WOKC Local News – July 01, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. A 43-year-old Henry County woman was sentenced to seven years in prison and three years probation on charges she interfered with child custody. Leticia Bethea was also sentenced on drug charges. The case included a cocaine possession on February 21, 2023. The case began as a traffic stop of a stolen SUV on US 27 in Cluiston. The deputy said he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. They located $781 in cash and a $20,000 cashier’s check. The vehicle also had a small amount of marijuana, 31 grams of cocaine, 11 oxycodone pills, and various items of drug paraphernalia. Another criminal case was reported on January 3, 2024, involving missing juveniles. Bethea was in Lake Worth with the two juveniles she’s related to without parental consent. She at first would not reveal to law enforcement the girls were in her apartment that she owned. Bethea was also fined $50,000 on the drug charges. She pled no contest to cocaine and drug possession, two counts of interference with custody, and possession of drug paraphernalia. One of the drug charges was reduced from drug trafficking. She was also labeled an habitual felony offender by the court. The LaBelle City Commission heard a request for more funding from the LaBelle Downtown District. They want to turn the executive director from a part-to-full-time position. They’d like to have more food trucks, a Christmas in the park event, expand their farmers’ market, and help grow the downtown area. We are going to bring back 20-fold what you give us. So that’s the goal. That’s Alex DiStefano. He says they’ve applied for some funding with the Florida Historic Trust for the Captain Hendry House. He says renovations there will be costly. Realistically, and I’m not embellishing, it’s going to be in the millions. He says there are multiple parties now that are interested in this because Captain Hendry had a lot of history, less history here actually than he had in other parts of the state. So there’s a lot of interest because of the crossover. City Mayor Julie Wilkins says the LaBelle Downtown has agreed to take over the Swamp Cabbage in 2027. I think it’s incredible and there are volunteers that are already chomping at the bit, but we know y’all got to get your ducks in a row. Hendry County government offices will be closed for Independence Day. Most Hendry County offices will begin Thursday close through Monday, July 6 in observance of the 250th birthday. The Hendry County Clerk’s Office and LaBelle and the Court System will be open Thursday and Monday. The Clerk’s Office in Clewiston will be closed on Thursday. The Hendry County Supervisor of Elections will be open on Monday. The Tax Collector will be open until 530 on Wednesday and will reopen at 730 on Tuesday. All other county offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday. Moorhaven announcing their 4th of July festivities. The fireworks show, hosted by Deep South Fireworks, will be held Saturday night at 9pm at Alvin Ward Park in Moorhaven. Of course, it is free for the public. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).