WOKC Local News – February 20, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Fire trucks keep a-rollin’ with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. A busy year for Okeshima County Public Safety last year with nearly 7,500 calls, 7,100 emergencies and over 1,000 trauma incidents. Assistant Fire Chief Justin Haisley says the calls are continuing to increase. Last fiscal year, the department handled 7,480 total responses, averaging just over 20 calls per day. And 7,100 of those were emergency responses, with continued growth in EMS activity and high-acuity incidents such as trauma, cardiac and stroke alerts. They had one airplane crash and over 460 car accidents last year. The county received a near $21,000 grant for a self-contained breathing apparatus air-packed extractor. It cleans the tank and gives our firemen clean air and can help prevent cancer rates. The Florida House is looking at a bill that would look to allow cattle pastures in state parks. Lands in state parks are owned by the state that are deemed suitable for cattle grazing must be included in the land management plan under terms of the bill. Democratic Representative Kelly Skidmore wants to make sure the park is suitable for cattle. Suitable is in the eye of the beholder. And you know, someone might not be a suitable boyfriend for your daughter. That might be your opinion, but not your daughter’s. Opponents think 65 pounds of manure per day entering the water supply is not good. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Park in Oogachobee already allows cattle grazing. Indian Town Village Council allows an annexation of nearly 5,800 acres south of the village boundary for Florida Power and Light. They have not been specific on what they may use the land for. They’re looking at various light industrial uses and power generation. Bonnie Sheldon said there’s a number of questions about this annexation. Noise, lighting and traffic emissions, stormwater and watershed impacts, wildlife displacement, which residents are already experiencing. Congressman Scott Franklin weighs in on that latest partial government shutdown over ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. He says the good thing is 96 percent of the government is funded and still running. They’re good spending bills. They’re not perfect. You know, that’s I would remind people. It’s a frustrating thing. I know. But anything we do on spending has to get 60 votes in the Senate. And considering there’s only 53 Republicans, everything requires some Democratic coordination in order to make it happen. Twenty-six bicyclists pedaled from Sarasota to Oogachobee to Key West this month to help raise money to build housing. The Tour de Force Florida 2026 is organized by the Fuller Center. They’ve helped needy families across the country for 50 years. Earlier this year, Brad Brink talked about the highlights in the Oogachobee portion. The bike ride was on the lake path around Oogachobee and just really enjoyed the scenery and the calm opportunity to enjoy the central Florida, the orange groves and the wildlife. And it was just a just a fantastic ride. I can’t wait to come back and do it again next year. A $75,000 bond set against an alleged drug dealer, Jason Milner, as he sold methamphetamine near an Oogachobee church in Treasure Island earlier this month. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).