A.. k'
'xx

OkeechobeeL ews

Vol. 96 No. 356

Briefs
Possible paving
seam is reported
The Okeechobee County
Sheriff's Office is cautioning
area citizens to be aware of a
possible paving scam that has
been reported in Okeechobee
and St. Lucie counties.
The suspects approach resi-
dents and try to sell them
asphalt millings for driveways.
The suspects do not have per-
mits, and may try to get pay-
ment in advance.
If anyone approaches you in
an attempt to sell asphalt and
they do not have a business
license, contact the Okee-
chobee County Sheriff's Office
at (863) 763-3117.
Holiday decorations
If your home is decorated
for the holiday season why not
let everyone in the community
enjoy it?
Simply call us at (863) 763-
3134 and ask for Dee or Eric,
then give us your address and
we'll publish it so that everyone
can drive by and see your dis-
play.
Homes decorated for the
holidays can be seen at:
*313 S.W.67th Drive
1475 S.E. 21st St. in Blue
Heron Golf & C.C.
4 Hunter Road in Buck-
head Ridge
2350 S.E. 20th Drive in
Ta. lor Creek Isles
4055 S.E. 24th Rd. in Van-
tage Oak Trailer Park
1065 S.E. 21st St. in Blue
Heron Golf& C.C.
312 S.E. 8th Dr.
*310S.E. 8th Dr.
2933 S.E. 35th Ave.
2228 S.E. 38th Trail in Tay-
lor Creek Isles
211 24th St. in Buckhead
Ridge
All of Kissimmee River
Estates .. .. ..
*2801 S.E 18th Court
Real Life Children's
Ranch, 7777 U.S. 441 S.E.
5270 N.\. 30th St.
(Mitchell Road)
Palm Village Ranch,
entrance is on 44th Blvd.
All of S.W Second Court
4600-S.E. 27th Street
*501 S.E. Eighth St
4411 S.W. 13th Ave. in
Palm Village
1711 S.W. 35th Drive
e 2531 S.E. 23rd St. in Taylor
Creek Isles
116 N.E. Eighth Ave. in
River Run Resort
*S.W. 18th St. in Oak Park
*3051 S.E 33rd Drive
2350 S.E. 25th Drive in
Taylor Creek Isles
e 3112 S.E. 33rd Ct. in Taylor
Creek Isles

Drought Index
Current: 261
Source: Florida Division
of Forestry
Local Burn Ban: None

Lake levels

15.96 feet

Lake level
Last Year:

SOURCE:
South Florida Water Manage-
ment District. Depth given in
feet above sea level.)

Index
Classifieds . .12-14
Comics ........ ....7
Community Events/. .4
Crossword .. . .12
Obituaries . . .3
Opinion ..... ......4
Speak Out .. .. ....4
Sports .............6
TV ............ ...13
Weather...........2
See Page 2 for information about
how to contact the newspaper.

newszap.com
newsblog.Info
Online news & information

Thursday, December 22, 2005

50M Plus tax

Parties may meet over

By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
While the disagreement over
the use of Flagler Park in down-
town Okeechobee hasn't been
resolved, both sides have said they
would like to sit down and discuss
the issue.
At issue is the park being used
for what trustees of the Hamrick
'Tust say are commercial ventures,
primarily the use of the park by
Okeechobee Main Street, Inc., for a
farmer's market. The City of Okee-
chobee voted 3-1 to allow the non-
profit Main Street group to use the
park for its open air market even
though some of the vendors at the
market are for-profit businesses.
According to the trust, the park

is to remain open for "free and
public use" and is not to be used
for commercial enterprises.
And according to David Ham-
rick, the son of R.E. 'Colonel'
Hamrick and one of the adminis-
trators of the trust, if an agreement
can't be reached with the city over
the use of the park the matter
could verywell end up in court.
David Hamrick stated in a tele-
phone interview from his Braden-
ton home Tuesday that he would
like to write James Kirk, the mayor
of Okeechobee, and City Adminis-
trator Brian Whitehall a letter to
request a meeting.
"But other than that, I might go
to court and stop the use of the
park for commercial' events," said
David Hamrick.

Although the issue may end up
in court again, David Hamrick said
he had no intentions at this time of
selling the property and distribut-
ing the proceeds of the sale
among the four heirs.
"Not at all," he said. "It's dedi-
cated to the public use. I have
strong roots in Okeechobee, even
though I don't live there, and I
think the people of Okeechobee
have the right to use the park."
On Oct. 4, the Okeechobee City
Council voted to allow the
farmer's market to use the park.
Council member Lowry
Markham, a friend of the Hamrick
Family, voted against the proposal.
Council member Lydia Williams
did not vote because she is the
executive director of Main Street.

Council members Dowling Wat-
ford and Noel Chandler voted for
the measure.
Mayor Kirk only votes in case of
a tie. However, when there is not a
tie his vote automatically goes to
the majority vote.
Flagler Park has been owned
by the Hamrick family since 1947.
Following the death of 'Colonel'
Hamrick in 1990, the park and
many other pieces of property,
streets and alleys in Okeechobee
were put into the Hamrick Trust.
That trust is presided over by
David Hamrick and local business-
man Gil Culbreth.
In a 1982 letter to the Okee-
chobee County Chamber of Com-
merce, 'Colonel' Hamrick stated
how the parkwas to be used.

Children's wish list filled

"It is my intention that these
parks be maintained by the City of
Okeechobee and used by the pub-
lic for recreation and for non-profit
functions only," he stated.
He went on to state that the
Chamber of Commerce should
have use of the park for their
major fundraisers because "..
these funds are used for the bene-
fit of the entire community.
"As much of the community as
possible should benefit from any
fundraising activity held within the
park complex," he wrote.
He also wanted the Seminole
Indian Tribe of Florida to continue
to participate in events in the park
because he felt they "add a lot of
See Parties -Page 2

Five

die in

crash

By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
Two adults and three children
were killed in a two-vehicle acci-
dent on U.S. 441 N. Wednesday
morning.
"There was a lot of speed
involved by both vehicles," said
Lieutenant Tim Frith, of the Flori-
da Highway Patrol (FHP).
Pronounced dead at the scene
were Frank Brady, Jr., 48, of Okee-
chobee; Mary Ann Smalls, 34, and
her three children Anthony,
Samantha and Jonathan. Lt. Frith
See Crash --Page 2

Submitted to Okeechobee News/Jenny Stewart
Okeechobee Landfill Inc. gave back to the community this season by purchasing gifts for ten local families through Big Lake
Missions Outreach. In all, Okeechobee Landfill purchased $1,000 in gifts for these families. Waste Management's communi-
ty outreach representative Jenny Stewart communicated with parents regarding their children's wish lists. "Okeechobee Land-
fill is committed to being a good neighbor and helping where we can," remarked District Manager Joe Fasulo. Staff members
pitched in and wrapped all of the toys. From (left to right) Okeechobee Landfill District Manager, Joe Fasulo; Director of Land-
fill Operations-Central Florida Market Area, Mike Stallard; Big Lake Missions Outreach Director, Mary Anne Swinford; and, Big
Lake Missions Associate Director, Bruce Swinford stand by Okeechobee Landfill's mountain of toys for the needy.

City planners OK

By Audrey Blackwell
Okeechobee News
The City of Okeechobee Land
Planning Agency approved rec-
ommending to the city council
to change the land use designa-
tion for lots 7-12, block 181, from
single family to multi-family zon-
ing for Stepping Stones Academy
I, Inc., at their meeting Tuesday,
Dec. 20. The preschoot'daycare
facility is located at 400 and 412
S.W. Fourth St.
What triggered the change
was a desire to bring all land
used by the facility together
under the multi-family zoning
after a name change was
requested by the owners, Wayne
and Linda Evans.
Ben Littlefield, of Jupiter,
operator of the Stepping Stones

Academy chain, said the facili-
ties are now called Stepping
Stones Academy I and Stepping
Stones Academy II. Academy I is
on Southwest Fourth Street, and
Academy II is on U.S. 98.
Previously, the facility on
Fourth Street was just titled Step-
ping Stones and the one on U.S.
98 was titled Stepping Stones
Academy. The name change
adds Academy and, roman
numerals to each.
The first Stepping Sto'nes day-
care was started in 2004 with a
capacity for 83 children at both
locations. In July.2005, the own-
ers purchased more property
and they now have an increased
play area at the Fourth Street
location. Mr. Littlefield said they
added 4,500 sq. feet. The two

daycare rezoning
facilities allow for a capacity of council.
277 children between the ages of They approved rezoning lots
1 to 12 years; however, 120 are I and 2, block 182, from residen-
currently enrolled. tial multi-family to heavy com-
Two more Stepping Stones mercial for Leland Dyals on
academies are located in property at 304 S.W Third Ave.
Broward County. The board approved rezoning
The planning agency also lots 9-11, block E, in Wright's
approved a zoning change to be Third Addition, from industrial to
recommended to the council for residential single family-one.
land at 305 and 307 N.E. 11 th St., The property is at 302 S.E. 10th
owned by Rick Surface. The Ave. and is owned by Daniel
request is for a small-scale com- Creech.
prehensive plan amendment so The Board of Adjustment
he can build additional duplex- (BOA) approved a special excep-
itn f Stpnnina.tiStn CPLq Arqd d

During a meeting of the city's
planning board, which met
immediately after the planning
agency, board members
approved recommending two
rezoning petitions to the city

Uion lor tjepp/ig JULO ,cau;e-
my I to allow them to operate a
preschool/daycare in a residen-
tial multifamily zoning district,
the matter decided earlier by the
See Planners Page 2

State

won't

charge

officer

By Eric Kopp
Okeechobee News
The office of the state's attor-
ney has elected not to pursue
criminal prosecution of a former
lieutenant with the Okeechobee
City Police Department (OCPD),
who had been accused of com-
mitting a third-degree felony.
The ex-OCPD supervisor,
David G. Wilbur, resigned from
the department on Oct. 20 amid
See Officer Page 2

i ,mmmii i ltlbra

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1 11 lllll 1
8 16510 00024 5

Submitted to Okeechobee News/YMS
Colorful wreaths
Students from Ms. Ehrharts' class at Yearling Middle
School show off wreaths they made for their parents.

k.0

2 The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

News Briefs ( hiku gmi If Wt Im | tm after lamalal rrash

Old holiday
photos sought
OKEECHOBEE The Okee-
chobee News is seeking photos of
local Christmas celebrations from
1980 or earlier (25 years ago or
older) for use in the Looking Back
feature of this newspaper during
the month of December.
Bring old holiday photos to the
Okeechobee News office at 107
S.W 17th Street in Okeechobee
during regular office hours, Mon-
day through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5
p.m. and we will copy the photos
while you wait. Or, e-mail photos
as jpg attachments to okee-
news@newszap.com.
Please include as much infor-
mation as you can about when and
where the photo was taken and
who is in the photo.
Photos may be of community
or family celebrations in the Okee-
chobee area.

County offices
close for holiday
OKEECHOBEE The offices of
the Okeechobee County Tax Col-
lector and Property Appraiser will
close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 22, and will
remain closed on Friday, Dec. 23,
and Monday, Dec. 26, in obser-
vance of the Christmas holiday.

Clerk's office
closes for luncheon
OKEECHOBEE The offices of
the Okeechobee County Clerk of Cir-
cuit Court will close to the public
between noon and 1:30 p.m. on
Thursday, Dec. 22, for their annual
employee holiday season luncheon.
The office will reopen to the
public at 1:30 p.m.

Property taxes
now being collected
OKEECHOBEE The Okee-
chobee County real and personal
property roll has been certified by
the Okeechobee County Property
Appraiser and is open for collec-
tion of taxes for 2005.
Residents of the city and county
can pay their property taxes at the
Okeechobee County Tax Collec-
tor's Office in the Alderman Build-
ing, 307 N.W Fifth Av., Suite B.
Discounts will be allowed as fol-
lows: 3 percent on payments made
Dec. 1 Dec. 31; 2 percent on pay-
ments made Jan. 1, 2006 Jan. 31,
2006; 1 percent on payments made
Feb, 1, 2006 Feb. 28, 2006; and,
net if paid in March.
For information on fire, garbage
and Country Hills road assess-
ments, call (863) 763-9312.
Office hours are Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30
p.m.
For information, call (863) 763-
3421.

Young artists
to be selected
OKEECHOBEE Local young
artists between the ages of 10-19
are needed as apprentices to paint
Okeechobee Main Street's first
mural project.
This competition is dedicated to
promote the involvement of young
Okeechobee artists in visual arts, as
well as learning and participating
in the process of painting a large
mural under the direction of pro-
fessiknal artists.
Ydung artists chosen will be tak-
ing part in a historical event.
The selection process will be
based on sample works submitted
through a juried process. Competi-
tion is now open and will end on
Jan. 6, 2006. An entry and artists'
consent form is required.
For information, contact Brid-
gett Waldau, mural and visual arts
chairperson, at (863) 467-7300; or
stop by the Okeechobee Main
Street's office at 111 N.E. Second St.
for an entry form, consent form,
rules and art submission format.
Information is also online at
www.mainstreetokeechobee.com.

Loans help replace
storm-damaged homes
OKEECHOBEE The Okee-
chobee Non-Profit Housing, Inc.
has received $500,000 for the
HOME Again Loan Program,
which helps homeowners with
replacement of their hurricane
damaged or destroyed homes.
The HOME Again Program will
help applicants who meet the fol-
lowing criteria:
You owned your home in
Okeechobee County and it was
your primary residence during hur-
ricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
You have been unable to fix
your home due to a lack of insur-
ance or other assistance.

*Your gross household income
is at or below the following levels:
one person in the household -
$24,000; two persons $27,650;
three persons $31,100; four per-
sons $34,550; five persons -
$37,300; six persons $40,100;
seven persons $42,850; and,
eight persons $45,500.
Interviews for applications for
this program are by appointment
only. To make an appointment for
an interview, call Jessie Vazquez at
(863) 467-5525. The Okeechobee
Non-Profit Housing Inc. office is
open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.

Officer

Continued From Page 1
allegations that he had warned a
local resident of her impending
arrest.
Although OCPD Detective
John Zeigler applied for a warrant
to arrest Wilbur on a charge of
disclosure or use of confidential
criminal justice information, he
was never arrested because the
issuance of a warrant was denied.
Assistant State Attorney Ashley
Albright denied the issuance of
the arrest warrant for several rea-
sons, including statements by
Wilbur that would be inadmissi-
ble against him in court, and
statements made by someone
interviewed in connection with
the case that would be "inadmis-
sible double hearsay" if offered to
prove that Wilbur had committed
a crime.
The OCPD is now required to
notify the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement (FDLE) of the
situation. That agency's Division
of Criminal Justice Standards and
Training will then schedule a
hearing to determine if Wilbur
can keep his law enforcement
certification.
According to reports by Detec-
tive Zeigler, he was conducting an
investigation involving fraudulent
prescriptions that had been called
in by phone to area pharmacies.
The detective stated in his report
that the fraudulent prescriptions
- one of which was for the
painkiller Lortab were sup-
posed to be picked up at a local
pharmacy on Aug. 5.
Lortab is a schedule three nar-
cotic that can become addictive.
The detective then went to the
pharmacy with the intent of
arresting the person who picked
up the prescription. But, the per-
son did not show up and Detec-
tive Zeigler ended the stakeout.
Then through the course of
another investigation it was
learned that the suspect reported-
ly did not show up at the pharma-
cy because they were told by "a
cop" that Detective Zeigler was
waiting there to arrest them, stat-
ed the detective in his OCPD

Crash

Continued From Page 1
said he did not have confirmed
ages on the children, and added

report.
Detective Zeigler then initiated
an investigation on Oct. 4 into the
alleged warning and learned that
"the cop" was alleged to be
Wilbur.
On Oct. 15, Detective Zeigler
conducted a 25-minute interview
session with Wilbur. According to
the detective's report, Wilbur
admitted to warning the suspect's
sister that she would be arrested if
she picked up the prescription.
The detective indicates in his
report that when Wilbur made his
admission, he said: "I figured I
would try and help her out to
keep her from getting more
charges."
The suspect was later arrested
on felony charges of attempting
to purchase a prescription and
booked into the Okeechobee
County Jail under a $5,000 bond.
Detective Zeigler's investiga-
tion and findings will now be
turned over to the state.
According to Glen Hopkins,
training and research manager
with the FDLE in Tallahassee and
a staff member in the Criminal
Justice Standards and Training
division, OCPD is required to
report their findings. Those find-
ings will then be assessed to see if
the charges are applicable.
"If there are violations of moral
character we would set a proba-
ble cause hearing to determine if
there is evidence to move for-
ward," explained Mr. Hopkins. "At
that point, we would issue an
administrative complaint that out-
lines the charges. We would also
indicate the officer's options."
Mr. Hopkins said any hearing
conducted by the Criminal Justice
Standards division would be
administrative in nature, and not
criminal. He also pointed out that
he could not comment on
Wilbur's case because it had not
been turned over to the state as of
Dec. 21.
He said once the complaint
has been issued, the officer has
four options: two include the
relinquishing of the officer's law
enforcement certification; the

third option is to go before an
administrative judge for a hear-
ing; and, the final option is for the

that the mother and children
were from Okeechobee.
A passenger with Mr. Brady,
Thomas Fralix, 44, also of Okee-
chobee, survived the crash.
According to Lt. Frith, Mr.
'A

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- m 4D0- --

4

officer to go before the division's
commission to plead his/her case.
If it goes before a judge, attor-
neys from both sides will issue
briefs outlining laws that pertain
to the case. The judge will then
weigh the evidence and make a
recommendation. This process
could take a couple of weeks, said
Mr. Hopkins.
The judge's recommendation
will then be presented to the com-
mission for final action. Mr. Hop-
kins said the commission usually
accepts the judge's findings.
Under the fourth option, the
commission will look at the
charges and make a recommen-
dation as to the appropriate
penalties. This is a quicker
process, said Mr. Hopkins.
However, it still could take
nearly a year before the process is
complete.
"If we got the investigation
today (Wednesday, Dec. 21), we
would review it. And if we
deemed it a completed investiga-
tion, we have 180 days to sched-
ule a probable cause hearing,"
said Mr. Hopkins. "If the officer
goes to that hearing and they find
probable cause, the officer has 30
days to respond to the administra-
tive complaint.
"If the officer responds by
early- to mid-April, the case
would be scheduled for a hearing
in August that's if it is a best-
case scenario," he added.
But the officer also has one
other choice ignore all notices
by the state. If the officer chooses
to ignore the state then his/her
certification is automatically relin-
quished.
"The officer could elect to
relinquish certification or not
respond to us but, by due
process, we will still try to notify
the officer three times," said Mr.
Hopkins.
He said the first notification
would be by certified mail. If that
is unsuccessful, the sheriff's office
in the county where the officer
resides will be notified and they
will attempt to locate the officer. If
this is unsuccessful, a notice
would be published in the news-
paper closest to the officer's resi-
dence.

Brady was southbound on U.S.
441 N. around 8:05 a.m. Wednes-
day in a 2005 one-ton Dodge pick
up truck. He was pulling a flat bed
trailer that was loaded with a
piece of "grading-type" machin-
ery.
Ms. Smalls was northbound in
a 1995 Mercury station wagon.
"The evidence would indicate
at this time that the station wagon

Planners
Continued From Page 1
planning agency. A preschool is a
special exception land use in that
category and requires action by
the BOA.
The BOA approved the request
O- of Alejandro and Janet Estremera to
allow for an outdoor vehicle sales
lot within the heavy commercial
zoning district at 711 N. Parrott Ave.
BJennifer Morgan, with LaRue
Planning Agency, said their staff
recommends the approval as
long as three conditions are met:
parking and landscaping are
done, the lot must be paved, and
riders" the area of display must be
marked and paved.
Mrs. Estremera said there is no
area for landscaping, and Ms.
Morgan said they would take a
look at that and the display area.
Mrs. Estremera said the parking
lot is paved.
The Estremeras have owned

0 40

%iliu

Parties
Continued From Page 1
color and excitement to the park
events."
In an interview Tuesday, Mayor
Kirk said he would be glad to sit
down with David Hamrick and dis-
cuss the issue.
"I certainly have no objections
to meeting with him," said Mayor
Kirk. "If this one's not good (the
farmer's market), I wonder if we're
on solid ground with what the
Chamber does."
Mayor Kirk was referring to
such Chamber of Commerce
events as the Speckled Perch Festi-
val. The Chamber's vendor appli-
cation for that festival states that
only non-profit, civic clubs and
organizations, Seminole Indians
and hand-crafters are allowed.
Commercial vendors or individuals
selling items that have been pur-
chased for resale will not be
allowed, continues the application.
It has been alleged, however,
that for-profit businesses are being
allowed to set up in the park to sell
their wares at the farmer's market.
The Main Street organization
claims they are abiding by the wish-
es of the Hamrick Trust because
those entities are there under Main
Street's non-profit umbrella.
However, Michael Hamrick, the
attorney who handles the Hamrick
Trust does not agree with that
assessment. Michael Hamrick is
David Hamrick's son.
In a letter dated Nov. 4 of this
year to City Attorney John Cook,
Michael Hamrick notes that "pri-
vate citizens pay a fee for booth
rental at the market and are
allowed to keep the proceeds of
their commercial venture, less the
fee paid to the not-for-profit corpo-
ration for the right to put a booth
on the park property."

In the letter he asked Mr. Cook
to reply with the standards he used
to arrive at his decision that it
would be all right for the city to
allow Main Street the use of Flagler
Park for its farmer's market.
Michael Hamrick said Tuesday
morning that he had not heard
from Mr. Cook and "I assume at
this point I am not going to hear
from him."
However, Mayor Kirk said he
has talked to Mr. Cook and Michael
Hamrick will receive an answer by
Christmas.
"That (answer) will be John's
legal opinion," said Mayor Kirk.
Mr. Cook stated in a Nov. 9 story
published in the Okeechobee
News that he based his opinion on
the fact that he could see nothing in
"black and white" about using Fla-
gler Park for such things as the
farmer's market.
"I've seen nothing in writing in
the trust that states that the property
can't be used for this type of pur-
pose," said Mr. Cook in that story.
"What is public use? What kind of
events can be held? What is non-
profit? None of these are spelled out
in the trust Main Street is non-profit
and basically for the good of the city."
Michael Hamrick goes on to
state in his letter to Mr. Cook that:
"If use of the property is continued
in this manner, Mr. Hamrick
(David) will assess his legal rights
and responsibilities to the benefici-
aries of the Hamrick Trust, and to
the public at large."
If the trustee of the Hamrick
Trust chose, they could put the
park property back on the tax roll
and sell it.
But before it comes down to
that, David Hamrick and Mayor
Kirk would like to put their heads
together and come up with a solu-
tion.- or ..
"It seems to me this ought to be
something that we can work out,"
said Mayor Kirk.

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crossed the center line," said Lt. her children were on their way to
Frith. But he went on to caution Orlando International Airport,
that as of Wednesday afternoon where they were scheduled to
the investigation was still in its they were scheduled to
preliminary stages. take a flight to Indiana.
He added that the two vehicles "We believe that's where the
hit head on, and the weight of the father is at this time," said Lt. Frith.
pickup and its load pushed both investigation into the
vehicles onto the east shoulder of FHP's investigation into the
the highway. accident is continuing, said the
Lt. Frith said Ms. Smalls and trooper.

Baby Auto Sales for about 10
years and bought the new proper-
ty for their car sales after the own-
ers of the previous location sold
the property. Mrs. Estremera said

they would have moved to the
North Parrott Avenue location
earlier, but the hurricanes last
year caused a delay in their mov-
ing process.

- -
F-

Okeechobee News
Published bh Independent Newspaars. Inc.

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The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005 3

Submitted to Okeechobee News/Big Lake Hospice
Holiday festivities
Big Lake Hospice hosted a Christmas party for the volunteers in their new thrift store in
Northlake Village Shopping Center. Some of the volunteers who enjoyed the festivities
included Marilyn, Dorothy, Virginia, Elma, Mari, Susie, Norma, Sharon and Jean.

Watts receives award
Judy Watts was awarded 2005 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, at the December Board
of Directors Meeting of My Aunt's House, Inc. "The Closet". She was given an award cer-
tificate signed by the Board of Directors and $200. Ms. Watts immediately donated the
$200 back to "The Closet" for the Christmas campaign. Ms. Watts has volunteered her
time and resources tirelessly throughout the year. From left to right: John Burdeshaw,
John Abney, Judy Watts, Cindy Burnett, Zella Kirk and Reba Folsom.

Registration deadline for ACT is Jan. 6

College-bound high school
students have until Jan. 6, to reg-
ister to take the ACT exam on the
next nationwide test date, Feb.
11,2006.
The ACT will be administered
on Feb. 11, in all states except
New York.
Students who miss the Jan. 6
postmark deadline can do late
registration through Jan. 20 for

an additional $18 fee. Normal
cost of the ACT is $29 (the cost is
$43 if students choose to take
the optional writing test).
Students can register online
at www.actstudent.org, or.they
register by mail. Registration
materials are available from high
school guidance counselors.
The ACT Assessment is
designed to measure academic

achievement in four subject
areas: English, reading, math
and science. The exam takes
about three hours (add an extra
30 minutes for the writing test).
Colleges use ACT scores, along
with a student's high school GPA
and other information to help
determine if students are ready
for college-level coursework.
Besides admissions, scores are

used to place students in appro-
priate courses.
The writing test was added to
the ACT in Feb. 2005, and made
optional because most colleges
in the United States don't require
a writing test score. Students can
find out if their prospective col-
leges require a writing score by
searching on ACT's website
www.actstudent.org

UF/IFAS registration opens in Fort Pierce

FORT PIERCE Courses in
Florida Native Landscaping,
Agriculture and Environmental
Quality and Strategic Selling will
be offered for the fall 2005
semester at the University of
Florida Indian River Research
and Education Center, or IRREC,
in Fort Pierce. The center is
located at 2199 South Rock
Road, off of Kings Highway.
Nine undergraduate courses
will.be offered to. degree:and cer-
tificate ,seeking, students'I. Their
semester will begin Jan. 9 and
each course will be held 'in the
early evening. Additional cours-

es will cover Agribusiness Man-
agement, Agribusiness and Food
Marketing Management, Soils in
the Environment, Advanced Hor-
ticultural Physiology, Data Analy-
sis, Practical Work Experience,
and Special Problems.
Registration for UF courses at
IRREC is open now (register
early) and will continue until
Jan. 9. The center will be open
for registration Monday through
Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
each day until Dec. 23, and will
re-open following holiday break
on Monday, Jan. 2.
"Our students benefit from a

great deal of contact with their
instructors and from interaction
with the local industry," said P.J.
van Blokland, the center's teach-
ing program director and a pro-
fessor of finance.
The University of Florida at
IRREC has offered degree pro-
grams for seven years. Bache-
lor's degree programs
in Agribusiness Management
and in Environmental Manage-
ment are available to students
with- an Associate in Arts
degree. Master's degree pro-
grams include Agricultural Edu-
cation and Communication,

Entomology, Environmental
Horticulture, and Environmental
Science. Certificate programs
include Agribusiness Manage-

ment, Agricultural Education
and Communication, and Ento-
mology.

For more information about
IRREC course offerings, scholar-
ships and degree programs, con-
tact Kim Wilson, coordinator,
Student Support Services, at
(772) 468-3922 x 126, or by e-
mail at: kswilson@ifas.ufl.edu

Crist announces new partnership for child safety

TALLAHASSEE Attorney
General Charlie Crist today
announced that Floridians can
now utilize a new tool to help
ensure the safety of their chil-
dren and neighborhoods. Begin-
ning today, Floridians and citi-
zens across America can link to
the. Family. Watchdog website
through the Attorney General's
site at
http://MyFloridaLegal.com. Fam-
ily Watchdog features a unique
service that provides email noti-
fication when registered sexual
predators move into a neighbor-
hood. Florida becomes the, first
state to join forces with this child
safety operation.
The new site is part of the
Amber Alert network and can be
accessed directly at http://Fami-
lywatchdog.us. It provides free
general information, detailed
maps of neighborhoods, tips on
keeping children safe, and an
email notification when a regis-
tered sex offender moves into a
particular neighborhood. Addi-
tional addresses can be added to
the notification system for a
small fee. Family Watchdog is
endorsed by America's Most
Wanted host John Walsh and
child safety advocate Julie Clark,
who together formed The Safe
Side, a group designed to further
child protection efforts.
"Nothing is more important
than the protection of our chil-.
dren," said' Crist. "We are
pleased to alert our citizens to
this new tool that can help par-
ents keep track of those who are
prone to destroy lives. Sexual

predators are likely to commit
similar crimes again, so parents
need to know when these indi-
viduals move into the neighbor-
hood."
Family Watchdog can also
serve as a bridge among the
states in helping citizens know
the locations of these offenders.
While states such as Florida
have a database of registered
sexual predators and offenders,
it is difficult to know when they
move to another state. Sexual
.offenders and predators can be
tracked by name, no matter the
state in which they are regis-
tered, and the Family Watchdog
site enables parents to draw .
maps of their registered address-
es.
"Like parents everywhere,
we're sick and tired of seeing
case after case of crimes against
children," said Walsh and Clark.
"You can join us in fighting
back."
"Family Watchdog is honored
to provide our Internet-based
sex offender mapping service to
the State of Florida, and we wel-
come the opportunity to partner
with Attorney General Crist and
his staff to reduce the number of
sexual assaults committed on
Floridians," said Steve Roddel,
founder of Family Watchdog.
"We believe strongly that the
best way to combat sexual
assault is through personal
awareness. Identifying known
perpetrators of these crimes
within the community is 'an
important first step in protecting
those most at risk of sexual

assault."
In the six months since Rod-
del launched Family Watchdog
in Westfield, Ind., the website
has grown into America's num-
ber one site for the identification
and mapping of convicted sexu-
al offenders. The website con-
sistently has more users than the
next three sites combined. Over
the last several weeks the web-
site has undergone major
changes to make it easier to nav-
igate and offer the user more
information, including a national
Amber Alert System, child safety
tips, and holiday shopping safe-
ty.
This partnership is another
component of the Attorney Gen-
eral's commitment to enhancing
child safety. During 2005 several
initiatives have been launched,
including a partnership with
NetSmartz, an interactive
resource for children and par-
ents. Other initiatives include:
In May, Crist and Florida
Department of Law Enforce-
ment Commissioner Guy Tun-
nell, in conjunction with Pitney-'
Bowes, announced an enhanced
state website that makes it easier
to keep track of sexual offenders
and predators in Florida.
The establishment of the
Attorney General's CyberCrime
Unit in 2005. This unit targets
child pornography, child preda-
tors and Internet-based sexual
exploitation of children, and pro-
duced the arrest of an accused
child pornographer soon after it
was established.
A new publication titled "Safe

Steps" was produced for the pur-
pose of educating parents on
ways to protect their young chil-
dren and alert them to issues
involving teenagers. The publi-
cation was produced in conjunc-
tion with the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children.
A series of one-hour courses
called "Escape School," covering
child safety for both children and
parents, was presented at 25
locations around the state.
Links to these child safety ini-
tiatives can be found on the
Attorney General's homepage at
http://MyFloridaLegal.com and
by clicking on "Child Safety."
The Attorney General also
successfully fought for the con-
stitutionality of the Florida Sexu-
al Predators Act Florida's ver-
sion of "Megan's Law" which
is the act that requires sexual
predators to register once they
are released from prison. The
Florida Supreme Court agreed
with the arguments put forth by
the Attorney General's Office of
the
Solicitor General. The
Supreme Court also agreed with
the Attorney General's argument
that automatically placing a con-
victed offender's name on a list
of offenders is not unconstitu-
tional. In addition, the U.S.
Supreme Court last month
refused to consider a legal chal-
lenge to the Florida law requir-
ing sex offenders to register with
the state so their pictures and
other identifying information
can be posted on the Internet.

N Memorial Tribute
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who has departed with a special
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and an online order form, or call 1-866-379-6397 toll free.

Students study

multiplication facts

Mrs. Van Deman's third
grade class is full .of the Christ-
mas spirit. We made tree orna-
ments and spe-
cial cards for
our families.
We also
worked hard
on multipli-
cation facts in
math as well as problem solving
skills. Our top AR point earner
continues to be Matteo Rosales
but several are within a point of
his score, so it is a very close
race. Keep on reading, boys and
girls!
Mrs. Whitlock's class is get-
ting very excited about learn-
ing times tables. We are work-
ing hard and practicing with
flash cards and partners. We
also worked on a beautiful
Christmas craft for our fami-
lies. Top AR points this week
are Shane Stamper, Kristal
Vega, and Sarah Hurst..
Mrs. Suarez' class is work-
ing on writing good details in
narrative writings. We also
worked on holiday crafts. Han-
nah Raulerson is the top AR
point earner with Lexi Ward
close behind. Good job to
everyone who is working hard
to earn points.
In physical education the
week before winter break we
played games to keep us warm
in the cool. weather and

prepped for the holidays.
Congratulations to the fol-
lowing All County Chorus
members from NES. You had a
great performance at the City
Tree Lighting Service. Fourth
grade members are: Emily
Bunting, James Cochran, Des-
tinee Villareal, Cody Walker,
Marcus Garcia, Rachel Roehm,
Jake Smith and Jessica Wisner.
The fifth grade members are:
Jordan Canevari, James Steiert,
Nicholas Flood, Krista Pope,
Aubrey Robertson, Korey Wal-
ters, Krista Ward, Terry
Williams, Ami Edwards, Lexi
Manson, Jenna Rath, and Nikki
St. Pierre.
The Christmas Project,
sponsored by Student Council,
was held on Thursday, Dec. 15.
The Student Council members
bought presents for 105. stu-
dents this year. We celebrated
by having a milk and donut
breakfast and Santa passed the
gifts out to the students.
Thanks to Mrs. McCoy for her
help and encouragement.
Thanks to Sherman Goodman
for this great idea. This is our
seventh year promoting this
project!
Reading is Fundamental is
the focus for the Media Center
this week. Every student had
the opportunity to select a
book of his/her choice to take
home and keep.

Obituary

Ruby Bonell Palmer
Ruby Palmer, age 83, of Okee-
chobee died Tuesday, Dec. 20,
2005 at Raulerson Hospital. Mrs.
Palmer was born Dec. 3, 1922 in
Cleveland, Tenn., to Lawrence
and Amanda Green. She was a
homemaker.
Mrs. Palmer was preceded in
death by her husband, Thomas
Lester Palmer. She is survived by
eight daughters, Mrs. Ann King
of Athens, Tenn., Mrs. Claudette
(Manuel) Brady of Decatur,
Tenn., Mrs. Jean (Larry) Glisson
of Athens, Tenn., Mrs. Betty
(Terry) Gilland of Haden, Ala.,
Mrs. Terease (Mark) Saunders of
Okeechobee, Mrs. June Lee of
Okeechobee, Miss Sharon Gay

Palmer of Okeechobee, and Miss
Cheryl Kay Palmer of Okee-
chobee; two sons, Mr. Thomas
Lester Palmer and Mr. Timmy
Darrell Palmer both of Okee-
chobee; one brother, Claude
Green of Cleveland, Tenn., 20
grandchildren; and 15 great
grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 until
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 at
Bass Okeechobee Chapel.
Funeral services will be held
.10:00 a.m. Friday, Dec.23, 2005
at Bass Okeechobee Chapel.
Interment will follow at Fort
Drum Cemetery.
All arrangements are entrust-
ed to the loving care of Bass
Okeechobee Funeral Home and
Crematory.

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Okeechobee News

MMMM09

The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

4 OPINION

Speak Out

Have an opinion or a question about a public issue? Post it anytime
at the Okeechobee issues blog at http://newsblog.info/0904. It is a
hometown forum so visit the page as often as you would like and
share your comments (but no personal attacks or profanities, please).
You can also make a comment by calling our Speak Out 24-hour
opinion line at (863) 467-2033, fax (863) 763-5901 or sending e-mail
to okeenews@newszap.com. You can also mail submissions to
Okeechobee News, P.O. Box 639, Okeechobee, Fla. 34973. Com-
ments will be published in the newspaper as space permits.
BUS DRIVERS: I understand our school district in Okeechobee has
its share of hard times taking care of salaries that are requested by
employees, but why is the director of transportation wanting to bring
in a consultant to train new bus drivers? This is our tax dollars paying
for this. (Editor's Note: We spoke with Assistant Superintendent of
Schools Lee Dixon about this. He said the school system has an excel-
lent trainer who is also a school bus driver and therefore training ses-
sions have to be scheduled around school bus schedules. He said the
extra trainer does not cost the school system any more than the regu-
lar trainer and with the shortage of school bus drivers, allows them to
be more flexible in their training since the extra trainer works on
weekends. Since 40 hours of training is required before a person
drives a bus, a person could keep their old job and train on weekends
until they are ready to start driving. Also, the training is much quicker
on weekends, allowing a new driver to begin work sooner.)

UNFAIR PARENTS: I think it is very sad when divorced parents are
so caught up in their anger at each other that they take it out on their
own child. My best friend's parents are divorced. They both bad-
mouth the other parent in front of her and in front of her friends and try
to make her feel bad if she wants to spend time with the other parent.
They are both making her absolutely miserable. Why can't they keep
their fight to themselves and understand that a child needs and loves
both parents? Now they are trying to get me to take sides too. That just
isn't fair. Why do adults do these things to kids?

LOUD MUSIC: Attention Pine Ridge Park residents: if you were tor-
tured this Saturday night by six hours of ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom
of the music and couldn't figure out where it was coming from it was
our neighbor, the Ag-Center. I phoned the sheriff's office to let them
know about it and was told that there is nothing that can be done.
There is no ordinance for the county concerning it. They also said that
they (sheriff's office) always get a lot of calls from our area every time
there is an event with music. There are more planned. It was suggest-
ed that I call the manager of the Ag-Center as if he would do any-
thing. I guess that our area doesn't qualify for the 'good neighbor'
plan. So hold on to your earplugs and put out your for sale signs,
there's more loud music to come. (Editor's Note: We spoke with the
Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office about your concern and were
told that the county has not adopted a noise ordinance. There is a
Florida state statute that deals with this issue but it requires the use of
a specialmeter, and the sheriff's office does not have such a meter.)

MISPLACED MAIL: I was wondering if anyone else who lives in
Okeechobee has a problem with their mail not getting to the right
mailbox. I have had this problem many times with expected checks
involved.

WIRE TAPS: Is anyone beginning to think that President Bush has
overused the 9/11 cliche for every little thing? Does anyone think that
he hasn't used these wire taps on political opponents, or for anyone
else who objects to his programs. There is so much bragging about the
compromise regarding the torture act that they passed. I've only seen
one reference to the fact that Lindsey Graham added an amendment
which negates that compromise.

Community Events

Book Discussion Group to meet
The Friends of the Okeechobee Library Book Discussion
Group will meet Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in the library meet-
ing room at 206 S.W. 16th St. The book for discussion is "The
Master Butcher's Singing Club" by Louise Erdich. Anyone who
likes to read books and discuss them is invited. For information,
call Jan Fehrman at (863) 357-9980.

Gospel pianist to be in concert
Gospel pianist Anthony Berger will be in concert at the First
Baptist Church, 410 S.W. Fourth St., on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets
are $10,. and can be purchased in advance at the church office
until Jan 12. Tickets will also be on sale at the door. For informa-
tion, call (863) 763-2171.

DOR offering free tax classes
The Florida Department of Revenue will be offering free 2006
intangible tax seminars at the Okeechobee County Health
Department, 1798 N.W. Ninth Ave., on Jan 24 and Feb. 14. Class-
es will be held at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p:m. and 3:30 p.m.
The classes are free and open to the public. For information, call
the Fort Pierce Service Center at (772) 429-2173.

Program helps non-profit clubs
The Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, along with Walker
Brothers Circus, has crated a fundraising program designed to
assist local non-profit clubs and organizations in the fundraising
goals. The Walker Brothers Circus will be appearing at the Agri-
Civic Center, 4200 S.R. 70 E., on. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4 and
5. Local non-profit organizations seeking fundraising project
opportunities should contact John Mazzola, Agri-Civic Center
director, at (863) 763-1666 for details and information.

Okeechobee News

Our Purpose...
The Okeechobee News is published by Independent Newspapers of Florida.
Independent is owned by a unique trust that enables Ihis newspaper to pur-
sue a mission of journalistic service to the citizens of the community Since no
dividends are paid, the company is able to thrive on profit margins below
industry standards All 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 deliber-
ation of public issues.

We Pledge ...
* To operate this newspaper as a
public trust
* To help our community become a
better place to live and work,
through our dedication to consci-
entious journalism.
* To provide the information citizens
need to make their own intelligent
decisions about public issues.
* To report the news with honesty.
accuracy, purposeful neutrality,
fairness, objectivity, fearlessness
and compassion.
* To use our opinion pages to facili-
tate community debate, not to
dominate it with our own opinions.
* To disclose our own conflicts of
Interest or potential conflicts to our
readers.
* To correct our errors and to give
each correction to the prominence
it deserves
* To provide a right to reply to those
we write about.
* To treat people with courtesy,
respect and compassion.

Advertising Director: Judy Kasten
News Editor: Eric Kopp
National Advertising: Joy Parrish
Office Manager: Karmen Brown
Circulation Manager: Janet Madray

Independent Newspapers, Inc.
* Joe Smyth, Chairman
* Ed Dulin, President
* Tom Byrd, Vice President of
Newspaper Operations
Katrina Elsken, Executive
Editor

MEMBER .-
OF:

Florida Press
AssocLation
**' Okeechobee News 2005
For More Information See
At Your Service On Page 2

Letter to the Editor

(Editor's Note: This article
was originally printed in the
Okeechobee News in 1999, and
was recently submitted to us by
a subscriber.)

A notice
from Santa
Dear people:
I regret to inform you that
effective immediately, I will no
longer be able to serve Southern
United States on Christmas Eve.
Due to the overwhelming cur-
rent population ofthe earth, my
contract was renegotiated by
North American Fairies and Elves
Local 001.
Per the new contract, I now
serve only certain areas of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and
Michigan. As an added benefit, I
now get longer breaks for milk
and cookies, so keep that in
mind. However, I'm certain that
your children will be in good
hands with your new contractor
who happens to be my third
cousin, Bubba Claus from the
South Pole.
He fullheartedly shares my
views on the importance of
achieving our goal of delivering
toys to all the good boys and
girls; however, there are a few
differences between us. These
differences include, but are not
limited to:
1. There is no danger of a
Grinch stealing presents from
Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack
on his sleigh and a bumper stick-
er that reads: "These toys
insured by Smith and Wesson."
2. Instead of milk and cook-
ies, Bubba prefers children leave
an RC cola and a moon pie on
the fireplace.
3. Bubba doesn't smoke a
pipe. He dips a little snuff
though, so please have an empty
spit can handy.
4. Bubba Claus' sleigh is
pulled by floppy-eared, flyin'
coon dogs instead of reindeer. I
made the mistake of loaning him
a couple of my reindeer one
time, 'and Blitzen's head now
overlooks Bubba's fireplace.
5. You won't hear "On Comet,
on Cupid, on Donner, on
Blitzen..." (well, scratch

Blitzen..) when Bubba arrives.
Instead, you'll hear, "On Earn-
hardt, on Wallace, on Shaboo
and Labonte. On Rudd, on Jar-
rett, on Elliott and Petty. Get the
lead out!!"
6. "Ho, ho, ho!" has been
replace with Yeehaw! And you
also are likely to hear Bubba's
elves respond, "I her'd dat!"
7. As required by Southern
highway laws, Bubba Claus'
sleigh does have Yosemite Sam
safety triangle on the back with
the words, "Back off!" (The last I
heard, it also had other decora-
tions on the sleigh back as well.
One is a Ford or Chevy logo with
lights that race through the let-
ters.
8. The usual Christmas movie
classics such as "Miracle on 34th
Street" and "It's a Wonderful
Life" will not be shown in your
negotiated viewing area.
Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg
Saves Christmas" and Smokey
and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt
Reynolds as Bubba Claus and
dozens of state patrol cars crash-
ing into each other.
9. Be advised that Bubba
Claus doesn't'wear a belt. If I
were you, I'd make sure you, the
spouse, and the kids turn the
other way when he bends over
to put presents under the tree.
(Unless you're into that sort of
thing, which means you should-
n't be on our list to begin with!)
10. And finally, you will not
have the lovely Christmas songs
that have been sung about me
like "Rudolph The Red-nosed
Reindeer" and "Bing Crosby's
"Santa Claus is Coming to
Town." This year you will enjoy
toe-tapping songs about Bubba
Claus, and they will be played on
all the AM radio stations in the
South.
11. The songs will be such
catchy ditties as Mark Chesnutt's
"Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox"
and Grandma Got Run'd Over by
a Reindeer."
So get your letters going in
the right direction as soon as
possible!
Sincerely yours,
Santa Claus
Member, North American
Fairies and Elves (Local 001)

Public issues blogs
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* Pahokee issues: http://newsblog.info/0905
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Upcoming Events

Thursday
Tantle Qulters meets every Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the
Historical Society Museum on U.S. 98 N. For information call Margaret
Smith at (863) 467-8020, or Janet Rinaldo at (863) 467-0183.
Family History Center meets from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 310 S.W. Sixth St. Anyone interested in
finding who your ancestors are is welcome to attend. There is Census, IGI
(International Genealogical Index), Social Security Death Index and mili-
tary information available. For information, call (863) 763-6510 or (863)
467-5261.
Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee will meet from noon until 1 p.m. at Vil-
lage Square Restaurant, 301 W. South Park St. All Kiwanis and the public
are welcome. For information, contact Ray Worley at (863) 467-0985.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly No. 47 will meet from 5 until 6:30 p.m. at
the United Methodist Church, 200 N.W. Second St. Please join us or ask
questions. Call Doris at (863) 467-5206 or Hazel at (863) 763-4923, for
information.
Christian Fellowship Prayer group meets at 9:30 a.m. in the fellow-
ship hall at 412 N.W. Sixth St. For information, call (863) 763-5996.
Cowboys for Christ will meet at Dunklin Memorial, 407 N.W. Third
Ave. Everyone is invited. For information, call Mike Fletcher at (863) 357-
6257.
Martha's House Inc. sponsors weekly support groups for women
who are, or have been, affected by domestic violence and abusive rela-
tionships. The support groups meetat 6 p.m. For information, call (863)
763-2893, or call Shirlean Graham or Irene Luck at (863) 763-2893 or
(863) 763-0202.
Grief Support Group for parents who have lost a child will meet at 7
p.m. The group will meet at the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, 312 N.
Parrott Ave. For information, call Stephanie at (863) 763-2893 days, or
(863) 467-2480 evenings. If you know of someone that might need this
group, please pass the word.
The Social Security Administration Office has moved to the One
Stop Center, 123 S.W. Park St., in Okeechobee. Representatives will be
available from 9 a.m. until noon.
Free Adult Basic Education/GED and English as a second lan-
guage classes from 7 until 9 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 701
S.W. Sixth St.
Ongoing Caregiver Support GroupHospice of Okeechobee and the
Area Agency on Aging sponsor a caregiver support group every Thursday
at 2 p.m. Anyone who is caring for an ill family member is welcome. The
group is facilitated by social workers and provides an opportunity for care-
givers to give one another support, information and ideas. The meetings
are held at Hospice, 411 S.E. Fourth St. For information, call (863) 467-
2321.
Friday
Tops Take off Pounds Sensibly No. 669 meets at 9 a.m. at the First
United Methodist Church, 200 N.W. Second St. The public is invited. All
persons interested in a sensible approach to losing weight and becoming
a part of a caring group are welcome to come and see what we are all
about. For information, contact Ollie Morgret at (863) 467-9766.
A.A. meeting from noon until 1 p.m. at the Church of Our Saviour, 200
N.W. Third St. It will be an open meeting.
A.A. meeting from 8 until 9 p.m. atthe Church of Our Saviour, 200 N.W.
Third St. It will be an open speaker meeting.
Highlands Social Dance Club welcomes the public to their dance
every Friday, from 7:30 until 10:30 p.m. at the Sebring Civic Center at S.E.
Lakeview and Center Avenue in Sebring. Tickets are $5 for members and
$6 for guests. For information, call Fran at 382-6978 or Juana at 471-9795.

Saturday
Okeechobee Christian Cycles hold a ride every Saturday, weather
permitting. Beginning Dec. 3, the group will meet at 7 a.m. at the
Nazarene Church, 425 S.W. 28th St. The ride will leave at 7:30 a.m. Any-
one interested in riding is Invited. For information, contact Holly Stewart at
(863) 610-1251; Debbie Izzo at (863) 634-6527; or, Gene Roddenberry at
(863) 610-1841.
Dual Recovery Anonymous meets at noon at Welcome House, 1925
U.S. 441 S.E. It is a self-help group for people with a desire to stop using
alcohol and other intoxicating drugs and a desire to manage their emo-
tional or psychiatric illness. It's an open discussion group. For informa-
tion, call (863) 467-1026.

Community Events

Santa to be in Park #4
Santa Claus will be in Flagler Park #4 on Dec. 22, 23 and 24
from 6 until 8 p.m. His visits are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of
Okeechobee.

Santa to tour city
Santa Claus will tour the city of Okeechobee on a fire truck. On
Dec. 22, Santa will tour the southeast section of the city. And on
Dec. 23, he will tour the southwest portion of the city.
Lasso Ministries plans special night
Al Padgett of Okeechobee will deliver the word at the Cow-
boys for Christ and Lasso Ministries of Venus on Thursday, Dec.
22, at the Venus clubhouse off Highway 731 at Clubhouse Road.
There will be food and fellowship at 6 p.m., followed by gospel
music and Mr. Padgett at 7 p.m. For information, call (863) 612-
0640.
Annual toy drive under way
Big Lake Missions Outreach is sponsoring their 11th annual
toy give-a-way for needy children in Okeechobee. The collection
of toys is currently under way and will end Dec. 22. Toys and gifts
for children between the ages of baby to teen are needed. Also
needed are turkeys, hams and all the trimmings for Christmas
dinners. Families can be adopted by calling Big Lake Missions at
(863) 763-5725. For monetary donations, checks should be made
out to Big Lake Missions Outreach.

Church plans Christmas services
The First United Methodist Church, 200 N.W. Second St.,
invites everyone to attend Christmas worship services at the
church. Christmas Eve services will feature a contemporary serv-
ice at 5 p.m. and a traditional service at 7 p.m. On Christmas Day
there will be a combined service at 10 a.m. For information, call
the church office at (863) 763-4021; or, go to http://www.fumco-
kee.com.

Hospice Country Store has sale
The Country Store will remain open until Thursday Dec. 29.
Gift items can be purchased from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday to
Wednesday. All proceeds from the Country Store will benefit Hos-
pice and patient services.
Girl Scouts collecting toys
The Girl Scouts of Okeechobee, Pegasus Service Unit are col-
lecting baby items to aid local families impacted by.the recent
hurricanes. Items such as diapers, unopened formula, baby bot-
tles, baby wipes, baby food, etc. are needed. There are collection
boxes at local elementary schools and at the Okeechobee County
Public Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., where people are asked to see
Pat O'Connor. Items will be collected through Dec. 30, and will
be given to the Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition for distribu-
tion.

Special New Year's Eve party planned
A safe, supervised New Year's Eve party for young will be held
at The Gathering, at the corner of Old Dixie Highway and Eagle
Bay Road, from 6 p.m. until midnight. There will be free food,
games, music and a car will be given away.
Church hosting Christian singer
Rodeo cowboy and Christian country artist Scott Brown will
be singing and ministering at the Treasure Island Baptist Church,
4209 U.S. 441 S.E., on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, at the 10:30 a.m.
worship service. Mr. Brown's Brand of the Cross Ministries is
based in Ringgold, Ga., and has a children's Rodeo Bible Ranch
where he trains children in horsemanship and all rodeo events.
His daughter Katie, the Georgia state high school barrel racing
champion, will be with him. The public is invited. For informa-
tion, contact Reverend Duane Eatmon at (863) 763-0550.
Session on Medicare drug plan offered
Tony Fransetta, president of the Florida Alliance for Retired
Americans, will be at the Golden Corral Restaurant, 700 S. Parrott
Ave., on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. He will be there to give infor-
mation on the Medicare Part D prescription plans available. The
event is sponsored by the Okeechobee Democratic Executive
Committee.
Hospice schedules yard sale
Hospice of Okeechobee will hold a yard sale on Friday, Jan. 6,
and Saturday, Jan. 7, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Hospice of
Okeechobee's blue volunteer building located at the corner of
S.E. Fourth Street and Third Avenue. All proceeds benefit patient
care in Okeechobee.
New class available at IRCC
A class will be available at the Indian River Community Col-
lege Dixon-Hendry Center, 2229 N.W Ninth Ave., for coaches,
anyone with physical education on their certification or other
interested parties. The class is entitled Care and Prevention of
Athletic Injuries IRCC reference number 86771. The class will
run for three consecutive weekends beginning Jan. 6-7, 2006.
This will be a three-credit class that will cover what to look con-
cerning sports injuries, the prevention of sports injuries and how
to protect you from potential lawsuits. For information, contact
Candi Walker at (863) 467-6778.
Salvation Army Thrift Store to close
Due to the lack of volunteers, the Salvation Army Thrift Store,
at 420 N.E. Park St., will be, going out of business on Jan. 7. Until
then, bargains can be found at the store Monday through Friday
from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The store is looking for a charitable
organization to take over their inventory after they close. Interest-
ed organizations should call the store at (863) 763-6020 during
business hours.
AARP offering driver safety course
An AARP driver safety course will be held Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 at
the First Baptist Church, 310 S.W. Fifth Ave. Classes will be held
both days from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuition is $10 and must be
paid by check. Participants do not have to be a member of AARP
or have AARP auto insurance. All seniors 55 and over are invited.
Participants should consult their Florida auto insurance agent
about their three-year discount upon completion of the class. For
information, contact instructor D.J. Bryan at (863) 763-0351.
Church will host gospel quartet
The Florida Boys Quartet will be in concert Sunday, Jan. 8, at
2:30 p.m. at His House Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, 425
S.W. 28th St. For information, call either (863) 763-3519 or (863)
763-7113.
Free nutrition class offered

There will be a contact reflex analysis and designed clinical
nutrition class by Dr. Edward W. Douglas at the Douglas Health
Center, 912-916 W. North Park St., on Jan. 9 and Jan. 23, 2006,
beginning at 5:30 p.m. For information, call (863) 763-4320.
Shared Services meeting slated
The executive roundtable of the Shared Services Network of
Okeechobee County will hold its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m.
on Friday, Jan. 13, in the Okeechobee County School Administra-
tion boardroom, 700 S.W Second Ave. The public is invited. For
more information, call (863) 462-5000, ext.257.
Participants needed for MLK parade
The organizers of the Monday, Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Day
Parade on Jan. 16 are seeking participants in the form of floats,
vehicles, marchers and horseback riders. Those interested should
call (863) 610 0973. Participants should line up the Douglas
Brown Community Center at 9:30 a.m.

The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

rV erger C,-
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'SPECIALTY TRAINED/BOARD CERTIFIED
RADIOLOGISTS

Call

(863) 763-3134
To Find Out How You
Can Get Your Ad On
This Page!!

James E. Bradfield, MD FACOG
is pleased to announce the opening of his office
for the practice of Gynecology
1300 N. Parrott Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34972
863-763-8000
drbradfield@earthlink.net
BOARD CERTIFIED
Clinical interests include management of menopausal disorders,
endometriosis, infertility and menstrual abnormalities.
Dr. Bradfield is also experienced in evaluation and treatment of
pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

SOON

TO OKEECHOBEE!

4
'1;

*ii^
' "

When it comes to fighting cancer,
Mid-Florida Radiation Oncology has been
leading the way on the Treasure Coast.
Our compassionate staff and caring physicians use the latest advances in
treatment techniques and equipment, giving our patients the best chance to
beat cancer. Our state of the art treatments include:
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) 4 Mammosite Breast CancerTherapy
High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR) 3-D Ultrasound Image Guided Therapy
CT/MRI Fusion Technology
At Mid-Florida Radiation Oncology, you are treated with the care and respect you
deserve. We also offer courtesy van transportation for your convenience.

MidFlorida Radiation Oncology Associates.
Board Certified Radiation Oncologists
David J. Harter, M.D.* Alan S. Krimsley, M.D.
Ronald H.Woody, M.D.

Mid-Florida
Cancer Center
604 W. Midway Road
White City, FL
(772) 468-3222

Okeechobee
Cancer Center
301 N.E. 19th Drive
Okeechobee, FL
(863) 357-0039

LASER: Hair Removal, Iaser
Varicose Veins, B e u r ,
Skin Rejuvenation, -B e-
Wrinkle Reduction 'C
Dr. R. James, FACS t
Board Certified DERMATOLOGY &
REJUVENATION CENTER
863-763-0054
RESTYL.ANEM 772-467-9953
SRESTYLANE, Accepting Patients At Our 3 Locations:
S306 NE 19th Dr. Okeechobee
Ft. Pierce Port St. Lucde

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Cancer Center
1780 S.E. Hillmoor Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL
(772) 335-2115

ATTENTION

MEDICAL

PROFESSIONALS

This Space

Is

Available.

Call One

Of Our

Sales Staff

863.763.3134

To Find

Out How
You Can

Get Your
Ad On
This
Page!!

WA1*

1 'I
AATencTffi 800? oAqcOicuAmfl I

Call

(863) 763-3134
To Find Out How You
Can Get Your Ad On
This Page!!

NE

ME.,

IS IN 1
low

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"Copyrighted Material

Syndicated Content -

Available from Commercial News Providers"

Okeechobee News/Lorna Jablonski
Skateboard competition
A skateboard competition was held at the Okeechobee
Skateboard Park last Saturday afternoon. The winners of
the different age divisions were (left to right) Tommy Ray
Gipson (11-14 age group); Dante Perez and Matt Pitt tied
(15 & up age group) and Justin Thorpe (10 & under age
group).

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Okeechobee News/Lorna Jablonski
Lady wrestler
Four generations turned out to cheer on Lady Brahman
grappler Candi Rivero Saturday afternoon at the annual
"Battle on the Lake" wrestling tournament at Okeechobee
High School. Family members were: (front row), Bethani
Register (little sister); (middle row, left to right) Ruth King
(grandmother), Beulah King (great-grandmother), Candi
Rivero and Bobbi Jo Register (mother); (back row, left to
right) Bob King (grandfather) and Bryan Register (father).
Candi took first place in her weight class in the tournament.

Sports Brief

a ea .

Men's softball
games scheduled
Okeechobee Parks and
Recreation has announced that
their men's adult softball league
games will be played at the adult
softball field across from Year-
ling Middle School.

The lower division teams will
play on Mondays and Wednes-
days. Game times are 7 and 8
p.m. each night. The upper divi-
sion teams will play on Tuesdays
and Thursdays.
There have been no games
scheduled for a ladies' softball
league due to lack of teams.

Marile somo-e

SYour LOCAL gateway

FOP to the Internet

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The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

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The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

Briefs

Library hosting
computer classes
The Heartland Library Coop-
erative is a six library cooperative
serving Highlands, Hardee, DeSo-
to and Okeechobee counties. The
Heartland Library Cooperative
will be holding basic and
advanced computer classes
throughout the six libraries in the
four-county area. A technology
information trainer will take a
mobile computer lab to each
location four times per month to
teach computer classes. The
classes will teach basic computer
skills such as how to start up and
use a computer, how to log-on to
the Internet and how to commu-
nicate via e-mail with friends and
relatives. The more advanced
computer class will teach how to
keep the computer clean and
how to send pictures. You may
also contact your local libraries
for these same classes. In Okee-
chobee, call (863) 763-3536 or
contact Gabriell Turner, informa-
tion tech trainer, at
gabi@myhlc.org.

Child Find
helps kids
Your local Florida Diagnostic
and Learning Resources System
(FDLRS) Center now offers a
service known as Child Find.
Child Find helps find and identify
children up to 21 years of age
who may need special education
services. The primary focus is on
3- and 4-year-old children not yet
in a school setting. Child Find
provides free screenings on
speech and language, develop-
ment, vision, and hearing. For
information, contact Debbie
Wagner at (800) 358-8525.

Volunteers are
needed at Hospice
Hospice of Okeechobee, Inc.
has volunteer opportunities avail-
able in Okeechobee assisting the
patient care and administrative
teams to provide Hospice servic-
es to Okeechobee area residents.
Permanent and part-time volun-
teers provide direct patient sup-
port services such as companion-
ship, telephone contacts, letter
reading, main caregiver relief and
other non-medical assistance.
They also assist Hospice in fund
raising, clerical and office sup-
port. Age is not a barrier.. For
information, visit Hospice of
Okeechobee at 411 S.E.. Fourth
St., Okeechobee, or call (863)
467-2321.

Center offers
service to children
The Family Outreach Center at
Sacred Heart, 701 S.W. Sixth St.,
offers a service to youth and chil-
dren by giving free classes in mar-
tial arts. The classes are currently
taught four days a week on Tues-
day, Wednesday and Friday, from
6 until 8 p.m. and on Saturday
from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Coast Guard Auxiliary
will make house calls
Did you know the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary makes house
calls? They will come to your
home to discuss the required
safety equipment needed on your
boat. This service is free. You will
receive a cordial, informative and
confidential boat inspection. A
vessel safety check decal will be
placed on boats that meet all the
requirements. Call (863) 467-
3085 to arrange a boat check.
Club will
care for ferrets
The Okeechobee Ferret Club
and Rescue will take in unwant-
ed, abandoned and injured fer-
rets. For information, call (863)
763-4333.

Equipment available
for the handicapped
American Legion Post 64, 501
S.E. Second St. has used handi-
capped equipment such as walk-
ers\ portable toilets, crutches,
canes, etc. Anyone requiring the
use of such equipment is wel-
come to stop by the post and pick
out what they need. There is no
charge and anyone is welcome.
This is not restricted to veterans.
Call the Post at (863) 763-2950.

Volunteers wanted

for hospital auxiliary
Would you like to make a dif-
ference in the lives of others?
Raulerson Hospital Auxiliary has
many opportunities of service for
adults seeking volunteer work.
Volunteer as little as four hours a
week or as many as 20 hours.
Morning or afternoon shifts are
available. Many opportunities
currently exist and new programs
to begin soon. Please contact the
lobby desk at Raulerson Hospital
for a Volunteer Application. For
information, call (863) 763-2151,
ext. 3312. The hospital's Volun-
teen Program (ages 14-17)
begins in June.

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8 The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22,2005

wwvk I,

Equal Housing
Lender

300 East Sugarland Highway (863) 983-8191
101 S. Berner Road, Clewiston (863) 983-3003
301 Highway 80 West, LaBelle (863) 675-4242
14630 Palm Beach Blvd. Riverdale (239) 437-8191
Moore Haven (863) 946-1515

Member
FDIC

The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22,2005 a

Okeechobee News/Pete Gawda
Christmas entrance
The front entrance to a law firm near the courthouse is decorated for Christmas.

Okeechobee News/Audrey Blackwell
Toy event
Emily Coffee (left), 9, is thanked for helping 5-year-old Zoe Wood (right) gather as many
toys as she could in 30 seconds during the Eddie Accardi Dodge/Wal-Mart "Santa's Toy
Spectacular" on Monday, Dec. 12. Zoe's dad pushes the cart while Steve Milrot of Accar-
di Dodge times the event.

treated to music, gifts and holiday spirit.
HolidaySubmitted to Okeechobee News

Residents of the Okeechobee Health Care Facility enjoyed a holiday party given by the
Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW 9528 Buckhead Ridge on Saturday, Dec. 10. Residents were
treated to music, gifts and holiday spirit.

Holiday Events

Santa's Toy Spectacular
Six lucky kids participated in the Eddie Accardi/Wal-Mart "Santa's Toy Spectacular" Mon-
day, Dec. 12 and carted away as many toys as they could pick off the shelves in 30 sec-
onds. Winners included (from left): Miguel Raya, 6; Emily Coffey, 9; Brittany Lloyd, 7;
Dustin Holmes, 6 and his younger brother Mark; Zoe Wood, 5; and Thorin Bays, 3, helped
by sister Shania Bays, 9. The Spectacular is an annual event of the car dealership and
Wal-Mart. Tim Welborn, Wal-Mart assistant manager, thanked the kids at the end and said
he hoped they had a good time.

Santa visit
Santa Claus will be in Flagler Park
on Dec. 22,23 and 24 from 6 until 8
p.m. His visits are sponsored by the
Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee.
Santa tour
Santa Claus will tour the city of
Okeechobee on a fire truck begin-
ning on Dec. 21. On that date, he will
tour the northwest and northeast
sections of the city. On Dec. 22 Santa
will tour the southeast section of the
city. And on Dec. 23, he will tour the
southwest portion of the city.
Toy drive
Big Lake Missions Outreach is
sponsoring their 11th annual toy
give-a-way for needy children in
Okeechobee. The collection of toys
is currently under way and will end
Dec. 22. Toys and gifts for children
between the ages of baby to teen
are needed. Also needed are
turkeys, hams and all the trim-
mings for Christmas dinners. Fami-
lies can be adopted by calling Big
Lake Missions at (863) 763-5725.
For monetary donations, checks
should be made out to Big Lake
Missions Outreach.

HolidayCD
benefits Hospice
The Buckhead Ridge Moose
Lodge #2417 has produced a
Christmas CD in which some of the
proceeds will be donated to Hos-
pice of Okeechobee. The CD,
which features local artists, is avail-
able at Rustic Ranch Furniture,
Crown Custom Computer,
Lawrence Insurance Agency, Hos-
pice of Okeechobee's Country
-Store, VFW Post #10539, Buck-
head Ridge Moose Lodge and the
office of Main Street. Donations to
Hospice of Okeechobee will sup-
port their Hospice residence.
Christmas services
The First United Methodist
Church, 200 N.W. Second St.,
invites everyone to attend Christ-
mas worship services at the
church. Christmas Eve services will
feature a contemporary service at 5
p.m. and a traditional service at 7
p.m. On Christmas Day there will
be a combined service at 10 a.m.
For information, call the church
office at (863) 763-4021; or, go to
http://www.fumcokee.com.
Holiday photos
The Okeechobee News is seek-
ing photos of local Christmas cele-
brations from 1980 or earlier (25
years ago or older) for use in the
Looking Back feature of this news-
paper during the month of Decem-
ber. Bring old holiday photos to the
Okeechobee News office, 107 S.W
17th Street, Okeechobee, during
regular office hours, Monday-Fri-
day, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and we will
copy the photos while you wait. Or,
e-mail photos as jpg attachments
to okeenews@newszap.com.
Please include as much informa-
tion as you can about when and
where the photo was taken and
who is in the photo. Photos may be
of community or family celebra-
tions in the Okeechobee area.

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10 The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

Buyer foresees additional claims staff for VA

Washington, D.C. At a full
Veterans' Committee oversight
hearing on claims processing at
the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), Chairman Steve
Buyer (R-Ind.) heard testimony
of excessive wait times for
claims decisions and clear indi-
cations that VA needs more
claims adjudicators.
The backlog of pending
claims and the time it takes VA's
Veterans Benefits Administration
(VBA) to process a claim has
increased over the past two
years. Major concerns cited
beyond the backlog of claims
included:
A lack of quality in claims
decisions;
A need for medical staff
who conduct disability examina-
tions to have a greater knowl-
edge of health issues specific to
veterans; and,
The perception that some
claims processors have a com-
placent or dismissive attitude

about their work.
"Veterans just want to be
treated well. They recognize that
something is not right and they
are making a claim. How they
are treated is important. It is
about quality and attitude,"
Chairman Buyer said.
Dr. William Jones, a retired
U.S. Air Force flight surgeon,
recounted his own tribulations
with the VA claims process sys-
tem over the past six years. Char-
acterizing the claims process, he
said, "the process is pro-
grammed to procrastinate...
there appears to be little motiva-
tion to move the claims for-
ward."
Ronald Aument, VA's Deputy
under Secretary for Benefits, said
that Dr. Jones' case showed how
the claims adjudication process
has gotten overly complex. He
discussed VA's challenges to
making "timely, accurate, and
consistent" claims decisions, in
the face of a steadily increasing

claims workload.
"It is unconscionable that
some veterans are waiting up to
five years to receive a decision
on the benefits they are entitled
to receive. This must
change. The VA must be given
the resources needed to improve
the process," said Committee
Member Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
Buyer, at the hearing's con-
clusion, asked representatives of
veterans groups who had provid-
ed testimony, including the VFW,
The American Legion, Disabled
American Veterans, Paralyzed
Veterans of America, and
AMVETS, if they thought that VA
needed more claims adjudica-
tors.
Hearing their unanimous
agreement that additional VBA
staffing would help resolve the
claims backlog and problems
with quality decisions, Buyer
said, "the increase in disability
claims can be directly related to
the increase in U.S. military

operations abroad. Doing more
with less is not a strategy of suc-
cess."

"We will need to increase the
staffing at both the regional
compensation office level and at
the Board of Veterans Appeals to
attack this backlog and prepare
for the anticipated increases in
additional claims," Buyer said. "I
look forward to working with
Ranking Member Lane Evans,
veterans groups, and the Admin-
istration to come to a viable
solution to resolve this pressing
concern."

Troops make request -- send chocolate

Okeechobee News/Pete Gawda
Uncle Sam celebrate Chisbbnas
Uncle Sam was one of the patriotically themed ornaments
on the Christmas tree at the Okeechobee County Court-
house.

TALLAHASSEE Lt. Col.
Bricklemeyer from Gainesville is
stationed in Baghdad and miss-
ing his wife and twin four-year
old daughters. He wrote to
friends noting that they have
much of what theyneed but lack
one basic necessity choco-
late.
Lt. Col., family and friends
have circulated his email request

across the United States and
communities throughout the
country are responding.
American soldiers are away
from their loved ones this holi-
day season to protect our free-
dom. From our hearts to their
stomachs, chocolate will be the
richest gift this holiday season.
Soldiers on the front line will
personally receive each dona-

tion. Please keep in mind pack-
ages take 10 to 12 days to arrive
to the base. This holiday season
chocolate is an expression of
gratitude.
Please send all chocolate
donations to the care of:
Lt. Col. Bricklemyer
HMM-774 UIC 72400
FPO AE 09509-2400

Okeechobee News/Pete Gawda
Christmas

and country
The Christmas tree at the
Okeechobee County Court-
house contained many patri-
otic decorations such as this
flag ornament.

Service Club Briefs

American Legion Post
#64
Our kitchen is open daily,
serving regular menu and specials.
Monday, Thursday and Friday from
11 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Wednesday,
tacos served, from 11 a.m. until 6
p.m.; Saturday from noon until 8
p.m.; Sunday from 1 until 8 p.m.
Bar bingo will be held on
Monday starting at 1 p.m., and on
Thursday evenings beginning at 6
p.m., for members and guests.
The second Wednesday of
each month is our birthday party
starting at 4 p.m.; bring a covered
dish.
... ,The third Sunday of each,
month we have a steak dinner with
the Sons of the American Legion
from 3 until 6 p.m. fro a $9 dona-
tion. There will be entertainment
from 3 until 7 p.m.
e The Legion lounge is open
Monday through Saturday at 10
a.m. On Sunday, it opens at 1 p.m.
Bingo is held every Saturday
and Sunday night starting at 6:30
p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
There is entertainment in our
lounge every Saturday night start-
ing at 4 p.m.
Friday night dinner is served
from 4:30 until 6 p.m. for a dona-
tion. Karaoke by Bruce will be
from 7 p.m. until?
Happy Hour in the lounge is
from 4 until 7 p.m., Monday, Tues-
day and Thursday.
Euchre will be on Monday
and Wednesday from 6 p.m. Every-
one is welcome.
The American Legion Post 64 is
located at 501 S.E. Second St. For
information, call (863) 763-2950.

Am-Vets #2001
Am-Vets No. 2001 will hold a
regular informational meeting on
the first Saturday of the month at
the Buckhead Ridge VFW Post
#9528, 2002 U.S. 78 W, at 10 a.m.
Applications for new members are
available. Call Ray Disney at (863)
357-2138, or Don South.at (863)
763-8954.

Eagles Aeries #4137
Tuesday: bingo at 1 p.m.
Food will be available for a dona-
tion.
Every Tuesday: spaghetti din-
ner with salad and garlic bread by
Lorraine and John from 5 until 7
p.m. for a $3.50 donation.
Wednesday: bar bingo from
4 p.m. until ? Food will be available.
First and third Thursday: Aux-
iliary at 6 p.m.; Aeries at 7 p.m.
Friday: steak night (16-oz.)
starting at 5 p.m. Cooked to order
for a $12 donation. Music will be by
Jimmy Harper.
Saturday and Sundays:
music at 7 p.m.
First and third Sunday: break-
fast cooked to order from 9 until 11
a.m. for $5 donation.
Saturday, Dec. 31: New Year's
Eve party -- reservations are'
required. Call the Aeries for details.
Saturday, Jan. 14: Snowball
Charities Dinner/Dance for mem-
bers and guests only at the Vero
Beach Heritage Center in Vero
Beach. Tickets are available for a
$15 donation. Call the Aeries for
directions.
Call the AERIES for other
events at (863) 763-2552.

Elks Lodge #2558
The Elks Lodge is located on
S.R. 70 East. For information, call
(863) 763-6580.
Tuesday: trustees meet at 7
p.m. First and third, 8 p.m., regular
meeting.

Wednesday: bingo will be at 7
p.m. The public is invited. Doors
open at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments
will be available at 6 p.m.
Friday: dinner and entertain-
ment starting at 6 p.m. Members
and guests are invited.
.* Saturday: hamburgers from
noon until 2 p.m.; bar bingo from 2
p.m. until ?

Okeechobee Masonic
Lodge #237
The Okeechobee Masonic
Lodge is located at 107 N.W Fifth
Ave. For information about the
club and events, call Rich Sweet at
(863) 824-0262, or-Kip Gardner at
(863) 357-0427.
The MlasornicfLodge holds
their meetings on the second and
fourth Mondays of each month
starting at 7:30 p.m.

Eastern Star #128
Okeechobee Chapter #128
has many fun activities planned on
the first and third Tuesday of each
month. For upcoming activities,
contact WM. Margaret at (863)
467-8020.

B.H.R. Moose Lodge
The lodge is located on U.S. 78
W in Buckhead Ridge. The lodge's
phone number is (863) 763-2250.
Each Tuesday: bingo starts at
12:30 p.m.
1* Wednesday, Friday and Satur-
day night meals will be served
from 5 until 7:15 p.m. Call the
Lodge at (863) 763-2250 for the

menu.
Saturday night meals will be
served from 6:30 until 9 p.m. Call
for the menu.
Thursday: at 7 p.m. is mem-
ber appreciation and open mike
night.
e Friday and Saturday nights
there will be music for dancing
from 7 p.m. until ? Call the Lodge to
see who is playing.
Each Sunday in December
breakfast will be served from 9
until 11 a.m., with many items
being offered.
Sunday, Dec. 25: Christmas
dinner from I until 4 p.m. with
ham and all the trimmings. Lodge
members can bring their entire
family. Karaoke will follow (he din-
ner.
Tuesday, Dec. 27: Moose
enrollment meeting at 7 p.m. All
prospective members should
attend.
Reservations for the New
Years Eve Party are on sale now.
Seating is limited so get your tickets
early. Tickets are $40 per couple, or
$20 per person. No tickets will be
sold at the door.

Moose Family Center
#1753
The Moose Family Center
#1753 is located at 159 N.W 36th
St. in Okeechobee. For informa-
tion, call the Lodge at (863) 763-
4954 or Norm at (863) 763-1550.

VFW Post #4423
The post is open noon until 9
p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Events at this post are seasonable
you should call (863) 763-0818 for
information or visit the lodge 300
N.W. 34th St. You may write the
post at P.O. Box 1137 Okeechobee
Fla. 34972.
Washer toss every Wednes-
day starting at 1 p.m. Everyone is
welcome.
Every Wednesday during sea-
son karaoke will be held from 5
until 9 p.m.
Every Friday: bingo starts at 1
p.m. for members and guests fol-
lowed by karaoke starting at 5 p.m.
Saturday: .25-cent bingo at 1
p.m. Karaoke will be from 5 p.m.
until?
Sunday: a dinner will be avail-
able from 2 until 5 p.m. and fol-
lowed by karaoke at 5 p.m.
Every third Sunday there will
be a post meeting at 11 a.m.

VFWPost #9528
The VFW Post #9528 is located

Sell your personal valuables if
they're $2,500 or less
for absolutely free!
No fee, no catch, no problems!

E-Mail.

at 2002 S.R. 78 W. in Buckhead
Ridge. For information, call (863)
467-2882. Post hours are from
noon until 8 p.m., Monday through
Sunday.
Wednesday: Ladies Auxiliary
dinner, Men's Auxiliary or AmVets
- there will be music.
Every Thursday is bar bingo at
12:45 p.m. Lunch will be available.
Every Friday a steak dinner
with baked potato, salad and rolls
will be served from 5:30 until 7
p.m. for a $10 donation. Dancing
immediately follows the dinner.
All games and special events
are shown on three televisions.
The game room has a regulation-
size pool table.
Post meetings are held on the
second and fourth Saturday of the
month beginning at 10 a.m. The
main meeting is on the fourth Sat-
urday.
For information contact Com-
mander Johnnie H. Patent at (863)

* 4 lines for 2 weeks

* Price must be
included in ad

* Private parties
only

* 2 Items per house-
per issue

467-2882.

VFW Post #10539
The VFW will be open Mon-
day through Saturday at 10 a.m.,
and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Lounge opens at 10 a.m.
Monday through Saturday and at 1
p.m. on Sunday.
Wednesday: bar bingo will
start at 12:45 p.m. Lunch is avail-
able, courtesy of the Ladies Auxil-
iary.
Thursday: sHort order food
night from 5 until 8 p.m.
Friday: fish fry from 6 until 8
p.m. along with live music and
,dancing. .,
". .Sturda:.' dollar dogs,
saiusagedogs for $1.50 grilled or
stear a at nooni.Live music and
dancing will start at 7 p.m.
Sunday: open at 1 p.m. with
the big-screen TV
Call (863) 763-2308 for the
schedule of events.

*1 used item
grouping per at
priced at $2,500
or less

* Independent
Newspapers
reserves the right to
disqualify any ad.

Toll Free 877-353-2424

classad@newszap.com

UOMfE OFT~ E "ORI6HALl
2 .-

Make up to $2,500

by filling in the space above!

ilber-->
SChevrolet
Company, Inc.

Is Proud To

Announce Its

New Sales Manager!

Mark is excited to join the Gilbert Chevrolet
family. His extensive 24 year career in the
.automotive industry makes him a valuable
addition to the Gilbert team. Mark looks forward to
continuing his service to serve the Okeechobee
community. Ifyou have any questions please feel free
to call him directly at (863) 763-3154 or stop by and
visit him at 3550 Hwy 441 South in Okeechobee.

Okeechobee News

The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005 11

Other Area News

Homeless count needs volunteers

By Patty Brant
Special to Okeechobee News
A lot depends on the morn-
ing of Jan. 27. That's the day
volunteers will fan out across
Hendry County to try to come
up with a viable number of peo-
ple living here without perma-
nent homes. This will be the
second homeless survey for
Hendry County. The January '05
survey was the first for the local
Homeless Coalition. At that
time, 24 volunteers managed to
count 225 homeless people
over a few hours.
Hendry County Homeless
Coalition is aligned with the
Florida Heartland Rural Consor-
tia for Homeless, Inc.,(HRCH)
which includes six counties:
Hendry, Highlands, Okee-
chobee, Glades, DeSoto and
Hardee.
The Point in Time survey will
begin at 9 that morning and
continue till about 1 p.m. Volun-
teers will comb designated
areas seeking the answers to a
total of 23 survey questions
geared at counting the home-
less and coming up with some
general information designed to
hone in on the services they
need. Volunteers will also have
packages of personal hygiene
items to provide to those who
fill out the surveys.
Glenn Price, President of the
Hendry County Coalition for the
Homeless, said a better, validat-
ed count of the homeless will
help in securing grants to pro-
vide services for one of the most
underserved segments of the
community. The optimum,
long-term outcome could be

enough funding to set up some
transitional housing to help
people who have lost every-
thing regain some balance in
their lives. In fact, it may be sur-
prising to find out just who the
"homeless" are. Penny Phillippi,
Acting President for the Florida
Heartland Rural Consortia for
the Homeless, quoted statistics
that some 20 percent of home-
less have full time jobs; 17 per-
cent have part time jobs. Home-
lessness is a situation that can
befall anyone, given the right
circumstances.
The rural character of
Hendry County presents a
unique challenge in counting
the homeless. The difficulties
just begin with finding those
without permanent homes.,
Often they live in makeshift
dwellings or tents in wooded
areas. Federal guidelines defin-
ing the homeless include peo-
ple living in places not fit for
human habitation (including
unhealthy or unsafe buildings
or wooded areas), those in tran-
sitional housing, short term
hospital or institutional resi-
dents with no place to go once
they are released and those
who will be evicted within a
week with no place to go. The
state of Florida's definition also
includes people who are dou-
bled up in otherwise acceptable
housing.
Homeless coalition mem-
bers suspect that Hurricane
Wilma has added to the untold
numbers of homeless in
Hendry County and so are hop-
ing for a good volunteer turnout
for the Point in Time survey. Mr.
Price stressed that a viable

count is the first step in provid-
ing a solution to the homeless
problem for the entire commu-
nity.
On the morning of January
27, volunteers will meet at the
Department of Health at 8:30.
They will again run through a
15-minute training session from
December 15 and pair up the
volunteers.
LaBelle Mayor and Hendry
County Public Safety Director
Randy Bengston agreed that
homelessness is a problem
here. He said the city cannot
ignore what's happening, espe-
cially with impending growth.
As development expands, the
wooded areas that harbor many
homeless people will shrink
and gradually disappear inside
the city, forcing them to other
locations. Growth can be
expected to add to the numbers
of homeless, which will, in turn
add to the cycle of unemploy-
ment and underemployment,
crime and poor public health.
Last year, only the LaBelle
area was included in the Point
in Time survey because no vol-
unteers were available for
Clewiston. This time, Hendry
County Commissioner Janet
Taylor has promised to help line
up volunteers for that area.
The first step in getting a
handle on homelessness is to
get a count as close to accurate
as possible, so the coalition can
then work toward lightening
their burden and alleviating the
accompanying social problems.
If you would like to volunteer
for the Point in Time survey,
please call Glenn Price at the
health department, 674-4041

City won't clear mobile homes

By Bill Fabian
Special to Okeechobee News
CLEWISTON Christmas Eve
will mark the two-month anniver-
sary since the ruinous events of
Hurricane Wilma, which changed
a lot of people's lives on Oct. 24.
It will also highlight the amount
of time that has passed for home-
owners to clear their properties for
garbage pickup by the city of
Clewiston, which set a deadline for
hurricane damage pickup for Dec.
8, after which free pickup services
would no longer be provided for
damaged materials.
In a lengthy discussion held at
the tail-end of Monday's meeting of
the Clewiston City Commission,
the issue of what to do with trailers
and mobile homes destroyed by
Hurricane Wilma was settled, with
the commission moving to main-
tain that as of Dec. 12, owners of
homes destroyed by the hurricane
would be responsible for removing
the damaged remains of the
homes.
Unsafe structures and derelict
buildings have been a subject of
prime concern to the city commis-
sioners, particularly Mayor Mali
Chamness.
"Because of the fact that some
of these buildings are unsafe, and
there are still people living there,
and where, you know it's just a
mobile home that's been com-
pletely demolished and -everything
is still there," said Mayor Cham-
ness. "And there are also derelict
buildings that need to be
addressed as well," she said.
A motion to begin a process to
implement a code enforcement
policy that would impose a citation
for derelict buildings present on
certain properties was made dur-

ing the discussion, and segued to
the issue of homeowners tearing
down homes and leaving the
materials for city pickup.
"There are going to be other
issues associated with mobile
homes, and the commission
should be aware that we are
already seeing signs that property
owners are demolishing these
mobile homes and putting them at
curbside, and that it is not the city's
responsibility (to pick them up),"
said City Manager Wendell John-
son to the commission. "These
were buildings were old to begin
with or damaged, and for twenty
dollars a month, we do not pick up
curbside mobile homes," he said.
Contracted pickup services
were available during the time-
frame ending Dec. 8, which was
extended to Dec. 12, and damaged
mobile home materials were
cleared by the city during that time
in an "appropriate manner,"
according to Johnson.
There are still a considerable
number of properties that have an
apparently demolished mobile
home either in the middle of the
property or placed at curbside, and
the city will no longer pick up the
damaged mobile homes as it did
before Dec. 12.
The need for homeowners to
clear a property would be punctu-
ated by the permitting process reg-
ulated by the city, and the commis-
sioners acknowledged the city's
right to refuse to grant a permit to
place a new trailer or house if the
applicant has not moved a dam-
aged, curbside mobile home.
The city's garbage pickup serv-
ices will not only be unable to prac-
tically clear all of the remaining
damaged homes it is also being
forced to address other garbage

Family members and close friends remember fallen soldier killed in Iraq

By Jose Jesus Zaragoza
Special to Okeechobee News
BELLE GLADE "He didn't
have to say anything. Just the tone
of hisvoice-I knew."
The soldier's mother remem-
bered last week the phone call that
changed her life.
Donna Manger, who was in a
hotel far from Belle Glade seeing
her daughter graduate from the
naval training academy,picked up
the ringing phone to'ee Jimmy's
number flashing in thW'display.
Her son, Jimmy Shelton, had
only recently contacted her from
his military base in Iraq. It suddenly
seemed strange to hernthat he was
calling from his phone.
She wondered if he had come
home early, picking the phone up
to her ear to answer the call.
"And then I heard Burgess'
voice."
Divorced from him, since
remarried, Donna wasn't on clear
speaking terms with her former
husband, Burgess Shelton,
Jimmy's father. Hearing him at the
other end of the line, a sinking feel-
ing clutched at her.
"is it Jimmy," she asked? Before
he was able to mutter a response,
she realized in horror why he was
calling. Breathless, she asked a
final question. "When?"
"Saturday morning," he
answered.
The lobstering at the Keys with
Jimmy was still fresh in her mind;
having happened so recently, it
wasn't yet a memory. That
changed, with Donna going back
to that bright September when she
and her son after a long absence
were able to enjoy the company of
one another, forward now to the
present, and coping with all of the
things that come with finding out
that one's son has died far away
from home.
Jimmy didn't live with Donna
the majority of his life.
When she gave birth to him,
Donna only had him until he was
two, when she and her husband
divorced. She would see her son,
who lived in LeHigh Acres, on
weekends, according to the
arrangement, though they kept in
contact.
Before he entered the military,
Donna had gone nine years with-
out seeing her son. The trip to the
Keys before Jimmy was dispatched
to Iraq was especially sweet to her
then. Donna and her son spent
time together there, fishing on the
calm waters of the Atlantic and
snorkeling in the deep sea.
"He said he had a good time
with us there," Donna remem-
bered.
It would be the last time they
would see him.
Jimmy had been in the military
for a short time before the attack.
He joined because he wanted to
become a Highway Patrolman and
knew that having a military back-
ground would give him the edge
he needed to achieve his goal.
"I don't think he ever told his
dad," he was enlisting, Doug
Manger, Donna's husband, said. "I
think his dad told him, 'What are
you nuts?'"
Doug, a firefighter with the Belle
Glade Fire Department, was able to
spend time with Jimmy when
Jimmy came over to visit his moth-
er in the Glades.
That's when Doug found out

Jimmy was a Gators fan. Being a
rabid Seminole fan, Doug would
watch ESPN with Jimmy and,
when they disagreed, they'd throw
pillows against one another until
one or the other gave up bragging
rights.
"He was a character," Doug
said of Jimmy. "He was very outgo-
ing, real polite. He was the best kid
out of the whole bunch. I only met
him three times, but he's the type
of person who after 20 minutes
made you feel like you'd known
him your entire life."
Donna never questioned her
son's decision to enter the army.
But as it often occurs with parents,
the thought of her Jimmy being
hurt while serving weighed heavily
in her mind.
Even then, Donna tried to sup-
press her doubts.
On Nov. 22, only a few days
before the attack, she received cor-
respondence from Jimmy by e-
mail, the message of which would
fill her with a prescient feeling that
haunted her that day.
"Hey, ma. I'm fine. It's been a
rough week, though. We've lost
quite a few people in the last cou-
ple of days. Ten to be exact. One
was a buddy of mine. We have
been doing a lot of missions to find
the (people) that are setting up
bombs to kill us, so we are all pret-
ty tired. I have to get going. I will
write more when I get a chance.
Love y'all, Jimmy."
Back at work, Donna remem-
bers being a wreck. The message
kept repeating in her mind. Even
her boss, City Manager Houston
Tate, noticed and offered encour-
agement. Other co-workers also
Tried to comfort her.
Donna, though, had a bad feel-
ing about it all. Though the fear had
entered her mind before, it had
never gripped her like it did after
she read the letter. The strength of it
was strong inside her.
On Dec. 3, those fears were
realized.
At approximately 5:30 a.m. that
day in Bayji, Iraq, heavy mortar
struck Jimmy's forward operating
base as he slept. Eighteen soldiers
were wounded. His was the only
casualty. He was 21, assigned at the
time of his death to the 1st
Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division, Fort Campbell,
KY.
Doug was there when Donna

received the phone call.
He was in the shower when the
phone rang. "I heard this tremen-
dous sound," Doug remembered.
"I thought the dog had gotten out
and was run over. She weeped and
sobbed for five minutes. All she
could say was 'Jimmy'.
"All I could do was fall to the
side of the tub and cry. It was half
an hoiu'r before we were able to
talk to each other. We laid in a
wasteland all T0v"
Last week, the tauiwi p,'oDared
to fly to Virginia for-Jimmy hamJ-
ton's burial at Arlington.
Almost two weeks have passed
since the day he died though the
family's loss is still palpable.
They remembered him at a
service held at McGregor Baptist
Church in Ft. Myers.
A consummate prankster,
Jimmy was known for pulling one
over his closest friends. A friend
remembered one prank especially.
Jimmy had a teacher whose fright.
of cats that teacher never hid.
Jimmy remembered the detail and,
for one Christmas, presented the
dear teacher with a box with a cat
waiting inside. Needless to say, the
teacher was thrilled, though not in
the normal sense of the word.
Many others had kind things to
say of him.
"It was hard to make him mad,"
his mother remembered. "He was
like me."
Jimmy's death has placed the
focus on Jennifer, Jimmy's sister,
who will be entering the Navy
soon. With Jimmy lost to the cur-
rent war that rages on, the family is
concerned for their daughter.
But both Donna and Doug
know Jennifer must go.
Jennifer herself remains com-
mitted to what she has set out to
do.
When news of Jimmy's death
reached the family, the Navy made
accommodations for Jennifer to
return to Belle Glade before she
had to head back out to her new
station.
She had time to pore over the
next step.
She said she was ready for what
may come as she sat at the edge of
the couch, next to her mother, and
snuck glances at her as she spoke.
"Everyone who joins the military,
they know what they are getting
into," Jennifer said. Jimmy's death,
she said, "Just makes me want to
do it more."

How the war will find Jennifer,
no one really knows.
It is the same war that has cost
Donna her son, though she said it
won't take her memory of him.
She faces many questions in the
wake of Jimmy's death ques-
tions no mother ever longs to
answer in her lifetime, or be faced
with. Among other things, she
must face the cold irony of losing a
son .who lived his life without ene-
mies, yet died at the fury of another
in battle.
Donna sat in her living room last
week with a full display of Jimmy's
pictures laid out before her across
the table. Pictures of Jimmy as a
young man sat next to pictures of

him as a child. In each shot, Jimmy
smiled.
Her hand ran through the stack
of them, looking every now and
then for a specific picture of her
boy, coming upon one of his last
pictures, in military garb and with
his beaming smile to decorate his
face.
With his eyes warm in cheer,
and his grin stretching from cheek
to cheek, it is Jimmy as he
always was, anrd as .p,will always
be remembered. :
Donna iwouldnitV want it any
other way.
Today, or perhaps tomorrow,
when she looks in the mirror to see
Jimmy's face staring back in the

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Yes, this newspaper is part of a
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We are owned by a journalistic
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Staffing is local, and we seek
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community and want to stay
here.

reflection, in the strong features
she passed on to him the two
look much alike she will fight
against being caught by the empti-
ness.
Jimmy wouldn't want it any
other way.
"He wouldn't want any of us to
be sad," Donna said. "He would
want us to be proud of him and be
happy. Because he was happy.
"It's hard for me to tell anybody
about Jimmy," Donna said While
she held the picture firmly in hand,
and looked deeply into the portrait.
He was a country boy. He loved
fishing. He loved everybody. He
was my youngest son."

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pickup concerns, such as yard
debris, stumps, and loose litter that
has strewn across parts of town.
"The insulation and the debris
from these mobile homes are just
everywhere the southeast side
of town just looks like awar zone,"
said Johnson. "It's going to take
some time to get all of that cleaned
up," he said.
As long as the contracted debris
pickup services are present, they
are required to provide hurricane
damage pickups until each piece of
property in the city has been serv-
iced at least three times, and are
not obligated to come back after-
wards, according to Public Works
Director Sean Scheffler.
"Picking up a mobile home or a
house and putting it curbside is
way beyond the scope of what we
do," said Scheffler, who added that
since the deadline has passed for
curbside pickup for certain materi-
als, the city services will not pick up
any curbside construction waste as
part of its regular pickup schedules.
The commissioners and city
employees agreed that the current
ordinance does not require dam-
aged mobile home curbside pick-
up, and could be argued to not
allow such services to protect lia-
bility issues.
"The laws are clear as to what
is, and what is not required to be
picked up, and it is absolutely clear
that it is not practical and we are
not required to pick up mobile
homes as a regular service," said
Johnson.
A motion to determine
"whether or not the city is going to
haul away debris that would not
otherwise come under the city's
debris removal ordinance" and
was placed on or after Dec. 12, was
passed by unanimoi-"'ote.

Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

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the first day it appears. In
case of an inadvertent error,
please notify us prior to the
deadline listed. We will not
be responsible for more than
1 incorrect insertion, or for
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Auctions 105
Car Pool 110
Share a ride 115
Card of Thanks 120
In Memoriam 125
Found 130
Lost 135
Give Away 140
Garage. Yard Sale 145
Personals 150
Special Notices 155
900 Numbers 160

Looking for ride to Stuart Flea
Market on weekends.
(863)467-6423

DOG- Shih-tzu call to describe
(863)357-3225
KITTEN -6wks old. Male, tiger
strip. Vic. of Oak Park, Dec.
7th. Please call with any info.
(863)763-7564

CAR KEY on orange expansion
wrist band. Vic. of Flagler
Park. Please call with info
(863)467-2614
CAT 2yo Calico Female Cat,
has ID tags, last seen near
Oak Lake Estates $100 re-
ward (863)634-7402
CHIHUAHUA: LOST/MISSING
Chocolate & White, Female,
Vicinity of Oak Park. Reward!
Please call (863)467-8038
KITTEN: Yellow w/bob tail.
"Pumpkin". Needs medicine.
NW 30th St. 863-467-1897
or 863-467-1147
LOST PIT BULL Country Hills
Estate Area, his name is Max
(863)634-6446
PET FERRET- Vic. of Horse-
shoe Acres Glades County.
Please call (863)983-7024

CANNING JARS- Lids, rings,
20 qt pot to give away.
(863)675-0199
JACK RUSS/BLUE HEALER
Energetic, needs lots of rooms
to run. Housebroken. lyr old.
Friendly dog. (863)697-6309
KITTENS (4) Very adorable.
Males & Females. Free to
good home. Ready now!
(863)697-9806
RABBIT MANURE- FREE,
(863)635-4690.

LOOKING FOR Someone that
knows how to weave on a
loom Please call
(863)675-0199
Tall Guy, Secure, Stable. To
meet Attractive Gal or Friends
for Dining, Fishing, Traveling,
etc. Let meet. (863)946-3123

I.pca Nti I

I.pca 'oice015

" es & 9 4me .00

Place Your
YARD SALE
ad today!

Get FREE .
signs and
inventory sheets!

Call Classifieds
877-353-2424

Eml oyment

Employment -
Full-TIme 205
Employment 205
Medical 210
Employmrent .
Part-Time 215
Employment
Wanted 220
Job Information 225
Job Training 227
Sales 230

ronment & benefits
863-467-5000
GROVE0HELPWANTED
CASHIERS!
TOLL COLLECTORS
Starting on exp $7.75

workplace. (863)5429-1454

EXPERIENCED
SERVERS, COOKS &
DISHWASHERS
for busy restaurant
$9.00 per hr to start
Apply Within
1111 S. Parrot Aye.
Experienced MatureTeachers
Needed Building Blocks
Academy F/T & P/T positions
avail., Great pay, working envi-
ronment & benefits
863-467-5000
GROVE HELP WANTED
Salary depending on exp.
Benefits & 401 K. Drug free
workplace. (863)528-1015
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
OPERATORS & MECHANICS
With experience on CAT equip-
ment needed. Dozer,
Excavator, and off road truck
operators. Excellent pay &
in th s. Reply to Box
1540,c/o Okeechobee News
RO. Box 639, Okeechobee,
FL 34974
HELPRWANTED
Experienced Bartender &
Kitchen help
Call 863-634-3245
HELP WANTED:
Looking for experienced
Mobile home Installer, plus
people with Class A CDL
license. Top Pay must be
dependable. Aease call
(863)467-6299
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
FISHING GUIDE WANTED:
Must have own bass boat,
863)946-1742 $750 wk +tips
Find It faster. Sell it sooner
In the classifleds

NOW HIRING!
*Tow truck driver
*Fuel attendant/stock
person
Training will be provided
for responsible people.
We offer good pay, re-
warding work, benefits
and a substantial mileage
reimbursement. For a
limited time, qualified ap-
plicants who are hired
will receive a $200 sign-
up bonus. Apply at:
Ft. Drum Citgo
mm 184 FL. Turnpike
(863)763-9383
DFWP
PIZZA HUT
GRAND RE-OPENING
Now hiring all Staff & Drivers.
Apply at Okeechobee
restaurant location from
9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
PRIDE ENTERPRISES
Looking for Field Supervisor
for sugar cane operation. Exp.
w/farm equipment req'd.
$30K+, Exc. benefit pkg. Fax
resume to: 561-996-8559.
PRIDE ENTERPRISES
Looking for Field Supervisor
for sugar cane operation. Exp.
w/farm equipment req'd.
$30K+, Exc. benefit pkg. Fax
resume to: 561-996-8559.
TRUCK DRIVER, CDL Class B
w/Air Brake. Competitive
Salary, Company
benefits. Paid Vacation. Health
Insurance, 401 K. Apply in
person: W&W Lumber,
Hwy. 710, Indiantown.
Drug Free Work Place.

MENTAL HEALTH
THERAPIST
For Okeechobee County
to work w/children &
adolescents for in-home,
school based & office. M-F
Master's degree required.
Fax resume to 863-763-9898

LOOKING FOR RETIRED
WOMEN To sit with elderly
lady Tues. & Thurs. gam to
8pm 863-675-7410 La Belle
How do you find a job
in today's competitive
market? In the
employment section
of the classified

I.pca Noi

, w-09-4 post"

- ~- ~.

S!'.

"Copyrighted Material

Syndicated Content .. :

Available from Commercial News Providers".

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IMMEDIATE OPENING
FOR:
AIC & REFRIGERATION TECH
ONLY QUALIFIED AND
EXPERIENCED NEED APPLY.
Apply in person at
Emory Walker Co., Inc.
208 S.W. 5th Ave. Okeechobee
TOP PAY 401K PAID VAC. MEDICAL
EOE/DFWP

Housekeeping Full Time
Dietary (Kitchen Help)
Okeechobee Health Care Facility
Apply In Person Only At
Business Office, 406 N.W. 4th Street

Shop here first!
The classified ads

Earn some extra cash.
Sell your used Items In
the classifieds

Empoyen
FullTim

Emlymn
Full Tim

SECRETARY
for South Bay Construction Firm
Must have various office skills, including:
Microsoft Office or Corel. Duties will include, ;n; office
such as: answering the telephone and filing
to light record keeping. Applicant needs to be very detail
oriented, ability to work on their own and organized.

Benefits include 401K and
medical insurance.
Please apply by fax 561-996-4502
or e-mail to BTSouthbay@aol.com.
No walk-ins, please.

Start a new career in the much needed field of
nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Complete the
Hospitality Assistant course/training at Okeechobee
Healthcare Facility and become a CNA in 4 weeks. Next
class begins soon. Instructor RN/experienced teacher has
a very high CNA exam passing rate. Qualified CNAs are
then eligible for LPN training. Good benefits.
Apply In Person For Further Details:
406 N.W. 4th Street (863) 357-2442
Shop from a gift catalog When you want something
that's updated regularly: sold, advertise In the
the classifieds. clasafieds.

Emlymn
Full Tim

-IlM~

Okeechobee News

WANTED
Newspaper Carriers
Contractor Information
Sheets Available At:
Okeechobee News
107 S.W. 17th Street, Ste. D,
Okeechobee!FL 34974

Delivery Truck Driver Needed
Immediate position available with excellent pay,
40 hours, M-F. Looking for energetic person to
deliver wholesale food products, lifting is required.
Clean diving record a must.
Call Dennis for more information 800-419-1842.

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

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

Business
Opportunities 305
Money Lenders 310
Tax Preparation 315

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

How fast can your car
g o? It can go even
aster when you sell it
in the classified.
Time to clean out the
attic, basement and/or
garage? Advertise
your yard sale in the
classified and make
your clean up a breeze!

Services

Babysitting 405
Child Care Needed4 10
Child Care Offered415
Instruction 420
Services Offered-425
Insurance 430
Medical Services435

[ M. .it*.

O'Connell Construction
License # CBC055264
ERNEST LANCASTER
Screen Rooms, Carports
Room Additions
Florida Rooms
',iiminufn Roo; Over
(863)634-2044

HORSE SHOEING
* $25 ForTrimming.
* $70 For Shoes.
Call Mauro
(863)532-0090 %
7 Days A Week.
One man's trash is
another man's treas-
ure. Turn your trash
to treasure with an ad
in the classified.

Employment

:11..

E Garage/Yard Sales 0145
:: I

L Garage/Moo
Yard Sales 0145J

'S EASY, JUST GO TO:

.--'

ISpecial Notic

mta

t' *

shk

Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22, 2005

a No i

I-pca Noti *

18 ei. oic I

THURSDAY PRIME TIME DECEMBER 22, 2005
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Buiness I

The Okeechobee News has immediate

opportunities for New Independent
Delivery Agents who want to provide
excellent service to our readers.

Opportunities Now Open in these Areas:

SAREA

Okeechobee Must have a depe
car and provide e:

endable
!xcellent

N service to our customers
IN W everyday.

Come in and fill out a contractors
information sheet at the Circulation office
107 S.W. 17th St., Suite D, Okeechobee, FL.
Call Janet Madray at 863-763-3134 Ext. 233

Merchandise

Air Conditioners 505
Antiques 510
Appliances 515
Appliance Parts 520
Beauty Supplies 525
Bicycles 530
Books & Magazines 535
Building Materials540
Business Equipment 545
Carpets/Rugs 550
Children's Items 555
China. Glassware, Etc. 560
Clothing 565
Coins/Stamps 570
Collectibles 575
Computer/Video 580
Crafts/Supplies 585
Cruises 590
Drapes, Linens & Fabrics 595
Fireplace Fixture 60D
Firewood 605
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Health & Reducing
Equipment 620
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Supplies 625
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Services 670
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Sporting Goods 705
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Television/Radio 715
Tickets 720
Tools 725
Ts & Games 730
Ves 735
Wanted to Buy 740

A//C, for mobile home, with
heater, 3 ton, works perfect,
$150. (863)467-6434

Air Conditioners, (1) 110v &
(1) 220v (w/heat), $100 for
both will sell separately.
(772)971-9474

ART PIECE- Solid copper with
an Indian In front & a Buffalo
in the back. Dated '1842
$500 cash 863-763-2965
CAST BATH TUB w/claw feet,
$250 (863)467-0376
ICE CREAM PARLOR CHAIRS
(4) Vintage. Bent wood
w/cane seats, $100.
(863)763-1997
RESTORATION & REPAIRS
of Antique furniture.
CUSTOM CABINETRY
Quality service.
Call (863)763-4149
or (561)758-4337
SINGER Mod. 301- sewing
machine, w/attachments and
case $75 (863)635-0772
TREADLE sewing machine,
Mason Manufacturing Co, oak
4 drawer, Irg box attach's, orig
book $125 (863)763-4982

DRYER- Kenmore, very nice
shape, $65 guaranteed &
free dellvery(863)675-8937.
ELECTRIC RANGE Hotpoint,
glass top, self cleaning oven.
Good condition. $100
(863)675-4858
RANGE- Maytag, electric,
white, excellent condition,
$175 (863)824-8749.
SMALL UPRIGHT FREEZER,
gas range, refrigerator freeze
top, must sell all $350
(863)357-1076
WASHER & DRYER- good
condition, $175 for set
(863)673-3620

TANNING BED, Sunquest Pro
16S. Good condition. $600.
(863)467-1788 / 634-9119

BICYCLE, boys, good condi-
tion, $15.(863)467-6984

BICYCLE, woman's, 10 spd.,
good condition, $20.
(863)467-6984
BIKES (2) 3 speed 26" his &
hers, $20 each or both for
$30 (863)467-2305

BATHROOM VANITY- New
30", Oak, with sink and fau-
cet, $100 (863)675-1634
OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR
OPENER- Atlas Rool-Lite,
1/2hp, New, Ready to install
$300. neg. (772)260-6318
ROOF PANELS, Pro Panel, (6),
18'x4'x3" thick, like new,
$1800 will sell separately.
(863)763-3451
WELL SYSTEM fairly new,
$800 for total system
(863)467-7612

NICE DRESSES- 5, Very Good
Shape. $40. Or Will Separ-
ate. (863)763-9135

DALE EARNHARDT SR Nascar
collection, $400.
(863)467-0376
FOOTBALL & BASEBALL
CARDS late 80s early. 90s
excellent condition $500/
neg. (863)763-8943
PRO-MOLD mini snap tight
collectible card holders 50
each (863)467-1484

COMPUTER SYSTEM, com-
plete, lots of programs,
$175. (866)855-0158-

BED: Twin w/mattress, box-
spring & frame. Very good
condition! Almost brand new.
$60 (863)634-2094 Jennifer.
BEDROOM SET -7pc. Full sz
bed, light wd w/ painted bows
& pink flowers. Brand new.
$700 neg. (863)227-0199
CHAIR- Rocker recllner, ask-
ing $30 (863)675-6973.

I BusinIss

Buine Iss
Opprtnites03

*iga o i

CEDAR CHEST- 2, Solid cedar
$250 or will separate
(863)467-4328
CEDAR CHEST- New with tray
Solid cedar $125
(863)467-4328
CHINA CABINET- Large, Very
nice, Lighted, medium wood,
$300. or best offer Moving
Must Sell (239)645-3620
CHINA CABINET, old, 2 pc.,
yellow, hand painted, Ig.
glass shelves, nice, $450.
(772)429-0317
CRIB & CHANGING TABLE,
exc. cond., Jenny Lind, hon-
ey color, $120 for both.
(863)763-8331
DRESSER, w/ Ig. mirror, light
brown, 3 si. drawers'& 4
Ig. drawers, w/nightstand,
$150. (863)763-8562
END TABLES, (2), curvy legs,
between light & medium ma-
ple, very nice, $50.
(863)635-0474
FUTON $35 or best offer
(863)467-2153
MATTRESSES & BOX
SPRINGS, (2), double, & 2,
frames, almost like new,
$150. (937)418-7005
SOFA'S- 2, Sleeper sofa,
Brown & white & 1 black
$50 or will separate
863-447-1141
TABLE & STOOLS Diner's
50's style. Red & chrome.
Very nice. $300
(863)697-0014
WRITING DESK, 17"x43"
$100. (863)763-8943.ask
for Tracy

CLUB CAR, '97- Exc. cond.,
good batt/charger, $1599.
(863)697-1350/763-2063.
GOLF CART Club Car, 2001,
Gas, Reconditioned w/alumi-
num bed, top & windshield.
$2795. neg. (863)675-1472
GOLF CLUBS- 30 Misc, sets,
2 bags incl/Odyssey 990, Wil-
son 8813, Cook M1-X, Lynx.
$700will sep. (863)946-3123.

PISTOL, 9mm, w/case & 2
magazines, less than 50
rounds shot, exc. cond.,
$400. (863)227-0396
RIFLE- Savage Model Il, 300
Winchester Magnum
w/scope, $500 or best offer
(863)634-0856
SHOT GUN- Winchester, 12
age, Deer Gun w/scope.
335. (863)467-7838

DUMB BELL SET: 5 25 LB
w/rack. $100.
(863)467-5299
TREADCLIMBER, BOWFLEX
TC3000, like new, exc.
cond., $900. (863)634-7409
UNIV. WEIGHTLIFTING
MACH- Health Rider &
Gravity Edge, all 3 machines
$100(863)655-0030.
WEIGHT BENCH- Sears, Good
condition $125
(863)467-0109

TRANE UNIT HEATER Elec-
tric, horizontal/vertical model
UHEC. Com/resi. Brand new.
$750 (772)260-6318

DIAMOND BAGGETT BAND-
Like new condition. $600
(863)697-0845
EARRINGS Ladies, Peacock
design. Hand made in Hong
Kong 24K, 100yr old. $500
neg. (863)634-9620 Okee
LADIES GOLD ANTIQUE
POCKET WATCH- over 100
yrs old, $500 neg.
(863)634-9620. Okeechobee

LAMPS, (2), brand new, never
been used, cream & gold,
$35 for both.
(863)635-0474

* a I

SATELLITE DISH Dish brand
$50.00 or best offer
(863)357-6113

I

Sew/Embroidery Machine,
babylock, Ese, hoops, cards,
software, $2500.
(863)635-0772
SEWING MACHINE, Singer,
Commercial Grade, Leather,
w/new motor & table, $300.
(863)697-0014

HEDDON FISHING LURE- Old-
er, Vintage, Good shape.
$25. (863)946-3123
POOL CUE w/case in excellent
condition $40
(863)675-3944
PUNCHING BAG, Everlast,
Stand Up Style. $25.
(863)763-8085

SUB WOOFER SPEAKER BOX,
15" $100. (863)824-0776
SUB WOOFERS (2) 12" Sony
Explode. 6 months old.
$110. (863)824-0776

RCA Color VCR/TV with re-
mote, new in box, $80.
(863)467-1891 Iv. msg.
TOSHIBA, color, 19", used, re-
mote & manual included,
$50. (863)467-1891 Iv.
msg.

COLEMAN POWERMATE
GENERATOR 5-6,000 watt
surge, used 1 week, $500
(863)692-2229
PRESSURE WASHER
3000psi, whose, wand & tips,
on wheels, 11 hp B/S engine,
$350 863-697-9704
SETTLING TORCH w/ hoses,
gauges, & oxygen tanks. Also,
drill press & 2 grinders. $700
for all (863)763-9527

PACHINKO MACHINE- Me-
chanical vertical Japanese
pinball, good cond. $100 or
best offer (863)357-7406

WANTED: Used Rugger Pistol,
Semi Automatic.
(863)675-3665
Agriculture

Christmas Trees 745
Farm Equipment 905
Farm Feed;Products 810
Farm Miscellaneous 815
Farm Produce 820
Farm Services
Offered 825
Farm Supplies/'
Services Wanted 830
Fertilizer 835
Horses 840
Landscaping
Supplies 845
Lawn & Garden 850
Livestock 855
Poultry,'Supplies 860
Seeds .Plants'
Flowers 865

VACUUM PUMP- Surge
SP-11, Runs, needs minor
repair. $100 or best offer.
(863)467-8844

BEAUTIFUL Palomino AQHA,
good bloodlines 6yrs., profes-
sionally trained in cutting,
$10,000 (772)285-3897
GELDING- Retired jumper
$700 or best offer.
(863)357-3325
HORSE BLANKET: Polar
SShield, 78", high quality, ALL
the extras. Paid $140. Used
3x. $40 neg. (772)263-1178
HORSES 1 beautiful Buck-
skin, 1 Grey Appaloosa Danc-
ing Show Horse. $2200 both
or will sep. (863)227-0199
QUARTER HORSE GELDING-
quiet, exc beginner horse,
$2500 or best offer
(717)548-4291.
QUARTER/Thoroughbred lyr
old stud, halter broke $600
(772)467-0979
WESTERN SHOW SADDLE
"Billy Cook". w/Breast strap
&* tie down. $450.
(863)672-9200
Need a few more bucks
to purchase something
deer? Pick up some
extra bucks when you
sell your used items in
the classifeids.

LAWN TRAILER: 5X12

Do-It-Yourse f

Rentals

Apartments 905
Business Places 910
Commercial
Property 915
Condos'
Townhouses RentC20
Farm Property
Rent 92c5
House Rent 930
Land Rent 935
Resort Property -
Rent 945
Roommate 950
Rooms to Rent ,55
Storage Space -
Rent 960

FURNISHED APT- all utilities
paid, mature adults only, No
pets, on water, Call between
9-7 pm daily (863)357-2044
N. of OKEE 2br, 1ba. 12 mi.
north of Okeechobee. $500
mo. 1st & sec. No Pets!
(863)467-1717 8:30-3:30
NW OKEECHOBEE:
2 BR, 2BA, on quite St..
Kids & pets welcome.
$850. mo. & $2200 Moves
you in. (561)795-1965 or
(863)763-6406

BASSWOOD- 3br, 2ba, new
home, 2964 NW 35th Ave,
$1000/mo, 1st, last & $500
sec. dep. (863)467-0128.
OKEECHOBEE- 2br, 1.5ba,
waterfront, 804 SE 6th
Court, $875/mo, 1st, Lst,
$500 Sec, (863)467-5965.
OKEECHOBEE- 3br, 2ba, Very
Cozy, Single family, $1000.
mo. + 1st, Last &Sec. dep.
(863)697-3096

READING A
NEWSPAPER...
makes you a more informed
and interesting person. No
wonder newspaper readers
are more sotcessfull

RENT-A-SPACE
Available Late Spring
If Interested, Call Judy
(863)467-0831

OKEECHOBEE Furnished .
Single occupancy. Utilities in-
cluded. $125 wk. + 1st & last
mo. sec. dep. (863)467-0771
It's never too late to find
the perfect gift. Look
for it in the classified.

"' '"

CRAFT-MATIC BED -Complete
$500 (863)634-9536 or
(863)763-9527
ELEC. SCOOTER, 4 whl base
w/foot plate & legs, de-
tachable, exc. cond, $800 or
best offer. (863)801-6149
ELEC SCOOTER- Victory, 3
wheel, new batt., light & bas-
ket, swivel cloth seat, runs
good $600 (863)634-5095
HANDICAPPED POWER LIFT-
for wheelchair, goes on back
of car, all hook ups, $1000
(863)467-9892
NEW WHEEL CHAIR light
weight, wide seat, 17x17.5
w/seat pad was $575 now
$300 (863)357-8788

EXR KEYBOARD PLAYER
For Accomplished, Rockin
Blues and R&B Band.
Dedicated to the groove.
863-697-6016/484-0865
MINI BLINDS (50) Like new,
various sizes, up to 6' wide,
$25 for all. (772)971-9474

ELEC PIANO- Korg P60, LIKE
NEW, a steal at $800
1863)763-3229.
ELECTRIC ORGAN DISCOV-
ERY- '98, by Estey $500.
(863)674-0314
GERMAN UPRIGHT BASS-
asking $700,
(863)763-3229.
GUITAR, Electric, Fender
Statocaster w/Fender 15R am-
plifier. $300. (863)673-3860
PA SYSTEM Small, Fender
basement amp. Microphones,
drum machine $500 or best
offer (863)357-0406
TAYLOR GUITAR, 614-ceab,
25th Anniv. model, maple
back & sides, spruce top,
$2,000. (863)467-9859
UPRIGHT PIANO- Pennington,
need space, must sell asap
$300 or best offer
(863)763-7460.

BIRDCAGE, large, 4 wheel,
base measures 48" high x
34" x 22, $300.
(863)763-3451
BOSTON TERRIER PUP- 8
wks, $500 (863)946-1279
CAT. LEOR & Yellow lab mix -
11 months old, all shots, all
vac, and spade $25 to good
home only (863)610-1093
CHINESE Shar-pei's cham-
pion blood line 2 m & 2 f
now taking deposits $800
and up (863)675-6690
DOG HOUSE for medium size
dog, teak w/two windows
and mosquito netting $60
(863)675-3944
Last Minute Gift Idea, substi-
tute these ring neck doves
for turtle doves, $25
(863)675-6214 aft 6pm
MALTISE PUPPIES, AKC Reg.
$795-$995 each. 2M/1F.
Shots & Wormed. Mother
on premises. (863)357-2676
PITBULL Pups Full blooded
everything up to date, 1 male 1
female, also avail, huge dog
kennel $250 (863)227-0396
PUG, ACA, Rare, Black, 1F/2M
Ready 12/22-8wks. Shots, pa-
pers/health cert. $700-$800.
(863)673-4200/228-2140
RABBIT tame, litter box
trained $10 (863)635-4690
Frostproof
RAT TERRIER PUPPY- male,
black & white, ready for
Christmas $100
(863)763-2081 or 634-9684
REX BUNNY, baby, $10.
(863)675-4981 LaBelle area
ZEBRA FINCH: Adorable. $8.
(863)357-3639

GARDEN TUB: White. $100.
(863)763-8085
WATER SOFTENER, Kenmore,
asking $250.
(863)467-8504

To order, circle item(s),
clip & send w/ check to:
U-Bild Features
P.O. Box 2383
Van Nuys, CA 91409

Or call (800)
craftbo
Money Bad

Plewca'a' il
inclu(dc ),, ln. .
addi-ess 81ii w,., I:UclW of

iok.comi
k Guai-ans~vV

Real

Business Places -
Sale
Commercial
Property Sae i
Condos/
Townhouses Sa!e'"
Farms Sale iL
Houses Sale 10;'.
Hunting Property '
Investment
Property Sale
Land Sale
Lots Sale
Open House
Out of SIla .
Property Sale
Property, lisp-- .;' ... I
Real Estate Wantled
Resort Prope- a.
Sale
Wlarehou'we Sr."--
Waterlronm Pra: :rri.,
0-

OKEE.- Remodeled 2br,1.5h ,
2 Story Apt., Bldg. 90. 0.,(
Lake Apt's. $93,900.
863-763-8391 or 634-3313
Okee, remodeled, 2BR/1BA, 2
story apt., building 40. Oak
Lake Apts., $88,900.
(863)763-8391/634-3313

BUCK HEAD RIDGE, Over
2100 sq ft under air, Hot tub
Sea wall, Cement drive, Boat
lift, Carport, 2 storage sheds,
Deck above boat lift, Rock
fireplace & many other opts.
Furniture package avail.
See To Appreciate!
Call (863)763-8174 or
(612)-390-1159
EAGLE BAY ROOST, 14ft. x
42ft. Park Model w/8 ft. Florida
Rm., Car Port & Storage Shed.
Water Softner & RO System,
All appl., Washer & Dryer. TV.
815-342-1477
LAKE ACCESS WATERFRONT
2br,2bth, hse, 162' WF in,
BHR, dock, seawall, out bldgs,
$279,500 (863)467-1077
LAZY 7 ESTATES, 3BR/2/2BA.
in ground pool, V acre.
completely remodeled, ce-
ramic tile. $242,000.
(863)634-6545 or 634-2728
Your next job could be in
today's classified. Did
you look for it?

Five Acres, small pond, land
cleared, Lake Okeechobee
area, pad for house in place,
$160,000. (561)346-1682
Reading a newspaper
helps you understand
the world around you.
No wonder newspaper
readers are more suc-
Seesstul people!

OKECHOBEE-1.25 acresin
the Vikings. High & dry, near
46K acre State Preserve.
Buy now, prices are going up!
$38,000 (877)262-6884

S :-s 2005
arts 2010
.e.at 2015
.ale 2020;

P. w,45' Fla.
../walk in
S: lot & cable
May, go!f
bike, fur-
S OA Adult
S24.000.

f: T, fiTHORIZED
'iEALER;
iv ,: ,' li y. Hom es
i t;diate
S o000's now!
C:I 6 v av. -494-4010,
['.yjir;!'!J' ; ,i .com
i Pi 9 -14x601
o : d. no
i,- j lneg. You

0KV. ` 2B:A. BA16x66. Set
'i. !: 55 r i- '!. In city lim its
Cevrei deck. ali apl. $23K
UC .-, 5 Pam or John
P/:OF /iru iOME, 14x50,
2 qwS in rioms, plus car-
*; i t n : !f) 1 alrk. $29,000
(8630,67-1'.M5
Palm harbor
Nir,,dar & I Mobile
Specialists.
0Gal our Factory for
Free Coloi Brochures.
800-622-2832.
Poa.ri *" ;:.' Factory
Liquidaiion Sale
i' models must
'. i o iih, Free
olor L biochures.
'. -2832.

-
c I,. fl'Jh .
:-:.[.. W -, '
s,. .ries ";i"'U

S, Vs

AiR ,ATJ- 2000 Cotton
:o l, 13.5it, Poly bottom,
470 cointa, runs good,
37800 (863)3946-3857
Al.15 'I' ,LL BOAT -12FT,
, !'ih rie i andi 25HP motor,
? o .";"",:5-0030.
BAYIL 1N0 CA;PRt 1988, 16',
8) hp Force. Stereo & Fish-
finpJei S 1500or best offer.

Ci:U:A iFrF, 16 Ft., 50
hp Merc,y Viy good condi-
tion- Tr, 'i i': ed. Ready to -
fish _S2500. (833)599-1239
PONW Oi 00! 0;h 21 Ft. w/2
259: ,',Ot,-,rs canopy & trail-
er ;2' 00 ; Gf3)675-2575

as

w/ramp. New floors, tires &
rims. $695. (863)675-4882
PUSH LAWN MOWER John
Deere w/ bagger, used very lit-
tle. $100 (863)675-4858
Railroad cross ties $10
(863)697-8225
RIDING MOWER John Deere,
14.5 HP, 38" cut, runs good,
$700 (863)673-3620
RIDING MOWER: Snapper,
42" cut, $500
863)675-4882
WEED TRIMMER on 14"
wheels, like new, 6hp B/S
engine, $175 or trade
(863)697-9704.

CORTINA ENGLISH RIDING
SADDLE- asking $100
(863)675-1634

Stenciling for Beginners

Stenciling can be used to decorate almost any sur-
face, and you don't have to be an artist to have fun
and make quality stencil prints. All you need is a
full-color, 27-page guidebook, "Stenciling: Made
Easy For Beginners." The book feaiuri., ;,i of the
information you need to get started, siu ..- -hy-step
instructions for nine projects. You'll I.: tech-
niques such as swirling, pouncing and '.dii. what
types of paints and brushes to use, ho\\ 10 cut your
own stencils plus much more.
The projects include a French flov.- r bucket, a
wooden planter (pictured above), a w; vest,
designs for stenciling on walls, a lablcchio!ti and nap-
kins plus four others.

Stenciling Made Easy for Beginrers .,Vnir ,,ok
(No. P9280)... $8.95
Also available:
How to Stencil If You Think You Canr .',, i~ Eook
(No. HP2015) ... $5.95
Please add $3.00 s&h

s

14 The Okeechobee News, Thursday, December 22,2005

KAYAK- Hobie Lanai, used,
roomy cockpit, drink holder,
storage, good size for
kids,$185 (863)467-1790
KAYAK- Perception Swifty,
9.5, used highback seat,
good cond, yellow, $150
neg. (863)467-1790 Iv msg
PONTOON BOAT, 21 Ft., Sun
Tracker w/trailer. Rigged out
for night fishing. 90 hp motor,
GPS, depth finder, 2600 watt
Yamaha generator. $6500. Call
(863)381-9356/655-3654
Pontoon Boat, '94, Starcraft,
1995 40hp Mercury, low hrs.,
no trailer, fish ready, $4000.
(765)610-4494
TRI HULL BOAT, 16', walk thru
windshield, 60 hp Mariner
outboard motor & trlr, $1500
firm. (863)467-8038
V BOTTOM BOAT 12 Ft., Alu-
minum: Very good condition.
$300. (863) 824-0801

DODGE -Class C, older model,
new radials, brakes & tune up.
Sleeps 6. Great shape. $350.0
(863)467-8186 /946-1331
Lakeport, 28' fifth wheel,
w/25' screened room, lot
rent, $140, $4000.
(863)467-8186/941-1331
TOW BAR: Roadmaster 5250
Falcon w/car side quick dis-
connect kit, tow lights/cover.
$450 (863)675-2567 LaBelle
WINNEBEGO REALDO '96 -
excel cond., low miles,
$22,500 Or trade for late
model truck (863)467-8798

BOAT MOTOR 1996 Long
Shaft, 30 hp Evinrude, 0/B.
Excellent condition. $800.
(863)763-3568/447-4024 "

CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX: of 7
New, Harley Davidson Items.
$200 for all. Call for details.
(863)612-0055
GOLD WING 2003, 10K, ABS
. Brakes, Candy Apple Red,
Like new. $14,500. Call
(863)763-5500 Evenings.
GOLDWING '84 Classic. New
tires. 2 helmet intercom/stereo
CB. Grt cond $3500
(863)467-8186/946-1331
HONDA GOLDWING '76- runs
good, $1800 (863)673-3620
YAMAHA '71- street bike, sin-
gle cylinder, collectors item,
tagged & titled $600 or best
offer (863)634-7680

SUZUKI 80- '2000, Good con-
dition. $2200.
(863)467-0109

ENGINE, KAWASAKI, brand
new, 10 hp, fits John Deere
Gator or Kawasaki Mule. Never
ran. $900. (863)692-2229.
HONDA 90 SPORT TRAX, '03,
4 wheeler, exc. cond., manu-
al trans., gas powered, yel-
low, $1100. (863)801-6149 .
YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER
250- '2000, 4 Wheeler, Low
hours, Runs great. $2500.
(863)467-1047
YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER
250- 4 Wheeler, '2001, Runs
great. Low hours, $2500.
(863)467-1047

HOLIDAY RAMBLER TRAVEL
TRAILER, '93, 33', new re-
frig., a/c etc., good cond.,
Moving Must Sell. $7500
neg. (772)468-2377
Terry Travel Trailer, '94, 27',
like new, used very little, must
see, avail. Jan. 1, Okeechobee,
$7,000. (863)763-8709 or
(610)283-3416 or email
Idabakerl?(@aol.com

Automobiles

I. f TIT

Automobiles 4005
Autos Wanted 4010
Classic Cars 4015
Commercial Trucks 4020
Construction
Equipment 4025
Foreign Cars 4030
Four Wheel Drive 4035
Heavy Duty Trucks4040
Parts Repairs 4045
Pickup Trucks 4050
Sport Utility 4055
Tractor Trailers 4060
Utility Trailers 4065
Vans 4070

ACURA INTEGRA 1997 new
paint, detailed; black, $4900
(863)634-3451

CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE,
'83, 4 door, good shape,
$1500. (863)357-1821
CHEVY LUMINA '95- V6 se-
dan, great condition, $2000
or best offer (863)610-4676
or (863)763-0257.
FORD MUSTANG '94, V6, Low
miles. Looks & Runs good.
Well maintained. $2500
863-467-7049/561-261-9274
FORD THUNDERBIRD, '90,
red, needs work, $250 or
best offer. (863)484-0305 of
(863)763-8318

READING A

NEWSPAPER

HELPS YOU

UNDERSTAND

THE WORLD

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Public Notice 5005
State Public -
Legal Notice 5500

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN
AND FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 2005-CP-246
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF
WALLACE L. STEVENS,
Deceased
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR
DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ES-
TATE:
The ancillary administration of the Estate
of Wallace L. Stevens, deceased, File
No. 2005-CP-246 is pending in the
Circuit Court for Okeechobee County,
FL, Probate Division, the address of
which is 312 NW 3rd St., Okeechobee,
FL 34972. The names and addresses
of the ancillary personal representative
and that personal representative's at-
torney are set forth below.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTI-
FIED THAT:
All creditors of the decedent and other
persons having claims or demands
against decedent's estate on whom a
copy of this notice is served within
three months after the date of the first
publication of this notice must file their
claims with this Court WITHIN THE
LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER
THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA-
TION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY
DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE
OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON
THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and
persons having claims or demands
against the estate of the cdent
must file their claims with this court
WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE
DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF
THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO
FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
The date of the first publication of this
Notice is December 15,2005,
Ancillary Personal Representative:
BRENDA L. SKLAVANITIS
Attomey forth
Ancillary Personal Representative:
STEPHEN R. OSTROW
Attomey for Petitioners
Florida BarNo.:116750
229 North Collier Boulevard
Marco Island, FL 34145
2391389-0700
239 389-0800 (fax)
03 98 ON 12/15,22/05

GEO PRISM, '90, Christmas
Card, runs good, good gas-.
mileage, parts reasonable,
$1499. (863)467-1535
HONDA ACCORD '90- LX, 4dr,
runs good, low miles, $1800
(863)634-1909/634-3931 or
(305)797-5011
HONDA ACCORD LXI- '88,
Runs exc. Needs trans. &
brake work $300 or good
parts car. (863)801-3310
LINCOLN TOWNCAR 1988 -
low miles, good shape, a/c
cool, very good gas mileage
$1 100/neg. (863)517-1753
MERCURY. SABLE 1993 for
parts or repair $300
(863)763-0920 or 801-1970
NISSAN SENTRA NX 2000'93
Rebuilt trans. New tires.
130K mi. Runs good. 27 mi
per gal. $1000 (863)677-0459
NTB 1973 Convertible 4cyl., 4
Sgi. Sell or trade Make some-
one a real deal, Nice car
423-502-2210
OLDS CUTLASS '96- needs
transmission work, $500
(863)634-2191.
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SU-
PREME SL '94, 2 Dr., Tinted,
sound system. P/L, P/W. P/S,
P/B. $2500 (863)447-0651
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1988,
Needs work. $250 or best
offer. (863)467-8856,
SEBRING CONVERTIBLE- '04,
Red with beige top, Beautiful
3500 mi. Must see $15,000
neg. 863-697-6540
TOYOTA CELICA 1993 5sp,
cold air, $3500
(863)675-5001
TOYOTA MR2, '88, white, sun
roof, runs great, 32-35 mpg,
am/fm/cd, very dependable,
$1500.(561)924-2208
Earn some extra cash.
Sell your used Items in
the classified

aI PbiNo ice

I Puli Notice

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT
INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, in compliance with the Consultants Com-
petitive Negotiations Acl, FS 287-055, desires engineering services for the design
and supervision of the following project:
CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD AND BRIDGE
ATTHE
INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MUELLER CAMPUS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Firms desiring to provide Professional Services for the subject project shall submit
Sone j nine (9, copiesJ clearly indicating the project for which you
are submitting. Please submit the following information In the order listed:
1.Letterof Interest
2.GSA Forms 254 and 255
3.Consultant Questionnaire Form (Can be obtained by calling the IRCC Facilities
Planning Office at772-462-7360 orby e-mailingyourrequestto pivey@ircc.edu)
4.Three (3) letters of recommendation from owners with whom you have had
experience in the past three (3) years
5.Copy of firm's current Florida Professional Registration License
6.1f your firm is a corporation, please provide a copy of your current Florida Cor-
porate Charter
Submittal documents will be accepted in the Indian River Community Colleae Fa-
cilities Plannino Office Buildino "S" Room #233 3209 Viroinia Avenue Fort
Pierce FL 34981-5596 no later than 12,00 Noon on Thursday January 5 2006
Submittals received afterthat time/date will not be considered
Scope of services include, but are not limited to the design, permitting, and con-
struction services of a 3000 +/- foot road extension and canal crossing.
The subject project will be constructed at the Vero Beach Mueller Campus, 6155
College Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32966. Please direct inquiries to the IRCC Fa-
cilthies Planning Office by calling 772-462-7360. Thank you for your interest in
our project.
102782 ON 12/15,22,29/05

PUBLIC NOTICE
CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING
A CITY ORDINANCE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, will
on Tuesday, January 3,2006 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter possible, at City
Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave., Okeechobee, FL conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on and there-
after to consider final reading of the following Ordinance into law: NO. 921. AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFI-
CIAL ZONING MAP OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF
LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM (H) HOLDING ZON-
ING DISTRICT TO RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY-ONE (RSF-1) ZONING DIS-
TRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The Ordinance is regarding Rezoning Application No. 05-013-R, which was submit-
ted by applicant Paevin Maxwell on behalf of property owner Frank Allobello, Trus-
tee. The application Is to change the zoning designation from Holding (H) to
Residential Single Family-One (RSF-1) for a vacant 15.44 acre parcel located be-
tween Southwest 9ih Street, 1tih Avenue and 15th Street.
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in said hearing.
The proposed Ordinance may be inspected In its entirety by members of the pub-
lic in the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours, Mon-Fri,
8am-4:30pm, except for holidays.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that If any person desires to appeal any
decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this
hearing, such Interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for
such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record Includes thu testimony and evidence upon which the appeal Is to be
based. City Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of backup tor official records of
the Clerk.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Florida Statutes
286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in
this proceeding should contact Lane Gamiotea no later than two (2) working days
prior to the proceeding at 863-763-3372 x215; if hearing or voice impaired, call
104 1-800-22-3448 (voice or 1-888-447-5620 (TY).
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, CI1 CLERK
104906 ON 12/22/05

CHEVEROLET PICK UP
TRUCK 1955 500 cu. in.
motor. $2500 or best offer.
(863)763-4826
DODGE ASPEN '74 Slant 6,
runs great. Needs minor res-
toration. $500 (863)697-6731
VOLKSWAGON SUPER BEE-
TLE 1971, Brand new motor.
Needs restoration. $1000 or
best offer. (863)763-4826

CHEVY SILVERADO, '94, 4
wheel drive, 3/4 ton, runs
good, $3800.
(863)381-0432.

EASY GO 2 seater w/top and
windshield and charger
$1250/neg. (863)675-1472
GOLF CART '00, Yamaha, gas,
w/winter top, $1950.
(863)763-4545/260-450-22
66.

CAR DOLLY, Tow-Master,
good condition $350
(863)946-3860
HOLLY CARBURETOR- 750
Double pumper, Very clean
$75. (239)770-6423
REAREND for F350 Dually,
works perfect, $200.
(863)467-6434
TIRES- 4, Mickey Thompson,
15" 35x14.50 $300.
863-763-9592 or
863-634-0399
TONNEAU COVER by ARE
fits Chevy S10 or 6 ft bed
truck Excellent condition $300.
Firm (863)697-6731

TOOL BOX- full size, United
Welding Systems, Gullwing,
lockable, exc cond. $150
neg (863)697-1645
TRANSMISSION- 4x4, Turbo
350, Rebuilt, $350 or best.
offer. (863)467-8856
UTILITY CAP, for pick up
truck, for 8' bed, $400.
(863)673-5038

CHEVY 4x4- '72 & '85, no mo-
tors, $1000 863-6973895
CHEVY S10, '03, 3 dr., stan-
dard shift, 4 cyl., 13k mi.,
under factory warranty,
$9900. (863)357-3413
DODGE RAM- '87, 4X4, Auto.
318, Long bed. Runs good.
$2500. (239)770-6423
GMC-'86, 22' Drive van body,
New eng. & tires, Less than
30K, 5spd. $4500 or best
offer. (941)416-5571
TAILGATE- '02 for F250, Su-
per Duty, Like new, $500 or
best offer. (863)357-4827
TOOL BOX- full size, United
Welding Systems, Gullwing,
lockable, exc cond. $150
neg (863)697-1645

CHEVY SUBURBAN LT- '97,
White, 4x4, All power, Very
clean $8500. or best offer
(863)697-6540
FORD EXPEDITION 1997- All
power, leather, black/grey- 2
owner car- $5850
(863)467-2267
GMC SUBURBAN 1500 SLT-
'99, Gray, All power,
$10,500 or best offer.
863-697-6540

I Pb ic No ice

I Pbic Notice

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
CONSIDER A FINAL RE-PLAT OF BRENTWOOD ESTATES
NOTICE: Mark Troendle, has filed a Final Plat Application for the Replat of Brent-
wood Estates, with the City of Okeechobee, Florida, on behalf of the property
owner, Brentwood Acres, LLC. The PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the City
Council on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as pos-
sible, at City Hall, 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The pub-
lic is invited and encouraged to attend. For a copy of the agenda contact City
Administration at (863) 763-3372 x212. This item was tabled at the December 6,
2005 City Council Meeting.
The proposed project is a 15 lot Residential Single Family Subdivision approximately
8,857 acres, located in the 1000, 1100 and 1200 Blocks of Southeast 10th
Street. Legal description being: a parcel of land lying in the Southeast 1/4 of Sec-
tion 22, Township 37 South, Range 35 East, Okeechobee County. Florida, and be-
ing more particularly described as follows: Commence at the center of said
Section 22 as marked with 4"x4" concrete monument: thence South 0 degrees
eleven feet twenty-nine inches West, along the East line of said Southeast 1/4 of
Section 22. A distance of 815.25 feet, to the intersection with the South line of the
lands described in O.R. Book 355, Page 459, Public Records of Okeechobee
County, Florida, and the Point of Beginning; thence South 85 degrees fifty-one
inches forty-six inches East along said South line, a distance of 288.81 feet, to
the Southeast corner of said lands; thence North 4 degrees 829 inches East,
along the East line of said lands described in O.R. Book 355, page 459, a dis-
tance of 172.15 feet, to the intersection with the North line of the South 1/2 of the
Northwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section 22; thence South 89 degrees
10 feet 34 inches East, along said North line a distance of 1042.87 feet, to the in-
tersection with the East line of said Northwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of said
Section 22; thence South 0 degrees 40 feet 4 inches West, l1.'..iF ,.. i F ,
distance of 330.10 feet, to the intersection with the South lin,.. ". : .: .i. i i
the Northwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4, of said Section 22; thence North 89 de-
grees 10 feet 12 inches West, along said South line, a distance of 1339.83 feet,
to the intersection with said East line of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 22; thence
North 00 degrees 11 feet, 29 inches East, a distance of 174.80 feet, to the point
of beginning.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any
decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this
hearing, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for
such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. City Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of
the Clerk.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Florida Statutes
286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in
this proceeding should contact Lane Gamiotea no later than two (2) working days
prior to the proceeding at 863-763-3372 x215; if hearing or voice impaired, call
TDD 1-o -0222-3448 voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY).
Brian Whitehall, Zoning Administrator
104857 ON 12/22/05
I
PUBLIC NOTICE
CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING
A CITY ORDINANCE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, will
on Tuesday, January 3,2006 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter possible, at City
Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave., Okeechobee, FL conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on and there-
after to consider final reading of the following Ordinance into law: NO. 922. AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFI-
CIAL ZONING MAP OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF
LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM RESIDENTIAL SIN-
GLE FAMILY-ONE (RSF-1) ZONING DISTRICT TO COMMERCIAL PROFESSION-
AL OFFICE (CPO) ZONING DISTRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP
ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFEC-
TIVE DATE.
The Ordinance is regarding Rezoning Application No. 05-014-R. The application is
to change te zoning designation from Residential Single Family-One (RSF-1) to
Commercial Professional Office (CPO) for vacant property located in the 1900
Block of Southwest 2nd Aenue. Legal description: Lots 10 through 12 of Block
40, First Addition to South Okeechobee, and is approximately 0.48 acre(s).
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in said hearing.
The proposed Ordinance may be inspected in its entirety by members of the pub-
lic in the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours, Mon-Fri,
8am-4:3Opm, except for holidays.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any
decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this
hearing, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for
such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim recordof the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. City Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of
the Clerk.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Florida Statutes
286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in
this proceeding should contact Lane Gamiotea no later than two (2) working days
prior to the proceeding at 863-763-3372 x215; if hearing or voice impaired, call
TDD 1-800-222-3448(voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY).
Lane GamiCtea, CMC, CITY LERK
104911 ON 12/22/05

PUBLIC NOTICE
'CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING
A CITY ORDINANCE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, will
on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter possible, at City
Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave., Okeechobee, FL conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on and there-
after to consider final reading of the following Ordinance into law: NO. 920. AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE OFFI-
CIAL ZONING MAP OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A CERTAIN TRACT OF
LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM HOLDING (H) ZON-
ING DISTRICT TO RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY-ONE (RSF-1) ZONING DIS-
TRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The Ordinance is regarding Rezoning Application No. 05-012-R, which was submit-
ted by applicant Jamie Gamiotea on behalf of property owners Raul and Kathey
Gamiotea. The application is to change the zoning designation from Holding (H) to
Residential Single Family-One (RSF-1) for a vacant 3 acre unplatted parcel locat-
ed at 1109 Southeast 9th Drive.
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in said hearing.
The proposed Ordinance may be inspected in its entirety by members of the pub-
lic in the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours, Mon-Fri,
8am-4:3Opm, except for holidays.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any
decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this
hearing, such Interested person will need a-record of the proceedings, and for
such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. City Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of
the Clerk.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability ACt (ADA) and Florida Statutes
286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in
this proceeding should contact Lane Gamiotea no later than two (2) working days
prior to the proceeding at 863-763-3372 x215; if hearing or voice impaired, call
TDD1-800-222-3448 (voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TT).
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, CITY CLERK
104889 ON 12/22/05

CAR DOLLEY $450 firm
(863)763-4617
ENCLOSED HALLMARK
TRAILER- G.A.W.B. 2980,
asking $1675
(863)357-2424
TILT TRAILER 4.5'x5' w/3ft
high side panels, wood deck,
$300/neg. (863)634-5095

UTILITY TRLR- '05, 5x10,
drop loading ramp, Diamond
plate toolbox, 5mos old, like
new, $850 (863)357-6530

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

DODGE CARAVAN SPORT '02
49 K mis. Fully loaded. Must
see! Runs great. $8500
(863)763-9464
DODGE RAM 2500, '95, 15
passenger van, great shape,
cold a/c, work or family ready
Asking $2500 (239)633-4069
FORD AEROSTAR- 6 cyl, Runs
good, Cold A/C. Asking
$1100. or best offer
(863)467-2131

Grab a bargain from your
neighbor's garage,
attic, basement or clos-
et In today's classified.

aI PulcN~ic

aI Pulc o ice

PROJECT NO. 20512
RE-ROOF BUILDING 6
AT OKEECHOBEE HIGH SCHOOL
INVITATION FOR SEALED BIDS
Sealed bids will be received by THE SCHOOL BOARD OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, 700 SW 2nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974 up to 2:00 p.m.
January 25,2006 for all materials and labor necessary for:
Re-roofing Building 6 at
Okeechobee High School
2800 Highway 441 North
Okeechobee, Flonda 34972
Bidder shall complete a list of sub-bidders with whom he will sub-contract work in
connection with this project. This list shall accompany the contractor's bid. Failure
to provide a list will be grounds for rejection of the bid.
Plans and specifications are on file in the office of:
Dale Barrett, Director of Operations
Okeechobee County School Board
700 SW 2nd Avenue, Room 110
Okeechobee, FL 34974
863-462-5000 ext. 236
and
BMK Architects, Inc.
227 Central Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-365-6056
Copies of said plans and specifications may be obtained at the office of said Archi-
tect or the office of Dale Barrett, upon the deposit of $100.00 for one set of plans
and specifications; said deposit will be returned to the contractor upon return of
said plans and specifications in good condition, and upon receipt of a bona fide
bid.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of 5% of the maximum
bid, payable to the School Board of Okeechobee County, as evidence of good
faith and guaranteeing that the successful bidder will execute and furnish to the
School Board of Okeechobee County a good and sufficient performance bond as
required by Florida Statute Section 1013.45 in the penal sum of 100% of the es-
calated amount of the contact guaranteeing the performance of said contract; and
a payment bond as required by Section 1013.45 and 255.05, Florida Statutes,
guaranteeing the payment of all debts pertaining thereto. Each Bid shall be ac-
companied by a sworn statement under Section 287.133(3)(a), Florida Statutes,
on Public Entity Crimes and Drug Free Workplace Certification.
Each bond shall be issued by a surety company licensed and authorized to do busi-
ness in the State of Florida'having a general bond holders rating of A+ -excellent-
and a financial rating of BBB+ or better in Florida satisfactory to the Owner, with-
in ten (10) days after being awarded the contract, the premiums of said bonds to
be paid by the Contractor. Said bonds to be recorded in accordance with School
Board instructions.
All bids shall be placed in an envelope, sealed, and addressed to the School Board
of Okeechobee County, and the name of the project should be placed on the out-
side of the envelope and words indicating that the envelope contains a bid for said
project.
MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: Wednesday, January 11, 2006, ,
prevailing time at the office of Dale Barrett, Director of Operations, v.v .,]
Avenue, Room 110, Okeechobee, FL 34974.
The Contractor will be required to build and have the project substantially completed
Monday, May 1,2006 and have the actual site work, including punch list items
and site clean up, totally completed 30 calendar days thereafter. Failure to do so
will result in liquidated damages in the amount of $500.00 per day for each day
the date of actual substantial completion exceeds the scheduled date of substan-
tial completion; and a further sum of $100.00 per calendar day in liquidated dam-
ages for each day the date of actual completion exceeds the scheduled date of
final completion.
The successful bidder, if any, will be notified within 15 days after the bid is accept-
ed,
The School Board of Okeechobee County reserves the right to reject any and all bids
and to waive any informalities. All proposals shall remain in force for 30 days af-
terthe date of opening.
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Patricia G. Cooper, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
104752 ON 12/22,29/051/5/06

PUBLIC NOTICE
CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING
A CITY ORDINANCE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, will
on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter possible, at City
Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave., Okeechobee, FL conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on and there-
after to consider final reading of the following Ordinance into law: NO. 923. AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING DIVISION
FIVE SECTION 90-561 AND ADDING SECTION 90-573, REGARDING COMMER-
CIAL MURALS PROVIDING FOR REGULATION AND PERMITTING THEREOF,
DESIGNATING PERMITTED ZONING DISTRICTS; PROVIDING FOR REGULATION
AND PERMITTING THEREOF, DESIGNATING PERMITTED ZONING DISTRICTS;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in said hearing.
The proposed Ordinance may be inspected in its entirety by members of the pub-
lic in the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours, Mon-Frid,
8am-4:30pm, except for holidays.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that itf any person desires to appeal any
decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this
hearing, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for
such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. City Clerk tapes are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of
the Clerk.
In'accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Florida Statutes
286.26, persons with disabilities needirit special accommodation to participate in
this proceeding should contact Lane Gamiotea no later than two (2) working days
prior to the proceeding at 863-763-3372 x215; if hearing or voice impaired, call
TDD 1-800-222-3448 (voice or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY).
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, CITY CLERK
104912 ON 12/22/05

READING A NEWSPAPER,,
,__ leads you to the best
pProdcts and services.

Community Events

Red Class offers training classes
The American Red Cross Okeechobee Branch will be holding disas-
ter training classes each month, January through April. Each class will
cover different areas Red Cross disaster training. Interested parties can
call the office to register at (863)-763-2488. All classes are on Thursday
evenings from 6 until 9 p.m. and will be held at 323 North Parrott Ave.
in Okeechobee. The class schedule is: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23 and
April 20.

OHS teams selling discount cards
The OHS Brahman boys and girls basketball teams are selling their
annual discount cards for $10 each. The card offers continuous dis-
counts to 18 various businesses throughout the year. If you would like
to purchase your discount card, contact coach Enrico or coach Pung at
(863) 462-5043.

Toys donations needed
Cowboys for Christ Hand and Hand Ministries is in need of toys for
Christmas to be given to children. Call Denna Scantland at (863)-612-
0640 and we will pick them up or you may deliver them.

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers
Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical housing ministry working in
partnership with the community and local families in need, is looking
for volunteers to help complete construction on their first house. Con-
struction experience is appreciated but not required. Work days are
Saturday and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Volunteers are also
needed to work on the following committees: public relations,
fundraising, legal advice, family, support and volunteer coordination.
An experienced bookkeeper is also needed. Call (863)/357-1371 for
information. .

Regions accepts Red Cross donations
All Regions banks can now accept donations to the American Red
Cross disaster relief efforts. Cash and checks will be accepted at any
Regions bank. Locally, Regions Bank is located at 305 E. N. Park St.
Checks must be written to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina
Disaster Relief Fund, and the customer will be given a Red Cross
receipt.

Benefits help available for vets
Veterans and their family members that have been displaced due to
Hurricane Katrina and have moved to the Okeechobee may contact
the County Veterans Service officer for benefits assistance at (863) 763-
8124. The County Veterans Service Office is located at 462 U.S. 98 N. in
the County Administration Annex. The office is open Monday-Thurs-
day, 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Baptist Church opens library
First Baptist Church Library invites everyone to check out books,
tapes, CDs, DVDs and Christian materials. They are open Tuesday from
10 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Wednesday, from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m.; and, Sun-
days from 6 until 6:30 p.m. They are located at 401 S.W. Fourth St. For
information, call (863) 763-2171.

DAR opens essay contest
It is again time for the National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution to sponsor their annual American Essay Contest. The con-
test is open to public, private and parochial schools and those who are
home schooled and will start on the first day of school. The essays
have to be turned in by Dec. 1. This year's subject for grades five
through eight is "Benjamin Franklin- More than a Revolutionary". Jan.
17, 2006, marks the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth.
"The Santa Maria to the New World and the Apollo Mission to the
Moon: Christopher Columbus and the Astronauts" is the subject cho-
sen for grades nine through 12. American Essay Contest Certificates
and Excellence in History Medals will be presented to the contestants.
The winner from each school will receive a monetary award. For infor-
mation, call (863) 763-2492.

Martha's House collecting cell phones
Martha's House is collecting used cell phones to return for money.
Martha's House can also have them 9-1-1 activated for participants. If
you have any used cell phones to donate call (863) 763-2893, or drop
them off at their administrative office at 4134 U.S. 441 N.

Salvation Army needs bell ringers
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for its bell ringers pro-
gram. Bell ringers can sit down and ring the bell for one hour or one
day, it's your choice. If you would like to volunteer to help the Salvation
Army, contact Kip Gardner at (863) 357-0427. The bell ringer program
is the Salvation Army's basic fundraising program during the Christ-
mas season.

Farmer's Market resumes normal hours
The Farmer's Market will be held every Thursday from 4 until 7:30
p.m. in Flagler Park. For information, call (863) 357-MAIN; (863) 763-
2225; or, (863) 697-3110.

Church holding youth services
The North of Okeechobee Church of God, 15949 N.W. 30th Terrace,
will hold youth services every Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. There
will be fun, food, fellowship and a brief devotion. For information, call
(863) 467-1066.

Holiday CD benefits Hospice
The Buckhead Ridge Moose Lodge #2417 has produced a Christ-
mas CD in which some of the proceeds will be donated to Hospice. of
Okeechobee. The CD, which features local artists, is available at Rus-
tic Ranch Furniture, Crown Custom Computer, Lawrence Insurance
Agency, Hospice of Okeechobee's Country Store, VFW Post #10539,
Buckhead Ridge Moose Lodge and the office of Main Street. Dona-
tions to Hospice of Okeechobee will support their Hospice residence.

Children's Ranch plans yard sales
The Real Life Children's Ranch, 7777 U.S. 441 S.E., will hold yard
sales every Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Funds from
the sales help support activities for the children. Usable donations are
always accepted and should be taken to the ranch on U.S. 441 S.E. For
information, contact Rosie at (863) 763-4242.

Civil Air Patrol is forming
The United States Air Force Auxiliary is forming a Civil Air Patrol
unit in Okeechobee, and senior members and cadets are being
recruited. Youths between the ages of 12 and 18 are eligible. Senior
members are needed to administer the unit and provide supervision
for the cadets. The three main missions of the Civil Air Patrol are
emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs.
Senior members and cadets work side by side to accomplish these
missions. If you are interested in becoming a cadet or senior member,
contact Gene O'Neill at the Okeechobee Emergency Operations Cen-
ter, (863) 763-3212.

Red Cross needs instructors
Have you sa"ed a life today? Volunteer as an American Red Cross
Instructor and teach others the skills they need to save lives. You can
help the American Red Cross reach people in your community with
lifesaving training, including CPR, First Aid, Automated External
Defibrillation, and HIV/AIDS Prevention. Contact the Okeechobee
Branch of the American Red Cross at (863) 763-2488 to find out more.

Red Cross seeks DAT volunteers
The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to be part of their
Disaster Action Team (DAT). The DAT is made up of a group of trained
volunteers who respond to local disasters such as structure fires,
floods, etc. If you would like to give of your time and talents to help
local citizens in a time of disaster, please contact Debbie or Candace
at the American Red Cross Okeechobee Branch by calling (863)
763-2488.

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