Welcome to Natasha Beal

 

It is an honor to welcome Natasha Beal to INI as Marketing & Brand Strategy Manager in our Arizona region. 

Natasha’s Immediate Family consist of her husband and business partner of 15 years, Brian. We have two sons: Anthony, who’s living in Los Angeles pursuing a film career, and Gavin, who just enrolled in the Army.

I’m originally from Ohio, but Arizona is where I’ve grown up and built my life.

I’ve spent the last 18 years selling print and digital advertising. In 2017, I launched my own family of publications—seven hyperlocal newspapers, Epic Kids, the Good Deeds Guide, and Shop Local.

After selling my publications, I am now joining the INI team as the Marketing & Brand Strategy Manager, where I’ll be helping local organizations grow through strategic marketing, stronger brand presence, and integrated advertising solutions.

Natasha’s Hobbies / Interests are Rock climbing, fostering cats, going to concerts, and thrifting for funky treasures.

 

New Vacation Policy Begins January 1, 2026

 VACATION:  Independent provides paid vacation time to its employees for the purpose of taking time off and are encouraged to do so during the year.  Vacation is reset the beginning of each calendar year based upon the years of service. 

Below is the annual vacation schedule.  Part-timers would be eligible for half of the hours shown and temporary employees will receive 20 hours.

*will receive 20 hours after three months of service during the year in which the employee is hired.

Each individual should schedule the planned use of vacation with his or her team leader and must advise his or her team leader as soon as possible when taking vacation for any reason. Certainly, planned absences of more than a few days must be scheduled well in advance so that arrangements can be made to get the individual's work done in his or her absence.

 

Due to the nature of our business and because most divisions have only limited staff, a team leader may refuse to approve an individual's request to take vacation at any specific time or to use more than 80 consecutive vacation hours. In all cases, requests to use more than 80 consecutive vacation hours must be approved in advance by Independent’s senior management.

 

There is no carryover of unused vacation into the following year. Unused vacation will be forfeited.

 

Welcome to Corri Morgan Harden

 

 

Corri joined the Okeechobee News on December 1, 2025, as a Multimedia Advertising Consultant.

Corri is married to Cody and they have three wonderful children Cohen, Cohle and Chloe.

 Corri is a native of Florida.  I am from Belle Glade Florida where I lived until I graduated high school. I have lived in Okeechobee Florida since 2009.

I have been fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom for the last 6 years!

I enjoy crafting, naps, good food, laying by the pool, shopping, football, spending time with my little family and my sweet kitties.

Inspirational Quote

 

Benefits Corner

 Did you know beginning January 1, 2026, the PHO time off policy ends and a new Vacation time off policy begins?  Hours awarded are based upon years of service and reset each year on January 1.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Independent will provide regular full, part-time, and temporary employees with paid sick days.  Regular full and part-time employees are given 40 hours of sick leave each January.  Sixteen additional hours are given for personal leave to regular full-time employees.  There is a 90-day waiting period before newly hired employees will receive sick and personal time.

Paid Holidays for 2026 will decrease to 8: New Year’s Day - Memorial Day- Juneteenth National Independence Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Thanksgiving Day – Christmas Eve - Christmas Day

The IRS has announced that the 2026 401(k) limit for employee deferrals is $24,500.  This is an increase of $1000 from the 2025 limit of $23,500.  The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 or older are eligible to contribute an additional amount of $8,000.  This raises the employee deferral limit for these individuals to $32,500.

December Anniversaries

 

Workplace Safety Awareness

Everyone  is at risk for workplace injuries.  Stay current with training and safety procedures.

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