WOKC Local News – July 15, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. He’ll have to repay with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy, a new contractor recently pled no contest to two felony cases related to grand theft and contractor fraud. Samuel Vuleta was sentenced to four years probation. So far, he’s been ordered to repay restitution of just over twenty three thousand. That number will increase tomorrow as a restitution hearing will be held in circuit court. The sheriff’s department says Vuleta was involved in about two hundred and five thousand dollars in losses. Another figure raised is three hundred and thirty thousand dollars. No matter what, Vuleta can see his probation and when the money is repaid. Detectives Michael Cawley and Quinton Speed handled the investigation for the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutor Jeff Davis says he’s glad the case is resolved and he wanted to get money to the victims as soon as possible. He agreed that Vuleta would not be adjudicated guilty of a crime. The goal of the state was to compensate the victims. One, it’s his first offense here in circuit court. Generally speaking, judges are more likely to allow a withhold for a first offense. The governor’s race is heating up with a lot of rhetoric. Republican front runner Byron Donalds recently gave an interview to WOKC News talking about issues important to our area like Lake Okeechobee, agriculture and rural growth. Donalds predicts that the congressional district that covers Okeechobee, now District 9, should continue to be Republican. I don’t think Soto is going to win, but that’s neither here nor there. Donalds has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. He also supports what the legislature is doing on property taxes. I do support what the governor is trying to accomplish because, number one, philosophically, I mean, you shouldn’t have to continuously pay the government in order to keep your house. City of Stewart could allow backyard chickens soon. They were looking at between four and six, depending on lot size and location. It would be only in single family zone property. Commissioner Eula Clark did have concern about chicken manure polluting the water. I love chickens and I agree with them. But my main concerns were, of course, the any type of pollution or any lack of responsibility from a homeowner. Some residents were worried about smells and foul odors. A final hearing is likely in August. Okeechobee School Superintendent Dylan Tedders will have a town hall meeting at the library today talking about all things Okeechobee schools from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Deputies in Osceola County mourning after a four year old found a gun in a vehicle and shot a two year old to death. The family had come here to stay at a vacation rental. Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackman called it a tragedy. The four year old found the firearm in the vehicle, unsecured, retrieved it and discharged the firearm, striking the two year old and subsequently killing the child. The urged parents to always secure their firearms. I’m Charles Murphy. WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).