WOKC Local News – October 15, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Just blame us with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. The Ukechobee Utility Authority Board partly blamed the media for the uproar in Ukechobee last month over lead in the drinking water. Nine local homes testing for high levels of lead. Years ago, it was pretty common knowledge that lead was in the drinking water, and lead pipes are common in older homes built in Ukechobee. Director Greg Kennedy says the media was camped outside his door for days. Where these nine came from, it’s hard to say. Because that’s the first thing people think, and that’s unfortunately kind of what the media… Right, well, they scare tactics to a bit. I mean, it sells advertising. They’ve since retested those places and local schools, and there is no problem with lead. Congressman Scott Franklin sees a rebound in the economy in the coming months. He points to some gas prices recently down to $3.70 per gallon in Polk County. He also says consumer confidence is on the rise. We’ve still got uncertainty in the Middle East with the memorandum of understanding, if we can get this resolved. But already, the markets are responding favorably to what’s going on. The Sheriff’s Office is using a K-9 to try and track a suspect in a vehicle versus house incident that may have included gunfire. The incident was in the 2900 block of Southeast 31st Terrace. Some kind of altercation took place, and a truck was used to hit the residence. Neighbors say they heard the gunfire. He then jumped a fence and may have been picked up before the K-9 went to work trying to find him. They also used a drone to no luck. The suspect still wanted a last report. Okeechobee Police interrupting a violent domestic apparently going on on North Parrot Avenue. They’ve arrested a Ford Myers man, a 28-year-old Jesus Alvarado, and charges that include resisting arrest without violence, misdemeanor battery, and cocaine possession. Police were called at around one in the morning to a disturbance at 301 North Parrot Avenue when the suspect was seen by officers attempting to forcefully put a female into an SUV. When he saw the cops coming, he took off on foot, ran across Parrot Avenue, and was apprehended on Northeast 3rd Street. He was held on a bond of $8,000. Osceola County, among the local governments, warring against Amendment 3, they used their state-of-the-county luncheon to address the budget cuts they may have to make. Chairman Brandon Arrington says Osceola County needs to be a destination, and it can’t go without this funding. A place where people don’t have to go outside our region to find their future. Not simply jobs, but careers, abundant opportunity, and a reason to belong and thrive. The options include closing a fire station, reducing school resource officers, and cutting their affordable housing programs. Democratic candidate for governor, David Jolly, is proclaiming the race of dead heat with three weeks to go. He refused to debate Byron Donalds, but still appeared at Florida A&M this week. He says it’s time for a change in Florida. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).