ROAD CLOSURE Traffic, both directions, on Highway 710 is being diverted to Highway 714/Martin County Grade due to a vehicle crash/fire. Crash is in Martin County. Unknown how long road will be closed. No further information at this time. Michele Bell, PIO

Attempt to Identify Sgt. Bettye Taylor with the Okeechobee City Police Department needs to speak with the gentleman in the red shirt. If you have any information of his identity, contact Detective Taylor at (863)763-9783 or remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477. For more information, contact Detective Taylor. Michele Bell, PIO

You don’t drown by falling into water, you only drown if you stay there… Get up and get going. It’s a beautiful Tuesday morning! Michele Bell, PIO

OPERATION: CLEAN HOUSE On 4/24/19, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office conducted Operation Clean House. This operation took aim at the jail inmates and their cells. The operation was centered around finding any and all contraband located inside of the jail and on any inmate. Length of the operation was approximately two hours. The listed contraband that is now rid from the jail and the inmates: Makeshift tattoo equipment Prescription medication not taken as prescribed Tobacco, smoking related items Makeshift weapons/small pieces of metal Fermented liquid (Buck) Small metal box containing a small amount of cocaine in a common area Sheriff Stephen stated, “Overall this operation was very s

Good Morning A new week rolls in; a week full of promise, potential and endless possibilities… Hope you have a Great Monday! Michele Bell, PIO

Three things you cannot recover in life: the WORD after it’s said, the MOMENT after it’s missed and the TIME after it’s gone… Have a Thankful Thursday! Michele Bell, PIO

Life has two rules: #1 Never Quit; #2 Always remember rule #1… I hope you have a Wishful Wednesday! Michele Bell, PIO

Sheriff Noel E. Stephen presented Retired Judge William L. Hendry the Florida Sheriff’s Association 35-Year Distinguished Service Award. Judge Hendry received this award for his continued support of FSA.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind… (Dr. Seuss) Have a Terrific Tuesday! Michele Bell, PIO

Remember Mr. Richard Schmelz who is making clocks for every Sheriff’s Office in the state of Florida? During his visit to Okeechobee last week, he and his wife explained that their home is adorned with the many artifacts they have collected and news clippings of their trip around Florida, visiting every county. We asked him to send us some pictures and here they are… Isn’t this amazing? Just to show their continued support of Law Enforcement! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Schmelz. Michele Bell, PIO

ROAD CLOSURE The Okeechobee Utility Authority will be performing work at SW 15 Street and 441 South; Streets, cross streets and direction to be affected are outside southbound lane closes 441 South and SW 15 Street at the 100 block For more information contact OUA at (863)763-9460.

ATTEMPT TO LOCATE OWNER On April 21, this electric wheelchair/scooter was found on Hwy. 441 Southeast. To claim this scooter, contact the Sheriff’s Office (863)763-3117, ext. 5114, with the brand, serial number or other characteristics of the scooter. Case #19S09833 Michele Bell, PIO

Yes, it’s Monday but it’s also a new day, a new week and in that lies a new opportunity for something special to happen… Hope you have a Marvelous Monday! Michele Bell, PIO

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY Can you identify the bespectacled woman in the pink tank top? If so, contact Sgt. Donald Ellis or you may remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 1-(800)273-8477. Sgt. Ellis would like to speak with her in reference to a battery case. No further information to be released at this time. Michele Bell, PIO

In observance of Easter, the administration office and Animal Control office will be closed on Good Friday, April 19, 2019 and will resume normal operations on Monday, April 22, 2019. Sheriff Noel E. Stephen and the staff of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, wish you a Happy Easter holiday filled with the blooming promises of happiness and love! Michele Bell, PIO

May you feel the hope of new beginnings, love and happiness during this joyful Easter holiday… Have a Thankful Thursday! Michele Bell, PIO

Life is like a mirror. It’ll smile at you if you smile at it… Happy Hump Day! P.S. SMILE Michele Bell, PIO

Mr. Richard Schmetz of High Springs visited OCSO yesterday and presented Sheriff Stephen with this handmade Cypress Clock that is proudly now on display in the hallway of the administration office. The clocks are being presented by Mr. Schmetz to every Sheriff within the State of Florida as a thank you for all that the LEO community stands for. Mr. Schmetz received his inspiration after the senseless murder of two Gilchrist County Deputies while they were sitting down eating lunch within that county last year. He plans on finishing his visits to the rest of the 67 counties he has not been to yet soon! Thank you, sir!!

Drug House has been “CLOSED DOWN FOR BUSINESS” At approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning, the OCSO Narcotics Task Force, along with the OCSO SRT Team and agents from FDLE and DEA, served a narcotics search warrant at 1124 NE 16 Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida. The search yielded marijuana, crack cocaine, an unknown substance (packaged for re-sale), loaded magazines, drug paraphernalia and $3,300.00 in US currency. Six subjects were arrested and face multiple charges. Additional information will be available at a later time. Sheriff Noel E. Stephen stated, “We have been executing search warrants on this house for over thirty years. We will continue to do so as long as the residents continue to sel