WOKC Local News – May 07, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Improving the parks with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. The city of Okeechobee had a budget of $300,000 to improve each park with a new theme. Veterans Park could have a new entryway, functional seating, barriers, new signs, shade coverings, and other facilities. Gary Ritter, the city administrator, says they haven’t forgotten about the other parks. It’s being talked, it’s being planned, and hopefully we’ll move forward with that in the future as money’s available and as contributions come in. The city introduced their new finance director, Taylor Connell, and their new general services director, Tammy Parker. City council also approved a contract with C.W. Roberts from street work that’s been going on for just over $678,000. In the courts, Kristin Clendenin played no contest to possession of methamphetamine and got two years drug offender probation. She originally had been charged with drug trafficking. He had prior criminal convictions for fraud, dealing in stolen property, misdemeanors, and grand theft, and scored 34 months in prison. Her co-defendant, John Mirra, got the same sentence. Narcotics Task Force says they had a search warrant at 16534 Northwest 282nd Street, October 11th of 2022 in the case, and located over 18 grams of methamphetamine in an outbuilding and a bedroom on the property. Highlands County Commissioner’s issue proclamation recognizing Child Gun Safety Education Month. Administrator Lori Herner says it’s the most common cause of death for kids between the ages of 11 and 15. Most of which occur in homes, often the child’s own, demonstrating the need for responsible firearm storage and awareness. A mosquito expert advising how to avoid mosquito outbreaks this year, we’re on the cusp of the rainy season and peak mosquito time. Miami-Dade Chief of Mosquito Control, Dr. John Paul Mutebi, says South Florida water and weather make it perfect for mosquito breeding. Yes, because we are so tropical, so like the environment is kind of hospitable to a wide range of species. And some of them may prefer to bite animals other than humans. A hint to listeners, do not wear a ski mask and go into a store. It happened in a Family Dollar store in Okeechobee, causing some concern in that store. The shopper with the ski mask was trespassed. Okeechobee Browman football has a new head coach, Antoine Blatch comes over from South Fork High School where he was the coach to take over the Browman program. Some people broke in and were staying in a residence uninvited when the law was called. One of them had allegedly possessed fentanyl. Shannon Roseman was held in a $7,000 bond. The incident at the Big Water RV Park on 441 Southeast. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).