Okeechobee Man Charged In Unfair Pricing

The Florida State Attorneys Office has charged with overpricing generators
to strom victims, John Charles Mikell, 47, and his
22-year-old son John Tate Mikell. They traveled to the Santa Rosa County
town of
Milton and sold Contractor brand generators from a pickup truck and horse
trailer parked on a roadside. The men sold 22 generators for $650 each,
more than double their retail price. The Mikells obtained the generators on
consignment from a friend, Frank DeCarlo, 46, who was to receive a share of
the proceeds from each generator sold. J.C. Mikell lives in Williston in
Levy County, J.T. Mikell lives in Archer in Alachua County, and DeCarlo
lives in Okeechobee in Okeechobee County.

Investigators for the Attorney General's Office observed the Mikells
on September 20 as they sold generators at the intersection of State Road
90 and Mary Street in Milton. A large sign indicated a selling price of
$650. Investigators determined that the manufacturer's suggested retail
price for that model generator is $299.99, meaning the price offered for
the generators was more than double the retail price

You Are A Floridian If...

Your Street has more than 3 "NO WAKE" signs posted.

You're considering upgrading your 16" to a 20" chainsaw and you know what
"Bar chain oil" is.


You're thinking of getting your wife the hardhat with the ear
protector and face shield for Christmas.

-Thanks to JTH

Boil Water Orders -Schools Opening

Various agencies are recommending the boiling of drinking water after
electrical pumps went out after electrical failures in the Hurricane Jeanne
strike areas.

A Boil water notice for Flaghole Area of central Hendry County, served by
South Shore Water has been issued Monday. Residents are asked to bring water
to a rolling boil for 2-3 minutes before consumption. Residents will be
advised when the boil water notice is lifted.

In other neighboring counties, Indiantown residents also have a boil water
order as well as Belle Glade.

All Hendry County public schools will be open Tuesday, September 28.

Hendry County Open and Recovering

Although the eastern portion of Hendry county is still recovering from the
storm in the Pioneer, Montura, and Clewiston areas, much of the county is
open and working. The county clerk offices in LaBelle are open, although the
Health Department is closed and schools countywide are closed. There was a
night time curfew in the eastern portion of Hendry including Clewiston since
the first night of the storm. The Special Needs shelter in Clewiston is
open. Eastern Hendry county residents are looking for generators and people
to help yard cleanup.

In other nearby areas, the Sebring airport is closed along with east
coast airports of Vero Beach and Sebastion Municipal. The Lake Wales airport
has been closed since the first storm last month. Northern portions of
Glades county near Buckhead Ridge shows damage to the majority of mobile
homes there. The emergency shelter is open there.
Radio broadcasts to listen for damage reports and recovery info: WAFC in
Clewiston, 99.5 FM, on the east coast with a good radio and outside antenna,
850 AM and 1290 AM.

Hendry and Glades Get High Winds Again

LABELLE, FL. -- Although Hurricane Jeanne went ahore near Stuart, Fl.,
Hendry and Glades county were not spared high winds for about 10 hours
Saturday night and Sunday morning. Phones and electric was down countywide,
Clewiston probably hardest hit, with only a few gas stations and stores with
electric to serve customers.

The Sunday Morning News
for Hendry and Glades county was delayed being published on the internet
because of phone and intenet line problems and will be online about 3:30
p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Latest Jeanne Predicted Landfall

LABELLE, FL. -- The latest projections from the National Weather Service
show Hurricane Jeanne's eye making landfall around 2 a.m. Sunday near Ft.
Pierce with winds at 125 mph. The storm track has been moving slighly north
of the last prediction this morning and moving slightly faster. At 2 p.m.
Sunday afternoon the storm should be around Floral City which is south of
Inverness near the west coast of Florida with winds at 65 mph.

Attorney Arrested On Drug Charge

LABELLE, FL. (Sept. 25,2004) -- On September 23, 2004, the Hendry County
Sheriffs Office arrested Derek Michael Tyler for Possession of Zanex
without a prescription. Mr. Tyler is a practicing attorney in the City of
LaBelle. Mr. Tyler was arrested during a recent undercover operation
conducted by Investigators of the Hendry County Sheriffs office during a
motel "buy bust".

Two Shot In Robbery

On September 22, 2004 at approximately 2:20 am, Investigators with the
Hendry County Sheriffs Office arrested 18-year-old Miguel DeAngelo Waters,
and 17 year old Walter Thicklin, who had been taken into custody on
September 21, 2004, for their involvement in the September 16, robbery and
shooting at the M & M Supermarket, located at 901 Kentucky Ave., in
Clewiston, Florida.

On September 16, 2004 at approximately 8:26pm, Hendry County deputies
received a 9-1-1 call reporting a robbery and shooting at M & M Supermarket
located at 901 Kentucky Ave., Clewiston, Florida.

Upon the arrival of deputies, two victims were found suffering from gunshot
wounds. Both victims were transported to Lee Memorial Hospital and were
listed in stable but guarded condition. It was reported to Investigators by
one of the victims, that two male subjects entered the store demanding
money, and then fired at the two store employees. The suspects then fled
the area with an undisclosed amount of money.

After receiving numerous tips, investigators were able to locate and take
into custody Waters and Thicklin. Miguel Waters is currently in the Hendry
County Jail charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
and an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear for Assault, his bond
currently stands at $70,000.00. Walter Thicklin was charged with one count
of Escape, one count Criminal Mischief, one count Grand Theft, one count
Robbery and two counts Principle to Felony attempted murder and one count
felony by wearing a hood/mask or other device. Thicklin is currently being
held in a Juvenile Detention facility.

How To Know It's Hurricane Time

Top 10 Reasons Hurricane Season in Florida is Like Christmas

10. Decorating the house (boarding up windows)

9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season (camping
gear, flashlights)

8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores

7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials"

6. Family coming to stay with you

5. Family and friends calling from out-of-state

4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... and in large quantities

3. Days off from work

2. Candles

And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas ..


1. At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!

-Thanks to JTH

Glades County Evacuations

Glades county will order at 11 am a mandatory evacuation of Buckhead
Ridge...Lakeport...and Moore Haven including all mobile homes. Glades county
shelters will open at 2 pm.

Hendry and Collier counties will be announcing evacuation orders and
opening of shelters later today. at the very least evacuation of mobile
homes
will be urgently recommended.

Jeanne Landfall Predictions

LABELLE, FL. -- While not sticking their neck out too far in Hurricane
Jeanne predictions, at 5 a.m. Saturday the National Weather Service said the
storm may be at the Port St. Lucie area about 2 a.m. Sunday morning and then
by 2 p.m. over the Leesburg, Florida area. Winds are expected at east coast
landfall at about 120 miles per hour and inland Sunday afternoon at 85
m.p.h.

Florida residents with a good AM band radio, especially with an outside
antenna can pick up Radio Bahamas reports at 810 khz for ongoing storm
action as the hurricane passes through the islands today. In South Florida,
listen to continuous reports from 850 khz from Palm Beach, and 1290 khz from
the Stuart area. Short wave radio listeners from anywhere in the eastern and
mid-west U.S. can tune in continuous amateur radio reports from the
Hurricane Watch Net at 14.325 mhz on single side band, and the Marine Nets
on 14.300 mhz. The Watch Net passes information from hams in affected areas
to the Hurricane Center in Miami.

Jeanne To Visit Florida Today

LABELLE, FL. -- As Hurricane Jeanne approaches the Florida east coast the
National Weather Service is issuing warnings for inland counties and
especially the areas around Lake Okeechobee:

ALL AREAS OUTSIDE PROTECTION OF THE HOOVER DIKE...INCLUDING RITTA...TORRY...
AND KREAMER ISLANDS AS WELL AS MARINAS AND DOCKS IN THE BELLE GLADE AND
PAHOKEE
AREAS...CAN BE EXPECTED TO FLOOD. THE HOOVER DIKE PROTECTS INHABITED AREAS
TO
MORE THAN 30 FEET.

OVER INLAND AREAS OF PALM BEACH...BROWARD...GLADES...AND HENDRY
COUNTIES...WINDS
WILL FREQUENTLY GUST TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE...39 MILES PER HOUR...BEGINNING
SATURDAY AFTERNOON...WITH SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS LASTING FROM
SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING. FREQUENT GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE
WILL
OCCUR OVER INLAND AREAS...ESPECIALLY LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND WESTERN PALM BEACH
COUNTY...FROM MIDNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MID MORNING SUNDAY. SUSTAINED
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE OVER LAKE OKEECHOBEE...ESPECIALLY IF THE
CENTER OF JEANNE MOVES FARTHER SOUTH. THE WINDS WILL SLOWLY DIMINISH SUNDAY.

The storm is now over Abaco Island in the Bahamas and moving to the north of
Grand Bahama Island latter today. Winds are 105 mph with hurricane winds out
to 70 miles.

Bush Meets With Island Leaders

TALLAHASSEE - Jeb Bush met with leaders in storm affected island countries
today and issued this statement: "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of
the rising
death toll in Haiti as a result of recent flooding associated with Tropical
Storm Jeanne. The last several weeks have seen devastation throughout the
Caribbean region as a result of the sometimes destructive forces of nature.
Being hit this summer by three major hurricanes with a fourth possibly on
the way, Floridians understand the tragedy that can come from these types of
natural disasters. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering in Haiti
and other parts of the Caribbean during these trying times.

"Yesterday, I met with the Consul Generals of the Bahamas, the
Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica. These officials gave me a
full briefing on the damage inflicted upon their respective countries by
recent storms. Their suffering and needs are great, but friends are ready
to help.

"My office has been working closely with the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, and various
non-governmental organizations, including the Florida Association for
Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas, Inc. (FAVACA), and
Americas Humanitarian Logistics Relief Team, a private sector relief effort
bringing together more than 50 Florida-based companies, to address the
issues of disaster response for our neighbors in the Caribbean.

"USAID has already mounted a major relief effort to assist Caribbean
countries rebuild from recent storms - providing over $2 million in
humanitarian assistance to the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica,
and the Bahamas. And USAID has just announced that an additional $2
million, as well as much needed emergency supplies, are being made available
from the U.S. government for Haiti's disaster recovery efforts. We applaud
this response and look forward to better days for our Caribbean friends and
neighbors."

Animal Owners Requested To Prepare

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner
Charles H. Bronson is urging people who may be impacted by Hurricane Jeanne
or any emergency to make plans for their animals well before the storm
prepares to make landfall.

Bronson's Division of Animal Industry website
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai provides extensive information for owners
of large and small animals who may be in harm's way. The website has
information on disaster preparedness for animals, emergency animal
sheltering, emergency housing for horses, a list of hotels that accept pets
and a link to websites that list pet-friendly motels.

The Division of Animal Industry, in conjunction with a host of public and
private partners, assists in animal rescue and evacuation, coordinates
direct veterinary care, provides emergency feed and water to livestock and
small animal shelters, and coordinates receipt and distribution of small
and large animal feed, animal crates, fencing, and animal health supplies
in areas impacted by hurricanes and other disasters.

"It is better for everyone if animal owners know where they can take their
pets before they need to evacuate," Bronson said. "We have many animals
still separated from their owners as a result of the previous storms and we
need to take steps to prevent this from happening."

Hendry County - Here We Go Again...

Hurricane Jeanne appears to be headed for Florida, the 4th major storm in
six weeks to race across the peninsula. Likely effects to be felt on the
east coast Saturday. From the Hendry County Government information office:

The Hendry County Hurricane Jeanne Information Center will be activated 1:00
pm on Saturday, September 25, 2004. Phone Numbers: (863)675-5392 in La
Belle, and (863)983-1594 in Clewiston

The following Shelters will be opened Saturday September 25, 2004:

Clewiston Middle School 3:00PM

La Belle Middle School 3:00PM

Special Needs Shelters

VFW in La Belle 3:00PM

John Boy Auditorium, Clewiston 12:00PM

Shelteree's are responsible for eating before coming to the evacuation
centers and for their water, food, medical and bedding requirements while
staying in the evacuation centers.

7 Deputies Involved In Shooting

LABELLE, FL. -- At the request of the Hendry County Sheriff's Office, the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating an officer involved
shooting in Hendry County. FDLE was contacted by the Hendry County
Sheriff's Office on Wednesday and were advised that numerous law
enforcement officers were
involved in a pursuit, which ultimately ended in the shooting of a suspect.

According to initial reports, at approximately 6:35 p.m. a hit and run crash
occurred at the intersection of State Road 80 and State Road 29 in LaBelle,
Fla., and was reported to the Hendry County Sheriff's Office. The suspect
driver in the crash fled the scene and was spotted a short time later by
Hendry County deputies. A pursuit began with the suspect fleeing officers
westbound on State Road 80. Three officers attempted to stop the suspect.
The suspect continued west on SR-80 without stopping for more than three
miles. Four additional Hendry County officers joined the pursuit.
Disregarding the deputies' commands to stop, the suspect reportedly turned
and headed east on State Road 80 back into the city of LaBelle. Deputies
were able to get the suspect stopped near the intersection of Martin Luther
King and State Road 80. During the stop, an incident occurred and the
deputies fired at the suspect.

The suspect, Deanne Hall (DOB 4/28/1977) is listed in critical condition at Lee
Memorial Hospital. No Hendry County Sheriff's deputies involved in the
incident were injured. FDLE special agents will be conducting interviews of
the deputies involved and of other possible witnesses to both the shooting
and the pursuit.

Due to the ongoing, active nature of this investigation, no further
information will be released at this time. Once the investigation
concludes, FDLE will present its findings to the State Attorney's Office
20th Judicial Circuit.

Catherine Martini arrested for the murder of her 79 year-old boyfriend Arthur Daigle who lived at the Meadow Lake Campground in Ortona, Fl. in Glades county.

Glades Woman Arrested For Murder

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Glades County
Sheriff's Office (GCSO) announce the arrest of Catherine Martini, 44, of
Ortona, Fla. Martini is charged with the murder of Arthur Daigle, 79, of
Ortona, Fla.

On Sept. 20, the GCSO responded to a welfare check at the Daigle residence
located at 12525 Williams Road S.W. in the Meadow Lark Campground. Deputies
found the residence locked and no apparent signs of foul play. Later on the
same date, the GCSO received information that Daigle could be the victim of
a shooting. Deputies responded back to the Daigle residence and made entry
into the home. Daigle was found lying dead on a couch with an apparent
gunshot wound. The GCSO requested the FDLE to assist with the investigation
and crime scene evidence collection.

Special agents from the FDLE Sebring Field Office and detectives from the
GCSO interviewed Daigle's girlfriend, Catherine Matrini. Through statements
made during the interview and evidence collected from the scene, it is
alleged that Martini shot and killed Daigle sometime on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Police also believe that Martini took Daigle's credit cards and money after
the shooting and used them to buy crack cocaine.

Martini was arrested by FDLE special agents and GCSO detectives on Sept. 20
and booked into the Glades County Jail under no bond. Hendry County
Deputies assisted in locating Martini, who was taken into custody for
questioning when they found she was at a medical clinic in LaBelle on Main
Street.

Officer Involved Shooting In LaBelle

There has been an officer involved shooting at 750 Hickpochee in Labelle
near Martin Luther King Blvd. The scene is right off Hgwy 80 at the
entrance to LaBelle. The officer allegedly doing the shooting is with the
Hendry County Sheriff's Office. The Florida Department of Law Enforecement
is investigating.

Hispanic Fest Coming to Ft. Myers

Fort Myers, Florida -The Southwest Florida Museum of History in conjunction
with the Lee County Library system is holding a Hispanic Heritage Festival
to celebrate the Hispanic community's heritage and culture in Southwest
Florida.
Throughout the day, the festival will highlight Latin music, dance, arts &
crafts, food, Latin authors and members of the Latin media, offer
curriculum on Hispanic Heritage as well as multi-cultural programs and
other information on services in the county.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15-October 15th
because the seven Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile celebrate their
independence.

The event is free and open to the public. Tours in the museum are just $5
on Saturday and a tour in Spanish will be offered.

For more information contact the museum at 332-5955.

Ivan Damage Report - Grand Cayman

A ham radio operator on Grand Cayman Island in the Caymans has reported to
the National Weather Service that about 25% of the island is still flooded
although the water has receeded and now is only about one foot deep. A local
aircraft has been reported as returning to the island although the airport
is officially closed. About 90% of all structures have damage and about 10%
totally damaged. The HMS Richmond Hill, a British Naval frigate and the
auxiliary vessel Wave Ruler are stationed offshore waiting for better
weather to send in a landing party. The local power company has shut off
power and will be working to restore damaged lines.

Floodwater has damaged a generator at the water plant and it is not possible
to say at this time when supplies will be restored.

The George Town Hospital suffered damage to the Mortuary, which is where
medical supplies are kept refrigerated. The hospital is currently seeking an
emergency generator.

A smaller island to the northeast, Cayman Brac suffered only coastal
damage and the airpor is reportedly open.

One month after Hurricane Charlie struck southwest Florida, extensive damage is still evident. In Arcadia, the municipal airport is still heavily damaged although open. The City Hall building is closed, the main downtown district is a ghost town with nearly all businesses boarded up and closed. A campground on the Peace River is flooded with three feet of water, and both canoe rental/touring companies are closed due to the high waters.

Keys Open - Hendry Closed

Emergency Management officials in Monroe county have lifted the mandatory
evacuation order for the Florida Keys and Key West. With a 5% predicted
landfall of Hurricane Ivan at Key West, rain bands and winds will be
expected but residents are allowed back. Officials note however that
hospitals are closed in the Keys today.
On the other hand, Hendry county government offices, state health department
offices, and Hendry schools remain closed today, and county offices have
been advertised to be closed Tuesday as well. The county commission meeting
has been cancelled for Tuesday.

Emergency management officials in Hendry county are somewhat unresponsive to
inquiries by the press, so we don't fully know what's happening during
Hendry county emergencies.

Ivan Forecasters No Clue?

As Hurricane Ivan continues its basically westward roaming, we wonder if the
hurricane storm forecasters are beginning to look like they have no clue
where it's headed. Now more than 200 miles west of earlier predictions, the
storm is heading towards the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico or past the west
side of Cuba...take your pick.

On Grand Cayman Island, reports say flooding is widespread with the
international airport flooded with 2 feet of water on the runway. People are
said to be standing on roofs in some places begging for help as water has
taken over the ground level.

The National Weather Service has issued probabilities for the strorm hitting
cities Key West, the west coast of Florida and the Panhandle. All cities are
claimed to have approximately 12% probability of the eye coming within 75
miles.

For the Florida Keys the Weather Service has issued this statement:

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COUNTY OFFICES WILL REMAIN CLOSED MONDAY.
COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE STILL MAINTAINING A
MANDATORY EVACUATION DUE TO THE THREAT OF HURRICANE IVAN AND NOT
RECOMMENDING RE-ENTRY INTO THE KEYS UNTIL THE THREAT HAS BEEN
MINIMIZED. THE MONROE COUNTY INFORMATION HOT-LINE HAS THE LATEST
INFORMATION. THEY MAY BE REACHED AT 1 800...9 5 5...5 5 0 4. THE KEY
WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REMAINS CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AT
THIS TIME. GREYHOUND BUS LINES SERVICE IS STILL SUSPENDED. FOR
UPDATES AND DETAILS ON GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE...CALL 1 800...2 3
1...2 2 2 2.

Updated Ivan Information

At 11:15 a.m. the National Hurricane Center says Ivan has a 19% chance of
its eye passing within 75 miles of Key West. Key West is due south of Ft.
Myers. The storm has moved about 150 miles further west than forecasters had
originally predicted, and movement has delayed the entrance to the Florida
mainland considerably. The Florida Keys are under a mandatory evacuation
order, leaving many residents stranded out of their homes with no idea when
they can return.

The storm is now 30 miles southwest of the island of Grand Cayman. Reports
relayed through ham radio indicate the electric and phone lines are now out
on the island with sporadic cell phones still operating. An area in the
northwest section of the island is encountering flooding that has never
ocurred before.

The storm may next pass over the extreme western portion of Cuba.

Ag Crops Loses Great

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says
early estimates indicate agriculture losses resulting from Hurricanes
Charley and Frances will exceed $2 billion -- 30 percent of the state's
agriculture industry -- and these losses will increase if Hurricane Ivan
impacts the state. The impact has been felt in every sector of agriculture
from nurseries to citrus to timber.

Early estimates being reported to the Department indicate the nursery
industry, which is the top agriculture industry in Florida, will suffer a
loss of between $530 million and $600 million from both storms. This
includes the loss of product as well as structural damage. Florida's
citrus industry faces losses of more than $400 million from Charley and
Frances, not including structural damages, and the state's timber industry
anticipates more than $150 million dollars in losses. That number is
likely to rise as damage not yet apparent, such as root rot and bug
infestations begin to take their toll. In addition, dairy farmers have
been forced to dump more than 300,000 gallons of milk because there were no
tankers available to ship the milk out. The dairy and beef cattle will
continue to succumb to storm related problems such as stress. Other
impacted industries include vegetable crops, tropical fruit, aquaculture,
and tropical fish.

On Wednesday, Bronson, joined by United States Department Agriculture
Deputy Secretary James Moseley, toured agricultural damage in several areas
of the state and met with some industry representatives to find out what
the most pressing needs are. Bronson continues to gather damage estimates
to provide to Governor Jeb Bush and the federal government in an effort to
provide some financial relief.

Muse Doctor Named To Council

LABELE, FL. -- Governor Jeb Bush announced the following appointment to the
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Region Nine:
(Senate Confirmation Required): Edward Elkowitz, 70, of Muse, physician,
appointed to succeed Kathy Adams, for a term beginning September 10, 2004
and ending October 1, 2006.

Grenada Disaster Update

Approximately 60,000 people are reported to be homeless with 5,000 to 8,000
persons in 47 emergency shelters on the island of Grenada. The temporary
halt to the flow of emergency supplies into Grenada issued yesterday will be
lifted as of 5:00 am today Saturday September 11, 2004. The Caribbean
Disaster Relief Unit is now operational at both the air and sea ports and
responsible for managing all incoming relief supplies.

Relief Supplies Suspended To Grenada

Apparently due to the civil unrest on the island of Grenada, all hurricane
relief supplies are being suspended until order can be achieved. A
communication was released yesterday afternoon by the Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Response Agency as follows:

ISSUED BY: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency

DATE: September 9, 2004

TIME: 10:00 am

Barbados, Sep 10, 2004 (CDERA) - On the recommendation of the Regional
Security
System and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), the
Emergency Operations Centre is Grenada is temporarily suspending all
shipments
of relief supplies to the country.

The suspension is being implemented to allow for the strengthening of
security
to provide safety of passage for goods and equipment arriving in the
country.

An update to this advisory will be issued at 12 noon Saturday September 11,
2004.

The airport however remains open for evacuation purposes and for entry of
emergency personnel.

Damage Reports From Grenada

We have received some reports from the island of Grenada (Gren-Ay-da).
Grenada was one of the earliest islands to be struck by Hurricane Ivan. It
has volcanic mountains, and what used to be lush valleys and pristine
beaches. Now, 90% of the structures on the island have been destroyed. The
historic jail was destroyed and all the prisoners escaped. Ir is now without
electric, water and food.

Here is a report from a relative of one storm victim living on Grenada:


I just heard from one of my brothers in Grenada. My entire family is alive
and were not physically injured in any way. Every family member lost the
roof on their house, and some structural damage to some of the houses. My
brother said that they are very lucky. He said 80,000 people are homeless.
He used to be able to sit on his verandah and see houses beneath his house,
now all he sees is flat land, and "trees sticking out of the ground like
toothpicks" (his words). The major concern right now is for water. He
anticipates a shortage soon, and also suspects that gas will run out soon
too, making it impossible to boil water and cook food.

He said that all of the supermarkets have been looted and there is no food
available. He has urged me to send supplies which I am preparing to do. He
specified that I send camping goods, namely a cooking stove, gas ( I checked
but my shipper will not except gas as it is a dangerous good and will delay
the shipment), food staples (rice, pasta, etc), dry-cell batteries,
flashlights, lanterns etc. The major need is for food right now.

He said he can't see electricity returning for another 3 MONTHS and laughed
at the idea that it could be restored in days. He drove through Belmont and
every single electricity and telephone pole was down and he knows it is
worse in other areas of the island. In his words, this was worse that Janet
and the current situation is about to become a way of life for a while. He
is concerned about the health risks - the inability for people to boil water
because of gas shortages; the lack of garbage collection which means that
debris and trash will pile up.

-A. Francis

Keys Total Evacuation Ordered

The National Hurricane Center is calling for a total evacuation of the
Florida Keys including Key West. Hurricane Ivan is now about 700 miles from
Key West, and only 165 miles from Kingston, Jamaica where winds are expected
to hit at 145 mph today. Hurricane force winds extends 50 miles from the
center. From the Hurricane Center this morning:

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
AN EVACUATION OF VISITORS...NON-RESIDENTS...RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
AND MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS IS IN EFFECT. A PHASED MANDATORY
EVACUATION OF KEYS RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN THIS MORNING. AT 700
AM...THOSE FROM KEY WEST TO THE 7-MILE BRIDGE SHOULD EVACUATE. AT
NOON...RESIDENTS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS SHOULD EVACUATE. AT 400
PM...RESIDENTS OF THE UPPER KEYS SHOULD EVACUATE. RESIDENTS...MAKE
SURE YOU HAVE YOUR RE-ENTRY PERMIT. THE SHELTER FOR MONROE COUNTY IS
LOCATED AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY. TAKE U.S. 1 NORTH TO
THE TURNPIKE...THEN EXIT EAST ON SW 8TH STREET. FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO
THE SHELTER...WHICH WILL BE OPEN AT 500 PM TODAY. SHELTERS IN THE
KEYS WILL NOT BE OPEN. TOLLS AT CARD SOUND ROAD AND ON THE FLORIDA
TURNPIKE HAVE BEEN LIFTED. THE MONROE COUNTY INFORMATION HOT-LINE
HAS THE LATEST INFORMATION. THEY MAY BE REACHED AT 1 800...9 5 5...5
5 0 4. KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL CONTINUE FLIGHT
OPERATIONS THROUGH TONIGHT AT LEAST. CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE
FOR YOUR FLIGHT STATUS. GREYHOUND BUS PLANS TO CONTINUE SERVICE
THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT. EXTRA DEPARTURES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED. CALL 1
800...2 3 1...2 2 2 2 FOR DETAILS. THE PASSENGER FERRY TO FORT MYERS
HAS TWO DEPARTURES SCHEDULED TODAY. CALL 3 0 5...2 9 4...4 0 0 0
FOR DETAILS. THE AUTHORITIES ASK THAT YOU REMAIN CALM...AND LISTEN
FOR LATER INSTRUCTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. ONCE AGAIN...THE MONROE
COUNTY EMERGENCY HOT-LINE IS 1 800...9 5 5...5 5 0 4.

...MARINE IMPACTS...
IN ORDER TO ALLOW VEHICLE TRAFFIC TO PROCEED UNIMPEDED...THE BRIDGES
AT SNAKE CREEK AND JEWFISH CREEK WILL BE LOCKED IN THE DOWN
POSITION...AND THUS CLOSED TO MARINE VESSEL TRAFFIC.

Hendry and Glades Home Repairs Long Wait

LaBelle, Fl. -- A survey of some local contractors, a very short list in this rural area, indicates home owners needing emergency repairs may be waiting several months for a contractor. One local roofing company is making house calls to write contracts for roofing work, but says the work will not start for up to 10 weeks, being the amount of time they are supposedly behind in already scheduled work.

Know of contractors ready to work quicker than this or are you a licensed contractor? Send me an email message and I'll check it out, and then I can list available building contractors online for the convenience of local property owners in Hendry and Glades county.

Keys Are Evacuating

LaBelle, Fl -- An evacuation order has been issued for the Florida Keys.
Although Hurricane Ivan is still about 900 miles from Key West, the single
road out of the keys means major problems should the storm head that way.
The National Hurricane Center issued this statement at 5:15 p.m. Thursday:

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER HAS BEEN MADE FOR ALL VISITORS AND
NON-RESIDENTS. OWNERS OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND BOAT TRAILERS SHOULD
ALSO REMOVE THEIR PROPERTY FROM THE KEYS AT THIS TIME. MOBILE HOME
RESIDENTS SHOULD PREPARE FOR EVACUATION BEGINNING AT 600 PM THIS
EVENING. A PHASED EVACUATION OF ALL RESIDENTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
AND FLAMINGO MAY BE INITIATED TOMORROW. ALL RESIDENTS THAT WISH TO
LEAVE TODAY ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO. CONTACT THE MONROE COUNTY
EMERGENCY INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 1 800...9 5 5...5 5 0 4 FOR THE
LATEST INFORMATION ON EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES.

ALL COUNTY AND STATE PARKS WILL CLOSE TODAY. MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS
ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED FOR CLASSES ON FRIDAY.

ALL TOLLS AT THE CARD SOUND ROAD AND FLORIDA TURNPIKE HAVE BEEN
LIFTED. A SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE HEADING NORTH OF FORT
LAUDERDALE...I-95 IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LAST
WEEKEND'S HURRICANE FRANCES.

KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL CONTINUE FLIGHT SERVICE THROUGH
AT LEAST FRIDAY NIGHT. MOST AIRLINES ARE SCHEDULING EXTRA FLIGHTS.
PLEASE CALL THE AIRLINES FOR FLIGHT INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS.

GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE WILL CONTINUE SERVICE THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY
NIGHT WITH 4 KEY WEST AIRPORT DEPARTURES AND ADDITIONAL STOPS ALL
ALONG THE KEYS. CALL 1 800...2 3 1...2 2 2 2...FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE TO FORT MYERS WILL CONTINUE FRIDAY WITH 2
DEPARTURES...CALL 3 0 5...2 9 4...4000...EXTENSION 7 5 1 3...FOR
MORE INFORMATION.

Governor Asks SBA To Expedite Hurricane Loans

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today urged Florida's business owners
directly impacted by Hurricane Frances to apply for emergency assistance
under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance loan
program. Governor Bush is also asking the SBA to expedite approval of
eligible loan applications so business owners can utilize funding from the
program as soon as possible.

"I thank Administrator Barreto and the SBA for their quick and
aggressive response to the needs of Florida's victims of Hurricane Charley
and now Frances," said Governor Bush. "The SBA has been and will continue
to be a solid partner with Florida in our efforts to rehabilitate
communities and revitalize businesses in the wake of these storms. The
example set by our federal government in swiftly assisting Floridians in
this critical time is deeply appreciated."

The SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Program was created to help people recover
from catastrophe through affordable, timely, and accessible financial
assistance programs. The SBA offers physical disaster assistance loans up to
$1.5 million to businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations to
repair damage to real estate, machinery, equipment, and inventory caused by
Hurricane Charley. The SBA also offers economic injury disaster loans to
provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a
disaster. The combined loan limit for both physical damage and economic
injury loan assistance is $1.5 million. SBA business loans are provided at
low interest rates (2.9 percent) and repayment terms up to 30 years.

SBA loans up to $200,000 are also available to homeowners to repair or
restore their primary home to its pre-disaster condition. Homeowners and
renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property
such as furniture and clothing. Interest rates can be as low as 3.187
percent with terms up to 30 years.

"Just two weeks ago, Governor Bush and I toured some of the areas of Florida
hardest hit by Hurricane Charley. Together, we distributed almost
$1,000,000 in SBA disaster relief checks for those homeowners and small
businesses suffering losses from that storm," said SBA Administrator Hector
V. Barreto. "In a matter of days, the SBA Disaster Team had begun to
approve and make those loans. Now, the good citizens of Florida are faced
with even greater challenges from the added devastation of Frances. The SBA
looks forward to working with our partners at FEMA and the State of Florida
to meet these challenges. As the President promised, we will stay as long
as it takes to restore Florida and its citizens back to relative normalcy."

Counties directly affected by Hurricane Frances and declared disaster areas
by FEMA are eligible to participate in the SBA program. Also eligible for
disaster loans are victims of Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie.
From Charley's landfall in Florida to present date, the SBA has approved
$27.2 million in disaster assistance loans (business and housing).

To apply for SBA disaster assistance loans please call FEMA at (800)
621-FEMA (3362). To learn more about the SBA disaster assistance loan
program visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

Governor Passes Through Hendry Non-Stop

Governor Jeb Bush'svehicle convoy passed through Hendry county Wednesday
afternoon non-stop on the way to the Charlotte County Emergency Operations
Center. Hendry deputies were posted at the three traffic lights in the city
of LaBelle to allow the Governor's vehicles to continue unstopped to the Lee
county line on SR80

Gov. Bush had been in Palm Beach with his brother the President during the
early afternoon. President Bush's trip closed down most air traffic for
several hours along the east coast from Miami to Ft. Pierce under temporary
flight restrictions ,now routine whenever the President travels. Airports as
far away as Indiantown and Okeechobee were affected.

Ham Radio Gets Storm Messages Through

While Florida was under a hurricane watch and during the actual passage of
Hurricane Frances though the state, amateur radio operators played an
essential part in emergency operations.

In Hendry county, a small group of hams manned the Emergency Operations
center in LaBelle, and the hurricane shelters in LaBelle and Clewiston. Walt
Weiland, a former Port LaBelle resident and now living in North Fort Myers,
spent long days and nights at the EOC center monitoring communications and
relaying messages between shelters. His role became especially important
when electric and phone lines were out around the county. Relying on
"wireless" communication using only his radio and an antenna installed
outside the building, he sent and received importand logistical information
during the emergency. At one point, he was called upon to relay messages to
the EOC in Glades county when their power went out.

Stationed at the emergency shelters were hams Rev. Warren Grant, Ron Novack, Jim Sparks,
and Pete Sutton also spending long hours working throughout the bad weather
sending messages between the EOC and the shelters.
The local hams maintain the emergency radio equipment at the shelters and
also at the Hendry Emergency Management department. They have regular
meetings and also maintain a repeater station on a local radio tower in
order to facilitate long distance communication throughout the county.
Walt Weiland says he is always looking for people who would like to become
hams and get their FCC license. He is also looking for citizen band radio
operators and Family Radio Service radio operators to volunteer for
emergency operations during the next county wide emergency. If interested
you may email

In central Hendry County, a residents of Pioneer Plantation readied for storm winds. Although most of Hendry escaped serious damage, some homes in Clewiston and in Glades county suffered. Pictured is Mary Hollingsworth battening up the hatches at her home.

LaBelle Weather Back to Normal?

Monday night was the first time in a long time when the winds were dead
calm. But around noon Tuesday, the rain bands were back with some heavy
lightning storms. Immediately after the Hurrincane passed Sunday morning,
there had been rain but no lightning or thunder. As the upper air
temperatures were still cooler than normal, lightning was not being
produced.

But by Tuesday morning the surface temperatures were back to the normal for
this time of the year 80s with upper air cloud temps back to more of a
normal heating hence producing lightning.

We are still watching Hurricane Ivan, now passing by the island of Barbados
in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean. Our fingers are crossed.

Moore Haven OK? - Reader Questions

Do you have any information about how Moore Haven fared? I'm a winter
resident and have many friends as well as property there. The phone lines
are down and from tv news it appears Lake got hit hard. A poster on
Lucianne posted your blog link and I'm grateful to you for posting all
the info.about the Lake area. Did LaBelle get hit hard?

Storm Damage Question - Glades Boatyard

My name is Colleen Martin and the love of my life, a 34' sailboat is on the
hard at Glades boatyard. I am living in Nova Scotia and am desperate for
information on how my friend in faring. I do realize that this may sound
frivolous in light of the suffering in Florida but after checking on my 90
year old grandmother in Boynton Beach this is my biggest concern. I was
hoping that you may have some idea of how hard the area has been hit?! I
visit your web page often and feel as though I am asking a friend! Any
information you could shed would be much appreciated. Thank you very much
for your time.

Hendry Storm Reports

There was no substantial damage in the area, but many trees limbs and palm
fronds scattered everywhere, and power lines down. In the Port LaBelle
area, electric didn't even go out until a few momemtary interruptions at 9
a.m. Sunday Morning. Satellite TV was on all during the storm. Not much
rain, but heavy winds. But in the more northwestern areas electric was out.
Phone lines were jammed and out of service Sunday morning as everyone tried
to call into the area to check on relatives and friends.
The Emergency Operations Center in LaBelle relied at times on amateur radio
operators to relay messages between Clewiston and LaBelle, and between
various shelters. As phone lines went dead, including cell phones, amateur
radio volunteer Walt Weiland relayed a message from the Hendry operations
center to Glades County's emergency center through a radio link in Lee
county. Glades county's phone were out as well.
In Buckhead Ridge, in the northernmost section of Glades county, damage to
mobile homes was more extensive due to the Hurricane passing on the
northern edge of Lake Okeechobee. Electric and phone have been out there.
The Hendry Sheriff's office sent a supply of food to Buckhead residents on
Monday.
Here's a typical storm report from a Pioneer Plantation (central Hendry
county) resident:
"We are still OK. We continued to get some rain and high wind during the night.
I was awake several times during the night monitoring the storm and county
network. At 0430 we had very high winds made a lot of noise going through
the trees. We have some minor branches down. It's still light rain and wind
at this time. We only had power blinks,
Thank you Glades Electric Coop. for being so proactive in maintaining
lines and tree trimming. We never lost Directv (satellite) so we were able
to view all the West Palm Beach stations coverage on Frances. We also
never lost Direcway (satellite Internet service) so we were able to monitor
web news and live Florida radar..."

Reader Questions - Glades Boatyard

My name is Colleen Martin and the love of my life, a 34' sailboat is on the hard at Glades boatyard. I am living in Nova Scotia and am desperate for information on how my friend in faring. I do realize that this may sound frivolous in light of the suffering in Florida but after checking on my 90 year old grandmother in Boynton Beach this is my biggest concern. I was hoping that you may have some idea of how hard the area has been hit?! I visit your web page often and feel as though I am asking a friend! Any information you could shed would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.

Cat 1 Frances Over Lake Okeechobee

The eye of the storm is currently passing over the north end of Lake
Okeechobee. The latest statement from the National Weather Service includes
this about the Lake area:
...storm surge flood and storm tide impacts...lake okeechobee is being
affected by strong tropical storms force winds with frequent hurricane force
wind gusts. the highest level so far at belle glade has been 19.2 feet at
around 2 am...while levels on the north end of the lake dropped as low as 9
feet. as frances moves west and northwest...winds will back to the southwest
and push water toward the east coast from south bay to pahokee to taylor
slough. maximum water levels on the east side of hoover dike are expected to
reach 17 to 18 feet above mean sea level. ultimately...the wind will back
around to the south tonight and early monday...pushing water up as high as
18 to 19 feet above mean sea level there monday morning. the hoover dike
protects inhabited areas to at least 30 feet above mean sea level.
ritta...kreamer and torry islands are partially flooded at these levels
including some campgrounds and roads. roads and lakeside facilities in the
pahokee area will partially flood at these forecast levels today...and some
campgrounds and trailer parks on the lakeside of the dike will flood at the
forecast levels monday morning.

Clewiston Shelter Without Electric

Reports have come in that an emergency shelter in Clewiston is now without
power and rumors are circulating that there may be a problem with the water
supply there.
The curfew for the City of Clewiston begins at 7 p.m. tonight.

Deputies Check Mobile Home Parks

As rain intensifies from the strorm bands Saturday afternoon the Hendry
Sheriff's department deputies continued patrolling mobile home parks
throughout the county to make sure residents have evacuated to emergency
shelters. The Sheriff's office has encountered some communications problems
in the Clewiston area and are working to solve the outages.

Emergency Shelter Full In LaBelle - Curfew in Clew

At 1 p.m. Saturday the emergency shelter at the LaBelle Middle school is
reportedly full and people are being sent elsewhere for shelter. A shelter
is being readies at the Country Oaks Elementary School schuduled to open at
3 p.m. Saturday. Hendry county has a mandatory evacuation for mobile home
residents and those in low-lying areas.
A night time curfew has been announced for the City of Clewiston.

Lake Okeechobee Warning

From the National Weather Service, Friday morning:

For lake okeechobee...the lake level thursday was 13.6 feet above mean sea
level which is below normal for this time of the year. with the current
forecast track...the water would be pushed up as much as 8 to 10 feet higher
on the lake side of the dike in glades...
hendry...and western palm beach counties from the mouth of fisheating creek
all the way around to port mayaca including moore haven... clewiston...south
bay...belle glade and pahokee. the maximum storm tide inside hoover dike
would therefore be about 24 feet above mean sea level on the west and south
sides of the lake and as high as 20 feet above mean sea level on the east
side. the hoover dike protects inhabited areas to at least 30 feet above
mean sea level. ritta... kreamer and torry islands would be flooded at these
levels including some campgrounds and roads. it must be emphasized that the
exact impact on the lake still depends on how close and from what direction
frances approaches the lake.

Frances Probabilities

The National Weather Service's 5 a.m. probabilities of Hurricane Frances'
eye moving within 75 miles of these locations:
West Palm Beach or Ft. Pierce 29%, Cocoa Beach 26%, Tampa 20%, Ft. Myers or
Venice 18%

And from the Service's 8 a.m. update (the center is now over Eleuthera
Island in the Bahamas, 60 miles northeast of Nassua)
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 85 MLES...FROM THE CENTER...AND
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP O 185 MILES. ELUTHERA RECENTLY
REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 100 MPH AND NASSAU JUST REPORTED A 75 MPH
WIND GUST.

The predicted path will take the storm near Grand Bahama Island about 2 a.m.
Saturday morning, and be offshore near Stuart, Florida about 2 p.m. Saturday
afternoon.

Hendry County Storm Announcements

The Hendry County Information Center has been reactivated in preparation for
Hurricane Frances. The Hurricane Frances Hotline is a central phone bank,
manned with volunteers and county employees, established to field
hurricane-related questions from the public. The telephone number is
863-675-5392. The hotline will be open at 8 a.m.September 2, at which time
it will remain open 24-hours a day until further notice.
Hurricane Frances is expected to remain a very strong Category 4 Hurricane
with projected landfall anywhere between Miami and Daytona Beach sometime
Saturday.
Hendry County is urging a mandatory evacuation for mobile homes, RV's, and
low-lying areas effective at 3 PM this afternoon. The following shelters
will be open:

Clewiston High School, Clewiston Middle, Clewiston Central Elementary,
LaBelle Middle School and Country Oaks Elementary School. Special Needs
Shelters in Clewiston at John Boy Auditorium and in LaBelle at the VFW Post
will also open.
In anticipation of Hurricane Frances, Hendry County is requesting that all
outdoor signs (election or other) be removed from public display. This
pertains to any free-standing signs placed in the ground or tacked to trees
or poles.
Hendry County is requesting voluntary compliance as a safety precaution, as
these materials could become dangerous airborne debris during the storm.
The Fort Denaud bridge will remain open to boat traffic until 2PM Friday
afternoon, September 3, 2004, unless winds greater than 25 MPH force it to
close. The US Army Corps of Engineers has requested that it remain in
service to facilitate boat traffic from the east coast.

5 P.M. Francies Probabilities And U.S. Landfall

The National Weather Service in its 5 p.m. release says the probability of
Frances' eye passing within 75 miles of the following locations is:
West Palm Beach, 26%, Ft. Pierce 25%, Cocoa Beach 23%, Daytona Beach 20%,
Tampa 18%, Cedar Key 17%, Ft. Myers and Venice 17%.
The forecast model shows the eye passing by Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas
about 2 a.m. Friday, Grand Bahama Island 8 p.m Friday and making landfall
around Vero Beach noon Saturday.
Hurrincane Winds at 5 p.m. Thursday were extending 80 miles out with
tropical force winds 180 miles.

Hendry-Glades Shelters Open

LABELLE, FL. -- The Hendry county emergency shelters will open at 3 p.m.
including the special needs shelters at John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston
and at the VFW hall on SR29 South in LaBelle.
In Glades county, a mandatory evacuation is ordered for people living in
mobile homes and in low lying areas.

Hurricane Frances - Stuart To Winter Haven?

The National Weather Service issued its latest public advisory at 8 a.m.
Thursday predicting hurricane winds extending 80 miles outward from the eye.
Currenty in the southeastern Bahamas, the predicted path indicates it will
pass over Cat Island, Eleuthera Isand today and on toward Nassau tonight. By
2 a.m. Saturday the storm may be offshore of West Palm Beach heading
northwestward and make landfall at Hobe Sound, south of Stuart with winds of
135 mph. Tracking northwestward through Florida it may move to the Winter
Haven area with winds at 105 mph.
Predicted chances of the hurrican eye hitting Florida cities directly: West
Palm Beach 22%, Ft. Pierce 21%, Cocoa 20%, Daytona 18%, Marco Island 17%,
Fort Myers 17%.

Gov Bush Orders Emergency Powers

In a statement issued Wednesday, Governor Jeb Bush issued a statement
delegating the State Emergency Manager broad powers. The following are
excerpts of the statement:
I hereby designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as
the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency and as my
Authorized Representative. In exercising the powers delegated by this
Executive Order, the State Coordinating Officer shall confer with the
Governor to the fullest extent practicable. In accordance with Sections
252.36(1)(a) and 252.36(5), Florida Statutes, I hereby delegate to the
State Coordinating Officer the following powers, which he shall exercise as
needed to meet this emergency:
A. The authority to activate the Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan;
B. The authority to invoke and administer the Statewide Mutual
Aid Agreement, and the further authority to coordinate the allocation of
resources under that Agreement so as best to meet this emergency;
C. The authority to invoke and administer the Emergency
Management Assistance Compact and other Compacts and Agreements existing
between the State of Florida and other States, and the further authority to
coordinate the allocation of resources from such other States that are made
available to the State of Florida under such Compacts and Agreements so as
best to meet this emergency;
D. The authority to seek direct assistance from any and all
agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet the
emergency;
E. The authority to distribute any and all supplies stockpiled
to meet the emergency;
F. In accordance with Sections 252.36(5)(a) and 252.46(2),
Florida Statutes, the authority to suspend existing statutes, rules,
ordinances, and orders for the duration of this emergency to the extent
that literal compliance with such statutes, rules, ordinances, and orders
may be inconsistent with the timely performance of disaster response
functions;
G. The authority to direct all state, regional and local
governmental agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to identify
personnel needed from those agencies to assist in meeting the needs created
by this emergency, and to place all such personnel under the direct command
of the State Coordinating Officer to meet this emergency;
H. The authority to activate the Continuity of Operations
Plans of all state, regional and local governmental agencies;
I. The authority to seize and utilize any and all real or
personal property as needed to meet this emergency, subject always to the
duty of the State to compensate the owner;
J. The authority to order the evacuation of all persons from
any portions of the State threatened by the disaster, the authority to
direct the sequence in which such evacuations shall be carried out, and the
further authority to regulate the movement of persons and traffic to, from,
or within any location in the State to the extent needed to cope with this
emergency;
K. The authority to reverse the flow of traffic on any and all
highways or portions of highways of the State Highway System as needed to
facilitate the evacuation of the affected communities;
L. The authority to regulate the return of the evacuees to
their home communities;
M. The authority to designate such Deputy State Coordinating
Officers as the State Coordinating Officer may deem necessary to cope with
the emergency; and
N. The authority to enter such orders as may be needed to
implement any or all of the foregoing powers.
Section 4. I hereby order the Adjutant General to activate the
Florida National Guard for the duration of this emergency, and I hereby
place the National Guard under the authority of the State Coordinating
Officer for the duration of this emergency.
A. I hereby give all agencies of the State, including the collegial
bodies within those agencies, the authority to suspend the effect of any
statute, rule, ordinance, or order of any state, regional, or local
governmental entity, to the extent needed to procure any and all necessary
supplies, commodities, services, temporary premises, and other resources,
to include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all
statutes and rules which affect budgeting, printing, purchasing, leasing,
and the conditions of employment and the compensation of employees, but any
such statute, rule, ordinance, or order shall be suspended only to the
extent necessary to ensure the timely performance of disaster response
functions.

Price Gougers Warned

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner
Charles H. Bronson reminded state residents today that Florida's
price-gouging statute remains in effect and called on Floridians who
encounter any such activity in connection with the approaching Hurricane
Frances to report it at once to his department.
"Price gouging is not just immoral -- it is illegal," Bronson said. "Anyone
who attempts to exploit another's misfortune will be dealt with to the
fullest extent of the law."
Under state law, it is illegal to charge exorbitant or excessive prices for
essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators
or lumber, following the declaration of an emergency, unless the increases
in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by
retailers.
Governor Jeb Bush declared a state emergency in connection with Tropical
Storm Charley last month - and the emergency declaration remains in effect.
Individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging face fines of up to
$1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging is
occurring to report it at once to his department's toll-free hotline - 1
800 HELP FLA (435-7352).

Hendry County Office Closings

All Hendry County Government offices will be closed at noon Thursday,
September 2 and all day Friday, September 3, 2004, due to Hurricane Frances.
All Hendry County residents are urged to take due caution. Monday office
will be closed for Labor Day as well. Advanced precautions include:
1. Evacuation Procedures. (supplies to take with you and where)
2. Stock enough non-perishable supplies such as water for each person to
last for up to 72 hrs.
3. Establish contacts with family and friends and meeting places after the
storm.
4. Plan on what to do with your pets or livestock.
5. Fill up vehicles and fuel powered items.
6. Have copies of all insurance policies and important papers. (i.e. medical
information)

Hurricane Frances - Grand Bahama To Melbourne?

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Frances is tentatively
predicted to move north of the Turks and Caicos Islands within hours, moving
northwesterly to Grand Bahama Island tomorrow over the city of Freeport, and
then by 2 p.m. Saturday make landfall south of Melbourne and near Patrick
Air Force Base with winds at 115 knots, with a probability of about 23
percent.
Schools will close early in Hendry county Thursday afternoon in order to
prepare schools as shelters, and Glades county will close schools on Friday.

Worley Faces Former Sheriff Lee In Nov.

LABELLE, FL. (Sept. 1, 2004) -- Former Hendry County Sheriff Ronnie Lee will
face off with current Sheriff Steve Worley for one of the highest paid jobs
in Hendry county in November. Republican Lee won the primary with 826 votes
against his Republican contenders for the job, Kevin Nelson and Gari
Senderoff. Nelson won 528 votes and Senderoff 89.
Sheriff Worley, in the Democratic race, gained 1013 votes against Steve
Hinton's 746 votes, Fred Dyess, Jr. 744 and Ronnie Padgett's 519 votes.