WOKC Local News – May 12, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Is the pier really clean? With WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. A vendor approached Okeechobee County with a deal. He’ll clean the Lock 7 Pier each month. He claims it’s not sanitary and is a public health threat. Sherman Tyson says the pier needs to be clean as it’s a popular spot for tourist kids and seniors. We’ve witnessed toddlers touching these contaminated railings and then touching their faces, put their hands in their mouths. We have elderly residents with respiratory sensitivities who can no longer enjoy the breeze because of the ammonia smell that is too overpowering. The county says they’re taking good care of their facilities with the staff they have. In the courts, a Nacala area man who drove here thinking he was going to meet a 14-year-old girl and have sex is instead headed to prison. Andrew Finlayson entered an open plea in court last week and was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by eight years of sex offender probation. He originally had been charged with using a computer to solicit or lure a minor and traveling to meet a minor for sexual relations while also using a cell phone to facilitate a felony. A fentanyl dealer gets 10 years in prison. Carlos Guillermo Gonzalez allegedly was bringing in fentanyl from Highlands County into Bassinger in June to October 2024. On August 9th, he delivered 300 pills. September 10th, 100 pills. And October 18th, 100 pills. He had a co-defendant, Rusty Trammell, who is due in court in June. Gonzalez had no prior record. He’ll also pay a $50,000 fine. Governor Ron DeSantis trying to restrict data centers. It gives local governments more control. They bill signed it last week. His administration recently pulled a plug on some funding as they study a data center at the Okeechoee Boy’s School campus. DeSantis argues that artificial intelligence will be changing Florida. They’re like bragging, like, oh, 50% of all jobs are gonna go away. And they think that’s like a good thing. And they’re like talking about how, oh my gosh, oh, AI, you know, we’re just gonna put everyone on universal basic income. You know, can you imagine that? Everybody on universal, we would not have a free country anymore. He noted Elon Musk wants to place these data centers in space so they don’t impact our water, the environment, and people’s lives. Costco coming to Port St. Lucie, not only a retail store, but a large warehouse. 100 jobs will be created. Port St. Lucie City Council Member Stephanie Morgan says she’d like to see the project move along. I get the excitement. I understand. I’m hoping that the time from now until closing happens a lot sooner. Martin County deputies responding to the report of a naked woman being beaten and drunk. The woman says she fell out of a vehicle. Deputies believe a man assaulted her. Eugene Walker is facing charges of battery and resisting arrest. The victim had a possible broken jaw. A 30-foot travel trailer caught fire in Oogachobee near the intersection of Southwest Martin Highway and Warfield Boulevard yesterday, 7-10. Both Oogachobee and Martin County crews arrived and put out the blaze, and no one was injured, although traffic was delayed. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).