WOKC Local News – November 17, 2025, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Arrest and shooting with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. An over two month investigation into stolen heavy equipment resulted in an arrest of a Viking man, James Hamilton. He allegedly shot three people that he stole equipment from. Two $30,000 Caterpillar front end loaders were stolen and found in his yard at a camp in Viking. The three victims, Thomas Markin of Sebring was shot in the hand, stomach and back. Hector Garcia was shot in the face and back. Benigno Ramirez Peralta was shot in the hand and left elbow. They are all treated at area hospitals. Hamilton says a group of Mexicans began banging on his trailer and blew out a window so he armed himself with a 12 gauge shotgun with birdshot and defended himself. Hamilton is facing three counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief. His bomb was $165,000. An Okeechobee jury returns a guilty verdict against former County Commissioner Brian Culpepper for misdemeanor battery. Culpepper caught on video at a Board of County Commissioners meeting shoving a First Amendment advocate. That was during the uproar about free speech in the commission meetings. Culpepper says the man disrespected the American flag and as a veteran he had to stand up for the country. Culpepper was sentenced to 90 days probation and $1,200 in court costs and fines. However, the probation ended the minute he paid those fines. Culpepper says he was standing his ground in Florida, which is legal. The judge denied that defense. Hundreds of other being described as dangerous criminals off the street in Florida after a joint FDLE ice sweep. Operation Dirtbag results in 230 illegal immigrants being detained all had violent criminal histories. Some were sex offenders. Okeechobee working with the Florida Turnpike to get access on the Turnpike for emergency vehicles considered safe. They had a plan and were going to start construction early next year. But Chairman David Haisley would like a unramp like Keenansville has to make it completely safe. We deserve the same thing El Salvador County has at Keenansville. They have nice ones on both sides. No U-turns. We deserve that. Indian Town went forward with the purchase of a lot next to Village Hall to expand city offices. The price is $375,000. The Treasure Coast League of Cities concerned about possible property tax reform or elimination. Indian Town Vice Mayor Phyllis Waters Brown says there is a concern that the state will make huge changes next year. Congressman Scott Franklin says he continues to support the Second Amendment and the court and policy decision to allow open carry of handguns in Florida. Franklin, though, admits he has a concealed carry permit and would rather carry his firearm that way. A four-vehicle crash on US-98 west of Lareda results in a death yesterday. An 81-year-old from California passenger in one of those vehicles was killed. The driver of that sedan had serious injury. It happened near Spring Lake. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).