WAFC Local News – July 31, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Henry County unemployment rose from 5.1% in May to 5.6% in June. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity says the workforce declined slightly from $22,514 to $22,455. The number employed went from 21,377 in May to 21,203 in June. The number of unemployed went from 1,137 in May to 1,252 in June. Around the region, Palm Beach had 4.6%, Glades 5.7%, and Collier County 4.8%. The City of LaBelle has been taking to the Code Enforcement Magistrate hearings several homes that previously were used for farmworker housing. They have reached agreement on most of the issues. Commissioner Hugo Vargas says there is a migrant housing problem again in certain neighborhoods. I’ve gotten a couple of phone calls myself and messages about houses in the city limits and single family neighborhoods that are starting to see 9-10 guys in them again. So it’s definitely back. Among arrests, 51-year-old Ivan Gomez was picked up on a warrant this month charging him with first-degree arson. Henry County Sheriff Deputies say the charge stems from a fire on October 12, 2025 in Cluiston. The fire was deemed suspicious by firemen. The trailer did not have any electric. The front door was also found lying on the ground showing signs of forced entry. And the fire was ignited from the inside. The fire marshal also found pore patterns with liquid accelerant in the middle of the structure. The victims say the suspect made threats to burn the trailer down and that there had been an ongoing dispute between them. The suspect and victim are competitors in the chicken industry. There was a $20,000 reward put out for information on that fire. It’s alleged that Gomez hired another person to take down a sign on the property and burn the trailer on Mercott Avenue. Yellow lemon slices, thinking that there may have been some drug use or alcohol use in the vehicle. The driver’s eyes were glossy and bloodshot. She claimed she had been drinking Kool-Aid. The arrest report says Crooms was given field sobriety tests, which she failed. During a search of the vehicle, they found about $2,000 in cash, approximately 31.6 grams of crystalline powder that tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, another 11.6 grams of a green leafy-like substance that tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana. Charges include trafficking in fentanyl, DUI, possession with intent to sell fentanyl, and possession of paraphernalia. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).