WAFC Local News – February 09, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The LaBelle City Commission held a workshop on their comprehensive plan. Like other cities, they’re forbidden under Senate Bill 180 of making regulations tighter. They discussed infrastructure needs, affordable housing, density, annexation, and incentives for business. Alexis Crespo says this is the big question when it comes to development. Density and intensity in all the categories is necessary now in deciding where we want growth to occur. Maria Hunter says people live in LaBelle because they like the way they live here. LaBelle is doing well as far as affordability is concerned. People do live in LaBelle and are happy to live here. But then they have to venture out for job opportunities. They have to venture out for recreation opportunities. Mayor Julie Wilkins supports giving out incentives to attract business. When we were dealing with, recently, with trying to bring in an industry for 1,000 jobs, everyone said, well, what does the city offer? It’s like, well, we’ll work with you and expedite things, but we have nothing on the books to incentivize. The Lake Coalition urged the Water Management District to be ready to act if Lake Okeechobee gets real low over the next several months. Henry County Commissioner Raymond Iglesias says they have to remove the muck this year. We’ve got a window of time if we hit a nine- or 10-foot lake, if we all know sitting on this diocese, the government kicks the can down the road. We’re asking you as a board, how do you expedite that? How do you make it a priority so that when the opportunity arises, we’re ready and we’re like going, well, we got to have a meeting for this. Let’s have these meetings. Let’s get the approvals needed and let’s get it done. They also want more controlled burns and they want muck removed. Jennifer Reynolds says they could burn up to 23,000 acres. The agencies have been meeting because we think there may be an opportunity to burn up to maybe 8,000 to 10,000 in additional, in addition to that 15,000 that’s kind of in the plan. Palm Beach teachers appealed at the school board for a raise. They’ve been offered a 1.5% pay hike this year that is less than inflation. They say the salaries don’t cover their cost of living. Taka Fields is of that opinion. This isn’t a lack of dedication. This is dedication being exploited. And it’s costing us in talent, in stability, and in the future that we say we want for our students. Laura Landy says, where is the school board’s priorities? Invest in the people who invest in you. Support us, value us, help us stay, and our students will shine in every way. For when teachers thrive, children soar. Our district grows stronger than ever before. Thank you. Thank you. Jody Mokell says teachers have to work two to three jobs just to make ends meet. I want you to understand that even with the referendum, our wages are not enough for a single person to live in this county. Glades County commissioners approved a new 93-acre Brownsfield area on the Wedgworth property south of town. They’re looking to expand the operation with new warehouses. Agriculture chemicals and fertilizers have contaminated some of the land. It’ll be known as the Green Reuse Area off US 27. Brett Drummond explained they want to clean up that property. Agricultural land is contaminated from the typical application of agricultural chemicals over time. And there are some contamination as well on Wedgworth’s main parcel from historical sugar mill that operated there. The commission approved a five-year lease with a five-year extension with the US Postal Service. They’ve reopened the post office in Palmdale. The county will be paid $500 per month over the first 60 months for rent. The first six months are rent free. The rent goes up to $550 per month after five years. The state agreed to pay Glades County 10.2 million to improve Route 74 between County Road 731 and County Line Road. The state is interested in taking back maintenance of the road, but no final deal. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).