WOKC Local News – September 30, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Details on fatality with WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. It appears the pedestrian versus vehicle crash was a hit and run. It happened at 816 p.m. last night in the 4200 block of 441 Southeast, just south of Treasure Island. The victim was a 40 year old man from Okeechobee. It’s alleged that an unknown Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra pickup truck somewhere model 2014 to 2026 was involved. The pedestrian was in the roadway in front of his home when he was struck in the southbound lane. The person died at the hospital. The road was closed for several hours. Jobless rates fell this summer in Okeechobee. In July, the rate was five and a half percent. In August, it fell to five point three percent. Our labor force at the same time grew from sixteen thousand and fifty nine in July to sixteen thousand four hundred and eighty four in August. A year ago, the jobless rate was four point nine percent. Among Florida counties, Okeechobee tied with St. Lucy County for twenty seventh highest around the region. Martin County at four point nine percent. Highland six point eight percent and Indian River five point six percent. Okeechobee County commissioners praised the road and bridge and public works department for working overtime for the past week or so to remove water in southwest Okeechobee. Some of the drainage systems have been overwhelmed with our constant afternoon rains in the courts. Michael Allen was sentenced to 30 months in prison for possession of child pornography and transmission of child pornography. It was four felony charges he pled no contest to. He lost a pay over thirteen hundred dollars in court costs and fines. He’ll be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The investigation dated back to last fall. He was arrested in February on four felonies and held on sixty thousand dollar bond. While he had a Ocala address at the time, they were able to trace the IP address where the alleged child pornography was found to an address in Okeechobee on Northwest 42nd Avenue. Governor Ron DeSantis now campaigning in support of Amendment three. He supports the first year tripling of the homestead exemption. He wanted a full elimination of homestead property taxes. He says that some local officials are coming around, mentioning a South Florida sheriff. You’re starting to see some local officials, Sheriff Rosie in Miami, some of the commissioners in Miami pushing back on some of the fear mongering involving Amendment three, our property tax relief for voters and for homeowners. The Florida Sheriff’s Association is against Amendment three. Okeechobee County Schools put out a district statement after a school bus video social media post appeared to show a child climbing out of a window and falling onto the pavement at the high school parking lot and then running away. There have been claims of bullying going on on the bus. The sheriff’s office says they’re continuing to investigate the incident. They say they remain committed to addressing safety concerns, supporting students and communicating directly with the families involved to resolve issues. I’m Charles Murphy, WKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).