Hello Okeechobee County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Storm shelter help, the Great Florida Cattle Drive return, and Summer Block Party + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Emergency help for vulnerable residents: Okeechobee County is urging those with special needs to register for storm shelter space with a nurse and emergency power, at the library, Senior Services Center, or commissioners’ office -- learn how to register here.
A storied tradition returns: Organizers say the Great Florida Cattle Drive will return in 2031, reviving a tradition that once drew hundreds of riders, wagons, and cattle from across Florida’s cattle counties -- see the cattle drive's return.
A town transformed by storms: Moore Haven, the first city on Lake Okeechobee, grew into "Little Chicago" by the 1920s. Hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 devastated the area, reshaping a once-booming Glades community -- see Moore Haven's history.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
New go-to greenspace: Sitting right on Taylor Creek, Centennial Park is the city's newest spot with a kayak ramp, playground, and blessedly real bathrooms, plus a future boardwalk in the works. Perfect for a quick after-work paddle or letting the kids burn energy without leaving town.
Western comfort, right here: Skip the drive to the coast and treat yourself at Hitching Post Restaurant at OK Corral Gun Club, an OpenTable Diners’ Choice pick with cozy lodge vibes, a legit Smashburger, and weekend steaks worth planning around. Add a Smoked Old Fashioned and that pond-view porch suddenly feels like a mini vacation.
Fresh blooms, local love: Pat's Floral Design & Gifts has been crafting hand-designed arrangements in Okeechobee since 2004, with same-day service that keeps surprises timely. From cheerful sunflowers and orchids to living plants and even a bottle of wine, they make your “thinking of you” this week land perfectly.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌙 Summer Family Night•One @ Okeechobee Church of God | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Kick off the first Summer Family Night with volleyball, cornhole, a slip-n-slide, and low-stress fellowship, all ages welcome, youth with an adult. Bring a favorite dessert to share, enjoy loaded nachos and cheese, and stash a towel and dry clothes, because the slip-n-slide always wins.
🎉 Summer Block Party @ Okeechobee Library | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to celebrate summer reading and the holidays without getting shushed, this is it. Expect face painters, snacks, giveaways, food trucks, bounce house, and a cameo from the Okeechobee fire truck, while you mingle, supervise, and claim bite tax.
🎬 Movie Night @ Okeechobee KOA Resort | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – If you've been waiting for a sign to watch a movie somewhere other than your couch, the Convention Center rolled out a brand-new large screen, bigger than your living room wall. Expect a cozy film, snacks, and familiar faces, all supporting a worthy local cause.
🎵 Okeechobee Main Street | Summer Concert Series @ Settler's Square | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats free live music in the square, especially when the lawn chairs migrate at sunset. This is the second show in the Summer Concert Series at Settler's Square, perfect for neighbor-spotting, toe-tapping, and pretending the humidity is just nature's spa treatment.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Okeechobee County report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 30%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 49%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. This house is wildThis Cedar Key custom home blends Key West charm with everyday practicality, featuring a signature cupola, a wide front porch, and an expansive covered lanai. Inside, a central great room connects to the kitchen and dining area for easy entertaining, while the private owner’s suite offers a walk-in closet and spa-style bath. An oversized garage adds handy work and storage space.
Take a peek inside → |
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