WOKC Local News – August 24, 2026, 7:42 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Okotanti sale going through with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. Purchased by Bass Pro of Okotanti Recreation Area. Expected to close in two months with a deadline of March 1 of next year. County Commissioner Brad Goodbred applauded the deal saying there’s a lot of thank yous to go around. That helped out with this. This was a big pull. I mean, this was a hard pull to the finish line. Everybody worked very hard and kept their focus on the future and I want to make sure that they’re thanked as well. The access to public boat ramps will continue. The county will vacate some buildings there and the former restaurant building will be demolished. They’re expecting future investment along 78, redevelopment and increased economic and tourism opportunities from the Big Cedar Lodge Resort. Okotube Commissioners honored three youth softball teams from the Okotube Citizens Recreation Association. They were able to win state championships and traveled to World Series this summer. The Sweeties six and under, Darlings eight and under and Angels 10 and under rosters and coaches were honored at Thursday’s meeting. Some traveled as far away as North Carolina to compete. North Elementary parents raising concerns about their D grade. Sarah Bloomerth, the Secretary-Treasurer of OCEA spoke to the school board reading a letter. She says some of the concerns North teachers have and parents are communication with the district office. Staff has so far not received any communication regarding the grade or what the next steps may look like. I do recognize that of course, until this MOU is put into place, that is difficult, but they are frustrated that they haven’t heard anything in regards to how their school year beginning in just a few weeks may change. Superintendent Dylan Tedder says the State Department of Education will have a lot to say in what goes on at North this year. He expects more training of staff will help. So if there’s a set of standards out there that we’re not meeting, then we need that intensive instruction and the professional development to be able to do it even better than what we’re doing right now. Martin County worried about budget cuts if property tax reform is adopted. Fire Chief Chad Cianculli is looking at 13 firemen retiring and losing 116 firemen over the next two years and about 16 and a half million in funding. County Commissioner Stacey Harrington had concern about the cuts. One of them was the proposal to cut Lifestar helicopters. First of all, you’re watching all the fatalities that you mentioned on 710 and 714 and 95. It seems like we have one or two major accidents a week now that Lifestar utilizes. It’s only a hundred thousand. I mean, that seems like a low number. Fire Rescue says reduced service and capability would increase homeowners insurance rates, offsetting the gains from property tax reductions. An Oogishoe man, James Craig, is another victim of the Palmetto Berry harvesting crime. He allegedly was harvesting on the Allapattah Flats wildlife picnic area on Martin Grade without a state permit or landowner permission. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).