WOKC Local News – November 26, 2025, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. A permit for Culver’s with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. After a lengthy period, the city has issued a permit for the Culver’s restaurant. They’re also agreeing to help build a road at taxpayers’ expense. There’s also a car wash plan and maybe a hotel in the future. Council member Bob Jarrell supports building the road. I know that if we pave that road, that we’re going to open that home development to be developed. And I think the tradeoff is worthwhile. Administrator Gary Ritter says it’ll help the tax base and create jobs for the city. Okeechobee County Fire Rescue doesn’t want a fire at your house on Thanksgiving. They note that turkey friars can be a fire hazard. Fire Marshal Keith Bergald offered us some turkey friar safety tips to keep you safe. You are working with open flames. Oil and flames don’t mix. So if they can’t have an extinguisher there because it’s going to be oil fire if they have one, make sure their propane tank has an easily accessible shutoff valve. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet recently approved $167 million to protect more than 20,000 acres of conservation lands. In this area, the 1,670-acre B. Barbee Ranch in western Martin County are protected in the Florida Forever Project. It’s near the C-44 and is in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. It’ll benefit the St. Lucie Estuary. To our north, 1,400 acres will be conserved in easement in the Big Bend Swamp Holapaw Ranch in Osceola County. It’ll link Bull Creek and the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. It also is in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Highlands County proclaimed this month as Veterans Appreciation Month. Veterans Service Officer Denise Williams says a lot of veterans live in Highlands County now and they’re helping more and more each year. She says veterans have met the needs of our nation, so we need to return that obligation. A lawmaker has filed a bill to exempt senior citizens from local property taxes. The lawmaker out of Miami-Dade County wants to lower the tax bill. State Representative Juan Porras filed the bill last month. It would still require seniors to pay the taxes to cover school funding. The bill was sent to committee last week. If it passes Tallahassee, it would go before voters next November as a referendum. Two people connected to suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez are taking plea deals. Lopez’s estranged wife Robyn Severance Lopez and Krishna Dacoran pled guilty Monday to money laundering. Severance Lopez received two years probation. Prosecutors say they helped Lopez run an illegal gambling ring. Dacoran is expected to testify against Lopez. There’s no word on when the sheriff’s case will go to trial. Indian Town warning motorists to lock up their vehicles and take their valuables inside they’ve had a rash of vehicle burglaries. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).