WAFC Local News – January 08, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The five-year work plan for the DOT in Henry County includes right-of-way and engineering to add lanes on State Road 29. Between Cowboy Way and County Road 731, it’ll cost $7.1 million in 2031. $3 million will be spent to construct sidewalks on Fort Thompson Avenue. In 2029, $746,000 will put in sidewalks on Northeast Raintree Boulevard, and nearly $2 million for sidewalks on Cowboy Way from Route 80 to Amanda Street. In 2027, $1.3 million will be spent on sidewalks for Central Elementary. In 2028, $525,000 for sidewalks on 11th Street in Harlem. In 2028, $737,000 for sidewalks on 4A Drive, and in 2030, $545,000 for sidewalks on Harlem Academy Boulevard. Labelle City Commissioner Jackie Radica wants county support for an after-school program run by the Henry County Schools, perhaps holding it at the middle school. She wants it to be like the after-school program at West Glade School, just five miles away. Radica says there’s a real need for this afternoon program. And from three to six, when you start looking at it, that’s the perfect time for these kids to get into mischief. Resident Tia Warner commented during public comment that she supported such a program that would help a lot of young parents. This is the first county that I’ve ever moved to that did not supply an after-school program, and it is difficult for working parents that doesn’t have someone sitting at the house to pick up a kid. It was literally hard to even find aftercare in this area, so I think it’s a great idea. The Palm Beach County Sheriff created an animal crimes unit in December, animal abuse being reported more than ever. Sheriff Rick Bradshaw says the best tips they get are from the public, and many want to report animal abuse, but don’t know how. He says dogs are valuable to us and the public. We have our street dogs that apprehend people that have committed crimes. We have dogs that search for missing people. We have dogs that find bombs. We have dogs that find narcotics. You see the therapy dogs here that calm people down and are comforting to them during really bad situations. He said they recently arrested a doggie care owner for alleged punching a small poodle. What kind of coward punches a dog this little and breaks his jaw where it’s gotta be wired? So not only have we arrested him and charged him, we’re gonna go after his license and shut that business down. The first three months of the unit’s establishment, they reviewed 85 cases of suspected animal cruelty and neglect. The Gun Club Armory in Southern Henry County was burglarized with multiple AR-15 style rifles taken, a few handguns, and a .50 caliber rifle. Henry County investigators looked at the cameras and saw a male wearing a ski mask, gloves, and long sleeves. The burglary occurred on December 26th. They showed the film to workers as well. They recognized that distinguished tattoo on the suspect and knew who the man was. Several workers on the property led them to the arrest of 33-year-old Stephen Billings. Investigators say they’re working to recover the stolen items charged include armed burglary, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and grand theft firearm. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).