
Two other men who were
with the victim verified the story,
stated Deputy Jackson.
Snell reportedly told the dep-
uty that he didn't point a gun at
anyone. His girlfriend also said
she did not see Snell with a gun.
The deputy's report goes on to
state that the woman was asleep
until the men's arguing woke
her.

City has opening
on OUA Board
The Okeechobee City Council
is seeking interested applicants
... in servingon the Okeechobee
Utility Authority Board of Direc-
tors, as an alternate member for
a two year term. The applicants-
must be residents of the City of
Okeechobee and be living in the
service area of OUA. Applica-
tions may be printed from the
City's web page, www.cityo-
fokeechobee.com or obtained
from the City Clerk's Office at
55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee.
You may contact us for further
information at (863) 763-3372
extension 215.

Drought Index
Current: 579
Source: Florida Division
of Forestry
Local Burn Ban: None

Lake Levels

10.06 feet
SLast Year: 11.94 feet



Source: South Florida Water
Management District. Depth
given in feet above sea level

Index
Classifieds ............................9-10
Com ics..................................8....
Community Events ....................4
Obituaries..............6.....-
O pinion ...................................... 4
Speak Out ........................... ...... 4
Sports .................... ........... 7
TV ........ .......................... 10
W eather.................................. 2
See Page 2 for information about
how to contact the newspaper.

newszap.com
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8 16510 00024 5


Tax change could hurt county


Florida Association
of Counties opposes
tax amendment
By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
The proposed homestead
exemption to be voted on
Jan. 29, could have negative
consequences for residents of
Okeechobee County.
While the proposed amend-
ment might produce some sav-
ings to homeowners, the ques-


tion each homeowner must
decide is if those savings will
outweigh the cuts in govern-
ment services that would have
to come with the reduced rev-
enue.
"The most optimistic esti-
mates by economic experts
show the average homeowner,
will save only $240 a year just
66 cents a day," according
to the Florida Association of
Counties (FAC). However, the
corresponding loss is revenues.
will hurt Florida's counties.
It is not as if the counties


have not done their part to help
reduce taxes, the FAC points
out. In 2005, nearly half of Flor-
ida's 67 counties reduced mill-
age rates, resulting in savings
of $185 million to taxpayers
statewide, according to figures
supplied by FAC. In 2006, two-
thirds of Florida's counties, in-
cluding Okeechobee, reduced
millage rates, resulting in more
than $500 million in savings
to taxpayers. In 2007 counties
were required to roll back the
millage rate for a savings of
$1.4 billion.


Arbor Day: Learning about trees


Sk, chobee News/Pete uawaa
On Friday, Jan. 18 Michele Pritchard's fourth grade class at ral Elementary School
celebrated FloridaArbor Day. They learned about the importance of planting trees and
each student received a small slash pine to plant in their yards from the Okeechobee
Soil and Water Conservation District. Students with teacher Mrs. Pritchard are:Michael
Arnold, Frederick Bradley, Keirstin Bostwick, Dan Angelo Capungan, Justin, Denisuk,
Christian Epps. Charlie Fonseca, Marissa Kerce, Matthew Lanning, Jonah Macaldo,
Tyler Maxey, Madison McAllister, Dylan McClanahan, Alexis Muller, Heaven Peacock,
Jose Perez, Jenna Rodriguez, Fabiana Santibanez, Adrian Vasquez and Niki White.


Michele Pritchard's fourth grade class at Central Elementary School celebrated Florida
Arbor Day on Friday, Jan. 18. Audrey Driggers, center, standing, and Sara May, right,
standing, of the Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District explained the his-
tory and significance of Arbor Day and the importance of planting trees. Each student
was given a small slash pine to set out at their homes. "As you grow, the trees will grow
with you," Ms. Driggers told the students.


The FAC position is that
there are two dilemmas to be
faced. The first is reduced fund-
ing to county governments. The
bigger issue they see is local
control. The question is who
understands the needs of local
government more, lawmakers
in Tallahassee or local elected
officials?
"Tallahassee doesn't know
best, you know best," states
a FAC document Only local
elected officials, with your in-
put can determine whether a
traffic project deserves fund-


ing, whether the county needs
a new wastewater treatment
facility or whether the fire de-
partment needs money for ad-
ditional firefighters.
"The amendment alters our
property tax system, yet no one
knows the long-term impacts
will be or what unintended
consequences will result,"
said FAC President and Orange
County Commissioner Teresea
Jacobs. "That's a scary reality
for local governments, which
See Tax Page 2


An 'Operation



Shoebox' U.S.



soldier dies
By Katrina Elsken coordinator, said they received
Okeechobee News some sad news. A soldier they
As the Okeechobee VFW met through Operation Shoe-
Post #10539 was preparing for box was killed Wednesday dur-
a homecoming celebration, ing combat operations.
they received sad news from Army Spc. John Sigsbee, 21,
overseas. a.member of the 101st Airborne
The Post, with help. from Division, 32nd Cavalry Unit, was
community volunteers, has in his second tour of duty. He
been sending care packages to had earned the Purple Heart in
service members overseas. This 2006 when he was injured out-
weekend, some of these service side Baghdad when a roadside
.meIbers willyhit.le ,j e b9b hit the tank he was rid-
for a barbecue. Supporersot ling in,+'"';' '''
Operation Shoebox are invited Spc. Sigsbee's death hit
to attend. home at the VFW Post. Jean-
On Thursday, Cheryl Ben-
oit, local Operation Shoebox See Soldier Page 2


Code review


requested for



migrant housing


By MaryAnn Morris
Okeechobee News
The City of Okeechobee
Planning Board of Adjustment
and Appeals ran into a snag
during last night's meeting at
City Hall. Discussion indicated
they believe portions of the
City's Codes seem unduly re-
strictive regarding places for
migrant workers to live during


the picking season.
Rafael Ayala's request for
a Special Exception at 720
Northwest Ninth Drive with
two existing buildings each
with three two-bedroom
apartments to allow residen-
tial migrant housing to contin-
ue was withdrawn. He'wished
to buy this property from the
See Housing Page 2


Basinger church welcomes


Breland as their new pastor


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
First Baptist Church of Basing-
er has a new pastor. Okeechobee
resident Charles Breland, who
had been a member of North-
ridge Baptist Church, filled in at
Basinger temporarily after the
death of long time pastor, Rev. Al
Jaquith. Then the church called
him to be their pastor.
However, as is sometimes the
case, Rev. Breland did not start
out his working career as a min-
ister and only went into the min-
istry later in life after successful


business and military careers.
Rev. Breland's family moved
to Okeechobee in 1943 from
Pascagoula, Miss. His father was
in the road construction business
and the family traveled from job
to job.
"I love this warm weath-
er. I want to stay here," Rev.
Breland's father said when the
Okeechobee road work was
done. So they stayed here.
-Rev. Breland grew up at-
tending First Baptist Church
and in 1953 he graduated from
Okeechobee High School.


After high school, he joined
the Marines and served nine
years. After his military service,
he returned to Okeechobee and
worked in the marine construc-
tion business. He served four
years on the city council, spent
some time in the Coast Guard
Reserve and was active as a lay-
man at First Baptist Church.
Then 22 years after his Ma-
rines service, he joined the Army.
Through the Coast Guard Re-
serve, he had learned that the
See Pastor Page 2


Okeechobee News/Pete uawaa
Rev. Charles Breland grew up in Okeechobee and surrendered
to preach later in life after successful business and military
careers. He is the new pastor at First Baptist Church of Bas-
inger.


Vol. 99 No. 19


__1_1111_ 1 LILI---W~I~Y~--


-








2 Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008


Car accident sends three to hospital


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
An Okeechobee man was
charged with no driver's license
and resisting arrest without vio-
lence after a three vehicle colli-
sion on highway 70 West at 3rd
Avenue on Jan.16, Okeechobee
City Police said.
Garry J. Rogers, Jr. of N.E.
First Street, was operating a 2005
Chrysler and apparently pulled


Soldier
Continued From Page 1
nie Shultz, Senior Vice President
of the VFW Auxiliary is his cous-
in. Dot Maxwell, VFW Auxiliary
Guard, is his aunt.
Mrs. Benoit said it the heart-
breaking news really brings home
the risks American military ser-
vice members take every day to
protect our freedom.
Mrs. Benoit said the
Okeechobee community has
shown tremendous support for
the Operation Shoebox program.
She said they will continue the
program until 'we bring them all
home."
The barbecue is planned for 4
p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, at VFW
Post #10539 on U.S. Highway 441
S.E.
The following have bins for


Tax
Continued From Page 1
receive much of their funding
from property taxes."
FAC is a non-profit organi-
zation representing Florida; 67



Pastor
Continued From Page 1
Army was looking for marine en-
gineers. When he left to join the
Army, he was chairman of deacons
and chairman of the buildings and
grounds committee at First Baptist.
"He's my mentor," Rev. Breland
said of Rev. Whipple. Richard
Whipple, long time pastor of First
Baptist Church.
Then in 2001, at the age of 67,
after he had retired form the Army,
his life took a drastic turn as God
called him to preach. At that time
Rev. Breland was living in Savan-
nah, Ga. His former pastor, Rev.
Whipple, traveled to Savannah to
take part in the ordination service.
Rev. Breland did supply preaching.
in Savannah area churches and
spent 16 months as interim pastor
of Wilder Memorial Baptist Church
in Savannah.
Since he owned a home in
Okeechobee, Rev. Breland even-
tually decided to come back to
Okeechobee in his retirement. He
became a member of Norhside
Baptist Church and preached there
occasionally.
He tells people he attended the
University of Hard Knocks.
"Every knock has been a bless-
ing, even though I didn't realize it at
the time."
"The church I know is not a
cold environment that demands
perfections, but rather a warm
home that extends grace and for-
giveness to those who make mis-
takes, which includes the pastor,"
is Rev. Breland's philosophy of the
church. "It's not a collection of su-
perstitious simpletons who believe
in old wives tales, but of people
who study as well as submit them-
selves to the teachings of scripture.
He spent nine years in the Ma-
rines served in the Coast Guard
Reserves and went back in to the
Army on active duty at the age of
50.
As is often the case when a
church is without a pastor, atten,
dance had dropped off at Basinger.
Rev. Breland is trying to build up
attendance. The church does not
have a choir. They need a minister
of music to start a choir. Currently
there is no Sunday school but Rev.
Breland plans to start a Sunday
school, They do have Sunday night
worship services and Wednesday
night Bible study.
Homecoming fdr the church
will be in March. At that time Rev.
Breland plans to reach out to peo-
ple in the area who formerly at-
tended church at Basinger.
"I'm not one to count nick-
els and noses, but you want your
church to grow," he said.
First Baptist Church of Basinger
was formed in 1911.
Rev. Breland's wife, Shelva, is
also an Okeechobee High School
graduate as are his three children.
He also has two stepchildren, nine
grandchildren and three great
grandchildren.
Post your opinions in the Public Is-
sues Forum at www.newszap.com.
Reporter Pete Gawda may be reached
at pgawda@newszap.com
; 4


out into traffic from N.W. Third
Avenue.
Rogers was cited for violation
of a right of way in the accident
according to a report from City
Patrolman Charles Green.
Rogers struck an east bound
1993 Chevrolet driven by Donald
Rowley, 52, of N.E. IPh Lane in
the left side causing it to spin out
of control, the report stated.
The Chevrolet was struck a sec-
ond time by another east bound


Subitted photo
Army Spc. John Sigsbee was
killed in Iraq on Wednesday,
during combat operations.
Operations Shoebox items: Clock
Restaurant, Lunkers Restaurant,
R.J. Gator's, Good Spirits, KOA


counties. FAC's mission is to
keep appropriate authority at
the level of government closest
to the people and to increase the
capacity of Florida counties to
effectively serve and represent
the citizens of the state through
legislative action, education of


vehicle, a 1999 Ford pickup driven
by Jesus Urbina, 26, of N.W. Third
Street. The Ford crashed into the
curb and cement pole in Flagler
Park.
Rowley, and two passengers
in the Roger's vehicle, Jessie Ann
Weigum, 17, and Charles Brower,
60, of Loxahatchee, were injured
in the crash and sent to Rauler-
son Hospital for treatment by
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue.


Mail Room, Zachery Taylor RV
Park, Antoinette's, Beall's Outlet,
Sears, Radio Shack, Gilbert Chev-
rolet, Movie Gallery, Brahma Bull
and Blue Cypress Golf Club.
Items needed include: (use
common sense these guys &
gals are out in the middle of no-
where) Shampoo, hard candy,
soap, chips, toothpaste, cook-
ies, toothbrush, Slim-Jims, de-
odorant, gum, lotion, tuna,
snack packs, sun screen, canned
chicken, Chapstick. cereal bars,
Tylenol, Nutri-grain bars, Turns,
drink mixes (Gatorade, tea, fruit
punch), Band-Aids any non-per-
ishable snacks in individual serv-
ing packages, hand sanitizer, fe-
male products, Silly String (used
to detect trip wires for bombs),
razors, crossword puzzles, shav-
ing cream, writing paper and
envelopes, dental floss.


public officials and enhance-
ment of public awareness about
the role and functions of county
governments.
Post your opinions in the Public
Issues Forum at www.newszap.
com. Reporter Pete Gawda may be
reached at pgawda@newszap.com.


News Briefs

Glades County bans outdoor burning
The Glades County Board of County Commissioners has de-
termined that emergency conditions exist as a result of extreme
drought and other existing weather conditions. The Board im-
plemented a burn ban, starting Jan. 8, 2008. The ban will con-
tinue in effect, without interruption, until the Board of County
Commissioners appropriate. The ban suspends any and all out-
door burning except where outdoor burning is being performed
pursuant to an outdoor burning permit issued by the Division
of Forestry or pursuant to other State authorization. The sus-
"pended/banned outdoor burning inclu'ddsoutdoor burning4of
yard waste, recreational fires, the private&tise and disc rgeo6f
fireworks and sparklers and the use of any other outdoor igni-
tion source.


Housing
Continued From Page 1
current owner. The apartment
buildings have been used to
house migrants for some time,
but have only been licensed by
the state and county this past
year. The current owner of the
property has not met significant
code requirements and it is clos-
er to an existing migrant hous-
ing facility than the 250 feet the
Code allows. It is also less that
1,000 feet from a church. The
debate centered around the fact
that the Health Department and
Federal permits were obtained,
but not the City permit. In dis-
cussion, Board members spoke
of the need for such worker
housing in Okeechobee.
Mr. Ayala withdrew his re-
quest. The Committee will re-
quest a review of 90-193 by the
City Council due to the need for
migrant worker housing.
The request to add ten feet
over the allowed 45 feet to por-
tions of the roof of the proposed
four-story Hampton Inn to be lo-
cated on S.R. 70 East by the Post
Office was approved last night.
Mr. Kite explained that to com-
ply with Life Safety Codes the
height actually ended up at 56.5
feet. Mr. Ledferd said the water
lines will go all the way to the
top and the city now has a 100-
foot truck. The fire chief said he
had no problem with the added
height.
The hotel is hoping to be
open for the 2009 season.
Big Lake Eye Care at 606
North Parrott Avenue will be
permitted to build an apartment
for the owners' use above the
shop. The shop has been oper-
ating there since 2003. Staff said
this is a use the City has been al-
lowing and the board approved
it without objection.
The board recommended
that David and Anita Nunez with-
draw their request to reduce the
front and the north side setbacks
to zero feet at Taylor Creek, east
of the Aztec at the northeast
corner of 108 Northeast Seventh
Avenue and S.R. 70. Staff felt no
hardship has been shown and
that reasonable use of the prop-
erty can be made without such


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a large variance. Also, there is
a SFWMD easement and the
Nunezes could possibly get per-
mission to build over it. The re-
quest was withdrawn and other
solutions will be investigated
before bringing the request back
to the board.
By a 4-3 split vote, Southeast
Milk, owner of 1005 Southwest
Park Street was granted permis-
sion to create a five-foot offset
"visibility triangle." A "visibility
triangle" is an area without ob-
structions that allows drivers a
clear view of any oncoming traf-
fic. Southeast Milk wants to in-
crease the size of their building
15 feet and add a covered entry-
way. Although staff pointed out
that the building had been en-
larged and reasonable use could
be made without a variance, the
hardship occurred with the tak-


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ing of extra property to widen
S.R. 70 and Eli's had been grant-
ed the same variance.
The Board of County Com-
missioners of Okeechobee
County will be allowed to place
an emergency generator and fuel
storage, to replace the existing
20-year-old generator able 304
N.W. Fourth Street (Okeechobee
County Jail and Sherrif's Office.
This is for back up of County ser-
vices during emergencies. The
requirements of today's genera-
tors makes this kind of location
necessary. The Board approved
the request with the condition
that the request receive full Site
Plan review at the Fire Chief's
request.
Reporter MaryAnn Morris may be
reached at mmorris@newszap.com
Post your opinion in the public Is-
sues Forum at www.newszap.com.


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Okeechobee News Sat 8


,Reflections From the PulpitUvlILV IMWO__I__ -w

Reflections From the Pulpit


Rev. Jm Dawson
Assistant Pastor, First United
Methodist Church
People in' general are religious
as a whole. They will read books
to find their "inner self." They will
worship their own man made
idols, boast their opinions as facts,
or claim that their ideologies of
whom and what "god" is to them
is the only truth to live by. They
will claim that they have found in-
ner peace and tranquility through
some form of meditation and/or re-
laxation therapy, and then profess
that they have had and experienced
a spiritual awakening of their inner
being and have some how become
"one" with the universe. This is be-
cause people tend to make gods
for themselves that are pleasing to
them or that satisfy some sense of
what they think a god ought to be.
John Calvin once said, "The
human mind is a factory for idols.
Such gods concocted by the ratio-
nale of humans apart from special
revelation, are invariably out of
touch with the truth." The problem
is since these same human beings
are infected by sin they tend not to
desire to honor and to glorify the
true God, who is righteous and
holy. To do so would require them
to see themselves as they truly are:
weak, flawed, sinful, and not in
control. The ego of the human be-
ing is to prideful to deal with that
kind of guilt and shame.
But, what hope is there for those
who do not live in predominantly
Christian parts of the world? Bet-
ter, what about those who never
heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ
preached? Do they get a free pass
to heaven? Or, do they get a one
way ticket to hell?
This question comes up often.
We need to look at several things.
First there is no doubt that no
one gets to heaven without going
through Jesus Christ as He stated:
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one


comes to the Father except through
me.'" (John 14:6 NIV)
"Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name
[Jesus] under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved."(Acts
4:12 NIV)
"That if you confess with your
mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe
in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you be-
lieve and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and
are saved. As the Scripture says,
'Anyone who trusts in him will
never be put to shame.' For there
is no difference between Jew and
Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of
all and richly blesses all who call
on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on
the name of the Lord [Jesus] will
be saved'." (Romans 10:9-13 NIV)
The Bible dearly teaches that
there is only one way to heaven and
it is only through Jesus Christ. The
conviction that salvation is avail-
able through Christ alone perme-
ates the New Testament. This raises
the troubling question for some of
the fate of those who have never
heard the gospel? What exactly, is
the problem here supposed to be?
The universalistic/new age group
of people alleges that the following
statements are logically inconsis-
tent: (1) God is all powerful and all
loving. (2) Some people never hear
the Gospel and are lost.
But what here is inconsistent
and incompatible about these two
statements? There is no explicit
contradiction between them. If
the universalistic/new age group
is claiming that they are implicitly
contradictory, then they must be
assuming some hidden premises
that would bring out this contradic-
tion. There are none.
As a loving God, God wants as
many people as possible to be free-
ly saved and as few as possible to
be lost. (II01 Peter 3:9) His goal, then,
is to achieve an optimal balance
between these, to create no more


of the lost than are necessary to at-
tain a certain number of the saved.
It is possible that in order to create
this many people who will be freely
saved, God also had to create this
many people who will be freely
lost. The key word in understand-
ing this is "freely." God understands
even beforehand our "freely" rights
of choice (Psalm 139: 13-16).
Some may object that an all-lov-
ing God would not create people
whom He knew will be lost but
who would have been saved if
only they had heard the gospel.
But how do we know there are any
such persons? It is reasonable to as-


sume that many people who never
hear the Gospel would not have be-
lieved the gospel if they had heard
it. Suppose, then, that God has so
ordered the world that all persons
who never hear the gospel are pre-
cisely such people. In that case,
anybody who never hears the gos-
pel and is lost would have rejected
the gospel and been lost even if he
had heard it. This also permeates
the belief that God is in control of
everything.
This would mean that, God has
created a world that has optimal
balance between the saved and
the lost, and those who never hear


the gospel and are lost would not
have believed in it even if they have
heard it. If this is true then it shows
that there is not incompatibility
between an all-powerful, all- lov-
ing God and some people's never
hearing the Gospel and being lost.
There is much scripture that can
be used to show: (I) God knows the
days of our life before we live them,
(2) God knows our thoughts and
(3) God is in control of everything,
everybody, and every situation. The
bottom line comes down to can
we trust that God is in control of ev-
erything, everybody, and every situ-
ation or not? The reason bad things


happen is because of the sinful na-
ture of the world which we live in, -
and God allows every sinful choice
to take place because our free will
says, "We can do it better, God, and
we don't need you poking around'
in our lives." God truly desires that
no one would perish into the ev-
erlasting lake of fire (hell) but He
already knows that's going to hap-
pen. Our Christian directive is to'
have the same heart and desire as
Christ and wish that no one goes to
hell. This is why the gospel of Je-
sus Christ is to be preached to the
four corners of the earth. Everyone
must hear the "Good News."


C r. 1' ( 6 3 7 -. J::oLe:LU : (867 1) J76 -71. 65, l Jl- k''-'i


Upward Basketball at ROC
Upward Basketball player Mark Lanning from the Wild-
cats worked at fending off the opponent during his first
Upwards Basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Rec-
reation Outreach Center. Games are held weekly on Satur-
days from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the ROC.


-= lb
Top Sirloin Fillets
Publix Premium Certified Beef,
USDA Choice, Beef Loin
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Cranberries, and Walnuts, From the Publix Bakery, 20-oz loaf
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(Limit one with coupon and
purchases of $10.00 or more,
excluding all tobacco and lottery items.)
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Publix.,


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Selected Potato Free
Coca-Cola A 11 o Chips .......
Products ........ 11- Assorted Varieties,
12-oz can 11.5 or 12-oz bag
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Prices effective Thursday, January 17 through Wednesday, January 23, 2008.
Only in the Following Counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach,
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Prices not effective at Publix Sabor or Publix GreenWise Market. Quantity Rights Reserved.
www.publix.com/ads


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RELIGION


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4 OPINION Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008


Speak Out
Speak Out has moved online, where it is quicker and
easier to share your ideas and converse with others. Go to
www.newszap.com, click on the community name and your
local or state Public Forum. There, you can create new
topics or comment on existing topics. You can also e-mail
comments to okeenews@newszap.com or call 863-467-2033,
but online comments get posted faster and not all phone calls
can be printed. What follows is a sampling of some of the
discussions currently taking place. Thanks for participating!
LONG LINES: This is in reference to the long lines that we have to
stand in at the store. I wish that a Target or some other store would come
here.

EVOLUTION: I would like to comment about the Evolution com-
ment. I am the one who wrote in about the evolution regarding the pa-
gan/witch. It's getting complicated now. You said that it's a theory, evolu-
tion, a theory! That means a man thought it up. It's not a fact, you have no
idea what happened or transpired throughout the ages before you were
born. Now you mentioned ancestors, we all came from an ancestral tree
branch and some went one way and some went the other way and that's
why we still have monkeys and apes, orangutans, little funny monkeys,
ringtails and all kinds. The ancestor that you would say, that is not no lon-
ger with us. I would like to put to you that the ancestor who is no longer
with us, is God, who created all life to begin with. Monkeys might be close
to us as far as DNA. But every animal has two eyes a nose and a mouth,
they feel pain and such like us. You cannot tell me that a great giant of
creativity did not create this world.

FOOLPROOF: They are talking about getting a new ID card for every-
one in America that is fool proof, nothing manmade is fool proof.

DEBATE: In this debate over evolution, I don't think you have to
choose God or evolution. You can have God and evolution. Quite sim-
ply, evolution happened because God wanted it to. He started the whole
thing with the Big Bang. The way I see it, God set everything in motion.

NAMES: I'm a Northerner and just moved down here last year. I have
heard the slang term used to call us "blue hairs" and "snow birds" and
Yankees because were from the north. I chuckle actually and don't take
it seriously. I'm white and a woman and in my life, I have been called
terrible names and degrading names. Let's face it. I worked in boys cor-
rections and you'll hear it all. I've been called a cracker" and I still have
no due what that means. You just have to let some things roll off your
back and pick your battles. I don't get easily offended by words. I might
get offended into the context in which they might have been. A word is
simply just a word. It's howwe perceive it and use that word that can and
might offend some one else. It's like a gun. You can let a gun lay on a table
for ever and it'll never go off (hopefully), yet you put a person behind it
and it can go off. We are responsible for our actions and words. I might
not be the most tactful but I'm honest. Editor's note: Regarding the
term "Cracker" in Florida it often refers to the Florida pioneers,
the "Cracker Cowboys" or "Cracker Cow Hunters" who used to
crack their bull whips when herding cattle and to communicate
with other cowboys.

OBAMA: A few days ago in the Speak Out, I saw a caller claimed that
Barack Obama would not pledge allegiance to the American flag. This is a
lie! I just saw the Democratic debate and he is the best hope for our presi-
dential race. Put aside in your mind the prejudice Okeechobee and vote
for the best candidate Barack Obama. Editor's note: As mentioned
in a previous editor's note on this topic, the comments about
Barack Obama and the flag probably came from discussion of a
photo that has been circulating on the Internet. The photograph
was taken on Sept. 16, 2007, at Senator Tom Harkin's annual
"steak fry" in Iowa. In the photo, which features a large U.S.
Flag and several of the Democratic presidential hopefuls, the
others have their hands over their hearts; Mr. Obama does not.
The photo is real. However, the information circulated with the
+ photo is in error. According to Time Magazine, which published
the photo in their Oct. 1 edition, while the photo was taken,
the candidates were standing for the National Anthem, not the
Pledge of Allegiance. According to the U.S. Code that dictates
proper behavior during the National Anthem, it is appropriate
to place your hand over your heart. However, all of those in the
photo were not fully following the code because it also states
that you should face the flag. All four of the people in the photo
Mr. Obama, Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin
are standing with their backs to the flag.

GANGS: Have any of your children experienced problems with gangs
in school? My grandsons are both in the 7th grade. The boys beg us not to
call the school because if the gang members find out ... then the boys get
it double. Sometimes, I think the school is afraid of these gang members
too. Normally, he would fight back. He's been taught to protect/defend
himself. My grandsons tell us the truth about the drugs and gangs. It's ter-
rible that they attend school in fear that they'll have a confrontation. Even
if you defend yourself, you get suspended.

EDUCATION: Lately reading Speak Out has been a real education.
People call in about so many different things.

ELECTIONS: I wish all these candidates for president would concen-
trate on telling us how they plan to fix Social Security, the economy and
the situation with the war. I am so sick and tired of them complaining
about each other. Don't waste time bad-mouthing the other guy. Tell me
what your plan is to get this country in better shape. The economy is
going down the tubes. Social Security is running out of money and will
be bankrupt in a few years. I read somewhere that when Social Security
started, you had about 15 or 20 people working paying into Social Se-
curity for each person who was drawing a check. Now you haveabout
three people paying in for each person drawing a check. The system as it
exists cannot last much longer. It has to be changed.



Okeechobee News

Our Purpose...
The Okeechobee News is published by Independent Newspapers of Florida.
Independent is owned by a unique trust that enables this newspaper to pur-
sue 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 aftertax surpluses ate 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 deliber-
ation of public issues.


We Pledge ...
* To operate this newspaper as a
public trust
* To help our community become a
better place to live and work,
through our dedication to consci-
entious 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,
faimess, objectivity, fearlessness
and compassion.
* To use our opinion pages to facili-
tate 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 to the prominence
it deserves.
* To provide a right to reply to those
we write about.
* To treat people with courtesy,
respect and compassion.


Advertising Director: Judy Kasten

News Editor: Katrina Elsken

National Advertising: Joy Parrish

Circulation Manager: Janet Madray
Independent Newspapers, Inc.
* Joe Smyth, Chairman
* Ed Dulin, President
* Tom Byrd, Vice President of
Newspaper Operations
Katrina Elsken, Executive
Editor
MEMBER
S OF: -1 '



Okeechobee News 2007
For More Information See
At Your Service On Page 2


Letters to the Editor


Community
involvement
Have you ever considered
volunteering for a Citizen Board?
Now is your opportunity!
The Okeechobee City Council
is seeking interested applicants
in serving on the Okeechobee
Utility Authority Board of Direc-
tors, as an alternate member for
a two-year term. The applicants
must be residents of the City of
Okeechobee and be living in the
service area of OUA. Applica-


tions may be printed from the
City's web page, www.cityo-
fokeechobee.com or obtained
from the City Clerk's Office at 55
S.E. Third Avenue, Okeechobee.
You may contact us for further
information at (863) 763-33721
extension 215.
No member of a Citizen
Board shall be an employee of,
or hold any elective position of
office of the government of the
City or County of Okeechobee.
Lane Gamiotea, CMC
City Clerk


courtesy pnoto/-iornaa Arcnives

Looking Back ...
This 1949 photo from the Florida Archives shows June
Lowery serving Harry Lamb and Vincent Boromie. Do
you have an old photo to share? Email it to okeenews@
newszap.com or bring it by the newspaper office, 107 S.W.
17th Street, Suite D, during regular office hours, Monday-
Friday and we will copy it while you wait.



Upcoming Events

Saturday, Jan. 19
A.A. meeting from 8 until 9 p.m. at Grace Christian, 701 S. Parrott
Ave. It will be a closed discussion.
Okeechobee Christian Cycles will meet every Saturday at 7:30
a.m. at the Clock Restaurant, 1111 S. Parrott Ave. A ride will follow a
short business meeting. Anyone is welcome to ride twice before join-
ing. For information, contact: Roland Spencer at (863) 697-2247; Deb-
bie Izzo at (863) 634-6257; or, Holly Stewart at (863) 610-1251.
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. for an open discussion at
the Just for Today Club of Okeechobee, 2303 Parrott Ave., in The Lake
Shops Suite K. For information call (863) 634-4780.

Sunday, Jan. 20
A.A. meeting from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Church of Our Sav-
iour, 200 N.W Third St. It will be an open step meeting.
A.A. open 12 step meeting from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Church
of Our Savior, 200 N.W Third St.
Narcotics Anonymous woman's step study meeting at 7 p.m.'at
the Just for Today club, 2303 S. Hwy 441, Suite K. For more information
please call (863) 634-4780.

Monday, Jan. 21
A.A. meeting will be held from noon to 1.p.m. at the First United
Methodist Church, 200 N.W Second St. This will be an open meeting.
Okeechobee Senior Singers will meet at 9 a.m. at the
Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, 312 North Parrott Ave. Everyone
who enjoys singing is invited to join the group. For information or to
schedule an appearance, contact Patsy Black at (863) 467-7068.
The Okeechobee Historical Society meets at noon at 1850 U.S.
98 N. Join us with a covered dish for lunch, followed by a business
meeting. The dues are $10 per person, per year, and are due in Sep-
tember. For information, call Betty Williamson at (863) 763-3850.
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. for open discussion at
the Just for Today club, 2303 S. Hwy 441, Suite K. For information call
(863) 634-4780.
Artful Appliquers isa recently formed chapter in Okeechobee.
This chapter meets at the Turtle Cove Clubhouse, 10 Linda Road, in
Buckhead Ridge on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Karen Graves,
Chapter leader would like to extend a warm welcome to any interest-
ed persons to come by and see what they are about. For information
call (863) 763-6952.
Nicotine Anonymous (NICA) is starting a new club with meet-
ings to be held at the Just For Today club, 2303 U.S. Hwy 441 S.E., Suite
K, on Mondays from 8:30 until 9:30 p.m. For information, call Steve
Condit Sr. at (863) 801-3110.
AA meetings Buckhead Ridge Christian Church, 3 Lihda Road,
holds open meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous on Monday nights
from 7 to 8 p.m. for substance abuse. They also have Al-Anon meet-
ings on Monday nights from 7 until 8 p.m. to help family and friends of
alcoholics. For information call Chris at (863) 467-5714.

Tuesday- Jan. 22
Rotary Club of Okeechobee meets each Tuesday at noon
at Golden Corral Restaurant, 700 S. Parrott Ave. The meetings are
open to the public. For information, contact Chad Rucks at (863)
763-8999.
New AA Meeting in Basinger: There is now an AA meeting in
Basinger on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Basinger Christian Breth-
ren Church on 700-A, north off U.S. 98. Beginners are welcome.
Alanon meeting will be held at the Church of Our Savior, 200
N.W Third St., at 8 p.m.
A.A. Closed discussion meeting from 8 until 9 p.m. at the Church
of Our Savior, 200 N.W Third St.
Grief and Loss Support Group meets every Tuesday at
10 a.m. at the Hospice Building located at 411 S.E. Fourth St. in
Okeechobee. Everyone is welcome. For information, contact Enid
Boutrin at (863) 467-2321.
Family History Center meets from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 310 S.W Sixth St.
Anyone interested in finding who your ancestors are is welcome
to attend. There is Census, IGI (International Genealogical Index),
Social Security Death Index and military information available. For
information, call Robert Massey at (863) 763-6510.


Community Events

Saturday, Jan. 19

Giant Auction and Garage Sale to benefit VFW
The Men's and Women's Auxiliary of the North Post 4423 VFW
are hosting a yard sale and an auction on Saturday Jan. 19, at 8
a.m. The auction will start at 8 a.m. and the Garage Sale starts at
9 a.m. Breakfast will also be available from 9 until 11a.m. (To get
to the Auction go north on 441 from 70), go past the high school,
take the second Jeft past the high school and the VFW will be on
the left.) The address is 300 N.W 34th St. The auction currently has
a bunch of household items and appliances plus some- lawn and
garden equipment and tools.

Trust Quartet in Concert
The "Trust Quartet" will perform a gospel concert at the
Okeechobee Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.
at the church,, on the corner of Hwy 441 North and N.E. Fourth St.
Please bring your family and friends and help us glorify our Lord
with singing and testimony. For information call the church at (863)
8240013.

OCRA sign-ups for baseball/softball
Signups for the 2008 OCRA Baseball/Softball season are sched-
uled to begin on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Okeechobee County
Sports Complex from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Other dates for sign ups
will include Saturday, Jan. 26, Saturday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 9.
Birth certificate of the child will be needed when sign ups are done.
For more information please call OCRA at (863) 634-1437.
Sunday, Jan. 20

Trust Quartet to perform Jan. 20
The Trust Quartet, singing Gaither style four part harmony are
scheduled to perform in concert on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.
in the North Lake Estates Clubhouse. The exciting Trust Quartet,
a Florida based, Nashville recorded mixed group, will perform
their enthusiastic approach to some of gospel's finest songs.
Trust not only has great harmony but also unique ministering
ability with song. You will not want to miss this opportunity to
enjoy a great concert.

Gospel music Melton style
The Meltons will be in concert at Westside Christian Church
of Okeechobee, 8082 S.R. 70 W on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. Por
information call (863) 467-2278.

Monday, Jan. 21

Health Fair scheduled
Church of the Brethren in Lorida will put be hosting a Health
Fair, "Fit and Great for 2008." It will be held Monday, Jan. 21, from
8 a.m. until noon. Health providers, screenings, door prizes, and
refreshments will be present. It is open to the public. For informa-
tion call (863) 655-1466.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Collaborative Council meeting
The Community Collaborative Council of the Okeechobee
County Shared Services Network will conduct their monthly
meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Board Room of
the Okeechobee School Board Office. Angela Kelly and Barbara
Godejohn both from the Okeechobee County Health Dept. will
be guest speakers at this meeting. The public is invited. For more
information, call Sharon Vinson at (863) 462-5000 Ext. 257.

Hospital sponsors Ladies Health Day
Raulerson Hospital presents "Ladies Only Health Day," a lun-
cheon on Jan. 22, from noon until 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Ex-
press. The guest speakers for the Ladies Only Health Day will be
board certified physicians, James Bradfield, M.D. FACOG (Gyne-
cology) and Rene Loyola, M.D. FACS (General Surgery). Dr. Brad-
field will discuss new healthcare services offered to women of all
ages and Dr. Loyola will discuss new "State of the Art" surgical
proceduresthat are opening up regularly at the Hospital. Reserva-
tions are required. Please RSVP to Bill Casian at (863) 824-2702.
Only 50 seats are available for this event.

Top Broadway Composers discussed
Presented by lan Nairnsey at the Okeechobee Library, Broad-
way Music Authority Ian Nairnsey will present Top Broadway Com-
posers at the Okeechobee Library at 7 p.m. in the Okeechobee
Library Meeting Room. They are free and open to the public. The
topic on Jan. 22, will be "John Mercer." The third installment will
discuss "Bob Merrill" on Jan. 29. "Frank Loesser, will be the topic
on Feb. 5. "Jerome Kern Part 1" is the topic on Feb. 12, and "Je-
rome Kern Part II" on Feb. 19. For information call Jan Fehrman
at (863) 357-9980.

Thursday, Jan. 24

Fair planning meetings scheduled
The Okeechobee County Fair Association will hold a fair plan-
ning meeting on Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Okeechobee County Ex-
tension Office. The fair is finalizing plans for the upcoming March
Fair and would like to invite anyone interested in volunteering with
the fair to attend. If you have any questions you may contact Linda
Syfrett at (863) 763-6232 or Dianne Spann at (863) 634-3327.

Democratic Party meeting
Get fired up about the primary at our first meeting of the year!
Join us at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24, at the Village Square Restaurant.
Guest speakers will be: Supervisor of Elections, Gwen Chandler
and candidate for Public Defender for the 19 Judicial Circuit, Don-
ald Chinquina. For information call (863) 357-8680.

Saturday, Jan. 26

Health and Safety Expo planned
The Okeechobee Family Health and Safety Expo will be held
at the Agri-Civic Center on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. until 2
p.m. We are currently seeking vendors to share health and safety
related information at the Expo. If your business/organization is
not health related, you can still participate, call for more details.
Free admission, free parking, free lunch, and free prizes to all who
attend. For information please call Sharon Vinson at (863) 462-


5000 Ext. 257, Angela Kelly Okeechobee County Health Depart-
ment (863) 462-5781 or Donnie Arnold Okeechobee County Fire
Rescue (863) 634-6464.

Enter the Okee County Fair Pageant
The Okeechobee County Fair Association will be holding their
first Okeechobee County Fair Beauty Pageant on Friday, March 7.
Competition includes three categories: personality and interview;
sports/swimwear; and evening gown. The pageant is open to
young women who are 17 years old by the date of the pageant
and not 22 years old before Jan. 1, 2009. Competitors must reside
in Okeechobee County, Buckhead Ridge or Brighton Seminole
Reservation. The deadline to enter the competition is Saturday,
Jan. 26. For more information, contact Donny Arnold (863) 634-
6464 or visit www.okeechobeecountyfair.com.


Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008


4 OPINION








Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008



Team roping, fishing, and polo are enjoyed locally


Outdoors
Share your news and photos
for this column by email to
tharden@newszap.com

By Tonya Harden

The camaraderie
of roping
Back in the early days of the
cowboy a camaraderie of strang-
ers began a sport .called team
roping. Over the years team rop-
ing has evolved from the back
yards to the bright lights of big
cities. It's a sport where young
and old, male and female could
come together for the rush of
the box. It's just you, your steer
and your rope.
This past weekend, rop-
ing was in full stride in Perry,
Fla. Jarrod Akins, 23, a lo-
cal newcomer to the sport and
his partner Gus Brown, 53, of
Madison, Fla. came together for
Friday .night roping;
All eyes were on the prize,
and with excitement in the air,
Jarrod backed into the box. As
he made one last adjustment to
his rope and took a quick glance
of his heels, a nod was given and
the race was on.
Jarrod, still a rookie to the
sport, finished the night with a
little more experience under his
belt and Gus Brown took first
place.
The sport of roping can be
enjoyed all around town. Many
ropers travel to local arena's


Submitted photos/Kerry Mohorek
Jarrod Akins, a rookie to the roping arena, saddles up before
the Friday night team roping event, for a little practice.


for practice before an event. An
arena, commonly used by Jar-
rod, is located north of town on
128th street. Scott Weaver, of
Okeechobee, owner of the are-
na and land willingly allows the
boys, both rookies and vets, to
practice often.
Kerry Mohorek, of
Okeechobee said "many men
come from other towns and cit-
ies around Florida for the ample
land available in Okeechobee
for practice." A newcomer to
the sport herself, although more
of a spectator, she enjoys the
rush, and excitement of roping
evokes.
To find out more about the
sport and where roping events
are held all you need to do is get
in touch with your local cow-
boy. Kerry says, "its hard work
and requires a lot of practice,
but it's worth it. Just the fun you
can: have watching is worth the
hours put in at the arena."
Fishing Report
Captain Mike Shellen of
www.okeechobeebassfishing.
corn reports: Fishing around
Lake Okeechobee has been
relatively good. Speck fishing in
the Kissimmee River has gotten
better as the water temperatures


plummeted from the recent cold
front. There are 40 to 50 boats
daily fishing in the River, not all
are catching, but a great per-
centage are. The most produc-
tive bait is a lively minnow fished
under a small bobber. The dark
hours are still producing more
fish than the daylight hours, al-
though not nearly as many an-
glers choose to fish after dark.
Bass fishing has been fair to
good since the cold front shut
the fish down for a few days.
The areas outside the dike that
can not be reached from the
lake are producing as well or
better than the areas that can be
accessed from the lake. Harney
Pond canal, J&S canal, Nubbin
Slough and the Buckhead Ridge
canal all are producing good
numbers of small bass. The big
females did a disappearing act
after the cold front, but they will
slowly start showing up again
when th,e water warms up.
A lot of different baits are
working, so be sure and change
what you are using periodically;
you may just hit on the artificial
bait that the fish can not resist.
Top water baits are taking fish
although not as consistently
as prior to the water cooling.
Prior to the cold front last week


I DII A A4141qI s 7114U

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the water temperatures were
around 72 degrees, after a cou-
ple of frigid days the water temps
were near 50 degree mark, quite
a change for Florida Bass! Un-
weighted Senkos, lipless crank
baits, and Texas rigged plastics
are all producing fish, slow mov-
ing baits have produced better
than those that move quickly,
but should change as the water
temperature rises again.
Port Mayaca has
a Polo Club
Just 14 miles south of
Okeechobee a new style of en-
tertainment has developed. The
former chairman of the U.S. Polo'
Association, Stephen Orth-
wein, has turned a dream into a
.reality. Belonging to a family of
polo players, Mr. Orthwein has
built a very large facility to ac-
commodate that dream. His fa-
ther was in the Gulf Stream Polo
Club, he belongs to the U.S.
Polo Association, and his sons
are also devoted to the sport.
Polo has been in this family for
three generations. The new polo
club in Port Mayaca has recently
opened its doors and they will
remain open through April. Al-
though, traditionally Polo is not a
sport played during the summer
months, Manager Nick Barry
says it is a possibility for the club
to be open into May. The Port
Mayaca Polo Club will be open
every Saturday at 3 p.m.
The facility is managed by
Brandon Phillips, of Toronto,
and Nick, Barry, of New York.
Mr. Barry said the club boasts,
"A large international crowd
from Wellington." He said one
of the world's most well-known
Polo' players, Memo Gracida,
who has recently bought a farm
in Okeechobee, will also be join-
ing the Port Mayaca Polo Club.
Mr. Gracida is considered one of
the world's best players. Being a
Professional Polo Player, he has
traveled all over the world to
play. "We are proud to have him
join our club," said Mr. Barry.
The Port Mayaca Polo Club



Your community directory
Is a click awayl


hosted a Friends and Family Polo
Tournament during the Christ-
mas holiday, which was spon-
sored by Walpole, Inc. They
are pleased to be opening their
doors and look forward to see-
ing members of the Okeechobee
community. More -information
about the newly developed club
can be found at www.portmaya-
capoloclub.com.
If you would like to share any
information with the Okeechobee
News about an outdoors event


please email Tonya Harden at
tharden@newszap.com or call
(863) 763-3134. We welcome news
on all sporting events, outdoors
activities and nature inspired hob-
bies. Please include your name,
phone number and specific dates of
the events. The Okeechobee News
Outdoors column will run every
Saturday so please be sure to have
all your information into the office
no later than 5 p.m. Thursday.
Information can also be emailed to
tharden@newszap.com or faxed to
(863) 763-5901. Refer all material
to Tonya Harden**


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newspaper as a public trust.


Fulfilling our public trust requires that we try to bring out
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Community Service Through Journalism








6 Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008



.Go to newszap.com to download and print coupons onie!

a DREAMCATCHER

REALTY
Maureen Kleiman, Lic. Real Estate Broker

kk307 NW 4TH AVE. 863-357-5900


Submitted photo/OMv OMS Students of the Week
OMS Super Spellers Congratulations to the Students of the Week at Osceola
Mrs. Dobbs, OMS assistant principal proudly stands with Middle School, for the first week of 2008. Students (front
the 2007-2008 OMS Spelling Champs: Berneth Digao, al- row, left to right) are: DJ Washington, Nick Mitchell, and
ternate, Pauline Aguilar, runner-up, and Andrea Young, Jose Leon. Standing (back row) are: Marilu Rodriguez and
winner. Riley Green. Way to go!


2005 Modular 3/2/2 home in Treasure
Island featuring an oversized 2 car
garage, huge walk-in closets, garden
tub in the master bath and generator &
hook-up in place. $190K. MLS#
200293 Please call Kelly to make your
appointment 863-697-1339.


Beauu iu rerurmisneu -1 u in 5 lufensu
acres w/pond for the horses. Original 3 car
garage has been transformed into addl liv-
ing space, framed out and a/c ductwork in
place, waiting for your completion as a fam-
ily room, workshop, addl bdrms or mother-
in-law suite. $319,000 *Add 5 acres avail-
able next door to make a total of 10 acres.*


OMS has Super Spellers!


Super Spellers!
The top 33 spellers on the
OMS campus squared off Thurs-
day morning in the OMS School
Spelling Bee. The competition
was heated, with the bee lasting
a full 28 rounds and all but four
of the spelling word list before a
victor could be declared. After 5
rounds, seven spellers remained,
and by round 9, we were down
to just four. Kari Nicholas fell in
round 9 on "harpsichord." In
round ten, the fun began. Pau-
line Aguilar, Berneth Digao, and
Andrea Young battled back and
forth until Berneth fell in round
13 on "Mediterranean," then
Pauline and Andrea went 15
more rounds until Andrea came
out with the win. Andrea and
Pauline will represent OMS at
the district spelling bee on Feb.
1 at North Elementary School,
with Berneth serving as their al-
ternate. Congratulations, ladies,
for an exciting bee, and we wish
you the best at the next level.

Positive Reward
OMS would like to thank Sea-
coast National Bank for their
continued support of positive
behavior among Osceola stu-
dents. Nearly 200 students were
gathered on Friday, Jan. 11, as
a reward for finishing the first
+ semester of school with no dis-
ciplinary infractions of any kind.
Seacoast participated in a rous-
ing game of "Are You Smarter
than a Fifth Grader" with stu-
dents in the crowd, delighted by
such antics as the recitation of
all the prepositions beginning
with the letter "A," the demon-
stration of a cartwheel, and even
knowledge of local politicians.
An MP3 player donated by Sea-
coast was the day's prize, and
sixth grade student David Blount
was the winner. Finally, the stu-
dents relaxed and played in the
gym for the final minutes of the
school day. Congratulations to


Obituaries

Joel Raymond
Leonard
Joel Raymond Leonard, Sr. of
Okeechobee, age 86 died, Friday,
Jan. 18, 2008. Born March 12,
1921 in Jasper,
Ala., he had
been a resident
of Okeechobee
since 1959 and
was a member
of the Church
of the Nazarene
and Florida Fly
Wheelers. He Joel
enjoyed fishing Raymond
and hunting and Leonard
was a trader of
general merchandise.
He is preceded in death by
three brothers, and a great grand-
son, Justin Levi Undershill.
Heissurvivedbyhiswife,Avalou
M. Leonard of Okeechobee; sons,
Joel Raymond Leonard, Jr., of
Okeechobee, David Allan (Susan)
Leonard of St. Petersburg, George
Cleveland (Lynnette) Leonard
of Okeechobee; daughter, Re-
becca Leonard of Okeechobee.
In addition, he.is survived by nine
grandchildren, Mary Bullington of
Okeechobee, James Leonard, Ja-
son Leonard, Justin Leonard, all
of St. Petersburg, Jeffery Leonard,
Jessie Leonard, Wayne Leonard,
William Leonard, Charlie Mc-
Coin, Jr., all of Okeechobee; great
grandchild, Caleb Bullington and
a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation'will be Monday, Jan.
21, from 10 a.m. until service time
at 11 a.m. in the Buxton Funeral
Home Chapel, 110 N.E. Fifth St.
Okeechobee.
Friends may sign the guest-
book at www.buxtonfuneral-
home.com.
All arrangements are under
the direction and care of Buxton
Funeral Home and Crematory.


all the students honored at this
event, and we look forward to the
next positive behavior reward.

Top Runners
Congratulations to the top mil-
ers from this week's PE classes.
Eighth grade students are: Den-
nis Cummings and Jessica Wack-
ier. Seventh grade students are:
Trey Kissam and DJ Nunez. Sixth
grade students are: Jose Leon and
Tiffany Bowers.

Reading Focus
The school wide reading focus
for this week is Author's Purpose.
This benchmark asks students
to figure out the reason that an
author wrote a particular piece
of text. There are three main rea-
sons: to persuade, to inform, or to
entertain. Please try to reinforce
the focus at home by relating it to
the students' current unit of study.


Here are some sample author's
purpose questions:
1. Why do you think the au-
thor wrote this book or story?
2. What evidence supports
that reason?
3. What kind of message does
the author want the reader to get
from this book/story?
4. How has this story changed
your thinking?
5. How hag this story support-
ed your thinking?
6. How has the author's style
or language appealed to you?

Upcoming Events
Jan. 21 No School Martin Lu-
ther King, Jr. Day; Jan. 23 Home
Basketball v. Sebastian, 4:30, and
6; Jan. 24 Basketball at Gifford
Middle School, 4:30, and 6; Jan.
25 Second Nine Weeks Awards
9:00 (6th grade), 9:30 (7th
grade), and 10:00 (8th grade)


DR. WILLSON LAND COMPANY
"Okeechobee 's Only Full-Service
Commercial Real Estate Brokerage"
APPRAISING / BROKERAGE / CONSULTING / LEASING






Memorial Tribute
Remember a loved one
S who has departed with a special
Memorial Tribute in this newspaper.


Your tribute can be published following the memorial services, or to
commemorate an anniversary ofyour loved one's-birth or passing. You
can add a photograph of your loved one, lines from a poem or
scripture, and special art or borders -- and we'll make sure it all comes
together attractively and tastefully.


Visit www2.newszap.conm/memorials for sample ads
and an online order form, or call 1-866-379-6397 toll free.


f #94821 RARE SPOT ON LAKE- #94744 A 5 ACRE FLORIDA NATURE
ACCESS WATERWAY IN ANCIENT PRESERVE, LOOKING FOR A NEW
OAKSI Dock at your backyard! Tasteful OWNER TO PRESERVE ITI Adjacent to
1994 Park model has an "extra" room that Okeechobee Golf & Country Club course!
could be your guest bedroom-it has the 2 Wooded, low, includes 1988 heavily dam-
f' i baths! Covered parking, all appliances aged & moldy doublewide. RR Zoned!
stay! Go fishing! Perfect get-away! Call Don for Disclosure Sheet! $95,000!
"' Reduced to $149,9001



I AM



#94285 1996-BUILT PALM #93629 PARK MODEL ON LAKE-
HARBOR 3 BEDROOM / 2 ACCESS WATERFRONT CANAL!
HARBO 3 B O Affordably priced Heartland 1/1 with
BATH ON HALF+ ACREI screened patio addition and private boat
*"Huge carport for car & boat, big dock! Enjoy community pool, clubhouse,
Florida Room, 3 sheds! & clubhouse in Ancient Oaks-a restrict-
Water/sewer lines! $105,0001 ed community! Low $119,5001


Post For Free
Post your personal messages on
an open Bulletin Board for
Arizona residents.
Community Links. Individual Voices.


Huge 4 bdI2 bth/ 4 Car attached garage
3 CBS 2-story home, 2 storage CBS HOME on 24.72 Acres. New roof in
3/2/3 CBS 2-story home, 2 storage '05 new appliances, new garage door, 2
sheds and dock on the canal. wells, 4 stall pole barn with enclosed 12x12
Florida room w/glass windows over- pump house, hurricane shutters and many
looking the canal for a beautiful year more extras! Asking $745K. Ajoining 21
acres also available for $555K. MLS#'s
round view! $250,000 MLS#94526 200003 & 200010. Please call Kelly for
more information 863-697-1339.


lift & sling, fish cleaning sink. Shed w/elec lOx12 which is off the neighbors. Pump for sprinkler
sprinkler sys, seawall. Call Pat 863-634-5588 MS system rns off canal water., GREAT HOUSE.
94227 $10Z S# 94081, $133,900. Call Vicki 863B344106


5 "Quai"' Acres Fenced, pen, barn. Oaks shade ELEGANCE & INNOVATION in Blue Heron.
& pasture drculardrive. CBS 3Bdi2Ba Ranch- custom built home w/ 1911 SF of living. M
a home needs some finishing touche. Tied Cabinets,.Canister Lighting, Covered Patio,
latest. REDUCEDI$335,000#2o13CalJeri(863)Car Garage & Exquisite Landscaping. $279,
4-6056 #218 Call Lori (863) 634-1457


'PY FOLKS LIVE HERE 3/2 1993 DWMH CAPTIVE LAKE VIEW in Taylor C
800+ SF in Taylor Creek w/ Lake Access. Clean, partially furnished, Homes of M
floor plan w/ L Master Suite, Screened Patio w/beautiful glassed in porch. Home ha
reat Dock! PRICED TO SELLI $168,000 up makingg area. PRICEDTOSELL
IH Call Sharon (863) 634-6241 #225F Call Bill (863) 634-6797








Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008


SPORTS 7


Three Brahmans named All-State in football


A A


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Leshawn Henderson, Tim
Williams and Lonnie Pryor had
a great day at school Friday be-
cause that's the day they learned
they were named all state in foot-
ball.
It is the first time Okeechobee
has ever had three players from
the same team named to the all
state team. It also put a smile on
the face of Head Football Coach
Chris Branham.
"I'm extremely happy to have
three players who were seen and
nominated by sports writers in
the state, to have three players
noticed and recognized by them
makes me pretty proud," the third
year Head Coach noted.
Pryor had an excellent year
with over 2,000 all purpose yards.
He helped lead Okeechobee to
their best record in close to 20
years, (7-4). Leshawn Hender-
son earned accolades as one of
the better cornerbacks in Florida.
Tim Williams was named as a de-
fensive end, although his natural
position is linebacker.
Pryor, a Junior, still has a sea-
son of eligibility left. He already
has been contacted by major
universities. Both Henderson and
Williams have also been highly
recruited. Marshall University and
North Carolina have both shown
a lot of interest.
"To have all three make it is
phenomenal. It's very deserving.
It's a great step and an exciting
thing for the whole program,"
Branham noted.
Branham noted he was asked
about the players in December
and had an inkling that this might
happen. However, he wasn't re-
ally sure until he got the word late
I Thursday from a reporter with the
Orlando Sentinel.
Making the all state teams is
pretty tough for smaller towns
because most of the votes in the
Florida Sportswriters Association
come from large media markets
like Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and
Jacksonville.
Branham also praised his as-
sistants, especially defensive co-
ordinator Tyrone Smith, for their
efforts with these, players, "We
had one running back and two
defensive players make it. It says
a lot about the work (Tyrone)
puts in."
Branham said Henderson's
numbers in terms of interceptions
and tackles have been down in
the past two years. However, he
noted that's because most team
know how good he is in cover-
age and don't throw the ball in
his direction much. "I'm happy
everybody remembers he was
a great corner back. Coaches
thought they'd do better by run-


1804 S. Parrott

(863)


Avenue Okeechobee

357-4622


O KEECHOBEE
You, ic;rnto w (n Mac t _A: cmpany


I 1126 South f

Ever thin V


Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy.
Three OHS football players (left to right) Tim Williams, Leshawn Henderson and Lonnie Pryor
all jump for joy after learning they were named to the Class 4A Florida All State football squad
by the Florida Sportswriters Association.


ning at him but he worked on his
tackling."
Henderson said he was quite
honored to win .t"f f ., "It's
exciting. I never thought I'd make
it this far. The coaches helped me
and pushed me and my parents
did to."
Pryor was basically a given to


be named all state considering
the eye catching statistics he put
up. However, Branham noted it is
highly rare for juniors to make the
first team.
"It feels good," Pryor stated.
"I never really thought about this
and it surprised me. It's pretty
good to make it as a junior."


Pryor thanked his coaches, his
offensive line and his family, for
helping him achieve this honor.
Williams noted he has worked
hard for the past several years to
be good in football.
"I think it's a good privilege for
me. I'm really excited and happy,"
he added.


REDUCEDII 312 W/ CUTE FRONT PORCH MOBILE HOME/RV PARK 3/1 WITH MARPORT,IALL TILE
Home has great layout, vaulted ceilings, and tile MOTIVATED SELLER WILL FINANCE. New metal roof, and new 2.5 ton A/C. Big back
throughoutAsking $148,000.Call MelissaAmold @ Just Reduced To $375,000. MAKE OFFERI yard w/ wood fence on cul-de-sac. Asking
863-610-2280. Call Jonathan @ 863-634-9275. $129,000. Call MelissaAmold.@ 863-610-2280
* Beautiful Brentwood Estates! Secluded culd-esac lot surrounded by oak trees. Close to town! Asking $80,000. Call Elbert
@ 863-634-7460.
* Country living or great get away for the weekend, this CBS home is built on 1 1 acres with beautiful palm trees. Property
is high and dry. 1000 sq ft with one bath all for only $130,000. Call Elbert at 863-634-7460.


LF- 1 YPEP.NCE WP FOR


Pharr Turlington
Broker Lic #5749048
rrottAve o 863 763-8030


"BEEN WAITINGFOR A DEAL" "CUTE AND COZY!"
Very nice 2003 DWMH 3/2 spacious floor plan Locatedeastftownon t. 70. Ntice oonerobtwflh
walk-n osests. Beautiful kitchen wth lots of storndr jtte. Brand n sve&ref-
age, tile backsplash. This is well worth looking at erator Carpet pofessionally cl leaned& somefresh-
In Treasure Island with seawall and La painted rooms. Screened patio across back with
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appointment $172,900 (200291) 2000. Great nityjustwaing foryou. $99
#200215


"PERFECTLY PRICED" "SIT BACK AND RELAX"
\ICE 2/2 with screened front patio, attached back Comer Lot Well maintained 3/2 DWMH.
Storage, some furnishings stay Nice landscaping Spacious floorplan, additional Florida Room.
with irrigation. This is a 55+ Community with lots Nice landscaping. 3 storage sheds, chain link
)f activities for the young at heart. Community fence, sprinklers. Owner is licensed real estate
ool, clubhouse and shuffleboard courts. $79,900 agent. Asking $85,000. MLS#92380.
r ... .. .. -"I .


"GREAT INVESTMENT"I'V' THH
SWMH in NW section on 2 coATERFONT32 with a 1 bedroom aparment-
SWMH in NW section on 2 corner I ots. great for rental income. 3rd bedroom is currently
This would be a great starter home or used as a den. Move in and take a 5 minute boat
an investment for rental income. Easy ride to Lake Okeechobee.....how convenient
to show $98,000 #200191 Property has a seawall, boat house and storage


Two story 5/3 CBS in Larodo Shores. ilehard- D ublewide mobile home on a good canal
wood floors. New roof.Parcel ID at present resp- Doublewide mobile home on a good canal in
resents the home/ 2 vacant lots. At closing the 2 Treasure Island. Two bedrooms, 2 baths, big
vacant lots will be split out and sold separately. Florida room, big screened room, between
So, this listing is for the home and 1 lot only. Call
Listing Office for details and price on the 2 vacant mobile home and the garage. Lots of room. Greal
waterfront lots.$410,000 (94541) shaded yard. $180,000 (94479)
Note: These offerigs are subject to erro, omissions or withdrawal without notice. Infation beieved accurate but not guaranteed.


GetA FeeLin T .Yor ebs


BuyitlellitClsied


Acreage. Commercial Property, Residential Lots and Euestffan Cominuniles.
Bridlewood Ranches 5+ acres $150,000 MLS# 94678
JUST LISTEDI Big "0" RV Park Lot on the rim canal with lake access-right ff
Hwy 78 $65,000 MLS# 200161
2-Big "0" RV irregular Lot's each @ $25,000
Pioneer Estates approx 1 acre ready to put a MH on it elect, and sewer
available. $50,000 MLS# 94370
REDUCED! 6+/- acres to built or to set-up up to four homes. $90,000
MLS# 93460 .


YlsY IT ImI'iMs


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Okeechobee News, Saturday, January 19, 2008


CAEORE
Announcements ........100


Announcements



Important Information: Please
read your ad carefully the first
day it appears. In case of an
inadvertent error, please noti-
fy us prior to the deadline list-
ed. We will not be responsible
for more than 1 incorrect
insertion, or for more than the
extent of the ad rendered.val-
ueless by such errors.
Advertiser assumes responsi-
bility for all statements, names
and content of an ad, and
assumes responsibility for any
claims against Independent.
Newspapers. All advertising
is subject to publisher's
approval. The publisher
reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all copy; and to
insert above the copy the word
"advertisement". All ads
accepted are subject to credit
approval. All ads must conform
to Independent Newspapers'
style and are restricted to
their proper classifications.
Some classified categories
require advance payment.
These classifications are
denoted with an asterisk *
Independent Newspapers will
never knowingly accept any
advertisement that is illegal or
considered fraudulent. in all
cases of questionable value,
such as promises of guaran-
teed income from work-at-
home programs or other offers
-to send money in advance for
a product or service we
advise you to check with the
Attorney General's Consumer
Fraud Line at 1-800-220-5424,
and/or The Better Business
Bureau, 800-464-6331 for pre-
vious complaints.







aKITTEN white/oranksge, b12ue
collar w/bell, found vi of13
Good Spirits on Hwy 44145
Persns 150











Answers to Roxy16
(863)697-3457
Grab a bargain from your
neighbor's garage,
attic, basement or clos-
et in today's classifieds.


OKEECHOBEE- SAT. 1/19 &
SUN. 1/20, 8AM-?
HUGH YARD SALE
SE 21st Terrace, Take Charles
Harvey Hwy to 18th Terrace
to 24th Blvd., next right on
25th Drive, left on 21st.


COUPLE IN THEIR FIFTIES -
Seeking Other Couples w/
Similar interested to hang out
with. 863-261-7589
Tall Guy- Secure, Profes., To
meet Attractive Gal or Friends
for Dining, Traveling, etc. Call
(863)946-3123 Lets meet!


READING A
NEWSPAPER..

saves you money by
providing information
about best buys.

No wonder newspaper
readers earn morel


CLEAN UP
Will pick up your junk!
Heavy & Farm Equipment-will
pay CASH. Call Michael @
(863)634-4780


SE pi o len t




Employment -
Medicali 210
Employmtent -
Part-Time 215S
Employment
Wanted 220
Job Information 225
Job Training 227
Sales 230




YTB TRAVEL
Looking for Reps. Earn Cash,
Be your own Boss, Travel for
Less. No obligation Seminar.
Jan 22, 6:30 pm Beef O'Bra-
dy's or call (863)634-7311


Financial


NOTICE
Independent Newspapers will
never accept any advertise-
ment that is illegal or con-
sidered fraudulent. In all
cases of questionable val-
ue, such as promises of
guaranteed income from
work-at-home programs- if
It sounds too good to be
true, chances are that it is.
If you have questions or
doubts about any ad on
these pages, we advise that
before responding or send-
ing money ahead of time,
you check with the Better
Business Bureau at
772-878-2010 for previous
complaints.
Some 800 and 900 telephone
numbers may require an
extra charge, as well as
long distance toll costs. We
will do our best to alert our
reader of these charges in
the ads, but occasionally
we may not be aware of the
charges. Therefore, if you
call a number out of your
area, use caution.

How fast can your car
go? It can go even faster
when you sell It in the
classilleds.

Services



Babysitting 405
Child Care Needed 410
Child Care Offered415.
Insftuction 420
Services Offered425
Insurance 430<
Medical Services435



ELDERLY CARE Nursing
home alternative at 1/3 the
cost! Bring your loved one
for individualized TLC.In
small family environment
by exp Re Nurse. Only 1
opening now.
863-763-2334.


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Full Tim


IMMEDIATE OPENING

WATER TREATMENT PLANT
OPERATOR TRAINEE
for the Okeechobee Utility Authority. Must possess
a High School Diploma or equivalent and a valid
FL Drivers License. Only those with a three year
clean driving record need apply. Shift work and
week-ends are required. Applications will be ac-
cepted until opening is filled at the Okeechobee
Utility Authority located at 100 SW. 5th. Avenue,
Okee, FL 34974. An Equal Opportunity Employer,
Drug Free Work Place.
Loon f I IA er .r eOV i ty!

Start a new career in the much needed field of
nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Complete the
Hospitality Assistant course/training at Okeechobee
Healthcare Facility and become a CNA in 4 weeks. Next
class begins soon. Instructor RN/experienced teacher has
a very high CNA exam passing rate. Qualified CNAs are
then eligible for LPN training. Good benefits.
Apply In Person For Further Details:
406 N.W. 4th Street (863) 357-2442


Empoyen
Ful Tie I'l


FulTrimel I'l


Immediate Openings CNAs
Okeechobee Health Care Facility
All shifts: Full/Part Time. Good Benefits.
Apply In Person To:
406 N.W. 4th Street. (863) 357-2442


Immediate Openings All Shifts
Full Time/Part Time RN's & LPN's
Apply In Person To:
Okeechobee Health Care Facility
1646 Hwy. 441 North


GILBERT CHERVOLET
Has openings for the following positions:
*Service Technician *Truck Mechanic *Collision Technician
Benefits include paid holidays, paid vacations,
health insurance, 401 K plan.
Apply in person at our Service Department or Collision
Center, or call (863)763-3154 Mon-Frl 7:30AM-5:30PM
EOE, DFWP


DEE'S MINOR REPAIR
License # 5698
& Pressure Washing
License #1126
FREE ESTIMATES
(863)467-2917
or (863)261-6425


merchandise

knnITI


AKC YORKIES 1 female
$600, 3 males $500 ea,
(863)467-4337
CHIHUAHUAS 2 males, 1 yr
old, 1 black 1 brown, all
shots. $1 50 each
(863)763-6778

Rentals



Apartments, 905
Business Places 910
Property 915
Condos/
Townhouses Rent920O
Farm 'Property 2
Rent' 925
House Rent 930
Land Rent 935
Resort Property -
Rent 945
Roommate 950
Rooms to Rent 955
Storage Space -
Rent *96




EFFICIENCY APT 1br, All util.
paid. Clean. Furnished with
washer facilities. $450 mo.
(812)989-3022


BEAUTIFUL
SAMANTHA'S GARDEN
APARTMENTS
S4nTown, 2br/2ba, $9O09: ,
mo. + $600. se .dep!
Includes Washer & Dryer
(863)634-5780 or
(863)467-9250
IMMACULANT 2 BR, 112 BA,
2 Story apt. Washer/Dryer.
Fenced. Patio. $.750-1sti
last, sec. (863)634-3313
Okeechobee, 2Br/1.5ba, car-
peted, ceramic tile, w/appl'sl
incl. dishwasher, $700 mo.
+ $700 sec. (863)763-8878
OKEECHOBEE, Backlash RV
Park Apt, 1 br avail. on the
Rim Canal. For details. 863-
763-7783/561-968-2083



KINGS BAY, 2BR/2BA, $750
mo. (863)763-7301 or
(561)-248-5317
Taylor Creek Condos -
1BR/1BA, fully furnished,
$650 mo. + $350 sec.
(863)763-6576
VILLA 2 br, 2 ba, remodeled
kitch, w/d, covered screened
patio, lrg yard, avail 2/1/08.
May be seen now by appt.
(863)634-3414 or
(863)634-3251


BASSWOOD New house in
good location, 3br, 2ba
w/garage, $1200/mo, 33rd
Rd (561)379-9417 or
(561)683-9754
BRAND NEW. 4/2 $1095.
mo., 1st. & sec. No pets
863-484-0809
BRAND NEW, 3BR's/2BA's,
lots of tile, garage, $1200.
Lawrence Associates,
1-800-543-2495.
BRAND NEW- Rent or Buy
3br/2ba, 1700 sq ft, garage,
laundry, tiled, $1100/mo.
rent. 100% applied to pur-
chase of $168,500 after 1
year. 3429 NW 40th Dr.
asswood. (561)718-2822
BUCKHEAD RIDGE 2/2, fully
furn, on canal, seasonal &
yearly, (863)824-0981
DIXIE RANCH ACRES 3br,
2ba, $1000 / mo
(800)543-2495
OKEE: 3/1 on '/2 ac. Renovat-
ed, laundry, C/A/heat, screen
porch, carport. $1100. + 1st,
last, sec/refs. 305-458-8659
OKEECHOBEE 3/2 on 20
acres, 15 minutes North of
town. $1 500/mo
(863)447-0352
OKEECHOBEE: 3br, 2ba, 819
SE 10th St. Must have refer-
ences. Call 863-763-2416 or
863-447-0925
OKEECHOBEE ESTATES -
3BR/2BA, pool, fireplace.
1401 SE 8th Dr. 1st & sec.
Call to see (863)885-1347
ON THE CANAL
3br, 2ba, Fenced yard
$1050 mo.
(248)672-1528
TREASURE ISLAND, 3/2 Very
clean On canal. Lg. storage,.
$850 mo. + 1st & sec. dep.
863-824-0981


YARD

SALE






Place Your
YARD SALE
ad today!

Get FREE signs!


Call Classifieds
877-353-2424


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READING A

NEWSPAPER...

helps you understand the
world around you.


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A


TAYLOR CREEK Prime Water-
front, 265' Sea wall with boat
dock. Unfurnished. 3br, 2ba,
W/D. C/Air. $1400 mo. .
(863)697-1280


CLEAN PROFESSIONAL MALE
Seeks Same to share 4 BR, 2
BA. $135 wk. Call
863)824-6112 or
772)-349-8637

Real Estate
k Fiarmjrl!!-


i


Doublewide, '00, furn.,
3BR/2BA, Fla. rm., carport,
storage bldg., Must Sell!
Open House 1/19,
10am-4pm, Town & Country
Adult Park, #113.
(863)467-4509
LORIDA at Mallard MHP #3,
12'x60', 2BR, 1BA, Florida
room, carport, 2 sheds, pier
on canal to Lake Istokpoga.
Call 863-655-3791
MOBILE HOME & LOT
WITH OWNER FINANCE
Ortona-14x70 Single Wide
with Ig. screened rm. on 1/4
acre lot. City water & Sewer.
1 blk. to boat ramp. 15 mm.
to LaBelle. $56,000 with low
down pymt. (321)733-7120
OAK PARK
2 BR, Furnished 2 sheds.
$19,500.
(863)763-4662
OKEECHOBEE '91 DWMH,
3br, 2ba, $25,000 or best
offer, you move
(863)634-5421
PALM HARBOR HOMES
4/2 Tile Floor, Energy Package
Deluxe loaded, over
2,200 sq.ft.
30th Anniversary Sale Special
Save $15,000.
Call for FREE Color Brochures
800-622-2832

Recreation
III


SEAQUEST 20', Center con-
sole. 150 Johnson. Kicker mo-
tor. Tandem trailer. Very good
cond. $3950. (863)214-9747


MIRAGE MOTORHOME '96 -
exc cond., new brakes &
batteries, 36K orig miles, ful-
ly equipped, ready for the
road, $17,000 neg. Contact
Dallas (863)824-0025
TRAVEL SUPREME 1994 40
FT, w/ 2 slide outs. New
roof. New Air. New Water
Heater. Very clean. A-1 Con-
d itio n $1 0,500.
(815)238-9494


SAVANNAH '95, 5th Wheel
or Gooseneck. Large slide
out. Excellent condition
$12,500 or best offer.
(863)467-5447 or 447-3357
TRACKER '2000, 26', Wood
slide out, A/C, Sleeps 6, Walk
around bed, New tires. Great
cond. $4350 (863)214-9747

Automobiles

AIAI AT


* 2001 CBS Close to Sports Complex
$124,900
Charming Arts & Craft Style Home
$179,000
*3/2 Brick Home Fireplace & Pool
$239,000
Blue Heron 312 CBS House Only
$299,000
SLg. Waterfront House Taylor Creek
$359,000
Executive Home w/ Efficiency on
Rim Canal $399,000
Gail Brown Realtor
863-697-0288
P.Y, erger -Uc. ReaEstateBroker

3/2 Waterfront, $129,000 or
best offer. All offers consid-
ered. The Real Estate Co.
(954)326-2083
CBS HOME 3/2/2 In gated
community. Open fir plan w/
family rm. Vaulted ceilings.
Community pool/club house.
Safe area for walks & biking.
$229,500 (863)763-7721
NEW HOME ON YOUR LOT!
Features 3BRs/2BAs, Ig. LR,
garage, $118k, includes per-
mit fees. Lawrence Asso-
ciates 1-800-543-2495
OKEECHOBEE
Builder has 3 nice lots
left in good area.
Ready to build
Your plans or ours. Call for
more details 561-762-2233
OKEECHOBEE: Completely
remodeled, 4br, 2 ba, plus
family room, 2000 sq ft, 1/2
acre, new roof, A Must See!
$145,000 (863)824-6112 or
(772)349-8637
OKEECHOBEE
Zero Down. $999. mo.
4br, 2ba CBS Brand New.
Pdces $139,900.3824 NW
7th St. 561-248-3879 or
S 863-484-0809


Land for Sale-l10 acres,
drop dead gorgeous land,
tons of oaks & palm trees,
with a creek, close to town,
$30,000 per acre.
Dreamcatcher Realty
(863)357-5900
OKEECHOBEE 2.5 beautiful
acres, 2 ponds, Call
(954)258-8565 for informa-
tion


BLUE CYPRESS Golf & RV, 2
waterfront lots, large pads,
pool & clubhouse, 9 hole
golf course, (239)945-7666


OKEE. Beautiful 3br, 2ba
Home & Lot. In 55+ Comm.
$127K. Neg. 863-763-8567
or 502-598-9115
Shop here first
The classified ads

Mobile Homes



Mobile Home -Lots, 20U5
Mobile Home -Parts 2010





OKEECHOBEE
Rental, SE 23rd Court,
For information.
(863)763-4892 or 763-5419


CHOICE OF 3BR, or 2 BR, 2
ba D/W's No pets, yrly lease,
starting @ $600/mo +
$1000 sec. 863-763-4031
LARKEY LAKES 2br, lba, Ig
screen room, carport,
$800/mo, 1st, last & sec
(863)467-4982
OKEECHOBEE: Nice, 2br/1ba,
$550/mo + 1st, Last & Sec.
Dep. In town. No pets. Call
(863)763-6232


BANK REPO'S
MOVE TO YOUR LAND
Mobile Home Angels
561-385-4694


aw
%Wmftm
em


I


Places of

Worship


Share your news and photos
for this column by email to
pgawda@newszap. corn

By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News

God in the storm
I watched as the storm clouds gathered.
The wind was bending the trees. Leaves were
picked up and scattered. There was a rich
coolness in the breeze.
I thought this is another of God's won-
ders, one of a thousand we think common
place, and as the lightning split the clouds
asunder, I could almost look into God's face.
As the thunder across the heavens rolled,
Enthralled, fascinated I watched the sky. As
God's awesome power did unfold; the birds
to the shelter of their nest did fly.
In that moment I wondered, how could
man God deny? Maker of all the heavens, the
earth and the seas; and as He allowed the
fury of the storm to pass by, I marveled and
praised Him as I fell to my knees.
What will it take, dear lost friend of mine,
for you to confess Him and give Him your all,
Let the Lord through the storms of your life
shine. Trust Him, try Him, He's waiting Oh,
list to His call. Harvey Sampson
Nancy Vaughan, Director of Christian Ed-
ucation at First United Methodist Church,
invites local mothers to take advantage of the
church's Mother's Day Out babysitting ser-
vice on Tuesday mornings. Space is limited,
so registration is required. Call (863) 763-4021
for information. The First United Methodist
Church is also hosting God's Time -- a morn-
ing of free organized Christian activities, that
includes play, instruction and interaction for
parents and their pre-school children. The
event will be held each Tuesday from 9:30
a.m. until noon.
Westside Christian Church will hold a
revival with Minister Louis Hall, Evangelist on
Jan. 27 29, at 6 p.m.
The Fort Drum Community Church
will hold a men's fellowship breakfast at
Ruck's Pit every other Saturday starting at 6:30
a.m., and a women's fellowship every other
Monday starting at 6:30 a.m. For information
or if you need, transportation to and from
these activities, call (863) 467-1733.
The Family Outreach Center at Sacred
Heart is offering free classes in martial arts.
The classes are currently taught four days a
week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday,
from 6 until 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 5:30
until 7:30 p.m.
Buckhead Ridge Christian Church,
3 Linda Road, has a Personal Growth Group
which takes a more definite direction. If you
think you are experiencing symptoms of de-
pression or anxiety, this support group is for
you. Meetings are held every Thursday from
7 until 8 p.m. 4t the church. For information
contact, Tony Santamarina at (863) 467-
5474 or Jo Norris at (863) 746-5152.
First Baptist Church is starting a small
group Bible Study titled "Experiencing God."
There will be three small groups meeting at
the church ort Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m.
Dan Markel will be leading a group upstairs,
Melanie Rooks will be leading a group in the
north wing and Pete Gawda will be leading'
a group in the fellowship hall. Also on Sun-
day evenings at 5:30 Izzy Izzo will have the
study at his home, N. E. 357 102nd Street. On
Thursdays evenings at 6:45, Bobby White
will be leading the study at his home, 1888
N.W Third Lane. As another option for FBC
members and guests, former pastor, Rev.
Richard Whipple, will be leading a study
on the Book of Revelation each Sunday eve-
ning in the sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. Rev. Steve
Wegmann, pastor of education/senior adults,
will teaching a senior adults Bible study on
"God's Amazing Grace Studies in Romans"
on Tuesday mornings in the fellowship hall.
The studies will be held from 9:30 to 10:15
a.m., Jan. 15, and 29, Feb. 5 and 19 and March
4 and 18.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catho-
lic Church, on State Road 78 at Chobee Loop
in Buckhead Ridge, reports there was a good
crowd at their first French Mass on Sunday.
The church will offer Sunday Mass in French
at 9:30 a.m. through the end of March. English
Masses are 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sun-
day. Spanish Mass is at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Abundant Blessings Church will host
Financial Peace University, led by nationally
known radio and television personality Dave
Ramsey. Classes begin Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m.
and each Monday following for 13 weeks. The
church is located at 4550 Hwy 441 N. (1 mile
north of the high school.) For information call
the church at (863) 763-3736 or go to Dav-
eramsey.com.
It's that time of year again. The staff will
soon be compiling the 2008 edition of the
Fact Book. We want our church listing to
be as complete as possible and contain infor-
mation on your church. To do so, we need
your help. Please send us the name of your
church's pastor, the church telephone num-
ber, the street address and the times of servic-
es. The Okeechobee News welcomes news
from area churches for this column. Email
okeenews@newszap.com or call Pete Gawda
at (863) 763-3134, extension 4225.


CHEVY HHRLT 2006 Exc.
cond. 1 Non Smoking owner.
Only 9K mis. Clear title.
$16,000. (863)357-3627
CHEVY SUBURBAN '99 148k
miles, exc mechanical condi-
tion. $6500 or best offer.
(863)763-5392 or
(863)634-7752

READINGA

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2 doors, 4 doors, Convertibles, Hatchbacks, sports cars, luxury cars, trucks with regular cabs,
crew cabs, full sized, 4x4s, duallys, super dutys, minivans, full sized, cargo vans, and so much more.
Truckloads of cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs from around the region have been
purchased for what may be the largest automotive sales event in the area's history!


SPECIAL LENDERS WILL BE ON-SITE WITH MILLIONS IN
CREDIT TO ASSIST IN THE SUCCESS OF THIS SALE.
Credit Problems? Payoff Too High?
Want Lower Payments Bankruptcy/Divorce?
Currently in a Lease? Interest Rate Too High?


wlbe sodofandahisa artna
wil 99oerDo'9 9999i, -


Bring your trade, title and/or payment book. Be prepared to fake immediate delivery. Extra sales
and finance staff will be on hand to assist you with your purchase and special finance needs.


IlK -~
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WW~0W.W4~4
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SELLOFF LOCATION:
TREASURE COAST AUTO MALL
4405 S. U.S. Hwy l Ft. Pierce, FL 1/2 mile North of Midway
888aa73-0005


5 DAYS ONLY:
Wednesday, Jan. 9th
Thursday, Jan. 10th
Friday, Jan. 11th
Saturday, Jan. 12th
Sunday. Jan. 13th


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