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(EECHOBEE


Vol. 99 No. 185


Briefs
Real Life Childrens
Ranch holds yard
sales
The Real Life Childrens
Ranch Yard Sale will be open
everyday, the week of July 7-12.
They will also be open July 17-
19 and July 24-26.

Fireworks scheduled
Jaycee's Fireworks will be
held at the Agri-Civic Center
on July 4, gates open at 7 p.m.
and fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
No personal fireworks will be
allowed. Entrance to the event
will be off State Road 710. A $3
per car donation will be col-
lected at the gate to help pay
for the fireworks. For more in-
formation 863-763-1666.

Josiah Johns Memo-
rial Rodeo
The Josiah Johns Memorial
Rodeo will be held at Brigh-
ton on July 4-5. Gates open at
3 p.m. and rodeo begins at 5
p.m. Friday, July 4, the rodeo
will be followed by fireworks
at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in ad-
vance and $15 at the gate, small
children, 10 and under are free.
Advanced tickets are available
at Accardi-Milrot Dodge anl
Flyin High. For more informa-
tion call 863-467-6039 or visit
www.rezrodeo.com.

Lighthouse Refuge
support group
The Lighthouse Refuge
Support Group is for women
who are hurting, homeless or
been abused. They meet on the
first and third Tuesday of every
month rroITI noorl urnii . plnil.
at First Baptist Church, 401 S.W.
Fourth St., and on the second
and fourth Tuesday of every
month from 6:30 until.8:30 p.m.
at the Red Cross, 323 N. Parrott
Ave. For more information call
Donna Dean at 863-801-9201 or
863-357-2106.

Drought Index

Current: 346
Source: Florida Division
of Forestry
Local Burn Ban: None

Lake Levels

9.65 feet
Last Year: 8.83 feet

nored By:

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

Index
Classifieds................................ . 8
Comics .................................. 7
Community Events.........:.......... 4
Crossword..............,............. ... 7
O bituaries....... ........................... 6
Opinion...................................... 4
Speak Out ........................ ..... 4
Sports.................................... . 10
TV ............................................. . 4
Weather..................................... 2
See Page 2 for information about
how to contact the newspaper.

newszap.com
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8 16510 00024


Thursday, June 3, 2008


Negotions under way: Depot may be saved


City working with CSX


to save old train station


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
In the fight to save Okeecho-
bee's historic train depot, it
looks like there is light at the
end of the tunnel.
At their meeting on Tuesday
evening, July 1, the Okeecho-
bee City Council approved a
letter of understanding with
CSX Transportation, the owner
of the building. The agreement,
which the city received at 3
p.m. the day before, states that
CSX will donate the depot to
... he, city to.be used primarily as
a railroad passenger station. It
further states that either the City
of Okeechobee or Okeechobee
Main Street (OMS) as lessee will
enter into an agreement with
Amtrak, and that the city and
Okeechobee Main Street will
pursue renovation ofthe facility
immediately upon execution of
the bill of sale.
However, the agreement
.also stated that if at anytime
Amtrak discontinues service to
Okeechobee, the city would ei-
ther relocate the building or de-
molish it within 90 days. To this
condition, City Administrator
Brian Whitehall added, "This
does not preclude the city from
Exhausting all avenues to satisfy
CSX Transportation safety and
operational concerns through
negotiations in lieu of said de-
molition."
The agreement also states
that CSXwill provide a short
term lease agreement to pro-.
vide access to the depot.
The original letter of intent
as provided by CSX called for
the depot to be renovated and


Okeechobee News/Pete Gawda
This old scale, once used to weigh freight being shipped
by rail, is found in the old freight section of the Okeecho-
bee depot. That section of the building was livestock
feed company until June 30. If efforts to restore the build-
ing are successful, this scale would be one of the attrac-
tions.


in use within nine months of
transfer. Mr. Whitehall did not
think that was reasonable and
substituted the following word-
ing: "The City of Okeechobee


and Okeechobee Main Street
will pursue renovation of the
facility immediately upon ex-
See Depot - Page 2


IRCC now IRSC, has


bachelor's degrees


IRCC now Indian
River State College
Indian River State College
(formerly Indian River Com-
munity College) will hold in-
formation sessions for its nine
Bachelor's Degree programs.
The workforce-oriented pro-
grams offer area residents new
opportunities to earn a four-
year degree close-to-home in
Nursing, Education, Organi-


national Management, Pub-
lic Safety Administration and
SHealth Care Management.
To provide more informa-
tion on how to get started,
IRCC will hold Bachelor's
Degree information .sessions
Sat 6 p.m. on July 8, 9, and 10
according to the following
schedule: Tuesday, July 8 at
the St. Lucie West Campus,
Schreiber Conference Cen-
ter, 500 N.W. California Blvd.,
Port St. Lucie; Wednesday,


July 9, Chastairi Campus, Wolf
High Technology Center, 2400
S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart and
Dixon Hendry Campus, 2229
N.W 9th Avenue, B Building,
Okeechobee; Thursday, July
10, Main Campus, Kight Cen-
ter for Emerging Technolo-
gies, 3209 Virginia Avenue and
35th Street, Fort Pierce and
Mueller Campus, 6155 College
Lane, Richardson Center, Vero
Beach.
See IRSC - Page 2


N EWS


*********ALL 'FO ADUC LJ
- 205 SMA U FL LIB OF FL HISTORY
PO BOX 117007
-GAINESVILLE FL 32611




Man held



for fire in



restaurant


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
An Okeechobee man who
was badly burned on June 22
has been charged with arson.
He is accused of setting a fire
at the Rancher's Restaurant -lo-
cated at 15765 State Road 70 in
Highlands County.
Robert Lee Marcum, 23, had
driven his motorcycle to Raul-
erson Hospital for treatment
of burns he had reportedly re-
ceived in the blaze, State Fire
Marshal Spokesperson Sam
Venzeio said.
Marcum was transported
to Tampa General Hospital, for
treatment of burns and after
being discharged from the hos-
pital was taken to jail.
Firemen from Okeechobee
County Fire Rescde, the Semi-
nole Indian Reservation and
the Loridavolunteer fire depart-
ment all battled the blaze. The
estimate of damage was placed-
at close to $180,000.
Okeechobee County Fire
Rescue reports said seven units
and 12 firemen and volunteers
battled the blaze.
The first alarm was sent at


1:15 a.m. Okeechobee firemen
were on the scene for over two
hours.
K eeith
Bourgault
with OCFR
reported that
the roof of
the building
was mostly
off and 75
percent in-
volved when Robert Lee
the first fire- Marcum
men arrived.
Venzeio said other details
about the fire have not been
released as the investigation is
still active.
He said an eye witness re-
ported that they saw a motor-
cycle leave the scene of the
fire.
Law, enforcement put out a
BOLO, or an alert to be on the
look out for the suspect, and an
Okeechobee Deputy reportedly
spotted the motorcycle and fol-
lowed it to the hospital, as Mar-
cum refused to stop.
Marcum has been charged
with second degree arson, and
See Fire - Page 2


Dead woman' s



checks forged


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
A local woman was charged
with forgery and uttering a
forged instrument after she al-
legedly used the check of a de-
ceased woman, Martin County
Sheriff Detectives reported.
Dinah Jones, 35, of S.E. 29th
Street, Okeechobee, was held
on $10,000 bond immediately
after her arrest on June 26.
An arrest report from Mar-
tin County Sheriff's Detective
Christopher Pepitone said that
Jones signed and used a check
at the Publix Super Market at
6550 South Kanner Highway in


Stuart from the bank account
of Marie Hagan.
.Jones told authorities that
she had found one of Hagan's
check books on the ground
next to her mailbox. She ad-
mitted that she took the checks
and wrote out checks for gro-
ceries, cigarettes and fuel in
Martin County.
The" arrest report said Jones
purchased two Best Buy gift
cards and cigarettes at Publix
with the check. The items cost
$79.80..
An obituary in the Stuart
News reported Hagan died in
April 2008.


uoeecnooee News/ree Guawaa
Thirty-five years of service
City of Okeechobee Public Works Department Foreman
Cleveland Lamb, left, was honored by Okeechobee May-
or Jim Kirk for 35 years of service to the city. The recogni-
tion took place at the July 1, city council meeting.


S25 NW A I Bide lde eHMl


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U







2 Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


IRSC
Continued From Page 1
The Bachelor's Degree pro-
grams are offered with the same
emphasis on quality education,
small classes and personal at-
tention that characterized Indian
River Community College for
over 48 years, all at reasonable
cost within easy driving distance
for Treasure Coast residents. Tu-
ition for Bachelor's level courses
for the Fall Semester is $83.75 per


Depot
Continued From Page 1

ecution of the bill of sale."
He said the city and OMS
would pursue renovation in good
faith.v
City officials hope CSX will ac-
cept the changes the city made to
the agreement.
The next step, providing CSX
accepts the amended letter of
intent, will be to make arrange-
ments for city officials and OMS to
inspect the building. No one out-
side of CSX knows the condition
of the interior of the eastern end


credit for Florida residents, about
1/3 less than the per credit cost at
Florida public universities.
Students can attend full-time or
part-time and choose online class-
es, traditional classes or blended
classes that combine both online
and in-classroom experiences.
Courses from other colleges and
universities can be transferred
into the IRSC programs.
IRSC's Bachelor of Science De-
gree in Teacher Education arms
students with the education they
need for rewarding teaching ca-


of the building. The western end
of the building, which originally
was used for shipping freight, has
been leased out for several years
and appears to be in good shape.
The eastern end of the building
was used as a passenger station.
Then the city and CSX would ne-
gotiate a bill of sale.
Maureen Burroughs of OMS
told the council that the meeting
she requested last month be-
tween the city, Amtrak and CSX at
the depot has. not happened yet.
She proposed that once the city
takes possession of the building
that OMS enter a 99 year lease
agreement for $1 to restore and
renovate the building and secure


reers in math, science and Excep-
tional Student Education (ESE).
The Bachelor of Science in Nurs-
ing program prepares registered
nurses with an Associate Degree
in Nursing to advance to leader-
ship and management positions.
The Bachelor of Applied Science
(BAS) degree opens the door to
advancement in a wide variety of
fields, providing seamless transfer
into a four-year degree program
for those who have earned an As-
sociate in Science Degree or As-
sociate in Applied Science Degree


tenants.
Mrs. Burroughs went on to
describe the community support
for the project. Albert Batton of
Lakeview Builders has agreed to
manage the renovation project at
no cost. Big Lake Roofing might
possibly replace or repair the roof
after inspection. Jones Supply has
donated $5,000 toward renova-
tion. Mrs. Burroughs also said that
many people have offered to do
fundraisers. She also mentioned
several grant sources.
As soon as the city takes pos-
session of the building, OMS will
go forward with application to
place the building on the National
Registry of Historical Places.


in any career field.
The former IRCC officially be-
came Indian River State College
on July 1. The state college des-
ignation clears the way for Indian
River to expand its Baccalaureate
programs to meet regional and
statewide employment needs.
For more information, call
the IRSC Information Call Center
toll-free at 1-866-866-4722 or visit
www.ircc.edu.


Mrs. Burroughs said that OMS
would like to have a coffee shop
lease the building so that the com-
munity could enjoy it.
"This is a good first step," Mr.
Whitehall said of the letter of in-
tent. He said it would buy the city
time to do necessary research.
Renovation work can begin as
soon after the city takes posses-
sion as funds become available.
There are some private grants
available which can be secured in
a shorter length of time.
Post your opinions in the Public
Issues Forum at www.newszap.com.
Reporter Pete Gawda can be reached
atpgawda@newszap.com.


Police wnt u to fight crime w/txt msgs


By Mitch Stacy
Associated Press Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Police in
the 1970s urged citizens to "drop
a dime" in a pay phone to report
crimes anonymously. Now in
an increasing number of cities,
tipsters are being invited to use
their thumbs -- to identify crimi-
nals using text messages.
Police hope the idea helps
recruit teens and 20-somethings
who wouldn't normally dial a
Crime Stoppers-hot line to share
information with authorities.
"If somebody hears Johnny is
going to bring a gun to school,
hopefully they'll text that in,"
said Sgt. Brian Bernardi of the
Louisville, Ky., Metro Police De-
partment, which rolled out its
text-message tip line in June.
* Departments in 'Boston and
Cincinnati started accepting
anonymous text tips about a year
ago. Since then, more than 100
communities have taken similar
steps or plan to do so. The Inter-
net-based systems route messag-
es through a server that encrypts
cell phone numbers before they
get to police, making tips virtu-
ally impossible to track.
In Louisville earlier this week,
Bernardi's computer displayed
a text message from a person


identified only as "Tip563." It
read: "someone has vandalized
the school van at valor school on
bardstown rd in fern creek." The
note also reported illegal dump-
ing in a trash container and in the
woods.
"It's obvious that the future
of communication is texting,"
said officer Michael Charbonnier,
commander of the Boston Police
Department's Crime Stoppers
unit. "You look at these kids to-
day and that's all they're doing.
You see five kids standing on
the corner, and they're texting
instead of having a conversation
with each other."
When Boston adopted the
system last year, the first text tip
yielded an arrest in a New Hamp-
shire slaying. In the 12 months
that ended June 15, Boston po-
lice logged 678 text tips, nearly
matching the 727 phone tips dur-
ing the same period.
Earlier this year, a text tip led
to the arrest of a notorious sus-
pect in a drug case.
"We've gotten some great
drug information, specific times,
dates, names of suspects, loca-
tions, pickup times, license plate
numbers," Charbonnier .said. In
another instance, a hearing-im-
paired man who could not call


911 used a text message to report
a domestic violence incident.
Since the beginning of the
year, cities such as Tampa, San
Francisco, Seattle, Denver, India-
napolis, New Orleans and Detroit
have started their own text-based
tip systems, according to Texas-
based Anderson Software, a
leading providers of the technol-
ogy. Many cities are adding the
text messages to a system that al-
ready accepted anonymous tips
through a Web site.
Lisa Haber, a sheriff's detec-
tive who heads the Tampa-area
Crime Stoppers unit, recently
spent an hour exchanging 21 text
messages with a tipster about a
possible stolen car. It didn't yield
an. arrest, but Haber said it al-
lowed her to glimpse the poten-
tial of being able to communi-
cate in real time with texters. A
marketing blitz will help get the
word out when students return
to school later this summer.
"It's got a lot of potential,"
said Cincinnati police Lt. David
Fink, whose agency has collected
about five text tips a month since
adopting the system in May 2007.
"Just like when we started Crime
Stoppers 27 years ago, it took
some time for it to catchon."
Sarah Coss, an 18-year;old


incoming freshman at the Uni-
versity of Tampa, typically logs
around 6,000 text messages a
month chatting to her friends.
She thinks people who use text
messaging every day will be
more likely to report crimes that
way, and the impersonal nature
of text messaging will give more
people her age the confidence to
share information with authori-
ties.
"It might take a while for
people to know about it and get
more comfortable with it, and for
people to know it's really anony-
mous, and they're not going to
get in trouble," she said.
Just like callers to a crime
hot line, text tipsters can collect
rewards for significant informa-
tion. It's done with the coopera-
tion of banks that hand over the
cash - no questions asked -- to
people who present a code is-
sued by police.
Officers acknowledge it may
take time to get used to the text
shorthand favored by younger
people, who tend to LOL at the
relative technological clueless-
Tness of their parents' generation.
"We were kind of nervous
about that, having to learn a new
code language," Bernardi chuck-
led.


Space probes show solar system dented, not round


By Seth Borenstein
AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - When
viewed from the rest of the gal-
axy, the edge of our solar system
appears slightly dented as if a gi-
ant hand is pushing one edge of it
inward, far-traveling NASA probes
reveal.
Information from Earth's first
space probes to hit the thick edge
of the solar system -- called the
heliosheath where the solar wind
slows abruptly -- paint a picture


that is not the simple circle that
astronomers long thought, ac-
cording to several studies pub-
lished Thursday in the journal
Nature. Surprised astronomers
said they will have to change their
models for what the solar system
looks like.
In 1977, NASA launched two
space probes on missions beyond
the solar system, Voyager 1 went
north and Voyager 2 went south.
What startled astronomers is that
when the two of them hit the he-
liosheath they did so at different


distances from the sun.
Voyager 2 hit the southern
edge of the solar system nearly
1 billion miles closer to the sun
than Voyager 1 did to the north.
Voyager 2 hit the edge at 7.8 bil-
lion miles from the sun.
"We used to assume that it's.
all symmetric and simple," said
Leonard Burlaga, an astrophysi-
cist at NASA's Goddard Space
'Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
"It's literally like a hand pushing."
That push is from the magnet-
ic field that lies between star sys-


teams in the Milky Way. The mag-
netic field hits the solar system at
a different angle on the south than
on the north, probably because of
interstellar turbulence from star
explosions, said Voyager project
scientist Ed Stone.
Both spacecraft still have sev-
eral more years before they com-
pletely exit the solar system and
continue deeper into the space
between stars, said Stone, former
director of NASA's Jet Propulsion
Lab.


Florida chosen to implement school improvement program


TALLAHASSEE-Florida is one
of six states selected to participate
in the U.S. Department of Educa-
tion's differentiated accountability
pilot program. The pilot program
allows Florida to create a tiered
approach to.address required in-
terventions for Title I schools that
have not made Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP) under the No
Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act for
two or more years. Florida's se-
lection into the program is based
on a proposal that links state and
federal accountability systems
to identify schools that need fo-
"cused preventive measures, those
in need of more serious correc-
tive action, and those that require
intensive intervention such as re-
structuring or closure.
"Under this pilot program,
schools in Florida that miss a few
AYP criteria can easily be distin-
guished from schools exhibiting
widespread areas of deficiency,"
said Education Commissioner
Eric J. Smith. "This will give us
more flexibility in our improve-
ment and intervention strategies
for these schools, and allow our
state and federal accountability
systems to work in a complemen-


tary fashion."
Participation in the pilot pro-
gram allows Florida to reclas-
sify its Title I schools that do not
achieve AYP into three main im-
provement levels based on the
school's letter grade, percentage
of AYP requirements met, and the
number of years it has not made
AYP. While this reclassification
does not change federal or state
accountability requirements, it
does allow a more accommo-
dating approach to implement-
ing corrective actions for these
schools. The three types of im-
provement levels are:
Preventive: Schools at this lev-
el are in their first four years of not
making AYP and must implement
varying levels of focused preven-
tative measures to correct specific
issues. This category is subdivided
into "A," "B" and "C" schools that
have met 80 percent or more of
AYP criteria and schools that have
met less than 80 percent of AYP
criteria, including all "D" and "F"
schools. It is anticipated that "A,"
"B" and "C" schools that meet at
least 80 percent of AYP criteria
will require less stringent levels of
assistance than the other schools


Fi the Highlands County Jail on June
Fire 27, to await his day in court.
Continued From Page 1- The Florida State Fire Marshal's
Office and the Florida Advisory
burglary to an occupied structure. Committee on Arson Prevention
He was held without bond at the continues to seek information
Hillsborough County Jail. about the fire. Anyone with infor-
Venzeio said Marcum was tak- mation is asked to call 850-413-
en from the Hillsborough Jail to 3603, or 877-662-7766.


in this category.
. Corrective: Schools at this level
have failed to achieve AYP for five
or more years and require more
serious corrective action in order
to resolve persistent weaknesses.
This category is subdivided into
"A," "B" and "C" schools that
have met 80 percent or more of
AYP criteria and schools who
have met less than 80 percent of
AYP criteria, including all "D" and
"F" schools. It is anticipated that
all schools in this category will
require substantial, targeted as-
sistance in order to successfully
meet AYP requirements.
Intensive: These schools have
failed to achieve AYP for five or
more years in addition to dem-
onstrating severe, long-standing
reading and mathematics-based
deficiencies. They require the
most intensive intervention meth-
ods such as restructuring and clo-


sure.
The Florida Department of Ed-
ucation will begin working with
schools and districts on program
implementation and improve-
ment strategies following the re-
lease of 2007-08 school grade and
AYP results. Full implementation
is expected to be in place for the
2008-09 school year. For more in-
formation about the differentiated
accountability pilot program, visit
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-
releases/2008/07/07012008.html.
To view Florida 's proposal, visit
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/
account/differentiatedaccount-
ability/fldap.pdf.


Know Fat Inc. Grand opening


Know Fat Inc., dba Physicians
Weight Loss Center, 414 S. Parrott
Ave., Suite B, will hold their grand
opening on July 7, at 9 a.m. They
welcome you to come sample


their delicious protein supple-
ments and tour their new facility.
For more information call 863-
357-9967.


newszap.com

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Okeechobee Forecast
Today: Considerable. cloudiness, with showers and thunder-
storms likely in the afternoon. The high will be in the upper 80s.
The wind will be from the east at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain
is 60 percent.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a chance of showers and thunder-
storms through midnight. The low will be in the lower 70s. The
wind will be from the east around 5 mph. The chance of rain is 30
percent.
Extended Forecast
Friday: Considerable cloudipess, with scattered showers and
thunderstorms. The high will be in the upper 80s. The wind will be
from the east at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is 50 percent.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with isolated evening showers and
thunderstorms. The low will be in the lower 70s. The chance of rain
is 20 percent.
Saturday: Partly cloudy, with scattered showers, and thunder-
storms. The high will be in the upper 80s. The chance of rain is 50
percent.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a chance of evening show-
ers and thunderstorms. The low will be in the lower 70s. The chance
of rain is 30 percent.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with scattered showers and thunder-
storms. The high will be in the upper 80s. The chance of rain is 50
percent.

Lotteries
MIAMI - Here are the numbers selected Tuesday in the Florida
Lottery: Cash 3: 5-2-7; Play 4: 8-4-8-2; Fantasy 5: 2-3-6-21-31;
Numbers selected Wednesday are: Cash 3: 2-2-5; Play 4: 2-8-2-7








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Briefs

Florida to add Powerball to lottery options
TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Lottery officials say Florida will add the na-
tional Powerball game to its portfolio in January.
Gov. Charlie rist applauded the decision Wednesday, saying it
would maximize sales opportunities for the state's 20-year-old lottery
and its 13,500 vendors.
Powerball is now offered in 29 states, the District of Columbia and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Florida was the only state lottery that did not
previously offer the game.
Powerball drawings are held twice each week and broadcast to
nearly 100 TV stations nationwide live, at 10:59 p.m. in the Eastern
time zone.
Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 au-
thorizing the state to operate a lottery.

Horse owners urged to vaccinate
TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Florida's agriculture commissioner is urg-
ing horse owners to have their animals vaccinated as the number of
confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases is on the rise.
Commissioner Charles Bronson said Wednesday that 45 cases have
been confirmed in the first six months of 2008 in Florida, compared to
just 11 during the same period last year.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a viral disease that affects the central
nervous system. It's transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
The disease is usually fatal for horses. It can also be spread and be
fatal to people.
Bronson also said the first case of West Nile Virus has been detect-
ed in Madison County. Horses can be protected against both diseases
with proper vaccinations.

New Medicare changes take effect
MIAMI (AP) - The head of the country's Medicare and Medicaid
programs is in South Florida today promoting changes he says will
save seniors and the disabled money.
The greater Miami and Orlando areas are among 10 areas nation-
wide that, starting this week, have begun a competitive bidding pro-
cess for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and
hospital beds.
The Bush administration says the change will save people on the
amount they must copay and eventually will save the government a
billion dollars a year.
But the companies that sell the affected equipment question have
strongly opposed the changes.


Today's Weather







Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008 , 3



FWC urges boaters to be careful for the holiday


During the Fourth of July
holiday, many people take to the
water to celebrate the country's
independence. The warm, sunny
days of summer, combined with
viewing fireworks, put many more
boats and people on the water in
close proximity. The Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission (FWC) urges boaters to
practice cautious behavior while
boating on this busy day and es-
pecially to wear life jackets all the


time while boating.
Boating accidents usually are
caused by the operator's inatten-
tiveness. Most boating accident
fatalities are men, and most acci-
dents involve a single vessel.
"We are so fortunate in this
country to have the freedom that
we have, and that includes free-
dom on the water," said Capt.
Richard Moore, the FWC's boat-
ing law administrator. "But, with
this freedom comes personal


'responsibility to make sure your
passengers are safe and you are
not creating a hazard for other
boaters."
The FWC's Boating and Wa-
terways Section reports 27 fatali-
ties so far this year. Eighteen of
these deaths were attributed to
drowning, and many could have
been prevented had the victim
been wearing a life jacket.
The FWC has recently launched
the "Wear It Florida" campaign,


which educates boaters about the
importance of wearing life jackets
all the time while on the water. In
addition, the campaign promotes
more comfortable styles of life
jackets than the traditional life
jacket. To learn more about this
campaign, visit WearltFlorida.
com.
"We all expect to haye a
good time when we' celebrate
the Fourth of July," Moore said.
"No one expects anything to go


wrong, but that can all change in
an instant if someone is not pay-
ing attention or falls overboard."
There are a variety of life jack-
ets available to boaters. New
styles are much smaller, lighter
and more comfortable to wear
than the traditional vest life jacket.
One new style, the "belt pack," is
worn around 'the waist. A "sus-
pender" style also is available.
These types of life jackets are
inflatable, and some models ac-


tivate automatically if the wearer
falls into the water.
"You and your guests could
wear one of the newer styles and
be totally unaware of having it
on," Moore said.
In anticipation of heavy boat
traffic this weekend, the FWC
will have an increased presence
to promote boating safety and
strictly enforce boating-under-
the-influence laws.


Fla. Legislation helps to protect children's privacy


TALLAHASSEE - Senator
Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres)
sponsored Florida's first video
voyeurism law, modernizing Flor-
ida's "Peeping Tom" law in 2004.
At that time, Florida was one
of the first states to enact video
voyeurism laws. On Wednesday,
Governor Charlie Crist signed Sen.
Aronberg's legislation to toughen
them.
The changes are .designed to
thwart the growing sophistication
of Internet predators and better
protect children from tech-savvy


predators. Sen. Aronberg worked
closely with the Tampa Police
Department on developing the
language for this new law. "The
Internet has intensified the injury
and amplified the repercussions
of these crimes. Because of the
technological evolution of this
crime, these photos and videos.
will exist in the virtual world in
perpetuity," said Sen. Aronberg.
"This new law will ensure that the
penalties match the crime."
A recent case in Tampa high-
lighted a loophole in Florida's cur-


rent law that was being exploited
by adults who snap stealth pho-
tos of children. Sen. Aronberg's
legislation was in response to the
Tampa Preparatory case, where
police recovered a tape from a
high school swim coach that re-
corded girls ages 11 to 15 as they
undressed. As many as 50 girls
were videotaped. Because the
courts deemed the videos of the
girls did not depict sexual con-
duct, the coach was charged un-
der the video voyeurism law.
Sen. Aronberg's proposal


strengthens Florida's law by in-
creasing penalties in cases where
the perpetrator is 24-years or old-
er and the victim is under 16, or
if the predator was in a position
of authority or was employed at
a school.
Under current law, a video voy-
eur is charged with a misdemean-
or for the first conviction and any
subsequent offenses would be
third degree felony charges. In
such a case under the Senator's
change, it would now become a
third degree felony. If the perpe-


trator is convicted again, the pen-
alty would bump up to a second
degree felony.
Not only will the penalty match
the severity of the crime, the
changes will also assist prosecu-
tors. Under current law, prosecu-
tors could only charge criminals
for videos and pictures recorded,
shared or sold over the past two
years. By making this crime a
felony, the window to prosecute
would expand to five-years, al-
lowing prosecutors to potentially
file more charges.


"As a -sexual predator's cun-
ning grows, so too must our laws
to safeguard our children," said
Sen. Aronberg. "The criminals
need to know that as long as their
internet operations continue, so
too will our determination to stop
them."
Senator Aronberg's bill was
sponsored in the House by Rep-
resentative Chris Dorworth (R-
Heathrow).


City of Okeechobee prepares to face tough budget year


By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
Planning the coming fis-
cal years' budget for the City of
Okeechobee could be a diffi-
cult job. It looks like the city will
have to do some belt tightening
because of decreased property
values and increased homestead
exemption.
In preparation for planning
the new budget, Okeechobee
City Councilmen, at their Tues-
day, June 1 meeting were given
an update on the city's financial
condition by account supervisor
India Riedel.
For the past few years, prop-
erty values have increased. That
means the rollback, or the mill-
age rate necessary to generate
the same amount of taxes as the
previous year, went down.
That trend has reversed. This
year, because of declining prop-
erty values, the rollback is larger
than the current mrllage rate.


One mil equals $1 in taxes for
every $1,000 of assessed property
value.
Property values in the city de-
creased from $349,913,220 to
$329,970,000. According to fig-
ures presented by Mrs. Reidel,
current taxable income if Amend-
ment 1, which increased home-
stead exemption, had not passed
would be $357,345,623.
The millage rate for fiscal year
2008 is 6.5010. Therefore, the
rollback, or the millage rate need
to generate the same amount of
taxes based on current reduced
property. values, increased to
7.1292. The city council adopted
a tentative millage rate of 7.4251.
That is the rollback rate plus the
cost of living.
"I know that's necessary, but
its still a jump," was the opinion
of Mayor James Kirk.
In August the city administra-
tor and account supervisor will
"revie~ budigei.recuests w\ith the.


mayor and department heads. On
Aug. 19, at 5:01 p.m. the city will
hold a budget workshop. If a sec-
ond workshop is necessary, it will
be held on Sept. 2. On Sept. 16,
the city will hold the first public
hearing on the proposed millage
rate and proposed budget. On
Sept. 30, a second public hearing
will be held before adopting a fi-
nal budget and millage rate.
On the brighter side, as coun-
cilmen approved the audit report
for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30,
2007, they learned the city ended
the last fiscal year in good shape.
The city had an ending fund bal-
ance of $9,994,482, an increase
of $1,968,811 over the previous
year. Total net assets increased
by approximately $2.3 million.
The amount 'appropriated for
expenditures decreased from
$7,064,856 to $6,807,102. During
the year the city's net capital asset
balance increased by $404,752 to
$7,239,350.


Turning to other matters, the
council heard a presentation from
emergency, management director
Mike Faulkner. He informed that
council that people who have
been through a hurricane are
now referred to as "survivors" in-
stead of "victims.' He stated that
language controls thought and
people should be treated as survi-
vors rather than victims. He went
on to say that emergency man-
agement should be conducted at
the lowest possible level.
"In reality," he said, "it begins
in the home."
He passed out a template for-
mat to develop a family emergen-
cy response plan to help families
prepare for disasters.
"It is my hope you will use this
tool to make your family more
sustainable," he told councilmen.
Mr. Faulker informed the
council that July 8 through. 10,
there would be threat assess-
merrit training for the police aied.


fire departments. It will be taught
by the Department of Homeland
Security and will deal with assess-
ing and securing property against
terrorists and natural disasters.
Mr. Faulkner went on to say that a
date was being set for a six hour
course on how to integrate senior
elected officials with emergency
management officials.
He informed the council that
documents pertaining to the new
emergency management center
are currently being reviewed by
the state. The emergency man-
agement director also stressed
the importance of having a three
day store of supplies in case of a
hurricane.
CityAdministrator Brian White-
hall stated that he would have a
sample policy on alley closings
for the city council to consider at
the next meeting.
In other action, the council:
*voted to close the north south
alley in ft hfirt block of ' \\. 1st


to allow applicant Brad Good-
bread to construct a restaurant
on the property;
*directed the city attorney to
draw up an ordinance closing the
north south alley in the 600 block
of S.W Second St. which would
allow NEMEC, LLC to sell the two
adjoining lots to Okeechobee Util-
ity Authority;
*approved Changer Order No.
1 on the Commerce Parks Lake
Project resulting in a decrease of
$130 from the contract cost;
*designated the city adminis-
trator as a voting delegate to the
Florida League of Cities Confer-
ence; and
*approved a health insurance
program for city employees.
Post your opinions in the Public
Issues Forum at www.newszap.com.
ReporterPete Gawda can be reached
. . atpgawda@newszap.com.


Clermont Communities Trust passes $700 million for preservation


TALLAHASSEE - With the
acquisition of a 128-acre parcel
of lakeside property in Clermont,
Communities Trust (FCT) this
week announced it has surpassed.
the $700 million milestone in
funding for local preservation
efforts throughout Florida. The
Trust, which is the state's premier
program for helping local com-
munities preserve open space
and recreational areas, is funded
through the Florida Forever pro-
gram.
The historic milestone was
reached when officials completed
the acquisition of the City of Cler-
mont's Inland Groves Property,
utilizing $3.3 million in FCT's Flor-
ida Forever funds and almost $5
rimillion in local matching funds.
"For almost two decades,
Florida Communities Trust has
played a key role in helping lo-
cal communities preserve open


spaces, recreation areas and wa-
terfront access," said Tom Pel-
ham, Secretary of the Department
of Community Affairs and chair of
the FCT Governing Board. "This
milestone clearly shows how well
Florida Communities Trust has
helped communities implement
smart planning strategies to pro-
tect their local treasures for gen-
erations to come."
Each year Florida Communi-
ties Trust receives more than $60
million of the funds generated
by. the Florida Forever program,
which carries on the legacy of
Preservation 2000 as the nation's
leading state-level land conserva-
tion program.
Under legislation awaiting
Governor Charlie Crist's signa-
ture, Florida Forever and the Flor-
ida Communities Trust program
will continue and will be joined
by the Stan Mayfield Working Wa-


terfronts Program. Under the leg-
islation, FCT would receive $63
million in Florida Forever funds
in the coming fiscal year, while
the waterfronts program would
receive an additional $7.5 million
for grants to be administered by
FCT.
Since 1991, funds provided by
Florida Communities Trust have
helped create more than 450 lo-
cal and regional parks in over
200 communities across Florida.
Grant funds provided by FCT have
enabled local governments and
environmental non-profit organi-
zations to preserve public beach
access, protect wildlife habitat,
establish recreational opportu-
nities for citizens and visitors,
protect historical and cultural
resources, and create flood and
stormwater treatment solutions
in park settings. Unlike with other
Florida Forever programs, owner-


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ship of land preserved through
FCT grants remains within the lo-
cal community.
The Inland Groves Property
is located adjacent to Lake Min-
neola and Lake Hiawatha, which
are part of the Clermont Chain of
Lakes. This acquisition, the first in
Clermont to be funded through
the FCT program, will provide a
passive nature park and extend
the Lake Minneola-Clermont Sce-
nic Trail.
The city will construct a play-
ground, fishing pier, volleyball
court and wildlife observation
platform for public recreation and
enjoyment. Florida Communities
Trust awarded $3,316,171 for the
project and the City of Clermont
provided $4,974,256.50 to com-
plete the acquisition.
"Land acquisition programs
are essential in maintaining the
quality of our lives and protecting


Your community

directory

is a click away!


our environment," said Clermont
Mayor Harold S. Turville. "We
are so pleased that Florida For-
ever funding provided by Florida
Communities Trust has made the
Inland Groves Acquisition a real-
ity. On behalf of the citizens of
Clermont and South Lake County,
I want to express our sincerest
gratitude for the help and assis-
tance from FCT."


Florida Communities Trust
program is administered by the
Department of Community Affairs
as part of the agency's mission to
help meet the needs of Floridians
by investing in communities and
working with them to plan and
manage growth. More informa-
tion about the Department and
the Florida Communities Trust
program is available at www.dca.


'-
News





-HOLIDA



DEADLINES








Thrsay ul 3@3 ~m or...... ona, ul


ThurdayJul 3 @ 5 pm. Fr ....... Tesdy, Jly

Lr


Dr. Caesar Orduna is closing
his office permanently on
July 11th, 2008.

Thank you for your kind
support all of these years.

Caesar C. Orduna, MD
3127 Bacom Point Rd.
Pahokee, FL 33476
Ph. 561-924-5541
Fx 561-924-5421









eNd


Speak Out
Speak Out has moved online, where it is quicker and
easier to share your ideas and converse with others. Go to
www.newszap.com, click on the community name and your
local or state Public Forum. There, you can create new
topics or comment on existing topics. You can also e-mail
comments to okeenews@newszap.com or call 863-467-2033,
but online comments get posted faster and not all phone calls
can be printed. What follows is a sampling of some of the
discussions currently taking place. Thanks for participating!
TANTIE SCHOOL HOUSE: I noticed they are working on the out-
side of the old Tantie Schoolhouse out on Hwy 98. All of that old wood
that had to be replaced, could have been saved years ago if it would
have had the proper repair sooner. That old schoolhouse probably is
not insulated like it should be. Those walls are getting wet from behind
and the paint keeps peeling. Plus the attic is not ventilated properly. It
needs some vents put on the roof and on the ends. The walls need an
exterior latex primer. Latex primer holds up better on old work and
lets moisture come through better. Oil based primer will not let mois-
ture penetrate, therefore it peels. Also the interior, outside walls need
to be painted with an oil based primer then a coat of oil based paint to
keep the moisture from coming through. Moisture from inside is cre-
ated by the humidity or by the air conditioning. A lot of times you will
notice on old home that it is peeling around the kitchen and bath. That
is where the most moisture is coming through from the inside.
VEHICLE: Monday morning I came out to a car dealership. I am
new here in town, I've been here five months from Sebring. I came
to look at a vehicle and one of the employees here said, 'you qualify
for this vehicle determined by income' and it turns out to be that I
didn't qualify for it. They made me go get insurance and now I don't
have the vehicle and have lost money on the insurance. I had to call
the insurance company and tell them that I didn't have the vehicle,
.that they told me I qualified and then that I didn't, and now here it is
Wednesday and I came back. I would like to see if there is any kind of
help anyone can give me.
PHOTOS: I am calling in reference to the senior photos of the class
of 2009. I agree with the caller regarding not getting adequate notice
for my daughter who will be a senior this coming year. She received
a notice for her photos a day before her actual scheduled date. And
I just don't think that it was enough time. I think there should be at
least two weeks notice. She did not take her photos because she was
scheduled on the day she had her wisdom teeth removed. So, I agree
with the caller, they need to provide the children with adequate time.
BIG BROWN: This is about the race horse, Big Brown. This is for
the sports writers who have gone to college and that. And then they
want to write about golf, baseball and all of that and they don't know
anything. Anyway, Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, May 10, four
days later on May 14, he won the Preakness stakes, on May 24, he won
the Wizard Stakes and then on June 11, he ran in the Belmont Stakes.
That is four races run in that period of time, a little over a month. Now
people are saying different things, like they doped the horse, but a
horse is like a human, if it doesn't want to work or run its not going
to.
ESTIMATE: I wish there was some way that I could get an estimate
on how many Democrats will be voting Republican this year.
WORDS: The words, 'honey, baby, sweetie' are intimate words to
me, not for women to use at convenience stores.
QUALIFIED: Why is it then when you are over qualified, you don't
get the job and they have no problem telling you that you are over
qualified. You would think with your reasoning they would want the
person that can do the job plus. We are not asking for more money
because we are over qualified, just a job to feed our family. Then you
go back to the same place to see they hired someone who can't even
answer a simple question or even speak the language.
CULVERT: I'd like to know what it takes to get the county to fix a
culvert. The culvert, on the north side of N.W. 17th Avenue and N.W
36th Street has been damaged due to speeders crashing into it. Now
the water has no where to go, due to all the rain last week our ditches
are completely full of water, a few more showers it just might make it,
to our front doors. We have made numerous phone calls to the road
department and still it has not been fixed. Maybe instead of wasting
our tax dollars on paving perfectly good roads with the wrong materi-
als and then having to fix the job, you could use the money on fixing
the drainage problems in the area.
PATENTS: I think General Motors needs to manufacture some
of those carburetors they have collecting dust that can get up to 100
miles a gallon. It's told in my family that my great grandfather built one
for his old chevy truck and was using it, getting 100 MPG, and general
motors paid him $5,000 for the concept and got the patent. Where is
it? On a shelf collecting dust! They have the technology but they don't
want to use it because they might lose some money! Go figure! I have
heard other people tell the same or similar story. They don't want to
produce it even though it could be affordable to all of us, and they
could make something to work for fuel injected too! but they don't
want to. Maybe that is where people need to send their letters and
make some noise.
ELECTION: There are a number of things about both men I re-
spect. I respect McCain's wartime experience. The trials he went
through as a soldier and prisoner lend itself well to having a true feel-
ing for what's going on in today's war. He may use that experience to
make good decisions about how to get us back on track concerning
Iraq. I respect the fact that he is distancing himself from today's ad-
ministration and having his own opinions instead of blindly following.
I respect Obama's stance on education, national health care, and I
respect the fact that he wants to focus on the economy. He's fresh
and hasn't been exposed to politics for an extended period of time,
making his motives pure-in my opinion. I think he is a tremendous
public speaker. He has a gift for that. I have a new found hope with
the coming of a new president. I'm excited about the possibility of a
change.




Okeechobee News

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� Okeechobee News 2007
For Morefo rmation See
At Your Service On Page 2


Letters to the Editor


Energy, a
matter of state
It's time Florida used its
own resources, and not con-
tinue as a welfare energy
state
In recent weeks, both Demo-
cratic and Republican politicians
have exhausted themselves in
condemning American compa-
nies for attempting to develop
offshore energy resources in the
Gulf of Mexico.
In reality, their rhetoric of fear
and misinformation serves as an
inadequate substitute for a state
energy policy.
The facts are now apparent:
Florida has allowed itself to be-
come an energy welfare state and
is now in the midst of an expand-
ing crisis at least partially created
by political barriers to energy self-
sufficiency.
As a state, we are an intensive
energy consumer and the 2000
census shows the Florida popula-
tion increased 23 percent in the
past 10 years.
Additionally, with millions of
tourists visiting Florida daily, the
state has become the nation's
third largest consumer of elec-
tricity and remains in the top five
states for energy use in transpor-
tation.
A study initiated by the late
Gov. Lawton Chiles stated Florida
imports about 95 percent of our
state energy needs, including the
fuel used in our power generating
facilities. The question that must
be asked now is where will the
energy come from that sustains
Florida's quality of life and econ-
omy?


In the Florida Energy Profile
prepared in 1997 by the U.S. De-,
partment of Energy, the study
concluded, "Florida could im-
prove both its environment and
its economy by developing the
vast natural gas resources that
exist off its Gulf coast. These re-
sources could be used to displace
coal and residual fuels in Florida's
power plants, cleaning the state's
air and creating thousands of high
wage jobs.
"Moreover, these natural gas
resources could be explored for
and produced in a way that poses
less of a threat to Florida's coast
and coastal waterways than does
the continued annual import of
more than 250 million barrels of
petroleum products."
Research published by the
Tampa Tribune states Florida is
the second most expensive state
in the nation for the use of natural
gas due primarily to transporta-
tion costs.
Despite the availability of clean
offshore energy resources, the
need for the energy and the tech-
nical capabilities to produce it in
an environmentally safe manner,
political forces continue to pre-
vent access to the very resources
federal research recommends
that Florida use.
Of course, denied access to off-
shore resources creates increased
dependency on out of state and
out of country suppliers.
Florida is fortunate in that
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama share their resources
with us, but our Gulf neighbors
who allow and encourage energy
production off their own coasts
may soon respond to Florida as


Community Calendar

Thursday, July 3
Tantie Quilters meet every Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
at the Historical Society Museum on U.S. 98 N. For information call
Margaret at 863-467-8020, or Marie at 863-357-0868.
Family History Center meets from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 310 S.W. Sixth St. Anyone
interested in finding who your ancestors are is welcome to attend.
There is Census, IGI (International Genealogical Index), Social Security
Death Index and military information available. For information, call
Robert Massey at 863-763-6510.
A.A. Closed big book meeting from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Church
of Our Savior, 200 N.W Third St.
Prayer group meets at 10 a.m. at the Community Center, 412
N.W. Sixth St. For information, call 863-763-5996.
Christian Fellowship Prayer group meets at 9:30 a.m. in the
fellowship hall, at 41,N \\. Sith St. For information, call863-763-
5996:
Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee will meet from noon until 1 p.m.
at the American Legion Post 64 501 SE Second St. All Kiwanis and the
public are welcome. For information, contact Frank Irby at 863-357-
1639.
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 Phyllis at 863-467-8636 or Hazel at 863-763-
4920 for information.
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
relationships. The support groups are held every Thursday at 6 p.m.
For information call 863-763-2893, or call Shirlean Graham or Irene
Luck at 863-763-2893 or 863-763-0202.
Free Adult Basic Education/GED and English as a second
language classes will meet from 7 until 9 p.m. at Sacred Heart
Catholic Church, 701 S.W. Sixth St.
Okeechobee Outreach Hope Narcotics Anonymous will
meet from 8 uThtil 9 p.m. at the Church of Our Saviour, 200 N.W Third
St. For information, call Hugh Lambert at 863-763-7185.
Okeechobee Citizens Recreation Association, OCRA will
meet at 7:30 p.m. at Teen Town, 305 N.W Second St. Anyone interested
may attend. For information, contact Frank Coker at 863-467-1941.


Western states have responded
to California: Why share what we
have and need when you refuse
to meet your own needs in a re-
sponsible manner.
As a veteran, I am sensitive to
the fact that our nation spends
$50 billion annual to maintain a
military presence in the Middle
East to provide us access to en-
ergy resources that can be greatly
provided by U.S. Companies op-
erating under federal laws within
our own borders.
Our battlefield sacrifices for
the OPEC nations have been re-
warded with reduced production,
higher prices and the expectation
of continued U.S. Troops to de-
fend "their" oil fields.
While fishing in the Gulf of
Mexico, I have never observed an
American warship or U.S. Marine
defending an American owned
offshore rig or production plat-
form.
Arguments against offshore
production have been emotional,
loud and simplistic.
While observing a protest at St.
Petersburg Beach on May 19, I lis-
tened to a member of the Florida
House of Representatives say that
allowing rigs in Lease 181 (off the
Alabama coast) would create a
"domino effect" that would result
in rigs being placed off Key West.
In truth, each lease is restric-
tive to site specific permits and
a permit to produce off Alabama
does not allow production in Key
West or downtown Orlando.
Another politician said rigs in
Lease 181 would block his view
of Gulf sunsets! Now that is a poli-
tician with a vision - if he can see
a rig over 250 miles away.


And there was, of course, the
rally cry, "no drills, no spills!"
Never mind that the much cursed
Chevron Destin Dome project is
specific to natural gas, enough
natural gas to sustain Florida's
energy needs for a decade, or the
physical fact you cannot "spill"
natural gas onto a beach.
In reality, the greatest threats
to Florida's "pristine beaches" are
provided by the 13 million Flori-
da residents who live within 35
miles of the beach and the tour-
ists who use them.
Existing onshore pollution and
overdevelopment, not potential
and regulated offshore produc-
tion, present the real challenge to
beach preservation and mainte-
nance of the coastal ecology.
The St. Petersburg protest was
an entertaining event, but all the
hate and misinformation provid-
ed would not create enough fuel
to transport one Newberry wa-
termelon to the Alachua County
farmers market.
Assuredly, the debate on en-
ergy policy will continue.
But if Florida is to avoid becom-
ing "California East," it is essential
we begin to conduct ourselves as
a mature and confident state and
begin using our own resources in
a responsible manner.
It is time that we abandon the
politics of fear and embrace the
statesmanship of energy indepen-
dence.
Bill Boe
Bill Boe is a Gainesville resident
who has provided testimony and
comments at federal public hearings
regarding energy policy. He is also a
former resident of the Ike Okeecho-
bee area and a graduate ofPahokee
High School.


Community Events

Red Cross offers summer classes
The Okeechobee Branch of the American Red Cross will be offer-
ing the following Health & safety classes in July:
* Thursday, July 10 - First Aid Basics at 6 p.m. * Wednesday, July
16 - Infant/Child CPR at 6 p.m. * Tuesday, July 29 - Adult CPR/AEI at 6
p.m. All classes are held at their Branch office located at 323 N. Parrott
Ave. To register, or for more information call 863-76372488.

VFW Post 9528 membership drive
If you are a war veteran: join the Elite. The VFW Post 9528 will
be hosting a membership drive and barbecue on July 4, at the Post
home, 2002 Hwy 78 W in Buckhead Ridge, starting at 11.a.m. All mil-
itary and ex-military men and woman are encouraged to continue
serving your country and your community by joining the VFW or La-
dies Auxiliary. Representatives from Amvets, Amvets Ladies Auxiliary
and the VFW Men's Auxiliary will also be available. The post will serve
chicken and pork with all the fixings. All those who join the VFW on
this day will receive a free meal. There will be patriotic music, 50/50
drawings, a cake walk by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and other activities
by the Amvets Ladies Auxiliary. All drinks will be happy hour prices
all day, Margaritas $1.50 all day. For all who are VFW members and
guest the barbecue will be a $7 donation per person. The public is
welcome and encouraged to attend this function in commemoration
of our country's birthday. For more information call 863-467-2882.

Program for grandparents on radio
Saturday, July 12, at 7:30 a.m. on 91.7 FM and 100.3 FM, guest
speaker Jeffrey Ralicki, Executive Director; Janice Maier, Prevention
Specialist and Director of the Grand Program; Sheilah Newmann, a
grandparent bringing up two grandchildren will be on to discuss the
Grand (great relationships achieve noble dreams) program for grand-
parents facing the challenges of bringing up their grandchildren and
dealing with children issues. For more information contact Janice
Maier at Tykes and Teens - 772-220-3439 or online at www.tykesand-
teens.org.

Cypress Hut Fraternal Order of Eagles BBQ
The Cypress Hut Fraternal Order of Eagles 4509 will host a bar-
beque on July 5 at 2 p.m. The dinner will include ribs and chicken
will all the trimmings. There will be a 50/50 drawing, a bottle of cheer
drawing all for a $7 donation. The proceeds will go to the building
fund. For more information call 863-467-1154.


THURSDAY PRIME TIME JULY 3, 2008
6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

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Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


U.S. Olympic Trials


4 OPINION


L








Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008 5



University of Florida tests mulches to control weeds


By Tom Nordlie
University of Florida
Gainesville - Florida fruit and
vegetable farmers who use mulch
to discourage nutsedge may find a
bigger payoff if they bet on black
- black plastic mulch, that is.
University of Florida research-
ers found the popular material
performed better than five other
mulch varieties at suppressing
nutsedge in tomatoes. The find-
ings were presented at the Fifth
International Weed Science Con-
gress, held June 23-27 in Vancou-
ver, British Columbia, Canada.
Nutsedges are among the
world's most problematic agricul-
tural weeds, and impact virtually
every crop grown in Florida.
The study was one facet of a
larger project that aims to develop
a nutsedge suppression system


using hay infested with the fungal
biocontrol agent Dactylaria hig-
ginsii, which kills nutsedges, said
senior author Yasser Shabana,
program manager of weed bio-
control at UF's plant pathology
department, part of the Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Mr. Shabana and colleagues
at UF, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the University of
Puerto Rico evaluated the mulch-
es, using raised beds planted with
tomato seedlings and purple and
yellow nutsedge tubers.
Black plastic mulch performed
best, followed by green sorghum,
green millet and cogongrass hay
mulches, said Mr. Shabana, who
presented the study. Cogongrass
hay best suppressed tuber for-
mation in both purple and yel-
low nutsedges. Altogether, the
researchers tested two plastic


mulches, four green mulches and
10 organic hays for their ability to
suppress nutsedge.
The research was partly fund-
ed by the USDA's Tropical and
Subtropical Agricultural Research
program.
Next year, researchers will
evaluate combinations of plastic
mulch and hay, some of which
will be treated with the fungus,
Mr. Shabana said. They aim to
find the combination that best
discourages nutsedge, providing
mechanical barriers plus a dose
of the fungus for any nutsedge
plants that emerge.
The strain of Dactylaria hig-
ginsii used in the research was
discovered by a UF graduate stu-
dent, and has been awarded two
U.S. patents.


UF/IFAS photo by Thomas Wright
Weed-control experts Yasser Shabana, right, and Raghavan Charudattan of the University
of Florida's plant pathology department, check tomato beds at UF's Plant Science Research
and Education Unit in Citra. The plants were used in a project aimed at controlling nutsedge,
one of the world's most troublesome agricultural weeds. The researchers hope to develop a
system that combines mulch and a fungal biocontrol agent to suppress nutsedge.


Service Club News in Brief


The American
Legion Post 64
501 SE Second Street - Okeechobee,
Office 863-763-2950 Lounge 863-
763-5309
We can accommodate Meetings,
Weddings, Parties of any size.
Public is always welcome unless it's
a members only event.
*Sunday: Sports of BIG Screen TV
Regular Bingo 6:30 p.m.to ?
*Monday: Social Bingo 1 -4 p.m.
*Tuesday: Members Only
Legion and Auxiliary meet second
and fourth Tuesdays 7 p.m.
(Fourth Tuesday includes a carry in
dinner at 6 p.m.)
SAL meets the third Tuesday at 7
p.m.
*Wednesday: "Taco Day" 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
Tacos- $1.50
Music with Jim Elders 2-6 p.m.
*Thursday: Social Bingo 6-9 p.m.
*Friday: Dinner Served 4:30 to 6:30
p.m. (Call for Menu)
Music 6 p.m.. to close with BP Pro-
ductions (Bobby & Penny Karaoke)
(Anyone wishing to perform in
the Lip Sync Programs see Bobby and
Penny)
*SAL Steak Dinner third Sunday
each month $12 donation
*LIP SYNC June 14 - 2 to 4 p.m.


Eagles Aeries #4137 is located at
9983 U.S. 441 N. For information on
events, call 863-763-2552.
* Every Tuesday bingo at 1 p.m.
Food will be available for a donation.
* Wednesday: bar bingo starting at
4 p.m. Food will be available.
* Every Thursday: washer toss at 1
'p.m.
* First and third Thursday: Auxiliary
at 6 p.m.; Aeries at 7 p.m.
* Friday: steak night (16-oz.) start-
ing at 5 p.m. for a $12 donation. Music
will be by Jimmy Harper.
* Saturday and Sundays: music at
7 p.m.
* First and third Sunday: breakfast
cooked to order from 9 until 11 a.m. for
$5 donation.

Okeechobee
Masonic Lodge #237
The Okeechobee Masonic Lodge is
located at 107 N.W Fifth Ave. For infor-
mation about the club and events, call
Jose Verano at 863-634-2071.
* The Masonic Lodge holds their
meetings on the second and fourth
Monday of each month starting at 7:30
p.m.

Order of the Eastern'
Star - Chapter #128
The Order of the Eastern Star has


t PEE Alirll Sl-il
,h-. i - ..l11 be. pen. i many fun activities plann'. in the first
S ;'; :'' aind Irird Tuiej.,i, of each'month.' For


Am-Vets #2001
* Am-Vets No. 2001 will hold a
regular informational meeting on the
first Saturday of the month at the Buck-
head Ridge VFW Post #9528, 2002 U.S.
78 W, at 10 a.m. Applications for new
members are available. Call Lou Eder
at 863-357-0467 or Jerry Lee Shields at
863-467-8779 or 863467-2882.
* Am-Vets Ladies Auxiliary meetings
are the first Saturday of the month at 10
am. Contact the Post at 467-2882 for in-
formation.

Eagles Aeries #4137


upcoming activities, contact Mary Ann
Holt at 863-634-8087.

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.
* Sunday: breakfast will be served
from 9 until 11 a.m. With many items to
choose from.
* Sunday: Karaoke with open mike
at 7 p.m.
* Tuesday: May 20 at 8 p.m., Moose
Membership Meeting. All members
should attend.


* Tuesday: May 27, age 7 p.m.,
Moose Enrollment. All prospective
members should attend.
* Wednesday: Bingo and food,
food served at 5 p.m. and .bingo starts
at 6 p.m.
* Thursday: dinner will be served
from 5 until 7 p.m. Call the Lodge for
the menu.
* Thursday: karaoke night starting
at 7 p.m.
* Thursday: Music for dancing at
7:30 p.m. Call to see who is playing.
* Friday: dinner served from 5 until
7:30 p.m. Music for dancing at 7:30 p.m.
Call to see who is playing.
* Saturday: dinner starting at 6
p.m.
* Saturday: karaoke night starting
at 8 p.m.

Moose Family
Center #1753
The Moose Family Center #1753 is
located at 156 N.W 36th St. in Okeecho-
bee. Please call the Lodge at 863-763-
4954 for further information, sudden
changes and menus. Guests are invited
to enjoy the activities and consider
membership.
* Every Sunday breakfast from 8 to
11 a.m.
* Horseshoe practice every Sunday
at 2 p.m. and Thursday Evening.
* Every Monday, Pool tournaments
- sign up, 7 p.m. Food is served.
* Women's meeting second and
fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m.
* Officers meetings first and third
Tuesday at 7 p.m.
* Men's meetings, second and
fourth Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
* Moose Legion meetings third
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
* Bar Bingo Thursday at 1 p.m. and
Friday night at 7 p.m. - Food Served.
(you must be a member to play bar
bingo)
* Dinner and music almost every
Saturday night.

VFW Post #4423


The VFW North Post #4423 is lo-
cated at 300 N.W 34 St. Events are sea-
sonal, contact the Post at 863-763-0818
for information or write the Post at P.O.
Box 1137, Okeechobee Fl. 34973. The
Post opens at noon Monday through
Sunday.
* Monday through Thursday: happy
hour from 4 until 6 p.m.
* Monday: 50-cent hot dogs
* Washer toss every Tuesday starting
at 1 p.m. Food will be available. Every-
one is welcome.
* Wednesday: dinner from 4 until 6
p.m. for a donation.
* Friday: bingo starts at 1 p.m. for
members and guests. Food will be avail-
able. Karaoke will be from 6 until 10
p.m.
* Friday: hot food by David Lee
from 5 until 8 p.m.
* Saturday: bar bingo at 1 p.m. for
members and guests. Karaoke will be
from 6 until 10 p.m. Food will be avail-
able.
* Sunday: dinner will be available
from 2 until 4 p.m., and will be followed
by karaoke from 6 until 10 p.m.
* Every third Sunday there will be a
post meeting and ladies auxiliary meet-
ing at 11 a.m.
* The post membership drive is un-
der way, and the post is striving for 100
percent. For information, contact the
quartermaster at 863-763-0818.
* Big screen TV for all events.

vFW Post #9528
The VFW Post #9528 is located at
2002 S.R. 78 W in Buckhead Ridge.
For information, call 863-467-2882. Post
opens at noon, Monday through Sun-
day.
We are taking applications for new
members for the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary,
Male Auxiliary, AMVETS and AMVETS
ladies auxiliary.
* Wednesday: Ladies Auxiliary din-
ner and Men's Auxiliary or AmVets. Mu-
sic will be available.
* 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 an $11
donation. Dancing immediately follows
the dinner.
* Membership meetings are held on
the second Saturday of the month be-
ginning at 10 a.m. The House Commit-
tee meeting is on the fourth Saturday.
For information, contact Command-
er Henry Zaskowski at 863-467-2882.
All games and special events are
shown on three televisions. The game
room has a regulation-size pool table.

VFW Post #10539
* The VFW will be open Monday
through Saturday at 10 a.m., and Sun-
day at 1 p.m.
* Lounge opens at 10 a.m. Monday
through Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sun-
day.
* Canteen is open Monday through
Saturday from 10 a.m. until closing and
Sunday from 1 p.m. until closing.
* Monday: Card Bar Bingo starting
at 6 p.m.
* Tuesday: Ladies Auxiliary Dinner
- 5:30 p.m. ($6). Shuffle Board tourna-
ment starting at 7 p.m.
* Wednesday: bar bingo will start at
12:45 p.m. Lunch is available, courtesy
of the Ladies Auxiliary. Music - Kitchen
is open from 5 until 8 p.m. Second
Wednesday of the month Mens Auxil-
iary meeting at 7 p.m.
* Thursday: Music - Kitchen is open
from 5 until 8 p.m.
. Friday: Music and Kitchen open
from 5 until 8 p.m.
* Saturday: dollar dogs, sausage
dogs for $1.50 grilled or steamed at
noon. Live music and dancing will start
at 7 p.m.
* Sunday: NASCAR on big screen
TV. First Sunday of the month Post and.
Ladies Auxiliary meeting at noon.
The Ladies Auxiliary is looking for
any family members of Okeechobee
residents currently serving overseas.
We are forwarding packages of needed
items to our active service personnel.
For more information or if you would
like to donate items please contact us,


Cheryl Benoit at 863-697-2930.
The Post and Ladies Auxiliary meet-
ings are held the first Sunday of every
month at noon. Men's Auxiliary meet-
ings are the second Wednesday of every
month at 6:30 p.m.
* Call 863-763-2308 for the schedule
of events.

Shrine Club
* The Ofeechobee Shrine Club, S.R.
78 W, members will meet the first and
third Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.
The club is also available for weddings
and parties. For information call the
club at (863) 763-3378, or Keith at 863-
634-2682.
* Sunday: Every second Sunday of
the month there will be a Bike Sunday
from noon until 7 p.m. There will be
food, jukebox, big screen T.V. and an
Oasis Lounge. For more information,
call the club at 863-763-3378.

Cypress Hut
Eagles #4509
* The Cypress Hut Fraternal Order of
Eagles post #4509 located at 4701 U.S.
441 S.E. is now open to members Mon-
day-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.,
Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m. Information
can be found by visiting www.foe4509.
com, or calling 863-467-1154.
* Food is served several evenings a
week.
* Aerie meetings are at 7 p.m. on
the first and third Wednesday of each
month at the old Cypress Hut flea mar-
ket restaurant.
* FOE Auxiliary meetings are at 7
p.m. on the second and fourth Wednes-
day of every month
* Friday night: 16 oz rib eye steak
dinner with the trimmings beginning at
5:30 p.m.
Editor's note: To add listings or
make changes to the service club news,
please email okeenews@newszap.
com.


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Specializing z,. the Treatment of Skin Cancer

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6 Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


Okeechobee man


By Tonya Harden
Okeechobee News
Moving to Okeechobee in
2005, Michael Wolski and his wife
were looking for a peaceful place
with friendly residents. After three
years as a resident of Okeecho-
bee and an understanding for
what locals call "God's country,"
he's certain he and his wife have
made the right decision. Now
he's "helping to put Okeechobee
on the map."
Mr. Wolski has recently com-
pleted a novel titled "Aviator and
the Baroness." The third of a tril-
ogy. Mr. Wolski said he hasn't
considered himself a writer "as
long as I wish it could have been.
A close friend in Ft. Lauderdale
wondered why I hadn't started
much sooner when he read my
first novel's transcript. I didn't re-
alize the writing ability was there,
only that it was enjoyable to fan-
tasize."
Mr. Wolski said he first realized
he wanted to write after he flew
a combat flight simulator under
World War II conditions. "Having
experienced flight from flying pri-
vate airplanes, I knew I wanted to
write about it. It was like having
been involved in an air war, espe-
cially after interviewing so many
veterans," he said. "My adopted
father told me of his experience
in the landings on the beaches
of North Africa and Anzio, Italy.
A deep respect was, developed
to honor those men and women


who were in harm's way."
"Aviator and the Baroness" be-
gan half way through writing the
second book of his trilogy. At that
point Mr. Wolski said it became
evident that answers were nec-
essary to explain certain events
of the book -- for example why a
woman would leave her husband
and child to return to Germany.
The necessity for answers to
questions such as this some what
forced Mr. Wolski to begin a new
novel, which began in early 2003
after much research had been
completed for the two previous
novels.
"The story was well advanced
but needed much more elabora-
tion. A plot became more intense,
because the story line enveloped


the years of 1908 to 1950," he
said.
As many writers do, Mr. Wol-
ski found inspiration for his char-
acters, plots and general story
line through a collage of those
he knew and had met. They
were also in part the work of his
imagination, those he would like
to meet. As he puts it "television,
movies, and experiences in real
life are sources of unconscious
collections for ideas to draw
from. What appears to be original
is simply an illusion of something
or someone you remember. The
originality comes from when you
assemble thoughts in one of the
infinite possible variations. Peo-
ple are similar, but settings, lan-
guages and nationalities change.
It takes imagination to do that."
A testament to that motto
could be the development of
some of his characters in his
first novel, "Stallions in the Sky."
With a brother somewhere in the
United States adopted by parents
extremely "persistent in their be-
lief to maintain confidentiality, ex-
ploring his location is made nearly
impossible in this situation." The
story of his first novel began with
a similar scenario. Mr. Wolski's
original family name being Mi-
chael Richard Fromer, he created
individual characters throughout
all three novels with those names..
"You see, we draw from personal
experiences in many situations
then add some imagination."
Mr. Wolski's trilogy, appropri-


public

ately dubbed the "Broken Para-
digm Trilogy", included "Stallions
in the Sky," which was initially
named "War is Easy," "Shriek
of the Black Eagle," and "Avia-
tor and the Baroness," born out
of the first two novels. The first
novel was to be published in
2002, during his time of "wait and
see" he completed the second in
2004. Although neither of the two
have been published he felt that
another novel was needed to ex-
plain and answer many questions
that were left vague in the first
two novels.
The inspiration of this novel
came from the world of aviation.
"Aviation is one of my greatest
hobbies and interest, particularly
military aircraft and its history and
pilots, with respect to the two ma-
jor World Wars. It was my goal to
educate the descendents and oth-
ers to what sacrifices these brave
individuals experienced as well as
teach others history in an enter-
taining way. I elected to minimize
all the technical information I
had acquired from a collection of
books obtained through the years
and illustrate a story line that was
real, though fictitious. It follows
an accurate history. In "Aviator
and the Baroness" much thought
was given to romance and its ob-
stacles with decades of time that
create challenges, which parallel
real life situations. Aircraft plays
a secondary role to horses, ad-
venture, espionage, and mys-
tery. All emotions are illustrated


shes novel


and become a challenge for me
to present to the reader. I would
say that those are the inspirations
for me to write. It is a fantasy that
becomes real for others to experi-
ence."
A project that took nearly 18
months, "six of which could have
easily been spent coming up with
the plot, characters and story
line," was created mostly in the
evening and on the weekends as
a hobby. Having another job, the
time had to be divided so as not
to "jeopardize my other job." Mr.
Wolski has for the past 30 years,
and currently, been a freelance
draftsman and designer of resi-
dential homes. He also illustrates
for residential and commercial
buildings and holds a part time
job as a school bus driver for the
Okeechobee County school sys-
tem. To have been able to create
such a work as well as the other
two novels involved careful time
management.
Although Mr. Wolski admits
to having some initial self doubt
about his abilities he says "the
subject matter was persisting
enough to continue. I've always
strived to improve as a goal, so
I continued what was fun. You
will noticeably improve and gain
confidence. Doubt is an enemy of
accomplishment. That, is quickly
learned if you do something you
enjoy so much." Despite these
initial doubts he persevered and
is now the author of three nov-
els. Writing for Mr. Wolski has


become a pleasure and was a
fun experience when he first be-
came published. "It's a hobby
as a result of other hobbies. I no
longer build model airplanes or
miniature replicas if you will. The
knowledge gained from that has
aided in writing by adding a good
story and plot, so others can en-
joy it." He will definitely continue
to write.
While Mr. Wolski's journey to
this stage in his writing career has
been one of self doubt, time man-
agement and evasive realizations,
he has completed a feat many of
us could only dream of. To those
aspiring to become writers he
offers this advice, "write what
interests you the most and mix
that with persistence. That's the
motivation to write more. Be your
own best critic and accept others
and constructive, not insulting.
Be sure to present a work that is
believable and contains logic. A
little research goes a long way.
I was compromising by giving a
little of what I think others will
like. Airplanes and war are sub-
jects women shy away from, but
holding back and presenting the
human, emotional side of a good
plot won female readers over with
some good feedback. Test read-
ers are a must to determine what
track you're on. In my first novel,
I had at least ten readers. Posi-
tive results from women readers
were inspiring. Be persistent and
accept criticism for your consider-
ation. Not all are justifiable."


Obituaries


Marie Neff
Marie Neff, age 81, of Okeecho-
bee, died July 1, 2008 at Rauler-
son Hospital. She was born Feb.
4, 1927 in Salisbury, N.C. to Chas
Alexander and Lola Misenheimer.
She was a homemaker having
come to Okeechobee from Hol-
lywood, Florida, 26 years ago.
She is survived by her son,
Alan G. Neff of Pemboke Pines;


two grandsons; two great grand-
daughters; brother, John Misen-
heimer of Hollywood, Fla.
No visitation or services will be
held.
Friends may sign the guest-
book at www.bassokeechobee-
funeralhome.com.
All arrangements are entrusted
to the care of Bass Okeechobee
Funeral Home and Crematory..


UF offers energy saving tips


By Chuck Woods
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE - Planning to
buy a new ceiling fan for your
bedroom? Want to make some
easy changes to increase your
home's energy efficiency? Won-
dering if it's time to replace that
12-year-old refrigerator? Con-
fused about what features to
look for when purchasing a new
air conditioner? The University
of Florida, with the support of
the Florida Department of Envi-
ronmental Protection, has devel-


oped some answers.
Over the past two months,
the statewide UF extension ser-
vice has released a series of
S20 fact sheets with a common
theme: conservation of energy
and water. The fact sheets give
the reader information about
making wise, energy- and water-
efficient choices when purchas-
ing, occupying or maintaining
their home.
"Everyone is concerned about
soaring energy costs and water
conservation, but the problem is


more challenging here in Florida
because our population contin-
ues to increase by more than 800
residents every day," said Pierce
Jones, director of UF's Program
for Resource Efficient Communi-
ties. "That kind of growth, along
with the needs of our existing
population for energy and water,
is taking a tremendous toll on the
state's natural resources."
"There are many ways that
people can save energy and
water in their homes and land-
scapes, which will help not only


the state's natural resources, but
their own economic situations as
well," he said.
Topics covered by the fact.
sheets include: air conditioning,
ceiling fans, the duct system,
fluorescent lighting, water heat-
ers, irrigation, windows and sky-
lights, and the energy and water
connection, etc. They are posted
under the "Sustainable Living"
heading on UF Extension's Solu-
tionsForYourLife.com Web site,
and can be viewed online or
printed on demand.


Public Issues Forums:

Join the discussion!


State parks announce free admission July 13

To celebrate July as Recreation & Parks is encouraging family children and families with nature, and Parks Month: To celebrate
and Parks Month, the Florida De- friendly, outdoor recreation with Since 1985, the National Recre- this designation, Florida is waiv-
partment of Environmental Pro- the launch of its "Family. Friends. ation and Park Association has ing admission to all state parks on
tection's Division of Recreation Fun." campaign to reconnect designated July as Recreation Sunday, July 13.


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Dear Abby

Hospice can lend support to families facing grief


DEAR ABBY: "Sad Dad in
Arizona" (May 2) wrote that he
was concerned because his teen-
age son didn't want to attend his
mother's funeral and preferred to
remember her "the way she was."
Please tell Dad to contact his local
hospice. Many hospices provide
support counseling during this dif-
ficult time. We assign a social work-
er as well as a nurse and chaplain
to each family who comes to us.
Hospice is here to help with ev-
erything that has an impact on the
patient at this time. Please urge that
family to get support now and not
wait until the end. -- PAM, R.N.,
HOSPICE OF THE FLORIDA
SUNCOAST
DEAR PAM: Your suggestion
to seek the assistance of a local
hospice is excellent. Readers, to
locate your nearest hospice, please
visit one of the following Web
sites: www.hospicenet.org or www.
hospicefoundation.org. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I was deployed
overseas when my grandfather was
diagnosed as terminal and passed
away. Due to military regula-
tions, I was not allowed to return
stateside and attend his funeral.
The last time I saw my grandfather
I hugged him goodbye and told him
how much I loved him. (He had been
like a father to me.) I was spared
the grief involved in watching my
grandfather buried, so I understand


exactly where this young man is
coming from in his desire to remem-
ber his mother alive, because that
is how I remember my grandfather.
Please let "Sad Dad's" son know
that while a living memory is a
wonderful .final memory to have,
he will wish forever that he had
been there to honor his mother.
I'm in exactly the situation that he
wishes to be in, and I would trade
everything I have to go back and
honor my family at the funeral. --
MATTHEW IN PORT GIBSON,
MISS.
DEAR ABBY: I wholeheart-
edly agree with your reply to "Sad
Dad." I was 19 when my mother
died suddenly. Unfortunately, our
father was not sensitive to my
feelings and needs or those of my
siblings. We were forced to not
only attend our mother's memo-
rial, but also to be greeters at the
door of the church. Participating
in the service did not provide us
"closure" but additional trauma.
I fully support "Sad Dad" in al-
lowing his son to decide whether
or not he is comfortable attending,
and-I commend him for putting his
child's needs before his own. --
STILL HEALING IN LIVINGS-
TON, MONT.
DEAR ABBY: Most funeral
homes today will videotape the fu-
neral. If the son wants to view it at
a later date, itwill be available to


Wonderword


BEETLE BAILEY


CATHY


PEANUTS


PICKLES


At the Movies

The following movies are now showing at the
SBrahman Theatres III. Movie times for Friday, June
27, through Thursday, July 3, are as follows:
Theatre I - "Incredible Hulk" (PG-13) Show-
times: Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
at 2, 4:15, 7 and 9 p.m. Monday at 3 and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2, 4:15, 7 and
9 p.m.
Theatre II - "Get Smart" (PG-13) Showtimes:
Friday at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at
2, 4:15, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Monday at 3 and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2, 4:15, 7 and
9:15 p.m.
Theatre III - "Wall-E" (G) Showtimes: Friday at
7 and 9 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday at 2, 4:30, 7 and
9 p.m., Monday at 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday at 2, 4:30 and 7 and 9 p.m.
Tickets are $5.50 for adults; children 12 and un-
der are $4.50; senior citizens are $4.50 for all mov-
ies; and, matinees are $4.
For information, call 863-763-7202.


"I worked out a deal with management that if
I trim two minutes off of every coffee
break, they'll let me retire 14 months early."


July 3/2008

�s~ By DAVID
OUELLET
HOW TO PLAY: All the words listed below appear in the puzzle -
tally, vertically, diagonally, even backward. Find them and CIRCLE
LETTERS ONLY. DO NOT CIRCLE THE WORD. The leftover lett
the Wonderword.
CAVE MURALS Solution: 8

A R N E D .D I H C T E K S
R R E W R I T I N G S T K
CP I V P O S RO L OC F
H I S T'O R Y R A N O O R
E C N M U C D U E R R V A
O T S S E A S R L M E P G
L U E C C U L I A D S L I
O R O L N R V T DWA A L
G E C U E E I E N R I I E
Y S S E S. O L P G R M N" T
D M E S N I E E T A E H G
U A R ()@@(N M G I I T B
T L F T R A C E E C O I T
S L E Z Y L A N A H R N V
E D E S I G N L E T T E L
� 2008 Universal Press Syndicate www.wonderword.com
Analyze, Archeology, Carved, Clues, Colors, Craftsma
Design, Detailed, Discover, Drawings, Eras, Fragile, Frescoe
den, History, Humans, Image, Information, Inscription,
Lives, Mythical, Palette, Pattern, Pictures, Plain, Race,
Rock, Sketch, Small, Smooth, Stone, Study, Style,.Theme
Unusual, Writings
Yesterday's Answer: Immortal
WONDERWORD offers the 'Book of Celebrities," for $5.95 each (US funds only) payable to Universal Press Sy
$3 postage for the first book order, $1 p&h for each additional book. Send to WONDERWORD, 4520 Main St., K
Mo. 64111 or call loll-free, 1-800-255-6734, ext. 6688. Order online at upuzzles.com.


Crossword


Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis


ACROSS
1 Make one out of
two?
6 Small spade
10 Bend
14 Prospector's
stake
15 Lively dance
16 K-12 sch. years
17 No longer moist
to the touch
19 Obi-Wan
portrayer
20 Bugs came to life
with his help
21 "Rumble in the
Jungle" name
22 Strong canine
23 Gift for a
symphony lover
27 Kind of reaction
29 Thus far
30 Ltr.-routing aid
31 Poseidon's
domain
33 Tightwad
37 Political pundit
Colmes
38 Place to spend
Fourth of July
weekend, and a
hint to the starts
of 17-, 23-, 48-
and 58-Across
40 Quaint "Yipe!"
41 Get in on the
action
43 Put on a pedestal
44 Colombian city
45 Goethe's
grumble
47 Green lights
48 Worn sign
53 Sing like Bing
54 PeoplePC
competitor
55 Nabokov novel
57 Not much
58 Church duds
62 Glutton's demand
63 Chiwere speaker
64 Slack off
65 One of 43 in the
U.S.
66 Place of honor
67 Test on TV
DOWN
1 Roasters and
toasters, perhaps
2 Homecoming
guest


3 It's red in the
middle
4 Musket, e.g.
5 Peruvian singer
Sumac
6 Everything
7 'The Gates of
Hell" sculptor
8 Go wrong
9 Triumphant cry
10 Likely to cave
11 Kate's sitcom pal
12 Butler of note
13 12-point types
18 Piccolo protector
22 Pituitary
secretion
24 'The
Fountainhead"
author Rand
25 Soft rock? �
26 Desire
27 Kid, for one
28 Pac-10
powerhouse
32 Speech
. elements, often
33 Lap (up)
34 Plenty
35 Jane Austen's
"Mansfield
36 Lyrical tributes
38 Mount Agung is
its highest point


39 "Spamalot"
creator Idle
42 Puppet
43 "Eureka!"
45 Caves, to early
man
46 Soft drink
selection
48 Lady's son, in a
Disney film
49 Flowery nuptial
spot


50 Black, i
51 City wh
Indoch
Univer
founie
52 Religio
56 Regard
58 Instant
59 Broad
Hagen
60 Big mo
61 51-Dos


ANSWER TO PREVIOUS F


AS ALAS S0
MA POMP PI
Al ONEA HI
N NIY P I NCHE

ATA DEAR

LETTER RESI
AR PENTE
GIH TL I FTE
N E VESN N

X EL STUN
ORE EASY E
X ED ESTA R


By Sharon E. Petersen & Nancy Salomon
(c)2008 Tribune Media Services. Inc.


him. Also, encourage him to keep
journal of his thoughts or to write
letters to his mother after she dies.
It will help him to express his feel-
ings. A local hospice may have a
grief support group for youths that
he may or may not wish to seek out.
Encourage him, but don't push. Be
sure to have lots of love ready for
him when he needs it, and let him
do it his way, just as you will have
to grieve in your own way. -- ONE
WHO HAS BEEN THERE IN
IOWA
DEAR ABBY: The state-
ment that "funerals are good for
people because they give a sense
of closure" has some merit. How-
ever, many people do not think
an open casket is either necessary
or desirable. Tradition, encour-
aged by an active "funeral in-
dustry," perpetuates the practice.
Frankly, I prefer the living memo-
ries, and have found memorial
services without a casket to be far
warmer and uplifting. Do not be
overly constrained by tradition; ex-
plore what others are doing. -- OLD
DOC IN LOS ALTOS, CALIF.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail
Van Buren, also known as Jeanne
Phillips, and was founded by her
mother, Pauline Phillips. Write
Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com
or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles,
CA 90069.


Astrology

By Eugenia Last


ARIES (March 21-April 19):
There is no point in.getting upset
over something you can't change.
horizon- Focus on something that interests
THEIR you and do things that will help you
ers spell get ahead. Sign up for a course or

letters learn more about an interesting ac-
tivity. 2 stars
S I TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Get involved in the history of your
N C family or take a trip to visit friends
A R or family you haven't seen for a
while. You will discover valuable
M A information about your past. Going
U back in time can help you put what
you are experiencing now into per-
H T spective. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
S S Don't trust an offer that is too good
T M to be true. Giving up a position
without securing where you are
Y A heading will leave you scrambling.
L N An older friend or relative will acd
to your responsibilities. 3 stars
E S CANCER (June 21-July 22):
S H You'll be sensitive toward what
others say and do. If you are uncer-
R I tain how to respond, hold offeven if
A P it means missing out on something.
Another opportunity will come
A P along shortly if you are patient. Be
7/3 strong. 3 stars
anship, LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take
is, Hid- an exotic vacation or do something
Large, out of the ordinary that will inspire
Ritual, you to take on a project or learn
,Tribe, something new. Keep what you are
up to a secret in case you change
indicate plus your mind mid-stream. Follow your
ansas City, heart and see where it leads you. 3
stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Romance is in the stars. Put every-
thing else aside in order to nurture
the most important partnership in
your life. If you are single, get in-
volved in something you feel pas-
n Burgundy sionately about and you will meet
aere someone who shares your dreams
sity was for the future. 4 stars
ad LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
us leader Don't put too much emphasis on
ding what others want you to do. Some-
lawn
waylegend one will criticize you, putting a
damper on your plans. Remember,
ruth what's good for you may not inter-
wn holiday est someone else but that doesn't
mean you should abandon your
PUZZLE: plans. 2 stars
H A M E SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
C A N Travel to a destination that offers
A T E D something different. A new look,
R l a chance to try something new or
G M C even putting all your effort into a
A L E R love relationship will be rewarding
LA T E and will help you see things from an
I D E D unusual point of view. 5 stars
S R O SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
R 21): You are going to have to deal
E S T with some past issues in order to
A K E R spare yourself financial losses in
D A N A the future. Get whatever you need
ETO N in writing. Someone will say one
RE N T thing but mean another. Don't be
07/03/08 taken advantage of. 3 stars
12 13 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
-- 19): Don't wander too far off the
S beaten track. If you don't know the
answer to something, don't pretend
you do. Highlight romance. Single
or not, plan something special. 3
stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
35 3 18): Talk things over with the one
S you love or your closest confidant
and you will have a better under-
standing of what's expected of you.
Invite friends over to brainstorm
about a plan you want to put into
motion. Make some creative chang-
S es. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
S Love and romance are at an all-time
high. Voice your intentions for the
future and share your ideas. Home
improvements will pay off in terms
of comfort, entertainment and as-
07/03/08 sets. 5 stars
� 2008 UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE


Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


BLONDE


WIZARD OF ID


GARFIELD


r0,aS C mRKI - *Yk)NIC(rK, IhC. WIW.CCREIUrnS CO


YOUR
TEix




Th-.Th -((A\}

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xwordeditor@aol.com







8 Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


jJ iwes Itsf
'::,j : ':'_:,'1 'y.rA. _r:' * * :,V


Ctuf


Announcements ....... .100
Employment ......... .200
Financial .............300
Services ......... . ....400
Merchandise ...... .. . .500
Agriculture ...... .....800'
Rentals ............. .900
Real Estate .. ........ 1000
Mobile Homes ....... .2000
Recreation ........... 3000
Automobiles ........ 4000
Public Notices . ...... ..5000



* All personal items under
$5,000 ABSOLUTELY FREE!
* Price must be included in ad
* Private parties only
* 2 items per household per
issue


All personal items under $5,000

ABSOLUTELY FREE!


SY L L LL LL7L


1) A'V . ;A-


.j. jj ^ j ;^ J J '9


rj -/ .i~iI
.,J 1J


Published 3 weeks' in all of our Florida papers: Caloosa Belle, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat,
Immokalee Bulletin, Okeechobee News, and The Sun
* Ads will run in Wednesday daily editions and weekly publications.
or call

1-877-353-2424 (Toll Free)


4- .


/ For Legal Ads:
legalads@newszap.com
/ For All Other Classified Ads:
classads@newszap.com


/ 1-877-354-2424 (Toll Free


/ Monday - Friday
8 m 5 prr.


/ Monday
Fr.du, 1.' n-un for Mordot pubhical;on
/ Tuesday through Friday
II a T. Io ne, doay publ.oal.on
/ Saturday
S TIh.' d y 2I? r.cr, toi Sol p jbilcolor.
/ Sunday
F.do 10 ai.m clr Sunday publi.al.cn ,.


Announcements



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



AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD -
brown & white, in Okeecho-
bee, small, female, Childs
pet (863)634-7515


Emyment


Employment -
Ful-Time 205
Employment -
Medical 210
Employment -
Part-Time 215
Employment
Wanted 220
Job Information 225
Job Training 227
Sales 230



EXPERIENCED RESIDENTIAL
& COMMERCIAL
SERVICE PLUMBER - Must
live & know Okeechobee
area. (863)763-6461 DFWP
INSURANCE OFFICE
Is looking for a clerical person.
Computer skills are required.
Bi-lingual a plus but not re-
quired. Apply in person at
407 S ParrottAve.



READING A
NEWSPAPER MAKES
YOU A MORE INFORMED
AND INTERESTING
PERSON.


imloim
Fuli me 'I'I


Ii
Employmen


GLADES
Electric Cooperative, Inc.

GLADES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
OKEECHOBEE OFFICE
DISTRICT OFFICE SUPERVISOR

Glades Electric Cooperative is seeking a qualified
individual to take charge of its Okeechobee office.
We seek an individual with strong oral and written
communication skills, a professional demeanor
and must be comfortable with change in the work
environment. The successful candidate should
have 5-7 years experience in Customer Service in
a supervisory capacity. GEC offers an excellent
salary commensurate with experience and an out-
standing benefit package. Applications may be
obtained at any GEC Office. Resumes may be
e-mailed to:
ybradley@gladesec.com
or faxed to (863)946-6266

GEC is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action
Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
I
IMMEDIATE OPENING

The OKEECHOBEE UTILITY AUTHORITY (OUA)
has an immediate opening for at least one (1) po-
sition in our water distribution and wastewater
collection maintenance department. All candi-
dates must be willing and able to perform minor
lifting, digging, and daily outdoor labor assign-
ments in the installation and maintenance of the
Okeechobee utility system. Applicants must be
courteous and professional in dealing with our
customers and fellow workers. As an employee
of the Okeechobee Utility Authority you will be pro-
vided with all the necessary training, uniforms,
health benefits, paid vacation/sick leave and a
pension program. The OUA is a drug-free work
place and a clean driving record of at least three
years is a requirement upon employment within
our company. If you feel that this type of position
and professional career is your goal, please visit
our offices at 100 SW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee,
Florida 34974 to complete an application. Appli-
cations will be accepted until the position is filled.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (M/F/V/D)
DRUG-FREE WORK PLACE

IMMEDIATE OPENING
The OKEECOBEE UTILITY AUTHORITY (OUA) has an immediate
opening for at least one (1) position in our water distribution
and wastewater collection maintenance department. All candi-
dates must be willing and able to perform minor lifting, digging,
and daily outdoor labor assignments in the installation and
maintenance of the Okeechobee utility system. Applicants
must be courteous and professional in dealing with our cus-
tomers and fellow workers. As an employee of the Okeecho-
bee Utility Authority you will be provided with all the necessary
training, uniforms, health benefits, paid vacation/sick leave and
a pension program. The OUA is a drug-free work place and a
clean driving record of at least three years is a requirement
upon employment within our company. If you feel that this
type of position and professional career is your goal, please
visit our offices at 100 SW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida
34974 to complete an application. Applications will be accept-
ed until the position is filled. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EM-
PLOYER (M/F/V/D) DRUG FREE WORK PLACE.



READING A NEWSPAPER...


Financial



Business
Opportunities 305
Money Lenders 310
Tax Preparation 315





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


Services



Babysitting 405
Child Care Needed 410
Child Care Offered415
Instruction 420
Services Offered425
Insurance 430
Medical Services435





ENROlLING!
- BCurriculum
f Based
r ' - Family
l-. l Davcare!


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


III

Air Conditioners 505
Antiques 510
Appliances 515
Appliance Parts 520
Beauty Supplies 525
Bicycles 530
Books & Magazines535
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 600
Firewood 605
Furniture 610
Furs 615
Health I Reducing
Equipment 620
Heating Equipment/
Supplies 625
Household Items 630
Jewelry 635
Lamps./Lights 640
Luggage 645
Medical Items 650
Miscellaneous 655
Musical Instruments 660
Office Supplies/
Equipment 665
Pets/Supplies.'
Services 670
Photography 675
Plumbing Supplies 680
Pools & Supplies 685
Restaurant
Equipment 690
Satellite 695
Sewing Machines 700
Sporting Goods 705
Stereo Equipment 710
Television.'Radio 715
Tickets 720
Tools 725
Toys & Games 730
VCRs 735
Wanted to Buy 740



.Appliances For Sale, Like new,
stove, washer & dryer, $300
for all, or will separate
(863)467-0128
Find it faster. Sell it soon-
er in the classifleds


Church Pews- 15 in all, wood-
en with top and bottom
cushions, 12 ft. $2,250 or
will separate (863)610-0165

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


BOSTON TERRIER PUPPIES -
Parents on premises. Ready
to go! $300 (863)467-4149
or (863)697-3810
Reading a newspaper
helps you understand
the world around you.
No wonder newspaper
readers are more suc-
cessful people!


WatrIon


-tfo


Rent from $950 month (F/L/S)
Rent to Own $15,000 down
$1,000 a month


Rentals



Apartments 905
Business Places 910
Commercial
Property 915
Condos/
Townhouses - Rent920
Farm Property -
Rent 925
House - Rent 930
Land - Rent 935
Resort Property -
Rent 945
Roommate 950
Rooms to Rent 955
Storage Space -
Rent 960




OAK LAKE VILLAS Remodeled
2/2-W&D-Lg.(screened patio
2 util. rooms. $850 mo., 1st
last & sec. (863)634-3313


3br/1ba, newly remodeled
CBS home, all new applianc-
es, off 15A, $700 month+
security (305)794-0239
BASSWOOD ESTATES, New
3br, 2ba on huge lot. Rent
$1050. Buy 130K Financing
Available (754)423-8202
BUCKHEAD RIDGE:
LAKE ACCESS:
Waterfront, LG. 3 BR, 2 BA
w/Sea Wall.$850/month..
863-634-5236
Dream House- 3br/2ba, Stain-
less appl., more upgrades,
$1300 month includes lawn
main. (941)780-3164
IN OKEECHOBEE CITY: 4 Br/
2Ba, $1100 mo. + 1st, last,
sec. & refs. Call Barry for
more info. 772-216-1461
OKECHOBEE - 3BR/1BA Du-
plex, washer & dryer hook-
up, central a/c & heat. $775
mo. + $500 sec. Move in
Now! (863)763-4414
OKEE- 2br, lba, on 2 city lots
w/ oak trees. $750 mo.
+Sec. Dep. 920 NW 4th St.
Call (561)762-7660
OKEECHOBEE - 3/2, furnished,
1550 sq ft, exc cond., fire-
place, W/D, $210 weekly
(561)202-7702
RANCH SETTING - 2 Bdrm., 1
Ba. Available now! Very
clean, no pets. $525 mo. +
sec. (863)467-1717
Rent to Own - 4/2
$1000 mo. new, ready now.
863-599-0156 or
561-248-3888
Treas. Island - 3036 SE 36th
St., 2BR/1.5BA, Ig. garage,
shed, on water, very clean,
$800 mo. (561)308-7566


Professional Office Space
for Lease - Near Courthouse.
Immediate Occupancy.
(863)467-0831


2 roommates needed,;male.or
female, prefer non-smoker,
all utilities incl. $125 wk. Call
for details (863)228-1865


Real Estate



Business Places -
Sale 1005
Commercial
Property - Sale 1010
Condos/
Townhouses - Sale 1015
Farms - Sale 1020
Houses - Sale 1025
Hunting Property 1030
Investment
Property - Sale 1035
Land - Sale 1040
Lots - Sale 1045
Open House 1050
Out of State -
Property - Sale 1055
Property Inspection 1060
Real Estate Wanted 1065
Resort Property -
Sale 1070
Warehouse Space 1075
Waterfront Property 1080

Houss -S5i
4br/2ba with loft, office and
laundry room combined, fire-
place, built 1917, $240,000
neg. 863-467-4478


OKEECHOBEE PARK- Corner
lot #24. $20,000
(561)434-9639


Mobile Homes



Mobile Home Lots 2005
Mobile Home - Parts 2010
Mobile Homes . Rent 2015
Mobile Homes - Sale 2020




BHR - MH for rent, 1br, 1ba,
$350/mo + sec, yearly pref.
Avail now 55+ Park
(863)763-7164
DOUBLEWIDE - 3/2 on 2
acres E. of town, non-smok.
env. No pets. $950/mo 1st &
sec (772)473-6072


READING A


NEWSPAPER...


helps you understand the
world around you.


MH - 1BR/1BA, all util, fur-
nished $650 mo. + $200
sec. dep. 828 Hwy. 441 SE.
863-763-4460/610-1386
OKEECHOBEE - 3br, 1ba,
newly remodeled, $800/mo,
1st, last & sec. No Pets
(870)504-1200
OKEECHOBEE - North of town,
quiet family neighborhood,
3br, 2ba dbl wide on 1 acre.
Pets ok. $850/mo, 1st, last
& sec.. Will work with right
person (863)697-6713
OKEECHOBEE: Nice, 2br/lba,
$475/mo + 1st, Last & Sec.
Dep. In town. No pets. Call
(863)763-6232
OKEECHOBEE: Nice, 3br/lba
doublewide'in town. No pets.
$675/mo + 1st, Last & Sec.
Dep. Call (863)763-6232



BANK REPO'S
MOVE TO YOUR LAND
Mobile Home Angels
561-721-2230
DISTRESS SALE- 2008, 70 x
14 Brand new Never lived in
Scott built mob home. Turn
Key on your land or our land,
$30,000 or best offer
863)673-6417 or
561)721-5299


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


Recreation



Boats '3005
Campers/RVs 3010
Jet Skiis 3015
Marine Accessories 3020
Marine Miscellaneous 3025
Motorcycles 3030
Sport Vehicles/ATVs 3035



GHEENOE 15/2 Ft. w/25hp,
Tohatsu Engine, PushfPull
Steering & Trailer.
$2500 863-234-1226 or
239-823-2587
It's never too late to find
the perfect gift. Look for
It in tthp r ansiidft.



HONDA DIRTBIKE, '05 - CRF
250R, been in storage less
than 10 hrs., mint cond.,
$3500 neg. (863)697-8056


Automobiles



Automobiles 4005
Autos Wanted 4010
Classic Cars 4015
Commercial Trucks 4020
Construction
Equipment 4025
Foreign Cars 4030
Four Wheel Drive 4035
Heavy Duty Trucks 4040
Parts - Repairs 4045
Pickup Trucks 4050
Sport Utility 4055
Tractor Trailers 4060
Utility Trailers 4065
Vans 4070



2000 Ford Explorer, power
windows, power locks, stan-
dard transmission, cold A/C,
$1,650 neg. (863)763-0859


'-


HowSJi

II Place


~ffirs


Rk f







Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008 -



Spending time outdoors makes hunting enjoyable


By Tony Young
To me, the best part about
hunting is not harvesting game -
but spending quality time in the
outdoors with good friends and
family.
One of the best ways to do
just that is through dove hunting.
And, with that in mind, it's easy to
see why great dove hunts are in
such high demand but often dif-
ficult to find.
That's why the FWC created
its Special-Opportunity Dove Club
Program - to offer hunters the
chance of experiencing excep-
tional dove hunting on the state's
best public dove fields.
Dove Club permits allow one
adult and one youth (under age
16) to hunt all scheduled dates
for the dove field of their choice.
Permits cost only $150 and enable


(utta' Ilie
Woods
By Tony Young
C ,n ,. r ...~n Coniimissi"on

both hunters to each take a daily
bag limit of birds. There are a to-
tal of eight hunts on all but one


(Caravelle Ranch) of the selected
dove fields, and all hunts are half-
day and take place on Saturdays,
starting Oct. 4 and ending Jan.
10.
There are seven special-op-
portunity dove fields scattered
throughout the state, from as far
west as Holmes County in the
Panhandle to as far south as Mi-
ami.
One of the fields is on Fussell
Farm Public Small-Game Hunt-
ing Area (PSGHA) in Polk County.
There are 13 Dove Club permits
available for the 40-acre field. An-
other field is on Allapattah Flats
PSGHA in Martin County. There
are 25 Dove Club permits for sale
to hunt on the 100 acres.
Caravelle Ranch in Putnam
County (40 Dove Club permits for
sale) will also be back this com-


ing season, and so will Frog Pond
in Miami-Dade County (38 Dove
Club permits for sale).
The three remaining fields
are new, and they are: Brown
Farm PSGHA in Holmes County
(13 Dove Club permits for sale),
Combs Farm PSGHA in Baker
County (10 Dove Club permits for
sale) and North Newberry PSGHA
in Alachua County (18 Dove Club
permits for sale).
Last year, 1,077 hunters par-
ticipated in special-opportunity
dove hunts, and a total of 2,206
birds were harvested for an aver-
age harvest of a little more than
two birds per hunter.
Frog Pond Dove Field, on the
southern-most end of the Florida
peninsula, really produced last
season. Nearly 600 doves were
taken from there last year. On Al-


lapattah Flats Dove Field, east of
Lake Okeechobee, participants
experienced an average take of
2.6 birds per hunter per day. In
the central part of the state, hunt-
ers at Fussell Farm enjoyed a
nearly 2-birds-per-hunter average
on each hunt.
Dove Club permits go on sale
10 a.m. (EDT) July 1, and hunters
can purchase these season passes
at any county tax collector's office,
license agent, online at MyFWC.
com/dove or by calling toll-free
'1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA. They're
sold first-come, first-served, and
the best fields go quickly, so you
better get a move on.
The last day to buy season
permits, if they're still available,
is Sept. 9.
Brochures on each of these ar-
eas are available at regional FWC


offices and online at MyFWC.
com/dove. Also at that Web ad-
dress, beginning in late Septem-
ber, hunters will be able to find
the most up-to-date information
on these seven special-opportuni-
ty dove fields, as well as Florida's
other public dove fields. The Web
site is updated every Thursday
throughout the dove season, and
information includes dove densi-
ties, previous weeks' harvests and
field conditions.
So if you'd like to join the
FWC's Dove Club, you need to do
it in July. Here's wishing you all
luck in drawing the field of your
dreams.
Remember to introduce some-
one new to hunting when you
can. As always, have fun, hunt
safely and ethically, and we'll see
you in the woods!


New United States citizen redesigns immigration offices


By Jennifer Kay
Associated Press Writer
OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (AP)
-- Lady Liberty's welcome was
sorely missing from the drab im-
migration office where Argentine
architect Rodolfo Acevedo started
his U.S. citizenship application in
the early 1990s.
But there were huddled mass-
es, or at least crowds fighting for
parking, standing in line, wasting
hours in overcrowded waiting
rooms, yearning for a little atten-
tion from the harried federal em-
ployees.
The scene was repeated at of-
fices across South Florida, one of
the country's busiest naturaliza-
tion hubs, where Acevedo was
sent for fingerprints, interviews
and more paperwork.
"They were kind of makeshift
facilities in a strip mall," Acevedo
said. "There was no welcoming,
no warmth from the facilities.
The furniture, the finishes, even
the colors, the location within the
town -- it was never feeling like
they were there to actually help
you."
A citizen since last summer,
Acevedo is drawing on his expe-
riences to design five new offices
for U.S. Citizenship and Immigra-
tion Services that feature more
light and space, playrooms for
the kids and a prominent image
of the Statue of Liberty's welcom-
ing face.
SThe centers' are due to open
later this year in Miami-Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach coun-


ties, part of a national remodeling
of immigration offices that the
agency acknowledged in a news
release are often "overcrowded,
inefficient and located in areas
that did not serve the immigration
community."
Acevedo, 47, had been an
architect in his home country
but could only find work a bus-
boy when he arrived in Florida
in 1990. The restaurant's owner
encouraged him to bring his port-
folio to network with architects
who came in for lunch. One even-
tually hired Acevedo to help out
in his office, and Acevedo is now
a partner in that firm, Boca Raton-
based JMWA Architects.
It may be a coincidence that
CIS is using an architectural firm
with a lot of naturalized citizens,
since many businesses .in South
Florida have immigrants in the
work force. That will likely be the
case for the construction crews,
too, who in Florida are typically
about 35 percent immigrant.
Immigrant advocates welcome
the friendlier offices but note that
federal authorities have also in-
creased enforcement actions.
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement last year doubled
the arrests it made in 2006.
"While they may be sending
this welcoming message, on the
other hand we believe that the
manner in which many of these
sweeps are conducted is disturb-
ing," said Cheryl Little, executive
director of the Florida Immigrant
Advocacy Center.


The new offices Acevedo has
designed, with a team mostly
comprised of other immigrants,
will replace existing facilities in
Miami and West Palm Beach.
During a recent tour of the
building under construction in
Oakland Park, just north of Fort
Lauderdale, Acevedo pointed out
the amenities all five buildings
will share.
Each has ample parking and.
is located near public transpor-
tation in communities with large
immigrant populations. Skylights
and large windows will illuminate
comfortable waiting areas deco-
rated in soothing pastel colors. In-
door play areas and Internet cafes
will offer diversions for waiting
children and adults.
Information booths, self-serve
computer terminals and private
offices promise all the services
needed to complete a citizenship
application. The heart of each
building is a small, sky-lit audito-
rium for naturalization ceremo-
nies.
The face of the Statue of Lib-
erty is etched into exterior glass
surfaces.
"We wanted to do the wel-
coming and kind of friendlier ap-
pearance," said Acevedo.
The Oakland Park facility will
serve immigrants who otherwise
would have to travel about 35
miles to an office in downtown
Miami. Lines outside that building
that stretch around the block and
last for hours prompted advocacy
group Haitian Women of Miami


to include anger management
tips in its citizenship classes.
"I was scared to go there,"
said Louna Thomas, 38, who ap-
plied for citizenship last summer.
Her classes at Haitian Women
of Miami included American his-
tory, English lessons and tips for
successfully keeping an appoint-
ment, such as getting a baby sitter
for her two children.


"If I bring them with me, they
say they won't accept me with the
kids," said Thomas, who left Haiti
in 1992. "I have to look for some-
place else to leave the kids. It's
hard." Acevedo's designs are part
of an image makeover for a fed-
eral agency often associated with
intimidation and inefficiency. Fa-
cilities in Orlando, Denver, Dallas
and Portland, Ore., are also slated


for replacement.
The processing times at the
immigration centers in Florida are
among the longest in the country;
CIS warns cases can take longer
than 14 months to be completed
in Miami and Orlando.
Federal immigration officials
say the new buildings will boost
efficiency in processing immigra-
tion applications.


,FF:

.


I-
r , .
��-----~C


4 .


,


A-' hnoto/Lynne siaaky
Architect Rodolfo Acevedo, a new U.S. citizen from Argentina, shows artist's renderings of
immigration buildings he designed at his office in Boca Raton, Fla. Wednesday, June 11,
2008. Four new immigration facilities are scheduled to open in Miami-Dade and Broward
counties.


with manners?


Okeech obee
* College program!


Okeechobee Okeechobee News
SSecond term ". Animal facilitypact OKd
.. . . . .. ... . , . _ .-- . . .< o-


Fi]iAI-PIIaC il M IIriR s PI
*1'..


IJVlIG TH an ~i Council to
elect mayor


A legitimate role for the press is that of "the public's watchdog." Most
citizens can't spend the time necessary to personally observe their
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6KEECHOBEE NEWS


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Okeechobee News, Thursday, July 3, 2008


10 .


Majors All Stars confident about state tournament


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
The Okeechobee 12 and under
all star team swept their recent
District tournament in Avon Park
and are ready to compete in the
Florida state championships later


this month.
Okeechobee defeated Avon
Park 7-1, Clewiston 3-2, and Avon
Park, 11-4, to win the champion-
ships held in June in Avon Park.
Head Coach Billy Ball said his
team gave a great effort, played
excellent defense, and got great


pitching in the tournament.
Christian Crews was a key fac-
tor on the mound for Okeechobee
as he started two of the games,
and was the winning pitcher.
"He is throwing 71 miles per
hour already, he was tough,"
Coach Ball noted.


Crews didn't overpower the
opposing teams but every time
the ball was hit, Okeechobee's
defense rose to the challenge.
Other pitchers who were suc-
cessful were Cutter Crawford
who picked up the save in one
of the wins, and Mitchell McCoin


Okeechobee wins District 8 tourney


By Charles M. Murphy
Okeechobee News
Jacob Domer's two run sin-
gle provided the winning runs
as Okeechobee rallied to defeat
Sebring, 6-4, in the champion-
ship of the District 8 tournament
Wednesday.
Okeechobee and Sebring
battled back and forth with each
team enjoying a lead and the oth-
er determined to fight back.
Head Coach L.A. Fipps praised
his kids for their determination
and fight although he admitted
the team did look lethargic early,
"We were a little lazy today. We
didn't come out swinging like we
normally do, but we picked it up
late."
Winning pitcher Jack Rade-
baugh has been to the state tour-
nament before but not as a dis-
trict champion. He said this win


was sweet for his team.
"I knew we had to get the dug-
out fired up. It feels pretty good.
I was just trying to get them out,
three up, three down," he said.
Okeechobee was the visiting
team in the championship game.
They lost a coin flip to decide
home field. They scored a run in
the top of the first as Dalton Mur-
ray reached on a bloop single to
left, stole second, and later scored
on a wild pitch.
Sebring answered back with a
run in the bottom of the inning.-
Bubba Boston singled to left,
moved to second on a passed ball
and scored on a clutch two out hit
by Cody Cook to make it (1-1).
Sebring threatened to score
in the second as Dustin Acevedo
and Alfredo Negrin reached base.
However Okeechobee starter Ty-
ler Barber, with runners on sec-
ond and third, pitched out of the


jam by striking out Justin Long
and Tory Pringle and retiring Bos-
ton on an infield pop up.
Okeechobee scored again in
the third as Dalton Murray led off
with a walk, stole second, and
scored on a single by Radebaugh
to make it (2-1).
However Sebring answered
in the bottom of the third as Josh
Gomez singled, stole second and
scored on a single by Cook. Bar-
ber was replaced by Alex Estre-
mara with two runners on and
nobody out. Again Estremara
pitched well getting a rare 1-4-2
double play ball, and a strikeout.
Estremara got Garrett Martinez
to ground back to the mound.
He threw to second to get Cook.
As Alex threw to second, Mark
Greenhauer tried to score from
third. However Billy Childers
made a fine throw to plate and
Greenhauer was tagged out.


Okeechobee had a chance to
take the lead again in the fourth
as Domer and Richard Donegan
walked. However Okeechobee
tried to score on a wild pitch but
Domer was tagged out at the
plate.
He would get revenge later on
with the winning base hit.
"This is the first time I'm going
to state. I feel great about it. It was
very nerve racking, but we pulled
it out. I think this will help us in
the future."
Coach Fipps said the team
should have an excellent shot
when they travel to the state tour-
nament later this month in Mari-
anna, "I really feel good. I don't
think there is a team in the state
that can beat us. The only team
that can beat us is ourselves, we
are our own worst enemy."


who tossed two shutout innings
against Clewiston.
"I'm not sure yet about the
state tournament as a number of
districts are still having their tour-
naments," Ball noted.
Okeechobee is due to play the
runner up of the District 7 tourna-
ment that was held in Frostproof
this week. Other teams in that
district are Fort Meade, East Lake-
land, and Hardee.
Members of the Okeechobee
all stars include Tad Norman,
Brandon Ball, Cutter Crawford,
Ethan Revels, Chase Sutton, Gar-
rett Thomas, Adam Davis, Seth
McWhorter, Otto Ramirez, Mitch-


r-977


ell McCoin and Branson Butler.
"I think this group is even
stronger than last year's team,"
Coach Ball noted.
The boys 10 and under all star
squad, coached by Chris Quesin-
berry and Tom Finney, will com-
pete in the state tournament in
Panama City Beach this weekend.
They open tournament play on
Saturday against East Lakeland at
11 a.m.
The boys 8 and under squad
played very competitively at the
State tournament in Paxton, but
were eliminated by the host team
earlier this week.


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IU..
1 Over 5 Year


OkeecnoDee News/Charles Murphy
Dalton Murray (right) is congratulated by Head Coach L.A.
Fipps after he scored a run in the first inning of Wednesday's
game.


Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy
Starting pitcher Tyler Barber throws a hard strike during
Wednesday's championship game with Sebring.


FWC asks to not disturb nesting birds


During the Fourth of July holi-
day weekend, the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission (FWC) reminds beach-
goers statewide to be mindful of
nesting birds, as even'a minor dis-
turbance could destroy a nest.
You can help protect the birds
by moving parties, picnics and


fireworks away from nesting ar-
eas.
"Just approaching a bird is
enough to flush birds away from
their nest," said Ricardo Zam-
brano, an FWC biologist. "When
birds are forced to fly off their
eggs, it exposes the chicks to
predators."


A variety of protected birds
are currently nesting on Florida's
beaches, including terns, black
skimmers, snowy plovers and
Wilson's plovers.
Earlier this year, the FWC
and other agencies posted signs
around many nesting areas on
Florida's beaches. These closed


areas protect the nesting birds
from unnecessary disturbances
and prevent humans from step-
ping on their nests. All of these
species nest in the open and lay
well-camouflaged eggs directly
on the sand, making them nearly
invisible to predators and to the
untrained human eye.


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Sports News in Brief


Softball Tournament
"Sizzle Slam"
There will be a World Series
warm up hosted by Okeecho-
bee July 12 and 13. There will be
a barbeque pork dinner sold to
benefit the OCRA and the Chobee
Firestix. The tournament will be
held at the Sports Complex, high-
school and men's softball fields.
Any questions call Chad Douglass
at 863-697-8794.

Register for free
Sports Camp
July 14-17, from 6-8 p.m., the
ROC (Recreational Outreach Cen-
ter) will host a free sports camp.
The camp will be open to boys
and girls who have completed
kindergarten and/or all grades
through sixth. Sports offered in-
clude basketball, t-ball, flag foot-
ball, soccer, cheerleading, tennis,
fishing, golf and inline skating/
skateboarding. Register NOW
as some sports are limited at the
First Baptist Church office located
at 401 S.W Fourth Street or at
the ROC. For more information,
please call 863-763-2171.

Just Horsing
Around Camp
UF/IFAS Okeechobee County
4-H program, along with the


Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center
and the Okeechobee Children's
Services Council, will be offering
the Second Annual "Just Horsing
Around" horse day camp. Each
of the three weeks will have a
unique theme. The camp for July
7-11, will expose campers to vari-
ous equine disciplines. The third
week, July 14-18, will offer camp-
ers insight into the rodeo world
focusing on pole bending, barrel
racing, goat tying, roping and oth-
er "non-roughstock" events. For
more information and to register
please contact the Okeechobee
County Extension Office at 863-


763-6469. Camp fee is $100 plus
a $25 stall fee per week. Pre-regis-
tration is required.

TCBC meets monthly
The Taylor Creek Bass Club
meets at the Buckhead Ridge VFW
Post 9528 on the second Thursday
of each month. Tournaments are
held the following weekend. New
boaters and (especially) non-boat-
ers are welcome. For information
call Dave Stout at 863-467-2255.


There's a wonderful world around us.
Full of fascinating places. Interesting
people. Amazing cultures. Important
challenges. But sadly, our kids are
not getting the chance to learn about
their world. When surveys show that
half of America's youth cannot locate
India or Iraq on a map, then we have
to wonder what they do know about
their world That's why we created
MyWonderfulWold org. It's part
of a free National Geographic-led
campaign to give your kids the power
of global knowledge. Go there today'
and help them succeed tomorrow. "
Star with our free parent and teacher
action kits. And let your kids begin the
adventure of a lifetime.
ts a wonderful word. Exptorel





MyWorderful world3.or
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