WOKC Local News – November 13, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Okeechobee chooses clerk, will clerk choose Okeechobee? With WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. Okeechobee City Council interviewed the finalists for the job of city clerk and settled on Kutiri Johnson as their top ranked candidate. She’s the former clerk for the city of Delray Beach, also working in Fort Pearson Parkland. A hang up could be her requirement to move to Okeechobee County within six months of her hire. She was asked questions about the size of her staff, management style, public records and dealing with the public during the interview. Johnson says community service is important, as is your attitude. She says when people understand what’s happening, they’re not as angry. By understanding what it is that they’re upset about and seeing if there’s something I can do to assist them, to help them feel better about the situation. State Representative John Snyder committed to Indian Town to improve their roads. He noted the village got over $100 million this year for infrastructure. He thinks he’s done well for that community. We’ve been able to bring back significant dollars, well over $100 million in state funding to continue to raise our schools, bringing new options here for parents, road improvements, water plant upgrades, fire station overhaul. What I call that is a good start. Claves County got off better than some counties when it comes to the flooding last week. They still are trying to improve drainage. Palmdale, Ortona, US 27, last flood, 2978 were flooded. There are other areas that flood normally. Jeff Patterson wants them to better maintain culverts. County Commissioner Tim Stanley says maintaining every culvert in the county would be very costly. If the county is going to take control of these culverts, can we start specifying that culverts got to have a hundred year life or something? Because it’s going to cost a lot of money to replace every culvert in the county. The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force intercepts a UPS shipment from California to Northwest 28th Avenue. After a tip, they open it and find a total of 5.85 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle. They’ve arrested Jana Johnson on felony marijuana possession charges. An Okeechobee sedan was found on the shores of the pond at Publix after a traffic accident. They arrested the driver on charges of DUI and refusing to submit to a blood test. They also found bottles of alcohol on the floorboard. In the courts, Tyler Watford of Okeechobee received six months probation for a charge of leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage. He’ll pay a $50 court fee as well and spend six months on probation. He also pled guilty to careless driving and will pay $189 in that case. The accident was on January 26th on State Road 70 at 9 Mile Grade. Troopers alleged he had driven off a bit from the traffic scene but did not find any alcohol in his system. Watford admitted that he owns a medical marijuana card. Okeechobee Schools held a number of events to honor veterans on Veterans Day. This group of FFA students at Osceola spoke at an assembly. Compelled by a deep sense of duty, they served with honor even in the dearest of circumstances, facing the imminent threat of death through the courageous actions on the battlefield. They upheld the principles of liberty and justice for all. This embodiment of true honor is a concept that while it may seem elusive in today’s society, remains as relevant and vital as ever. Veterans have sacrificed themselves to give to our country. I think that it is only right that we give to them the respect and benefits they have earned. I believe all Americans should honor veterans on their special day. There are more than 24 million veterans in the United States. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).