WAFC Local News – August 04, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. More road work going on in Hendry County. This on County Road 833 beginning yesterday. It’s expected to run through this month through Tuesday, August 25th. The segment between State Road 80 on County Road 833 to Southern Gardens, Citrus Entrance, intermittent lane closures will be necessary. Motorists should allow extra time for their commute and use extra caution when traveling through that construction zone. The LaBelle City Commission continues to discuss converting the Civic Center into a commission chambers and public works department. The city admits it’s been losing money on the Civic Center. Commissioner Hugo Vargas says there are six other venues now in and near LaBelle that could be used to host events. Others say they should raise the rates and require a larger deposit of $1,000 to pay for damage done inside of the Civic Center. Vice Mayor Jackie Radica says raising the rates would keep the Civic Center open to the public. It was a great idea at first. But then when you think about it, where is the chamber going to have their annual? We we are taking away the only kind of event center that our community has. Bobby Spratt says they need the Civic Center, even if the finances don’t look good. If it’s losing money, then that’s on us. We need to raise our rate because that was built for the people of LaBelle to have a place to go. A LaBelle restaurant will be allowed to sell and consume alcohol near a daycare preschool at 139 Hickpachee Avenue. And the city approved a special exception to allow a Florida tire and more business at the old Kenny’s Auto. Glades County deputies arresting an Okachobee man for several charges after a near collision involving a patrol car. Drayton Billy is facing charges that include resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, several traffic charges, reckless driving and possession of controlled substances. The near collision occurred on US 27 near the intersection of State Road 78. After the near collision, they pulled the vehicle over. Both the passenger and driver had valid medical marijuana cards. They found some 63 grams of THC edibles, and they also found some narcotics and tested two white and color pouches that tested positive for fentanyl. The weight of that package was 18 grams. They charged a passenger Latrice Cypress Cummings with charges of resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance and possession of controlled substances. Billy also is allegedly driving with a suspended license. Palm Beach County Commissioners stand to lose millions in tax money if property tax reform goes into effect. Vice Mayor Marcy Woodward says she thinks it’s time to put a halt to capital projects until they can figure out the impacts. And maybe we had a pause until we can have further discussion with everything, knowing what’s going to be on the ballot potentially in November. Administrators had planned some workshops to explain what the county is facing should the reform package be approved by voters in November. County Administrator Joe Abruzzio has said 400 million in funding could be lost by the county. Another high speed chase in Hendry County. 40 year old Fernando Jose Madrid Figueroa facing felony charges of fleeing and eluding. He was driving on a suspended license, allegedly, and is also facing a charge of resisting arrest. This chase went from Montura on County Road 833 and ended on Pinecone Avenue near Dorth Dadel Street. The canine was deployed and was able to help the officer as the officer tackled the suspect and struggled with him. There were two females with two infant children in the car at the time of the chase. The suspect claimed he ran because of his immigration status being illegal and that the deputy was with ICE. EMS did come to the scene from Montura and checked on the suspect. We did receive some dog bites. He was taken to Hendry Regional Hospital and was given six stitches. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).