WOKC Local News – July 13, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Sheriff has to make cuts with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. The sheriff wants a 7% budget hike. The county wants to cap all budgets at 5%. They’ve asked the sheriff to try and find 393,000 to cut. He expects to ask for a budget amendment this year for gasoline due to the rising prices. They did purchase 10 trucks recently, used ones from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Stephen also is working with the city to try and get more funding for school resource officers. And recognizing where you’re at, recognizing where the city council’s at, you know, the citizens are at with the property tax, we’re trying to get to that true cost and put it where it needs to be. County Commissioner Mike Sumner says they’re only asking the sheriff to try and find ways to cut his budget. We are a bunch of Republicans. We’re not big government people. We’re not big spending people. Our job is to give as much service as possible with as little cost as possible. Heat stroke and exhaustion calls are up and we’re dealing with some record heat this week with the heat index about 110 degrees. Jessica Palmer with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue says many outside workers are used to the heat. They’re acclimated, luckily. But even us, you know, with the cold snaps, we all, I mean, I get hot quicker, it seems, until I get used to it every summer. But yeah, stay acclimated, stay cool, drink lots of water, get ready. Her advice is keep hydrated, take plenty of breaks in the shade, and know your physical limits. A Leesburg man gets 10 years for a shooting on the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County near Yeehaw Junction. 26-year-old Zion Waller pled to no contest to charges. 26-year-old Zion Waller pled no contest to charges that include attempted first-degree murder. A trooper saw the white sedan headed northbound driving recklessly at about 100 miles an hour and took 11 miles to catch up to him. They found a loaded handgun and rifle in the front seat. Waller claimed the victim was the one who fired, but the victim had no gun in his vehicle. There was a bullet hole on the driver’s left side of the victim’s vehicle. The state did compromise. The minimum mandatory for that crime is 20 years. Governor Ron DeSantis signing bills to strengthen animal welfare protections. The bills regulate the pet sales industry for intentional animal cruelty and predatory practices. It also expands the state’s animal abuse offender database. Pet dealers now must provide veterinary medical records and treatment histories. Melanie Griffin wants the state to help these animals. My dog, Molly, is a very loved, yet spoiled member of our family, just like so many pets are across Florida. And that’s exactly why this work matters, because these animals are not just pets. They are a true part of our families. The Nogajue man heard pounding on his front door. It was a Hispanic male armed with a machete. The man admitted he had been drinking and was being chased by demons for years. He was Baker Acted, the incident in the area of Northeast 11th Way. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).