WOKC Local News – June 17, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Three dead, an airboat crash. With WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. A Sunday night tragedy in Cornwell in Highlands County. Seven individuals were on an airboat on the Kissimmee River. As they approached the Istapoka Canal, it made a turn into a deeper section and began taking on water. The airboat then capsized. Seven people went overboard. Four were able to swim safely to shore, and they found the other three, two immediately, and one yesterday evening. FWC says it remains an active investigation. Sebring Fire, Highlands County Sheriff Deputies, and Highlands County Fire Rescue all contributed in that attempted search and rescue. The race for Congress in District 9 is set. Republican dairy farmer Ben Butler from Highlands County is qualified to run for District 9. The district will now contain Glades, Highlands, Ukechube, Indian River, and much of Osceola County. Butler says he’s going to run his campaign on this. I can be trusted. When the lights go out and the cameras turn off, they can trust you that you’ve got their back in Washington. So that is, that’s where those endorsements come in key, and I’m very humbled to have their support. He wants to bring rural values to Washington, common sense, and also help our farmers. The Florida Tax Watch released their budget turkey list. The governor yet to sign the budget, but proposed there are 621 projects totaling nearly $830 million considered turkeys by Florida Tax Watch. They include $2 million to improve the Indian Prairie boat ramp, and $8 million for the village of Indiantown to create a Seminole Tribe Museum at the Seminole Inn. Executive Director of Florida Tax Watch Jeff Kottkamp says it’s unsustainable to fund 621 member projects each year. We should note that both budget turkeys and member projects have proliferated at an accelerated rate in recent years. This is a trend we believe is wholly unsustainable. Glades County Schools, working with the Florida Department of Agriculture, will be distributing food each Tuesday. In Lakeport, they’re there until 9 a.m., 8 to 9 every Tuesday, and they’ll be in Buckhead Ridge later this morning from 1130 to 1230. Dan Thomas with Glades County Schools says you get a lot of food. First of all, this box is designed to provide seven breakfasts and seven lunches per student. So when you come to one of our distribution sites, you’re gonna get one of these boxes per young person. Oogeshoea Police yet to announce charges, but they’re investigating a fight at the Super Walmart. One of the subjects allegedly involved was arrested when he came back for his personal items after being trespassed. A structure fire causing serious damage at 910 Northwest 3rd Avenue. Oogeshoea County Fire Rescue says the losses were over 225,000. They found a triplex with heavy smoke exiting the front entryway as they arrived. It appeared the fire originated in the rear bathroom. The American Red Cross did offer assistance to all the occupants. Several people have been displaced by this fire. The fire may have been electric in nature, and the State Fire Marshal will determine the cause. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).