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 WOKC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS ON THE AIR!
City of Okeechobee Mayor Presents Proclamation!
Businesses Salute WOKC’s Milestone on Signs! In 1962, three radio pioneers did the unthinkable. Frank Denmead, Charles Castle and William A. “Al” Stokes took a chance and launched a radio station in Okeechobee in a community of just 6,000 residents. On February 6, 1962, WOKC RADIO signed on the air at 2:00pm on a Tuesday. Owned by Sugarland Broadcasting Company under the direction of Mr. Denmead, the station was reportedly sold on the day it went on the air to Mr. Castle and Mr. Stokes, who did most of the work to get the station on the air in the first place. The new owner was Okeechobee Broadcasters, Inc.

In 1964, Okeechobee Broadcasters, Inc. added the first FM station in Okeechobee, WLMC FM 103.1.

Southland Hotel

The station's studios were in the northwest corner of the third floor of the old Southland Hotel, which stood where the CVS Pharmacy is now, and were directly above the Okeechobee Post Office, which was housed in the ground floor of the Hotel. The primary format was intended as country, but some Top 40 music was included in the mix. The station was an ABC network affiliate. Its 165-ft. tower was in a field where Holiday Inn Express is now located. In addition to local and state news, the original list of station programs in 1962 included “Album Time, In Stereo,” (There was no AM stereo at the time) “Driving Tips” (twice a day) “Old Timer’s Show,” (gospel) “The Livestock Report,” and a show that is still on the air 50 years later, “The Country Store,” a buy, sell and trade program.

In 2001 WOKC AM was purchased by Glades Media, LLC, the current owner. In 2007, Glades Media added WOKC FM 100.9 and today, WOKC AM/FM remains a truly local radio station that serves an area from Fort Drum, near Yee Haw Junction, to Moore Haven on the Southwest side of Lake Okeechobee. In addition, Glades Media also manages WAFC 106.1FM, Radio Fiesta, Okeechobee’s first-ever Hispanic station owned by BMZ Broadcasting, a great addition to a community where the Hispanic population is 24%.

Today, the Okeechobee county population has grown to over 40,000 full-time residents and there are approximately 14,000 seasonal residents and an average of 1,000 visitors who come to the “big lake” each week-end to fish, relax  and enjoy the many special events.

In the 50 years the station has been on the air,  WOKC has always been a “local” station serving the people of Okeechobee and Glades Counties as well as western Martin County and Eastern Highlands County with daily local news, weather, sports, business and agricultural news all programmed to meet the needs of local residents and businesses.

On Monday, February 6th, WOKC Program Director and morning man, Billy Dean, dedicated the entire show to a historical look-back at the first days of WOKC. Ron Hayes who was just 13 years-old when the station signed on the air, became fascinated with the local station and by the age of 15 he was on the air at WOKC. Ron, who spends his time now working with the Okeechobee Community Theatre, was Billy’s guest and he shared audio from various station programs going back to the early 1960s and 1970s. He has been labeled the WOKC historian and keeper of the archives with his fascinating collection of audio, pictures and artifacts from the first days of WOKC.

Ron Hays and Billy Dean

In the 1970s, Ron Hayes was WOKC’s program director/announcer. His recollection of WOKC’s early days captivated the listening audience and listeners responded with their thanks and shared their memories of life 50 years ago in Okeechobee.

Former WOKC announcers from across the country recorded greetings recognizing WOKC’s 50th Anniversary, including Mylan Ray, now on the air in radio in Minnesota and soon to be inducted into the Iowa Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, John Sims, News Director with KTBB in Tyler, Texas and Jim Williams, now living in Seattle, Washington and retired from broadcasting, just to name a few.

Throughout the month of February, WOKC will continue the celebration by airing specials announcements that capture the 1960s, in Okeechobee, the State of Florida and the Nation.

 

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Tuesday, February 7th was declared “WOKCDay” in Okeechobee and aSouthern Style Congats Signproclamation was read by Mayor James E. Kirk and presented to the WOKC staff at the Okeechobee City Council meeting. Businesses in thecommunity are recognizing the station with congratulatory messages on signs.

The Glades Media Group consists of radio stations located in South Florida with stations in the West Palm Beach, Fort Myers/Naples, Okeechobee/Ft. Pierce and Clewiston markets and the Florida Keys.

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WOKC LOCAL NEWS AND SPORTS
Charles Murphy, News Director

Okeechobee lawmen saluted 13 comrades in law enforcement who died in Florida during 2011 with a memorial service Monday. Sheriff Paul May said he thinks it’s important to protect lawmen further because most of the alleged killers were career criminals. Chaplain Joe Bishop remembered Okeechobee City police Sgt. Tom Tarner who passed away last week…

A 52-year-old woman allegedly scammed an elderly couple out of nearly $24,000 by claiming she was a heir to the Gambino crime family money, and luring them into false investments.
Gina Hardison was arrested over the weekend on charges of grand theft and a scheme to defraud.

Multiple police agencies took to the street last week to focus on illegal drugs in Indian River, St. Lucie and Okeechobee County. Law enforcement made 24 arrests and confiscated over 200  grams of cocaine. Two drug arrests were reported inside Okeechobee County. Okeechobee County deputies, the Highway Patrol and Glades County deputies were among the agencies that participated.

An Orlando man lost control of his motorcycle on Martin Grade near 710 and is now in critical condition. 45 -year-old Wesley Almoza was headed westbound when he lost control of the bike on a curve.  He was flown to Lawnwood in Ft. Pierce.

On the police blotter, 34-year-old Lisa Mullens charged in Glades County with trafficking in controlled substances and possession with the intent to sell synthetic narcotics.  Bond was $50,000.

27-year-old Joseph Harris was charged with attempted armed robbery and soliciting another to tamper with a witness for an alleged home invasion robbery attempted on April 26 on North West 36th Street in Whispering Pines.

The vehicle of NFL star Anquan Boldin was burglarized at Big Mound Park in Indiantown as the Ravens receiver attended a church barbecue.

21-year-old Justin Chalfant was charged with felony marijuana possession and contributing to the delinquency of a child in Brighton.

28 -year-old Clayton Wilson of Fort Myers was charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant person in Glades County in an alleged domestic quarrel.

The county commission approved 6 more mud fests for land on route 70 east. Commissioners say the organizers have done a better job of solving problems in traffic control and safety and continue to be a shot in the arm of the local economy. Karla Roby says the events in August and February continue to draw excellent crowds. Roby says they have worked hard to minimize problems and resolve issues for neighbors.

In local Sports:

Lonnie Pryor’s dream was to play at Florida State and start as their featured back. After three years of starting at fullback, the Okeechobee product, hasn’t given up that dream. He says he expects to compete with several other backs for carries this year. Pryor says he looks forward to his senior year and his first trip to Virginia Tech.   He also is proud that FSU has defeated Miami and Florida in the past two years. Pryor says he still holds out hope he can be drafted next year by the NFL.  Only three fullbacks were drafted in this years’ draft.

Hear local news with Charles Murphy at 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, Noon, 4:00pm and 5:00pm and local sports at 8:10am.

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