WAFC Local News – June 12, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Several LaBelle residents had questions and concerns about animal control and how dogs and cats are treated. One issue was heartworm testing. A resident adopted a dog and had to pay out $2,000 for heartworm treatments and the dog died. Commissioners supported finding money to do more heartworm tests before animals are adopted. Other concerns were fans to keep animals cooler, humane treatment and more transparency. City officials say they do have budget constraints to consider. Animal Control Director Doug Morgan says they are an open book when it comes to animal control. I challenge everyone to continue with that energy and to come out and help because we’re all about helping. And as far as transparency, I don’t have a problem talking to anybody about anything. Not hiding anything, there’s no closed doors. Like you said, we’re trying to smash the gossip, trying to stop things going around, rumors and stuff like that. And we’re just all about trying to do our job. Sherry Walker would like to see the problem fixed. It turned into a witch hunt. It is not a witch hunt. It is let’s do better. Linda Phillips talked about one fight she saw in the kennel. Those same dogs who showed no issues were later described as a bloodbath kennel fight. One was labeled the aggressor and euthanized on Valentine’s Day. So I asked, what happened in between? Where was the supervision? Where is the documentation? Clays County Commissioners learned the current state budget is $2 million for the Indian Prairie Boat Ramp improvements. Lobbyist Connie Van Asch says that’s good news for Glades County. And the Indian Prairie Boat Ramp project is in the budget for $2 million. Commissioners are pushing for more mowing at Curry Island, South of Lakeport, and perhaps bailing the grass for hay and selling it. The Pahokee City Commission approved a contract with new city manager Sheila Bryant with an annual salary of $120,000. Mayor Keith Babb says he’s been slandered multiple times at recent meetings and is contemplating taking action for libel and slander claims. I’ve been called a pedophile, a child molester, going with my daughter in public at this meeting on live events. He was advised by the legal counsel to send a notice letter to those he intends to sue. A fire in western Palm Beach County burns up a vehicle on State Road 80 in the 26,000 block near Connors Highway. The Ford pickup truck fully engulfed as firemen arrived. Two of the occupants did not have any injuries. A front passenger was evaluated at the scene and transported to Lakeside Medical Center for minor burns to his right hand. The vehicle was a total loss and worked for a local sod company. Palm Beach deputies investigating a shooting in an apartment on Southwest 5th Street in Belle Glade. They’re calling it a shooting into the dwelling or residence. It’s an active investigation so details are few. They did say there were two victims involved but there was no word on the level or the existence of injury. One was an 18-year-old and one was 67 years old. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).