Platt Branch Wildlife Area Public Hearing July 29 In Lake Placid

Help plan the future of the Platt Branch WEA

VENUS, FL. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present the draft materials for the Platt Branch Wildlife and Environmental Area 10-year Land Management Plan at a public hearing in Highlands County on Wednesday, July 29.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the Town of Lake Placid Community Room 1069 US Highway 27 N. Lake Placid, FL 33852. The public is encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions regarding the Land Management Plan for the FWC-managed WMA.

Located just south of Lake Placid, the 1,982-acre Platt Branch Wildlife and Environmental Area (PBWEA) lies within a rural landscape of ranchlands, citrus groves, conservation lands, and the southern Lake Wales Ridge. The property borders the northern edge of the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (FCWMA) in the upper Fisheating Creek Basin. The area protects key depressional wetlands that drain into Platt Branch and Fisheating Creek, the only free-flowing tributary to Lake Okeechobee, and serves as an important link in South Florida’s regional wildlife corridor. Additionally, the PBWEA contains diverse natural communities that include scrub, hammocks, flatwoods, marshes and swamps. This habitat diversity supports a wide range of resident and migratory bird species, offering excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife watching.

For more information regarding this and other upcoming public hearings, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation then click “Terrestrial Conservation” and “Management.” Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or public hearing; they are addressed through a separate public process. Visit MyFWC.com/Hunting and click on the Hunting Handbook under “Regulations” or MyFWC.com/Fishing and select either Saltwater Recreational Regulations or Freshwater Recreational Regulations to learn more about hunting and fishing regulations.

To see more about Land Management Plans, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation, click “Terrestrial Conservation,” then scroll to “Management Plans”. To obtain a copy of the draft elements of the Management Plan for the Platt Branch WEA, please contact FWCMgmtPlans@MyFWC.com.

Pursuant to Chapters 253 and 259, Florida Statutes, all lands purchased with public funds must have a Land Management Plan that ensures the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the intended purposes of the purchase.

LaBelle Bridge Closed For Two Weekends For Repairs

 S.R. 29 LaBelle Drawbridge to Close for Two Consecutive Weekends

Temporary Repairs; 53-Mile Truck Detour Required

LABELLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One will implement a temporary full closure of the LaBelle Drawbridge carrying S.R. 29 (locally known as Bridge Street) over the Caloosahatchee River in Hendry County to perform urgent repairs to the bridge.

These urgent repairs are required to ensure the long-term safety of the traveling public. Additional repairs will be necessary in the future.

To minimize the impact on weekday commuters, the structural repairs will be completed over two consecutive weekends, from Friday through Sunday, for a total of six days of closures.

 The first weekend closure starts Friday, July 17th and runs through Sunday, July 19th. (Crews expect to have the bridge reopened before Monday morning rush hour.)

 The second weekend closure starts Friday, July 24th and runs through Sunday, July 26th. (Crews expect to have the bridge reopened before Monday morning rush hour.)

Harold Dwayne "Doc" Weaver Dies At 80

Harold Dwayne "Doc" Weaver, 80, of Clewiston, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Doc was born on March 13, 1946, in Clewiston, Florida, and has spent his entire life here. He worked as an electrician for many years and, along with his wife, was a local business owner. He was in the National Guard as a young man, an auxiliary deputy for the Hendry County Sheriff's Office, and a volunteer fireman for the Clewiston Fire Department. He was also a member of the Clewiston Elks Lodge and the Lyons Club. He was an avid fisherman. A true horseman, he shared a special bond with his faithful horse, "Smutt," and treasured every moment they spent together.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy, and his three daughters, Cindy Clemons (Wayne), Karen Robinson, and Tracy Nesbitt. He has six grandchildren Megan Robinson, Justin Robinson (Amber), Daniel Clemons (Shawn), Matthew Clemons (Allie), Caitlin Troutman (Matthew) and Ryan Nesbitt (Taylor), seven great grandchildren Madison & Ashton Nodal, Aubrey J'Lyne Billie, Byrson and Greyson Clemons, Gentry and Hallie Troutman and one great great grandchild Oakley Mae Sheen.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Weaver (Granny); father, Dilburn Weaver (Granddaddy); sister, Flora Mae Bash; brothers, Sam, Tim, and Butch; and a grandson, Michael Caleb McGee.

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date.

Know Your Candidate (Part 2) - Hendry County Judge

Antoinette Peck, on her page on the Hendry County Elections office says, "I began my career as a judicial law clerk and Assistant Public Defender, where I gained extensive courtroom experience early on. I later built my own successful law practice, striving to meet the needs of the community in Hendry County, representing clients in complex family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, adoption, and dependency cases, as well as land use and business disputes. As a mediator and arbitrator, I have also helped families and businesses resolve disputes efficiently and with dignity outside of the courtroom when possible.

"I am a past president of the Hendry-Glades Bar Association and have been actively involved with the Caloosa Humane Society, including serving on its executive committee of the Board of Directors and as pro bono legal counsel. I was the race director for the Caloosa Humane Society Swamp Stomp 5K for three years, doubling the number of race participants under my leadership. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the LaBelle Chamber of Commerce and the Caloosa Riders."

She personally gave $25,200 to her campaign. $3,525 came from donations outside Hendry County. She has a law office in downtown Fort Myers.

Sources:

Hendry County Elections (All Candidates): https://hendryelections.gov/running_for_office/candidate_bio_and_financial_reports.php

Fundraising Website: https://votetonipeck.com/

Know Your Candidates Part 1 - Hendry County Judge

Robert Ostrov, on his page on the Hendry County Elections office says, "Prior to being appointed by Governor DeSantis as County Judge, I served as Hendry County's General Magistrate for the prior six years, where I handled family law cases. My judicial experience also includes having served as a Hearing Officer for the 20th Judicial Circuit, an Administrative Law Judge, and an arbitrator for both the American Arbitration Association and FINRA."

From his fundraising website he says: "Judge Ostrov was vetted and selected by the Judicial Nominating Commission and chosen by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as Hendry County Judge. Judge Ostrov resides in LaBelle, Florida." 

From a news announcement of his appointment to Judge on April 24, 2025 by Governor Ron DeSantis, "Robert Ostrov, of Wellington, to serve as Judge on the Hendry County Court.

"Ostrov has served as a General Magistrate for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit since 2018 and has been the Managing Partner of the Law Offices of Robert L. Ostrov since 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and his juris doctor from Fordham University. Ostrov fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Darrell Hill."

The Palm Beach County property records show a Robert L. Ostrov and Kathleen S. Ostrov own a homesteaded property in Wellington, Fl. at 13501 Chelmsford St.

Hendry Elections says so far he has $71,300 collected for his campaign, most all ($50,000) from a loan from himself to the campaign, and the balance mainly from out of the county donors.

A search of websites indicate some 2016 issues surrounding a race for Palm Beach Judge, and alleged structured settlement companies he may have been associated with but not mentioned in his biographies.

Sources:

Palm Beach County Property: https://pbcpao.gov/Property/Details?parcelId=73414409010070050

News Articles: https://structuredsettlements.blog/category/robert-ostrov/

Fundraising Website: https://www.keepjudgeostrov.com/

News Article: https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-makes-one-judicial-appointment-0

Hendry County Elections (All Canidates): https://hendryelections.gov/running_for_office/candidate_bio_and_financial_reports.php