WAFC Local News – August 25, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Expect another traffic backup, this in Belle Glade, beginning Thursday. The railroad crossing at US-98-441 and State Road 80 will be closed. The South Central Florida Express Railroad will be closed from August 27 through September 2. They ask motorists to plan ahead, use alternate routes, and allow extra time to travel. A Henry County man, Don Crawford, will face charges of aggravated animal cruelty and improper disposal of a dead animal. It follows a near three-month investigation by the Henry County Agriculture Unit and Animal Control. It’s alleged the 57-year-old shot and killed a neighbor’s Rottweiler dog, with the dog shot right between the eyes. The dog had been trespassing and bothering Crawford’s female dogs when they were in heat. The dog owner used GPS to find his dead dog on County Road 78, which is about a six-minute drive from the suspect’s home on Alex Boulevard. The Sheriff’s Department used drones and other equipment during a search warrant served on June 16. Crawford was in Wyoming at the time and promised to send the Sheriff a bill for the damage they did. The dog was shot to death May 15. Among arrests, 43-year-old Jason Hymie of Henry County is charged with sexual assault on a child, possession of controlled substances, and interference with custody. A missing juvenile started the investigation in Clewiston last week. The suspect apparently knew the victim, and police went to the Clewiston Inn. He allowed them access to the room and found the victim hiding under the bed. They also found a clear plastic baggie with suspected narcotics. A 57-year-old Henry County man, Vincent Hunter, is facing cocaine possession charges. Clewiston police say they spotted Hunter and a female jaywalking on W.C. Owen Avenue. Police got suspicious when they found five cell phones on the female suspect. They had them empty their pockets and found the concealed glass pipe, which tested positive for the presence of crack cocaine. A 51-year-old Henry County woman is facing charges of tampering with evidence in a case involving sexual battery. The case dates back to March of 2025. The victim claimed that they had been sexually abused over about an eight-year period when they were between the ages of five and 13. The victim reported being threatened over the phone via text message. They were able to tie that cell phone to the alleged threats, and the female was arrested. A 35-year-old Henry County man is facing battery charges, along with aggravated assault and burglary. Henry County deputies responded to an active disturbance. The victim says he gave the suspect some crackers on the front porch, and Ronal Gonzalez Maceo allegedly attacked him. The victim was struck several times in the head. The suspect also armed himself with a large kitchen knife, allegedly, and came at the victim in a threatening fashion. There was actually a camera on the front porch that had footage of the incident. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).