WAFC Local News – May 15, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The Hendry County Local Planning Agency reviewed plans for a 114-acre project in LaBelle at 3785 and 3603 Fort Denode Road. The applicant wants a planned unit development and would like to develop 58 single-family homes. The density would be one unit for two acres. State Attorney Amira Fox announced Assistant State Attorney Evan Chaput, head of her Moorhaven office, has been named the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Prosecutor of the Year. Chaput works closely with FWC officers to prepare cases and files, prosecuting numerous cases. In 2025, he successfully convicted a defendant for illegally killing, possessing, and capturing an alligator on Lake Okeechobee. The prosecutor has also handled cases involving tigers not being properly cared for in Glades County, which violated state wildlife laws. A Belle Glade woman held without bond, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Karenia Torres, allegedly went to a business on Sugar House Road. The victim was going to work there. She then approached him, pulled out a red-handle screwdriver, and attempted to stab the victim in the abdomen, placing him in fear of his life. He was able to get the screwdriver away from the woman. The defendant fled the area on an e-bike before being arrested later on. Florida Fish and Wildlife, making an arrest after an undercover investigation in Glades and Henry Counties. A LaBelle restaurant owner, Ming Fang, is facing seven misdemeanor charges. He allegedly purchased snook, sea trout, and snapper unlawfully for her business. The FWC says in the warrant affidavit that they got information of illegal buying, selling, and trading of soft shell turtles and other species around Lake Okeechobee. Investigation dated back all the way to October of 2023. A 45-year-old Belle Glade man is facing felony criminal mischief charges for allegedly damaging a vehicle by throwing rocks at it. The victim approached Cedric Robinson wanting to know what he was doing in the area of 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Robinson said he had heard that the victim didn’t like him, so he damaged his vehicle. They got into a fistfight. They also found some drug paraphernalia on the suspect. The victim also sprayed Robinson with mace. Over a thousand dollars in damage was done to the vehicle. LaBelle’s city commissioners reduced from $30,000 to $25,000 this year’s budget for the July 4th fireworks. It’s ridiculous to me. It’s absolutely ridiculous. That’s Commissioner Bobby Spratt. Spratt says just because the city has the money doesn’t mean they have to spend it. A very nice display and I think that’s plenty of money. After all, we have hit our constituents again and again and again and it’s time we stopped doing that. Kevin Holland agreed that the cost of the fireworks appeared to be high. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).