Motorist Alert - Fort Denaud Bridge Weight Limit

Fort Denaud Bridge Weight Limit

(April 28, 2026) – LaBelle, Fla. – With the anticipated work by the Florida Department of Transportation on the SR 29 drawbridge in LaBelle on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, motorists should be mindful of the Ft. Denaud Bridge weight limit.

The weight limit for vehicles crossing Ft. Denaud Bridge is 5 tons.

Vehicles exceeding the weight limit will not be allowed to cross the Ft. Denaud Bridge.

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office will have deputies present to assist in monitoring this activity.

Vehicles exceeding the 5 ton weight limit should use the SR 31 Bridge to the west in Lee County or US27 Bridge to the east in Moore Haven.

Please use caution and allow for additional time for your commute.

LaBelle Bridge Closing April 28 At 6:30pm

LABELLE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will have a temporary closure tonight on State Road (S.R.) 29 on the LaBelle drawbridge due to bridge repairs.

Crews will begin work tonight after 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to place a bridge component. The operation will require the temporary full closure of the bridge while crews access the underside of the structure.

Motorists are encouraged to add additional travel time, follow posted signage, and use caution while traveling through the area.

FDOT appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as this repair work is performed.

For real-time traffic updates, visit the SWFL Roads website at https://www.swflroads.com.

Hendry County Sheriff Arrests - Drugs, Probation Violation, Weapons Charge

ARREST BLOTTER

04/20/2026 – 04/26/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Suyin Escobar Giron, 40, Clewiston was arrested on April 20, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Rollins on charges of Possession of Fentanyl

Evelyn Shenita Ross, 59, Clewiston was arrested on April 20, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance within a Detention Facility

11-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on April 20, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Ramirez-Reyna on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance

Nery Denilson Mejia, 28, Greenacres was arrested on April 21, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Hannam on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – Habitual Offender

Robert Christoper Saucier, 38, LaBelle was arrested on April 21, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Possession of Cocaine

Kimberly Ann Raqueina, 42, LaBelle was arrested on April 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Gabriela Ledezma, 33, LaBelle was arrested on Apil 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on Outstanding Warrants for charges of Vehicle Homicide, Reckless Driving resulting in Property/Personal Damage, DUI – Damage to Property or Person and DUI – Cause Death to Human

Jayden Lund Swindle, 22, Clewiston on April 22, 2206, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Retail Theft

Laura Ann Warren, 55, LaBelle was arrested on April 23, 2026, by Sgt. J. Newbern on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Drug Parphernalia

Denirick Pope, 20, Clewiston was arrested on April 23, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Rollins on charges of Felony Probation Violation and Contempt of Court

Edwin Yamiel Cruz, 43, Cape Coral was arrested on April 23, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Garza on charges of Possession of Cocaine

Grace Cadence Robbins, 21, Immokalee was arrested on April 24, 2026, by K9 Deputy Sheriff L. Rodriguez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 2nd Subsequent Offense

Johnkevius Rivers, 19, Clewiston was arrested on April 24, 2026, by Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Possession of Short-Barreled Shotgun or Machine Gun


Curtis Roger Binns, 40, Alva was arrested on April 24, 2026, by Deputy G. Hull on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Brandon Thomas Barker Stevens, 25, Clewiston was arrested on April 25, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Gosa on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Felony Probation Violation

Omar Dijon Shaka Royes, 23, Belle Glade was arrested on April 26, 2026, by Det. D. Reaves on charges of Possession of Short Barreled Shotgun or Machine Gun

Israel Villa, 29, LaBelle was arrested on April 26, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI, DUI – Refusal to Submit to Alcohol Test and Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm

Obituary - Ricardo James Otero

Ricardo James "RJ" Otero passed away after a lengthy illness on April 21, 2026. RJ was born on October 17, 1999 in Fort Myers, Florida to Ricardo and Angela Stewart Otero. RJ loved talking to people, he never met a stranger. 

He enjoyed playing with his Legos, Hotwheels, and playing video games with his sisters. RJ loved watching cooking shows with his mother, and keeping his dad informed on current events. RJ was loved by his entire family very much. RJ had several girlfriends even though they might be been married, but the husbands of these girlfriends knew to play along with RJ because that is how much he was loved by everyone who knew him. 

His "Uncle Loren Bischel would buy him huge Lego sets at Christmas, Birthdays, and in between, just for the fact that he loved RJ him like a true nephew. His grandmothers, Sandy and Maria loved him with all of their hearts, like everyone did.

He was everyone's heart, soul and "little man". His sisters, Jamie and Kayla were not only sisters, but they were his other mama also, loved and spoiled him every chance they could. He was mama's and daddy's heart and soul and will be forever remembered and never forgotten by everyone.

RJ leaves fond memories with his parents, Ricardo and Angela Otero, his sisters; James and Kayla Otero, his grandmothers, Sandy McClenithen, Maria Maldonado, his loving aunts; Dora Senirch, Elena Lopez, Tracy Billings, and his loving uncles; Loren Bischel, Calvin Billings, Gerald White, Charles Bihori, Angelo Otero along with a host of cousins and other family members and his friends that he made throughout his young life.

RJ was greeted in Heaven by his great-grandparents; James and Glady Stenford, Uncle Joe Senirch, grandma, Sefrina Otero, Uncle Juan and Aunt Maria, Great grandparents; Joaquin and Caytana Garcia, and Grandpa Pete McClenithen.

RJ's life will be celebrated with a funeral service on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church of LaBelle, where a visitation will start at 10 a.m. Rev. W.T. "Bill" Maddox, Jr will officiate the funeral service. Cremation Rites will take place after the funeral service.

Everglades Restoration Projects Featured On YouTube Channel

CLEWISTON, FL. -- The Jacksonville District hosted Aaron Witt and the BuildWitt team for a look at our ongoing restoration work within the South Florida ecosystem on 13 February 2026. 

Maj. Cory Bell took the team on a tour of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) A-2 Reservoir, which focus on restoring more natural water flows into and through the central and southern Everglades.

BuildWitt hosts a YouTube channel focused on the “DIRT WORLD!” Witt travels worldwide to explore the people and projects that keep our world moving—the Dirt World. “None of us could live even one day without food, water, power, and shelter; each is no accident!” said Witt.

The CEPP EAA A-2 Reservoir and associated Stormwater Treatment Areas are storage and treatment features that capture and store water before releasing it to the Everglades. In addition to improving the quantity, quality, and timing of water deliveries to the central and southern Everglades, stress on the northern estuaries is alleviated due to improved water flow during both the dry and wet seasons.

The BuildWitt episode was recently released, titled “Why is the US Army Building a $4B Reservoir to Save the Everglades?” 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8zb4ZG9ZVc