ARREST BLOTTER
02/09/2026 – 02/15/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Stanton Hunter Maynes, 23, LaBelle was arrested on February 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Melendez on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Luis Andres Quinones, 38, Clewiston was arrested on February 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Joseph Anthony Schuller, 42, Clewiston was arrested on February 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Providing False ID to LEO
Yosel Cuento-Linares, 42, Clewiston was arrested on February 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Brandon Tyler Godwin, 29, LaBelle was arrested on February 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Garza for 3 counts of Battery on LEO
Jose Luis Nazario-Alejandro, 47, LaBelle was arrested on February 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Melendez on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Ancil Daye, 46, Moore Haven was arrested on February 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Cornelious Edward Murray, 30, Cape Coral was arrested on February 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams
Calvert Jakin Lee, 21, Clewiston was arrested on February 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charge of DUI
Maddex Orlando Covarrubias, 21, Clewiston was arrested on February 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Gosa on charges of Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, DUI, DUI – Refusal to Submit to DUI Testing and Reckless Driving
Kyle Dillon Jones, 34, Clewiston was arrested on February 14, 2026, was arrested by Sgt. Z Scelfo on charges of Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Jason Alan Hallman, 38, LaBelle was arrested on February 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Javier Franco, 25, LaBelle was arrested on February 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Knowingly Prevent Victim from Contacting LEO following the Commission of a Crime and Battery
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Clewiston Driver Hits Man On US17 - Pedestrian Dies At Hospital
LAKE PLACID, FL. -- A Sebring man dies after a Clewiston truck driver hits him in Highlands County on US27.
From the FHP crash report:
Vehicle 1 (semi-truck and trailer) driven by 52 year old man from Clewiston was traveling south, on the outside southbound lane of US-27, approaching the intersection of Lake Josephine Drive at 11:17 am Tuesday.
A 72 year old male from Sebring was walking onto the outside southbound lane of US-27, from the west grass shoulder, in front of the approaching Vehicle 1.
The right side of Vehicle 1 collided with Pedestrian 1.
Pedestrian 1 sustained critical injuries, was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased.
The crash remains under investigation.
A 72 year old male from Sebring was walking onto the outside southbound lane of US-27, from the west grass shoulder, in front of the approaching Vehicle 1.
The right side of Vehicle 1 collided with Pedestrian 1.
Pedestrian 1 sustained critical injuries, was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased.
The crash remains under investigation.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Roadwork On Everhigh Acres Road Mid Hendry County This Week
Notice of Road Work on Everhigh Acres Road
CLEWISTON, FL. -- (February 17, 2026) – Please be advised that on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Hendry County Road & Bridge Department will be performing road work on Everhigh Acres Road from Dancy Avenue to Hamlin Avenue in LaDeca Acres, FL.
Road work will be performed between the hours of 8am – 5pm.
Intermittent lane closures will be necessary in order to complete the work.
Flagmen and traffic control signage will be in place to alert motorists and guide traffic.
Motorists should allow extra time for their commute and use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.
Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change. The Hendry County Engineering Department will notify of any changes.
Residents or motorists with any questions or concerns can contact the Hendry County Engineering Department at 863-675-5222.
Ortona Lock Restriction This Week For Boaters
LABELLE, FL. -- There will be a width restriction at Ortona Lock today and tomorrow, February 17-18, 2026 for machinery upgrades. This time to the other side of the gate. Please plan accordingly and thank you for your patience.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Why Do People Support Or Accept Fascism?
People tend to accept or support fascism when it promises order, protection, and belonging in times of fear or instability, often backed by heavy propaganda and rewards for the “in‑group.”
Desire for order and control
Fascist movements typically rise amid economic crisis, social unrest, or defeated wars, when many feel existing institutions are weak or chaotic.
Leaders then promise to “restore strength, order and control,” using a strong state and decisive action, which can feel reassuring to people who see the world as dangerous and unstable.
Fear, threat, and scapegoats
Fascism frames problems as the result of specific enemies—immigrants, minorities, leftists, “degenerates”—and offers a simple, emotionally satisfying story: purge the enemies and the nation will be safe again.
When people are afraid of economic decline, perceived cultural loss, or crime, they can be more willing to trade civil liberties and pluralism for harsh measures against those scapegoated groups.
Authoritarian personalities and “strong leader” appeal
Political psychology research identifies “authoritarian followers” who strongly value obedience to authority, punishment of rule‑breakers, and rigid traditional norms.
These individuals are more likely to endorse a “strong leader” who bypasses democratic checks and promises to defend the in‑group’s values, especially when they distrust experts and feel alienated from mainstream politics.
Material benefits for the in‑group
In historical fascist regimes, those not targeted—many ethnic majority citizens—often received real benefits: jobs programs, welfare schemes, and subsidized leisure organizations that reinforced national community.
For these groups, fascism could look like an efficient welfare state and a national revival, masking the fact that these gains depended on the dispossession and repression of persecuted groups.
Propaganda, pressure, and fear of nonconformity
Fascist movements invest heavily in propaganda, youth organizations, and control of the press to normalize their ideas and portray loyalty as patriotic and dissent as treasonous.
Many people “go along” less out of enthusiasm than out of fear of social or physical consequences—job loss, harassment, or violence—if they are seen as disloyal or oppositional.
When it feels attractive
Fascism becomes attractive to some when they feel humiliated, unsafe, or ignored, and a leader offers clear enemies, simple solutions, and a promise to make the nation great and united again.
The catch is that the apparent security and solidarity for supporters rest on exclusion, coercion, and the erosion of protections that ultimately endanger everyone once they fall outside the favored group.
Desire for order and control
Fascist movements typically rise amid economic crisis, social unrest, or defeated wars, when many feel existing institutions are weak or chaotic.
Leaders then promise to “restore strength, order and control,” using a strong state and decisive action, which can feel reassuring to people who see the world as dangerous and unstable.
Fear, threat, and scapegoats
Fascism frames problems as the result of specific enemies—immigrants, minorities, leftists, “degenerates”—and offers a simple, emotionally satisfying story: purge the enemies and the nation will be safe again.
When people are afraid of economic decline, perceived cultural loss, or crime, they can be more willing to trade civil liberties and pluralism for harsh measures against those scapegoated groups.
Authoritarian personalities and “strong leader” appeal
Political psychology research identifies “authoritarian followers” who strongly value obedience to authority, punishment of rule‑breakers, and rigid traditional norms.
These individuals are more likely to endorse a “strong leader” who bypasses democratic checks and promises to defend the in‑group’s values, especially when they distrust experts and feel alienated from mainstream politics.
Material benefits for the in‑group
In historical fascist regimes, those not targeted—many ethnic majority citizens—often received real benefits: jobs programs, welfare schemes, and subsidized leisure organizations that reinforced national community.
For these groups, fascism could look like an efficient welfare state and a national revival, masking the fact that these gains depended on the dispossession and repression of persecuted groups.
Propaganda, pressure, and fear of nonconformity
Fascist movements invest heavily in propaganda, youth organizations, and control of the press to normalize their ideas and portray loyalty as patriotic and dissent as treasonous.
Many people “go along” less out of enthusiasm than out of fear of social or physical consequences—job loss, harassment, or violence—if they are seen as disloyal or oppositional.
When it feels attractive
Fascism becomes attractive to some when they feel humiliated, unsafe, or ignored, and a leader offers clear enemies, simple solutions, and a promise to make the nation great and united again.
The catch is that the apparent security and solidarity for supporters rest on exclusion, coercion, and the erosion of protections that ultimately endanger everyone once they fall outside the favored group.
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