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Vol. 101 No. 2 Sunday, January 3, 2010


75 Plus tax


Riot breaks out at
Vision Quest ...Page 3


Index
Classifieds ......... ............... 16-18
Community Events......... ......... 6
Crossword.................................. 17
O b itu a rie s ................................ ........ 6
O pinion ..................................... 5
S peak O ut ........................................ 4
Sports ...... ..................... 15, 19
W e a th e r ...............................................

Lake Levels

13.58 feet
Last Year: 14.1 feet

Spon0 ored 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
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Four
By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
Four people were
the Okeechobee Narc
Force after items
commonly used
to make meth-
amphetamine t
were allegedly
found in their ve-
hicle.
Arrested d
T yadseu v Dec 29 .-


suspected
N. 10th Ave., Wauchula; Brian An-
thony Guzowski,
arrested by 47, Bell St., Wau-
otics Task chula; and Cathy
Elise Gordon,
44, Pennington
Court, Royal
Palm Beach.
Pinder, Mc-
Clenithan and
Gordon were all John Everett
o charged with the McClenithan Jr.
felonies of possession of metham-


Kenneth
were: Kenneth Dallas Pinder
Dallas Pinder,
58, N.E. 76th Drive, Okeechobee;
John Everett McClenithan Sr., 43,


phetamine and unlawful posses-
sion of listed chemicals, as well as
the misdemeanor of possession of
drug paraphernalia.


American bald ea:


By Wendy B. Dial
FWC
Stretch your arms straight out
for an instant idea of the bald ea-
gle's wingspan. Then add a couple
of feet.
The U.S. Congress was im-
pressed enough by the large,
fiercely majestic-looking bird of
prey to make it the national em-
blem in 1782. More than two cen-
turies later, the eagle still is the
symbol of U.S. government, free-
dom and democracy.
It is also the symbol of one of
America's best environmental suc-
cess stories. Due to outstanding
conservation measures, the feder-
al government removed the bald
eagle from its endangered species
list in 2007. Florida took the bird
off its imperiled species list the fol-
lowing year.
"Just because it has been del-
isted does not mean that it's no
longer protected," said Ulgonda
Kirkpatrick, eagle plan coordina-


tor for the Florida Fish and Wild-
life Conservation Commission
(FWC). "No; you can't take down
the tree with the bald eagle nest
in it. Bald eagles are certainly still
protected."
You might think a strong, high-


of making meth
In addition to those same appear attempt to manufacture


charges, Guzowski was charged
with the mis-


demeanors of
resisting a law
enforcement of-
ficer without vio-
lence and driv-
ing while license
suspended with
knowledge. He
was also arrested
on a Polk County


Brian Anthony
Guzowski


warrant charging him with failure
to appear false imprisonment, as
well as a Highlands County war-
rant charging him with failure to


methamphetamine.
All four were
booked into the
Okeechobee
County Jail with
Pinder and Mc-
Clenithan being
held without
bond. Bond for
Gordon and Gu- Cathy Elise
zowski had not Gordon
been set as of
newspaper deadline. However,
Guzowski is being held without
bond on the warrant arrests.

See METH Page 10


.es respond to help


Two bald eagles perch in a tree. Observers are
warned to keep their distance for the safety of
the eagles and of the public.


flying bird with fearsome talons,
a sharp beak and even sharper
vision could fend for itself. "Hali-
aeetus leucocephalus" can see for
a mile and a half.
The second-largest North
American bird of prey isn't a fussy


eater, either. It scavenges for fish
carcasses and carrion of other
animals, swipes food from other
animals and hunts live prey when
needed.

See EAGLES Page 10


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Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


PAID ADVERTISEMENT


Anticipation High as Ohio Valley Gold and Silver Refinery


Opens for Business Tuesday in Okeechobee!


By CHRISTINA BUTLER
STAFF WRITER

Been following the gold and
silver market lately? Well if you have
a jewelry box or lock box full of gold
or a coffee can full of old coins you
should be according to Ohio Valley
Refinery spokesperson John Miller.
"The gold and silver markets have
not been this strong for over 30 years"
said Miller. Typically when the U.S.
dollar is weak and the economy is flat
gold and silver markets soar. "That's
good news if you are setting on a few
gold necklaces or an old class ring"
says Miller.
Starting Tuesday at 9am and
every day this week through
Saturday the Ohio Valley Refinery
is setting up a satellite refinery right
here in Okeechobee at the Holiday
Inn Express. During their 5 day
stay anyone can bring gold, silver or
platinum items and turn them in for
immediate payment, explains John
Miller. "Just about everybody has
some amount of gold or silver just
lying around collecting dust and this
week anybody can sell theirs direct to
our refinery. Typically selling direct
to a refinery is reserved for larger
wholesale customers like jewelry
stores, pawn shops, and laboratories"
says Miller. "We are changing
how business is done" he explains
"we want to do business with
everybody so we took our business
to the streets". "Our teams visits
various cities around the country
hosting 5 day events allowing the
general public to take advantage of
our services. The turnout has been
overwhelming" says Miller. "Usually
each day is busier than the previous
day. It seems once people come to
us and sell something they are so
amazed what an old ring or gold
coin is worth they go home and start
digging around for more and telling
relatives, friends and neighbors. It's
like a feeding frenzy by the third
day. People line up with everything
from gold jewelry to sterling silver
flatware sets to old coins. I think
during this bad economy everybody
can use extra money but most people
say they are taking advantage of
selling direct to our refinery because
of the higher prices we pay".
During this special event


Above: Refinery representatives will be on hand starting Tuesday through Saturday to purchase all gold,
silver and platinum items, as well as coins. Public welcome!


anyone is welcome to bring all types
of gold, silver and platinum to the
refinery and turn it in for instant
payment. The types of items they will
accept include all gold jewelry, gold
coins, gold ounces, dental gold, old
coins made before 1965 including
Silver Dollars, halves, quarters and
dimes, anything marked "sterling"
including flat ware sets, tea pots,
silver bars, silver ounces and all
industrial precious metals.
What should you expect if you go
to the event to sell your gold and/or
silver? Just gather up all gold silver
and platinum in any form. If you are
not sure if its gold or silver bring it in
and they will test it for free. When you
arrive at the event you will be asked to
fill out a simple registration card and
will be issued a number. Seating will
be available. When your number is
called you will be escorted to a table
where your items will be examined,
tested and sorted. This only takes
a few minutes using their expertise
and specialized equipment. Items
will be counted and/or weighed. The
value of the items will be determined
based on up to the minute market
prices. Live feeds will be available at
the event displaying current market
prices of all precious metals. If you
choose to sell your items they will
be bagged and tagged and you will
be escorted to the cashier to collect
your payment. Waiting time to sell


your items may range from just a few
minutes to 1 hour so bring something
to read.
If you are the owner of a jewelry
store, pawn shop, dentist office or
a dealer you are encouraged to call
ahead to make an appointment with
the smelt master to discuss their
special dealer programs. They can
be reached at (863) 357-3529.
Ohio Valley Refinery will
open for business Tuesday from 9am-
6pm. The event continues everyday
through Saturday. No appointment is
needed.



If you go:

WHO: Ohio Valley Refinery
Reclamation Drive

WHAT: Open to public to sell
gold and silver.

WHEN: January 5th-9th

WHERE: Holiday Inn Express
3101 Hwy 441 South
Okeechobee, FL 34974

TIMES: TUESDAY-FRIDAY
9:00am 6:00pm
SATURDAY
9:00am 4:00pm


Items of

Interest:
Vintage Guitars:
Martin, Gibson, Fender,
National, Rickenbacker, Gretsch,
Mandolins, Banjos and others.
Pocket Watches:
Hamilton, Illinois, Waltham,
Patek Phillipe, Ball, Howard,
South Bend, Elgin and others
Wrist watches: Omega, Accutron,
Longines, Hamilton, Breitling
and many more.
Old paper money: United
States, Confederate States,
Blanket Bills, $1000.00 bills and
more.
Antique Toys: Trains, Tin
wind-ups, Mechanical Banks,
Robots, Pressed Steel trucks, and
many more.
War Memoribilia: Swords,
Bayonets, Helmets, German,
Confederate, Union, USA, and
others.
Local records reveal to our
research department that recent
vintage guitar sold for $2400.00
and another for $12,000.00
to a collector that will be tied
into the event this week via live
database feed.


Okeechobee News


januarY 3, 2010







12 inmates arrested in Vision Quest riot


By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
Twelve female inmates at the Vision
Quest Juvenile Detention Facility were ar-
rested after a riot broke out at the facility,
during which at least one staff member was
injured.
An arrest report by Deputy Michael Ha-
zellief, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff's
Office (OCSO), states that when he arrived
at the facility shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednes-
day, Dec. 30, inmates were "... running


about, out of control, disobeying staff mem-
bers."
Deputy Anthony Kibler, continued the re-
port, was forced to use pepper spray on one
juvenile inmate that would not comply.
According to Deputy Hazellief's report,
staff members initially broke up a large riot
in the middle of the complex and separated
the girls. However, a group of girls that were
involved in that initial fight kicked open an
exit door at one of the cottages, then started
another fight.
The deputy's report stated one staff mem-


ber was struck in the left eye and it was near-
ly swollen shut. Several other staff members
were struck during the riot.
All of the girls arrested were booked into
the Okeechobee County Jail then taken to
the Department of Juvenile Justice Deten-
tion Facility in Fort Pierce.
Arrested on a felony charge of riot in a
detention facility were: Jasmine Tobler,
18; Nyashia Napre Robinson, 14; Tiera M.
Mcrae, 16; Amber Shinice Dozier, 16; Ge-
neva Yvonne Rowls, 17; Tiera L. Pugh, 16;
Kadra West, 15; Shaleece Coffy, 16; Evange-


line Pierre, 17; and Venette Valmeus, 15.
In addition to a felony charge of riot in
a detention facility, Yasmine Sloane, 17, was
also charged with the misdemeanor of re-
sisting a law enforcement officer without
violence.
Tiehsa Vincent was also arrested on a fel-
ony charge of riot in a detention facility but
no additional information on her was avail-
able as of newspaper deadline.
Vision Quest is located at 42660 U.S. 441
N.


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

ATV accident


claims life

By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
An Alabama man died as a result of
injuries he received when the All-Terrain
Vehicle (ATV) he was operating over-
turned on Christmas Day.
According to Lieutenant Tim Frith, of
the Florida Highway Patrol, Joshua Wade
Fetterolf, 18, was driving his ATV east on
N.W 113th Drive at 5:56 p.m. when he
made an abrupt right turn and the vehicle
overturned.
Both Joshua and a passenger, Justin
Fetterolf, 14, were thrown from the ATV
Lt. Frith said Joshua was transported
to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in
Fort Pierce, while Justin was transported
by ambulance to Raulerson Hospital in
Okeechobee. Justin's injuries were non-
life threatening, said Lt. Frith.
Identification documents indicated a
Boaz, Ala., address for Joshua and Justin,
Lt. Frith added.
No other vehicles were involved.

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


Highway Patrol (FHP), the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
or the Department of Corrections (DOC).
Anthony David Hunt, 16, Riverside
Drive, Coral Springs, was arrested Dec. 29 by
Deputy Yamil Astacio on a felony charge of
battery on detention staff. He was booked
into the Okeechobee County Jail then taken
to the Department of Juvenile Justice Deten-
tion Center in Fort Pierce.
Kristen N. Risinger, 20, S.E. 80th Trail,
Okeechobee, was arrested Dec. 30 by De-
tective John Zeigler on charges of dealing in
stolen property, giving false information to a
pawnbroker and grand theft. Her bond had
not been set as of newspaper deadline.
Jessica Escobedo Flores, 18, S.W 15th
St., Okeechobee, was arrested Dec. 30 by


Deputy Paul Jackson on an Okeechobee
County warrant charging her with burglary
of a dwelling with assault or battery. Her
bond was set at $40,000.
Harley Futch Jr., 25, N.E. 31st Way,
Okeechobee, was arrested Dec. 30 by Dep-
uty Eliberto Carmona on a warrant charging
him with violation of probation aggravated
assault intent. He is being held without
bond.
Enrique Urbina, 27, N.W First St.,
Okeechobee, was arrested Dec. 30 by Depu-
ty Marcus Collier on an Okeechobee County
warrant charging him with resisting a law
enforcement officer with violence and as-
sault on a law enforcement officer. His bond
was set at $25,000.
HarveyFord, 23, N.W. 35thSt., Okeecho-


bee, was arrested Dec. 30 by Deputy Greg
Popovich on an Okeechobee County war-
rant charging him with violation of proba-
tion grand theft. He is being held without
bond.
Kyle Thomas Parramore, 19, S.E. 27th
St., Okeechobee, was arrested Dec. 31 by
Deputy Corporal Randy Thomas on a charge
of driving under the influence. His bond was
set at $500.
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.


Okeechobee's Most Wanted


The following people are among
Okeechobee's Most Wanted persons.
There are active 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 age of the warrant.
If you have any information on the -
whereabouts of any of Okeechobee's Most o,
Wanted you can call the Treasure Coast
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477). Ma
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.
David Thomas Arnold III, DOB 11/21/1984,
VOP Burglary Structure, Grand Theft, No



U .! ..

: -



:5 1-9 -6 0


Lisamarie David J. .-
rcel Bates Lorenz Thomas
Bond. Arnold III Up NOW fo
Marcel Bates, DOB
10/13/1976, Failure of Sexual Offender To Re-
port To DHSMV, Bond $10,000.
Lisamarie Lorenz, DOB 2/9/1987, VOP Re-
sisting Arrest with Violence, No Bond.



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ISHIN Storewide Sale 10% off
HE DQUAR ERS Join us for FREE Lunch
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5286 SW 16t1 Aue. 863-763-22408


January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News




4 Okeechobee News


OPINION


Public Forum/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 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!

Turn off the cell phone
Most times, I wish they had never in-
vented cell phones! You know how many
conversations I have heard that I wish I had
not? There really should be a hands free
law.
All employees spending personal time
on the phone during working hours should
be fired on the spot for repeated use. "But
we have rights!" No you don't, you have a
job. Do it! "Nope, I gotta text now..."
I have heard way too many personal
conversations that I REALLY did not want to
hear! It's like these people don't realize that
everyone else in the store can hear them
chatting about their very personal busi-
ness!
I watched a women blatantly run a red
light in the center of
town while on a cell
phone with kids in
the car. She either




wasn't aware the
light had changed
or didn't' care. I
agree with banning
cell phone use while
driving!
Why is it that
we are so very out
of control? Do a
self test. When you
get into your car, turn off your cell phone.
When you get where your going turn it back
on. DID ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN THAT
YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD YOU PHONE ON
FOR? What do you know, you did not pass
out. The world did not come to an end. You
actually drove safer with more of your atten-
tion on what you were doing. Please drive
safe. Please protect yourself first so you can
protect the ones you love.
I actually saw a woman driving yester-
day, talking on a cell phone with one hand
and smoking a cigarette with the other.
Unbelievable! And one other thing worth
mentioning -- does anyone actually work in
this town? I had to take off for various er-
rands. Traffic, traffic everywhere with some
people driving back and forth on the same
road constantly. It just blew my mind.


The world does not need to know
where we are 24/7. Folks say, "I need my
phone for emergencies." What emergen-
cies? "Where are the tomatoes in this
store?" or something equally stupid? Pay
attention to your child, talk to them as they
sit in the cart waiting for your attention, or
along side you in the car. Chances are they
really wish you would hang up.
It really bothers me when I am hav-
ing a face-to-face conversation with some-
one and they answer their cell phone, and
proceed to chat away about something that
is not an emergency. The message is that
I obviously I am not as important as who-
ever is on the phone. Sometimes I wish cell
phones had not been invented. We lived
our lives just fine without them.
I have never seen such rudeness un-
til the cell phones came along. If someone
answers the phone while we are chatting, I
walk off. Good riddance to the rudeness.
As usual, it appears that a perfectly in-
nocent little device is blamed for being rude,
an invasion of our privacy, an unnecessary
and "never should have been invented" de-
vice. It is people who are rude. Giving them
a little slack. They may not understand cell
phone etiquette. Perhaps we need a course
in cell phone etiquette. My daughter will an-
swer hers and say 'Mom, I'll call you right
back,' and then she does when she has
finished dealing with the situation at hand.
And the caller has to be understanding and
give it up quickly. Cell phones are absolutely
wonderful, as far as I am concerned, but
people are not.
Dad or Mom will have the cell phone
and a pack of cigarettes in their hands as
their child is running free all over the store.
They would rather hang on to the addic-
tions than the baby. Or the parents will have
the cell phone antenna in their mouth like
a pacifier. Good grief! What is wrong with
us?

Is Okeechobee County
missing a cash cow?
This might be a way to put money into
the county budget. I have been reading the
articles in the Palm Beach Post about red
light cameras and the speed control van in
Juno Beach. I am on the roads in this coun-
ty a lot and at all times of the day. I cannot
believe the blatant and often dangerous
disregard for the laws of the road. I know
that the use of the van is being challenged


SkEECHOBEE NEWS


To Reach Us
Address: 107 S.W. 17th Street, Suite D
Okeechobee, FL 34974
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The Okeechobee News is available three times a
week via home delivery and is on sale at rack and
store locations throughout Okeechobee County. Call
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Call 800-282-8586 to report a missed
newspaper or poor delivery.


in court. The county should pay attention
to the outcome of this case. The van does
not cost any-
thing to have,
it is provided
by an outside
company for
a percentage
of the fines.
Juno Beach
has put over
$500,000.00 in
the bank in a
few months.
I know that Okeechobee county is not as
populated as the coast, but any income
should be welcomed. This also would free
up road patrols for other duties. Unless you
are a speeder or red light runner, nobody
should object to this as an invasion of free-
dom. It would make our roads safer for ev-
eryone.
If the devices hold up in court, I think
Okeechobee County should check it out. In
particular, they need one on State Road 710
near County Road 15A and one at the light
near Everglades Elementary School. That is
a very dangerous road and people are al-
ways speeding and running the red light.
State Road 70 just past 67th Drive would
also be a good place for a speed camera.
The cars absolutely fly through there in the
mornings. Eventually, people would know
where the cameras were and slow down,
but that would be a plus. The point of writ-
ing tickets is to get people to slow down
and drive more safely.
The blatant disregard for traffic laws
and speed limits is terrible and seemingly
getting worse. The suggestion for one of
these machines on 70 west is a great one.
Yesterday, while heading west out of town
I had an SUV pass me who had to be going
well over 80. Everglades Boulevard is an-
other problem area with many individuals
routinely passing other cars going double
the posted speed limit.
Law enforcement personnel could
also do with a refresher on the traffic laws.
Just today I watched a city patrol car run a
red light. He was moving along with traffic,
no lights no siren, when the light changed
and he just kept rolling right through the in-
tersection. Keep an eye out on how many
cops do not use their blinkers to signal they
are turning. Many also fail to turn their lights
on when driving in rain.


Additional copies of the newspaper are available for
50 cents Wednesday and Friday and 75 cents for
Sunday at the office. Home delivery subscriptions
are available at $18.00 for three months.
Okeechobee News
USPS 406-160
Published 3 times a week: Sunday, Wednesday and
Friday by Independent Newspapers, Inc.
107 S.W. 17th Street, Suite D Okeechobee, FL 34974
Periodicals Postage Paid at Okeechobee, FL 34974
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Okeechobee News
Circulation Administration
PO Box 7011 Dover, DE 19903

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
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
deliberation 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
conscientious journalism.
* To provide the information citizens need to make
their own intelligent decisions about public issues.


Sheriff's Web site
I'm sure you guys know that the
Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office has a
new format at http://www.okeesheriff.org/
corrections/inmate-search.html. You can
now put a person's name in and it will bring
up their charges, along with their photo. I
love this new format but was curious if there
could be an option where you could put the
date in, and it would bring up the arrests
for that day. Similar to how Monroe County
Sheriffs Office maintains their web site.

Pregnant woman working
The kind of work I do is very physical.
My issue is a girl that works with me is preg-
nant 6-8 weeks. She has already put a re-
striction on her limits, and we are covering
for her in areas she can't work. Am I a bad
person for not wanting to cover for her-
you do your job or get out. I feel bad, but
in the same thought I feel that if she cannot
do what our
job description
calls for, she Ah
should go.
Have you
talked to her
about this? Has
your boss? She
shouldn't have
any work re-
strictions this
early, but that doesn't mean she doesn't.
Every pregnancy is different, and without
talking to her, we can't find out if she has
had problem pregnancies in the past. It is
possible she hasn't even been to the doctor
just yet to find out what her restrictions are.
My advice would be to talk to her, or have
your boss talk to her and find out what the
situation is.
If the woman is not doing her job, I
think it would be appropriate to complain
to the supervisor and the supervisor or em-
ployer needs to determine the course of ac-
tion. If the woman has medical restrictions
then she might need to be temporarily re-
assigned to other duties or else be put on
medical leave. It does not seem right for
her to just stand around and expect some-
one else to do the work and she still gets
the paycheck. Every company should have
written policies to cover these situations, so
I think it would be appropriate for the other
workers to bring it to the attention of the su-
pervisor or employer.


* To report the news with honesty, accuracy,
purposeful neutrality, fairness, objectivity,
fearlessness and compassion.
* To use our opinion pages to facilitate 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
the prominence it deserves.
* To provide a right to reply to those we write about.
* To treat people with courtesy, respect and compassion.
MEMBER
OF: ,_ A.


Sunday, January 3, 2010




January 3, 2010


Reflections from the Pulpit


Rev. Lois Moranville
Okeechobee Church of the Nazarene

A New Year.. .A New Decade

New Year's resolutions have been a tradition
for many people. This year would be a great year
to make that New Year's Resolution. However, if
you make a resolution 11 ........ i iii., 1 i. time
the end of January and at least by February most
resolutions have been f..r l.... dismissed, or
completely ignored.
I think about the promises God made in the
Bible and I am reminded that He has not forgot-
ten one of them. He has not dismissed them nor
has he ignored them.
One of the promises He gave us is that he
would give us the strength to do His will. (Philip-
pians 4:13) With that promise in mind I would
like to propose one promise we can make to our-
selves and to God that we CAN keep: I will make
changes in my life that will make a better me and
a better community.
To help us do that, let me suggest two ways in
which we can make a change for the better.
First, DEVELOP A POSITIVE OUTLOOK TO-
WARD LIFE. Take a look at your life over the past
decade or even the past year How do you feel
about your life? Is it worthwhile? Or, let's change
the question. What would it take for you to feel


that your life is worthwhile? What would have
to happen to make you feel really positive about
your life? Would you need to win the 1. -. i, If
your marriage was perfect, would that do it? If
your kids began to make you proud, or if you got
a promotion, would that do it? What would it take
for you to really feel positive about your life?
If that's the way you're thinking then you'll
probably never feel really positive about life be-
cause all the little pieces that must come 1., ,_ i
to make you positive about life will probably
never be there.
Paul is in prison, chained to a Roman guard,
under horrible conditions. Yet despite that, he
writes these wonderfully positive words, in Philip-
pians 4:4, I'. .... in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice!" The Apostle Paul reminds us with
these words he wrote while in deplorable circum-
stances that we choose to REJOICE! So let 2010
be a year of an attitude of rejoicing!
Paul goes on in this same chapter of Philip-
pians 4 to tell the reader that 'the Lord is near- so
we do not have to be anxious about anything'
Keep your positive outlook toward life all year
long by remaining joyful and taking your anxiety,
cares, and concerns to God in prayer.
Second, DISPLAY A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO-
WARD OTHERS. Robert Schuller wrote, "It would
amaze us how many people we could influence
for Christ if we would just treat people nicely." I
think he is right. This is a hard world, a world that


doesn't always exercise courtesy. Sometimes it's
a dog-eat-dog world. People are jockeying for po-
sitions on the road and in their places of employ-
ment. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8-9,
"Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is no-
ble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is ex
cellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard
from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And
the God of peace will be with you."
If everyone who reads this article puts those
two verses into practice with one another think
about what the city and county of Okeechobee
might be like! People all over the world are look-
ing for this positive attitude so why not let it start
here in Okeechobee and flow out to the rest of
the world.
I'm going to be positive as I look at my life. I'm
going to be positive as I look at the congregation
I pastor. And I'm going to be positive as I look at
others in the community. I would like to suggest
that if you will do the same in every aspect of your
life, iii n di. .. ill be one of the bestyears you
have ever had.
If you are reading this article and are not sure
how to get started in a life like this, I would en-
courage you to find a church that teaches God's
Word as truth and ask how you can start living
with joy in your life and toward others.


Community Calendar


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
Senior citizen seminars. The Okeechobee
County Sheriff's Office will be conducting a se-
ries of Senior citizen educational seminars at the
Golden Corral restaurant located at 700 South
Parrott Ave. These sessions will be held at
2:00PM the first Monday of each month and will
last approximately 1 hour.
The topics will include avoiding identity Theft,
Frauds and Scams, Telemarketing scams and
many other topics of crimes geared at seniors.
Several incidents of these crimes have surfaced
in Okeechobee and these sessions should help in
keeping those seniors in our community from be-
coming a victim of these types of crimes.
The session will be geared based on the
Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office C.A.S.E.
(Communities against senior exploitation) pro-
gram. The program is intended to be an educa-
tional series used by the Crime Prevention unit to
educate the older members of the community to
keep them from becoming victims.
Golden Corral and the Okeechobee County
Sheriff's Office would like to invite our community
seniors to join us for these educational sessions.
Any community organizations wishing to provide
these same lessons for their group are encour-
aged to call the Okeechobee County Sheriff's of-
fice crime prevention unit at 863-763-6064.
Okeechobee Amateur Radio Club meets the
first Monday of each month, at 7 p.m. at 323 North
Parrott Ave. at the Red Cross Office. For informa-
tion contact Harold Hilliard at 863-763-5337.
A.A. Grapevine open meetings will be held
at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at Okeechobee
Presbyterian Church, 312 N. Parrot Ave.
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 Model Airplane Club will meet
at the Peace Lutheran Church, 750 N.W. 23rd
Lane at 7 p.m. For information, contact Robert
Rosada at 863-467-5440.
Okeechobee Senior Singers meet at 9:30
a.m. at the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church,
312 North Parrott Ave. Everyone who enjoys sing-
ing is invited. For information or to schedule an
appearance for your organization or group, con-
tact Marge Skinner at 863-532-0449.


Artful Appliquers meets at the Turtle Cove
Clubhouse, 10 Linda Road, Okeechobee on
Monday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Turn left at the
Moose lodge and go around the curve just past
the church. Bring a lunch and join us for a fun
day of applique. Everyone is welcome. For more
information please contact Karen Graves at 863-
763-6952.
TUESDAY
Civil Air Patrol meetings set. 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
Rotary Club of Okeechobee meets each
Tuesday at noon at Golden Corral Restaurant, 700
S. Parrott Ave. The meetings are open to the pub-
lic. For information, contact 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.
New Beginnings Narcotics Anonymous has
moved to 103 S.W. Second Ave. at 7 p.m. For in-
formation, call Monika at 863-801-3244 or Rocy at
863-610-0975.
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 Saviour, 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.
Family History Center meets from 1 un-
til 5 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints, 310 S.W. Sixth St. Anyone interest-
ed 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 informa-
tion, call The Family History Center at 863-763-
6510 or Richard Smith at 863-261-5706 for spe-
cial appointments.
Widows and Widowers support group meets
at Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast at the Clock
Restaurant, 1111 S. Parrott Ave., for breakfast. For
information, June Scheer at 863-634-8276, leave
message.
The Gathering Church Overcomers Group
meets at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall, 1735
S.W. 24th Ave. This is a men's only meeting. For
information, call Earl at 863-763-0139.


The Okeechobee Lions Club meets at 7 p.m.
at the Golden Corral Restaurant, 700 S. Parrott
Ave. Anyone interested in becoming a member is
welcome. For information, contact Elder Sumner
at 863-763-6076.
Bible study at the Living Word of Faith Church,
1902 S. Parrott Ave., at 7 p.m. Informal and infor-
mative discussions bring many Bible truths to life.
The public is invited.
Grief and Loss Support Group meets every
Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Hospice Building, 411
S.E. Fourth St. Everyone is welcome. For informa-
tion, contact Brenda Nicholson at 863-467-2321.
Community Gospel Sing will be held ev-
ery Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Seventh Day Christian
Church, next door to Douglas Chiropractic and
Fitness Center. The pubic is invited to participate.
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.
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.
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 Anonymous is
not a diet club. There are no dues, fees or weigh-
ins. The only requirement for membership is a de-
sire to stop eating compulsively. For more infor-
mation call Loretta at 863-763-7165 or 863-697-
0206.
The Lighthouse Refuge Support Group is
for women who are hurting, homeless or been
abused. They meet on the first and third Tuesday
of every month at First Baptist Church, 401 S.W.
Fourth St., and on the second and fourth Tuesday
of every month from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the
Red Cross, 323 N. Parrott Ave. For more informa-
tion call Donna Dean at 863-801-9201 or 863-357-
2106.


Letter to

the Editor


Unexpected gift
We, as a family have been given a special
"gift" from an unexpected source.
Let me start by laying a little groundwork.
We are caregivers for my 97-year-old moth-
er.
The month of November was not a good
month for her. She developed an intestinal
infection, became dehydrated and had zero
urine output. Our doctor told us to have her
transported to Raulerson Hospital, where
she stayed for three days and was then trans-
ferred home. She was in quite a bit of leg
pain, as she has post-polio syndrome. The
edema was also bad. Pain pills not really do-
ing their job, and Mom was quite agitated.
I mentioned this to one of my neighbors,
Sunita Dhillon, of White Swan Hypnosis. She
asked me if I would like her to work with
Mom. I asked Mom and she said yes. After
Sunita seeing her only one time, the edema
in Mom's arms and legs left along with most
of the pain. After a second visit, just this eve-
ning, Mom is very relaxed and calm. She is
a very "happy camper" which makes it so
much easier for my husband and I as her
caregivers. Sunita Dhillon has given of her-
self and has helped Mom so much we just
want to say a public "Thank You" to her and
to wish her all the success possible with her
practice.
Jack and Carol Stiteler
Okeechobee









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Okeechobee News








Bar employees arrested by AB&T agents


By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
Two employees of a local bar have been
arrested by state agents conducting a probe
into illegal gambling activities at the busi-
ness.
Lucy Claire Donaldson and Evamarie
Mary Kinner were both arrested Wednesday,
Dec. 30, by agents from the Department of
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (AB&T).
Donaldson was arrested on a felony
charge of agent/employee of a gambling
house and a misdemeanor charge of resist-
ing a law enforcement officer without vio-
lence. Kinner was arrested on a misdemean-
or charge of obstruction.


Both women were booked into the
Okeechobee County Jail but their bonds had
not been set as of newspaper deadline.
According to an arrest
affidavit AB&T agents en-
tered Admiral Dale's, 3201
S.E. 33rd Terrace, and
found seven coin-operated
video gambling machines.
None of the machines had
a state Department of Rev-
enue (DOR) tax identifica-
tion sticker, the report con- Lucy Claire
tinued. Donaldson
The agents then asked
Donaldson for the bar's records in regard to
those seven machines, as well as the bar's


alcohol and tobacco invoices. While survey-
ing those records, the agents allegedly found
receipts "... that showed a machine number,
amount paid, who paid to
and date."
The report goes on to
state that Donaldson told
the agents she did not pay
cash to winners on the
machines. However, the
agents' report states they
found a letter with the re-
ceipts with "... instructions Evamarie
on how to pay out from Mary Kinner
machines."
Donaldson, who has worked at the bar
for two years, allegedly told the agents that


Admiral Dale's owners instructed employees
to pay out but not pay anyone who "looked
suspicious."
The report went on to indicate that while
the agents were with Donaldson the bar's
owner called her. Donaldson allegedly told
the owner to stay away so they would not be
arrested, continued the report. The affidavit
does not give the owner's name.
Kinner, stated the report, was arrested
because she tried to hinder their investiga-
tion by lying to them.
While the arrest report indicates that Kin-
ner is a bartender at Admiral Dale's, it does
not list Donaldson's position other than to
say she is an employee.


Community Events


Cypress Hut holds Snowball Red Cross announces Health


Queen fundraiser
On Jan. 5, from 5 until 8:30 p.m., bring
your unwanted gold, silver and platinum
jewelry metals, sterling flatware and get paid
top dollar for a donation of 10 percent for
the charity fund raiser for Pam and Tommy
our 2010 Snowball King and Queen.
Finger foods for sharing are welcomed.
For questions or concerns, please call Billy
or Diane at 863-467-1154.


and Safety classes
The Okeechobee Service Center of the
American Red Cross will be holding the fol-
lowing Health & Safety classes in January:
Wednesday, Jan. 6 Adult CPR/AED at 6
p.m.; Monday, Jan. 18 Infant/Child CPR/
AED at 6 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 21 First Aid
Basics 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.


Special to the Okeechobee News

Holiday decorations contest
The second place winner of Okeechobee Main Street's Window Decorat-
ing Contest was the Golden Corral located on South Parrott Ave. Pictured
are Deborah Hall, Front of House Manager, Maureen Burroughs, President
OKMS and Corral's owner Charlie Hukriede. The windows on the entire build-
ing were handpainted by high school students, supervised by teacher Ashley
Taxacher. They are: Cheryl Bloom, Maria Baltazar, Ivone Alonso, Omar Ayala,
Nichole Vhapa, Elizabeth DeHass, Maria Hernandez, Amanda Franklin, Kayla
Raulerson, Timothy Beardon, Megan Kasik, Maria Ruiz, Jernice McDonald,
Amanda Jansen, Sarah Hawthorne, Anastasiya Medvedeva, Katherine Peter-
man, Andrea Yanez and Isabella Penido.


Church to host services
New Life Holiness Church of Basinger
with Rev. Cecil Bryant from Niceville will
host services on Sunday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday will be good gos-
pel singing and a service at 7 p.m. Everyone
is welcome. Directions to church: take 700 A
to 190th St. turn right, church is on the left.
For more information, please call 863-484-
0714 or 863-763-6989.

Senior Awareness seminar
The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office
is sponsoring a Senior Awareness Seminar
from 2 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, at the
Golden Corral, 700 S. Parrott Ave. Seniors
are invited to come and learn about illegal
activities that are targeted against them.

Shared services network
The Executive Roundtable of the Shared
Services Network of Okeechobee County
will conduct its bi-monthly meeting at 1:30
p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, in the board room
of the Okeechobee County School Board Of-
fice. This forum provides a mechanism for
dialogue and problem solving in our com-
munity through the collaborative efforts of
our local decision makers. The public is in-
vited to attend. For more information, please
call Sharon Vinson 863-462-5000, Ext. 257.

Benefit for Lisa Burkhardt
Lisa Burkhardt is battling cancer for the
second time. She is a breast cancer survivor
who is now battling brain and lung cancer.
A benefit for her will be held at the VFW Post
10539, 3912 Highway 441 S.E., on Jan. 10,
starting at 1 p.m. There will be food, music,
giveaways and more. For information, call
863-697-2930.

Early Learning Coalition
Early Learning Coalition of Indian River,
Martin & Okeechobee Counties, Inc. -
Okeechobee County Provider Meeting on
Wednesday, Jan. 13, at noon at the Ameri-
can Red Cross, 323 North Parrott Avenue,
Okeechobee.


Main Street plans mixer
Okeechobee Main Street's first mixer for
2010 will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21,
from 5-7 p.m. The January Mixer will be
hosted by Real Life Children's Ranch located
at 7777 Hwy. 441 SE. Main Street Mixers are
a great networking opportunity for the busi-
nesses and residents of our area. Whether
you have a new or old business or you are
new to Okeechobee, come enjoy network-
ing, refreshments, door prizes and a brand
new Mega 50-50. If you would like to donate
a door prize for this month's mixer please
call me at 863-357-6246, I will be happy to
pick it up.

Top of the Lake BBQ
Okeechobee Main Street's Top of the Lake
BBQ Affair will be held on Jan. 22 and 23
at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. Cooks
from all over will compete for prize mon-
ies and trophies in categories such as the
"Homeboy" to Grand and Reserve Cham-
pions. Go to www.mainstreetokeechobee.
com for registration forms and information.

Tax aide volunteers sought
AARP seeks computer literate volunteers
to help with the income tax filing assistance
program for the 2010 tax season. Complete
training will be provided, using AARP soft-
ware and training materials. For informa-
tion, call Neile at 863-357-1694.


Okeechobee News


januarY 3, 2010




January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News


OCI prisoners reunite with families mIt1h A


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Thirty children from Miami Dade County
visited Okeechobee Correctional Institution
a few days before Christmas to visit their fa-
thers, many of whom have been locked up
for years.
The visit was arranged by the Service Net-
work for Children of Inmates of Miami Dade
County.
Shellie Solomon, CEO of Justice and Se-
curity Strategies, one of the groups involved
with helping kids rebuilt relationships with
their parents, said the Okeechobee prison
recently joined the effort. A group of fami-
lies have visited the prison twice and a new
group joined in December. They hope to
make four visits per year to the prison. For
many families this is the first contact they've
had with their fathers in years. Many couldn't
afford the trip to visit without the program's
help.
The children sat in visiting rooms on Dec.
21 with their Dads and played games and
talked. They ate lunch together, decorated a
Christmas tree and posed for pictures in the
prison yard.
Ms. Solomon agreed it was a big day for
both the children and their dads.
"Emotional? Absolutely. When we went
there to tell the inmates that their families
were coming through, they sat there pretty
tense. They were pretty anxious and ner-
vous too," she added.
Prisons were visited for Christmas in Oca-


la, Broward and Miami Dade Counties.
Ms. Solomon said there are a growing
number of children, not only in Miami Dade,
but across the state who have parents in-
carcerated in jails and prisons. She said the
children who see their parents on a regular
basis have seen a number of positive im-
pacts. "What we're seeing is the children
are starting to do better in terms of behavior.
A lot of these children suffer from mental
health problems. Because they are bond-
ing with their parents and getting questions
answered from their parents, it has helped
them to live their lives in a more productive
manner," she explained.
After the visits, Ms. Solomon and others
debrief the inmate and sometimes get valu-
able information they can use to help the
kids that they might not receive otherwise.
They provide mental health counselors and
other services to the children.


The effort began with a group of grass
roots faith based leaders. Ms. Solomon is a
criminal justice researcher and she helped
write a planning grant and then an opera-
tional grant in 2007. The program continues
to grow. There are 15,000 children in Miami
Dade with a parent in prison or jail. They
have gotten referrals for 1,500 kids and have
served about 1,000 kids so far. Ms. Solomon
said this isn't just a Miami Dade issue but a
state issue. She said she hopes to get more
prisons involved in the program. She also
hopes to work with other Children Services
Councils to get other programs going.
The population of inmates this year in
Florida exceeded 100,000. When you put
that in context, a lot of them have children. It
certainly is something in our state that needs
to be addressed," she noted.


Habitat needs resale items
Habitat for Humanity of Okeechobee County has opened a "Restore" and is in need
of resellable items. No clothing! Anything else for the home, to include household items,
furniture, building materials, electrical, plumbing and cabinets. For more information
call 863-467-6484 or leave a message at the Habitat office 863-467-6484.

Red Hat Ladies invites new members
Join the Red Hat Ladies social group. Interested ladies are invited to come tour a
Red Hat meeting and find out what it's all about. Call Marilyn for more information at
863-357-1944 or Mari at 863-763-5836.


Aetna, and United Healt care.







SwJan. e-sJan. 7th
For Info, Call 763-7202
THEATRE 1: "SHERLOCK HOLMES"
Fri., Sat., Sun., Wed. @ 2:00,4:15, 7:00 &
9:15. Mon. @ 3:00 & 7:00 Tues. &
Thurs. 7:00 & 9:00 [Gf
THEATRE II: "PRINCESS & FROG"
Fri., Sat., Sun., Wed. @ 2:00, 4:15, 7:00 &
9:00. Mon. @ 3:00 & 7:00 Tues. & Thurs
7:00 & 9:00 LIG
THEATRE II: "ALVIN & THECHIPMUNKS"
Fri., Sat., Sun., Wed. @ 2:00, 4:15, 7:00 &
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Thurs. 7:00 & 9:00


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Man convicted of 1967 murder tied to second homicide


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
A killer, who was sentenced to life in
prison by an Okeechobee court, has been
implicated through DNA evidence to a sec-
ond murder in West Cocoa, Brevard County
Sheriff's Agent Robert Vitaliano said, ending
a more than 20 year police investigation into
the death.
Robert Stephen Yokel was 24 when he
killed a dairy worker James Gibbs, 47, in
Basinger back in 1967. Yokel died while in-
carcerated at Holmes Correctional Institu-
tion in Bonifay on June 30, 2000 of liver cir-
rhosis at the age of 54, and can't be charged
officially in the death of Natalie Bradbury, a
24-year old from South Florida.
Agent Vitaliano said a relatively new
automatic documenting system called La-
ser Fiche has helped them document DNA
evidence for unsolved homicide cases. The
DNA evidence in the Bradbury case was
compared to a national data base of crimi-
nals in July and came back with a match
with Yokel.
Vitaliano said evidence shows Yokel
killed Bradbury and sexually assaulted her
on Sept. 3, 1987, and dumped her body in a
drainage canal. He speculates that Bradbury
was hitch hiking, was picked up by Yokel,
and murdered. She was last seen near a gas
station in Cocoa and her body was found 11
hours later.
Vitaliano put hundreds of hours into the
investigation in his quest to bring closure to
her family. He also spent hours investigating
the past of Robert Yokel.
He found that Yokel and another man,
Warren Gibbs, 23 at the time, met by chance
in Miami in early April, 1967. The two stole a
car in Miami from Gibbs' brother and drove
to Okeechobee with the intent to get some
money from Gibbs uncle. Gibbs maintained
his uncle would have $125 in his wallet be-
cause his car payment was due. At first they
intended to rob the man and steal the mon-
ey, leaving him tied up, but alive, Yokel later
told investigators.
Yokel reportedly shot the man in the head
with a .32 caliber Rossi revolver, and stole
what cash the victim had, $21, a 22 caliber
rifle and some clothing. The pair also stole
the victims 1966 Ford Fairlane and headed
west. The victim didn't die right away and
was left on the floor of the trailer, records
show. Agent Vitaliano said the pair put a
dead bolt lock on the outside of the trailer so
the victim could not get the help he needed.








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From there the pair drove to Yuma, Arizo-
na where they robbed a gas station on April
8, 1967. They were caught near the crime
scene, but were able to es-
cape the Arizona jail only
a hours later.
The men were eventu-
ally arrested in California
and returned to Okeecho-
bee for trial.
S The Nov. 30, 1967 edi-
tion of the Okeechobee
News said the criminal
Robert trial for the two men was
Yokel historic because it was
the first time women were
used on the jury in an Okeechobee criminal
case. A panel of nine men and three women
convicted both Gibbs and Yokel of first de-
gree murder. Both were sentenced to life in
prison. The jury did recommend mercy.
Retired Judge Bill Hendry was one of
Yokel's attorneys. In a post sentence investi-
gation report, Judge Hendry said Yokel was
the worst of the two men, and should not
be considered for early release and never to
Okeechobee County.
Judge Hendry remembered the case viv-
idly when interviewed recently. He recalled
the dairy was located north west of Basinger.
The owner of the dairy, Clyde Palmer found
Gibbs the next day, April 6, 1967, when he
didn't show up for work. Several residents
of the dairy, which included James William
Thomas, Dean Anderson, and Vonda Buck-
son had seen Gibbs' nephew and had even
eaten lunch with him in the trailer on the
day of the homicide. That information put
authorities on his trail.
Deputy Clifton Lightsey and Mr. Palmer
discovered the victim's body in the locked
trailer after they forced the lock on the door.
"They more or less tormented the man,"
Hendry said, "He was shot point blank in
the head. They thought he'd have money.
He was left alive for awhile."
Circuit Judge Wallace Sample stated he
felt the verdict was adequate for the crime
and the circumstances and felt the defen-
dants should remain in prison so long as
there was any question about their mental
state.
Yokel escaped prison in 1977 but was
captured one day later.
Yokel was released from prison in 1985
after he served roughly 18 years. Agent Vi-
taliano said the early release from prison left
him with a lot of questions. "From what I
see in his records it is not like he had any

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attorneys to help him out," he said. "It was
just the process back then. Life in prison
meant you had the opportunity to get out
someday on parole. I'm glad that isn't the
case today."
The Florida Parole Commission paroled
Yokel on August, 27, 1985. He lived in Bre-
vard County.
Police believe his murder of Bradbury
was a random crime and that he had never
met her before that night.
Vitaliano said he can't rule out the possi-
bility that Yokel might have been involved in
other homicides. He noted Yokel was arrest-
ed in New York State after his release for bat-
tery and later DUI. There was also another
allegation of sexual battery but no charges


were ever filed in that case.
"The incident in Suffolk County, New
York, where he was arrested for battery, the
victim had similar injuries to the victim here
in Florida. At some point authorities did col-
lect his DNA," he noted. "Everyone I talked
to said Yokel was a very, very violent indi-
vidual. He'd be calm one minute and then
completely violent the next minute."
Vitaliano said the national data base of
DNA is available for all law enforcement
agencies as they develop cold case homi-
cides. He said these DNA comparisons are
usually done on a yearly basis and noted if
Yokel committed other murders, officials
should eventually find out.


Fact Book: http://specialsections.newszap.com/SS/Page.aspx?&secid=65039&pagenum=1
Medical Directory: http://specialsections.newszap.com/SS/Page.aspx?&secid=59786&pagenum=1
Meet Your Local Merchants :http://specialsections.newszap.com/SS/Page.aspx?&secid=56360&pagenum=1
School Information Guide :http://specialsections.newszap.com/SS/Page.aspx?&secid=68371&pagenum=1




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Okeechobee News


januarY 3, 2010




January 3, 2010 Okeechobee News 9


opeuial o rU e UKeeutFIoee INews
Fort Drum Service Plaza work planned
This is an artist's rendition of the new Fort Drum Service Plaza on the Flori-
da Turnpike. The current service plaza will be completely demolished. Con-
struction and opening of new facilities will be in phases so that all current
services (fueling, restaurant, restrooms, truck parking) can be maintained
through the construction process. The plans are currently in design with
construction scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010 with completion expected
by Dec. 2012. The new restaurant building will be 40,000 feet, compared with
the existing 18,500 square foot building. The new fuel station/convenience
store will be 3,500 square feet. Plans call for new car and truck parking and
a new water/wastewater treatment facility and new off site wastewater treat-
ment ponds. Total estimated cost of the project is $49 million.


City Council meets Tuesday


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
Miscellaneous business items will occu-
py the Okeechobee City Council on their first
meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 5,
at 6 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at
City Hall, 55 S.E. Third Ave.
The council will consider a maintenance
agreement with the Florida Department
of Transportation for economic stimulus
projects and an easement agreement with
NASSA Management Group. LLC. They will


also consider a request from the chamber of
commerce to sublet a portion of the cham-
ber building, an interlocal agreement with
the county regarding a 2008 Disaster Recov-
ery Community Development Block Grant
application and a temporary street closing
for the YMCA Family Fun Day in the Park.
Turning to other business, Mayor Jim Kirk
is scheduled to present a ten-year service
award to Brian Padgett and city administra-
tor Brian Whitehall is scheduled to discuss
impact fees and the assessed value and pro-
posed selling price of commerce park lots.


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Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


METH
Continued From Page 1
According to an arrest affidavit by a task
force detective, a plastic bag containing a
suspicious substance was found in the front
seat of a 1992 green Ford pickup truck being
driven by Guzowski. When field tested, the
substance reportedly indicated a positive re-
sult for the presence of methamphetamine.
The bag, which was found in the cab of
the truck where Gordon was sitting, weighed
1.4 grams, the report added.
K-9 Rex, from the Okeechobee County
Sheriff's Office (OCSO), was brought to the
scene to conduct a free air sniff around the
exterior of the truck. Rex reportedly showed
a positive alert to the driver's side door han-
dle.
The detective then searched the interior
of the truck and allegedly found: seven sy-
ringes; several packs of cold tablets contain-
ing pseudoephedrine, which is used to make
meth; a gallon can of Coleman fuel, which
is also used in the meth manufacturing pro-
cess; 2 feet of plastic tubing with a white
residue on each end that, when field tested,
indicated a positive result for the presence of
meth; and a spoon with a white residue on
it that, when field tested, indicated the pres-
ence of meth.
The affidavit also states that receipts for
the cold tablets and fuel were found, and
were all dated Dec. 29. The receipts were ap-
parently from different stores in Okeechobee
and indicated that the items were purchased
from 6:45 through 7:08 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to the report, the suspects
were going back to Pinder's home to manu-
facture meth.
Also, the detective stated that Gordon "...
has purchased cold pills containing pseu-
doephedrine on a monthly basis from multi-
ple pharmacies, on the same days, through-
out Okeechobee County."
The task force detective stated in his af-
fidavit that the items were found following a
traffic stop for a stop bar violation and a tag
light violation. The affidavit does not indicate
if any citations were issued for the alleged
traffic violations.


EAGLES
Continued From Page 1


ouuoIiimLeu pnuito/rvv,
Bald Eagles do respond when people
try to keep their environment clean
and keep them safe.
The problem; the fix
Nevertheless, it was no match for habi-
tat loss; being shot, trapped or poisoned;
and the ravages of the pesticide DDT on the
birds' eggshells. What mankind wrought,
mankind had to fix. In 1972, the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency banned DDT.
Congress passed the Endangered Species
Act in 1973 and added the bald eagle to its
protective umbrella in 1978.
These changes made a difference. Flor-
ida's population of bald eagle nesting terri-
tories went from 200 in the 1970s to 1,340
in 2009.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says
Florida is showing the rest of the nation how
to protect and manage the species by leaps
and bounds," Kirkpatrick said. The state has
more bald eagles than any state other than
Alaska and Minnesota.
Even when the numbers were low, Flor-
ida was better off than other states because
of its aquatic habitats and rich supply of fish
- eagles' favorite food. An FWC scientist
coordinated a project to help Georgia, Ala-
bama and Oklahoma jumpstart their eagle
populations a quarter-century ago. Scien-
tists gathered 18 bald eagle eggs and rushed
them to Oklahoma to hatch. The hatchlings
were fed by eagle puppets, so the chicks


W IMIIUIH

nnI.ke ~uam

T1 ticI '4 I


wouldn't imprint with humans. When the
birds were strong enough, scientists took
them to roosts in the three states.

Parents are daredevils
The courtship ritual looks like warfare.
Bald eagles are daredevils. They literally fall
head-over-heels for each other. They "fly to
great altitude, lock talons, and tumble/cart-
wheel back toward earth," breaking off at
the last minute to avoid crashing, according
to "The Birds of North America Online."
They're basically monogamous for life
and good parents. Eagles walk carefully
around the nest with clenched feet, appar-
ently to prevent their talons from piercing
the one to three eggs in a typical clutch.
Breeding adults may be very territorial, but
bald eagles are social at their communal
roosts, chattering away the hours.
One quirk belies the eagle's mighty im-
age. The big bird sometimes has a weak
voice. "The Birds of North America" de-
scribes it as a rapid choking sound: "Ki-ki-
ki-ki-ki-ki-ker."

Recognition
This nation's emblem is actually a bald
eagle that is 5 or more years old. Young
eagles start out completely dark brown and
gradually become the easily recognizable
dark brown bird with white head, neck and
tail. In between, juvenile birds are a mottled
brown and white.
Before leaving home, fledglings practice
flying from one side of the nest rim to the
other, then to nearby branches. Half of the


The fish in this eagle's talon is supper.

first "flights" are unsuccessful, according to
"The Birds of North America." Those that
fall to earth may have to stay there a week or
so to regain strength. In the meantime, if the
parents can get to the young eagle, they'll
feed it while it is on the ground.
Once on wing, juveniles in Florida tend to
disperse north.
The bald eagle flies by slow, deep wing-
beats. It holds its wide wings at a right angle
to its body on a flat plane. Its golden eyes
watch intently over the wild landscapes of
America.
Scientists, government agencies and citi-
zens are watching the bald eagle too, this
time to protect it. To learn more, go to My-
FWC.com/Wildlife.


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Okeechobee News


January 3, 2010







Riverside helps Real Life Children's Ranch PLuiGlb
*n m. licensedd Real Estate Broker


Riverside Bank believes a solid family atmo- cility to house abused and abandoned children,
sphere is the foundation to building hope and but it is a loving, caring environment where the
shaping character in today's youth. In support children learn the richness of a well-rounded
of such an important lifelong vision Riverside life. The homes located on the Ranch campus
Bank donated $500 to the Real Life Children's are beautifully constructed, each housing up to
Ranch of Okeechobee. Real Life Children's six foster children, the staff and their children.
Ranch exists to provide Christian residential Each home has a set of full time professional
group homes that care for boys and girls who parents which creates the basis for a consistent
have been abused, abandoned and/or neglect- level of care proven successful because it so
ed. Real Life Children's Ranch is a tax-exempt closely emulates family life. Each home oper-
501 (c)(3) non-profit organization approved ates as a family doing things like grocery shop-
by the State of Florida. The goal of Real Life ping, homework, meals, attending church and
Children's Ranch is to give children the best community activities together.
possible care in a secure family atmosphere Furthermore, Real Life Children's Ranch
and to guide them into fulfilling and produce is one of the few places in the state designed
tive futures. to care for sibling groups. When siblings are
Real Life Children's Ranch is not merely a fa placed in foster care they often have to be


Riverside Bank recently donated $500 to Real Life Children's Ranch. From left to
right are Mark Mayers, RLCR Executive Director; Tabitha Trent, Branch Manager;
and John Williams, Bank CEO.


separated, which further contributes to the
disruption and trauma they have already ex-
perienced. Real Life Children's Ranch strives
to keep siblings together, therefore a large per
centage of the children at the Ranch are sibling
groups.
At Real Life Children's Ranch, one of our
most important missions is to build hope and
character in children. In finding hope a child
becomes able to look past the tragedies in their
background and find motivation in a bright fu-
ture. As a child's character develops, he/she is
able to make right choices regardless of their
environment and/or circumstances. Real Life
Children's Ranch is committed to providing a
stable, loving and learning environment for the
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January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News




12 Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


Basic training grad
Air Force Air-
man Kathryn
A. Ferrell grad-
uated from
basic military
training at
Lackland Air
Force Base,
San Antonio,
Texas. The
airman com-
pleted an in-
tensive, eight-
week program
that included Special to the
training in military Okeechobee News
discipline and
studies, Air Force core values, physi-
cal fitness, and basic warfare princi-
ples and skills. Airmen who complete
basic training earn four credits toward
an associate in applied science de-
gree through the Community College
of the Air Force. She is the daughter of
Jeffrey Ferrell of West Palm Beach and
granddaughter of Dolores Pierre of
Okeechobee. Ferrell is a 2009 gradu-
ate of Royal Palm Beach High School.


Basic grad
Air Force Airman Brandon T. Raona
graduated from
basic military
training at Lack-
land Air Force
Base, San An-
tonio, Texas.
The airman
completed an
intensive, eight-
week program
that included
training in mili-
tary discipline
and studies, Special to the
Air Force core Okeechobee News
values, physical
fitness, and basic warfare principles
and skills. Airmen who complete basic
training earn four credits toward an
associate in applied science degree
through the Community College of the
Air Force. Raona is the son of Karey
McCann of Okeechobee. He is a 2003
graduate of Lake Orian High School,
Mich.


Antique Air Aficionados Fly-in set for take-off


The first commercial airline carried passen-
gers from St. Pete to Tampa in 1914, only 11
years after the Wright Brothers first flew! And,
in 1923, the Ta Miami Air Line started opera-
tions between Tampa and Miami, in the same
year that construction of the road was begun
across the Glades.
Air history goes on. In 1930s Opa-Lockawas
opened as a Naval air base; Eastern and Pan
Am were founded. Newspapers were flown to
Sanibel by seaplane in the 1939 "Dawn Patrol."
World War II training bases sprang up in South-
west Florida's clement climate at Fort Myers,
Buckingham, Clewiston, and Naples.
Bring back the old warriors and dare-dev-
ils!
That's exactly what the Antique Air Aficio-
nados are trying to do on Saturday, Jan. 23,
when Everglades City Airpark hosts a Fly In for


old aircraft from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no
charge. Just arrive at Airfield X 01 on the edge
of the Glades where fuel is available.
You will be welcomed with a free pancake
breakfast, courtesy of Wings 10,000 Island
Tours, and a chance to win 10 lbs. of stone crab
claws, the local delicacy generously donated
by Triad Seafood Market & Cafe in Everglades
City. The highlight of the monthly breakfast is
watching intrepid airman John Apte scoop up
the banner before he circles to advertise its
message.
Everyone is invited. Drop in by air, road, or
sea and share your memories of vintage flying.
The event is being promoted by the Ever-
glades Society for Historic Preservation. For
more information, see their website: www.
evergladeshistorical.org or phone Mike at 239-
695-2244.


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January 3, 2010 Okeechobee News


Lamb of God rehabilitation

program challenged in court


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
A local prison rehabilitation program is
involved in a court case that could have far
reaching implications.
The Council for Secular Humanism filed a
lawsuit May 17, 2007 in Leon County Circuit
Court alleging that the Department of Cor-
rections' (DOC) contracts with Lamb of God
and Jacksonville-based Prisoners of Christ
violate the state constitution by using state
revenues to aid a religious organization.
Lamb of God has faith based resident
substance abuse rehabilitation programs
in Okeechobee and Pompano Beach for
people being released from prison. Between
the two facilities they have around 40 clients.
The clients come from prisons all over the
state. Mike Lewandowski, executive direc-
tor of Lamb of God, said that most people
being released from prison want to go back
to their hometown. In the past most clients
were from Okeechobee. However, because
of the current economy, there are no jobs
available in Okeechobee so he is now send-
ing all clients to Pompano Beach. The Lamb
of God program consists of classes at night,
a job during the day and high accountabil-
ity. The average stay is six months, however,
some clients do stay longer.
"We force nothing on anyone," said Mr.
Lewandowski, "We don't force anybody to
go to services. No way would we push our
religious beliefs on anyone."
In a decision dated Aug. 29, 2008 Leon
County Circuit Court ruled in favor of Lamb
of God and the other respondents. Circuit
Judge John C. Cooper stated "under the
contracts, program staff and volunteers
must be prevented from disparag(ing) the
personal religious beliefs of program partici-


pants or coerc(ing) program participants to
change their religious beliefs or preferences
or attempting) to convert them to any par-
ticular religious faith."
The Council for Secular Humanism ap-
pealed the decision of the circuit court.
Upon review, on Dec. 15, 2009 the district
court of appeal sent the case back to circuit
court for further action.
Mr. Lewandowski, who claims a 73 per-
cent success rate last year, said DOC pays
Lamb of God $20 a day to provide post-
release transitional housing to persons who
have left prison. This includes room and
board and everything necessary to help the
person become self sufficient.
"We do it out of our hearts," he said. "It's
not for money."
When asked why Lamb of God was sin-
gled out, Mr. Lewandowski replied that the
Council on Secular Humanism was looking
for someone to challenge the law so that no
faith based groups could get state funding.
He said that if the lawsuit was successful,
then all religious services and Bible stud-
ies would have to be taken out of the state
prison system.
"This is a faith based nation," Mr. Le-
wandowski asserted. He said if the suit is
successful, it would lead to discrimination
against people of faith.
Several attempts by the Okeechobee
News to contact a representative of the
Council for Secular Humanism for comment
were unsuccessful.
The outcome of this case could possibly
have a bearing on other state contracts to
faith based organizations.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at
www.newszap.com. Reporter Pete Gawda can
be reached at pgawda@newszap.com.


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Engaged? Just married? Golden anniversary?
Birthday? Holiday? New baby?


Big Brothers, Big Sisters support mentor program


Big Brothers Big Sisters, along with
Americorp volunteers, will serve all five
Okeechobee elementary schools for the
2009-2010 school year. The program pro-
vides reading mentors to referred children
in grades K-3. Contact Sharon Vinson at
Shared Services at 863-462-5000 ext 257 for
more information.


Tax aide volunteers sought
AARP seeks computer literate volun-
teers to help with the income tax filing as-
sistance program for the 2010 tax season.
Complete training will be provided, using
AARP software and training materials. For
information, call Neile at 863-357-1694.


Coming to Okeechobee on Saturday, January 9, 2010

^j Weight & Wellness Center
TRANSFORM Your Life

Holly W. Hadley, MD & Madeline Sabatello, CPT F
Take control of your ho1Udc 3
Ui.~hIg acai with a PERSONALIZED,
MEDICALLY MANAGED WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
We will be in Okeechobee one Saturday each month Holly W. Hadley, MD
Come see us at the offices of Ms. Cheryl Kirton, PT
Located at 332 W. 32nd Street, Okeechobee 561 586 3646


For a modest charge,
each package includes:
*A print announcement in the
newspaper of your choice.
*An online listing at
fl.newszap.com/celebrations.
Online guestbook for friends
and family
to sign and view.
Online photo gallery for up to
10 photos.
Gift registry page
*Profile page


Submit your good news today at
http://fl.newszap.com/celebrations


January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News




14 Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


Into the woods: 'That coon dog will hunt!'


By Tony Young
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission
Some of my huntin' buddies and I really
live for being out in a wet patch of woods in
the middle of a cool night and hearing the
not-so-distant sounds of our coon hounds
when they open up on a
hot trail. There's just some-
thing about those hounds'



voices that sounds both
pleasing and eerie at the
same time.
We like to brag about



whose dog actually struck
the trail first and whose got
to the right tree first. And Tony
boy, you can sure tell the Young
difference when the dogs
are just trailing a coon versus when they've
got one treed. Their barking goes from lon-
ger, less frequent howls to just downright
chopping' it down, baying as loud as they
can, as quick as they can, with every breath
that's in 'e. You can really sense the urgen-
cy that's in their voices when they're sitting'
to the tree.
That's when it's time to turn on the flash-
lights and start making your way through the
swamps toward that pleasant, oh too famil-
iar sound in the darkness.
If you'd like to try coon hunting besides
having a good coon dog, you'll need a Flor-
ida hunting license. Residents pay just $17
for the year. Nonresidents have the choice of
paying $46.50 for a 10-daylicense or $151.50

Children's Services Council

Children's Services Council will once
again offer creative groups an opportuni-
ty to have a quality summer program for
children and youth of Okeechobee. Any
agency/group who has a great idea for a
summer activity, can apply to the Council
for a Special Summer Project. The major
goal is to provide a summer program for
a maximum of nine weeks for children/
youth ages 4-18. Not for one-day events,
the project must detail who, where,
and the activities it will be providing for
Okeechobee County children and can-
not discriminate due to race or religion.
You can enhance your existing program if
you already receive a Children's Services
Council grant. The project application is
currently available. Call Cathleen Blair or
Cheryl Sutton at 863-462-5000, Ext.255.
Completed application must be submit-
ted by Jan. 25.


Local pet rescue needs help
The Humane Society Pet Rescue of
Okeechobee needs help to keep our
shelter a great place for adoptable pets to
stay. We are also in need of donations to
help with food, vet and other operating
expenses. Anyone interested in helping is
asked to contact Belinda at the shelter at
863-357-1104.


for 12 months.
If you're thinking about hunting on one of
Florida's many wildlife management areas
(WMAs), you also must purchase a man-
agement area permit for $26.50. But find out
which WMAs allow coon huntin' by reading
the brochure on each area you're thinking
about trying. These WMA brochures are at
your local tax collector's office or online at
MyFWC.com/Hunting.
All licenses and permits are available at
county tax collectors' offices, any retail out-
let that sells hunting and fishing supplies,
online at www.wildlifelicense.com/fl or by
calling toll-free, 888-HUNT-FLORIDA.
Coon huntin' with dogs at night, while us-
ing a flashlight or headlamp, is allowed. On
private property, when in possession of writ-
ten landowner permission, you may hunt
raccoons year-round, but most of us prefer
to hunt 'em during the colder months so as
not to get our dogs snakebit or attacked by
gators.
You're only allowed to harvest raccoons
and opossums using .22-caliber firearms
(other than .22-magnums) or single-shot
.410-gauge shotguns with shot no larger
than No. 6. During the hunt, all firearms
must remain unloaded except immediately
prior to shooting treed or bayed raccoons or
opossums.
There are no daily or seasonal bag limits
on how many raccoons or opossums you
may harvest, and hides and skins of these
furbearers may be possessed in any num-
ber, at any time.


Get

Noticed!


All dogs used in pursuing raccoons or
opossums are required to wear collars or
tags which identify dog owners and their ad-
dresses. Hunting either furbearer by "shin-
ing" or using lights from moving vehicles,
boats or animals is against the law. It's also
illegal to transport wild-trapped live rac-
coons within, into or from Florida.
Individuals with a trapping license
($26.50) also may take raccoons and opos-
sums by means of live-trapping or the use of
snares, but these traps must be checked at
least every 24 hours. Using steel or leg-hold
traps is prohibited.
Only those persons with a trapping li-
cense are authorized to sell the hides and
meat of these furbearers. In order to buy
and sell this meat for commercial purposes,
you're required to possess a dealer's license,
which you can get from the Florida Depart-
ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services'
Division of Food Safety by calling 850-488-
0295.
So, if you're looking for a new and excit-
ing huntin' opportunity, get a hold of a good
coon dog, grab your .22, a flashlight and a
pair of hip waders and take to the swamps!
Here's wishing you a happy New Year
and good huntin'. If you can, introduce
someone new to a different kind of hunting
- pass the tradition down. As always, have
fun, hunt safely and ethically, and we'll see
you in the woods!


Share your

News!


From Baseball to Basketball, Football to Hockey, Soccer to Swimming,
Cheerleading to Taekwondo if you offer or participate in a youth or recreational
sport/activity contact us today to join the Okeechobee Sports Network


aMMdA


People have so much to do
and so little time to do it.

To help you deal with your
time constraints, we pack
this little
newspaper with lots of rele-
vant and useful informa-
tion.

We want you to learn what
you need to know quickly,
so you can
experience and enjoy your
community fully.

How are we doing?

Let us know by mailing
feedback@newszap.com or
calling your editor.






tEECHOBEE



NEWS

Community Service
Through Journalism


Coaches Plavers Sirts Fan







Boys basketball team falls in consolation game


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
A holiday tournament that started so op-
timistically with an Okeechobee High School
upset win over powerful Lakeland, ended in
disappointment for the OHS boys basketball
team Wednesday as they lost a tight battle
with Coral Gables, 75-74.
Okeechobee had their chances to win, but
missed a free throw with one second left that
would have sent the game into overtime.
"Coral Gables was a real disciplined team.
They were very smart and made few turn-
overs. They also hit 18-20 free throws. They
definitely didn't beat themselves," Brahmans
Coach Bryan Van Camp said.
It was a fast paced game as both teams
got a number of easy buckets. Van Camp said


The Okeechobee News invites you to
check out the innovative new Okeechobee
Sports Network on the internet.
Youth, adult recreation leagues, and
school sports teams now have an online
sports page and resource they can call their
own.
This free site is a partnership between the
Okeechobee News and Community Sports
Desk, a national sports software company.
Team representatives can post their
schedules, game stories, statistics, standings
and photos on dedicated web pages on the
site. This is an invaluable and professional
tool the community now has to positively
highlight local sports. There is absolutely no
charge for teams and leagues to participate
in Okeechobee Sports Network. The site will
be supported by sponsored web advertis-
ing featuring an innovative revenue sharing
model, with 20 percent of web advertising


his team definitely didn't have the defensive
intensity they had in the first two games of the
tournament.
"It was a pretty much up and down game
in the first half. They went on a 10-0 run in
the first half, and we trailed by as many as 14
points in the second half," Van Camp noted.
"They moved the ball well and we didn't
rotate as well as I would have liked on de-
fense," he added.
Okeechobee was able to rebound from
the deficits as they started to work the ball
inside. Troy Harper had 23 points and Duelle
Gore added 13 points for Okeechobee. Most
of their points came inside. Matt Skipper add-
ed 12 points for Okeechobee.
Okeechobee made a run late in the third
quarter to cut the deficit to 59-56 after three


sales on the site going back to the partici-
pating teams and leagues. Local businesses
interested in finding out how to become a
sponsor can contact their local Okeechobee
News advertising representative or call Judy
Kasten at 863-763-3134 or by email at jkas-
ten@strato.net.
Interested teams and leagues can contact
Renee Hawley by e-mail at rhawley@com-
munitysportsdesk.com. To participate and
find out how your team can win a free pizza
party! Okeechobee Sports Network will also
be giving away a $25 gift certificate from
the Ultimate Gamer for the best local sports
photo posted on the site by January 31st.
Call Renee toll free at 888-853-7904 for a
demonstration or to get started right away.
To visit the Okeechobee Sports Network
online, go to newszap.com, click on the
Okeechobee homepage, then click on the
Sports tab at the top right side of the page.


_ Specializing in the Treatment of Skin Cancer

BOARD CERTIFIED BY THE
AMERICAN BOARD OF DERMATOLOGY

FELLOW OF THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MOHS SURGERY

Okeechobee
863-467-9555

Vero Beach
772-778-7782

www.tcdermatology.com Jonatansandrs, JmD., JS..


periods. Coral Gables got the lead back up to
10 points in the fourth quarter but Okeecho-
bee once again rallied to make it a nip and
tuck affair in the final minutes.
The final 12 seconds seemed like an
eternity for both teams. Okeechobee had a
chance to take the lead but turned the ball
over thanks to a nice defense play by Coral
Gables. Coral Gables came down and scored
with six seconds left. Okeechobee got the ball
up the court quickly and Harper was fouled
with about a second left. He calmly made the
first free throw, but the second banged off the


rim and fell away. Coral Gables grabbed the
rebound and celebrated the win.
"It was a very good tournament for us. We
would have liked to have won two of three but
we played some really good teams with differ-
ent styles. I think that will help us prepare for
anyone in our district," Van Camp said.
Okeechobee took fourth place in the tour-
nament.
The Brahmans hold their first home game
in over a month Tuesday night when they host
Fort Pierce Westwood in a key district game.


Boating safety requirements change


Boating-safety education requirements
changed in Florida beginning Jan. 1, 2009.
Boat operators who were born on or af-
ter Jan. 1, 1988, must pass an approved
boating-safety course and possess photo-
graphic identification and a boating-safety
education identification card issued by
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva-
tion Commission (FWC) to legally operate
a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or
more.
"We want to encourage everyone, re-
gardless of when they were born, to take an
approved boating-safety education course,
because all of us can learn something new,
even if we have been boating all our lives,"
said Capt. Carol Keyser of FWC's boating
and waterways section. "For some, it is
now required to take the course."


There are a few exceptions. For in-
stance, a person born on or after Jan. 1,
1988, who operates a boat within 90 days
after purchasing it, does not need a boat-
ing-safety education identification card if a
bill of sale, which meets the requirements
of Florida law, is onboard. After the 90-day
period ends, the boat operator needs to
meet the educational requirements. Those
who possess a current United States Coast
Guard license also are exempt.
For course information and educational
requirements, visit MyFWC.com and click
"boating," then click "boating safety." For
inquiries, contact FWC's Division of Law
Enforcement at 850-488-5600, or e-mail
questions to the FWC at bobbercard@my-
fwc.com.


Ricardo J. Quintero-Herencia, MD



av Medical
"A r 5aceyo Oncoogy &o

Hematology of Okeechobee

Serving the Treasure Coast

Specializing in evidence based medicine for the
treatment of cancer and blood disorders
Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation
Therapy treatment
Medicare/Medicaid assignment accepted
Consulting and Free Second Opinions
Regarding Cancer
All insurance plans accepted and filed
Courtesy transportation provided

New Patients Welcome
Se Habla Espacol
1231 N. Lawnwood Circle 1006 N. Parrott Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Okeechobee, FL 34972
(772) 460-5501 (863) 357-4138
. . ... ..


Online Sports Network


features Okeechobee teams


January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News




16


Okeechobee News


Submit Your Free Online Classified Ad Today at WWW.NEWSZARCOM Clickk on CIassifieds Absolutely FREE!
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Important Information:
Please read your ad care-
fully the first day it
appears. In case of an
inadvertent error, please
notify us prior to the dead-
line listed. We will not be
responsible for more than
1 incorrect insertion, or for
more than the extent of
the ad rendered valueless
by such errors. Advertiser
assumes responsibility for
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assumes responsibility for
any claims against the
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advertising is subject to
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publisher reserves the right
to accept or reject any or
all copy, and to insert
above the copy the word
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accepted are subject to
credit approval. All ads
must conform to Delaware
State News style and are
restricted to their proper
classifications. Some clas-
sified categories require
advance payment. These
classifications are denoted
with an asterisk *.
For more listings,
go to
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READING A
NEWSPAPER
HELPS YOU
UNDERSTAND
THE WORLD
AROUND YOU.


ESTATE




Thursday

January 7th 11 a.m.

FLORIDA PALMS

MOBILE HOME PARK
21/2 ACRES- 33 UNITS
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA


Parcel I.D. 2-22-37-35-0A00-00011-0000
* Zoned MHP Mobile Home Park;
surrounded by Heavy Commercial
* 2.565 acres 365 feet fronting State Road 70
315 feet on 10th Avenue
* Traffic signal at property
* Public sewer lift station
* Public water and sewer service
* Traffic Data: 23,000 vehicles per day
Source: 1998 Florida DOT Report
* Rentals currently on month to month basis,
with no leases.
* Typical rental income $225 per unit
* State of Florida Licensed Park -
33 unit authority
NO MINIMUM! Selling REGARDLESS OF PRICE!
10% Buyer's Premium Cash to bid
OWNER Roy M Johnson Trust & LODOC II, LLC
Seller's Attorneys AbelA Putnam, Esq
Conductedby Daniel J Probst, Esq


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


For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



QUALITY CONTROL
Earn up to $100 per day.
Evaluate retail stores,
training provided, No ex-
perience required. Call
888-615-5249




ACCOUNTANT
Seeking highly motivated
mid level Accountant for
busy agricultural dealer-
ship in Belle Glade, Flori-
da. Accounting degree
required. Resumes will be
evaluated on a qualitative
basis and interviews will
be scheduled with our or-
ganization. Please fax re-
sume to 561-996-8367,
Attn: Comptroller

READING A
NEWSPAPER
HELPS YOU
GET INVOLVED
IN THE
COMMUNITY.


(o wonder newspaper
readers have more fun!


New Restaurant opening late
January 2010
Seeking all positions Lunch & Dinner
* Servers/Supervisors
* Cooks: Shift Lead Line Prep Pantry
* Bartenders
Kitchen Utility
Dining Utility (Busser)
Host Hostess
EOE
Must have experience!
Attend Fair on January 6, 2010
@ 5:30pm or January 9th @ 2:00pm
Location: 202 NE 7th Ave., (located next to the Azteca 3)








Full Time (Sat A Must)

Customer Service/Sales

Energetic

Self Motivated

Professional Appearance

Bi-Lingual

a PLUS

em- S "X


Immediate Opening at
Okeechobee Juvenile.
Institutional cooking/
hands-on exp. preferred.
Competitive wages and
benefits. Must pass
background check and
drug screen. Contact
Brad at 1-863-357-9922
ext. 2280 or email
resume to:
deptl@ablmanagement.com
EOE

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


go to
www.newszap.com


Bookkeeping/

Bookeeping/
Secretarial Services
by Linda Seder
Okee area.
(772)801-9687


employment
Full Time


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



Solar Electricity, Inc.
For Your Home or Busi-
ness. For more infor-
mation call Jacob
Nisson.
863-697-2171

Reading a newspaper
helps you understand
the world around you.
No wonder newspaper
readers are more suc-
cessful people!





For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



AMERICAN BULLDOG -
6 mos., fem., NKC reg.,
white rednose, $250.
(863)801-6144
LAB PUPS blacks, yel-
lows, $450 each neg.
(863)674-0156 or
(239)574-4408



Want to buy Air condi-
tioner with heat, win-
dow unit 863-862-7292




For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



HORSE PASTURE for
rent. 14 acres with
horse stalls. Call
863-763-3762


January 3, 2010


For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



Basswood 2/1,
$650/mo, $650 sec.
Small pets allowed. Call
(863)697-1623
IN TOWN 2/2 very
clean, w/d, lawn maint
included, $800 + $300
sec. (863) 634-3572




FOR SALE OR LEASE
1574 Sq. Ft. office bldg.
@ 210 NE 3rd Ave.
Call 863-763-0295
Non-Profit Organization
Need to expand/relocate?
Sale-Lease-Share 2000 sf
863-634-1144 Michele




OKEE TRI-PLEX- Clean
2/2, W/D hookup, patio,
privacy fence, no pets.
$690 mo. + $690 sec.
dep. Free trash & lawn
service. (417)848-3424
or (417)848-6360
TAYLOR CREEK CONDO
1 BR, 1 BA, Furnished.
Pool, W&D Facilities.
$700 mo. Call Jerry or
Brenda (863)467-0067
or(863)610-1281



EAGLE BAY DR. 3/2,
new paint & fenced yrd.
$1100/mo. 1st, last &
sec. 863-447-0092
FURNISHED 2 bedroom
1 bath Duplex in Kings
Bay. One car garage,
screen porch, washer &
dryer, dishwasher, cen-
tral heat and air, tile
floors through out.
Long or Short term.
(863) 467-7528




January 3, 2010


Okeechobee News


King's Bay 2/2/1 CBS
Home W/D $950 p/mo.
Plus security.
863-801-9163.
OKEECHOBEE 4br,
2ba, great neighborhood,
tile throughout, $975 &
up/mo, 1st & sec move in
(561)248-3888 or
(863)599-0156
SEASONAL OR YEARLY
- BHR, 2/2 Waterfront,
plus 1 person Apt. Fully
furn, utilities, cable, No
pets, Non smoking envi-
ron. (863)763-6086



R.V. LOTS FOR RENT
Free Wifi! Weekly $150
or mo. $375 incl. elec.
Call 863-763-0295



SUN PLAZA: Approx.
1100 sq. ft. rental spac-
es, avail, now @ 909 S.
Parrot Ave. Great for
Office or Retail. For
more info. Call Jerry or
Brenda (863)467-0067
or (863)610-1281

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





For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



BASSWOOD HOUSE
FOR SALE: New ICF
Construction, 3BR, 2
BA, Oversized garage,
fenced, metal roof, im-
pact windows, tank less
water heater, owner fi-
nancing. Call for apt.
(863)357-1124 or cell
(863)447-1556
EXCELLENT move-in
cond., furn., 2BR, 2BA,
garage, screen porch,
in stable neighborhood.
$110,000 by owner.
Call 352-895-8376
OKEE. Huge 1 Bdrm.
Apt. Tile throughout.
Screen porch. $435 mo.
+ utilities. 1st, last &
$200 sec. dep. No
dogs. 863-801-1739

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!



SACRIFICE this $325K
9.35 acre horse ranch
lot w/underground util.
$69,900 561-932-9627


For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com




2 bd 1 bath Good neigh-
borhood, fenced back
yard, lease with option;
$650 p/mo 863-634-3451
BHR RVs for Rent,
starting $300-$500 &
55+ park, seasonal or
yearly. 1st month's rent
free! 863-763-3134
BUCKHEAD RIDGE -
Dbl. Wide 2 BR, 2 BA,
C/Air. $600 mo. 3 BR, 2
BA, C/Air. $700 mo. No
pets. $300 sec. dep.
(863)763-4031
FOR RENT: 2/1 apt.
Newly remodeled. 12
miles north of Okeecho-
bee on beautiful ranch.
Water, trash & lawn
maintenance included.
NO PETS! M-F
$499/mo. Also avail.
newly remodeled 2/3.
Call (863)467-2982
RV with added on living
room. Utilities incl.
$450/month + deposit.
Call 863-763-3762

Love the earth Recycle
your used items by
selling them in the
classified.
Treasure Island 2BR
SW on water, Ig. lot,
$550 mo., 1st last &
sec. 863-226-3436



BANK REPO'S
MOVE TO YOUR LAND
Mobile Home Angels
561-721-2230
OKEECHOBEE- 1981
dbl wide on water, porch,
Ig edition, boathouse,
$100,000 (863)763-0474
PROWLER TRAILER -
32', with 10x30 FL
room, A/C, fully fur-
nished, on canal, near
locks, free boat slip,
$3900. 863-467-1881





For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



PARK MODEL 35'
10x30 rm, carport, 113
Hickory Crt, Whisper
Creek, 863-675-4475

When doing those chores
is doing you in, it's time
to look for a helper in
the classified.


For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com



RV/MOBILE HOME
TRAILER '79 33"L x
12"W all appls $500
firm. (863)484-2436





For more listings,
go to
www.newszap.com


m -




~

m


* -~
* -
* ~
*
* -~ -


NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE
COQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR COQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
WILL HOLD A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010 AT 9:00 A.M.
AT THE ADMINISTRATION ANNEX BUILDING, OKEECHOBEE COUNTY EX-
TENSION OFFICE, SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM, 458 HIGHWAY 98 N.,
OKEECHOBEE, FL. A COPY OF THE PROPOSED AGENDA MAY BE OB-
TAINED UPON REQUEST FROM THE UNDERSIGNED. IF ANY PERSON DE-
CIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION BY THE BOARD WITH RESPECT TO ANY
MATTER CONSIDERED AT SUCH MEETING; THAT PERSON WILL NEED A
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND FOR SUCH PURPOSES THAT PERSON
MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEED-
INGS, WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH
THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED, IS MADE. ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK
AT THE MEETING MUST HAVE THEIR NAME AND TOPIC PLACED ON THE
AGENDA ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DATE OF THE MEETING. ALL PROPERTY
OWNERS WITHIN THE DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PER-
SONS NEEDING A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION OR AN INTERPRETER TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEEDINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE DISTRICT'S
OFFICES BY CALLING (863)763-4601 AT LEAST TWO (2) DAYS PRIOR TO
THE DATE OF THE MEETING.
NOTICE: COQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT HAS AN ONGOING
AQUATIC SPRAYING PROGRAM, DISTRICT WIDE.
WILLARD M. BYARS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
17429 NW 242ND STREET
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972
(863)763-4601 OR (863)634-3166
342583 ON 1/3/10


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He said that this season Site A has 22
more rentable sites because of relatively
cheap and simple work done inhouse by
S. county maintenance crews.
SSite A now has 140 camping sites (with
water and electric) and 34 primitive camp-
ing sites.
As for Site B, Mr. Bonner does not know
how much it would cost to repair the hur-
ricane damage.
"I don't have a good feel for all that's
wrong," Mr. Bonner said of the damage to
Site B. He said that some campsites could
possibly be fixed simply and cheaply, or
there could be extensive damage. He doesn't
" know the full extent of the damage to the
electrical, water and sewer system.
"I don't have the money, neither does the
board," Mr. Bonner said of repairing Site B.
For some reason in 2004 the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) re-
fused the county's claim for damages at Site
B, possibly because FEMA would not repair
underground utilities. Mr. Bonner was not
county administrator at that time. He said he
is gathering documentation and plans to re-
submit to see if FEMA will reconsider.
So, while Site B is unusable and depen-
dant on FEMA funding to be made operable,
improvements are being made to Site B us-
ing grant money and county staff.
Statistics show that income for the camp-
ground has gone down with the loss of the
133 spaces in site B.
Because of financial constraints the bud-
get for Okee Tantie for the current fiscal year
was cut $200,000, partly from elimination
of one vacant full time and one vacant part
time position. However, park manager Susie
Baker is confident she can provide the ac-
cepted level of service with two full time and
eight part time employees.
On the positive side, there is the possibil-
ity of Florida Department of Transportation
funds to improve the portion of the Lake
Okeechobee Scenic Trial (LOST) which
passes through Okee Tantie.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum
at www.newszap.com.


I Public Notice


Improvements planned


at Okee-Tantie

'Site B' campsites not a priority

By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
Okee-Tantie Campground and Marina is emerging as a show-
place for the county despite extensive hurricane damage in 2004
and a budget cut.
Improvements are being made to Site A, which is on the Kissim-
mee River on the west side of the park while Site B on the east side
is unusable with 133 hurricane damaged campsites.
The county recently approved spending $200,000 in grant money
for a bandstand and other amenities at Site A. Deputy county admin-
istrator Jim Threewitts was asked if that grant could have been ap-
plied toward refurbishing Site B. He said that the scoring system for
this particular grant does not favor projects
which generate revenue.
However, the number of rentable camp-
sites in Site A has recently increased. Mr.
Threewitts said the priority for improve-
ments is on Site A since that area is on the
water.
"I'm really proud of what the staff has ac-
complished," County Administrator Lyndon
* Bonner said concerning work done on Site
0-. A.




18 Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF INTENT TO GRANT VARIANCE


STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF INTENT TO GRANT VARIANCE


The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its
intent to grant a variance under Section 403.201, FS., from the
provisions of Rule 62-4.244(5)(c), F.A.C. to Florida Gas
Transmission Company, LLC, 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston,
Texas 77056, (File No. 43-0293015-002) to allow for turbidity up
to 1,000 NTU's above natural background for a period of more
than 12 consecutive hours in any day, and turbidity shall not
exceed 3,000 NTU's above natural background for a period of
more than 3 consecutive hours in any day (Groups 1 and 2) no
more than 1,500 NTU's entering Jurisdictional Waters of the State
(Group 3 wetlands) within the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Citrus,
Dade, Desoto, Escambia, Gadsden, Highlands, Hillsborough,
Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Okaloosa,
Okeechobee, Pasco, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Walton, and
Washington.
The location of property for which the variance is sought is
depicted in the map(s) included with this publication. This vari-
ance is sought in conjunction with the activities necessary to con-
struct the project as described in Environmental Resource Permit
application No. 43-0293015-001 for construction of a statewide
natural gas pipeline system and with a request for water quality
variance application No. 43-0293015-003, which shall allow for
temporary mixing zones. Of 147 surface water and wetland cross-
ings, 35 surface waters and 3 ditch systems are classified as
Group 1 crossings, 81 streams, 1 ditch system, 2 ponds, and 18
wetlands are classified as Group 2 crossings, and 7 wetlands are
classified as Group 3 crossings. Group 1 crossings generally
consist of waterbodies with open water widths greater than 35-feet
and where stream flows are too great to cross by flume or dam
and pump construction method, Group 2 crossings generally con-
sist of waterbodies containing sand, silt, clay and/or other organ-
ic substrates with open water widths between 10-feet and 35-feet,
or wetlands with undefined channels and flowing water, and
Group 3 crossings generally consisting of large saturated wetland
systems. The Department issues the Notice of Intent to grant the
variance, based upon the following findings: (a) It is not financial-
ly feasible or technically possible to directionally drill under all
open water and wetland crossings; (b) Performance-based best
management practices (BMPs) to avoid or minimize turbidity
problems in all surface water and wetland crossings shall be uti-
lized; (c) BMPs are not expected to adequately control turbidity in
147 surface waters and wetland systems within the allowable 150-
meter mixing zone of the 1,302 surface water and wetland pro-
posed to be crossed in the Environmental Resource Permit appli-
cation No. 43-0293015-001; and (d) The elevated turbidity levels
at the end of the expanded mixing zones will be temporary in
nature and are not expected to cause long-term adverse affects to
biological resources in the project area. Upon issuance of the
final order, the variance shall be subject to but not limited to the
following conditions: (a) This variance is valid only if an ERP (File
No. 43-0293015-001) is issued for this project, and is subject to
any and all conditions of the permit, and the granting of this vari-
ance does not guarantee the issuance of the permit; (b) Given
good cause by either party, the Secretary or designee may alter
the terms and conditions of the variance; (c) This variance applies
to the activities conducted within the approved 147 surface water
and wetland crossings in File No. 43-0293015-002; (d) As author-
ized in the water quality variance application No. 43-0293015-003,
which shall allow for temporary mixing zones, turbidity levels at
the end of the 800-meter mixing zones shall not exceed 3,000
NTUs above natural background levels for more than 3 consecu-
tive hours after construction and no more than 1,000 NTU's above
natural background levels for more than 12 consecutive hours
after construction in the above referenced waterbodies and wet-
land crossings; (e) Appropriate performance-based BMPs shall be
utilized to minimize increases in turbidity and control erosion
when crossing the above referenced surface waters and wetlands;
and (f) This variance shall be subject to all monitoring conditions
required by Environmental Resource Permit No. 43-0293015-001
and Variance No. 43-0293015-003, and daily logs for the variance
surface waters and wetlands shall be presented as a separate
section in the monthly reports submitted to the Department.
The Department's file on this matter is available for public
inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department
of Environmental Protection, Attention Benny Luedike, 400 North
Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401,
Telephone: 561-681-6646. Additionally, maps that were submitted
in the variance application are available for review at the
Department's website at
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/southeast/erp/erpmain.htm. The maps






will be available on the Department's website for a minimum peri-
od of ninety days after the date of this notice.
A person whose substantial interests are affected by the
Department's action may petition for an administrative proceeding
(hearing) under sections 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida
Statutes. The peittion must contain the information set forth below
and must be filed (received by the clerk) in the Office of General
Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard,
Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
Mediation under Section 120.573 of the F. S., is not available.
Because the administrative hearing process is designed to
redetermine final agency action on the application, the filing of a
petition for an administrative hearing may result in a modification
of the agency action or even a denial of the application. If a suffi-
cient petition for an administrative hearing or request for an exten-
sion of time to file a petition is timely filed, this agency action auto-
matically becomes only proposed agency action on the applica-
tion, subject to the result of the administrative review process.
Accordingly, the applicant is advised not to commence construc-
tion or other activities in accordance with this variance until the
deadlines noted below for filing a petition for an administrative
hearing, or request for an extension of time has expired.
Under Rules 28-106.111(3) and 62-110.106(4), F.A.C., a per-
son whose substantial interests are affected by the Department's
action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for
an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause
shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for
extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel


of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station
35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, before the applicable dead-
line. A timely request for extension of time shall toll the running of
the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon.
If a request is filed late, the Department may still grant it upon a
motion by the requesting party showing that the failure to file a
request for an extension of time before the deadline was the result
of excusable neglect.
In the event that a timely and sufficient petition for an adminis-
trative hearing is filed, other persons whose substantial interests
will be affected by the outcome of the administrative process have
the right to petition to intervene in the proceeding. Any interven-
tion will be only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the
filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C.
In accordance with Rules 28-106.111(2) and 62-
110.106(3)(a)(4), FA.C., petitions for an administrative hearing by
the applicant must be filed within 14 days of receipt of this written
notice. Petitions filed by any persons other than the applicant, and
other than those entitled to written notice under Section 120.60(3),
FS., must be filed within 14 days of publication of the notice or
within 14 days of receipt of the written notice, whichever occurs
first.
Under Section 120.60(3), F.S., however, any person who has
asked the Department for notice of agency action may file a peti-
tion within 14 days of receipt of such notice, regardless of the date
of publication.
The petitioner shall mail a copy of the petition to the applicant
at the address indicated above at the time of filing. The failure of
any person to file a petition for an administrative hearing within the
appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that person's
right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under
Sections 120.569 and 120.57, FS.
A petition that disputes the material facts on which the
Department's action is based must contain the following informa-
tion: (a) The name and address of each agency affected and
each agency's file or identification number, if known; (b) The
name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the
name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner's repre-
sentative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes
during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how
the petitioner's substantial interests are or will be affected by the
agency determination; (c) A statement of when and how the peti-
tioner received notice of the agency decision; (d) A statement of
all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition
must so indicate; (e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts
alleged, including the specific facts that the petitioner contends
warrant reversal or modification of the agency's proposed action;
and (f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the peti-
tioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency's
proposed action, including an explanation of how the alleged
facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and (g) A statement of
the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that
the petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the
agency's proposed action.
A petition that does not dispute the material facts on which the
Department's action is based shall state that no such facts are in
dispute and otherwise shall contain the same information as set
forth above, as required by Rule 28-106.301. Under sections
120.569(2)(c) and (d), FS., a petition for administrative hearing
must be dismissed by the agency if the petition does not substan-
tially comply with the above requirements or is untimely filed.
This action is final and effective on the date filed with the Clerk
of the Department unless a petition is filed in accordance with the
above. Upon the timely filing of a petition this order will not be
effective until further order of the Department.
This variance constitutes an order of the Department. The
applicant has the right to seek judicial review of the order under
Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, by the filing of a notice of appeal
under Rule 9.110, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, with the
Clerk of the Department in the Office of General Counsel, 3900
Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida,
32399 3000; and by filing a copy of the notice of appeal accom-
panied by the applicable filing fees with the appropriate district
court of appeal. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days
from the date when the final order is filed with the Clerk of the
Department.


STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF INTENT TO GRANT VARIANCE

The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of
its intent to grant a variance under Section 403.201, F.S., from
the provisions of Rule 62-4.244(5)(c), FA.C. to Florida Gas
Transmission Company, LLC, 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston,
Texas 77056, (File No. 43-0293015-003) to allow a temporary
mixing zone greater than 150-meters. The variance shall allow
temporary mixing zones of 800-meters (2,625-feet) at a total of
140 surface water and wetland crossings within the counties of
Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Desoto, Gadsden, Highlands,
Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Manatee,
Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Pasco, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Walton, and
Washington. The location of property for which the variance is
sought is depicted in the map(s) included with this publication.
This variance is sought in conjunction with the activities neces-
sary to construct the project as described in Environmental
Resource Permit application No. 43-0293015-001 for construction
of a statewide natural gas pipeline system and with a request for
water quality variance application No. 43-0293015-002, which
shall allow for a higher turbidity standard. Of 140 surface water
and wetland crossings, 35 surface waters and 3 ditch systems
are classified as Group 1 crossings, and 81 streams, 1 ditch sys-
tem, 2 ponds, and 18 wetlands are classified as Group 2 cross-
ings. Group 1 crossings generally consist of waterbodies with
open water widths greater than 35-feet and where stream flows
are too great to cross by flume or dam and pump construction
method and Group 2 crossings generally consist of waterbodies
containing sand, silt, clay and/or other organic substrates with
open water widths between 10-feet and 35-feet, or wetlands with
undefined channels and flowing water. The Department issues
the Notice of Intent to grant the variance, based upon the follow-
ing findings: (a) It is not financially feasible or technically possi-
ble to directionally drill under all open water and wetland cross-
ings; (b) Performance-based best management practices (BMPs)
to avoid or minimize turbidity problems in all surface water and
wetland crossings shall be utilized; (c) BMPs are not expected to
adequately control turbidity in 140 surface waters and wetland
systems within the allowable 150-meter mixing zone of the 1,302
surface water and wetland proposed to be crossed in the
Environmental Resource Permit application No. 43-0293015-001;
and (d) The elevated turbidity levels at the end of the expanded
mixing zones will be temporary in nature and are not expected to
cause long-term adverse affects to biological resources in the
project area. Upon issuance of the final order, the variance shall
be subject to but not limited to the following conditions: (a) This
variance is valid only if an ERP (File No. 43-0293015-001) is
issued for this project, and is subject to any and all conditions of
the permit, and the granting of this variance does not guarantee
the issuance of the permit; (b) Given good cause by either party,
the Secretary or designee may alter the terms and conditions of
the variance; (c) This variance only applies to the activities con-
ducted within the approved 140 surface water and wetland
crossings in File No. 43-0293015-003; (d) As authorized in the
water quality variance application No. 43-0293015-002, which
shall allow for a higher turbidity standard, turbidity levels at the
end of the 800-meter mixing zones shall not exceed 3,000 NTUs
above natural background levels for more than 3 consecutive
hours after construction and no more than 1,000 NTU's above
natural background levels for more than 12 consecutive hours
after construction in the affected waterbodies and wetland cross-
ings; (e) Appropriate performance-based BMPs shall be utilized
to minimize increases in turbidity and control erosion when
crossing the above referenced surface waters and wetlands; and
(f) This variance shall be subject to all monitoring conditions
required by Environmental Resource Permit No. 43-0293015-001
and Variance No. 43-0293015-002, and daily logs for the vari-
ance surface waters and wetlands shall be presented as a sepa-
rate section in the monthly reports submitted to the Department.
The Department's file on this matter is available for public
inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department
of Environmental Protection, Attention Benny Luedike, 400 North
Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401,
Telephone: 561-681-6646. Additionally, maps that were submit-
ted in the variance application are available for review at the
Department's website at


http://www.dep.state.fl.us/southeast/erp/erpmain.htm. The maps
will be available on the Department's website for a minimum peri-
od of ninety days after the date of this notice.
A person whose substantial interests are affected by the
Department's action may petition for an administrative proceed-
ing (hearing) under sections 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida
Statutes. The petition must contain the information set forth
below and must be filed (received by the clerk) in the Office of
General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth
Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
Mediation under Section 120.573 of the F S., is not available.
Because the administrative hearing process is designed to
redetermine final agency action on the application, the filing of a
petition for an administrative hearing may result in a modification
of the agency action or even a denial of the application. If a suffi-
cient petition for an administrative hearing or request for an
extension of time to file a petition is timely filed, this agency
action automatically becomes only proposed agency action on
the application, subject to the result of the administrative review
process. Accordingly, the applicant is advised not to commence
construction or other activities in accordance with this variance
until the deadlines noted below for filing a petition for an admin-
istrative hearing, or request for an extension of time has expired.
Under Rules 28-106.111(3) and 62-110.106(4), F.A.C., a per-
son whose substantial interests are affected by the Department's
action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for
an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause
shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for
extension of time must be filed with the Office of General
Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard,
Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, before the
applicable deadline. A timely request for extension of time shall
toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the
request is acted upon. If a request is filed late, the Department
may still grant it upon a motion by the requesting party showing
that the failure to file a request for an extension of time before the
deadline was the result of excusable neglect.
In the event that a timely and sufficient petition for an admin-
istrative hearing is filed, other persons whose substantial inter-
ests will be affected by the outcome of the administrative
process have the right to petition to intervene in the proceeding.
Any intervention will be only at the discretion of the presiding offi-
cer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-
106.205, F.A.C.
In accordance with Rules 28-106.111(2) and 62-
110.106(3)(a)(4), FA.C., petitions for an administrative hearing by
the applicant must be filed within 14 days of receipt of this writ-
ten notice. Petitions filed by any persons other than the appli-
cant, and other than those entitled to written notice under
Section 120.60(3), F.S., must be filed within 14 days of publica-
tion of the notice or within 14 days of receipt of the written
notice, whichever occurs first.
Under Section 120.60(3), F.S., however, any person who has
asked the Department for notice of agency action may file a peti-
tion within 14 days of receipt of such notice, regardless of the
date of publication.
The petitioner shall mail a copy of the petition to the applicant
at the address indicated above at the time of filing. The failure of
any person to file a petition for an administrative hearing within
the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that per-
son's right to request an administrative determination (hearing)
under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S.
A petition that disputes the material facts on which the
Department's action is based must contain the following informa-
tion: (a) The name and address of each agency affected and
each agency's file or identification number, if known; (b) The
name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the
name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner's repre-
sentative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes
during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how
the petitioner's substantial interests are or will be affected by the
agency determination; (c) A statement of when and how the peti-
tioner received notice of the agency decision; (d) A statement of
all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition
must so indicate; (e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts
alleged, including the specific facts that the petitioner contends
warrant reversal or modification of the agency's proposed action;
and (f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the peti-
tioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency's
proposed action, including an explanation of how the alleged
facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and (g) A statement
of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action
that the petitioner wishes the agency to to take with respect to the
agency's proposed action.
A petition that does not dispute the material facts on which
the Department's action is based shall state that no such facts
are in dispute and otherwise shall contain the same information
as set forth above, as required by Rule 28-106.301. Under sec-
tions 1 20.569(2)(c) and (d), F.S., a petition for administrative
hearing must be dismissed by the agency if the petition does not
substantially comply with the above requirements or is untimely
filed.
This action is final and effective on the date filed with the
Clerk of the Department unless a petition is filed in accordance
with the above. Upon the timely filing of a petition this order will
not be effective until further order of the Department.
This variance constitutes an order of the Department. The
applicant has the right to seek judicial review of the order under
Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, by the filing of a notice of
appeal under Rule 9.110, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure,
with the Clerk of the Department in the Office of General
Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35,
Tallahassee, Florida, 32399 3000; and by filing a copy of the
notice of appeal accompanied by the applicable filing fees with
the appropriate district court of appeal. The notice of appeal
must be filed within 30 days from the date when the final order is
filed with the Clerk of the Department.

PUBLISH: 1/3/10 Okeeohobee News




January 3, 2010 Okeechobee News 19


Submitted photo
Winning team
After ending the regular soccer season in a tie between Kassella Construc-
tion and Okeechobee Soccer League, both having won 9 and lost 2 and tied
1, Okeechobee Parks and Rec Youth Soccer League (12 and under) held a
final play off on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Kassella Construction came out the vic-
tor with a score of 8-4. Members of the winning team are: Tyler Selph, Ty-
ler Chouinard, Braydon Kassella, Mackenzie Delacruz, Brian Chapman, Jr.,
Aaron Rodriguez, Alicia Rodriguez, Gabriel Hernandez, Edwin Garcia, Kayla
Martinez, Michael Hawthorne, Osiel Brito, Tony Serrano, Baldemar Medrano.
Coach for the team is Bryan Chapman, Asst. Coach is Chris Selph and Team
Sponsor is Andy Kassella. Congratulations team!

OCRA signups announced
OCRA will be holding registration for T-Ball, baseball and softball at the sports complex
each Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. beginning Jan. 9 through 30. Fees for the spring
season will be $75 for baseball and softball and $60 for T-ball. All youth ages 5-14 are
encouraged to play. For questions, please call 863-634-1437.

Coast Guard Auxiliary to do vessel exams
Flotilla 57 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts vessel exams. They are free and they
will come to you. Call 863-763-9570 to make and appointment to examine your boat and
get it certified with a sticker.


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'863-467-2224 1111 S. Parrott Ave, Okeechobee

Monday Friday
-. Country Fried Steak, 2 Eggs, Potato & Toast $5.99
,Waffle Combo, 2 Eggs, 2 Links & 2 Bacon $5.89
----3. French Toast Combo, 2 Eggs, 2 Links & 2 Bacon $4.89
4. Touchdown 2 Eggs, 2 Bacon, 2 Links & 2 Pancakes $4.89 /
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2 Soup & Sandwich with fries Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich
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Monday Friday $5.99 Buy your beverage for 99 cents

2 Dinners -Your Choice $18.59
1. N.Y Strip Steak 4. Grilled Pork Chops
2 Grilled Tilapia or Salmon 5. Shrimp Scampi Over Pasta ..11
3. Chicken Tenders 6. Roast Turkey Breast 10
K Served witf 2.sidesJsoup or salad & P oifi*ie -.8
:-'1' 1 %% 7


I




20 Okeechobee News January 3, 2010


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* ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Whichever comes first.See dealer for details.


1 Monthly payment is $13.89 for every $1,000 financed. Average example down payment: 11%. Some customers will not qualify. Not available with other offers. Take delivery by 1/4/10. 2 Example based on survey. Each dealer sets its own price. Your
payments may vary. Payments are for a 2010 Malibu LS with an MSRP of $22,545. 39 monthly payments total $8,931. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. GMAE must approve lease. Take delivery by 1/4/09.
Mileage charge is $.20/mile over 39,000 miles. Lessee pays for excess wear. Not available with other offers. Residency restrictions apply. 3 Dependability based on longevity: 1981-July 2009 full-size pickup registrations. 4 Onlyon 20% of vehicles available
to dealers at program start. Not available with some other offers. See participating dealer for details. Take delivery by 1/4/10.5 Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details, and system limitations. Services vary by model and conditions. @2009 OnStar. All
rights reserved. @2009 General Motors.


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