WOKC Local News – October 27, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. What we got from Washington with WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. Congressman Scott Franklin says he was able to get three and a half million dollars in federal funding for Okeechobee, two and a half million approved for advanced metering at the OUA, and one million for an Okeechobee emergency shelter. Franklin says the House Appropriations Committee got their work done on time. We are on a path to do our work. We’ve done everything I could possibly do through appropriations to do our part, but as of right now, the Senate has not done a single thing. Glades County is working with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue on a new contract. They have been providing EMS protection, now would like to see fire protection. They’re asking for $200,000 to provide that service. County Commission Chairman David Haysleaf says it’s a warranted request. We want to be good neighbors, you know, and we’ve shared services back and forth, but at this point, you know, we probably need to be compensated for the service that we will provide. Alfonso Fanelli and Erica Pinder earned terms at the Coquina Board of Supervisors Landowners Meeting and Vote this month. Fanelli had 169 votes, Pinder 61 votes. Fanelli will serve three years and Pinder a two-year term. There has been some concerns about some speed bumps placed in the middle of a road by a Viking resident. Some residents want it graded, others applaud it, saying it’s slowing vehicles down. Attorney Lori Smith-Lalla says Coquina needs to remember that the roads aren’t really theirs. We only have an easement interest, and that’s for our own interest, not for the residents’ interest. A near-naked man struggled with Okeechobee police officers investigating a welfare check at Northwest 9th Street. 18-year-old Jermaine Lewis allegedly walked into a neighbor’s home without permission and then struggled with deputies allegedly spitting one in the face. The report of a missing child ends well on Southeast 28th Street at K9 Cary, and the deputy arrived and the child was located in the residence under the bed. Indiantown is seeking a long-term vision. They plan a half-day symposium to talk about the future. Janet Hernandez criticized the former regime, but current council member Vernistine Williams-Palmer says Janet should not be throwing stones. But let’s not tear down the last council. Every council member from the inception to now have done their very best. And were mistakes made? Yes, maybe so. But I really want us, if we’re moving forward, let’s not talk bad about the past because whatever was done was done. Fellow council member Anthony Dowling wants the residents to vote directly for mayor. He also wants to change the elections from November to March where there is a lower voter turnout. A 55-year-old Indiantown woman, Felicia Holmes, is facing drug charges. She allegedly sold crack cocaine in the area of a store in Booker Park and Sammy Bright’s apartments. The alleged sales took place within 1,000 feet of a place of worship. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).