WAFC Local News – December 24, 2025, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. A Moorhaven man who was fleeing from a hit and run crash in Pinellas Park in Pinellas County was killed when he ran a stop sign and hit a tree. Pinellas Park Police Department says 27-year-old Yower Malvarez of Moorhaven died in the collision. The minor collision had occurred earlier nearby and Malvarez had fled the scene. He was taken to a local hospital by EMS but died there. Pinellas Park Police say speed likely contributed to the crash. The City of Belgrade Christmas Decorating Contest winners in the yard display were Robert and Berta Alvarez, Darrell and Debbie Kelly took second place, and Angela Delgado claimed third. The door decorating contest winner was Linda Markham, Patty Surratt was second, and Quintella Epps took third place. Commissioner Collins says a lot of people lit up this year in Belgrade. As we rode around there were some really, really, really beautiful decorations this season and it looks like Belgrade is really in the holiday season. Captain Emery Payne with the Sheriff’s Office had some advice on holiday safety and making sure your packages are secure and make sure you know where you’re at and lock your doors. This is the holiday season. Things happen and sometimes people get antsy and kids are out of school so we ask that you make sure that you secure your shopping packages and all your valuables inside your residence and if you happen to be out shopping, lock your doors and put your packages in your trunk. Always be aware of your surroundings. $16 million is coming to Belgrade to help their water treatment plant. The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department is securing that state grant. $10 million will protect the Belgrade’s Seoul Water Treatment Plant from flooding. The plant serves Belgrade, South Bay and Pahokee for drinking water and fire protection. $5.5 million will be used to replace the aging wastewater treatment facility. Glades County Sheriff David Hardin says the Cops for Christmas toys distribution resulted in some 141 families reached this year. Santa was there to visit and take pictures with kids as well. He’s also having more patrols in the neighborhoods to deter burglaries and thefts during the holidays. They’ll also be focusing on increased traffic enforcement as the traffic picks up today. Clawson City Hall will be closed starting at noon. They’ll be closed all day on Christmas and on Friday and reopen on Monday. A Pahokee man, James Brooks, allegedly is involved with a statewide organized ring defrauding Walmart. Several Walmarts in Polk County, Highlands County and in Southwest Florida apparently were victims. Brooks was charged with defrauding up to $20,000. It’s alleged he was involved in some 25 incidents in the state and stole nearly $4,800 in merchandise from Walmart. Florida Highway Patrol expecting a lot of traffic around the Big Lake and on 80 for the Christmas holiday. They are going to be filled. We’re going to have enforcement all around State Road 80 and we’re also going to have a lot of enforcement in our highways, especially I-95. Lieutenant Indiana Miranda wants your trip to be safe this year. She says be sure you buckle up, check your car and make sure your tires are properly inflated. And if you don’t know the road and the way to get there, make sure to map it out before you leave. There’s no street lights and unfortunately those two lane roads are very deadly because a lot of people want to overpass or overtake vehicles that are in the lane and they don’t see the no passing zone and even if it is a passing zone, sometimes we’re taking a big, big risk. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).