WAFC Local News – June 09, 2026, 8:04 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Palm Beach schools discuss ways to add programs at West Tech and their choice or career programs. I just know I’m not pleased with what I’ve seen over the last few years. School board member Marsha Andrews says there aren’t enough students attending West Tech. They currently are due to offer welding, electric tech, and phlebotomy or blood draw technician programs. They do well attendance-wise at night with the adult programs, but the program is not busy during the day. I just need to see some action and it kind of worries me and I hear what you’re saying, Mr. Lang, but I’ve been sitting here waiting on a lot of things because if we don’t get the children in the programs and we say we’re doing all these things, nothing is happening. Superintendent Michael Burke says they have to find programs that interest students first. The demand has to be there, right? If the students want to travel to West Tech, then we will figure out how to get a bus to get them out there, but that has been a challenge to get students to make that commute. Andrews would like to expand transportation so students from Loxahatchee and Wellington or other parts of Palm Beach County can attend. Environmentalist Ben Olson has been outspoken at recent South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meetings on the Western Everglades project. He challenged the Seminole Tribe of Florida claim regarding a pinch point in the Everglades, arguing that water management decisions were based on inaccurate data. Olson alleged that a tribal representative, Lisa Made, falsely identified a pinch point at Colverts on a road, which he stated was a misguided attempt to force flooding. Tina Asciola responded to Olson’s report at a recent meeting. Regarding work and the allegations made by a member of a family that owns land in region two of the project, the Seminole Tribe is currently assessing the claims this individual has made and will respond in an appropriate manner. He says the tribe remains committed to Everglades restoration and the SERP process. The tribe understands that in endeavors as complex as restoring the Everglades, there will be disagreements and conflict. That conflict requires discussion at a mature level and compromise. Olson says he took the statement at the district committee meeting as a legal threat. He says his comments were not liked by the tribe. She stated that the Seminole Tribe is currently assessing these accusations and will respond, quote, in the appropriate manner. This stood out not only to me, but to quite a few others, as a vague threat of legal action, considering that she went on to call the factual evidence slanderous. Clay’s County Schools, working with the Florida Department of Agriculture, providing food distribution to kids under 19 this summer throughout the county. They’ll be in Lakeport today and each Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Community Association building. They’ll be in Buckhead Ridge at the Volunteer Fire Department each Tuesday from 1130 to 1230 and the Chalonitka Park from 10 until 11. Wednesday they’re in Moorhaven at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church from 10 to 11. They also are in Mews on Wednesday at 8 30 in Ortona on Thursday from 10 to 11 at the community centers. Each student on that date receives seven meals each week. Superintendent Dr. Beth Barfield says they want to help kids. We would really love to be able to make sure every child goes with food this summer. Please consider participating. Dean Dan Thomas says the age limit is up to 19. If you are a student under the age of 19, so that’s 18 and under, you’re eligible to get one of these packs of food weekly throughout the summer. We’ll be distributing all the way through until school starts back next August. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).