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Vol. 100 No. 134 Sunday, November 8, 2009


75< Plus tax


Smith could face


Okeechobee bowler
qualifies for state
tournament ... Page 15

Index
Classifieds .................................. 17-18
Community Events........................ 6
Crossw ord....................................... 18
Obituaries............................ ... 6
O p in io n ........................................ . 5
Speak Out ................................... 4
Sports ........................... 14-16
W e ath e r ............................................. 7

Lake Levels

14.06 feet
Last Year: 14.7 feet

SSponored By: -.

Pogey's Family Restaurant
1759 S. Parrott Ave.
763-7222
Source: South Florida Water
Management District. Depth given
in feet above sea level

See page 4 for information about
how to contact this newspaper.

newszap.com
Free Speech Free Ads


S1111111 111111
8 16510 00025 2


By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
After over four hours of delib-
eration, a six-member jury found
an Okeechobee man guilty of ag-
gravated manslaughter of a child
Friday, Nov. 6.
Sentencing for Jeremy Lee
Smith, 30, has been set for Dec.
7 at 10:30 a.m. With the convic-
tion, Smith is facing a possible
maximum sentence of 30 years in
prison.
However, Assistant State Attor-
ney Ashley Albright told the judge
shortly after the verdict was read
Friday afternoon that the state will
be seeking a habitual offender


classification for Smith. With that
enhancement, Mr.
Albright said Smith
could be facing a
maximum of 60
years.
According
to Okeechobee
County Clerk of
Courts records
Smith has been Jeremy Lee
convicted in four Smith
felony cases, dat-
ing back to 1999. Those same
records indicate that he has been
convicted on possession of co-
caine charges four times and rob-
bery once. In a 2005 case, Smith
was found guilty on three counts


60-year
of possession of a controlled sub-
stance.
As he waited for the jury to
return with a verdict, Mr. Albright
admitted that he was nervous.
"With that serious of a case,
that's circumstantial in nature,
sure," he said, visibly relieved
when Circuit Court Judge Law-
rence Mirman finally announced
that court was dismissed.
Smith was originally charged
with second degree murder in
connection with the death of 14-
month-old Xavian Leach.
Smith and Leann Leach, Xa-
vian's mother, had rented a room
at the Traveler's Inn Motel, 601 N.
Parrott Ave., on Jan. 11. Ms. Leach


Performing books
Parents, family members and friends, recently were invited to enjoy a morning assembly at
Okeechobee Christian Academy featuring the entire student body performing books they
read. Each class read a different book, age appropriate. Students were dressed in costume
dramatizing the characters in the books, along with special quotes or things they learned
from each book. This project is one of the many learning experiences each child grows in
throughout the year at Okeechobee Christian Academy.


sentence
testified on the first day of the
trial that she and Smith smoked
marijuana laced with cocaine that
night.
The next day Smith, Xavian,
Ms. Leach and her brother Xavier
Leach drove down to the lake. On
the way back to their rented mo-
tel room, Ms. Leach called Zippy's
Wings and ordered some chicken
wings.
Mr. Leach then drove back to
the motel and let Smith and Xavian
out of the car. Although hesitant
to do so, Smith agreed to watch
the baby while Ms. Leach and her
brother went to get the food.
See SMITH Page 2


Church fire

assessments

increase
By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
With the delivery of 2009 tax
bills, some churches in the unin-
corporated area of the county are
having to "render more to Caesar."
Even though churches are exempt
from the new emergency medical
services assessment and do not pay
ad valorem taxes, those churches
in the county outside the city limits
still pay a fire assessment.
The fire assessment rate for
commercial buildings, including
churches, remains the same as
last year. That rate is based on the
number of square feet in the build-
ing. However, even though some
churches have not increased their
square footage, they are seeing
slight and sometimes not so slight
increases in their fire assessment.
See CHURCH Page 2

$500 OFF
A PAIR OF Touch Hearing Aids
Touch"
S lintiteQiy$hdEdsigeratlslllun It





Okeechobee News November 8, 2009


SMITH
Continued From Page 1
In his statement to Detective Bettye Taylor,
of the Okeechobee City Police Department
(OCPD), Smith told Ms. Leach that he didn't
want to stay with her baby. He said "he didn't
feel stable" because he had been awake all
night snorting cocaine.
In his statement to Detective Taylor, Smith
said he played with the baby for a while then
laid the baby on top of a pillow on the bed. He
then took a hot shower in an attempt to clear
his nose so he could breathe. When he had fin
ished showering he found Xavian lying on the
floor, in between the two beds. The baby, he
said, was stiff and gasping for air.
Smith went on to tell the detective that he
shook the baby and performed cardio pulmo
nary resuscitation (CPR). But, he couldn't tell
her how hard he shook the baby.
Ms. Leach testified that when she and her
brother pulled into the motel parking lot Smith
came running out of the room saying something
was wrong with the baby.
During her testimony Ms. Leach said Xavian
had a "lump on his forehead." So she picked
up the child, got back in her brother's car and
rushed Xavian to Raulerson Hospital.
Later that day Xavian was airlifted to St.
Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach where he
died on Jan. 20.
In his opening statement to the jury, Assis
tant State Attorney Don Richardson said Xavian
had two significant injuries -a fractured occipi
tal bone and a subdural hematoma. Mr. Rich


ardson described a subdural hematoma as a
large bruise to the brain.
Defense attorney Shari Vrod maintained
during her questioning of Dr. Roger Mittleman,
from the District 19 Medical Examiner's Office
in Fort Pierce, that it was possible Xavian's in
juries could have come from his falling off the
motel room bed. Dr. Mittleman, however, said
he f 11 ii 1 ii /'s injuries were consistent with a
fall from a much greater height.
The motel room bed, stated Mr. Albright
later, was 25 inches in height.
Dr. Mittleman did not actually perform the
autopsy on Xavian. Although now-retired Dr.
Charles Diggs actually did the autopsy, he was
unable to testify in this week's case.
Under cross examination by Ms. Vrod, Dr.
Mittleman agreed that neither Raulerson Hospi
tal nor St. Mary's reported seeing a skull fracture
after doing a CT scan on Xavian.
"But," he said, "a skull fracture was present.
They just didn't see it. Sometimes they're just
not seen. I can't tell you why. It just depends on
the view."
Dr. Mittleman also stated that he felt like Xa
vian would have been iiii... Ii i. incapaci
tated" by the injuries and that he would have
been unable to cry or whine.
After being pressed by Ms. Vrod, Dr. Mittle
man told the jury it would be possible for a child
to suffer such injuries in a fall from a bed onto a
cement floor with a minimal amount of carpet
ing. But, he added, it would be "very unusual"
for a fall like that to cause injuries so severe and
that it would be "a rare event."
"I think the injury here was sustained in a
more severe manner," testified Dr. Mittleman.
And the jury of four men and two women
agreed.


Salvation Army seeks


volunteers to ring the bells


Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy

Correction...
In the Oct. 28 edition, we incor-
rectly identified pic 18 as Jackson
Worthy. His actually name is Jayton
Howard. He took first place in the
4-6 year old division.

USE
DROUGHT-RESISTANT
PLANTS.
A& I--


By Katrina Elsken
Okeechobee News
The Okeechobee Chapter of the Salvation
Army is looking for recruits to ring some bells.
The annual Salvation Army holiday collection
campaign starts right after Thanksgiving, and
local organizers hope to find enough volunteers
to man seven different stations in Okeechobee.
Last year the Okeechobee campaign raised
more than $22,000-and 90 percent of that
money stayed in Okeechobee to be used to
help families in need.
Organizers have already obtained permis
sion to post bell ringers at two doors in front
of Walmart as well as in front of Publix, Winn
Dixie, U Save, Walgreens and CVS.
Bell ringers work in two-hour shifts. The
campaign will start on Nov. 27 and end on Dec.


24. Volunteers can sign up for one or many
shifts of bell ringing.
The Salvation Army encourages local busi
nesses, clubs and organizations to sign up for
a day of bell ringing at a particular location.
The Okeechobee Red Hat society has already
signed up to take one day at Publix. Some local
Real Estate offices have also signed up, as has
the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office.
Seacoast Bank will count the money col
elected in the red kettles.
This year, the Okeechobee Salvation Army
hopes to bring in the most donations of any
town in our population size in the state of Flor
ida.
To sign up as a bell ringer, contact the Sal
vation Army office at 863-763-6020, or call bell
ringer chairman Kip Gardener at 863-357-0427.


$1,500

+-$1,000

+$1,000


TAX CREDIT

UTILITY REBATE

LENNOX REBATE


3,500 TOTAL

i'1'


BETWEEN THE TAX IIREAKS AND

THE REBATES, YOU'RE GONNA

NEED A BIGGER JAR.


EMORY WALKER CO.,
208 S.W. 5TH AVENUE
863-763-6742
LENNOX DEALER SINCE CACO42747
1975


INC.

LENNOX
Innovation never felt so good."


CHURCH
Continued From Page 1

That is because the property appraiser's
office is now imposing a fire assessment
on maintenance and storage buildings on
church grounds. In the past such buildings
were recorded as "extra features." The re-
cord keeping system now used by the prop-
erty appraiser's office identifies these extra
features as "buildings." Some churches saw
their fire assessment go up $20 because the
fire assessment rate for the category indus-
trial/warehouses, which includes church
maintenance and storage buildings, impos-
es a $20 assessment on buildings of 2,000
square feet or less.



-LAW OFFICES OF-
RUSH LAWSON, P.L.


Auto Acdent
Hable Con Su Abogado En Espahol
100 SE 8th Ave. Okeechobee
(SR 70 at SE 8th Ave)

(863) 824-6701
Main Office Fort Pierce

www.lawsonlaw.org
^ /


I --


Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009





November 8, 2009 Okeechobee News


M.E. releases death report


By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
According to the final report by Dr. Roger
Mittleman, of the District 19 Medical Exam-
iner's Office, a man found in the back of his
van died due to diphendydramine toxicity.
The decomposing body of William Ar-
nold Batchler, 52, was found in the back of
his Ford Windstar mini van that was parked
in the Walmart parking lot.
Although the area was treated as a crime
scene, foul play was not suspected. The in-
vestigation was handled by Detective John


Zeigler, of the Okeechobee City Police De-
partment.
While Dr. Mittleman has learned the
cause of death, the manner of the man's
death is still undetermined.
According to Drugs.com, diphendy-
dramine is an antihistamine that is also
known as benadryl. Although it's usually
used to treat the symptoms of allergies and
the common cold, diphendydramine can
also be used to treat motion sickness, induce
sleep and to treat mild forms of Parkinson's
disease.


The South Florida Water Management
District's (SFWMD) Deputy Executive Direc-
tor of Operations and Maintenance, George
Home, testified Friday before a United States
House of Representatives subcommittee in
support of a bill (H.R. 2811) to ban the im-
portation of non-native pythons.
Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek
and co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney,
H.R. 2811 would classify Burmese, African
rock and other pythons that have invaded
America's Everglades as "injurious animals."


As a top predator and prolific breeder, these
exotic snakes threaten state and federal res-
toration efforts and prey on the natural wild-
life that call the Everglades home, including
species already threatened or endangered.
Since 2000, the District and Everglades
National Park have removed 1,248 Burmese
pythons from the Everglades. According to
the U.S. Geological Survey, Burmese python
population estimates range from 5,000 to
more than 100,000 in the Everglades.


Okeechobee's Most Wanted


The following people
are among Okeecho-
bee's Most Wanted
persons. There are ac-
tive warrants for each
of them. The criteria
for making Okeecho-
bee's Most Wanted
top five is based on the
severity of the crime in
conjunction with the


Reed Ashton Jack Folk Daniel Kyle Huber Ambriz
Hair Morvant Sierra


age of the warrant.
If you have any information on the where
about of any of Okeechobee's Most Wanted
you can call the Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477). If you call Treasure
Coast Crimes Stoppers, you have the option of
remaining anonymous. You can also receive a
reward if the information results in an arrest.
Reed Ashton Hair, 20, 6'1" 215 lbs. Mar


tin County Charge -Dealing in stolen property
Okeechobee County escape warrant pending.
Jack Folk, 7/29/1977, Burglary Structure,
Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief, Bond $55,000.
Daniel Kyle Morvant, DOB 9/17/1987,
Aggravated Battery, Bond $20,000.
Huber Ambriz Sierra, H/M, DOB
6/13/1965, Burglary Structure, Grand Theft. No
Bond.





The Church of God of
/ Prophecy thanks you, Pastor

prayers, comfort and direction
on this daily Christian walk.
Your dedication to our
congregation is appreciated.

We All Love You,
Your Congregation


Arrest Report

The following individuals were arrested
on felony or driving under the influence
(DUI) charges by the Okeechobee County
Sheriff's Office (OCSO), the Okeechobee
City Police Department (OCPD), the Florida
Highway Patrol (FHP), the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
or the Department of Corrections (DOC).
Joshua David Stevens, 24, N.E. Fifth St.,
Okeechobee, was arrested Nov. 5 by Deputy
Corporal Aric Majere on an Okeechobee
County warrant charging him with grand
theft-auto. His bond was set at $2,500.
Lora Campbell, 40, Hunter Road,
Okeechobee, was arrested Nov. 6 by Deputy
Brian Cross on a charge of felony battery.
She was released on her own recognizance.
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 wel-
come to inform this newspaper. The infor-
mation will be confirmed and printed.

American Legion to host
Steak dinner
The Sons of the American Legion will
sponsor their monthly steak dinner on
Sunday, Nov. 15, from 3 until 6 p.m. at
American Legion, Post 64, 501 S.E. Sec-
ond Street, Okeechobee. Dinner includes
steak, baked potato, salad, roll, dessert,
iced tea or coffee and entertainment for a
donation of $12. The public is welcome.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Brian H. Mallonee
Board Certified Criminial Trial Lawyer

Now Accepting
Felony Cases
in Okeechobee
County

(772) 464-1991
Main office Ft. Pierce
www.stluciecriminallaw.com





; g g
TREASURE COAST
CRIME

8TOPPE


No


hidden


agenda.


Many newspaper owners have
a hidden "agenda" whether
it is political, economic or to
promote the publisher's cronies.

Not us. We're owned by a
unique non-profit journalistic
trust.

Our ONLY mission is to pro-
vide the information and
understanding citizens need to
make intelligent decisions
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and compassion.

How are we doing?

Let us know by mailing feed-
back@newszap.com or calling
your editor.



miEECHOBEE


NEWS
Community Service
Through Journalism


SFWMD supports bill to ban

importation of exotic pythons


November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News




4 Okeechobee News


OPINION


Public Forum/Speak Out


Letters to the editor


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 com-
munity name and your local or state
Public Forum. There, you can create
new topics or comment on existing
topics. What follows is a sampling of
some of the discussions currently tak-
ing place. Thanks for participating!

Forums down Nov. 8-14
Editor's note: The Newszap.com fo
rums will be offline Nov. 8-14 while we
update our software. We apologize for
any inconvenience. During this time, comr
ments for this column may still be emailed
to okeenews@newszap.com, or mailed to
Okeechobee News, 107 S.W 17th Street,
Suite D, Okeechobee, FL 34974 or dropped
off at the newspaper office.

More than 3,000 dogs and cats
euthanized
Let's get a spay and v -
neuter clinic at the Ag ( 6-
center, putting it to good
use -- Two birds with one
stone.
Okeechobee County
residents deserve more
help from the county with the stray animal
problem and it is not going to get any better
until they really push to get people to spay
and neuter their dogs and cats. Some peo-
ple just can't afford it, so they keep letting
them have more and more puppies and kit-
tens and these unwanted animals wind up
at the county animal shelter. They think the
shelter will find homes for them, but instead
many of them are just put to sleep. I think it
would be a real help if the county sponsored
low-cost spay clinics, the way they do on the
coast. Also, the county should offer low-cost
rabies shots for all animals, just as a public
health service.

Teen deaths
The school can do only so much. Par-
ents need to set good examples. Don't drive
drunk and don't let your kid drink. If you
know a kid is making bad choices, tell the
parents. Talk to the kid yourself. Don't worry
if you make someone mad. Mad is better
than dead or responsible for the death of
someone else.


Rodeo arena
I love the old arena. I wish they would
go back to using it. Inside the new one just
seems gloomy. The old arena was bright
and open and if it did rain, the rain didn't
seem to bother the spectators, as most of the
stands are covered. The old arena held more
people. It was packed on the big rodeo days.
I don't think any of the rodeos held at the
new arena have attracted the crowds the old
arena did.
The Ag barn was built to bring con-
certs and more attractions to Okeechobee,
it is slowly doing that ... but the construction
and design of the center is very poor. The
stalls are too small, they had to add bleach-
ers. One suggestion -- put a sign out front on
State Road 70 so that you can see what the
heck is going on!
My family prefers the new arena with
nice restrooms and a nice concession stand,
all under one roof.
I love rodeos and I love the old arena.
It's authentic. You can feel the history there.
I much prefer the open arena and I think it
is a lot more comfortable there as you get a
breeze. The new arena is like an oven. We
went there once and my family will not go
back to a rodeo there.

Halloween festival
There were so many really creative cos-
tumes -- you could tell some people really
put some effort into them. Loved the Legos.
The balloon-boy was very cute. I also liked
the robot and the kid in the homemade Halo
Master Sergeant costume. The Sponge Bob
costume and the bass boat costume were
good too. I am just really glad that I didn't
have to be a judge as it would have been
very hard to pick just a few winners from
that crowd.
Considering the crowds they got for the
Halloween Festi-
val, here's an idea c
for the county
fair. Have one day
be "Okeecho-
bee Day," don't
charge gate ad-
mission, give out
free candy at the booths and have a west-
ern costume contest and a karaoke contest.
What you don't collect in admission, the
vendors and rides will make in sales once
the crowd is there.


Blood Center prepares for
largest donation drive
There is no substitute for blood. Only
you, who donate, can give life to those who
need a transfusion. Every drop of blood
used at Raulerson Hospital comes through
the company which will be collecting blood
at the Okeechobee Blood Roundup Friday
and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14.
Volunteers have committed to perform
their skills and training to entertain you, to
give donors a massage, to inform you about
hearing and sight, to give you Red Cross in-
formation, to prepare your after-donation
hot dog, to hand out more than $8,000 in
prizes donated by local businesses and oth-
erwise make your donating experience a
happy one.
Three top prizes of $500, $300 and $200
are given to whoever brings in the largest
number of donors. Simply put a name or or-
ganization down when you sign in (even an
individual such as DeeDee Cates).
Preparations have been on-going for four
months. Seven donor buses will be on hand
in the Methodist Church parking lot, 200
N.W Second St. from 10 to 7 Friday and 9
to 6 Saturday. There will be more than 50
Florida's Blood Centers personnel and more
than 30 volunteers standing ready.
But despite all that, you will be saving
lives. Every unit of blood can save as many
as three lives. The blood supply stays at criti-
cal levels because not enough people are
willing to donate. Only 37 percent of the to-
tal U.S. population is eligible to donate, but,
more depressing, is the fact that only 5 per-
cent actually do donate.
When blood is needed, it must be on
hand; it cannot wait to be collected. This
Roundup, the largest independent blood
drive in the state of Florida is dedicated to
those around us who would not be alive
without your donation. Let Steve Cates tell
you how important blood drives are.
Rae Duesinger
Okeechobee Blood Round Up


Please donate, for DeeDee
and for others
My wife, DeeDee, had been feeling run
down but didn't want to take the time to go


for a checkup. A July incident kept her in
Lawnwood for a week, but they didn't find
anything so she came home. Running our
business, Porter's Cleaners, and taking part
in a lot of community projects seemed more
important to her.
But on Aug. 28, I finally took her to the
hospital where exams and testing found she
had liver cancer. It was critical to get her im-
mediate care and she was flown to Tampa
the next day for surgery where they removed
a tumor the size of a Nerf football.
She needed one unit of blood during sur-
gery and recovery seemed quick. She was
due to come home Sept. 17, but that day
her condition went straight down and they
found she had internal bleeding. More trans-
fusions. She has since needed six more units
of blood.
We are trying to get her strong enough
to come home so she can be around our
wonderful Okeechobee friends (and her
precious dogs) as she completes this termi-
nal battle.
I want to thank everyone who has ever
given blood and especially those who will
give at the Roundup because every min-
ute of life with the one you love is special.
Maybe their loved one will benefit from this
donation.
If you want to send DeeDee your wish-
es, or tell her you'll donate for her, you can
reach us at: topappraisal@yahoo.com.
Steve Cates
Okeechobee


Dee Dee Cates


Submitted photo


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Okeechobee News
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Published 3 times a week: Sunday, Wednesday and
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Periodicals Postage Paid at Okeechobee, FL 34974
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
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Staff
Advertising Director: Judy Kasten
Editor: Katrina Elsken
Circulation Manager: Janet Madray
Publisher: Tom Byrd


Our Purpose...
The Okeechobee News is published by Independent
Newspapers of Florida. Independent is owned by a
unique trust that enables this newspaper to pursue a
mission of journalistic service to the citizens of the
community Since no dividends are paid, the company
is able to thrive on profit margins below industry stan-
dards. All after-tax surpluses are reinvested in
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MEMBER
OF: !a- &


Sunday, November 8, 2009




November 8, 2009


Community Events


SUNDAY
A.A. meeting from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the
Church of Our Saviour, 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.
MONDAY
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.
A.A. Grapevine open meetings will be held
at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at Okeechobee
Presbyterian Church, 312 N. Parrot Ave.
Coast Guard Auxiliary of Okeechobee
meets the second Monday of each month, at
7 p.m. at the entrance to Okee-Tantie Camp
Grounds. We are seeking new members who
are, "Semper Paratus Always Ready."
For information call 863-824-7623
VFW #10539 Ladies Auxiliary lunch and
bingo will start at noon at the Post, 3912 U.S. 441
S.E. Auxiliary members and their guests are invit-
ed. Please R.S.V.P to 863-763-2308.
Okeechobee Senior Singers meet at 9:30
a.m. at the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church,
312 North Parrott Ave. Everyone who enjoys
singing is invited. For information or to schedule
an appearance for your organization or group,
contact Marge Skinner at 863-532-0449.
The Genealogical Society of Okeechobee
will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Okeechobee County
Public Library, 206 S.W. 16th St. The meeting is
open to anyone interested in tracing his or her
ancestry. The annual membership is $10 per per-
son, and $12 for a family. For information, call
Eve at 863-467-2674; or, visit their web site at
http://www.rootsweb.com/-flgso.


Artful Appliquers is a recently formed
chapter in Okeechobee. This chapter meets
at the Turtle Cove Clubhouse, 10 Linda Road,
Okeechobee on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 3
p.m. Karen Graves, Chapter leader would like to
extend a warm welcome to any interested per-
sons to come by and see what they are about.
For information call 863-763-6952.
Flottilla 57 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
meets at 7 p.m. at the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Station located at the entrance to Okeetantie on
Road 78 on the second Monday of each month.
Everyone is welcome to come as a guest and in-
quire about membership. Do get your safe boat-
ing certification. Call to enroll for course or to in-
quire about membership 863-763-0165.
TUESDAY
Civil Air Patrol set to meet
The Civil Air Patrol meets each Tuesday
evening at the Okeechobee Airport T-Hanger
#1, meetings start at 7:30 p.m. For information
please call Capt. Joe Papasso 561-252-0916 or
Lt. Greg Gernat 863-697-9915 Freedom Ranch
Al-Anon meets every Tuesday and is open to all
who deal with someone with addictions. There
is support with this epidemic. The meetings are
Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Freedom Ranch, 11655
Hwy. 441 S.E. Contact Jay at 863-467-8683 for
questions or concerns.
Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition
meets the second Tuesday of the month, at 11:30
a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, lunch
is provided. For information contact Jim Vensel
at 863-697-1792.
New Beginnings Narcotics Anonymous has
moved to 103 S.W. Second Ave. at 7 p.m. For
information, call Monika at 801-3244 or Rocy at
610-0975.


Reflections from the Pulpit


Robyn Spradlin
Pastor, The Vineyard of Okeechobee
The primary topic of many conversations
over the past eighteen months has echoed
of economic down turn and financial crisis.
The news outlets have been inundated with
job loss, foreclosures, and hopelessness. No
town or city, large or small, seems to have
been exempted from the slump. Concerns,
even fear, of what's next are wide spread.
Are we sinking with the ship into the abyss?
Will it get any better? Are we, as believers, to
anticipate different results than these in such
trying times?
In Exodus, Israel was facing similar hard-
ships. Enslaved by Egypt, being forced into
rigorous labors, building treasures cities for
the Pharaohs. As Israel multiplied Egypt ag-
gressively increased the labor until Israel
cried out to God. He heard and answered
with a promise of redemption. This redemp-
tion didn't begin manifestation as they exited
or Egypt, but as a dividing line, a separation,
between the children of God and the Egyp-
tians. (Exodus 6:5- 7, 8:22, 23)
As plagues spread across the land in epi-
demic and pandemic proportions, right in
the midst of devastation, destruction and
distress, Israel was protected. Flies, lice, hail,
boils, murrain (livestock dying), darkness,
even human deaths, Israel was passed over.
Why? Because of God's promise! Redemp-
tion was at work separating God's children
from everyone else. (Exodus 9:4,26 10:21-
23, 11:4-7, 12:29,30)
How does this apply to us? With wide
spread credit card debt, bad mortgages, in-
vestments gone wrong, many have found
themselves slaves to the Pharaoh, DEBT,
and they are filling the coffers of the wicked
world. There's chaos, even calamity finan-
cially, as the Dow shoots up then plummets


again. Flus of great variety are now racing to
the media forefronts, with forecast of sick-
ness in tsunami proportions. What are we to
expect? We can expect to be like Israel, pro-
tected, spared, safe from harm and danger.
We have a promise from God and what God
promises, He'll do! He does not change and
He does not lie. He's never failed to keep His
word. (Joshua 23:14, I Kings 8:56, Psalms
89:34, 91:1-16, Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19,
Romans 4:20,21)
Jesus came as our Redeemer so when
we receive Him as Lord and Savior, we be-
come part of a covenant that He is the medi-
ator and guarantee of "...a better covenant,
established on better promises." (Hebrew
7:22, 8:6) With this we are entitled to the
promises God has already made. If Israel
received it then and our covenant's better
with better promises, if you are redeemed
you have nothing to worry about or fear,
you have a redemptive line already drawn
around you, separating you from the de-
struction and plagues befalling the world.
That's better than Israel had!
During days of financial uncertainty, a fal-
tering economy and impending disaster, we
can be sure of one thing, in Jesus Christ we
are safe and secure. Thousands may fall at
our side, but it won't touch us, no weapon
formed against us will prosper. The earth
may move, mountains may shake, but God's
unfailing love will not be shaken. Every need
will be supplied according to His riches in
glory and this is the victory that overcomes
the world, even our faith! (Psalms 91, Isa-
iah 54:10,17, Philippians 4:19, I John 5:4,5)
Where is our faith based? It's in the promis-
es of a truthful, loving Heavenly Father. Right
here, right now, we are provided for and
protected, just like Israel in Exodus! Glory to
God!


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, Call Maureen Budjinski
at 863-484-0110.
New A.A. Meeting in Basinger: There is
now an A.A. meeting in Basinger on Tuesdays
at 7:30 p.m. in the Basinger Christian Brethren
Church on 700-A, north off U.S. 98. Beginners
are welcome.
Christian Home Educators of Okeechobee will
meet at the Grace Christian Church Fellowship
Hall, 701 S. Parrott Ave. Anyone currently home
schooling or interested in home schooling is wel-
come. For information, call Lydia Hall 863-357-
6729 or Betty Perera 863-467-6808.
AI-Ateen meeting will be held at the Church
of Our Saviour, 200 N.W. Third St., at 8 p.m. For
more information, please call Amy at 863-763-
8531 or Dan 561-662-2799.
Al-Anon 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 un-
til 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, 411
S.E. Fourth St., in Okeechobee. Everyone is wel-
come. For information, contact Brenda Nicholson
at 863-467-2321.
Family History Center meets from 1 until 5
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. For information, call The Family History
Center at 863-763-6510 or Richard Smith at 863-
261-5706 for special appointments.
Widows and Widowers support group meets
at 7:30 a.m. at the Clock Restaurant, 1111 S.
Parrott Ave., for breakfast. For information, June
Scheer at 863-634-8276.
The Gathering Church Overcomers Group
meets at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at 1735


Okeechobee News newspaper by
purchasing an e-subscription.
It's less than 50 cents per issue.
You'll receive an e-mail with a live
link to the latest issue.
This will allow you to read the entire
newspaper online -
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Please call 1-800-2828586
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S.W. 24th Ave. This is a men's only meeting. For
information, call Earl at 863-763-0139.
Bible study at the Living Word of Faith Church,
1902 S. Parrott Ave., at 7 p.m. Informal and in-
formative discussions bring many Bible truths to
life. Everyone is invited.
A.A. meeting will be held from noon until 1
p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 200
N.W. Second St. This will be an open meeting.
Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition
meets every second Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m. at
the First United Methodist Church. For informa-
tion contact Jim Vensel at 863-697-1792.
The Lighthouse Refuge support group meets
on the first and third Tuesday at 401 S.W. Fourth
Street at First Baptist Church and on the second
and fourth Tuesday at Red Cross from 6:30 un-
til 8:30 p.m. Women who need emotional sup-
port or someone just to care are welcome. For
information call the hot line 863-801-9201 or 863-
357-4447.
Compulsive overeaters are invited to a week-
ly meeting. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meets
at the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, 312 N.
Parrott Avenue on Tuesdays, 6 until 7 p.m. (Use
4th Street entrance.) Overeaters Annonymous is
not a diet club. The only requirement for mem-
bership is a desire to stop eating compulsive-
ly. For more information call Loretta at 863-763-
7165 or 863-697-0206.
The First United Methodist Church, 200 N.W.
Second St., will be hosting God's Time --a morn-
ing of free organized Christian activities that in-
cludes play, instruction and interaction for par-
ents and their pre-school children. The event will
be held each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until noon.
Child care will be provided for infants during the
class. For information, call 863-763-4021.
Haven of Rest Church, 2947 S.W. Third Terr.,
holds meetings for persons with alcohol and
drug related problems at 6 p.m. For information
call 863-357-3053.





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Okeechobee News






Community events


Pet Rescue hosts Open House
The Humane Society Pet Rescue FL, Inc
of Okeechobee will host an open house
event to celebrate National Animal Shelter
Appreciation Week. Come visit our shelter
at 120 Hwy 98 N. (west side between Live
Stock Market and Gator Feed). The event will
be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, from noon until
3 p.m. Guests will be welcomed by wagging
tails and purring felines. Snacks and drinks
will be served and tours of the shelter and
improvements made since opening will
highlight the event. Donations for shelter op-
erations are always needed and welcome.

Seacoast to head up local
food drive
Seacoast National Bank is hosting a Food
For Families drive through Nov. 20. Please
drop off nonperishable food items to 500 N.
Parrott Avenue or 1409 S. Parrott Avenue. All
food donations will help local residents. Fore
more information, please call 863-467-5330
or 863-467-4663.

Breakfast at Masonic Lodge
Okeechobee Chapter No. 128, Order of
the Eastern Star will hold a Breakfast on
Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Okeechobee Masonic
Lodge, 107 NW 5th Avenue. Breakfast will
be served from 8 -11 a.m. and will include
scrambled eggs, ham, hash brown casse-
role, grits, biscuits and sausage gravy, or-
ange juice and coffee. The cost is $6/person.
For information, contact Mary Ann Holt at
863-634-8087.

Shrine Club has dinner
The Okeechobee Shrine Club will host
spaghetti dinners every Tuesday from 4 to 7
p.m., with music from 5 to 8 p.m. A donation
of $5 per person is asked. The local Shrine
Club raises money to support the Shrine
hospital for burned and crippled children.


Safety classes announced
The Okeechobee Service Center of the
American Red Cross will be holding the fol-
lowing Health & Safety classes in Novem-
ber:
Monday, Nov. 9 Infant/Child CPR/AED
at 6 p.m
Thursday, Nov. 12 First Aid Basics at
6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 Adult CPR/AED
at 6 p.m.
All classes are held at their Service Cen-
ter, located at 323 N. Parrott Ave. To register,
or for more information call 863-763-2488.

Town Hall meeting planned
There will be a town hall meeting-Pub-
lic Safety Presentation, Monday, Nov. 9, at
6 p.m. at the Health Department Audito-
rium, 1728 N.W Ninth Ave., Okeechobee,
to discuss all current and future needs and
aspects of Public Safety. Presentations will
be given by Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue
Public Safety Center, E-911 Communications
Center & Emergency Operations Center.

Hospice plans Yard Sale
Hospice of Okeechobee (411 S.E. Fourth
Street) will hold a Yard Sale on Thursday,
Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13, from 8 a.m. un-
til 1 p.m. Shop in air conditioned comfort in
our Blue Building or the Country Store OR
shop at our "Flea Market" (outside under
the Carport) where every item is dirt cheap
(prices start at only 10 cents per item). For
information call 863-467-2321.

OCEA plans meeting
The Okeechobee County Education Asso-
ciation (OCEA) will have its second general
membership meeting of the 2009-10 school
year on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 4:30 p.m. in
the media center at Osceola Middle School
(825 SW 28th St.) For more information call
863-467-1564.


H1N1 fatality confirmed


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
Frank Krupa, administrator of the
Okeechobee County Health Department,
announced on Friday. Nov. 6 that he had
received positive confirmation that the 47-
year-old Okeechobee woman who died Oct.
24 at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center
had HINI.
He added that the woman had underly-
ing health problems. Her name was not re-
leased.
As of Oct. 27 the Florida Department of
Health reported 140 deaths in the state due
to HINI.
On a positive note, Mr. Krupa stated
that over 1,000 elementary school children
were vaccinated for H1N1 this past week
and everything went smoothly. He said the
Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office did a
good job of handling traffic and the longest
a person had to wait was 40 minutes.
Mr. Krupa expects to be announcing soon
the dates and location of the next round of


vaccinations which will probably be for the
general public.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at
www.newszap.com. Reporter Pete Gawda can
be reached at pgawda@newszap.com


wLs* f




with
-an
Online Guestbook
All Obituaries now include Online Guestbooks
where family and friends can share reflections,
remembrances and condolence.


Veterans Day services set
American Legion Post 64 continues an
Okeechobee tradition with a Veterans Day
Celebration Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.
in Veterans Park. The speaker will be Jim
Vensel, president of the Okeechobee Kiwan-
is Club. Once again the New Ground Quar-
tet will sing the National Anthem and God
Bless America and the Okeechobee High
School JROTC Honor Guard will present a
rifle salute. There will also be a reading of
the names of local military people who were
killed inaction. New Ground Quartet will
once again be singing the National Anthem.


Christmas Cantata planned
The Okeechobee Community Choir, in
its 11th year under the direction of Sandy
Perry, is rehearsing for the presentation of
the Christmas Cantata, "A New Birth A New
Beginning," and other seasonal favorites.
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays from
2:30-4:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist
Church, 200 NW Second St. All interested
singers, both locals and our Northern friends,
are invited to participate. Singers should be
able to match pitch and read music some-
what. For more information, call Sandy at
863-634-7714.


Obituaries


Obituaries should be submitted to
the Okeechobee News by e mailing
obits@newszap.com. Customers may also
request photos and links to online guest
books. A link to the obituaries is available at
www.newszap.com.


James Perry Hodges, 84
OKEECHOBEE James Perry Hodges, age
84, life long resident of Okeechobee died No-
vember 6, 2009 at the Hamrick Home, Okee-
chobee Hospice.
Mr. Hodges was born Jan. 12, 1925, to the late
Emory and the late Cola Hodges. Mr. Hodges
was self employed owning the Pioneer Gas
Company in ('i0.. i.. i He served in the U.S.
Navy, was a member of the Masonic Lodge in
West Palm Beach, and was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Hodges is survived by his wife of 61 years,
Mary Lou Hodges of ('.... ii -.. one daugh-
ter, Cary Vannormed of Vero Beach; one son,
Emory James Hodges of ('i... il...I four
grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
A private service will be held at a later date.
Friends may sign the '-11. -il..... at www.bas-
sokeechobeefh.com.
All arrangements are entrusted to the loving
care of Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home and
Crematory, 205 NE 2nd Street, Okeechobee, FL
34972.

Lou Jinkins, 69
OKEECHOBEE -Lou Jinkins, age 69, passed
on to our Lord Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.
Lou is survived by his mother, Lois Jinkins
Harper; brothers, Maynard, Jack and Bob; three
daughters, Luanne, Sherry, Shana and their hus-
bands; six grandchil-
dren; and stepson,
Jesse. He is also sur-
vived by his wife of
25 years, Claudia
Wellner Jinkins; and
his best buddy, Pe-
tey. He was so
loved and will be
missed by all of his
friends and family.
There will be a
small memorial for
Lou, Satur-
day, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. His remaining
ashes will be spread across The Monkey Box on
Lake (,i.,. i- -I,,, Boats will be leaving from
Harney Pond Ramps. Those with airboats are all
welcome and those without will be offered
rides from others.


Joan Beverly Goggans, 71
OKEECHOBEE Joan Beverly Goggans, age
71, of ( '.. I 1i , died Nov. 5, 2009, at Rauler-
son Hospital.
Mrs. Goggans was born Nov. 10, 1937, Long
Island, N.Y., to the
late Albert and late
Josephine Homer.
She came to Okee-
chobee from Lake
Placid in 1962 and
was a school bus
driver for the Okee-
chobee School Dis-
trict for 24 years; she
was of the Baptist
faith.
Mrs. Goggans is
survived by
her husband of 54 years, Grady Gog-
gans; daughters, Merita Loredo (Jose) of Okee-
chobee, Debbie Hawes of Okeechobee (Bo
Jensen of Sweden), Bonnie Mathes (Willard) of
Lake Placid; brothers, Albert Homer Jr. of Mis-
sissippi, Bruce Homer of (i1.. I il -, Johnny
Homer of New York; sister, Judy Munger of
Tennessee; daughter-in-law, Pam Goggans;
grandchildren, Shawna Dunn (Dennis), Doug
Hawes (Beth), Jennifer Goggans, Justin Gog-
gans, Crystal Goggans, Kimberlie Mathes, Ashley
Goggans, and Amanda Goggans; and great-
grandchildren, Noah Pafford, Logan Dunn, Jay-
lynn Seigh, Haley Hawes, Cammryn Hawes.
Mrs. Goggans was preceded in death by her
son, Randy Goggans; brothers, George Homer,
David Homer Steve Homer, Ronnie Homer,
Dick Homer; and a sister, Dorothy Hackworth.
Family will receive friends between the hours
of 10 and 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 9, with the ser-
vice following at 11 a.m. at Bass Okeechobee
Funeral Home.
Friends may sign the --ii. -l ...... at www.bas-
. . ...... I..I'.. Il 111
All arrangements are entrusted to the loving
care of Bass ('i.... il ..I .- Funeral Home and
Crematory, 205 NE 2nd Street, ('l... ii. FL
34972.


J K


Sign guestbooks at
http://www.legacy.com


^ r


Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009








Brantley to appeal Okeechobee Livestock Market Report
November I and 2, 2009 Small #1 Steers Hfrs
250-300 80-95
Cows 300-350 97-110 82-87
Breaking $42.00 $44.00 350-400 97-102 70-79
Cutter $37.00 $36.00
foCfnnnv re uci nn 3(7 nn


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
Junkyard owner Marvin Brantley is sched-
uled to appear before the City of Okeecho-
bee Code Enforcement Board Tuesday night
to request a reduction of his latest fine. For
over 15 years the code enforcement board
and Mr. Brantley have been at odds because
of what the code board calls the unsightli-
ness of Mr. Brantley's business. The latest
round came at last month's board meeting
when Mr. Brantley was again decreed to be
in noncompliance beginning Sept. 11, the
date of notification of the violation. He was
fined $500 a day for every day of noncompli-
ance. On Oct. 14, the day after the meeting,
his property was declared to be in compli-
ance by Fire Chief Herb Smith.
Turning to other business, six property


If you go ...
What: Monthly meeting of the City of
Okeechobee Code Enforcement Board
When: 6:30 p.m, Tuesday, Nov. 10
Where: City Council Chambers, Okeechobee
City Hall, 55 SE Third Ave.

owners have been cited for general cleaning
and beautification. They are: Super Stop Pe-
troleum, Inc., 510 NE Park St., David and Ma-
ria Terrazas, 1012 SE Fifth St., Citimortage,
Inc., 135 SE Thirteenth Ave., Chase Home
Finance, 1103 SE Eighth Ave., Bank of New
York Trust Co., 805 Se 10th St., and Bank of
America, 301 SE Third St.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at
www.newszap.com. Reporter Pete Gawda can
be reached at pgawda@newszap.com.


Okeechobee Forecast

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with
gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 10 mph.

Extended Forecast:
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
East southeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a
high near 83. East southeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East south-
east wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.


Bulls
1500-2000


Calves
Cows
Str
Hfrs
Bulls
Yrlngs
Mix
Total

Med #1
170-190
200-250
250-300
300-350
350-400
400-450
450-500
550-600
600-650

Med #2
150-200
200-250
250-300
300-350
350-400
400-450


$52.00 $59.50


Monday
604
107
0
4
14
35
0
764

Steers
145-165
125-155
122-130
104-115
97-109
95-105
87-95
84-90
81-89

Steers

105-110
105-117
87-112
86-104
70-86


Tuesday
1302
216
8
43
15
66
0
1650

Hfrs
90-115
85-97
95-105
88-97
84-93
77-84
75-81
73-79
70-78

Hfrs
90-115
85-97
75-95
60-75
78-88
70-85


rnces continue to noal steady. LOOKed liKe
steer calves may have been a little higher
from 3-500#. Heifers were mostly in mid
to upper 70s. Demand looked good. Cows
and bulls are just struggling to stay steady.
Conrado Rodriguez topped the calf market
with a high of $1.65, bought by Reynolds.
Seminole Tribe and CM Rucks Dairy topped
the cow market with a high of 48, bought
by Central.
No sales the week of Thanksgiving!
See ya next week, Todd


Okeecobe-



L s k r


Roasted Turkeys
The Okeechobee Masonic Lodge is sell
ing fully cooked whole roasted turkeys from
18 to 20 pounds for $30 each. Orders must
be placed and paid for by Nov. 21. Orders
are limited to the first 75 pre-paid orders.
Orders can be placed at Porter's Cleaners,
1700 S. Parrott Ave. Cash, checks, Visa and
Mastercard accepted. Orders maybe picked
up on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. until
noon at the Masonic Lodge, 107 NW 5th
Ave.


Lotteries

The Florida Lottery: Numbers selected
Thursday in the Florida Lottery are: Cash 3:
1-7-5; Play 4: 7-4-6-1; Fantasy 5: 4-6-9-19-
31. Numbers selected Friday in the Florida
Lottery are: Cash 3: 6-4-3; Play 4: 7-1-4-1.


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November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News


tUn-.UU


.J I ,U







Okeechobee Motor Company continues tradition with Driver's Ed program


Despite tough economic times, Okeecho-
bee Motor Company finds a way to provide
for a local high school.
With the exception of a few years,
Okeechobee Motor Company has been pro-
viding cars for Okeechobee High School's
Driver's Ed program since 1964.
Okeechobee Motor Company opened
its doors in 1946. Dowling Watford, General
Manager of Okeechobee Motor Company,
is proud that the company has been able to
provide vehicles for the school for the past
few decades.
"Okeechobee Motor Company has served
the community for over 63 years and we are
glad to be able to support the youth and the
students of Okeechobee High School," Mr.
Watford said, "This is just one example of
how we help our community."
, = = Il '


Kenny Buckner, Driver's Education in-
structor at Okeechobee High School, appre-
ciates what Okeechobee Motor Company
has done for the driver's education pro-
gram.
"With the economy being the way it is
right now, they are still the only company
providing vehicles to our class," he said. Mr.
Buckner has been the Driver's Education
instructor at the school for the last 11 years
and is grateful for Mr. Watford's support of
the high school.
"He's an Okeechobee High School sup-
porter, 100 percent, and without him we
wouldn't have much of a Driver's Ed class
because we wouldn't be doing any driving,"
Mr. Buckner said.
Locally, Okeechobee Motor Company is
committed to supporting the high school


and its driver's education program. Nation-
ally, Ford Motor Company encourages safe
driving by introducing its new MyKey Tech-
nology. This brand new technology enables
parents to encourage their teens to practice
safer driving behavior and addresses the
number one cause of teen fatalities-auto
accidents. The new technology allows par-


ents to set speed and radio volume limits,
encourage safety-belt usage and ensure
critical systems such as traction control re-
main activated. The relationship between
Okeechobee High School and Okeechobee
Motor Company is rich in tradition and the
company looks forward to supporting the
school as best they can in the future.


special io me UKeecnoDee ilews
Doc Watford of Okeechobee Motor Company presented the first Driver's Educa-
tion vehicle to Okeechobee High School in 1964.

Fire caused $40,000 in damage in Fort Drum


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
A fire caused damages estimated at
$40,000 to a Tiki bar in Fort Drum Ranch-
ettes on Oct. 29, according to Okeechobee
County Fire/Rescue.
No one was hurt in the blaze.
County Fire reports said two units and six
firemen responded to 325 NE 342nd Trail
around noon time and saw a large column
of black smoke from miles away in route to
the blaze.
Paramedic Everette Wooten said the
cause was under investigation. There were


no injuries reported. Firemen were on the
scene for just under four hours.
The fire report said heavy smoke and fire
were seen coming from an open structure
with partial roof collapse when firemen ar-
rived.
The home owner Patrick Long said he
had burned a small pile of pine needles near
the structure the day before. He heard his
dog barking, looked out the window, and
saw the blaze.
The fire report said 2,000 gallons of water
and five gallons of foam were used to put
out the blaze.


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Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009




November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News


Special to the Okeechobee News/CES

Students of the Week
Central Elementary Students of the Week for Nov. 2, are: Kindergarten students, Cay-
lus Hopewell, Khamari Jones, Anthony Boswell, Wyatt Friend; first graders, Cristofer
Gutierrez, Jayce Morgan, Travis Fludd, Jashun Jones, Ganessa Garcia, Jamari Corde,
Anacely Velazquez; second grade students, Christian Campos, Cole Younger, Ricard
Ayala, Kymber Sauerwine, Juan Leon; third graders, David Solorzano, Elana Rodri-
guez, Rocky Wise, Paulina Meras, Raeshel Bell and fourth grade students, Hunter
Strickland, Kaleigh Sparkman, Quintin Holt, Dustin Holmes, Robin Bell.


Students of the Week
Okeechobee High School Students of the Week are-Front Row: Cheyenne Fallman,
Libby Parker, Roger Duque; Back Row: Chris Wegmann, Kayla Harrison, Eric Aguirre.


CASINO




Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009


H OHS plans homecoming week activities


Okeechobee News/K. Elsken

Two horses

caught near river
The Okeechobee County Sher-
iff's Office captured two mares on
South Florida Water Management
Property near Basinger last week.
The horses have been tested nega-
tive Coggins. If the owner does not
claim the horses within three days
of the advertised notice (which ap-
peared in the Nov. 6, Okeechobee
News) the horses will be sold at
public auction. The two mares, one
black and one chestnut, are domes-
tic horses which were apparently
running with a group of mustangs
that have been seen in the Basinger
area for a few months. They are be-
ing kept at the Okeechobee Cattle-
men's old rodeo grounds on U.S.
Highway 441. To claim the horses,
the owner must pay the impound
and holding fees. Deputies are still
trying to catch approximately 15
horses which are still loose on wa-
ter management property.


Okeechobee High School will celebrate
Homecoming this week.
Daily activities are planned at the high
school. The members of each class who
dress according to the theme for that day
will be counted. Classes will be ranked in or-
der of percent of participation each day and
points will be awarded. All dress days relate
to the "Battle of the Bands" theme.
Student dress and participation must be
in accordance with OHS rules. Anyone vio-
lating school rules should be sent to the of-
fice, and points will be taken from his class'
score.


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dents must wear clothes that do not match.
They may wear shorts only if participating in
the dress of the day. Shorts must still satisfy
school guidelines.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 HIP HOP DAY -- Stu-
dents will dress in the Hip Hop style. Student
must meet the school guidelines.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 -- RED, WHITE, &
BLUE -- Veterans Day Observation.
Thursday, Nov. 12 SPIRIT DAY-The stu-
dent class will dress as follows: Seniors:
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Friday, Nov. 13: Students must dress ac-
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-80's freshman-Millennium.
On Thursday. Nov. 12 the school will host
a Night Float Parade at 6 p.m. in downtown
Okeechobee, followed by a pep rally and
bon fire at Okeechobee High School.
On Friday, Nov. 13, the Homecoming
Football game will start at 7:30 p.m. The
Homecoming Queen will be announced
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The Homecoming Dance will be Satur-
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November 8, 2009 Okeechobee News


Grandparent's week
North Elementary School students recently celebrated grandparent's week.
Austin Waldron with his grandmother celebrating grandparents week.


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November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News







New children's health center groundbreaking planned


Stimulus funding adds new
pediatric center locally
On Thursday, Nov. 12, at 3:30 p.m. fed-
eral stimulus funds will work their magic in
Okeechobee County when Florida Commu-
nity Health Centers, Inc. will break ground on
a new pediatrics and dental center. Florida


Community Health Centers received a $1.6
million grant which will provide seed fund-
ing for the construction of the $3.5 million
pediatric and dental center in Okeechobee
County. The event will take place on the site
of the new facility located at 2015 Highway
441 North in Okeechobee (across the street
from Raulerson Hospital. Look for the big
white tent.


The new pediatrics and dental center is
scheduled to open Fall 2010. The Center will
be appropriately named the Dr. Fred Brown
Children's Health Center, in recognition of
the care and commitment of Dr. Fred Brown
who has been caring for generations of
Okeechobee families for nearly 30 years.
"Florida Community Health Center
(FCHC) is to be applauded for the decades
of medical and dental care it has provided
Okeechobee residents. In addition, to pro-
viding outstanding health care, FCHC has
educated and trained so many health pro-
fessional students. Nova Southeastern Uni-
versity College of Osteopathic Medicine has
graduated many physicians who received


outstanding educational training at the FCHC
Okeechobee centers. Today they are practic-
ing physicians. Many thanks are extended
to FCHC's dedicated, highly professional
staff," stated Dr. James Howell, Department
of Rural Medicine Chair at Nova Southeast-
ern University and Florida's first Secretary of
Health.
The mission of Florida Community Health
Centers, Inc. (FCHC) is to provide accessi-
ble, cost-effective, high-quality, comprehen-
sive primary and preventive health care to all
persons regardless of their socio-economic
circumstances.


Special to the Okeechobee News/
Students of the Week
Everglades Elementary students selected as students of the week included
Kindergarten students, Colten Courson, Emily Pereyra, Trinity Reynolds,
Joann Hickman, Morgan Gurrola; first graders, Itzabelly Meza, Caleb Reyn-
oldo, Tiadora Sontay, Tristen Lewis, Rion Ernst, Destiny Kirkland; second
grade students, Saul Garcia, Alexis Torres, Skyla Stanley-Chism, Rebecka
Mims, Ayanna Luevano, Peyton Jarriel, Kara Hawk; third graders, Shian Koe-
bernik, Allan Portocarrero, Sebastian Hull, Magdalena Moran, Alexus East-
man, Patricia Fussell; fourth grade students, Sonia Delgado, Bailey Hansen,
Kayla Aguilar, Janavise Futch, Austin Cloud; fifth graders, Richard Spiess,
Alex Lackey, Aubrie Holmes, Alise Geary, Brooke Arnold. Congratulations!
to our many outstanding students.


Sheriff takes 8
Seacoast National Bank supported
S the 17th Annual Skip Bryant golf tour-
nament on Oct. 17. Sheriff Paul May
and wife Delores staked out hole #8
Sat the Skip Bryant golf tournament.
Hole #8 was a $50,000 win for a hole
1 i^ in one and Sheriff May wanted to wit-
S ness that one!
Special to the Okeechobee News/Teresa Chandler


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November 8, 2009





November 8, 2009 Okeechobee News


New Hampton Inn opens with celebration


Vero Beach based developer Kite Prop-
erties, LLC recently celebrated the Grand
Opening and Ribbon Cutting at the new 85-
room Hampton Inn in Okeechobee. Atlanta-
based Hotel Equities serves as the manag-
ing partner with Mary Chesley as the hotel's
General Manager.
The hotel staged an open house and in-
vited the local businesses and community
members to tour the state-of-the-art facil-
ity. Dignitaries on hand for the festivities
included Keith Kite, Founder and Manag-
ing Member, Kite Properties; Kelly Kite, Kite


Properties; Fred Cerrone, president and CEO
of Hotel Equities; Maureen Burroughs, presi-
dent, Okeechobee Main Street; James Kirk,
Mayor of Okeechobee, Kathy Scott, execu-
tive director, Okeechobee County Tourism
Development Council; and Candace Berk,
executive director, Okeechobee Chamber of
Commerce.
"We are delighted that the Okeechobee
community has welcomed the hotel's arrival
in the market," said Keith Kite, Founder and
Managing Member of Kite Properties. "Our
guests are in good hands with Hotel Equi-
ties' award-winning hotel management."


Backed by its 100 percent satisfaction
guarantee, Hampton Inn provides guests
with Cloud Nine, the Hampton bed experi-
ence, plus complimentary hot breakfast and
high-speed wireless Internet access. Fea-
tures include an exercise room, an outdoor
heated pool and a meeting room available
for rent.
The Hampton Inn is conveniently lo-
cated near Lake Okeechobee at 1200 N.E.
Park Street in Okeechobee. It fronts Florida
S.R. 70, one half mile east of U.S. 441. For
more information and to make reservations,
please call 863-824-0003 or visit them online
at www.hampton.com.


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Special to the Okeechobee News/Teresa Chandler
YMCA-Okeechobee
Seacoast National Bank donates $500
to the YMCA study project. The study
cost is $20,000 and with the efforts of
the local committee the amount raised
is at $14,500.00. To help, please call
Brandon Tucker 863-763-4010. I-r
Jon Geitner/Regional Manager, Tere-
sa Chandler/Marketing Manager and
Brandon Tucker/Event Chair.


At the recent Okeechobee Hampton Inn grand opening ribbon cutting (left to
right) are Maureen Burroughs, president, Okeechobee Main Street; Fred Cerrone,
president and CEO, Hotel Equities; Mary Chesley, general manager, Hampton Inn-
Okeechobee; Kelly Kite, Kite Properties; James Kirk, Mayor of Okeechobee, Kathy
Scott, executive director, Okeechobee County Tourism Development Council; and
Candace Berk, executive director, Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce.


* New retailers added weekly.


November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News


KOH s d~-
expect refflthing jjZ.." R





Okeechobee News November 8, 2009


Seniors hope to lead girls

hoops to post season


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Jewel Buck and Markeisha Youmans
have played a long time together. They grew
up together and played at Yearling Middle
School before becoming varsity players.
Both enter their senior year with visions
of playing college ball and earning college
degrees.Both are also excited about the
team's prospects this year.
"I feel we'll be real competitive this year.
I trust my team. We have to work hard and I
feel we'll do better this year," Buck stated.
The theme for this year's team could very
well be unfinished business. Both girls said
they were disappointed with how last year
ended, with a loss in the first round of the
district tournament.
Buck said the players get along well and
have a lot of fun together. She worked hard
in the off season by playing travel ball, and
attending several basketball camps. She
thanked her mother, Emma Jean Urbina for
her support of her basketball career.


Markeisha, whose sister Calandra is also
on the squad, predicts another winning sea-
son with a better finish. She also played in
the off season and keeps herself in excel-
lent condition. "I think things will go well
this year. Many of us have played five or six
years together. I think were just used to each
other. It's going to be hard, but you have to
work hard to get anywhere."





,EL

Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy
Senior basketball players (I-r)
Markeisha Youmans, Jewel Buck and
Keighly Stewart, are ready to lead the
team to new heights.


Transfer to make immediate impact
By Charles M. Murphy for my parents. I'm totally supportive of what is
Okeechobee News most important to our family," she said.
Coach Tony Sherlock is glad to have Stewart
Most of the time Okeechobee doesn't get a on the squad. She will become an immediate
lot of transfer students who have a lot of ath starter and substantially improves the teams
letic talent. This year things have changed as outside shooting ability. Stewart said she has
the girls basketball program is excited about a been welcomed with open arms by her new
new player who could lead the team to the post teammates, "I really like being on this team,"
season for the first time. she said. "They make me feel right at home. I
Keighly Stewart was a three year starter at get along with everyone. I like it here."
Mason County Central in Lundington, Mich. Stewart also has two younger brothers. Jim
She moved here with her family in the off sea my, who will play basketball at OHS this year,
son, and lives at Rollins Ranch. and Jacob an eighth grader at Yearling.
Her parents, Kenny and Jenny, got an op Stewart admits basketball is very important
portunity for a new job and although she hated in Michigan. Support and fan interest is more
to leave her friends and teammates, she is glad laid back in Florida. She predicted that she will
to be in Okeechobee. "It's a lot different than face tougher competition in Florida than she
Michigan, but I really like it, whatever is best would have up north.


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Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009





November 8, 2009 Okeechobee News


Volleyball season ends


in regional quarterfinal


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
The Okeechobee High School Lady Brah
mans lost to powerful Merritt Island 26-24, 25
18, and 25 11 in the Class 4A Regional Quarter
final Wednesday night.
Okeechobee finished the season with a re
cord of (20-11). Merritt Island (21-4) moved on
to host Jensen Beach in the semifinals.
Okeechobee Coach Todd Jones said Merritt
Island was a good team but that he was dis
appointed that his team didn't play better, "I
definitely think we could have won. It was frus
treating. When you work so long and so hard
on something and you lose so badly, it kind of


leaves a bad taste in your mouth."
Okeechobee played well in the first game
as they matched Merritt Island point for point
until the final three points. Jones said Okeecho
bee did below average on their passing and de
fense in the second and third games.
"Once the passing falls apart, everything
else does to. It was a downhill spiral after we
lost the first game," he said.
Jones said game three was atrocious as the
girls appeared to get frustrated with themselves
and their teammates, "If it had been a close
match and a hard fought battle, I wouldn't be
nearly as disappointed as I am. Things just fell
apart for us."


Okeechobee bowler qualifies for state tournament


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Freshman James Steiert has quickly made
a name for himself when it comes to bowl-
ing. He finished third overall at the District 8
tournament last week as he knocked down
649 pins leading Okeechobee boys to a sixth
place finish.
Steiert said he felt good about his work
at the district although he felt he could have
done better in the last frame, "I feel pretty
good," he said. "I've been watching all the
scores and I know mostly everyone. I know
their weakness. I just try to bowl."
Steiert has been bowling for eight years.
He took up the sport when he was seven
years old, and liked the sport. He's never
stopped bowling and is now a member of
the United States Bowling Congress. He
also goes to Lake Wales to work at a bowl-
ing training center. He's bowled in Stuart
leagues for the past three years to improve
his game.
Steiert also went to national tournaments
in the past three years. He visited Niagara
Falls in 2007, Detroit, Mich. in 2008, and In-


dianapolis, Ind. this year.
Steiert maintains he is
not going to be intimidated
by playing the best bowl-
ers in the state. He said he
plays a lot of tournaments
with talented bowlers.
"I'm excited," he said.
James "I think it should be a lot of
Steiert fun. I watched the tourna-
ment last year. Hopefully I'll bring a win to
Okeechobee. I've bowled in a lot of tourna-
ments. I'll treat it like another tournament
and do the best I can."
Steiert said he thinks the Okeechobee
bowling program is on the upswing. He
praised new Coach Tony Sherlock for his
tips and guidance about the sport.
He noted his goal is to get a college schol-
arship. He also would like to be a profes-
sional bowler some day. He said his parents,
Jimmy and Laurie Steiert, have supported
him all the way. He stated they are proud
he's made it to the state tournament.
The state tournament will be held next
Tuesday and Wednesday at Boardwalk bowl
in Orlando.


O.L.G.A. Results


Ladies of the Okeechobee Ladies Golf As-
sociation played their weekly tournament at
the Okeechobee Golf and Country Club on
Thursday, Nov. 5. First place winner was a
tie between Joyce Huffman and Saba Cur-


ren. Second place went to Nancy McAlinden
and fifth place went to Fran Dierig. For in-
formation about O.L.G.A., please contact
Okeechobee Golf & Country Club at 863-
763-6228.


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Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863) 357-4138


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467-0470
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Every First Saturday of the Month
October 3 November 7 December 5 February 6 March 6 April 3 O
A Countywide SWAT Club
Open to All yozathi in Okeeelobe
Hampton Inn Conference Room
1200 NE Park Street (next to the Post Office)
11:30am 1:30pm

863-462-5781


November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News








Tale of two half in Brahman game against Rams


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Okeechobee stood toe to toe for 24 minutes
with Palm Beach Lakes Friday night but a strong
first half wasn't enough to give Okeechobee it's
first win of the season.
Palm Beach Lakes (6-3) won the runner up
spot in District 15-4A with a 49-20 victory over
Okeechobee as they overcame a sluggish, and
sloppy first half.
Okeechobee fell to (0-9) despite one of their
better efforts this year.
"I feel pretty good i i .... ;li ...."Brah-
man seniorWalt Fortnersaid, I i- . i about the
first half." Okeechobee held their first lead of the
year and ... I I, i.i I 121-14 at the half.
"We did our thing. We made a few little mis
takes. The other team came out on top. Overall we
did our thing. We only have one more stage to hit
and we'll be in there," Fortner added.
Brahman Coach Myron Jackson said he tried
to devise a game plan that would take advantage
of the Rams weaknesses. At times the Brahmans
moved the ball. In the end it was mistakes and
turnovers that made it a lopsided game.
The offensive line blocked well in the first half
and the defense appeared to have a lot of energy as
they made a number of solid hits.
Okeechobee drove 78 yards in 11 plays on their
first series of the game and took a 7-0 lead on a
six yard run by Walt Fortner. Okeechobee turned
to a power running attack on the first drive and got
some excellent blocks up front. D.J. Washington
broke loose for a 16 yard run on the drive, and T.J.
Allen made a juggling acrobat catch for another
big first down.
Palm Beach Lakes responded quickly with a
long run on a third down and 12. Emarkis Gunn
broke loose for a 65 yard touchdown run to tie the
score at 7.
A questionable call cost Okeechobee a touch
down on thier next offensive play. Jack Radebaugh
threw a swing pass to Fortner that fell incomplete.
The referee ruled it was a lateral and Matt Thomas
picked it up and returned it 17 yards for a touch
down and a 14 7 Rams lead.
Dylan Ciceroni forced a Rams fumble later in
the half at the Lakes 41 yard line. Okeechobee
missed on a 47 yard field goal try after they couldn't
get a first down.
Fortner came up with big play on defense on


the Rams next drive. Demetrius Moore overthrew
his receiver in the flat and Fortner caught the ball
in stride and returned it for a 32 yard touchdown to
tie the score 14 14.
Lakes drove 64 yards in nine plays late in the
second quarter to take the lead for good. Juan
O'Farril rushed for 33 of those yards. Moore ran in
a QB sneak from the two yard line to make it 21-14
at the half.
"In the first half we came out sloppy," O'Farril
said, "Coach talked to us at half time and told us
we had to pick things up."
O'Farill said Okeechobee showed us some dif
ferent things from the film. Coach talked to us. Hey,
we've got to start playing Rams football."
Okeechobee appeared to have the momentum
to start the second half as they recovered an onside
kick at the Lakes 47 yard line. That was the high
water mark for Okeechobee as they committed
two penalties for 20 yards, lost 14 yards due to a
poor center snap, and faced a third down and 44
situation.
Lakes would score on their next three posses
sions to take control. Tommy Lee Lewis scored on


Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy
Aukeemian Mills and the Brahman
wide receivers had a productive night
Friday.


iII M[[i I ~
TREAS CO-AST U



DERMATOLOG


a 54 yard touchdown run, O'Farrill added a 50 yard
touchdown run, and after a blocked punt, O'Farrill
scored on a 16 yard touchdown run.
Matt Thomas scored on a 25 yard touchdown
run to end the Lake scoring. Okeechobee's final
score came when Cody Bonea fumbled the ball at
the Lakes 17 yard line. T.J. Allen scooped up the
ball and scored on the fumble return.
Game notes
Okeechobee had a season high in offensive
yards and first downs. The Brahmans did fumble
the ball away three times.
Terrance Allen had a season high with five pass
receptions for 62 yards. Walt Fortner added an in
perception late in the first half.
Palm Beach Lakes made a number of dumb
penalties that helped the Brahman cause in the
first half.


1APY"


Josh McCall made a number of key hits include
ing one that dropped Deon Charles for a three yard
loss in the first half. Fortner and Deforest Shanks
also had tackles behind the line of scrimmage for
Okeechobee.
Okeechobee honored six seniors before the
game. Seniors on the team this year are Walt Fort
ner, Garth Streibel, Justin Conrad, Josh McCall,
David Carter and Terrance Allen. All of the senior
cheerleaders, band members, and participants in
fall sports were honored before the game.
Next week season finale is homecoming.
Clewiston will provide the competition. The annu
al homecoming parade will be held on Thursday
night at 6 p.m. in downtown Okeechobee.


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Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009




November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News


Submit Your Free Online Classified Ad Today at WWWNEWSIARCOM Click on Classifieds Absolutely FREE!
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IMMEDIATE OPENING
The OKEECHOBEE UTILITY AUTHORITY (OUA) has
an immediate opening for a water treatment
plant operator Class "C" Certified or trainee.
Shift work, weekends, and holidays may be re-
quired. As an employee of the OUA you will be
provided with uniforms, health benefits, paid vaca-
tion/sick leave and a pension program. The OUA is
a drug-free work place and a clean driving record
of at least three years is a requirement upon em-
ployment within our company. If you feel that this
type of position and professional career is your
goal, please visit our office at 100 SW 5th Avenue,
Okeechobee, Florida 34974 to complete an appli-
cation. Applications will be accepted until the posi-
tion is filled. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
(M/F/V/D) DRUG-FREE WORK PLACE

Time to clean out the Reading a newspaper
attic, basement and/or helps you understand
garage? Advertise your the world around you.
yard sale in the classi- No wonder newspaper
fieds and make your readers are more suc-
clean up a breeze! cessful people!

How fast can your car Love the earth Recycle
go? It can go even your used items by
faster when you sell selling them in the
it in the classified. classified.


Reading a newspaper helps

you plan your time wisely.


No wonder newspaper
readers enjoy life more!


MAINTENANCE
SHOP SUPERVISOR


Lykes Citrus Management Division has an
immediate opening for a Maintenance
Shop Supervisor at its Brighton Grove lo-
cation. The successful candidate must
have extensive experience in diesel &
gasoline engine repair, hydraulics, air
conditioning and fabrication, as well as a
minimum of two years supervisory experi-
ence.

Lykes Citrus Management Division offers
competitive wages and benefit package
including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life AD
& D and LTD insurance, 401 (k) Savings
Plan, plus paid vacation and holidays.

Interested applicants should
apply in person at:

Lykes Ranch Office
106 SW CR721
Okeechobee, FL 34974
(Intersection of Highway 70 & CR 721)
or
Lykes Citrus Management Office
located at: 7 Lykes Road
Lake Placid, FL 33852

Lykes Citrus Management Division
is an Equal Employment Opportunity
Employer/Drug Free Workplace
M/F/D/V


Need a few more bucks
to purchase something
deer? Pick up some
extra bucks when you
sell your used items in
the classifeids.

Time to clean out the
attic, basement and/or
garage? Advertise your
yard sale in the classi-
fieds and make your
clean up a breeze!

Your new car could be
in today's paper. Have
you looked for it?


One man's trash is
another man's treas-
ure. Turn your trash
to treasure with an
ad in the classified.

Grab a bargain from your
neighbor's garage, attic,
basement or closet in
today's classified.


How do you find a job
in today's competi-
tive market? In the
employment section
of the classified


Employmen
Full Time


yment~


SENIOR
REGISTERED
NURSE
Registered Nurses -
L1 (#64003361)
Public Health Nurse po-
sition in Clewiston &
Moore Haven; makes
home visits to preg-
nant women & their
children; assists in pub-
lic health & primary
care clinics @ Glades
County Health Depart-
ment; two years nurs-
ing experience; bi-
lingual a plus.
Pre-employment Drug
Testing, Background
screening/fingerprinting
required. EEO/AA.

Apply on line:
https://peoplefirst.
myflorida.com
Call Lasheba @
863-674-4041 x138
or Alina @
863-946-0707 x208
for more details.

Grab a bargain from your
neighbor's garage, attic,
basement or closet in
today's classified.
How fast can your car
go? It can go even
faster when you sell
it in the classified.
How do you find a job
in today's competi-
tive market? In the
employment section
of the classified




GENERAL LABORER for
lawn service. P/T (25
+/- hrs. per wk). Call
Rodney 863-467-9004

Love the earth Recycle
your used items by
selling them in the
classified.
When doing those chores
is doing you in, it's time
to look for a helper in
the classified.


New, In Town CBS
Townhouse, 2/1, $695
+ util., FL&S, lease.
863-801-3081



3BR/2BA, house with
garage, Kids and pets
welcome. 863-634-9330
or 863-467-2541
BASINGER Clean 3/2
CBS, all appl's, $900
mo., 1st, last & $500
sec., (863)467-5965
BHR 2/1, or small apt.,
waterfront, furnished,
yearly or seasonal, no
pets, immediate occu-
pancy, reasonable.
(863)763-6086
OKEECHOBEE 4br,
2ba, great neighborhood,
tile throughout, $975 &
up/mo, 1st & sec move in
(561)248-3888 or
(863)599-0156
SPOT IN THE SUN -
2br, 2ba on half acre,
clean and beautiful, Ig
rooms & closets, Master
bth w/lg walk in closet,
garden tub & shower,
MUST SEE! Only
$785/mo. 772-618-5503



OKEE, Furn. Rm. Single
occ., priv. entrance, w/d.
$140/wk & dep., utils
incl. (863)763-7331 msg


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NOTICE
Independent Newspapers
will never accept any ad-
vertisement that is illegal
or considered fraudulent.
In all cases of ques-
tionable value, 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 ad-
vise that before respond-
ing or sending money
ahead of time, you check
with the Better Business
Bureau at 772-878-2010
for previous complaints.
Some 800 and 900 tele-
phone numbers may re-
quire 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.

Buying a car? Look in
the classified. Selling
a car? Look in the
classified.





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CLEARING & HAULING
Dump Truck, Back Hoe
& Bobcat Services...
by Jason Summerford
(863)634-7771


JACK'S TOP SOIL I
Fill Dirt/Shell Rock
& Bob Cat work. I
Call 863-467-47341





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A/C repairs &istal
Free 8 ar 2 TaFZaT
St.Lic CACA 33613



DESK French Provincial 1
Ig. & 3 small drawers &
hutch. Ivory w/gold
trim $70 863-763-0583

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KITTENS KITTENS
FREE TO GOOD HOME
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Labor Housing Avail.
Nov. 1, 2009. Can be
H2A Certified. Call
Brandy 863-465-4629
NW OKEE: 2br, quiet St.
Pets ok, $650/$750, 1st,
last & $500 sec.
561-346-1642
VIKING/PRAIRIE Effi-
ciency. Very clean!
$600/mo. Incl. utils. No
pets. Call 561-329-8205


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OKEE. $89,900, 3/2,
exc. cond., dbl lot,
great neighborhood.
Call (863) 801-1739
The classified are the
most successful sales-
person in town.





Okeechobee News


November 8, 2009


TAYLOR CREEK ISLES -
3BR/3BA CBS, Ig. fl.
rm., fireplace, cul-de-
sac, water 2 sides, sea-
wall, $165,000.
(863)467-6627

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hang your hat? Look
no further than the
classified.



HUNTING LEASE
AVAILABLE Lot of
game. Limited lease
avail (239)357-3713 or
(863)673-2802

Shop here first!
The classified ads



VICKING PROPERTY -
1 1/4 Acres. High &
Dry. $5000
(863)467-6960



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BHR 3/2, carport, Fla
room, partially furn,
W/D, $800/mo, 1st &
deposit (419)496-8854

OKEECHOBEE 3BR
1.5BA screened patio,
carport, wood floors,
dbl. lot, town water/
sewer, $750 mo., no
dep. (954)610-5345

ON RIM CANAL 3br,
lba, $650/mo,
Small 1 br, Iba $450/mo
All util included. Call
(863)697-0214

PLATTS BLUFF 1990
MH, 3BR, 2BA on 6+
Acres. $800 mo.
(863)467-6960



BANK REPO'S
MOVE TO YOUR LAND
Mobile Home Angels
561-721-2230

DW MH renovated,
4BR/2.5BA, 1800 sq. ft.,
fenced 1/2 acre lot,
screened porch, shed,
Pioneer Estate area,
$89,000. Bank finance
avail. (863)610-1600

FOR SALE BY OWNER
2BR, 1.5BA Remodeled
on Canal, in town.
Quiet neighborhood.
Large lot. Dock. Car-
port. Shed. All appl.
Partially fenced in yard
w/pond, screened porch
w/large cover pet ken-
nel. Work bench &
laundry area. A MUST
SEE! Call for an appt.
(863)763-2338 $85,000
No Realtors please.


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1999 Triton TR18DC -
Garaged, well main-
tained, 150 Merk, 24
Volt Trolling Motor,
Mounted GPS, Depth
Finder, VHS Radio, All
Cushions, All Batteries,
Factory Made Cover
$7,200.00/neg
(863)763-8132






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TRANSMISSION Re-
built GM 4L60E $600
/or best offer.
(863)801-5687

TRUCK TIRES Set of 4
B.F. Goodrich Radials
Long Trail T/A, 265 R60
18"
$60 /neg.
(863)447-4153
(440)796-1477






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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT
OF THE NINETEENTH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR OKEECHOBEE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
CIVIL ACTION
CASE NO. 47-2009-CA-000617
CHASE HOME FINANCE LLC
SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO
CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE
CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
VS.
RAMIRO RODRIGUEZ, et al
Defendant(s).
NOTICE OF ACTION
TO: RAMIRO RODRIGUEZ
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS:
3617 SW 20th Street
Okeechobee, FL 34974
CURRENT ADDRESS: UNKNOWN
ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PAR-
TIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH,
UNDER, AND AGAINST THE
HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL
DEFENDANTS) WHO ARE NOT
KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE,
WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN
PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTER-
EST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVI-
SEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER
CLAIMANTS
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: Unknown
CURRENT ADDRESS: Unknown
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action
to foreclose a mortgage on the fol-
lowing property in OKEECHOBEE
County, Florida:
LOT 17, BLOCK 8, OAK PARK
SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING
TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RE-
CORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3,
PAGE 3 PUBLIC RECORDS OF
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORI-
DA.
has been filed against you and you
are required to serve a copy of your
wntten defenses within 30 days after
the first publication, f any, on Flon-
da Default Law Group, L., Plaintiffs
attorney, whose address is 9119
Corporate Lake Dnve, Suite 300,
Tampa, Flonda 33634, and file the
onginal with this Court either before
service on Plaintiffs attorney or Im-
mediately thereafter; otherwise a
default will be entered against you
for the relief demanded in the Com-
plaint or petition.
This notice shall be published once
each week for two consecutive
weeks in the Okeechobee News (In-
dependent Newspapers).
WITNESS my hand and the seal of
this Court on this 3rd day of Nov.
2009.
Sharon Robertson
Clerk of the Court
By: Linda F. Young
As Deputy Cler
338222 ON 11/8,15/09

Your next job could be
in today's classified.
Did you look for it?


CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Okeechobee Code Enforce-
ment Board will be meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 6:30
p.m. City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave, Rm 200, Okeechobee, Flonda. The public is
invited and encouraged to attend.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that no stenographic record by
a certified court reporter will be made of the foregoing meeting. Accord-
ngly, any person who may seek to appeal any decision involving the mat-
ters notced herein will be responsible for making a verbatm record of the
testimony and evidence at said meeting upon which any appeal is to be
based. Please contact Sue Christopher, 863-763-4423, or website
www.citvofokeechobee com to obtain a copy of the agenda.
In accordance with the Amencans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
persons needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding
should contact te re Department at 863-763-4423 for assistance.
by: Jamie Gamiotea, Code Board Chairperson
338564 ON 11/8/09


PUBLIC NOTICE
The 19th Judicial Circuit is offer-
ing a Request For Proposal for a
Residential Foreclosure Mediation
Manager Information is available
on our website www.circultl9.or
or through Court Administration,
250 NW Country Club Drive, Suite
217, Port St. Lucie, Fl 34986.
772-807-4383. Deadline for sub-
mission is December 7, 2009 @
2:00 PM.
338298 ON 11/8/09

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in the classified

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURTOF
THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
OKEECHdBEE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 2009 DR 451
DIVISION: Domestic Relations
MELECIA P. JOHNSON,
Pebtloner/Wife
and
TAUREAN A. JOHNSON,
Respondent/Husband
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
TO: TAUREAN A. JOHNSON
12208 71st Place North
VWst Palm Beach, FL 33412
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action
has been filed against you and that
you are required to serve a copy of
your written defenses, if any, to it on
attorney for Petitioner, MELECIA
SIMPSON, whose address is:
Sasha A. Watson
121 South Orange Avenue
Suite 1500
Orlando, FL 32801
Your answer and or written defenses
are due within 30 days of 1st publl-
cation date. Before service on Peti-
tioner or immediately thereafter, you


are required to also file the onginal
with the Clerk of this Court at:
Okeechobee County Clerk of Court
312 Northwest 3rd Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
If you fail to do so, a default
may be entered against you for
the relief demanded in the peti-
tion. Copies of all court docu-
ments in this case, including
orders, are available at the Clerk
of the Circuit Courts office. You
may review these documents
upon request.
You must keep the Clerk of the
Circuit Court's office notified of
your current address. (You may
file Notice of Current Address
Florida Supreme Court Approved
Family Law Form 12.915.) Fu-
ture papers in this lawsuit will
be mailed to the address on
record at the clerk's office.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida
Family Law Rules of Procedure,
requires certain automatic dis-
closure of documents and infor-
mation. Failure to comply can
result in sanctions, including
dismissal or striking of plead-
ings.
SHARON ROBERTSON, CLERK
Arlene Nealis
Deputy Clerk
337889 ON 11/1,8,15,22/09

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN
AND FOR HIGHLANDS COUNTY,
FLORIDA
Case No.: 09-001074-FCS
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF:
Michelle Renee Lighty,
Wife
and
Gregory Allen Lighty,
Husband
NOTICE OF ACTION
TO: Gregory Allen Lighty
(Address Unknown)
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Peti-
tion for Dissolution of Marriage has
been filed in this court. You are re-
quired to serve a copy of your writ-
ten defenses, if any, on Petitioners
attomey, whose name and address
are:
Keith A. Peterson, Esquire
Law Offices of Pterson, PA.
101 NW 5th Street
Mulberry, FL 33860
on or before 11-17-02, and to file
the onginal of the wntten defenses
with the clerk of this court either be-
fore service or immediately thereaf
ter Failure to serve and file
written defenses as required
may result in a default entered
against you for the relief de-
manded in the Petition.
Copies of all court documents
in this case, including orders,
are available at the Clerk of the
Circuit Court's office. You may
review these documents upon
request.
You must keep the Clerk of
the Circuit Court's office notified
of your current address. (You
may file Notice of Current Ad-
dress, Florida Supreme Court
Approved Family Law Form
12.915.) Future papers in this
lawsuit will be mailed to the ad-
dress on record at the clerk's of-
fice.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Flori-
da Family Law Rules of Proce-
dure, requires certain automatic
disclosure of documents and in-
formation. Failure to comply can
result in sanctions, including
dismissal or striking of plead-
ings.
Dated: 10/15/09
Robert W Germaine, CLERK
Clerk of he Circuit Court
337919 ON 11/1,8/09


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Seniors hope to lead girl's soccer to success


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Hailey Venables, Janna Mullis and Megan
Clements are the only seniors on this year's
varsity girls soccer team.
All three are excited about the upcoming
season, which will be delayed a bit, due to a
recent change in coaches.
Venables said she has been very im-
pressed with her teammates at practice. She


has played three years of soccer at the high
school, and made varsity for the first time
this year. She has played youth soccer since
she was seven years old.
"I think things are going good. There's
a lot more running, but the girls get along
good and I think we'll get a lot better. I can't
wait to play a game," she said.
Mullis has been on the varsity for three
years. She will be looked on to provide
leadership on the team this year. "I'm pretty


confident; I think we will do great. I've seen
improvement over last year. We are running
a lot and getting a lot more work on the field
and getting more skills."
Mullis said there is a little more pressure
on the seniors this year because it is a young
team. She noted that the pressure is a good
thing for the older girls because it gives them
more confidence and also makes them work
harder.
"I want to give these girls a good year.


I definitely see a successful year. I like the
new coach and feel it will be positive," she
added.
Mullis had played soccer for nine or ten
years having started when she was in OCRA.
She said in life you need to have endurance
both on and off the field.
Clements will join the season as their
goal keeper at the conclusion of the volley-
ball season.


Emily Raulerson fires a shot on net
during a recent girls soccer practice.


Brittney Ball (left) practices her scor-
ing touch as Hailey Venables looks on
during a recent girls soccer practice.


Janna Mullis is being counted on to Hailey Venables is excited about mak-
provide senior leadership to the girls ing the varsity team this year. She is
soccer team this year. one of three seniors on the squad.


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November 8, 2009


Okeechobee News




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November 8, 2009


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