WOKC Local News – May 25, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Keeping them safe with WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. A record amount of travel expected for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Lieutenant Quig Bueno with the Florida Highway Patrol says respect other drivers and you’re likely to get there safe. Using your turn signals, proper following distance, not showing any aggression, having patience, all of those little things matter. Operation Dry Streets with the Highway Patrol through Sunday night will be looking at preventing impaired drivers from causing any havoc. They urge people to designate a sober driver, use ride share services, keep their heads up and their cell phones out of their hands, use patience and buckle up for every trip. Boating safety also being emphasized by state officials in Okeechobee. We have the locks closed on the northern end at J&S, Henry Creek, Buckhead Ridge and Lakeport. The S-193 boat lock at Taylor Creek will remain open Saturday and Sunday as the levels stay above 11 feet. Boaters are encouraged to exercise caution on the Kissimmee River, especially near the US Highway 98 bridge and the S-65D structure. AAA is expecting, despite the higher fuel prices and airfares, that there’ll be a slight increase in the number of travelers this weekend. 2.7 million Floridians expected to travel at least 50 miles. Mark Jenkins has travel numbers have steadily increased since the pandemic. This year, we did see growth, but there wasn’t as much. We’re talking less than 1% of an increase compared to last year. This week is Emergency Preparedness Week. Sally Wade is Martin County Emergency Management Director. She says everyone is involved when you’re talking about preparedness. Every household and business is encouraged to take simple but critical steps. Review evacuation routes, assemble emergency kits and stay informed through official alerts. An Oogachoe woman, Dadrika Riles, is alleged to have sold cocaine to a confidential source in Treasure Island. She showed up to the alleged drug deal on a suspended license driving a vehicle. They say the alleged transactions took place near the Lake Oogachoebe Scenic Trail, which is a law enhancement. She’s charged with sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area. Her bond was set at $157,000. A packed house for the OUA’s town meeting to discuss the Southwest Septic to Sewer Project work to begin soon. The main concerns of residents were costs and impacts of their properties. They don’t want their gardens or their sprinkler systems damaged. The state law requires property owners on septic tanks to tie on when there is existing service available. They have one year to do so. Bids have been taken by the OUA and there’ll be letters mailed out to those impacted. Executive Director John Hayford says they continue to seek grants to offset some of these costs for property owners affected. He says the OUA will work with the property owner and will have payment plans for those that can’t afford the one-time cost. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).