WAFC Local News – November 02, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
Activist Newton Cook appealed to the Water Management District to stop meeting in secret. The Lake Okeechobee Committee is now met twice in secret in West Palm Beach and Brighton, he alleges. They’re presumably discussing the spray program for exotic plants on Lake Okeechobee. Cook says the findings of this committee won’t go anywhere without public buy-in. The public is not going to be happy. Whatever comes out of this committee, it’s not going to be accepted. Why would anybody want to accept stuff that comes from a secret committee? He says it’s not a good idea in the sunshine state. Can you believe you cannot bring in meetings secretly to discuss the conditions and in this case the spray program and aquatic plant management of Lake Okeechobee? Now you can do that but somebody’s going to get sued just a matter of time. The South Bay City Commission approved a contract extension with Palm Beach deputies to provide law enforcement. The contract includes a five percent raise for deputies. Rosenwald Elementary Principal Bruce Hightower thanked the city for their long-time support. They were once again in a school this year. This year is significantly important to us. Why? Because we were able to maintain our A at the end of the year last year. Student Gary Mann thanked the city for giving him a college scholarship. He’s going to a small college in South Carolina. This month the education career of school board member Marsha Andrews will end in the glades. The 51-year career included the last 16 as a member of the school board. Andrew says she’s very thankful and notes it’s hard to say goodbye. I am thankful this evening as I celebrate with you for the opportunity to show up, pour onto others, open doors, create opportunities and make a difference in the lives of countless students. Eddie Rhodes of Belle Glade thanked Andrews for helping local schools. We applaud her because of her tenacity and the eagerness that she gave to our kids in the glades area. Glades County warned constitutional officers that major budget cuts will be needed next year. That’s if the property tax reform amendment three passes tomorrow. Jerry Sapp says there may not be a glades county in 10 years. Sitting right here you may be living in Henry County and Palmdale may be living in Highlands County. So you better tighten up your belt, sharpen your pencil and help us do what we can. County Commission Chair Tim Stanley had this message to constitutionals. This isn’t fake. This is reality. I mean we’ve got to get to this two million dollars of whatever’s out of here. So we need everybody to work together. I mean if you can save ten thousand dollars that’s that’s that’s a part-time employee or whatever you know. But we can’t just look at it and say hey I can’t cut nothing because once the check comes in and here’s how much money we got we’re gonna cut something because we can’t afford to carry on. He says all small counties are in the shadow of property tax reform until tomorrow. Among around 42 year old Judith Rodriguez of Henry County is facing charges of armed trespassing. A group apparently were spotted on agriculture property in Felda trespassing. Caught on camera one of them was armed with a shotgun. I’m Charles Murphy WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).