Darryl Dwight Eldon, Sr passed away peacefully in his home February 12th, 2026.
Darryl served five years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics), and was a Vietnam War Veteran. He worked several jobs in the construction industry, operating and maintaining heavy equipment. He worked in the oil industry as an operator with Schlumberger Well Services and spent a brief period instructing students in avionics maintenance principles before retiring from the boat building industry.
Darryl was born September 10th, 1948, in Clewiston, FL. He hails from a large mixed family of three brothers and three sisters. He is preceded in death by Nola Oma Jean (Lawrence) Eldon, his wife of fifty years; his mother and father, Kirkland Bernard Eldon and Lois Swing; Brothers Philip Thomas Eldon and Gary Swing; and his nephew Robert Wilkinson.
He is survived by Sisters Juanita Swing, Joy (Swing) Everett, Lisa Swing, and Brother Teddy Swing; Son Darryl Eldon, Jr and daughter-in-law Stephanie (Conrad) Eldon; Daughters Julie Eldon and Amanda Eldon Campese; six grandchildren – Chris Eldon and spouse Dana Hannah, Kirkland Eldon and spouse Codie (Slaughter) Eldon, Sydney (Campese) Perez and spouse Matthew Perez, Dara, Dino (DJ), and Philip Campese; three great grandchildren – Dahlia Eldon, Sofia Perez, and Cassian Eldon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation and funeral services was held at Akin-Davis Funeral Home in LaBelle, Florida on Friday, February 20th, 2026. Visitation from 12:00 – 1:00 PM; Funeral services were at 2:00 PM with graveside services to follow at the Ortona Cemetery, Glades County, Florida.
Friday, February 20, 2026
$3 Billion In Florida Freeze Losses Claims Department of Agriculture
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary estimates of losses to Florida agriculture from the recent freezes, including more than $3 billion in total estimated losses across the state’s diverse agricultural sectors.
These preliminary estimates highlight the losses to Florida’s diverse agricultural sectors, including vegetables and melons, citrus, sugarcane, fruits, horticulture, and aquaculture. The figures will be updated as additional information becomes available.
These preliminary estimates highlight the losses to Florida’s diverse agricultural sectors, including vegetables and melons, citrus, sugarcane, fruits, horticulture, and aquaculture. The figures will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Estimated losses include:
Total estimated losses to Florida agriculture: Over $3.1 billion
Tomatoes: $164,273,849
Strawberries: $306,965,897
Watermelons $65,437,343
Sweet Corn: $255,363,251
Sugarcane: $1,152,122,146
Bell Peppers: $108,380,389
Potatoes: $79,065,000
Cabbage: $21,800,280
Squash: $24,522,275
Blueberries: $78,512,400
Greenhouse and Nursery: $240,000,000
Citrus: $674,660,336
These estimates draw on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Florida Census of Agriculture, USDA Market News, UF-IFAS Preliminary Freeze Event Assessment, early survey and early communication between FDACS, industry leaders, and individual producers who are currently engaged in large-scale recovery efforts.
A copy of FDACS’ preliminary estimates can be found here.
Strawberries: $306,965,897
Watermelons $65,437,343
Sweet Corn: $255,363,251
Sugarcane: $1,152,122,146
Bell Peppers: $108,380,389
Potatoes: $79,065,000
Cabbage: $21,800,280
Squash: $24,522,275
Blueberries: $78,512,400
Greenhouse and Nursery: $240,000,000
Citrus: $674,660,336
These estimates draw on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Florida Census of Agriculture, USDA Market News, UF-IFAS Preliminary Freeze Event Assessment, early survey and early communication between FDACS, industry leaders, and individual producers who are currently engaged in large-scale recovery efforts.
A copy of FDACS’ preliminary estimates can be found here.
LaBelle Educational Garden Completed In Barron Park
More than 20 volunteers spent the morning completing the new LaBelle Educational Garden by installing educational signs, hammock posts and a fountain. Located in Barron Park behind the Arts of the Inland Gallery.
More than 20 volunteers spent the morning completing the new LaBelle Educational Garden by installing educational signs, hammock posts and a fountain. The Mayor and Vice Mayor of LaBelle dedicated the fountain. The volunteers also landscaped the area and planted a new pollinator garden area creating a welcoming outdoor learning space for students and the community.
The LaBelle Educational garden is a living classroom, which provides the community with free food such as yuca, star fruit avocado, maranga, edible flowers, knowledge about planting foods in their homes and the educational component that comes with it.
Now in its 18th year, FPL’s Power to Care program reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to powering strong communities making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
The LaBelle Educational garden is a living classroom, which provides the community with free food such as yuca, star fruit avocado, maranga, edible flowers, knowledge about planting foods in their homes and the educational component that comes with it.
Now in its 18th year, FPL’s Power to Care program reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to powering strong communities making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival Schedule Of Events - Friday, Saturday, Sunday
LABELLE, FL. -- The 60th Annual Swamp Cabbage Festival in LaBelle, FL, runs from February 21–22, 2026, with the theme "Denim and Diamonds." Key events include a parade on Saturday at 10 AM, live music, arts and crafts at Barron Park, and a car show. The festival typically runs from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
Key 2026 Schedule Highlights (Saturday, Feb 21 & Sunday, Feb 22)
Key 2026 Schedule Highlights (Saturday, Feb 21 & Sunday, Feb 22)
Location: Primarily at Barron Park, 1559 De Soto Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935.
Saturday Parade: Begins at 10 AM on Bridge Street.
Live Music & Entertainment: Runs throughout the weekend in Barron Park.
Sunday Services: Church in the Park begins at 8:30 AM.
Saturday Parade: Begins at 10 AM on Bridge Street.
Live Music & Entertainment: Runs throughout the weekend in Barron Park.
Sunday Services: Church in the Park begins at 8:30 AM.
Additional Events: 5K Run/Walk ("Swamp Stomp") and Lawnmower Races.
Rodeo: Typically held on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 PM.
Air Show & Fly-In: Takes place at LaBelle Airport on both days.
Important Information
Rodeo: Typically held on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 PM.
Air Show & Fly-In: Takes place at LaBelle Airport on both days.
Important Information
Road Closures: Barron Park, DeSoto Avenue, Lee Street, and Park Avenue close on Friday at 2 p.m..
Parking/Traffic: The LaBelle drawbridge closes to traffic on Saturday at 9:45 a.m..
Vendor Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday
Parking/Traffic: The LaBelle drawbridge closes to traffic on Saturday at 9:45 a.m..
Vendor Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday
Businesses Launch Campaign For Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 20 - Following the Supreme Court's decision striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) today, We Pay the Tariffs small business members from across the country discussed the importance of the decision and swift refunds. The coalition also launched a national sign-on letter campaign that has already been signed by hundreds of businesses calling for “full, fast and automatic” refunds.
Fifteen billion dollars a month are said to have been collected from tariffs. 70% of the tariffs the President ordered are now believed to be affected, and not legal. The return to businesses of the tariffs paid, relies on the Supreme Court ruling that the tariffs were illegal, and so the government must return those payments back to those who paid them.
Executive Director Dan Anthony issued the following statement:
"Today's Supreme Court decision is a tremendous victory for America's small businesses who have been bearing the crushing weight of these tariffs. Our coalition members, who through hard work, late nights, and sweat equity built local businesses, have paid billions in tariffs that never should have been imposed.
They've taken out loans just to keep their doors open. They've frozen hiring, canceled expansion plans, and watched their life savings drain away to pay tariff bills that weren't in any budget or business plan. Today, the Supreme Court has validated what we've been saying all along: these tariffs were unlawful from the start.
But a legal victory is meaningless without actual relief for the businesses that paid these tariffs. The administration's only responsible course of action now is to establish a fast, efficient, and automatic refund process that returns tariff money to the businesses that paid it. Small businesses cannot afford to wait months or years while bureaucratic delays play out, nor can they afford expensive litigation just to recover money that was unlawfully collected from them in the first place. These businesses need their money back now.
With refund money back in their hands, American small businesses will do exactly what they've been telling us they would do all along: hire workers, expand operations, invest in inventory, pay down debt, and contribute to their local economies. Returning these funds will provide local economic impact from the ground up, putting money directly into the businesses that drive local job creation and economic growth.
Small businesses are rightfully worried that the Administration will respond to this legal defeat by simply reimposing the same tariff policy through other means. Small businesses cannot afford for the administration to double-down on failed tariff policies. Tariffs imposed under IEEPA crippled small businesses; tariffs reimposed under different statutory approaches would have the same destructive effect. The path forward should prioritize refunds, not new rounds of tariffs under different names."
VIEW THE REFUND LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
VOICES FROM MAIN STREET AMERICA
Following the Supreme Court’s decision striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), small business owners across the country are responding with firsthand accounts of how the tariffs hurt their business, how refunds would affect jobs, prices, and recovery, and why simplicity and certainty matter:
Refunds Mean Jobs and Growth
Andrea Englisis, President, Athenee Importers & Distributors LTD. (Hempstead, NY):
“I have held off on hiring as the money I would have used for salaries went right to the US Government for tariff payment. If there was an announcement that tariffs would not be reimposed, I would look to hire for two open positions I have.”
Refunds Lower Prices
Kacie Wright, Owner, Houghton Horns LLC (Keller, TX):
“Approximately 60% of the products on our website have higher prices now to accommodate the tariffs. The minute we hear the tariff rates are coming down, we’re bringing prices on most of our products down 10-20%.”
Some Damage Can’t Be Refunded
Tom Wetzel, Owner, Red Raven Games (Draper, UT):
“My two cents on a potential tariff refund is that a lot of the damage these tariffs caused cannot be refunded. Getting some or all the tariff money back would be great because we could import higher quantities again. However, many US consumers feel uncertain about their finances and consequently they are not buying as much, especially for discretionary expenses. When I say the damage cannot be refunded, I mean that our market has taken significant losses due to our customers job loss and inflation, and these issues would not be cured by a tariff refund.”
Certainty Matters
Greg Shugar, Owner & CEO, Beau Ties Ltd. (Middlebury, VT):
“If we were to get refunds, I would share them with each of our employees via a bonus. If the process is unclear or too difficult, I don't know if we would pursue getting them. And I worry that the Trump Administration knows that about small businesses and will take advantage of that.”
Small Businesses Available to Discuss Refund Needs:
We Pay the Tariffs can connect media with small business owners who can discuss what refunds would mean for their operations, employees, and communities, and share their experiences paying unlawful tariffs.
About We Pay the Tariffs:
We Pay the Tariffs is a grassroots coalition of over 800 small and micro businesses launched in 2025 to advocate against new tariffs imposed in 2025. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the IEEPA tariff cases. Members include restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, game companies, and other businesses from every U.S. region. The vast majority of members are micro businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
Executive Director Dan Anthony issued the following statement:
"Today's Supreme Court decision is a tremendous victory for America's small businesses who have been bearing the crushing weight of these tariffs. Our coalition members, who through hard work, late nights, and sweat equity built local businesses, have paid billions in tariffs that never should have been imposed.
They've taken out loans just to keep their doors open. They've frozen hiring, canceled expansion plans, and watched their life savings drain away to pay tariff bills that weren't in any budget or business plan. Today, the Supreme Court has validated what we've been saying all along: these tariffs were unlawful from the start.
But a legal victory is meaningless without actual relief for the businesses that paid these tariffs. The administration's only responsible course of action now is to establish a fast, efficient, and automatic refund process that returns tariff money to the businesses that paid it. Small businesses cannot afford to wait months or years while bureaucratic delays play out, nor can they afford expensive litigation just to recover money that was unlawfully collected from them in the first place. These businesses need their money back now.
With refund money back in their hands, American small businesses will do exactly what they've been telling us they would do all along: hire workers, expand operations, invest in inventory, pay down debt, and contribute to their local economies. Returning these funds will provide local economic impact from the ground up, putting money directly into the businesses that drive local job creation and economic growth.
Small businesses are rightfully worried that the Administration will respond to this legal defeat by simply reimposing the same tariff policy through other means. Small businesses cannot afford for the administration to double-down on failed tariff policies. Tariffs imposed under IEEPA crippled small businesses; tariffs reimposed under different statutory approaches would have the same destructive effect. The path forward should prioritize refunds, not new rounds of tariffs under different names."
VIEW THE REFUND LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
VOICES FROM MAIN STREET AMERICA
Following the Supreme Court’s decision striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), small business owners across the country are responding with firsthand accounts of how the tariffs hurt their business, how refunds would affect jobs, prices, and recovery, and why simplicity and certainty matter:
Refunds Mean Jobs and Growth
Andrea Englisis, President, Athenee Importers & Distributors LTD. (Hempstead, NY):
“I have held off on hiring as the money I would have used for salaries went right to the US Government for tariff payment. If there was an announcement that tariffs would not be reimposed, I would look to hire for two open positions I have.”
Refunds Lower Prices
Kacie Wright, Owner, Houghton Horns LLC (Keller, TX):
“Approximately 60% of the products on our website have higher prices now to accommodate the tariffs. The minute we hear the tariff rates are coming down, we’re bringing prices on most of our products down 10-20%.”
Some Damage Can’t Be Refunded
Tom Wetzel, Owner, Red Raven Games (Draper, UT):
“My two cents on a potential tariff refund is that a lot of the damage these tariffs caused cannot be refunded. Getting some or all the tariff money back would be great because we could import higher quantities again. However, many US consumers feel uncertain about their finances and consequently they are not buying as much, especially for discretionary expenses. When I say the damage cannot be refunded, I mean that our market has taken significant losses due to our customers job loss and inflation, and these issues would not be cured by a tariff refund.”
Certainty Matters
Greg Shugar, Owner & CEO, Beau Ties Ltd. (Middlebury, VT):
“If we were to get refunds, I would share them with each of our employees via a bonus. If the process is unclear or too difficult, I don't know if we would pursue getting them. And I worry that the Trump Administration knows that about small businesses and will take advantage of that.”
Small Businesses Available to Discuss Refund Needs:
We Pay the Tariffs can connect media with small business owners who can discuss what refunds would mean for their operations, employees, and communities, and share their experiences paying unlawful tariffs.
About We Pay the Tariffs:
We Pay the Tariffs is a grassroots coalition of over 800 small and micro businesses launched in 2025 to advocate against new tariffs imposed in 2025. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the IEEPA tariff cases. Members include restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, game companies, and other businesses from every U.S. region. The vast majority of members are micro businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
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