County Housing Program Asking For Contractor Bids

LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry county's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) provides funding yearly for owner occupied housing rehabilitation, and seeks licensed building contractors to remodel up to a dozen homes this year. 

The maximum amount available for remodeling each home to building code standards is $50,000.

Rehabilitation may include electrical, structural, doors, windows, etc to alleviate code violations, health and safety issues, and any disability access issues in the home.

Qualified contractors will bid for each home remodel at a future date after performing a walk through of each home. Bids will be reviewed and recommendations made based on the lowest responsible bid. The construction period is from 60 to 120 days.

To obtain more information about getting on the contractor list, contact Guardian Community Resource Management Inc. at 888-482-7393 or Hendry County Housing Director Sabrina Gadson at 863-675-5297

(File Photo by Don Browne)

Hendry Deputies Felony Arrest Report This Week

LABELLE, FL.-- HCSO reports the following Felony Arrests in Hendry County for Feb 20 to Feb 26 including 3 probation violations, 2 driving violations, 2 DUI charges, and 20 drug possession charges,

Jonathan Martinez, 27, Sarasota, was arrested on February 20, 2023, by Deputy Carranza and charged with two counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl, three counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine and two counts of Racketeering.

Mirna Ventura, 40, Homestead, was arrested on February 20, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with DUI.

Melinda Maria Ortiz, 41, Immokalee, was arrested on February 20, 2023, by Deputy George and charged with three counts of Probation Violation.

Latisha Ann Bethea, 43, Palm Beach, was arrested on February 22, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sale, Cocaine Trafficking, Possession of Drug Equipment, Possession of Drug Equipment to Transport Drugs and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription.

Bryan Quentin Brice, 38, West Palm Beach, was arrested on February 22, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle, Driving while License Suspended Habitual Offender, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sale, Cocaine Trafficking, Possession of Drug Equipment, Possession of Drug Equipment to Transport Drugs and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription.

Kenneth Ray Masters, 37, Deltona, was arrested on February 22, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sale, Cocaine Trafficking, Possession of Drug Equipment, Possession of Drug Equipment to Transport Drugs and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription.

Christopher Felipe Vanegas, 21, Clewiston, was arrested on February 23, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with Driving While License Suspended Habitual Offender.

Guarionex Nieves Mercado Nieves, 41, Clewiston, was arrested on February 23, 2023, by Det. Bustamante and charged with Contempt of Court.

Shana Lanay Grenier, 35, LaBelle, was arrested on February 23, 2023, by Deputy Ramirez and charged with Larceny.

Antonio Antron’ Johnson, 33, Clewiston, was arrested on February 23, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription.

Luis Angel Rios, 30, Clewiston, was arrested on February 23, 2023, by Deputy Rodriguez and charged with Lewd Lascivious Behavior.

Donald Ray Wagner, 60, Clewiston, was arrested on February 24, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charged with Trespassing, Resisting LEO without Violence and Assault.

Steven Dwayne Morgan, 34, Philadelphia, MS, was arrested on February 24, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Equipment and DUI.

Kenneth D. Ward, Jr., 30, Clewiston, was arrested on February 25, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Resisting LEO without Violence.

Michel D. Gonzalez, 25, LaBelle, was arrested on February 25, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery.

Reginald Eugene Ling, Jr., 21, Clewiston, was arrested on February 25, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Probation Violation.

Antoinette T. Smith, 34, Clewiston, was arrested on February 25, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charge with two counts of Probation Violation.

Jody Steven Rhodes, 43, Debary, was arrested on February 26, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with Carrying Concealed Weapon and Possession of Marijuana.

Swamp Cabbage Festival 2023 - LaBelle, Fl

 

LABELLE, FL. -- LaBelle and Hendry County's annual Swamp Cabbage Festival resumes this year with a full schedule of events with the Saturday parade and food and entertainment at Barron Park on the Caloosahatchee River and State Road 29 (Bridge Street.) 

The theme this year is "Wild About Hendry County."

The Parade Route will begin on Park Avenue at 10 a.m and travel north on Bridge Street, and end on Bridge Street in front of the Catholic Church. 

Portions of Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 8:00 am and completely closed to all traffic at 9:30am. Bridge Street down to Cowboy way will be closed at 9:30 a.m. Parade Entries can begin arriving 8:00 a.m.

Video by Don Browne of past year's Festival Parade

See more Festival Videos 2008-2022 Parade Videos on Youtube

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, Feb. 25th

08:00am - Car Show Registrations (Lee Street)
10:00am - Parade (Band stand, Bridge Street)
11:30am - Opening Ceremony (Band stand, Barron Park)
11:45am - Sheriff's Posse (Band stand, Barron Park)
12:45am - Matrasa Lynn (Band stand, Barron Park)
1:45pm - Queen/Princess Introduction (Band stand, Barron Park)
2:00pm - Unforgiven Band (Band stand, Barron Park)
3:00pm - Eli Mosley (Band stand, Barron Park)
4:30pm - The Bourbon Brothers (Band stand, Barron Park)
6:00pm - Rodeo (LaBelle Rodeo grounds)

Sunday Feb. 26th

Safelight - Bass Tournament (LaBelle Boat Docks)
09:30am - James Holland and Worship (Band stand, Barron Park)
11:00am - Lester Beleau (Band stand, Barron Park)
12:00pm - Little Miss & Junior Miss Introduction (Band stand, Barron Park)
12:15 pm - Charlie Pace (Band stand, Barron Park)
1:45pm - The Walker Experience (Band stand, Barron Park)
2:45pm - Matrasa Lynn (Band stand, Barron Park)
4:00pm - Park Closes

Did you know?

The "LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival Inc.," a non-profit corporation is shown by the Florida Secretary of State office as "inactive" and dissolved as of September 25, 2020  due to not filing an annual report with the state. The festival's website and ads continue to use this name.

Officers were:

Chairman
Music, Melissa
4008 Rainbow Circle

Vice Chair
Pearce, Cindy
579 South Riverview Street

Secretary
Daniels, Heather Keitha
41 Hampton Ave

Treasurer
Crum, Rebecca
8 Park Ave

Director
Boone, Kelly Jo, Mrs
17860 Silver and Horst Ln
Alva, FL 33920

Non-profit corporation "Swamp Cabbage Festival, Inc." is registered and active since October 2016 and run by:

Chairman
Timmons, Pamela
49 Riverbend Drive

Treasurer
Smith, Stormy
4213 Fort Keis Ave

Man Dies In Glades County Head On Crash

MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- Two pickup trucks crashed on 2/23/23, on State Road 78 in Glades County. One driver pronounced deceased, positive identification pending. The crash remains under investigation.

Vehicle 1, a pick up truck, was traveling east on State Road 78, east of State Road 29 near Marshall Field Rd at 8:51 pm Thursday night.

Vehicle 2 a pickup truck driven by 29 year old male from Sebastian, Fl. was traveling west on State Road 78, east of State Road 29. He had minor injuries resulting from the crash and was wearing a seat belt.

Vehicle 1 veered into the westbound lane of travel and the front of Vehicle 1 collided with the front of Vehicle 2.

Driver 1 was pronounced deceased on scene, positive identification pending. He was not wearing a seat belt.

94% Of US Population In High COVID Transmission Zones

        

LABELLE, FL. -- CDC's latest maps as of Thursday afternoon shows most Florida counties are at "high" COVID transmission levels, as well as counties in the Eastern and Midwest U.S..

Transmission levels stay stubbornly high, with 94% of the U.S. population living in areas with substantial or higher transmission. Rates are higher generally in the South, parts of the Midwest and the East Coast, with lower levels seen in the West, according to the People's CDC.

Hendry now at "substantial" transmission rates along with Lee. Charlotte and Collier and Glades are at "high." 

Positivity test rates were 12% in Hendry last week from 152 tests performed. 22 new cases were reported. 

Hendry County data from CDC.

What the CDC calls the "Community Transmission" levels are rated "high" or "substantial" for most of Florida counties. 58% of U.S. counties are at "high" levels and 22% are at "substantial" levels. And by population, 93% of the U.S. is at high or substantial levels this week.

High Transmission Level is defined as new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days of 100 or more OR Percentage of positive NAATs tests during the past 7 day at 10% or more. 

 

To see "Community Transmission" levels click The community transmission map  

Check your county map and mask recommendations here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

#YourTaskWearAMask

Editor's note: The links above are for reader convenience, as the CDC website is not easy to search for information. The CDC pages are extremely slow loading and complicated, with many links to click to find information. 

Immokalee Woman Dies In Hendry County Crash

CLEWISTON, FL.-- A 26 year old female from Immokalee died in a crash at 7:11 am Tuesday.

According the FHP crash report:

Vehicle 1, a pickup truck driven by an 38-year old male from LaBelle was traveling south on County Road 835, at East Etumakee Way in rural southern Hendry County, passing traffic via the northbound lane.

Vehicle 2, a van was traveling north on County Road 835 driven by a 46 year old male from Immokalee.

The front of Vehicle 1 collided with the front of Vehicle 2 in the northbound travel lane.

Vehicle 2 passenger was pronounced deceased on scene. Driver 2 was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.

Fog was in the area at the time of crash. The crash remains under investigation.

The Cayman Turtle Schooner by Bob Kranich

Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers 

by Bob Kranich

The Cayman Turtle Schooner, (Part 12, Excerpt 66)

This is a story, titled The Cayman Turtle Schooner. This story will tell about the forming and history of the Cayman Islands, the green sea turtle’s habits and life style, the building of a dugout canoe, and then a schooner, and lastly about the historic two-masted turtle schooner, A. M. Adams. Our two main characters, a green sea turtle and young man are about to get introduced to each other.

The Cayman Turtle Schooner

It is early morning, the first of the month of June, 1856. Long ocean swells are reflecting the light from a huge full circle of the moon. Lying on top of one of those swells is a shape. It is a dark teardrop shape with some reflection from the sheen of water glistening from its top.

This shape will float there for some time and then disappear under with slight splashes from its two front flippers that it uses like paddles. Then it will rise again a little further in. This large female green sea turtle is returning to the same island and the same beach she was born on. It was also the same beach on the same island her mother was born on. She is repeating the eternal life cycle. She has been carrying these eggs the last couple of weeks, and it is time to bring them to this beach.

Her destination is the middle island in the Cayman Chain, Cayman Brac. She floats in on a swell that suddenly turns into a huge breaker. It pushes her up on a smooth sandy beach, and she momentarily pauses as the water rushes back to its source, pulling hard against her. The water attempts to force, but can’t budge the two hundred and fifty pound, three and one half foot long turtle lying in the fast firming up sand. As the water returns to the sea, she continues on with her mission.
Moving ever so slowly, the turtle literally inches herself along, pulling with her front and rear flippers and moving from six to twelve inches at each pull. Moving up the beach, her goal is the sand above the high tide line. When she arrives at a place that is to her liking, she digs a body hole by rotating her body as she moves sand with the four flippers.

This is very near the exact location where she herself was born. Next with her rear flippers she excavates another hole about twelve inches deep down in the original body hole.

Between seventy-five and one hundred and eighty eggs are laid. These eggs are round, soft, and white. Because they are soft they don’t break as they drop out. Then the sea turtle uses her rear flippers to cover the eggs. Finally she packs the sand down over the eggs and fills the large body hole. A throwing of sand all over camouflages the nest. This all takes about one to two hours to complete. Then she begins the reach-pull, reach-pull, slow process of returning to the sea.

Her eggs are now going to lie there and incubate about sixty days. They will make it to hatching if predators don’t discover them. Another factor is also at work. If the sand becomes very hot the nest will produce more females than males.

For our story we are particularly interested in one egg. It came out first. It fell the farthest. On the bottom it is the coolest. This egg is going to be a male. The sixty days are completed and all over and above this egg the other turtles are breaking their shells and digging towards the surface.

Crack! The egg breaks open. A male turtle’s head pops out, then two flippers. It is dark and sandy. The turtles above him have loosened the sand, and he has an easier time than the ones that have gone ahead. For some reason they all wait until it is night. It has taken them a day to get ready. The cool air above lets them know that it is night, and suddenly these hatchlings burst forth from the nest. They take a few seconds to get their instinctive bearings, and then head towards the brightest horizon, which is naturally the sea.

This is a very dangerous time in a green sea turtle’s life. Predators abound: seagulls, crabs, foxes and raccoons, then once in the sea, more birds and fish. Only about five percent make it to the water and swim out to be relatively safe.

“Hey, where did everyone go?” this special turtle says to himself as he climbs out of the nest hole.

He looks around. He sees the lighter horizon and a few small dark shapes disappearing in the waves on the beach.

“Hey, wait for me!” His little flippers take off, churning up the sand.

There is a faint light just barely illuminating the horizon. Birds are starting to fly about. The turtle is halfway across the beach. Suddenly a flap of wings is heard above him and a faint shadow drops down covering him up.

“Get! Go bird!” A young boy reaches down and picks him up by his shell. His four flippers continue to move about.

“I’ve got me a baby sea turtle!” Parker says out loud.

He then picks up his long stout walking stick in one hand and the little turtle in the other and hurries up the beach, back the way he had come. Parker was a trim, heavily tanned boy of fourteen years with a mop of black-brown hair. Heritage wise he was a mix of the seafaring peoples who have been arriving on the Cayman Islands for centuries. Parker was composed of Spanish, French, and English pirates, privateers, military people, and African islanders.

Parker sprinted down the beach a short distance. He then left the beach. Just over the dunes past some coconut palms was his house. It was made of palmetto logs, mud bricks, and a mix of sawed cedar and mahogany wood. There was an abundance of these materials on the interior of this island.

“Grandfather! Grandfather! Look what I have!”

“Did you find some large turtles, Parker?”

“No Sir, look!”

“Why, it’s a baby turtle. It isn’t a mouthful!” Parker’s Grandfather stated.

“No, we’re not going to eat it. I would like to keep it for a pet.”

The baby turtle’s little flappers were still going, flailing about.

“Look, Mother,” Grandfather said as he pointed at Parker. “I sent him out to find and turn over a large turtle to sell or eat, and he comes home with this!”
“My, my, what should I make of this?” Grandmother said sympathetically.

“Well, Parker, you had better get him in some seawater. Go fetch that big bait tub from the shed, and fill it with seawater and seaweed,” Grandfather instructed. “He is so little he needs to be in the water, and he will eat that seaweed we’ve got floating in the lagoon. Also, bring a coral rock to put in there to give him some land.”

“There, Grandpa, I’ve done what you said. But why is he just floating in the center of that seaweed?”

“Well, Sonny, that is what they usually do anyways. If you hadn’t picked him up, and he had made it to the ocean he would have swum out a ways until he found some of this seaweed. You know the first couple of days are the most dangerous for a green sea turtle. They have to get off the beach and into the water before the birds and critters get them. You know that most of ‘em don’t make it!”

“Grandpa, if he is a green sea turtle, why isn’t he green?”
“Well, Parker, first of all he is young, a baby. What you see is his baby coloring. But when he gets big he will be all kinds of colors: brown, yellow, white, and blue-green. But he is called a green sea turtle from the color of the fat beneath his shell. Some think it is from all the sea grass he eats. As he grows up, let’s watch his markings on his shell. No two are alike.”

From The Author:

My second full-length book , Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers is composed of 336 pages. There are 12 stories running from 6 pages to as many as 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I made roaming around Key West after I finished my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s SouthWest Florida Online News records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the time of the early 1800’s to 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich

Dorothy Chambless Dies At 90

Dorothy Chambless age 90, of Clewiston, Florida passed away on February 16, 2023 in Clewiston, Florida.

Dorothy was born on May 15, 1932 in Sarasota, Florida to the late Grady and the late Margaret Sines Murphy. Dorothy loved babysitting children, spending time with her family, loved to cook, watch murder mysteries, loved her children and her in-laws.

Dorothy leaves fond memories with her children Robin McDonald and her husband William of Clewiston, Florida, son; Rob Chambless and his wife Debbie of Orlando,Florida, six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren along with many extended family members and close family friends.

Dorothy's life will be celebrated on February 22, 2023 at Evangel Church at 2:00 p.m. where visitation will be one hour before the service, withh Rev. Greg Ramey presiding. Burial will take place in Ridgelawn Cemetery also in Clewiston.

Celebration of life arrangements are being handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

Arrest Report - Hendry Deputies Busy With 26 Arrests

LABELLE, FL.-- HCSO Arrests for Feb 13 to Feb 19 included 5 probation violations, 11 drug or weapon possession charges, 3 driving charges, 3 failure to appear, and 7 battery charges, 

Ryan Carmine Cerrati, 26, Plantation, was arrested on February 13, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Equipment.

Brian Eugene White, 32, LaBelle, was arrested on February 14, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged as Out of State Fugitive.

Neff Cabot Gomez, 51, Clewiston, was arrested on February 14, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged as Out of State Fugitive.

A 16-year-old white male from Belle Glade, was arrested on February 14, 2023, by Cpl. Movalli-Vary and charged with Resisting LEO without Violence, Flee/Elude LEO and Reckless Driving.

William Korliss Jumper, 27, at large, was arrested on February 15, 2023, Deputy George and charged with Failure to Appear.

A 12-year old white female from Clewiston, was arrested on February 15, 2023, by Deputy Benitez and charged with Battery.

Shanda Lavonne Morris, 32, at large, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Methamphetamine and Probation Violation.

Stephen Brian Williams, 46, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription and Probation Violation.

Gregory Austin Peterson, 37, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Driving with License Suspended/Revoked and Flee/Elude LEO.

Ramon Cuellar Polanco, 66, Clewiston, was arrested on February 16, 2023 by, Deputy Calvo Driggs and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Failure to Appear

Lazaro Wuilliam Mayor, 36, Clewiston, was arrested on February 16,2023, by Deputy Rivera and charged with Probation Violation.

Freeman Joseph Noe, 43, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Det. Zullo and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.

Amanda Gail Whidden, 34, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Det. Zullo and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.

Jesse Joshua Roiz, 37, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Battery.

Abbey L Miller-Waldron, 39, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Carranza and charged with Probation Violation.

Hugo Enrique Cruz, 31, LaBelle, was arrested on February 16, 2023, by Deputy Carranza and charged with Battery.

Kenneth Earl Mathewson, Jr., 65, Clewiston, was arrested on February 17, 2023, by Deputy Givans and charged with four counts of Sex Offender Violation.

Rivaldo Ranferi Merida Perez, 20, West Palm Beach, was arrested on February 17, 2023, by Deputy Goldberg and charged with DUI and Possession of Marijuana.

Dwayne Lamar Boswell, 50, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on February 17, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with Failure to Appear.

Katrina Tasonia Terry, 48, Clewiston, was arrested on February 18, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with DUI.

Brandon Mejias, 32, at large, was arrested on February 18, 2023, by Deputy Rosado and charged with Battery.

Eliceo Hernandez, 23, LaBelle, was arrested on February 18, 2023, by Deputy Rosado and charged with Battery.

Andres Bustamante, 27, LaBelle, was arrested on February 18, 2023, by Deputy Rosado and charged with Battery.

Quanteero Carlos Harris, 21, Clewiston, was arrested on February 18, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Resisting LEO without Violence, Possession of a Weapon by Convicted Felon and Probation Violation.

Adam Michael Kirschenhofer, 20, Port Saint Lucie, was arrested on February 19, 2023, by Deputy Williams, and charged with Flee/Elude LEO and Driving with License Suspended/Revoked.

Luis M. Velez, 51, Hialeah, was arrested on February 19, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Battery and Resisting LEO with Violence.

Obituaries - Gregory Petro, Age 45; Julia Crosby, Age 80

Gregory Wayne Petro age 45, of LaBelle, Florida passed away on February 10, 2023, in LaBelle, Florida. 

Gregory was born on December 4, 1977, in Waterbury, Connecticut to John and Joanne St Hilaire Petro. 

He worked as a mechanic for many years. Gregory enjoyed fishing, spending time with family and friends and listening to music. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. 

Gregory leaves fond memories with his parents; Joanne Loving, John Petro and his wife Mariam, grandfather; Robert St Hilaire, brothers; John Petro, Jr, Thomas Kelly, Shawn Kelly, Patrick Kelly and sisters; Anne Britton and Ashley Kelly along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Celebration of Gregory's life will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2023, at Akin-Davis Funeral Home in LaBelle. Cremation arrangements are being handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Julia A. Crosby, 80, of Belle Glade, FL passed away peacefully February 15, 2023.

She was born in Ocala, FL on October 11, 1942.

She was a faithful member of Community Fellowship Church which she and her late husband Buck Cobb founded and built.

She is preceded in death by parents, John and Ola Kinard; husbands, Buck Cobb, C.W. Crosby; son, Drew Cobb; sister Mary Lou Parham; brothers, Martin Faircloth and Larry Kinard; niece Vicki Summers and nephew Michael Faircloth.

She is survived by daughters, Donna Cobb Shipley (Ken) of Pinebluff, NC and Terri Williams (Tommy) of Dunnellon, FL; daughter-in-law, Debbie Cobb (Drew) grandchildren , Brooke Walters (Daniel), Holly Toler (Jeff), Scott Williams, Jennifer Coburn (Kyle); great grandchildren, JC Toler (Mackenzie), Chelsea Toler, Cole Patterson, Connor Patterson, Laettner Toler, Emmalynn Walters, Addyson Walters, Jaymeson Walters, Sophia Coburn; sisters Jean Thornton of Murfreesboro, TN and Ila Moore (Frank) of Clewiston, FL.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 20 at Good Shepherd Church of God, Pahokee. Service will follow at 11a.m.

94% Of US Population LIving In COVID High Transmission Areas

       

LABELLE, FL. -- CDC's latest maps as of Thursday afternoon show nearly all Florida counties are at "high" COVID transmission levels, as well as counties in the Eastern and Midwest U.S..

Transmission levels stay stubbornly high, with 94.4% of the U.S. population living in areas with substantial or higher transmission. Rates are higher generally in the South, parts of the Midwest and the East Coast, with lower levels seen in the West, according to the People's CDC.

Hendry now at "substantial" transmission rates along with Lee. Charlotte and Collier.  Glades is at "substantial." 

Positivity rates were 6% in Hendry last week from 156 tests performed. 22 new cases were reported. 

Hendry County data from CDC.

What the CDC calls the "Community Transmission" levels are rated "high" or "substantial" for most of Florida counties. 58% of U.S. counties are at "high" levels and 22% are at "substantial" levels. And by population, 93% of the U.S. is at high or substantial levels this week.

High Transmission Level is defined as new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days of 100 or more OR Percentage of positive NAATs tests during the past 7 day at 10% or more. 

 

To see "Community Transmission" levels click The community transmission map  

Check your county map and mask recommendations here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

#YourTaskWearAMask

Editor's note: The links above are for reader convenience, as the CDC website is not easy to search for information. The CDC pages are extremely slow loading and complicated, with many links to click to find information. 

Brighton Seminole Rodeo And Festival Expecting Big Crowds This Weekend

OKEECHOBEE, Fl. -- Celebrating 84 years, the Brighton Field Day Festival  got off to a big start Friday morning at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation in Okeechobee, Florida.

Presented by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, many Seminole favorites are returning including the Rodeo (Friday and Saturday), Xtreme Bull Riding (Sunday), clothing contests, American Indian arts & crafts and native foods. The PRCA Rodeo will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. 

Attendees may also visit the Seminole Culture Camp where a living Seminole Indian Village will be on display. The event weekend will also feature native dance troupes from neighboring tribes, storytelling, alligator wrestling, and a snake show.

Photo: Alligator Demonstration (credit: Don Browne)

Entertainment Saturday evening will be a concert by multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan. The Gary Allan concert is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.

Brighton Field Day started in November of 1938. William and Edith Boehmer, two teachers who were residing on the Brighton reservation, got the idea to start a “day of fun.”

The Brighton Field Day Festival is held at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena, which is located at 17400 Sports Complex Road NE, Okeechobee, Florida, 34974.

Photos by Don Browne

WIC Services Closed In Clewiston Until March 4

CLEWISTON, FL.. -- WIC Services at the Health Department in Clewiston will be temporarily closed starting Monday, February 20, 2023, through March 3, 2023.

WIC Services will be available at the health departments in Moore Haven and LaBelle

WIC Services hours in Moore Haven will be from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 1021 Health Park Drive, Moore Haven, Florida 33471

WIC Services in LaBelle will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle, FL 33935

For questions about WIC Services, please call 863.674.4078.

Obituaries - Rennolds, Alvarez, Cudilleiro, Noble

Edwin T. "Eddie" Rennolds, Jr age 84 of LaBelle, Florida passed away on February 11, 2023, in LaBelle Health and Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.

Eddie was born in LaBelle, Florida on March 5, 1938, to the late Edwin T. Sr, and Mattie Lee Dana Rennolds. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Eddie was member of the Mason's for many years. He worked for many years as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Eddie leaves fond memories with his daughter; Zonda Donaldson of LaBelle, Florida, son; Edwin Taylor Rennolds, III, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with many extended family members and friends.

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Julio Cesar Alvarez, age 86 of Clewiston, Florida formally of Miami, Florida passed away on February 11, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Julio was born in Cuba on August 8, 1936 to the late Pablo and the late Maria Luisa Leon Alvarez. He married, Osmara Alvarado. He worked as a coin dealer for many years among other jobs throughout his life. He was a loving husband, father, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Julio leaves fond memories with his loving wife of 29 years Osmara Alvarez of Clewiston, Florida sons; Julio C. Alvarez, Jr and Paul Alvarez along with many extended family members and family friends.

Celebration of Julio's life will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, Febrauary 16, 2023 at Akin-Davis Funeral Home in Clewiston, Florida.

Maria E. Mederos Cudilleiro age 68 of Clewiston, Florida passed away at Hendry Regional Medical Center after a brief illness on February 10, 2023.

Maria was born on May 30, 1954 in Cuba to the late Juan and Amparo Cudilleiro Mederos. She was an accountant in Cuba and when she immigrated to America, she worked as a healthcare aide for many years, taking care of people in their homes. She was of the Christian faith.

Maria leaves fond memories with her children; Lazero, Eliganne, Angel, and Mileydis, seven grandchidren, six great grandchildren, brothers and sisters; Jesus, Roberto, Luis Alberto, Ricardo, Adanelys, Juanie, and Maria please many extended family members and family friends.

Cremation arrangements are by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

Claudia Virginia Noble age 91 of LaBelle, Florida passed away at home on February 9, 2023.

Claudia was born on June 28, 1931 on Chokoloskee Island, Florida to the late Claudia and Holly Blunt Manning. She married Rev. Nelson Tyron Noble; he preceded her in death on September 19, 2004. 

Claudia was a teacher for many years before retiring to spend time with her husband and family. Claudia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed by her entire family.

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Indigenous Arts And Music Festival At Big Cypress March 4-5

BIG CYPRESS RESERVATION, Fl. – “Honoring Our Matriarchs” is the theme for the inaugural Indigenous Arts and Music Festival set for March 4-5 on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in southern Hendry County.

Event admission is free. Other offerings include Native food, art, crafts, and a carnival. 

The event will take place at the Junior Cypress Entertainment Complex from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 5.

IAMF will showcase engaging Indigenous speakers and performers from across the U.S. and Canada.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) will headline and close out the event on March 4. Snotty Nose Rez Kids is a Haisla Hip-Hop duo from Kitimat Village, B.C., Canada. 

Rappers Yung Trybez and Young D formed SNRK in 2016, and gained notoriety with their 2019 release, TRAPLINE and hit, "Boujee Natives." They've since gone on to receive two Juno Award nominations and 10 Western Canadian Music Awards. They finished 2022 with a 40-city North American tour promoting their album, 

Spencer Battiest and Doc Native will headline and close out the event on March 5. Battiest and Native are both award winning artists, who are members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Native is a producer, writer, and rapper, while Battiest is a singer-songwriter and actor. In 2017, along with Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Native and Battiest won the MTV VMA for Best Fight Against the System. More recently they won a Native American Music Award for Best Live Performance Video. 

A panel discussion on Saturday will include female Indigenous leaders such as Representative Ruth Buffalo, serving as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 27th District, Honorable Ponka-We Victors Cozad, Norma Flying Horse, and others.

A fashion show by Red Berry Woman (RBW) will take place on Sunday. RBW is a fashion line that incorporates Native American traditional garment styles into contemporary couture garments and ready to wear for both women and men. RBW was created by Norma Baker-Flying Horse, an enrolled member of the Hidatsa tribe and a member of the Dakota Sioux and Assiniboine tribes as well as an adopted member of the Crow Nation.

RBW is the recipient of the 2020 International Designer of the Year, the 2022 Phoenix Fashion Week Designer of the Year, and the 2022 Cultural Recognition Visual Arts Grammy® Award co-recipient. Her designs have been seen on various red carpet events such as the Grammys and the Oscars. RBW was named the first Native American contemporary designer to have a dress worn on the Oscar stage during an Oscar musical performance.

The weekend will feature additional performances and shows by Lyla June, Fawn Wood, One Way Sky, Aye Five, Carradine, and the Inter-Tribal Bird Singers. The Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition will take place on both days.

For event schedule and details, please visit: https://indigenousamf.com/.

Health Advocate People's CDC Recommends Masking In Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare advocacy group People's CDC is urging public health officials to require masking in healthcare facilities after the revisd CDC guidlines recently permitted patients and staff to stop masking in some situations.

The People's CDC issued the following:

"As healthcare workers, patients, parents, and caregivers, we at the People’s CDC urge public health officials and healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, physician and dentist offices, nursing homes, and home health care services to require masking in all healthcare settings, and to provide masks (ideally N95 respirators) for everyone in those settings. The revised CDC guidance, which permits patients and staff in healthcare to stop masking when “levels of Community Transmission” are not “high,” is dangerous, unethical and based on flawed data.

REMOVING MASKS IN HEALTHCARE IS DANGEROUS.

Clinics and hospitals are sites for COVID patient care, so even if transmission rates are low, they will remain among the most likely locations to encounter people infected with COVID, and also people who are vulnerable to severe disease or death from COVID. Contagion in healthcare settings is already a problem even in well-equipped US academic medical centers. Removing masks in healthcare puts both patients and healthcare workers at risk, which could place even more strain on the healthcare system amidst severe staffing shortages.

REMOVING MASKS IN HEALTHCARE IS UNETHICAL.

Failing to require masks in healthcare settings violates medical ethical principles. Patients come to clinics and hospitals to improve their health. Healthcare providers have an ethical responsibility to DO NO HARM and ensure that they do not expose patients to COVID. Children and babies who cannot or may not wear masks and people in clinical situations that do not permit mask-wearing (such as post operative units) need others to protect them by wearing masks. Vaccines alone are insufficient to prevent COVID-19 spread. Although vaccines lower the risk of hospitalization and death, vaccinated people can die from COVID-19, or develop Long COVID, which may affect as many as one in five people after COVID infection.

CDC POLICY TO REMOVE MASKS IN HEALTHCARE IS BASED ON FLAWED DATA.

The CDC’s current policy relies on the Community Transmission map, which grossly underestimates COVID-19 infection rates. Back in September 2021 the CDC estimated that only 1 in 4 COVID cases were reported. And in New York, for example, a spring 2022 study suggested that infections were underestimated by a factor of 30. This is because far fewer people are testing for COVID now that much required routine testing has ended, federal funding for COVID testing has diminished, and most home tests are not reported. Further, most low-wage workers don’t have paid sick time, and therefore many are incentivized or compelled to go to work with COVID, or to avoid testing.

In conclusion, we urge public health officials and healthcare providers to keep our communities safer from COVID-19, by requiring and providing high-quality masks for all. The healthcare system should be a place of healing, where the risk of acquiring infections is minimized. We urge you, as stewards of public health, to act in the best interests of the most vulnerable among us."

Source: People's CDC

Brighton Field Day February 17-19 Features Gary Allan

OKEECHOBEE, Fl. -- Celebrating 84 years, the Brighton Field Day Festival returns to the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation in Okeechobee, Florida, February 17-19.

Presented by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, many Seminole favorites will return including PRCA Rodeo (Friday and Saturday), Xtreme Bull Riding (Sunday), clothing contests, American Indian arts & crafts and native foods. Attendees may also visit the Seminole Culture Camp where a living Seminole Indian Village will be on display.

Entertainment will include a Saturday evening concert by multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan. He sells out venues as a headliner from NY to LA, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Live with Kelly and Michael and Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has also landed on the covers of Country Weekly, Pollstar and People magazine.

The event weekend will also feature native dance troupes from neighboring tribes, storytelling, alligator wrestling, and a snake show.

Brighton Field Day started in November of 1938. William and Edith Boehmer, two teachers who were residing on the Brighton reservation, got the idea to start a “day of fun.” It initially was meant to be a day for Tribal community members to visit, but now thousands of visitors join Seminole Tribal members in this annual celebration.

The PRCA Rodeo will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. The Gary Allan concert is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Brighton Field Day Festival will be held at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena, which is located at 17400 Sports Complex Road NE, Okeechobee, Florida, 34974. From Okeechobee, take Hwy 70 west or from US 27 take Hwy 70 east to Hwy 721, right on Harney Pond Road one mile to Fred Smith Arena. From Fort Lauderdale, take US-27 N, turn right on Hwy 78, turn left on Hwy 721, left on Harney Pond Road, one mile to Fred Smith Arena. And, from Fort Myers, take SR 80 east, turn left on FL-29/Bridge Street, turn right onto FL-78 E, turn right on US-27 S to Hwy 78 E, turn left on Hwy 721, left on Harney Pond Road, one mile to Fred Smith Arena.

Hendry Deputies Felony Arrest Reports

LABELLE, FL. -- HCSO Arrests for Feb 6 to Feb 12 included arrests by Hendry County Deputies for 7 probation violations, 7 drug charges, and 3 driving violations, 

George Anthony Brown, 56, LaBelle, was arrested on February 7, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription.

Armando Cavazos, 20, LaBelle, was arrested on February 7, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell.

Louis Alonza Garcia, 41, Winter Haven, was arrested on February 8, 2023, by Sgt. Hernandez and charged with Probation Violation.

Martin Antonio Cepeda, 54, Clewiston, was arrested on February 8, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Probation Violation.

Dalton Ty Koenes, 24, Lake Placid, was arrested on February 8, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with Driving While License Suspended Habitual Offender.

James Robert McCall, 73, Avon Park, was arrested on February 9, 2023, by Deputy George and charged with Probation Violation.

Dalton Ty Koenes, 24, Lake Placid, was arrested on February 9, 2023, by Deputy George and charged with Probation Violation.

Marcus Lazar Hardy, 28, South Bay, was arrested on February 10, 2023, by Cpl. Lopez and charged with Probation Violation.

Colbert Skinner, III, 31, Clewiston, was arrested on February 10, 2023, by Deputy Rivera and charged with Probation Violation.

Aaliyah Marie Alvarado, 21, Immokalee, was arrested on February 10, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Larceny.

Gilberto Guzman, 43, Clewiston, was arrested on February 10, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charged with Probation Violation.

Yuliana Gayosso Sanchez, 38, LaBelle, was arrested on February 10, 2023, by Deputy Afonso and charged with DUI and Driving with Expired License.

Edgar Noel Barrios, 35, LaBelle, was arrested on February 11, 2023, by Deputy Castro and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription.

John William Bex, III, 22, Felda, was arrested on February 11, 2023, by Deputy Castro and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting LEO without Violence and Out of County Warrant.

David Lee Bryant, 42, Clewiston, was arrested on February 11, 2023, by Deputy Rivera and charged with Driving While License Suspended Habitual Offender.

Fabian Raul Perez Garcia, 26, Miami, was arrested on February 12, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charged with DUI.

Obituaries - Lester Baird, Age 78; Mickie Kemp, Age 66

Lester Bernard Baird, Sr. age 78, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away at his home on February 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving wife and family. 

He was the former Hendry County Manager for 11 years, former LaBelle Rotary Club President, and former Port LaBelle Development District General Manager.

Mr. Baird's first job in government was as a Building Inspector Trainee for the City of St. Louis, Missouri. 

Mr. Baird earned his undergraduate degree in Business from Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, New Jersey and a Masters of Public Administration graduate degree from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. 

Mr. Baird resided for many years with his wife, Patti, in LaBelle, Florida.

Visitation for Lester will be held from 5-7 pm Friday, February 17, 2023 at Akin-Davis Funeral Home  in LaBelle. 

Lester will be laid to rest in St. Matthew Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mickie G. Kemp age 66 of LaBelle, Florida passed away on February 5, 2023. 

Celebration of Mickie's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Lee Memorial Park in Fort Myers, Florida. 

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Akin-Davis Funeral Home in LaBelle, Florida.

Highland Hammock State Park Annual Festival

Civilian Conservation Corps Festival: Celebrates Florida History and Culture

SEBRING, FL. --  Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring celebrated the 36th annual festival honoring the 1930s depression era Civilian Conservation Corps. 

The festival Saturday showcased one of Florida first State Parks and celebrated the history, art, nature and music of early Florida, sharing traditions and skills across generations.

(Videos by Don Browne - Spinning Fibers, Water Pump)

The day long event featured the Sebring High Jazz and Concert Bands with concerts of big band music from the 1930s and 1940s throughout the day.

Welcome & Introductions were given by Morgan Tyrone, Park Manager, Carla Sherwin, Park Services Specialist, David Schmidt, CCC Museum Curator, Tony Juliano, Sebring High Band Director.

Returning CCC Boys, family members and honored guests including Darrel Smith, ‘The CCC Man’  and the unveiling of a new program on WPA murals which have been preserved in New Deal Era post offices throughout the state, including Charles R. Knight’s 1942 mural of saber-toothed cats and mastodons in a Florida hammock.

Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Florida Author Craig Pittman revealed the extraordinary tale of the battle to save the Florida panther from extinction and the array of heroes and villains who played a role in this epic saga.

Prehistory of Indigenous Peoples of Central Florida and an exhibit of Native American artifacts was presented by Archaeologist John Goss.

Other activities during the day included:

Custom Carriage Rides by Karen Tyrrell and her Clydesdale mare Lorna Doone.

Florida Highwaymen artists from Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach exhibited and sold their paintings.

Two master blacksmiths from the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association demonstrated the fine art of blacksmithing as they created a steel alligator sculpture.

Visitors took a step back in time at the Cow Camp Reenactment by a Lake Kissimmee State Park volunteer.

Antique Car Show highlights exhibitors firing up 100 year old engines and a vintage tractor.

Exhibitors included:

Heartland Beekeepers
Country Girls Spinning
Florida Trail Association
The Nature Conservancy
Highlands County Audubon Society
Four historical societies from communities throughout the greater Heartland
Heartland Cultural Alliance and Highlands County Art League
Florida Forestry
Greenways and Trails
Peace River Wildlife Center wildlife rehabilitation
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission black bear education
Wool spinning, quilting and other heritage demonstrators

Visitors could Engage in Highlands Hammock State Park and Archbold Biological Research Station nature exhibits touching and holding a live pine snake and seeing live owls up close.

Traditional games were demonstrated including cat’s cradle, hopscotch, jacks, tiddlywinks, pickup sticks, and marbles.

Children and adults alike were thrilled to take a ride on Bailey, a huge white draft horse, Catfish, the big bay and the tall brown mule named Mary Jane.

The day concluded with a Silent Auction of a Steel Alligator Sculpture by Blacksmiths Trez Cole & Tony Fenn.

Highlands Hammock State Park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida State Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Highlands Hammock is known for its magnificent hammock, the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and other New Deal Era structures. Visitors may walk the trails where the Florida panther and black bear quietly pass beneath towering oaks, and where visitors to the CCC Museum experience the Great Depression.

Hendrie Ranch Sells 661 Acre Conservation Easement

Credit: Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath

VENUS, FL. --- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have acquired a perpetual conservation easement on 661 acres of the Hendrie Ranch in Highlands County along U.S. Highway 27. While the landowner will continue to manage the land as a cattle ranch with this easement, future development will not be permitted.

The property lies within some of the state’s existing high-priority land acquisition projects, including the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Florida Forever project and the Hendrie Ranch project of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Together, these programs have secured hundreds of thousands of acres for conservation of the state’s natural resources and protection of valuable agricultural lands.

This property is adjacent to the Archbold Biological Station and anchors an emerging connection to as many as 125,000 acres of contiguous conservation lands, providing important corridors for wildlife, including lands critical for Florida panthers. Other endangered and threatened species that benefit include Florida scrub-jay, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Florida black bear, gopher frog and Audubon’s crested caracara. In addition, the acquisition enhances the protection of surface water and groundwater quality and quantity.

“The acquisition of an easement on this property is a great step in conserving a valuable connection between existing public lands, securing an important corridor for many species, including the Florida panther,” said Melissa Tucker, Director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “We are thankful to our partners at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida for their partnership on this important acquisition.”

“The protection of essential landscapes, like those of Hendrie Ranch, has been a priority for The Nature Conservancy for decades because they are integral in providing wildlife, such as the Florida panther and Florida black bear, additional secure corridors in which to move safely,” said Greg Knecht, Interim Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy in Florida. “This collaboration of landowner, federal and state agencies, and nonprofit organizations successfully results in the acquisition of conservation easements that safeguard lands and waters critical to biodiversity, climate resilience, and our state’s future. We’re grateful to TNC’s members and donors who provided funds to help support this effort.”

The Governor and Cabinet approved the acquisition on Aug. 23, 2022 and it closed Jan. 3, 2023. The acquisition was made possible with funds from the USFWS Recovery Land Acquisition program, which helps conserve habitat for endangered species, the RFLPP and TNC

93% Of US Living In High Or Substantial COVID Transmission Areas

      

LABELLE, FL. -- CDC's latest maps as of Thursday afternoon show nearly all Florida counties are at "high" COVID transmission levels, as well as counties in the Eastern and Midwest U.S..

Hendry now at "substantial" transmission rates along with Lee and Charlotte. Glades is "moderate." Collier is at"high." 

Positivity rates were 9% in Hendry last week from 162 tests performed. 24 new cases were reported. 

Hendry County data from CDC.

What the CDC calls the "Community Transmission" levels are rated "high" or "substantial" for most of Florida counties. 57% of U.S. counties are at "high" levels and 23% are at "substantial" levels. And by population, 93% of the U.S. is at high or substantial levels this week.

High Transmission Level is defined as new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days of 100 or more OR Percentage of positive NAATs tests during the past 7 day at 10% or more. 

 

To see "Community Transmission" levels click The community transmission map  

Check your county map and mask recommendations here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

#YourTaskWearAMask

Editor's note: The links above are for reader convenience, as the CDC website is not easy to search for information. The CDC pages are extremely slow loading and complicated, with many links to click to find information. 

Terrence Thomas Guilty Of Manslaughter

LaBelle, Fl. (February 7, 2023) – Terrence Demitrius Thomas, 34, of Clewiston, was found guilty of Manslaughter. The jury returned the verdict this afternoon following a five-day trial in Hendry County.

Thomas was arrested in 2019 for the murder of a 30-year-old local man following an investigation by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was last seen getting into the defendant’s car. His family reported him missing on June 4, 2019, and his body was found two-days later, in a canal, near the Hendry County line.

The autopsy results show the defendant died of homicidal violence. Members of the community testified as to the defendant’s involvement.

Thomas lived on Virginia Avenue in the Harlem subdivision of Clewiston and after arrests has been in the Hendry County jail.

Assistant State Attorney Brenda Wade and Assistant State Attorney Leena Marcos prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for March 1, 2023.

Hendry Deputies Felony Arrest Report

LABELLE FL. -- HCSO Arrests for Jan 30 to Feb 5 included 7 drug possession charges, 5 probation violations, and 3 vehicle thefts.

Drequan Rashard Horace, 32, Clewiston, was arrested on January 30, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charged with Probation Violation.

David Duane Sanders, 63, Alva, was arrested on January 30, 2023, by Deputy Earl and charged with DUI.

Byrle Earl Allison, 66, at large, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Probation Violation and Possession of Drug Equipment.

Dena Lyn Aiello-Romano, 46, Clewiston, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and an Out-Of-County Warrant.

Javonte DeMarcus Hall, 28, Clewiston, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Deputy Rodriguez and charged with Child Neglect.

Bob Drissen Rice, 27, Ft Myers, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Deputy George and charged with Homicide, Kidnap and Vehicle Theft.

Lynette Concepcion, 25, Clewiston, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Sgt. Dominguez and charged with Possession of Drug Equipment, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Equipment to Transport Drugs.

A 15-year-old white male, LaBelle, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Deputy Rosado and charged with Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle.

Marcus Jerome Belvin, 34, Clewiston, was arrested on January 31, 2023, by Lt. Weaver and charged with four counts of Sex Offender Violation.

Justin Allen Lee, 24, Bonifay, was arrested on February 1, 2023, by Deputy George and charged with Probation Violation.

Tertius S. Black, 35, Lauderhill, was arrested on February 1, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Probation Violation.

Andrew Lemont Williams, Sr., 44, Clewiston, was arrested on February 1, 2023, by Deputy Gonzalez and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription.

John Clifford Pelham, 61, LaBelle, was arrested on February 2, 2023, by Deputy Escobedo and charged with Probation Violation.

Cutberto Vallejo Temis, 42, Tampa, was arrested on February 3, 2023, by Cpl. Drew and charged with DUI.

Orlando Rivera, 47, Clewiston, was arrested on February 3, 2023, by Deputy Barrientos and charged with Larceny and Grand Theft Use of Vehicle/Damage Property.

Ernst Simon, Jr., 24, Margate, was arrested on February 3, 2023, by Deputy Keith and charged with Failure to Appear.

Jair Andrade, 19, LaBelle, was arrested on February 4, 2023, by Deputy Keith and charged with Carrying Unlicensed Firearm.

Crystal Maria Holligan, 25, Clewiston, was arrested on February 5, 2023, by Deputy Calvo Driggs and charged with Battery, Resisting LEO without Violence and Aggravated Assault.

Victor Blandford Arrested On 42-Years Ago Sex Allegations

 

CLEWISTON, FL. -- Victor P. Blandford was arrested January 11, 2023, by Deputy Earl and charged with Lewd Lascivious Behavior and Sexual Assault.

Court records indicate 20th Judicial Circuit's State Attorney Amira Fox and Assistant State Attorney Evan Chaput in the LaBelle State Attorney's office filed charges on January 23 of Sexual Battery against a child less than 12 years old, a Capital Felony, and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, a Life Felony.

The State alleges that between October 1, 1981 and January 6, 1985 Blandford intentionally touched the vagina of a child under 12 years old or forced or enticed a child to touch him.

According the the Sheriff's office Blandford was born February 25, 1944 and is now 5' 9" and 140 lbs. At the time of the allegations of initial contact he would have been 41 years old. He is now 78.

Blandford ran for Hendry Hospital Board in 2020. Victor Blandford is listed as the President of Community Presbyterian Church of Clewiston, along with Alice Blandford, Director, and Erlinda Brown, Secretary.

The State has filed with the court, audio of Blandford's statement, and audio statement of Erlenda Brown, and witnesses. (Erlenda Brown appears to be "Edrlinda" Brown of Moore Haven, the church's 77-year old secretary.) 

He is expected to appear before the Court in LaBelle on February 21 at 9 a.m. according the bond document.

Blandford bonded out of Hendry County Jail on January 23. Bond was set at $100,000. He is being defended by attorney Rene Suarez of Fort Myers.

Hendry/Glades Internet Providers Handed $13 Million Grant

LABELLE FL. -- Internet service providers have been awarded nearly $13 million dollars to expand access and improve broadband internet service in Hendry, Glades, and Highland County.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the awarded projects on Thursday totaling more than $144 million for 58 projects in 41 Florida counties. The funding is being provided through the Department of Economic Opportunity’s Broadband Opportunity Grant Program.

The following projects in Hendry County received funds from the grants initial award cycle:

City of LaBelle; Montura ($2,496,672) — to add 58.8 miles of fiber optic cable to provide FTTH services to 1,424 unserved and underserved locations within Hendry County with minimum symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GBPS.

Cities of Clewiston, Moore Haven (Glades County), and Pioneer; Montura, Palmdale, Port LaBelle and Venus (Glades County) $5,000,000 — to deploy FTTH services to more than 4,231 unserved locations in Glades, Hendry, and Highlands Counties with symmetrical download and upload speeds of between 1GB and 2GB.

Pioneer; La Deca and Montura ($4,750,000) — to bring high speed internet service to eastern Hendry County through installation of fixed wireless service to 1,700 households at download speeds of 100 MBPS and upload speeds of 10 MBPS.

Additional grant funding will be available later this year providing an opportunity to apply for further expansion throughout the County.

Fort Denaud Cemetery - Code Violation Signs Appearing At Graves

 

FORT DENAUD, FL. -- Hendry County has posted code violation signs at grave sites in the Fort Denaud Cemetery in western Hendry county,

The county's maintenance director is asking that posted Hendry county cemetery code rules be observed in the local cemetery.  A large sign at the entrance posts the rules for grave site decorations and additions. The sign has been there for at least a decade.

Generally, no additions to the grave sites are allowed, disallowing solar lights, pinwheels, benches, arbors and non-permanent items that interfere with maintenance and the ambiance of the cemetery.

The code violation signs are scattered about the cemetery, with notations of the items needed to be removed within 30 days

Fort Denaud Cemetery - file photo and drone video by Don Browne

Obituaries - Lilla Mae Ford, Age 81 - Carlyce Taylor, Age 32

Lilla Mae Ford, age 91 of Ray City, Georgia formally of Moore Haven, Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on January 31, 2023 in Clewiston, Florida.

Lilla Mae was born in Ray City, Georgia on October 6, 1931 to Bennie and Novella Griffin Roberts. She married Robert Ford on September 6, 1947 in Berrien County. They were happily married for 55 years. He proceeded her in death on March 4, 2003.

She was a teacher's aide in the Glades County School system for many years, and she was an assistant coach/locker room mom for the girls basketball team. She enjoyed watching Jeannie, her grand children and her great grand children participate in all sports and school functions. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and visiting with friends and family. Reading was also a big part of her life.

Lilla Mae attended the First Baptist Church of Clewiston, where she enjoyed sharing about the Lord along with reading and studying the Bible.

Lilla Mae leaves wonderful memories with her daughter Jeannie and son in law David, along with her five grand children and 10 great grand children.

She has one living brother Jimmy Roberts, and many nieces and nephews. Proceeded in death by brothers Billy Roberts, Jack Roberts, and sisters; Pearl Bailey, Juanita Jackson, and Betty Jo Giddens.

Celebration of her life will be on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Clewiston visitation starting at 10 with the service to follow at 11. Pastor Raul Zaldivar will be presiding. She will then be laid to rest in the Ortona Cemetery beside her late husband Robert (Bobby) Ford.

Celebration arrangements by Akin- Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston

Carlyce "Carly" Angelina Taylor age 32, of LaBelle, Florida passed away on January 28, 2023 in LaBelle, Florida.

Carly was born on July 25, 1990 in Pahokee, Florida to the late Marvin Rodriguez and Adrianne Elaine Taylor. Carly married Jeffrey M. Carter; he preceded her in death. Carly worked most of her life as a waitress in area restaurants. She was a loving daughter, mother, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend, who will be dearly missed by everyone who loved her.

Carly is survived by her mother, Adrianne Taylor and stepfather, Daniel Rennolds of LaBelle, Florida, sisters; Silvia Vazquez, Courtney Cerda and Danielle Rennolds of LaBelle, Florida, daughters; Lacie Carter, Kylene Rigsby, KayLyn Rigsby, Carlena Adams and son, Brantley Adams. Grandparents, Robert and Marilyn Taylor of Clewiston, Florida, Great-Grandfather; Merton Howard of LaBelle, Florida, Great Uncles and Aunt/Bonus Parents Earl E. Miller, Jr (Chip) and Cynthia Miller originally from LaBelle, Florida. Carlyce is also survived by many other Great Aunts, and Uncles, Cousins, and Friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey M. Carter, and daughter; Sara Grace Taylor.

Celebration of Carly's life will be held on February 18, 2023 at Caloosa Baptist Church's Grace Building at 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

High COVID Transmission Still Reported In Most Population Centers

     

LABELLE, FL. -- CDC's latest maps as of Thursday afternoon show nearly all Florida counties are at "high" levels as well as the Eastern and Midwest U.S..

Hendry now at "high" transmission rates along with Lee and Charlotte. Glades is moderate. Collier is at high. Positivity rates were 9% in Hendry last week from 165 tests performed. 16 new cases were reported. 

Hendry County data from CDC.

What the CDC calls the "Community Transmission" levels are rated "high" or "substantial" for most of Florida counties, And by population, 96% of the U.S. is at high or substantial levels this week.

High Transmission Level is defined as new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days of 100 or more OR Percentage of positive NAATs tests during the past 7 day at 10% or more. 

 

To see "Community Transmission" levels click The community transmission map  

Check your county map and mask recommendations here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

#YourTaskWearAMask

Editor's note: The links above are for reader convenience, as the CDC website is not easy to search for information. The CDC pages are extremely slow loading and complicated, with many links to click to find information.