WOKC Local News – June 15, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Another drug bust with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. A Brighton man, Charlie Mikko, is facing methamphetamine trafficking and fentanyl trafficking. He was pulled over in the 200 block of U.S. 98 North this week by the Yucca Chewy Narcotics Task Force. His bond was set at two hundred and forty one thousand dollars. The narcotics task force says Mikko was involved in an undercover drug buy. And when they searched the vehicle, they found over 41 grams of methamphetamine and over 14 grams of methamphetamine mixed with fentanyl. Kevin Cutts should not expect to get out of prison anytime soon. The court ruled he must serve a consecutive term for burglary, which is 25 years. A hearing before the court in May was over modifying his sentence, and the defense was hopeful he could get out. Usha Maharajah, the public defender, says Cutts has been rehabilitated and has done well behind bars. Prosecutor Ashley Albright agrees that Cutts is doing well in prison, but he should stay there. I really can’t contest the fact that he has been a very good inmate. They certainly proved that. But just being a good inmate doesn’t prove all of the requirements that he has been fully rehabilitated, that he’s paid his debt to society and he’s ready to enter the community. Several people spoke on behalf of Cutts at the hearing, including Patricia Scott, who volunteers at Hardy Correctional. He’s special. He was still there because he’s helpful. Also in the courts, John Starnes received 60 days in jail, nearly 700 in court costs and fines and two years probation. He vandalized several county fire rescue vehicles over a 19 month period, throwing out nails, puncturing their tires. He had a dispute with fire rescue that began back in the 90s. Starnes’ alleged fireman turned off pumps at his property, letting his barn burn. He spoke at an April of 2025 county commission meeting. And when the fireman later asked to come up and ask me, is there power on that barn? I said, no, it’s been off. And about that time, a guy came around the corner of the house and said he pulled the meter. Well, it cut my well water off. I had two burned off hoses in the barn that was keeping that fire from spreading. Highlands County will use a variety of ways to fund the Istopoga Marsh Improvement District. Non-ag properties will still be assessed, while the ag properties would pay via a millage rate. Jim Sartori told commissioners that landowners support this. We’re very much in favor of the adoption and implementation of this ordinance. And because it’s very much needed, and it will restore the funding mechanism needed to carry forward. An Ogachubi juvenile was mad that he got spanked and his cell phone was taken away by acting with disrespect toward his parents. Deputies investigated the incident in Dewberry Gardens and found that the parents had acted within their rights. I’m Charles Murphy, WKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).