Curtis Jackson Zorn, 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in LaBelle, FL, where he had lived for the past 39 years.
A memorial service will be held at Carlson Methodist Church, 310 Campbell St, LaBelle, FL, on Friday, October 16, 2026, with visitation at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00 am. Another service and burial will be held in Alabama at a later date.
Jack was the oldest son of Curtis Beachum Zorn and Sue Tisdale Zorn of Florala, Alabama. Born on September 27, 1934.
He was married to his college sweetheart, Michaelyn Mallette Zorn, for 59 ½ years.
He is survived by daughters: Suzanne Zorn Boyington and husband Roger, Opelika, AL; Flora Zorn Talada and husband Richard, LaBelle, FL; grandchildren: Ashford Jackson Boyington, Dunwoody, GA; Aubrey Boyington Hardie (Robert), Opelika, AL; Lucas Talada (Kieri), Suzanna Talada Rodriguez (Miguel) of LaBelle, FL. Great-granddaughters: Olivia Nicole and Mallee Marie Talada of LaBelle, FL; Brooklyn Eloise Hardie of Opelika, AL; Brothers: Dr. Dale T. Zorn (Sally) of Pensacola, FL, and Glen D. Zorn (Dottie), of Montgomery, AL; Nieces: Rebecca Zorn Condon, Elizabeth Zorn Rosenau, Jan Zorn Weeks, Celia Roland Smyly, Mary Lynn Roland Williams; and Nephews: Jeff Zorn, Gid Zorn and John Zorn and several cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, an infant brother, John Livingston Zorn, and brother, Lynn Gideon Zorn, and a niece, Claire Zorn.
He was a 1952 graduate of Covington County High School, Florala, AL; Marion Military Institute; and earned a B.A. degree from The University of Alabama. He served as a Captain in the United States Army.
Mr. Zorn’s family has been involved in agribusiness for generations. Early in his career, he was involved with Zorn Gin & Peanut Co. with his father and brothers. He later worked for The Monsanto Company, spending time in different parts of the country while serving in various sales and management roles. He later returned to Florala, AL, and established Zorn Brothers, Inc. with brothers Lynn and Glen. As the president of that company, he worked to build the first liquid fertilizer plant in Alabama.
He was an active member of the LA (Lower Alabama!) community as a member of the Florala City Council, Florala City School Board, and as the Rotary Club President. He and his family were members of First Presbyterian Church of Florala, where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School teacher.
In 1987, Jack and Michaelyn moved to LaBelle, FL, where Jack worked as a consultant with Florida Favorite Fertilizer. He oversaw the building of a liquid fertilizer plant in Clewiston, FL, and later joined the management team, serving as the Sales Manager until his retirement in 2003.
Throughout his career he was involved in many professional organizations, including a Director on the Board of The Fertilizer Institute.
Jack loved connecting with and helping others, so of course he became active in the LaBelle community as well. He was a longtime member of Carlson Methodist Church, where he served on numerous committees throughout the years and stepped in to help with various ministries and friends in need. He was a longtime participant of the men’s Sunday School class. Jack enjoyed many hobbies. He was an outdoorsman who liked to fish, hunt, and go for boat rides. He liked to paint, tie nautical knots, and work in his garden. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner who studied history, the Bible, and his many other interests. He was a loyal and enthusiastic fan and alumna of the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He loved visiting with his friends and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Republican Party of Hendry County and the Alva Garden Club. He served as the President of the Laurel Oaks Property Owners’ Association, was a Certified Crop Advisor, and an active consultant with Tiger-Sul Chemical Company until the time of his death.
Jack will be remembered by his friends as a Southern gentleman who treated everyone with Christian love and hospitality. He will be remembered by his family as a spiritual leader who set the example of how to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Hendry/Glades Receives VPK Children books
LABELLE, FL. -- BelieveNBooks launched its My Very Own Book (MVOB) initiative in September 2026 and completed book distribution that month. More than 6,800 VPK children received books through over 150 participating early learning centers across eight Florida counties, including Hendry and Glades.
The initiative helps young children begin building home libraries with books they can keep.
The initiative helps young children begin building home libraries with books they can keep.
BelieveNBooks was founded in 2021 by then middle school student Natasha Agarwal, who began by sharing books from her own shelves with children who lacked access to them. Today, BelieveNBooks is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided 250,000 books to 50,000 children, expanding young people’s access to stories, knowledge and opportunity.
The program will provide more than 6,800 young children across eight Florida counties with a book of their own to take home and access to a corresponding read aloud video.
Through partnerships with the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland and the Early Learning Coalition o Southwest Florida, more than 150 early learning centers will receive books through the initiative, reachinG Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) students across Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Each participating child will receive a copy of Pete the Cat Too Cool for School, to take homE and keep, along with access to a YouTube read-aloud video of the same book.
Through partnerships with the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland and the Early Learning Coalition o Southwest Florida, more than 150 early learning centers will receive books through the initiative, reachinG Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) students across Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Each participating child will receive a copy of Pete the Cat Too Cool for School, to take homE and keep, along with access to a YouTube read-aloud video of the same book.
The organization relies on donors, grants and more than 150 community partners to facilitate book distributions. For more information, please visit www.BelieveNBooks.org.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Adam Sanchez, Jr. Dies At 70
Adam” Big A” Sanchez, Jr, age 70, of Immokalee, Florida went home to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Naples, Florida.
Adam was born on October 1, 1956, in Brownsville, Texas to the late Adan and the late Adela Alvarez Sanchez. Big A as he was known married April Bex on July 3, 1977, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Big A and April ran a food truck for over 20 years in the Immokalee area. If you ever need anything, Big A had you covered, he enjoyed collecting knives, cooking and grilling for family get togethers, watching sports, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Big A will be remembered by his family for his boisterous laughter and his determination. Once Big A put his mind to it, he saw it through. Big A’s favorite saying was “Its all good if God is in it”
Big A leaves fond memories with his loving wife of almost 50 years, April Sanchez of Immokalee, his children; Adam Sanchez, IV, Joshua Sanchez, Sr, Annie Jimmie, Justin Sanchez, Trent Sanchez, his loving grandchildren; Adam Sanchez, V, Tynan Sanchez, Isaiah Warden, Joshua Sanchez, Jr, Jillian Sanchez, his sisters will remember him with their own memories; Blanca Aguilar, Isabel Sanchez, Rosa Estrada, and Evangelina Thorpe, along with many extended family members and family friends.
Big A was preceded in death by his parents, Adan Sanchez and Adela Alvarez Sanchez, sister; Alicia Sanchez.
Celebration of Big A’s life will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at First Seminole Baptist Church in Immokalee. Viewing begins at 6:00 p.m. directly followed by Funeral service at 7:00 pm.
Funeral services provided by Akin-Davis Funeral Home – LaBelle.
Adam was born on October 1, 1956, in Brownsville, Texas to the late Adan and the late Adela Alvarez Sanchez. Big A as he was known married April Bex on July 3, 1977, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Big A and April ran a food truck for over 20 years in the Immokalee area. If you ever need anything, Big A had you covered, he enjoyed collecting knives, cooking and grilling for family get togethers, watching sports, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Big A will be remembered by his family for his boisterous laughter and his determination. Once Big A put his mind to it, he saw it through. Big A’s favorite saying was “Its all good if God is in it”
Big A leaves fond memories with his loving wife of almost 50 years, April Sanchez of Immokalee, his children; Adam Sanchez, IV, Joshua Sanchez, Sr, Annie Jimmie, Justin Sanchez, Trent Sanchez, his loving grandchildren; Adam Sanchez, V, Tynan Sanchez, Isaiah Warden, Joshua Sanchez, Jr, Jillian Sanchez, his sisters will remember him with their own memories; Blanca Aguilar, Isabel Sanchez, Rosa Estrada, and Evangelina Thorpe, along with many extended family members and family friends.
Big A was preceded in death by his parents, Adan Sanchez and Adela Alvarez Sanchez, sister; Alicia Sanchez.
Celebration of Big A’s life will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at First Seminole Baptist Church in Immokalee. Viewing begins at 6:00 p.m. directly followed by Funeral service at 7:00 pm.
Funeral services provided by Akin-Davis Funeral Home – LaBelle.
David Luis Martinez Reyes Arrested In LaBelle Homicide
LABELLE, FL. --- On Monday, October 12, 2026 at approximately by 7:40pm, Hendry County Deputies responded to the area of El Faro Assembly of God located on Bryan Ave. in LaBelle, Florida.
Photo: Suspect David Martinez Reyes, Age 18
When deputies arrived on scene they found a young man lying in the parking lot of the church with another young male performing CPR. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Angel CuaCua-Vasquez of LaBelle and was allegedly found with five gunshot wounds in his body.
Witnesses reported that Angel and three of his friends were walking in the neighborhood when they were approached by another juvenile male in a truck and unknown passenger; an argument ensued between both the victim and the driver of the truck. It was at this time witnesses heard several gunshot wounds and the victim fell to the ground.
When deputies arrived on scene they found a young man lying in the parking lot of the church with another young male performing CPR. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Angel CuaCua-Vasquez of LaBelle and was allegedly found with five gunshot wounds in his body.
Witnesses reported that Angel and three of his friends were walking in the neighborhood when they were approached by another juvenile male in a truck and unknown passenger; an argument ensued between both the victim and the driver of the truck. It was at this time witnesses heard several gunshot wounds and the victim fell to the ground.
It later appeared that the male that had fired the shots, attempted to also shoot at the witnesses who were running from the scene.
Upon the arrival of EMS, life-saving efforts were taken over by medical personnel, however, CuaCua-Vasquez was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Hendry County Detectives were able to speak with witnesses and were able to identify a juvenile male who was the driver of the vehicle and the passenger, later identified as 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes of 5018 Pike Lane, LaBelle in Port LaBelle. Detectives arrived at Pike Lane and located both the driver of the truck and Martinez Reyes.
It was at this time both subjects were transported to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
Hendry County Detectives were able to determine through the efforts of a search warrant, that 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes did in fact possess and did fire a weapon. Martinez Reyes was arrested and charged with one count of Homicide and three counts of Attempted Homicide. Martinez Reyes is currently being held without bond.
Hendry County Detectives were able to speak with witnesses and were able to identify a juvenile male who was the driver of the vehicle and the passenger, later identified as 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes of 5018 Pike Lane, LaBelle in Port LaBelle. Detectives arrived at Pike Lane and located both the driver of the truck and Martinez Reyes.
It was at this time both subjects were transported to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
Hendry County Detectives were able to determine through the efforts of a search warrant, that 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes did in fact possess and did fire a weapon. Martinez Reyes was arrested and charged with one count of Homicide and three counts of Attempted Homicide. Martinez Reyes is currently being held without bond.
Two Lottery Winners Chose $3 Million Lump Sum Payment
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Lottery announces that Julie Phillips, 67, of Sebring, claimed a $5 million top prize from the $5,000,000 CROSSWORD CASH Scratch-Off game at the Lottery’s Fort Myers District Office on June 18. Phillips chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,262,138.00. Phillips purchased her winning ticket from Saunak’s Corner, located at 306 N. Ridgewood Drive in Sebring.
Georgia Smith, of Arcadia, claimed a $5 million top prize from the MEGA 7’s Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on June 30. Smith chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,089,000.00. Smith purchased her winning ticket from Murphy USA, located at 2769 S.E. Highway 70 in Arcadia.
Georgia Smith, of Arcadia, claimed a $5 million top prize from the MEGA 7’s Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on June 30. Smith chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,089,000.00. Smith purchased her winning ticket from Murphy USA, located at 2769 S.E. Highway 70 in Arcadia.
Editors Note: We do not recommend playing the lottery as payoff odds are so much against profiting from chance betting schemes.
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