WOKC Local News – February 25, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Drug dealer sentenced with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. An Oogachooee man picked up in Palm Beach County in Operation Slow and Go pled to charges related to drug trafficking. Fifty-two-year-old Robert Townsend was adjudicated guilty of delivering methamphetamine, conspiracy and unlawful use of a two-way communication device in a felony. He was originally charged with conspiracy to traffic over 14 grams of methamphetamine. He gets a short sentence, 45 days in jail, but four years probation. The drug ring allegedly distributed narcotics out of the 45th Street Flea Market in West Palm Beach to much of South Florida, St. Lucie, Indian River and Oogachoobee County, as well as Suffolk County, Virginia. Oogachoobee ranchers getting some tax breaks from Washington. Recent legislation extended the estate tax and made it permanent, and they continued a 20 percent deduction for income permanently. Tom Bryant told the crowd that you can also help yourself by writing off things you manufacture in your agriculture operation. He says farmers can also benefit tax-wise by getting an official soil nutrient report. Highlands County getting some controversy over $100,000 in tax money given to the Avon Park Baseball Museum. They took TDC funds at first, tourist development, and then decided to take general fund. County Commissioner Arlene Tuck didn’t want to use tax dollars. Why should we make our taxpayers pay for something that is for tourists? Resident Barry Foster doesn’t think the baseball museum will attract tourists. The promises that were made with this sports complex are the same promises that you’re hearing now, that it was going to bring people in to stay in our hotels and buy our gas and go to our restaurants and visit our tourist attractions, none of which are coming true. The TDC says $349 million was spent in Highlands County last year by tourists. No public comment on a project between Plattsbluff Road and Brighton on 70. They’re going to widen it to four lanes in the coming years and spend up to $254 million. This DOT spokesperson says right now it’s dangerous for even first responders to work on the road. The substandard lane and shoulder widths and proximity of guardrails, roadside swales, and fence posts restrict the ability of drivers to avoid hazards. Due to the roadway’s current configuration, there is limited space for an emergency service vehicle to pass to respond to a situation during periods of congestion. There is no money for construction or right-of-way yet from the state. One option was doing nothing and leaving the two-lane road, but the state prefers to do the job. The design includes swerving the road south of Brighton to not impact the church and existing businesses. An Okeechobee deputy was hospitalized last night after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 441 and Charles Harvey. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).