WAFC Local News – March 13, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The man who died in a construction accident and sued his employer and Henry Circuit Court, Gene Anelson, died in LaBelle after being pulled into a piece of equipment, the wrongful death lawsuit named Phillips Heavy Incorporated. Anelson, a resident of Belle Glade, was working at 3338 Conjun Road when he claimed he was discriminated against and verbally abused by a coworker with racial slurs and threats of assault. Anelson was assigned to clean the concrete mixing machine on December 3rd, 2024, while cleaning the equipment, the machine was activated and he was killed by metal mixing paddles, the lawsuit contends. The main claims are negligence and claims the coworker intentionally sought to fatally injure the defendant. The victim’s estate seeks damages for loss of income, funeral expenses, and other damages over $50,000 worth. The plaintiff has requested a jury trial in civil court. Glades County Commissioners approved a rezoning of 50 acres at the Glades County Business Park at the corner of US 27 and State Road 78 East. It’ll allow a maximum of 650,000 square feet of commercial development on the property. The property includes iTech, the County Jail, and the Health Department currently. Commissioners spent $19,500 to install a pavilion at the Muse Community Association. They spent an identical amount to put in a pavilion at the Washington Park Community Center. They also sold a lot for $20,000 in Moorhaven to Restoration House Ministries. The county recently hired Bailey Taylor to be their assistant county manager. Palm Beach teachers and the district are at an impasse on a new contract. The union wants a 5% raise. The district offered 1.8% with a 1.5% bonus. They cite a $40 million budget shortfall and declining enrollment. Dr. Ian Henry says the negotiations have been unreasonable. During those negotiation meetings, the people the district chose to represent their side essentially told teachers across this county that we weren’t getting anything that we were requesting, not even the items that cost nothing to the district. Those representing the district earning six figures, well over $100,000 were basically telling teachers we weren’t worth anything. Teachers Association President Gordon Longhofer says the negotiations have gone on long enough. Teachers have earned and deserve that for which they have asked, and it’s time they received it. The solution really is as simple as pay them and they will come, pay them and they will stay. Thank you very much. A special magistrate was scheduled to hear the dispute recently and issue a ruling. The junior achievement of the Treasure Coast hosted a hiring fair at Glade Central High School. 54 business partners participated. They included Glade’s Eye Care, the National Utility Contractors of Florida, the South Florida Operating Engineers, and the US Everglades Research Center. A 46-year-old Clewiston man is accused of stealing nearly $4,600. Daniel Ortiz faces a charge of grand theft. He allegedly went into the dresser drawer of a home and took the cash. Ortiz was working around the home as a handyman. A Miami man, Joshua Morales, was arrested on the Seminole Reservation. He allegedly was in possession of sensitive documents owned by another person, including bank statements, customer information, and mail. When police interviewed him, they found a glass pipe with the residue of methamphetamine. Morales was charged with two counts of possessing of methamphetamine with intent to sell, 13 counts of unlawful possession of personal identification documents of another, and two counts of drug paraphernalia. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).