Single Family Home Repair Loans And Grants From USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lakeisha Hood Moise today announced the availability of the Department's Single Family Housing Home Repair Loans and Grants in Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas Pilot Program to make it easier for people in rural areas across Florida to access loans and grants to repair homes damaged by presidentially declared disasters through the conclusion of the pilot on July 18, 2025.

“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are looking at every avenue possible to accelerate assistance and find ways to get people the resources they need to help rebuild their homes and their lives,” State Director Hood Moise said. “We remain committed to deploying every resource at our disposal to help families and individuals in rural communities recover from natural disasters.”

As a part of the pilot, which was introduced in the aftermath of the calendar year 2022 disasters, USDA made a number of changes to its Single Family Housing Home Repair Program, including:Increasing the maximum grant amount from $10,000 to $15,000.
Loans and grants can be combined for up to $55,000 in assistance.
Refinancing debt and reimbursing repair costs incurred as a result of the natural disaster and prior to the date of the application.
Financing costs to relocate mobile and manufactured homes.

Funds may be used in presidentially declared disaster areas designated most recently as a result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as those areas that have been subject to natural disasters since July 18, 2022.

The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas where individuals and households have also been designated eligible to apply for financial and direct services from FEMA.

Applications must be submitted directly to the Rural Development State Office.

For more information on how to apply, contact the appropriate Area Office found here, https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-page/florida-and-virgin-islands-contacts, or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-rural-disaster-home-repair-grants.

Yard Debris Not PIcked Up Today? Here's Why

 Hendry County Rules For Horticulture Debris Pick Up

LaBelle, Fla. – Many Hendry County residents may be wondering why the trash pickup trucks didn't take away their pile of limbs, tree trunks, leaves and yard debris on Wednesday, the normal pick up day.

The trash collection service will only pick up bundled or trash in containers or bags. When you think about it, there are usually two men per truck, sometime three. The trucks are equipped to pick up the large wheeled trash bins, and the men will pick up bags or bundled trash. But, they are not going to pick up a large pile of trash by hand.

Hendry county will not be sending the large claw trucks around to pick up trash piles because residents can without much effort bag or place their debris in bins and cans.

Hendry County residents have been asked to follow the guidelines for horticulture/yard debris pick up when cleaning their properties after Hurricane Milton:

-Yard waste is to be placed within 6 ft. of curb in bins and cans, plastic bags, or neatly stacked and tied in bundles not to exceed 40 lbs.

-Items neatly stacked and tied in bundles are not to exceed 4 ft. in length. Pickups for horticulture and yard debris are on Wednesday.

-Large tree trunks and stumps or items that do not fit the above size restrictions should not be placed curb side for pick up as the trucks will not be picking them up.

15-Year Old Students Arrested For Homicide Of Ja'Yhanna Johnson

HCSO ARRESTS TWO JUVENILES IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF CLEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT JA’YHANNA JOHNSON

CLEWISTON, FL. -- Tuesday afternoon, October 10, 2024, Detectives arrested two 15-year-old juveniles in the shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Yhanna Johnson of Clewiston.

Friday, October 11, 2024, at approximately 11:00pm, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls reporting that gunshots were fired into a building during a dance leaving a 16-year-old female deceased.

When deputies arrived on scene at 700 Harlem Tenants Circle, in the unincorporated area of Clewiston, Florida, they discovered 16-year-old Ja’Yhana Johnson was unresponsive suffering from a gunshot wound.

Hendry County Deputies, K-9 Units along with Clewiston Police Department set up a perimeter and secured the scene.

After an intensive investigation by HCSO Detectives, two 15-year-old males, both of Clewiston, Florida were arrested on Homicide Charges. 20 Deputies and Investigators were involved in the case.

Detectives arrested 15-year-old Jayden Lawson of 706 Mississippi Ave, Clewiston and 15-year-old Roosevelt Adderly, III of 700 Harlem Tenant Circle #1103, Clewiston, both charged with 2nd Degree Homicide. It is noteworthy that Adderly is the cousin of the victim.

Lawson was arrested on unrelated charges after a search warrant search at 2:10 am at his home. Lawson told investigators the intended target of the shooting was a male outside of the building. He said he carried a .9mm Keltic firearm but lost it as he fled the scene. He said he fired just once and the firearm malfunctioned. He said, "It just happened so quick." He allegedly told an un-named person that Adderly emptied the whole magazine of his larger firearm. A spent .380 caliber casing was found.

Adderly turned himself in at the Hendry County Jail at 12:35 pm, October 15. He is the victim's cousin. A search of public records shows a member of the Adderly family had in the past been in trouble with the law, and likewise with Lawson. Sedric Lawson, who last month received title to the 2022 mobile home on Mississippi Ave. where Jayden was arrested, has an extensive arrest record according to Hendry Court records.

Adderly, was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice and has been ordered to be held in Secure Detention for 21 days. An Arraignment Hearing is set for October 29th, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Hendry County.

Lawson was also transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice and has been ordered to be held in Secure Detention for 21 days. An Arraignment Hearing is set for October 29th, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Hendry County.

-from Hendry County Sheriff's Office and Arrests Report and public records

Obituary - Carol Crews

Carol Crews was embraced in the arms of our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the age of 80. Carol was the wife of Robert Crews of LaBelle for 49 years. Carol and Robert owned and operated Crews Septic of LaBelle.

Carol was born to John Edgar and Meredith Brusher (Turner) on July 20, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana. Carol was a twin to her loving brother, Merriel Brusher of Morning Sun, Ohio. Carol had 5 other siblings: Peggy Kobleck, Richard Lee Brusher, Shirley Richmond, John Edgar Brusher Jr., and Avis Bird.

Carol leaves behind 4 grown children: Leighann D'Armenia of Colorado, Debra Collins of Kentucky, Steve (Pam) Purcell of Tennessee, and Melissa Crews-Faasse (Doug) of Cape Coral, Florida. In addition, Carol had 3 stepchildren: Steve Crews, Lori Ann (Bill) Edwards of Lehigh Acres, Florida, and Rhonda Marchese. Carol had 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Carol is preceded in death by her mother and father, along with John (Jr), Richard, Shirley, grandchild Jeffery Austin (Leighann), Steve, and Rhonda.

Carol passed away at home peacefully from a hard battle with cancer, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Carol's Celebration of Life will be held on November 4, 2024, @ 10 am at Bull Pit Ministry 1079 Bonneville St, LaBelle, Mike McDowell will officiate. In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Hospice of LaBelle/Clewiston.

Reward For Info On Teen Killing In Clewiston

TEENAGER KIILLED BY STRAY BULLET DURING GUNFIRE

During the nighttime hours of Friday, October 11, 2024, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls reporting that gunshots were fired into a building during a dance leaving a 16-year-old female deceased.

When deputies arrived on scene at 700 Harlem Tenants Circle, in the unincorporated area of Clewiston, Florida, they discovered 16-year-old Jayhana Johnson was unresponsive suffering from a gunshot wound.

Hendry County Deputies, K-9 Units along with Clewiston Police Department set up a perimeter and secured the scene.

Hendry County Detectives are interviewing all witnesses and following up on all leads. This is an active ongoing investigation.

Hendry County Detectives are asking anyone with any information to please contact Hendry County Sheriff’s Office at 863-674-5600 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-780-8477 (TIPS). You can also submit tips online or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Remember, you can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.