WAFC Local News – February 16, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The City of Clewiston honored their retiring fire chief, Travis Reese. He served 35 years of service. He says the city has done well serving its citizens. The folks that serve this city, I mean, I couldn’t be more proud of this city and the staff that serves it. And I’ll always be there to support you, commissioners too. It takes a lot. People don’t appreciate what it takes to sit there and listen. Councilmember Jason Williams praised Reese for the way he improved the fire department. That fire department over there is what it is right now because of the work you’ve put in in the last 10 to 15 years over there in that department, man. The amount of volunteers that you have is, it’s impressive. Those guys are there because you were the chief. You know, there’s a lot of guys that wouldn’t have stayed if you weren’t in that building. So I appreciate what you did over there, man. Thank you. Glades County commissioners finalized a designation for a Brownsfield area south of Moorhaven. It’s on land owned by Wedgworth Farms off US 27. Some 93 acres could be redeveloped and five full-time jobs could be created. Chairman Tim Stanley supported this Wedgworth application. Consisting of approximately 92.9 acres for the purpose of environmental rehabilitation and economic development. A joint meeting of the Palm Beach School Board, County Commission, and Health District focused on services to children and the homeless. The school board mentioned an increase in high school graduation rates in the past decade from 77% to 92%. The health care district says there has been a 34% decrease in cases of child mistreatment. School board member Marsha Andrews and others say they’re worried about the possibility of losing property tax revenues. Andrews spoke on the growing homeless problem in her district in the Glades. To get into those doors where those people that are suffering, that are living in their cars with nothing to eat and they’re out there folks and they’re calling for help. Andrews wants to get resources where they are needed. She says even with Palm Tran there are transportation issues for residents of the Glades on a daily basis. Pahokee supported Jack Brewer who wants to bring a second chance program for prison releases to Pahokee. There was opposition in the past due to neighborhood concerns. My vision is that if a man is serving a community, how can he be terrorized? Brewer pointed out he would not allow sex offenders in the program. He says he’s trying to get these guys on the right track. The most me and their recidivate or re-enter back into prison is usually because of housing, obviously and a job. So when they get out we give them a cell phone. If they don’t have their driver’s license we help them get it. We usually pay about 50% of their fines, we make them meet us halfway. But we also mandate that they volunteer. Council member Isabel McDonald supports the re-entry program. A big part of what they do is support returning citizens. And it’s needed. I mean once you do your time, hey, you’re going to crucify them the rest of their lives. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).