Cyanobacteria Bloom Lessens in Lake How to Contact This Newspaper
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“Around“Aroundt thehe Lake”Lake” EditionEdition Formerly Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, & The Sun Vol. 109 No. 130 Wednesday, October 31, 2018 50¢ plus tax Lake area rivals 30 to play Friday Glades has own 9 Skunk Ape tales Lake Levels 13.72 feet Last Year: 17.05 feet 6SRQVRUHG%\ 3RJH\·V)DPLO\5HVWDXUDQW Lake Okeechobee News/Katrina Elsken 63DUURWW$YH Happy Halloween! Law enforcement officials advise children to look for houses that are decorated for Halloween (like this one in Okeechobee) or Source: South Florida Water houses with the porch lights on when trick-or-treating. For more on area Halloween night events, see Page 14. Management District. Depth given in feet above sea level See Page 4 for information about Cyanobacteria bloom lessens in lake how to contact this newspaper. By Katrina Elsken imagery taken by the National Oceanographic lake year-round; a few types are capable of Lake Okeechobee News and Atmospheric Administration on Oct. 25. producing toxins. The NOAA imagery does The cyanobacteria bloom on Lake The image shows cyanobacteria (also not indicate which types of cyanobacteria are known as “blue-green algae”) in about 63 Okeechobee continues to be present in about present. The NOAA imagery does not indicate 345 square miles of the Big O, but the density percent of Lake Okeechobee. About a dozen has decreased, according to the computer types of cyanobacteria are present in the See LAKE — Page 2 Law Offices of Lefebvre Gerald Lefebvre 763.3333 Okeechobee, Florida 2 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun October 31, 2018 density of the cyanobacteria. Areas in red a microscope and run tests to determine if for recreational contact. LAKE are the highest density and the most likely toxins are present. • A sample taken by FDEP near the area to see visible surface scum. However, Cyanobacteria, although called “blue- center of the lake on Oct. 16 found mixed Continued From Page 1 the satellite can detect cyanobacteria in the green algae,” is not technically algae. algae. Total microcystin was 0.29 micro- water column, so the cyanobacteria can be Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic grams per liter. present when it is not visible to boaters on bacteria; they carry out photosynthesis and if any toxins are present. the surface. release oxygen. Cyanobacteria do not have • A sample taken Oct. 8 on the lake near The colors in the image show the In addition to cyanobacteria, the lake’s a nucleus. Algae are simple plants; algae Moore Haven found mixed algae. No toxins ecosystem is also home have a nucleus. were present. to many types of algae. When an algae bloom is reported, FDEP • A sample taken Oct. 16 on the lake The casual observer takes water samples to test for toxins. In near Port Mayaca found mixed algae with cannot tell what type the past 30 days, there have been only four microcystin levels at 0.31. of cyanobacteria and/ reports of algae on Lake Okeechobee, and • A sample taken Oct. 17 on the lake or algae are present water sampled from Lake Okeechobee near Clewiston found mixed algae. No by looking at what has indicated no toxins or very low levels appears to be an algal of toxins. The World Health Organization toxins were present. bloom. Florida Depart- (WHO) considers anything under 10 micro- To report a bloom, call the toll-free ment of Environmental grams per liter of the toxin microcystin safe hotline at 855-305-3903. Protection (FDEP) takes water samples to examine the cyanobac- teria and/or algae under Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/NOAA The areas in red are the most likely to have concen- trations of cyanobacteria visible to the human eye. This satellite image was taken on Oct. 25. Okeechobee Forecast a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Friday Night: A chance of showers and Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low 82. Light and variable wind. around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low Chance of precipitation is 50%. around 63. Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near Extended Forecast 78. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: A 20 percent Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of chance of showers after 9am. showers, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. with a low around 65. North northeast wind East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance Sunday: A 40 percent chance of show- of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with ers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. TheThe tastetaste ofof togethernesstogetherness Celebrate pumpkin season with Decadent Pumpkin Bars, our Pumpkin Roll Cake, and pumpkin pie. October 31, 2018 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun 3 Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/Joshua Brack Another beautiful day This image of the sky near Lake Okeechobee was captured on a morning com- mute. Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/Missy Fipps Start them young Young Emily Rhodes is feeding a baby calf. Emily is now a senior at Okeechobee High School, due to graduate in 2019. Contest celebrates Big Lake area Those who live around Lake Okeechobee know this is a very special place. We invite readers to share photos from the lake area for a monthly photo contest. Each week, the newspaper will include some of the submitted photos. Once a month, a winner will be chosen for a prize. Prizes will vary from month to month. The prize for the best Life Around the Lake photo submitted in October will be a one-year subscription to the electronic edition of the Lake Okeechobee News. Submit your Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/Janet Snow photos along with an explanation or short story to go with the photo to okee- A beautiful Saturday afternoon at Nubbin Slough, on Oct. 13. [email protected]. Great American Gun Show Big Weekend Event, Buy-Sell-Trade Okeechobee KOA Convention Center $1.00 OFF Vendors Call 4276 Hwy 441 South, Admission 865-453-0074 Saturday Okeechobee, FL Sunday 12 and under 10-4 FREE with adult 9-5 November 3-4, 2018 admission CCW Classes at 10am and 2pm. Only $49. For more information please call 561-214-5115 4 Lake Okeechobee News – merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun October 31, 2018 Letters to the Editor Signs destroyed Democracy is a precious and fragile thing. It is shameful to our concept of democratic decision- making, free speech and peaceful debate that vandals in Hendry County recently destroyed a pair of large Andrew Gillum signs on private property (and behind a barbed-wire fence) adjacent to State Road 80 in Port LaBelle. The photo at far right was taken during installation; at right is shown all that remains today. John Capece Port LaBelle Blood saves lives 6 years old when she was run over by a school bus. Her injuries were extensive — Speak Out crushed pelvis, torn liver and kidneys. Ruth required many blood transfusions over the Speak Out is a reader response watch Netflix until after the election. I don’t several months that she was in the hospital column. Post your comments want to listen to the constant bashing of one recovering from her injuries. Ruth also had for Speak Out on the newspaper candidate by another. Why can’t they focus to learn how to walk again. on what they will do for the voters instead When Ruth received blood transfu- websites or email comments to of making all of these crazy claims against sions, the blood supply was not as safe as [email protected], or each other? And social media is worse. I it is today. Now, in addition to the written mail or drop off comments to the won’t go online until after Nov. 6 because I questions that every donor must answer, all can’t stand all of the hateful comments.” — blood drawn must go through 14 different newspaper office, 107 S.W. 17th Anonymous tests before being released to hospitals. St., Suite D, Okeechobee, FL • “I don’t think anyone decides who to Ruth developed a medical condition 34974. Comments can include vote for based on signs along the road- that prohibits her from donating blood. way. However, I think it is wrong for these However, Ruth is a nurse and understands your name or be anonymous. vandals to destroy other people’s signs. It is firsthand how vital it is to have a safe and illegal. It is destruction of private property. readily available blood supply. Travel You get a chance to make your opinion Please honor and thank Ruth for • “A shout-out for Okeechobee Veteri- known when you vote. There is no reason telling her story by donating your blood nary Hospital and Ms. Taylor on State Road to destroy someone else’s property just — your gift of life — at the 13th Annual 70. They can help you get the papers you because you don’t agree with them on the In order to promote awareness of the Okeechobee Blood Roundup on Nov. 17 best candidate for the job. Every election we upcoming 13th Annual Okeechobee Blood will need to travel with your four-legged and 18 at the Freshman Campus.