WOKC Local News – September 29, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
W.O.K.C. News. Okeechobee man dies in crash with W.O.K.C. News. I’m Charles Murphy, a 56 year old Okeechobee man identified as a victim in the motorcycle crash Friday afternoon. It happened at 441 and Southwest 28th Street. It caused traffic backups and traffic detours. The motorcycle was southbound on 441 when a Peterbilt tractor trailer was attempting a right turn on to 28th or Wolf Road. And the motorcycle slammed into the back of the trailer. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The music and arts festival will not be taking place in 2027. They have paused it indefinitely. Organizers say it’s hard to make money right now with the rising costs of talent production and putting on such a festival. There’s no word when it may return, although they do hope to return in the future. A cement truck rolled over on 68 in western St. Lucie County Sunday, spilling all the cargo. The driver transported to Longwood and Fort Pierce with non-life threatening injury. Again, traffic was backed up onto C-24 Canal Road and Sneed Road. Democratic Congressman Darren Soto, hoping to be reelected in his newly drawn congressional district, hopes to help farmers and ranchers are reelected. He says ICE policies have been impacting tourism and agriculture. He says some farm labor agreements are still working. We just have to acknowledge the reality that many farmers and ranchers and citrus growers and dairy farmers have long term relationships with families that go back generations in places like Mexico and Central America and some in South America. He’d like to see more flexibility and some changes. The mealy bug continues to be a problem to ranchers and farmers around Lake Okeechobee. Rancher Ben Butler told the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District he’s worried the mealy bug will beat her pastures. What greening was to citrus growers. However, there has been some help with all the rain we’ve been having. Osceola County to Claire Kendall Brown Day. She’s the Florida Teacher of the Year this year. She teaches at Harmony Middle School and is their ag teacher. She says she’s very honored as she grew up in Osceola County and is serving students there. I was born and raised here, and now I have the opportunity of giving back by teaching the community that made me who I am. I am incredibly grateful for the educators, leaders, students and community members who have supported and believed in me along the way. The 21 million dollar emergency room expansion groundbreaking at Rollerson Hospital last week. They hope to add 6000 square feet, increase the ER from 14 to 25 beds. Construction expected to be completed by the end of next year. The newly expanded ER will create a need for more doctors, nurses and support personnel. Some illegal hunting allegedly. An 18 year old from Wellington on Paradise Run south of the Kissimmee River apparently killed a undersized buck and also was hunting in a closed area on the beginning of muzzleloader gun deer season in our area. I’m Charles Murphy. WKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).