WAFC Local News – March 17, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Hendry County Commissioners increased the fines for violating the current burn ban to $500 for first offenses and $2,500 for subsequent offenses. County Attorney Matt Rawlinson says fire departments, code enforcement, and deputies can enforce the ban. He noted there’s been a lot of violations in one area of the county. There was burning since January 1, I think 13 times in Monterey. Moorhaven Mayor Clay Browning says he’d like to see more results when it comes to code enforcement. He told his colleagues it’s not rocket science. He also expressed frustration about complaints from the public that the city isn’t doing enough. One suggestion he had was a code enforcement workshop. The mayor wants staff to feel the frustration of their elected council. I’m not sitting there blaming you, Steve. I’m not blaming Larry. I’m not blaming Colleen. And I’m actually gonna blame us. But at some time, guys, we got to get together and get this messed up. I hate to say it, sound like redneck here, but it’s not rocket science. If it’s not right, it’s not right. Alicia Beck advocated for the need for the workshop. I think there’s a lot of blurred lines in between what we can let go and what we can’t in a timely manner. I don’t feel like Colleen has had guidance on the grass is two inches high or it’s 10 inches high. I feel like a workshop would be good for all of us to sit down and go over all of it. Residents Susan Witten urged Moorhaven to simply enforce the rules. If you have given up and you think you cannot make these things happen, step down and let somebody who can sit in your chair. We, the taxpayers, are not asking for perfection. We are asking for effort, fairness, leadership. South Bay City Commissioners honored the students who won the 41st Annual Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest last month. Layla Camel won the K-2nd Grade Contest, with Jordan Baker and Janine Brown 2nd and 3rd. Justice Baker and Conrad Mills tied and won the 3rd through 5th Grade Contest. Taylor Whisper was 2nd and Joshua Ortega finished 3rd. King Green won the Middle School Contest with Kyra Ranson in 2nd and Kai Hill in 3rd. The High School winner was Persia Green with Precious Vickers in 2nd place. All the students won prizes of between $250 and $500. Another chase in Hendry County. 22-year-old Manuel Gamez, the latest driver, facing charges of fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The chase happens on March 11th in the area of State Road 80 and Hall Street. The chase began on Main Street onto JC Lyons Drive onto State Road 29 and Clifford Avenue. Speeds in the chase reached 105 miles an hour. The vehicle voluntarily stopped at a gas station at Wilson Avenue. The suspect was also charged with driving with license suspended. 18-year-old Brian Diaz is facing possession of a destructive device on school property. The incident happened on March 5th. Hendry County deputies say it happened at Clewiston High School. The student was found with an electronic weapon in a classroom. The teacher stated that he heard what sounded like an electronic weapon in class and investigated. He said Diaz surrendered the electronic weapon to him, saying he was holding it for a friend. It is a third-degree felony in Florida. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).