Rolando Gonzalez Erebia Dies At 65

Rolando Gonzalez Erebia, a beloved farmer, family man, and cherished member of his community, passed away on June 13, 2026, in Moore Haven, Florida, just two days shy of his 66th birthday. Born on June 15, 1960, in Beaufort, South Carolina, Rolando’s life was a testament to hard work, laughter, and an unwavering dedication to family.

For over three decades, Rolando devoted himself to farming, nurturing the land with a dedication that defined both his career and his character until his retirement in 2010. His hands, worn yet steady, were a symbol of his commitment—not only to the soil he tilled but also to the people he loved. Alongside these laborious pursuits, Rolando was known affectionately among friends and family for his warm smile and lively sense of humor, ever ready with a joke or a story that could brighten even the darkest day.

Rolando's favorite saying, “I’m Doctor Erebia,” captured the playful spirit he carried through life, a humorous self-bestowed title that brought endless smiles to those around him. An avid fisherman and a man who thrived when working with his hands, he found joy and solace in the simple pleasures and the great outdoors. He took immense pleasure in bringing his family together, whether it was to play cards or bingo, turning ordinary gatherings into unforgettable moments of togetherness and joy.

Those who knew Rolando remember him as the "ranchy one," the spirited soul who cherished time spent with his family above all else. His laughter was contagious, his heart wide open, and his care for loved ones profound. Friends and family alike will hold dear the memories of his kindness and the warmth that radiated from his presence.

Rolando is lovingly survived by his daughter Sabrina Erebia, his sons Danny Erebia and Rolando Erebia, Jr., and his treasured siblings: Manuela Aguilar (Bay), Rosa Cruz, Susana Erebia, and Edith (BiBi) Narvaez. His legacy continues joyfully through his grandchildren: Noe Erebia, Zechariah Erebia, Mia Erebia, Mateo Bautista, and Grace Erebia—each a living testament to his enduring love and spirit.

Visitation will be held on June 22, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Akin Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle, located at 560 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935. Following the visitation, a funeral service to celebrate Rolando’s life will take place at the same venue from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Though Rolando’s hands have now stilled, his smile and his spirit will forever accompany those who were privileged to know him. He was a man who lived fully, laughed often, and loved deeply—a true cornerstone for his family and community whose memory will be treasured and celebrated for years to come. Rest in peace, Doctor Erebia. Your story lives on in every heart you touched.

Bradley Kelly Guilty In Clewiston Cold Case Manslaughter

LaBelle (June 16, 2026) – Bradley Lanorris Kelly Jr. has been adjudicated guilty and sentenced to two life sentences after being convicted of Manslaughter, First Degree Burglary While Armed, and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon. The victim was shot and killed during a robbery and burglary committed by the defendant and others at the victim’s apartment in Clewiston in 2015.

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime and requested the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) who then took on the lead role in the investigation.

In 2021, FDLE presented the investigation to the State Attorney’s Office Cold Case Homicide Unit to conduct a review of the case. The Cold Case Homicide Unit, led by Assistant State Attorney Dan Feinberg, began a detailed review of the evidence, culminating in the arrest of the defendant in January 2023.

Assistant State Attorneys Dan Feinberg and Haylie Gutierrez prosecuted the case. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a four-day trial in Hendry County.

“The diligent casework and analytical and forensic support by our FDLE agents and analysts helped bring justice to the victim’s family,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson. “Upholding our state laws is not optional, and if you violate those laws and harm our Florida citizens, our law enforcemen partners will work together to hold you accountable. FDLE is proud to work alongside State Attorney Amira Fox and her prosecution team to make Southwest Florida safe”

“I am proud of the incredible work done on this case by the Cold Case Homicide Unit and our partner agencies, FDLE and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. This conviction and life sentence now allows the victim’s family to see justice served for this horrible crime,” said State Attorney Fox.

State Attorney Fox formed the Cold Case Homicide Unit in January 2019, just after being elected State
 Attorney. To date, the work of the unit has led to the identification, arrest, and charges filed against
 more than two dozen defendants, in more than 20 murder cases.

Hendry County Arrests - Drugs, DUI, Probation Violation, Firearms

ARREST BLOTTER

06/08/2026 – 06/14/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Evelyn Shenita Ross, 59, Clewiston was arrested on June 6, 2026, by Sgt. B. Barrira on charges of Felony Probation Violation, Misd Probation Violation, Resist LEO without Violence and Providing False ID to LEO

Richard Duane Robinson, 50, Ft. Myers was arrested on June 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation

15-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on June 8, 2026, by Sgt. M. Afonso on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Tania A. Santiago Gonzalez, 29, LaBelle was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff C. Link on charges of DUI and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Aaliah Renee Quintanilla, 19, LaBelle was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Ramirez Garcia on charges of Battery on Detained Person

Reginald Bernard Hatcher, 35, Arcadia was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Driving While DL Suspended – Habitual Offender

Richard Wayne Stanley, 36, Clewiston was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Det. D. Reaves on charges of Sale of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell and Tampering with Evidence

Marvin Leonardo Molina Castro, 30, LaBelle was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Det. T. Lewis on charges of Sex Assault on Victim under 18 years of age and Lewd Lascivious Behavior on Victim under 18 years of age

Juan Carlos Villa Gran-Ortiz, 34, Belle Glade was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff F. Mazzella on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Kevin William Cassidy, 39, Jacksonville was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff C. Davis on charges of Out of County warrant

Jamyia Kenek Gordon, 26, Clewiston was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Driving While DL Suspended – Habitual Offender

Cyrus Matthew Ownes, 37, Clewiston was arrested on Jun 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Felon Probation Violation

Ralph Jerome Garvin, 48, LaBelle was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Felony Failure to Appear, 2 counts Misd. Contempt of Court, Kidnap Minor Child and Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle

Christal Agosto, 35 Clewiston was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit on charges of 5 Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Equipment and Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm

Ranulfo Martienz, Jr., 43, Clewiston was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit on charges of 2 Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Equipment and Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm

Jameka Lawanda McGee, 40, Belle Glade was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Driving While License Suspended - Habitual Offender

Francisco Ramon Liantaud, 39, Hollywood was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardo on charges of DUI and DUI-Refusal to Submit to DUI Test

Missy Chae Huff 37, LaBelle was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of DUI

Timothy Earl Lancaster, 45, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on June 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of DUI

Christina Michelle Delgado, 40, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on June 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardino on charges of DUI

Gumaro Martinez, 47, Clewiston was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Jose Javier San Marty, 34, Ft. Myers was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Felony Criminal Mischief to Property and Burglary Occupied Dwelling – Unarmed

Jose Guadalupe Hernandez, 56, LaBelle was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Cpl. V. Lopez on charges of Battery and Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill

Jaime Olguin, 29, LaBelle was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Discharge of Firearm in Public or Residential Place and Possession of Firearm by Florida Convicted Felon

Burning Safety Tips During Dry Seasons

Hendry County Burn Ban Lifted

(June 16, 2026) – LaBelle, Fla. –The burn ban on unregulated outdoor fires in Hendry County has been lifted effective June 16, 2026.

Residents are asked to always exercise caution when burning outside and keep the following safety precautions in mind:

· Keep burn piles small and manageable and no greater than 8 feet in diameter or it will require authorization from Florida Forest Service

· Keep an open area and never leave it unattended

· Have a water source readily available

· Ensure the fire is completely out before leaving the area.

· The fire must be ignited after 9am eastern time and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.

· Check the weather conditions before burning

Please see the following link for additional information on outside burning: Burn Yard Waste Safely - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

How To Deal With People Who May Be Difficult To Talk With - Where Journalists Go Wrong

Staying Grounded: How to Interview a President (Or Talk Through Any Difficult Conversation)

Interviewing a head of state is a high-stakes challenge for any journalist. When a president makes an inaccurate or untruthful statement on live television, the pressure to react can trigger a defensive emotional response.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers a powerful framework for navigating these moments. By combining mindfulness, emotional regulation, and structured interpersonal communication, journalists can hold powerful leaders accountable without losing control of the interview.

1. Observe and Describe (Stick to the Facts)

In DBT, the "Mindfulness" skill teaches us to separate our internal judgments from objective reality. When a president delivers an untruth, your job is to describe what is happening without labeling it.

Avoid Emotional Triggers: Do not use loaded words like "lie," "deception," or "falsehood." These words immediately trigger a defensive, adversarial response.

Use Objective Observation: State exactly what the data shows versus what was just said.

The Pivot: Instead of saying, "You are lying about the crime rates," state: "Mr. President, the FBI's unified crime report shows a 5% decrease, but you just stated it is rising. Can you clarify that discrepancy?"

2. Check the Facts

The DBT skill "Check the Facts" requires us to examine the evidence behind an emotional situation. In a presidential interview, this means arriving with an airtight, verifiable database of evidence.

Instant Verification: Ground the conversation immediately in physical evidence, dates, quotes, and official reports.

Counter with Data: When an untruth is spoken, do not argue opinion. Immediately read the official statistic or quote from the record. This shifts the burden of proof back to the interviewee without escalating the tension.

3. Validate the Goal, Not the Untruth

Validation is a core DBT tool used to de-escalate tension. You can validate a president's underlying motive, feeling, or political goal without validating the inaccurate information they are presenting.

Acknowledge the Intent: Acknowledge what they are trying to achieve.

Correct the Data: Follow the acknowledgment immediately with the accurate reality.

Example: "I understand that highlighting economic growth is a primary focus for your administration. However, the current labor statistics show job growth slowed last quarter."

4. Practice Radical Acceptance

"Radical Acceptance" means completely accepting reality as it is in the present moment, without fighting it.

Expect the Strategy: Accept the reality that politicians may use deflections, omissions, or untruths as a communication strategy.

Keep Your Cool: When you accept that this will happen, you eliminate the element of shock. This prevents visible frustration, eye-rolling, or an angry tone of voice, keeping you in complete command of your own emotions.

5. Deploy the DEAR MAN Framework

DBT’s ultimate interpersonal effectiveness tool is DEAR MAN. Here is how a journalist can script a real-time correction using this strategy:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ DESCRIBE THE FACT │ │ "The agency report shows inflation is 4%." │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ EXPRESS THE CONCERN │ │ "Conflicting numbers confuse the public." │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ ASSERT THE QUESTION │ │ "What data source are you using?" │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ MINDFUL FOCUS │ │ Ignore pivots; repeat the core question. │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Describe: State the objective fact. "The congressional budget office report shows the deficit increased."

Express: Share the professional concern. "Presenting different figures makes it difficult for citizens to understand the budget."

Assert: Ask for the clarification. "What specific report are you relying on for your numbers?"

Mindful Focus: Stay on track. If the president redirects to a past administration or a different topic, bring the conversation back: "I hear your point on the previous administration, sir, but returning to the current budget report..."

By anchoring the interview in DBT principles, a journalist transitions from an emotional adversary to an unshakeable observer of reality.