WOKC Local News – March 02, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Making progress. With WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Thursday afternoon provided a positive update on Deputy Austin Rhodes’ condition. He’s making progress in his recovery. The sheriff says he underwent surgery and doctors believe it was successful. He’s showing signs of improvement. He’s awake, alert, recognizes those around him, is aware of his surroundings, and responding appropriately. Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen thanked the community and law enforcement as well, who sent prayers, kind words, and offers of assistance. Rhodes was injured on Monday night while directing traffic at a traffic light on Charles Harvey Highway at 441 South that was malfunctioning. Okeechobee County Commissioners are talking about some restrictions on events at the Scott Driver Boat Ramp Pavilion late at night. Commissioner Terry Burroughs says the nearby trailer park residents have been concerned about the noise being created and he’s gotten some complaints. I’ve had numerous complaints now from the mobile home park to the west. I’m glad you’re going to cut it off. I’m hoping that you’re cutting off the music at 11 and out of there by midnight because I think the people over there are in agreement that if you’re out of there by midnight, that’s okay. In the courts, an Okeechobee jury Thursday found Emilio Aranda Jr. guilty of sexual battery and a child under 12. The case dated back to 2023. Prosecutors say it took the jury less than 30 minutes to come back with the guilty verdict. He’ll be sentenced on March 5th. A child under 12 had told a school guidance counselor that she had been touched inappropriately by the suspect. Pahokee is back to its old tricks. I don’t want to talk to you either. They’re having quite a humdinger this time over hiring a permanent city manager. Tammy Bussey would like to be the permanent manager, but she’s come up against opposition from the mayor and vice mayor. She says the commission doesn’t appreciate her work. Normally I sit up here and tell everybody what I’ve done since the last meeting and it hasn’t done any good. They’ve also been after the attorney and the money lost there. Cynthia Hall says the city has been getting bad legal advice. She got it y’all. What she’s doing, she’s billing her bus. And when they get her, they’re going to come out and get every last one of you. San Cuerta ran that because she thought the police was going to get her tonight because her ain’t been caught in the cookie jar too. You all need to get it together. This is not a joke. This is serious. You know how Pahokee look? Mike Pearson, you know how Pahokee look? Jay Scott, Mike Donald. The city manager’s family has even come to meetings criticizing commissioners who oppose their mother and relative, her son Demarcus Porter, says Pahokee won’t get anywhere this way. Per capita, Pahokee, Florida is probably the most resource rich environment in the United States. Just due to leadership and just the culture and the stuff that the community is being subject to, we’re stagnant. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).