Tuesday, November 19, 2024

James Lee Powell Dies At 59

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of James Lee Powell “Lee”, of Clewiston on Friday November 8, 2024, at the age of 59. He was born November 1, 1965, in Pahokee, FL. He was the beloved son of Edward and Janet Powell.

Lee, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Lee will be forever remembered by his wife of 39 years, Vickie; his children, Alex, and Jenna; his fur babies; and numerous other family members and friends. Lee had many interest but his love for dirt track racing trumped them all. If he wasn't at home with his family, he could be found at a race track.

Services will be held at Akin-Davis funeral home in Clewiston, FL, Friday November 22, 2024 from 5 - 7 pm.

$85 Million In Gifts To Southwest Florida Organizations

NAPLES, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2024) – Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, the founder of Paychex, philanthropist, and civic leader, announced on Nov. 19, 2024, his second series of major gifts totaling $85 million to 41 nonprofit organizations across Southwest Florida.

The awards, which range from $150,000 to $10 million each, are being made to a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Mr. Golisano. They span healthcare, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, other critical community needs and animal welfare. The gifts will be paid over four to five years, are unrestricted and may be used at each organization’s discretion.

Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader—is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses, providing integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 745,000 clients in the U.S. and Europe.

Health - 2 Organizations - $15 Million

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida - $10,000,000

Naples Comprehensive Health - $5,000,000

Education - 2 Organizations - $13 Million

Ave Maria University - $10,000,000

Guadalupe Center - $3,000,000

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) - 12 Organizations - $32 Million

Best Buddies Southwest Florida - $1,000,000

Beyond the Spectrum, Inc. $1,000,000

Easterseals Southwest Florida - $5,000,000

Family Initiative - $5,000,000

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida - $5,000,000

Guardian Angels for Special Populations - $1,000,000

LARC, Inc. - $5,000,000

Protected Harbor - $1,000,000

Special Olympics - Florida - $1,000,000

STARability - $5,000,000

Sunrise – Naples - $ 1,000,000

The Haven - $1,000,000

Community - 5 Organizations - $15 Million

American Red Cross Southwest Florida - $3,000,000

Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida- $2,000,000

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples - $4,000,000

Meals of Hope - $3,000,000

Youth Haven - $3,000,000

Animal Welfare – 20 Organizations - $10 Million

Animal Rescue Coalition - $1,000,000

Cape Coral Animal Shelter - $1,500,000

Gulf Coast Humane Society - $1,500,000

Humane Society Naples - $500,000

SNIP Collier - $1,500,000

Anna Maria Island Pup Rescue - $150,000

Big Dog Ranch Rescue - $500,000

Florida Coastal Cocker Rescue - $150,000

For the Love of Cats - $150,000

Fur and Tails Animal Rescue - $150,000

Canine Castaways, Inc. - $150,000

Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue - $500,000

Haven on Earth Animal League - $150,000

Humane Society of Manatee County - $500,000

Humane Society of Sarasota County - $500,000

Max`s Ark Rescue - $150,000

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center - $500,000

Pawtcake Refuge - $150,000

Purradise Gardens - $150,000

Shy Wolf Sanctuary - $150,000

Monday, November 18, 2024

Latest Hendry County Arrests

ARREST BLOTTER
11/11/2024 – 11/17/2024

Felony / DUI Arrests

Cameron Anthony Darr, 26, Cape Coral, was arrested on November 10, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of DUI and Operating Motor Vehicle without Valid DL

Marco Tapia Chan, 24, Clewiston was arrested on November 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony and Burglary with Assault/Battery

Luis Hernandez Martienz, 56, Hialeah was arrested on November 13, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Daniel San Miguel Gallegos, III, 26, LaBelle was arrested on November 13, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff M. Huapilla on two counts of Felony Probation Violation

Susan Lynn Kennedy, 68, LaBelle was arrested on November 14, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Drug Equipment

Dayan Rojas Nunez, 21, Miami was arrested on November 15, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Keith on charges of DUI

15-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on November 16, 2024, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Virgilio Diaz Perez, 33, LaBelle was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Keith on charges of DUI, DUI Damage to Property and DUI, BAC 0.15 or higher

Denirick Pope, 19, Lake Worth was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Grand Theft and Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams

Oscar Sanchez, 19, Clewiston was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Grand Theft and Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams

Nasiar Joel Rivera, 22, Clewiston was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Grand Theft and Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams and Misd. Failure to Appear

Waylon Reid Smith, 37, LaBelle was arrested on November 17, 2024 , by Deputy Sheriff A. Bell on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Drug Equipment and Out of County Warrant

Danielle Williams, 32, LaBelle was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff A. Bell on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Drug Equipment

Vonzie Lee Moore, 32, South Bay was arrested on November 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges of Felony Probation and Petit Theft

Florida Keys' Watercolor Kapers by Bob Kranich






Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers
by Bob Kranich

Robert’s Best, (Part 19, Excerpt 104)

This is a new story. Robert’s Best is a sail boat. Grandfather Roberts has sailed it on the Intercostal waterway from Texas to Key West, Florida. His grandchildren and their parents have come to Key West on a visit. There will be a lot of funny happenings until the criminals from a previous story get into action. A side note is that a 1935 antique Chris-Craft Model 557 Cabin Cruiser is going to play an important part in the rest of the story. Grandfather Roberts has met Honest Dave and had a tour of his Chris-Craft. Honest Dave is going back to Homestead to check on his businesses. He will come back. Grandfather Roberts has moved into his new house on the Atlantic and we will get introduced to the A. M. Adams Turtle Schooner. The criminals are now up to their mischief.

Harold scuffed his shoes a couple of times and slowed down, “Who are you? I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

“Harold, I’m not a stranger. I’m Frank. Remember, I put this swing up for you.”

“Ring! Ring!” The phone rang, exactly according to plan.

“Oh, now I remember.”

“Harold, the reason I came by is I know where a pirate ship is.”

“Really! Where is it?”

“Just a little ways over there. If we hurry we can see it, and get their flag and swords. But we got to hurry!”

“I could go and tell my grandfather.”

“No, we don’t have much time. See my truck just pulled up. If we hurry we can go over there, get the swords and pirate flag and be right back.”

He then took Harold’s hand, and they hurried out and got in the truck.

“Harold, this is Sam. He knows how to get to the pirate ship real fast.”

“I sure do, Sonny.” He eased out slowly and headed down Whitehead Street towards the Turtle Crawls.

The turtle schooner looked dark and kind of eerie anchored against the dock. Sam had given the captain and crew some money to rent it for the entire evening till the next day. A private party he had said, and don’t bother to clean up.

Sam pulled the pickup up to the curb. Frank and Harold got out, “Look, Harold, none of the pirates are here. We’ll be able to get in real fast, and get their swords.”

“Sure looks spooky,” Harold Junior exclaimed.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not worried,” Frank said.

Frank took Harold’s hand. They went out on the dock and crossed over the gang plank onto the turtle schooner. Just then, on the other side of Sam’s pickup a carriage pulled by an old sway-back horse driven by Franklin went clopping by.

“Harold, the pirates’ flag is down. I bet it’s in the captain’s cabin with their swords. They must be at the pirate’s house.”

“That’s right. I remember seeing the house with my mom and dad.”

“Here, I’ve got a flashlight. Let’s go down to the captain’s cabin. There it is. The door right there,” Frank said as he shined his flashlight around.

Frank opened the door, and they went in. He saw an old light hanging in the center of the room. Frank pulled the cord.

“There, Harold, let’s look around.”

“I don’t see any flag or swords,” Harold said. “Hey, what are you doing?” Frank grabbed Harold. It was all he could do to tie Harold’s hands and feet together. Harold got in two kicks to the shins and a punch in the stomach before he was subdued.

Frank said ouch two times and ugh once. He dragged Harold onto a bunk. Be quiet kid, or you will walk the plank, and the sharks will get you.” He pulled the cord to put out the light. He hurriedly went out to the waiting pickup truck, slightly limping and holding his stomach.

“What’s wrong with you?” Sam asked. “Kid slug you?”

“Shut up, and get out of here, to a phone booth.”

They drove about four blocks. “There’s one. It’s kind of out of the way Boss.”

“Keep the motor running.”

Dial, Click...Click...Click, Dial, Click...Click...Click.

He put in a coin...Ding!

Ring! Ring!

I had been looking for Harold Junior all over the house and then around the yard. I was about to go next door.

Ring! Ring!

“Hello.”

A muffled voice said, “Tom Roberts.”

“Yes, who is this?”

“Don’t worry. Just listen, we’ve borrowed your grandson. Nothing will happen to him. We just need a little dough, I mean cash. Now get ten thousand dollars in hundreds and put it in an old shoe. Leave it outside, on one side of the door to the lighthouse on Truman. Drop-off time is seven PM tonight. No later! You’ve got plenty of time to get the cash. We’re not charging you very much. Now listen up, do not go to the authorities! We’ll be watching.”

I looked at my watch. It was four o’clock. I ran upstairs and rummaged through my sock drawer where I hid my cash. I counted it out. I had a couple of thousand dollars in hundreds. I stuffed it in my pants pocket and went over to the phone.

Then I heard it, Clop Da...Clop Da...Clop. It’s Franklin, I realized, passing by to see his sweetie. I ran downstairs, out the front door, and into the street.

“Franklin! Franklin!”

“Yes, Mister Tom. Whooo Bessie!” He said as he pulled on the reins.

“Can you get me to Dave’s boat. Right away? It’s an emergency!”

“Yes, Sir! Jump in. Let’s go, Bessie! Gitty Up!” Bessie hadn’t heard that command for some time, and she perked right up and proceeded to move out.

“I’m going to cut over to Simonton. It’s a straight shot,” Franklin said.

We pulled up. “Wait here, Franklin.” I jumped down and ran out onto the dock.

When I got to Dave’s boat, there was Dave and the realtor lady, Miss Betty Thomas sitting on the backseat of Dave’s boat.

“Dave! Oh hi, Miss Thomas. Dave, I’ve got an emergency!”

Dave got up, “What’s wrong, Tom?”

“They kidnapped Harold Junior. They want money. I’ve got some. What should I do?”

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 South West 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

Hendry County Arrests This Week

ARREST BLOTTER
11/04/2024 – 11/10/2024

Felony / DUI Arrests

Isac Aaron Rodriguez, Jr., 28, LaBelle was arrested on November 4, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff G. Hull on charges of Felony Violation of Probation

Luis Guillermo Ortiz Lopez, 45, Clewiston was arrested on November 4, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation

William Korliss Jumper, 28, Clewiston was arrested on November 4, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff M. Huapilla on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

15-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on November 5, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Warrant for Criminal Conspiracy Life – Felony and Homicide

15-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on November 5, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Warrant for Criminal Conspiracy Life – Felony and Homicide

Glorida Paula Martinez, 66, LaBelle, November 5, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Keither on charges of DUI and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Antonio Viera, 45, Miami was arrested on November 5, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Armed Trespassing

Herbert D. DelCastillo Pereir, 39, Ft. Lauderdale was arrested on November 5, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Armed Trespassing

Orestes Borrell, 46, Clewiston was arrested on November 6, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Violation of Probation

Raymond Luis Avila, 58, Clewiston was arrested on November 6, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff H. Carranza on charges of Felony Contempt of Court

Jeremy Jermaine Thomas, 21, Clewiston was arrested on November 6, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D/ Givans on charges of Felony FTA

Shomari Keif Butler, 31, Clewiston was arrested on November 6, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges for two counts of Felony Violation of Probation and Felony Failure to Appear

Ivan Infiesta Acanda, 52, Moore Haven was arrested on November 7, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Violation of Probation and Out of County Warrant

Juan Manuel Gomez, 33, LaBelle was arrested on November 7, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff I. Cadena on charges of Burglary – Unoccupied Conveyance, 2 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Malic Jamar Fowler, 23, West Palm Beach was arrested on November 8, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Antoinette Thomas, 62, LaBelle was arrested on November 8, 2024, by Sgt. L. Hernandez, on charges of Felony Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Timothy Arthur Dean, 48, Clewiston was arrested on November 8, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation

Joyce Thomas, 46, Clewiston was arrested on November 8, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez, on charges of Obstruction by Disguised Person and 2 counts of Out of State Fugitive

Victor Roa, 46, LaBelle was arrested on November 8, 2024, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Use/Poss/Mfg Paraphernalia to Transport Drugs, Smuggle Contraband into Detention Facility and Obstruction without Violence.

Candice Ruth Villanueva, 34, LaBelle was arrested on November 8, 29024 by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Violation of Conditional Release and Out of County Warrant

Yoel Greck Fagundo, 53, West Palm Beach was arrested on November 9, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Armed Trespassing

Robert Carrasco, 54, West Palm Beach was arrested on November 9, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Armed Trespassing