WAFC Local News – November 12, 2025, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. A 46-year-old Orlando man is charged with identity theft and fraud in Hendrick County. Luis San Juan Garcia allegedly stole the identity of a LaBelle man to purchase an RV worth over $28,000. The man got a notice in the mail and didn’t own an RV, so he went to DMV and reported the fraud, and law enforcement got involved. Garcia was able to get a loan for $28,000 using the victim’s name and purchased the RV at North Trail RV Center in Fort Myers. The suspect also allegedly purchased nearly $2,000 worth of tires at Tires Plus using the victim’s ID. The case dates back to August 2022, and the suspect was arrested just last month. Lee County deputies assisted in that investigation. A Glades County woman is charged with theft and grand theft. Mallory Aron was arrested out of state this week. Lieutenant Gary Johnson, with the Glades County Sheriff’s Office, says the suspect was picked up at a bar in Okeechobee by the victim. When he woke up in the morning, his cell phone and vehicle were gone. She was arrested up in Georgia and returned to Glades County this month. Dr. Wilhelmina Jacobs spoke on an ethics complaint she made against South Bay Commissioner Barbara King. While avoiding specifics, she claims King violated her oath of office. Dr. Jacobs wants King removed from office. Commissioner King stood in these very chambers and took an oath faithfully to serve the citizens of South Bay, uphold the laws and ordinances, and conduct herself with integrity. Unfortunately, I believe she has failed to honor that oath. King defended herself at the public meeting. I have always conducted myself with integrity in my role, and this message does not constitute an ethics violation. Attempts to misrepresent my private comments as an official misconduct are unfounded. I respectfully request that we focus on the city official business and not allow personal matters to disrupt this work of this commission. Henry County commissioners approved their annual budget of $133.73 million. Demilitarized rate set at $6.770. It results in a property taxes collected increase of 2.4%. The budget increased due to employee costs and new employees in public safety. The commission also approved the creation of the Murphy’s Landing Community Development District. 187 acres on State Road 80 at Townsend Canal will be developed into 618 dwelling units. The developer plans to spend up to $48 million on infrastructure like roads, parks, water and sewer and drainage for the projects. The commission approved the rezoning of the River Landings project in LaBelle. The development will add an RV park with 94 RV spaces, a clubhouse, coach houses, a restaurant and sales model unit. The Moorhaven City Council approved their final millage rate of 4.6725 mills this year. It represents a 3.99% property tax hike this year. Mayor Clay Browning urged city staff to crack down on contractors doing business on the weekend without pulling the proper permits. The city also continues to upgrade the sewer treatment plant working with the City-County Waste Authority. I think it’s about time we were going to pay the pipers. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).