WAFC Local News – September 15, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The Clewiston City Commission considering leasing vehicles for the police department. Police Chief Tico Salgado says these lease vehicles may be a better option. Kind of convinced me to let’s lease vehicles every three to five years, try to switch out and see one way of trying to hold on to vehicles a little longer than purchasing right out. United Fleet Services proposed three police SUVs for between $1,792 and $2,033 per month for three years. There also would be no limit on the amount of mileage. The Belgrade City Commission honored retiring school port member Marcia Andrews for her service and contributions to schools and education betterment in the Glades. Mayor Steve Wilson says Andrews has worked very hard for Glades students. When she first came out to the Glades, she said to us, if you guys elect me as one of your next school board members, I’m going to give my all. And boy, is she giving her all. Andrews says just because she’s retiring after 16 years on the board doesn’t mean she’ll stop working for the Glades. It’s kind of a bittersweet thing to retire Miss Evans, Mayor Wilson, and the team back here. But guess what? I just know that it’s in God’s hand for me to continue to do the work and be of assistance to all of you in the community. All told, Andrews has served 51 years in Palm Beach schools. A Glades County man was sentenced to a year probation and an eight-hour driving course for trying to flee and elude deputies. David Thatcher had been sentenced to a short period of probation and 30 days in jail, but violated his probation, failing to appear for a court hearing. The Moorhaven man was arrested on December 14, 2024 after an attempted traffic stop for failure to maintain a single lane on three occasions on US 27 in Moorhaven. Thatcher said to have turned onto River Road, Daniels Road, and into Sportsman’s Village before stopping just under a mile chase. Thatcher said he didn’t want to stop for law enforcement and simply wanted to go home. His driver’s license had been suspended in 2017. A Belle Glade man, 24-year-old Zidjuan Marquis-Matthews is facing charges of grand theft and burglary. He allegedly stole items from a jewelry store at the Wellington Green Mall earlier this summer. It allegedly occurred in a kiosk of jewelry inside the mall. Four suspects actually entered the mall during closed business hours and stole various amounts of jewelry. There was video provided by security. The camera showed four of the suspects exiting the mall and boarding a palm train. The bus headed to Belle Glade. They were able to get interior and exterior video from the bus and got off in Belle Glade. Another camera at a market on Southwest 6th Street captured Mathews and they matched the images from the Wellington Mall burglary. The jewelry stolen was worth over $20,000. A clueless man arrested in Okeechobee on charges of aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, Jorge Hernandez Valdez was held in a $5,000 bond. He caused minor injuries to the woman and it is a felony in the second degree. He allegedly smacked and choked the victim. It’s alleged the suspect refused the victim’s request to see her mother who was hospitalized. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).