WAFC Local News – February 11, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. FDOT has canceled a virtual meeting on the U.S. 27 improvements, holding a meeting at the John Boy Auditorium for the public. They said they have changed their plans, removing some of the medians that were causing such angst in the community. More than 30 attended, and FDOT received 76 comments. To adapt to public comment, the engineering team revised the design plans and met with city commissioners from December 12 to the 19th, 2025. Based on these collaborative discussions, the plans were revised even further, and FDOT continued to meet with city and county commissioners in January. The construction is expected to get underway in the fall of this year and be completed in the fall of 2027. The estimated price tag is $5.7 million. Work will be done in phases to reduce effects of construction on the community. Temporary lane closures will take place during non-peak hours to reduce impact to the traveling public. Access to businesses and residents will be maintained at all times. No traffic detours are necessary, and lane closures will be limited to one travel lane at a time. The wildfire season is getting more and more dangerous. Over 4,000 acres are now burned in the state, and much of the state is listed in a drought. The active part of the season usually doesn’t start until March. Agriculture Commissioner Wilson Simpson is pushing for safety. Our number one goal is to keep everyone in this state safe from fire, and we do have amazing partners in each county. Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan says this is the driest winter they’ve seen. And so what does that mean for us here in Florida? That means we’re going to have wildfires. We had a 40-acre wildfire in North Polk County yesterday. Clewiston City Commissioners tabled for a month a new schedule of fees to use the sports fields. They’ve been overrun with more soccer teams this year. They’re moving the lights from the tennis court to a 10-acre field to help relieve the burden. City Administrator Danny Williams explained that move. Because we’ve got to get these soccer players off those fields. That’s some of the problem. You know, they’re practicing and playing, and it’s every day. So, I mean, if we were to line the field and then you just play on it, and you don’t have to line it as much. But right now, they’re killing it. Parks and Recreation says the fees existed until 2020. They were recently imposed. They assure all groups are charged the same fee. Moorhaven City Council had a spirited discussion about providing bottled water to employees. They note they are a water company, and they provide water employees can already use. Mayor Clay Browning is against buying bottled water. If we buy water, it’s the silliest thing. We got people right now can’t pay their lot bills that are complaining about we just went up on their taxes. But yet, we’re going to buy water when we’re a water company? Alicia Beck supported buying bottled water for the employees. There was an issue about the water bottles again after the meeting. I don’t know why we can’t discuss it up here like adults. I make a motion that we allow Ashley and Mr. Tibbs to purchase water bottles as needed for the employees. If y’all don’t think they’re worth a bottle of water, then that’s on you. The city learned its cost for the new elementary school in Moorhaven was $300,000. They’ll be getting reimbursed for much of those costs. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).