WAFC Local News – August 24, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Henry Commission Chairman Raymond Iglesias is worried the property tax reform will pass and hurt county services. Property taxes are going to be an issue. Iglesias says it won’t be just the county affected by these budget cuts. The hospital is affected, the PLCDD is affected, Central County Water Control District is going to be affected. So we don’t know where this is going to end up. He says the county currently stands to lose $8.2 million in annual funding. It must be approved on the November ballot by 60% of the voters. A recent survey found 81% of Republicans support Amendment 3. State Prosecutor Evan Shappert was recently named the Prosecutor of the Year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He works in the 20th Judicial Circuit. He was praised for being prepared and dedicated to protecting Florida wildlife. He’s earned convictions for a Glades County man for unlawful killing of an alligator on Lake Okeechobee. He also earned a conviction against a wildlife facility on Rooks Dairy Road for not cleaning up after tigers. Wild at Heart, aka Wildlife Crossings, is no longer operating. The owner, Jeremy Hargett, was fined $500 last year. Shappert said he appreciated this award. I was very honored to have that recognition. He says FWC takes wildlife rights seriously. They do a very good job of monitoring the wildlife in Glades County. Obviously, it’s a very rural county. So we need to make sure that we protect our wildlife and our natural resources. He even mentioned the alligator case as being important. We need to protect our resources. As I believe in the 60s, the American alligator was actually endangered. So it’s very, very important that we make sure that people follow the rules and regulations of hunting alligators. And the prosecution of the animal facility, he says he’s interested in welfare of animals at all facilities. When you’re dealing with something like lions and tigers and bears, which are at this facility, you have to follow regulations because those are a class of animal. And of course, if they escape or they get out of the pens, it’s very likely that somebody’s going to get hurt. The Belgrade City Commission approved the site plan for the new racetrack gas station and convenience store. It will be at the northeast corner of Hooker Highway and North Main Street. He also honored longtime retiring city manager Lomax Harrell. He served 60 years in municipal government. Councilmember Joaquin Almazan says Harrell showed great dedication and service. I believe he always led with respect and dignity. And that’s the most thing I’ve admired with you. And thank you for your leadership. I wish you the best in your endeavors as a cattle rancher, full-time grandpa and whatever else honey-do list they’re going to give you. Lomax had a love working in municipal government all these years. I started this journey in government over 60 years ago in Long Island, New York. During that period of time, I’ve been a public works director, heavy equipment operator, licensed water treatment plant operator, assistant city manager, city manager. I served one term as a city commissioner. And I have to say, I am so, so happy I ended my career here in Belgrade. Thank you. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).