WAFC Local News – September 30, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Henry County Schools had their best academic performance in history during the 25-26 school year and hope to build on that performance. Superintendent Michael Swindle, proud of all those that had a hand in this academic improvement. This group of beautiful humans in front of us has met and exceeded the growth expectations that the state has put out there for us as a district. Swindle says they are reaching kids and have overcome many obstacles in improving 2&A. In a rural district with as many things stacked against them as you can find anywhere in this country and they still have high achieving schools and have made Henry County Schools a high achieving school district. Glades County Commissioners finalized the reinstatement of impact fees that had been dormant since 2008. They’re collecting fees now for emergency medical services, schools, transportation, parks and recreation. County Commissioner Jeff Patterson dissented saying he thinks it will stifle growth. And I understand that a lot of counties have impact fees but they do that to deter growth. They don’t do that to bring growth to them. They do that saying that, well we’ll let you come but you’re going to pay for it. We don’t have anything for people. We don’t have anything to attract them. If we want to be a zero growth county, this is the best way to go. Candidate for County Commission this summer, Linda Cisneros, says it’s costly to live in Glades County and this will just add to the burden. I know sometimes our own family wants to build or our people from our community have wanted to build and if they’re really high it makes it really hard because it’s already hard. Palm Beach County Commissioners learned the Florida Department of Transportation will take over maintenance of County Road 880. The county agreed to replace bridges on Sam Center Road and at the C-51 canal. They received $60 million for the C-51 reservoir from the state legislature this year. Commissioner Maria Sacks was not thrilled with the results of state appropriations this year. I’d like to see a little bit more from our senators and state reps. The county also received $200,000 to purchase a new fire boat for Lake Okeechobee. In Glades County, Roberto Flores Gomez pled no contest to two criminal charges, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will serve 48 months in prison. The state dropped four charges that included first-degree armed burglary. In that case, the LaBelle man was allegedly involved in a September of 25 to a home invasion robbery call in the Mews area on Seminole Avenue. The victim appeared to be under the influence of some kind of intoxicant. Witnesses led them to a residence on Seminole Avenue where the suspect was believed to be last seen. A female in the victim’s home says she heard someone trying to enter her room. She woke up and heard people arguing. A male in the home says Gomez ordered him to give him a ride at gunpoint. He was able to get away and told his family to call 911. Rodrigo claimed his girlfriend had been injured in a car accident and he just asked for a ride to the hospital. Pendry County deputies got them another super speeder. Nineteen-year-old Quanell Smith allegedly was going 101 in a 60 on State Road 80 near Double J Acres Road.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).