Vol. 105 No. 31 Wednesday, March 12, 2014 50¢ Plus tax Man arrested in home robbery case ... Page 9 Hit & run driver kills pedestrian By Eric Kopp Okeechobee News OHS softball The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is searching for the driv- er of a Ford vehicle that allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian team beats on U.S. 441 N. and then fl ed the scene. Jensen Beach According to an FHP press release Frisdie Mariela Her- nandez Alecio, 20, Homestead, was killed Saturday morning, ... Page 12 March 8, near the Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) on U.S. 441 N. The driver of the vehicle was apparently heading south on Lake Levels the two-lane highway when Ms. Alecio was struck and killed sometime around 7 a.m. The STA is located across the high- Okeechobee News/Katrina Elsken way from the Okeechobee Youth Development Center. 13.85 feet Ms. Alecio, continued the release, was leaving the STA and Last Year: 14.10 feet walking near U.S. 441 N. when she was struck by the right side Speckled Perch Festival Parade of the vehicle. While the Ford vehicle continued its southerly 6SRQVRUHG%\ The 2014 Speckled Perch Festival Parade was held Saturday in direction of travel, Ms. Alecio was found on the west shoulder downtown Okeechobee. Among those in the parade were Little Miss of the highway. Seminole Madasyn Osceola (left) and Little Mr. Seminole Roberto Osceola Bernard (right). For more photos, see page 18. See HIT — Page 5 3RJH\·V)DPLO\5HVWDXUDQW 63DUURWW$YH Source: South Florida Water Management District. Depth given Bull rider sent to ICU in feet above sea level and the bull seemed to fl y out of the chute Okeechobee rodeo and buck mid air. Cameras clicked away as Ramagos leaned back, right hand in the air, contestant shatters maintaining his seat. But something went horribly wrong. every bone in his face The bull twisted and jerked, smashing the See page 4 for information about cowboy’s face against the animal’s skull and how to contact this newspaper. By Katrina Elsken breaking every bone in Ramagos’ face. Okeechobee News As the rider went down, the bull continued Florida’s Cowtown Rodeo opened with a to jump and paw the ground, and rodeo bull- tragedy Saturday, as bull rider Jefferey Rama- fi ghters hurried to distract the bull and lure gos shattered every bone in his face in a ride him away from the fallen rider. As soon as the that left the crowded arena in a shocked si- bull was safely out of the arena, EMTs rushed in with a stretcher. Okeechobee News/Katrina Elsken lence. Jefferey Ramagos was seriously injured at Ramagos was the fi rst rider in the event, the Florida Cowtown Rodeo in Okeecho- See BULL — Page 5 bee on Saturday. 2 Serving the communitiesOkeechobee south News of Lake Okeechobee MarchMay 27,12, 20102014 Local churches host special programs and sale Sacred Heart Catholic Doris Entry at 863-467-1548. Sparks and T & T classes for Bible memory Gathering in Grace and Prayer meets Church, at 901 S.W. Sixth St. Love Jesus? Every Monday and game time fun! Call the church offi ce every Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. in the park at will host a community yard morning, 8 a.m. at Hampton for more details at 863-763-1699. the pavilion. All are welcome. sale on March 28 and 29 from Inn, there is a Bible study held Jesus Holy Ghost Crusade Ministry Northside Baptist Church invites all 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. All proceeds will and you are invited. It is free if Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store, 1401 to join the church for old-fashioned preach- benefi t the Catholic Women’s you don’t eat, or you can have N.E. Park St., is in need of donations of any ing based on the Bible, God-focused prayer, Club Family Outreach projects. a great breakfast for only $5. type. All donations are tax deductible. Help hymns we grew up on, Southern-Gospel Fountain of Life Church, Brandon Tucker and Pastor Jim is needed in putting a roof on the church favorites, with piano and bass duets on Sun- at 1302 S.W. 32nd St. on Sun- Benton are the speakers. More and painting the building. The thrift store is days at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m., with Sunday day, March 16, at 9 a.m. and questions? Call 863-532-2482. open Monday-Friday from noon to 4 p.m. School at 9:45 a.m. and Prayer Meeting on 11 a.m. will present Pontus J. There are many oppor- and the building fund yard sale will be the Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Northside Baptist is Back, a man and his guitar. If tunities at Peace Lutheran fi rst and second Saturday of every month located about 6 miles north on 441 at 51 NW 98th St. you have any questions, please Church, including the newly from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The soup kitchen is call 863-763-8945 or 863-801- under construction. For more information, Peace Lutheran Church, 750 N.W. founded Peace Outreach, 23rd Lane, has two worship services each 1297. whose goals include getting ev- call 863-634-9194. On Sunday, March 16, Okeechobee Sunday, one at 8 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. eryone to discover their gifts and use them Okeechobee Missionary Baptist Everyone is welcome to come hear God’s Missionary Baptist Church will host the for the Glory of God. Another new opportu- Church, at 4212 Hwy. 441 N., and Pastor message of love and forgiveness for all peo- 67th annual homecoming celebration with nity is the Peace Garden Club, focusing on Clinton Currington, would like to invite all ple through Jesus Christ. Web site is www. special guest speaker, Brother Kerry Beaty. church grounds beautifi cation and growing to participate in church services. The King peace-okee.org. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. and wor- vegetables in raised garden beds. All are James Bible is used. Sunday School is at Note: An Okeechobee Church Direc- ship service at 10:45 a.m. a dinner on the welcome to attend the Peace Garden Club 9:45 a.m., with worship at 10:45 a.m. Sun- tory is now available at Florida.Newszap. grounds will be served after worship ser- meetings on the last Monday of each month day Night BTC is at 5:30 p.m. followed by com with addresses and service times for vice. at 7 p.m. worship service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday is local churches, or go to www.newszap. Church of God of Prophecy has an Okeechobee Mission Baptist Church Bible Study at 7 p.m. com/okeechobeechurches. Send additions Open Arms Ministry, at 102 N.W. 10th St. will host a discover youth program every Oakview Baptist Church, at 677 S.W. or corrections for the online directory to The Hurting Women’s Ministry meets on the Wednesday, from 7 to 8 p.m. For more 32 Street, would like to invite everyone to [email protected], or fi ll out the second and fourth Friday of each month at information call 8637-763-3681. the Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. form provided on the website. 7 p.m. This is a ministry for women of all Every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at and to our Wednesday Worship Service at ages who are going through or have been the Church of Our Saviour, 200 N.W. Third 6 p.m. We also have Sunday School (for all through crisis in their lives. For information, St., will host “The Daniel Plan.” The weekly ages) at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings and Okeechobee Forecast please call 863-254-8304. meetings started Feb. 22 and will continue we have classes at 6 p.m. on Sunday eve- The First United Methodist Church for 40 days. They will meet every Saturday in nings. Come and worship with us! For more Library would like to invite everyone to visit one of the classrooms at the church. There information, call 863-763-1699. Our website their Lending Library, Room 20, at 200 N.E. is no charge. Bring a small notepad and a is oakviewbaptist.com. Second St., in Okeechobee. All are welcome bottle of water. The group will be led by Victory Baptist Church, 500 S.W. 9th to complete an application, no charge, to Francie Malone with extra magic headed by St, would like to invite the public to attend take advantage of wholesome reading, Pam Chesley. The Daniel Plan is based on any or all of their services each Sunday. Sun- Today: Partly cloudy skies. viewing and educational material for adults, Faith, Food and Friends and promises to be a day School is at 10 a.m. for all ages. Morning High around 85F. Winds SW at children and youth. They have fi ction and fun way to get rid of pounds while enjoying worship service is at 10:45 a.m. and includes 15 to 25 mph. nonfi ction in literature, philosophy, religion friends. If you have any questions call Fran- old fashion singing and praising God. The Tonight: A few clouds from and Christian romance, social sciences, ge- cie at 863-357-1713. youth “band,” consists of the piano, violin, time to time. Low near 60F. ography and history. They also have materi- The AWANA Club at Oakview Baptist mandolin and guitar, as well as, various Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.