Glades County Can't Get The Grass Cut - So A Resident Does It

 

PORT LABELLE, FL. -- Fast growing grass along Birchwood Parkway in Glades county seems to get ahead of the Glades County Road Department mowers. 

So, a resident of the Ranchettes has taken to mowing a mile long strip from the Hendry county north to Frontier Circle in the Ranchettes every few weeks. 

Photo credit: Don Browne

Peace River In Arcadia Floods Once Again

 

ARCADIA, FL. -- Desoto County has widespread flooding near the areas of it's creeks and rivers. Frequently flooded is the Peace River which flows through the city of Arcadia. The city park, Desoto Veterans Memorial Park along the river is often a victim of the flooding as shown in the photo above.

Canoe rental and tour outposts and kayak and canoe rental companies along the river will be expected to be flooded out for several days.

The river is expected to have it's maximum flooding this evening. 

Hendry Deputy Haight Arrest On Extortion Charges

HENDRY COUNTY K-9 DEPUTY ARRESTED ON EXTORTION CHARGE

LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden announces the arrest of 27-year-old, K-9 Deputy Braxton Haight on November 3, 2026, on charges of Extortion under Florida Statute 836.05.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Haight left a voicemail for Sheriff Whidden to contact him regarding a matter that was pretty urgent and was “in everyone’s best interest to talk a about.” 

 Sheriff Whidden returned Haight’s call when Haight told Whidden that he was aware that Sheriff Whidden was attempting to terminate his employment with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and further stated he had documentation that he would release to the public if the Sheriff did not meet his demands. 

 Haight went on to tell the Sheriff in exchange for not releasing the information, he would like the Sheriff to give him his Police K9 dog and leave his personnel file without disciplinary actions. The Sheriff then arranged to meet with Haight to discuss this more.

At approximately 4:00 pm, K9 Deputy Braxton Haight met with Sheriff Whidden. The meeting took place at the Hendry County Port LaBelle Annex. 

 Prior to the meeting, the office was pre-wired and video recorded. Haight told Whidden that he had a recording of what he referred to as having a Sheriff’s Deputy making a derogatory comment. Haight continued to reference the information as “a little bit of insurance” that would not make the agency look good. Haight did threaten to release a video if his demands were not met.

Detectives then did take Braxton Haight into custody charging him with Felony Extortion. Haight is currently being held in the Hendry County Jail on $10,000.00 bond.

Research Center Open House November 17

IMMOKALEE, FL. -- You are cordially invited to attend the upcoming UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) Open House. Come discover how local agricultural science, research, and extension programs impact communities throughout Southwest Florida!

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Welcome & Registration begins at 9:30 AM)
Location: UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2685 State Road 29 North, Immokalee, FL 34142
Cost: Free (Open to the public; light refreshments will be provided)

What to Expect

Guided Farm Tours: Hop on a trolley tour of the research farm (please note: the tour involves some walking and stepping onto the trolley).
Lab Explorations: Go behind the scenes and explore our research laboratories.
Interactive Science: Enjoy hands-on science demonstrations highlighting agricultural innovations.

How to Register

While walk-ins are welcome, pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Reserve your spot today: https://SWFREC-Open-House.eventbrite.com

Glades School Bus Towed From Port LaBelle Inn

 

LABELLE, FL. -- A Glades County school bus didn't make it to school Tuesday morning. The bus had some apparent mechanical issues and got stuck at the Port LaBelle Inn all day until a tow truck arrived around 4 pm that afternoon.

Photo credit: Mary Tyner