New Design For Florida Driver License And ID Card

Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will begin issuing a newly designed Florida driver license and identification card featuring elements of Florida’s history.

 The updated credential will be available at service centers statewide beginning September 30 and will be available for online orders through MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November.

The new credential will provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today. In addition to its updated design, the credential incorporates an image of the state seal as an enhanced security feature and includes the “Temporary Non-Domiciled” marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits.

The new design showcases Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card. Located in St. Augustine, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States. Florida’s iconic orange is incorporated as the “O” in “Florida,” while the bottom left corner features the Florida manatee, one of the state’s most recognizable native species. The Florida alligator is also incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.

The back of the card pays tribute to Florida’s Space Coast with an image of Space Shuttle Discovery, which flew 39 missions and spent 365 days in space before making its final landing in Florida on March 9, 2011. The card also features the motto “Let Us Alone” from Florida’s first unofficial state flag, which was presented to Governor William D. Moseley upon his inauguration.

Florida residents are not required to replace their existing driver license or identification card. All currently valid credentials will remain valid until they expire and will be phased out over time.

Downloadable resources are available at flhsmv.gov/newDL.

Hendry County Arrests - Probation Violations, Battery, Assaults

ARREST BLOTTER

09/21/2026 – 09/27/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Beatriz Perez, 58, Clewiston was arrested on September 21, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation

Terry Allen Collins, 60, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Laurence Sheldon Nelson, 57, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Rosas on charges of Battery by Strangulation

Emanuel Dewey Hendrix, 46, Belle Glade was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent Violation

Alyssa Marie Pasch, 31, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Denirick Pope, 21, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Felony Probation Violation

16-year-old Female, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Garza on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill

Anthony Lloyd George Powell, 71, LaBelle was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on Outstanding Warrants for charges of Perjury and Election Laws

Kenneth Lee Holland, 48, Clewiston was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Written Threats to Kill or Cause Bodily Harm and Obstruction without Violence

Robert Charles Johnson, 37, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Upeslacis on charges of Battery by Strangulation

Jose Perez, 63, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation

Anthony Gonzales Carter, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Det. Sgt. D. Calvo-Driggs on charges of Attempted Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Ammunition by Florida Convicted Felon and Obstruction During the Execution of a Search Warrant

Victor Jesus Menendez, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Felony Aggravated Battery on Person 65 year of Age or Older

Kierra Burham, 36, Hendry County Jail, was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on charges of Felony Criminal Mischief

Lower Than Normal Water On Caloosahatchee River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will begin to hold the pool lower than normal between the Julian Keen Jr. Lock & Dam (S-77) and the Ortona Lock & Dam (S-78) on the Caloosahatchee River/C-43 canal. 

Normal ranges are between 10.6 and 11.5 feet NGVD 1929 and the pool will be held at 10.4 feet NGVD 1929 for approximately one-week effective September 26, 2026 through to October 3, 2026.

The pool between Ortona Lock & Dam (S-78) and W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) will not be affected and will be maintained at normal levels between 2.8 and 3.2 feet NGVD 1929.

All boaters are requested to exercise caution while navigating lower-than-normal channel depths, which are expected between lock sites.

Please contact the local lock operators for updates.

AAASWFL Health Fair Community Resource Day Sept. 25

Community Resource Fair Returns Tomorrow, Friday, September 25

If you’ve attended in previous years, you already know how valuable this event is sponsored by Area Agency On Aging in Southwest Florida. 

Join us on September 25, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., at our offices at 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916, to connect with local resources, health screenings, raffles, and community partners ready to help.

For details on what is planned for 2026 ➜ https://aaaswfl.org/discover-local-support-at-aaaswfls-fourth-annual-community-resource-fair/

Obituary - Thelma Louise Deese

Thelma "GG" Louise Deese passed away at her home on September 19, 2026, after a lengthy illness. She was God a Fearing woman who always would tell everyone how great the Lord has been to her and her family.

GG was born on February 11, 1933, in De Soto City, Florida to the late Noah and the late Mary Williams Browning. GG married the love of her life Warren Deese on March 25, 1949, in Venus, Florida, they were married for 38 years before he preceded her in death. 

GG worked for the Hendry County Sheriff's Office as a Correctional Officer for almost 15 years before she retired. GG was a member of First Baptist Church for 71 years. 

GG was a tenacious woman who was always active in her church and being a full time mother and grandmother. She loved traveling, enjoyed crossword puzzles, and square dancing with Warren. Most of all GG enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When GG was raising her children, she would always have a red plastic belt in her purse, she just had to show it to Linda, Ed and Karen and they knew they better behave when they were in church. She never actually had to use the belt on anyone, they just knew if she showed them the belt, they knew they were warned about their behavior.

GG leaves fond memories with her children; Linda Ruble, Ed Deese and his wife Roxie, granddaughters; Jennifer Ruble, Bethany Ruble, grandson; RP Middleton, and his wife Liz, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, including niece Vi Wallace.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Warren Deese, daughter; Karen Middleton, grandson Rory Deese, sons-in-law; Bob Middleton, and Marvin Ruble, siblings; Eunice (Jimmie) Johnson, Albert (Bud) Browning, Mary Henderson and Miriam Partridge.

Thelma's life will be celebrated with a funeral service being held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of LaBelle, where Pastor Preston Long and Pastor Emeritus Frank Deerey, Jr presiding over the service. 

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. 

Thelma will be laid to rest next to her husband Warren, in Fort Denaud Cemetery in LaBelle.