WAFC Local News – August 26, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The Clues and Police Department says there have been recent incidents of criminal mischief and vandalism at our local ball fields and public restrooms. Clay was thrown and smeared on the outside of the building, damaging the paint and exterior clay and sand was placed in toilets, causing plumbing problems. And there’s been damage to sinks, mirrors and other restroom fixtures. They’re not treating this as a harmless prank. They will make criminal charges if anyone is caught committing these acts. If anyone knows anything, please call police. A 44 year old LaBelle man, Derek Esquivel, is facing drug possession and drug sale charges. The Hendry County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit says they were able to work out a drug deal earlier this year in February at a residence located off a road in LaBelle. They alleged that the confidential informant was able to purchase methamphetamine from the suspect. Cattle ranchers are opposed to President Trump’s plan to lower beef prices by bringing in beef from Mexico. He planned to bring in enough beef to lower beef prices by 25 percent. He wants to eliminate tariffs on other imported beef. The Florida Cattlemen say it’s not sound policy. President John Williamson of Okeechobee says beef producers are already dealing with enough record high prices for inputs required to raise cattle with gas and the mealy bug and even the threat of a screw worm. He tells New Service of Florida that disrupting the market threatens producer confidence. Since the 90s, some 50,000 horses have been stolen in the U.S. Horse thefts continue to be a problem here in South Florida. Recent thefts in Okeechobee and St. Lucy, some of it is leading to horse meat in Broward and Dade County. Experts say the meat from one horse can bring $20,000. Debbie Metcalf with Net Posse says they’d like to stop all horse thefts. They say awareness is key and the owners have to be vigilant. Putting farm watch signs on your property, making sure your fences are repaired and maybe a microchip and brand on your horse with proper ID would be the first step. Metcalf says South Florida has a problem with horse theft. You know, Florida is one of our more active states. This includes stolen horses, animal cruelty sometimes, and just horses that go poof. We don’t know where they are. And some found horses, too. She urges owners to never give up trying to find these horses. For individuals fishing beyond the mark, no trespassing sign at the Ortona South Campground in Glades County were arrested on trespass charges by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. One was from Lehigh Acres, another from Naples, and one was from LaBelle. A 44 year old Ohio man is charged with a battery at the Palmdale Fish Eating Creek Campground. The victim, over 65 years old, Jeffrey Bolenbacher of Newark, Ohio, alleged he got into a fight with the older man. Glades County deputies say the suspect appeared to be under the influence of some substance. He was treated at the scene by Glades County EMS. He allegedly also had damaged the victim’s truck. An Okoshoi woman, Andrea Brandes, is facing charges of trespass. After warning, she allegedly caused a disturbance inside the Seminole Brighton Casino. Security had her leave for the night, but then she was seen later on the property inside the casino. A 23 year old Felda woman arrested in Hendry County for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and drug possession. Kai Peak was arrested after a traffic stop in the area of State Road 29 and Morris Taylor Road in Felda. Deputies say a vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, about 70 in a 55 when they pulled it over. They found a Glock 19 with a 24 round magazine in the vehicle. They found about 25 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, allegedly. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).