Florida’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is back for a second year, providing tax relief on firearms, ammunition and a wide range of hunting, fishing and camping supplies through December 31.
The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday began September 1 and runs through December 31, 2026. During the holiday, Florida will suspend the collection of sales tax on eligible firearms, ammunition and hunting, fishing and camping equipment.
Eligible purchases include:Ammunition;
Firearms, including pistols, rifles and shotguns;
Firearm accessories, including holsters, grips, sights, stocks and cleaning kits;
Bows, crossbows and related accessories;
Fishing rods, reels, bait and tackle; and
Eligible camping supplies, including tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves and lanterns.
Monday, September 14, 2026
Obituaries - Luis Sanabria, Sandra Delares McClenithan
Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, on May 3, 1942, Luis Sanabria carried the warmth and vitality of his roots throughout his life. He found his rhythm here in the States, working with steady hands and a faithful heart as a sugar mill foreman for 25 years. He retired in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and commitment.
Papa was a man who appreciated the finer things, finding joy in cultivating a beautiful home and life. He possessed a generous spirit, often expressing his love by showering his dear wife, Francisca, with gifts, and welcoming friends and family to the table. Whether he was frying chicharrones, grilling hog ribs, or brewing the morning coffee, he knew that the simplest moments are often the most meaningful. He loved life, finding camaraderie in a game of dominos or the excitement of a day at the race track, but his true treasure was always the people around him.
He shared 38 beautiful years of marriage with his wife, Francisca "Maria" Rodriguez Sanabria. Their journey together was a testament to enduring love, marked by shared memories like the time they cruised the Caribbean with his coworkers, a story that remains a favorite for his family.
Above all else, those who knew him best describe him simply as a good man. He walked his path with dignity, maintaining an immaculate appearance and a life he could be proud of. While he now rests from his earthly labors, the memory of his devotion to his wife, his care for his home, and his kindness toward his friends remains a comfort to all who mourn him.
Luis is survived by his wife, Francisca; his sons, Luis and Samuel; his stepsons, Johnny, Carmelo, Raul, and Jamie; his stepdaughter, Maria; his brother, Adrián Ramos Sanabria; and his sister, Natividad Ramos Sanabria. He now joins his mother, Providencia, in eternal rest.
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Sandra Delares McClenithan, known to her friends and family as Sandy, has been called home to rest in the presence of the Lord. Born on March 6, 1946, in Clewiston, she lived a life marked by strength, deep devotion, and an unshakeable love for those around her.
To know Sandy was to know a woman of profound determination. She possessed a quiet, steady resolve that defined her character. When Sandy set her heart on something, she simply found a way to make it happen, a trait that served her well throughout her life, including her ten years of dedicated service with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. She did not merely move through the world; she navigated it with purpose and a heart focused on the people she loved.
Above all else, Sandy was a mother in the truest sense of the word. She was the cornerstone of her family, a woman who cared for her relatives and friends with a consistency that anchored them all. Her greatest joy was not found in accolades or material things, but in the simple, sacred act of being present. She often shared that her most cherished memories were the moments she spent by her grandchildren’s side, welcoming them into this world. Being there for them meant everything to her, and that love remains a lasting gift to her children and grandchildren alike.
She shared over twenty years of life and marriage with her late husband, Pete McClenithan, building a foundation of partnership and shared history.
Sandy leaves behind a family who will miss her dearly and strive to honor the example she set. She is survived by her sister, Janice Bamburg; her brother-in-law, Calvin Billings; her daughters, Angela Otero and Tracy Billings; her son-in-law, Ricky Otero; and her precious grandchildren, Jamie Otero, Kayla Otero, Carol McClenithan, Justin McClenithan, and Cordell Billings. She is also remembered with great affection by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, alongside the memory of her beloved grandson, Ricardo James (R.J.) Otero, who has gone on before her.
While we feel the weight of her absence, we find peace and hope in the promise of faith. Sandy has finished her journey and now rests in the gentle, eternal care of her Savior, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue to guide her family for years to come.
Papa was a man who appreciated the finer things, finding joy in cultivating a beautiful home and life. He possessed a generous spirit, often expressing his love by showering his dear wife, Francisca, with gifts, and welcoming friends and family to the table. Whether he was frying chicharrones, grilling hog ribs, or brewing the morning coffee, he knew that the simplest moments are often the most meaningful. He loved life, finding camaraderie in a game of dominos or the excitement of a day at the race track, but his true treasure was always the people around him.
He shared 38 beautiful years of marriage with his wife, Francisca "Maria" Rodriguez Sanabria. Their journey together was a testament to enduring love, marked by shared memories like the time they cruised the Caribbean with his coworkers, a story that remains a favorite for his family.
Above all else, those who knew him best describe him simply as a good man. He walked his path with dignity, maintaining an immaculate appearance and a life he could be proud of. While he now rests from his earthly labors, the memory of his devotion to his wife, his care for his home, and his kindness toward his friends remains a comfort to all who mourn him.
Luis is survived by his wife, Francisca; his sons, Luis and Samuel; his stepsons, Johnny, Carmelo, Raul, and Jamie; his stepdaughter, Maria; his brother, Adrián Ramos Sanabria; and his sister, Natividad Ramos Sanabria. He now joins his mother, Providencia, in eternal rest.
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Sandra Delares McClenithan, known to her friends and family as Sandy, has been called home to rest in the presence of the Lord. Born on March 6, 1946, in Clewiston, she lived a life marked by strength, deep devotion, and an unshakeable love for those around her.
To know Sandy was to know a woman of profound determination. She possessed a quiet, steady resolve that defined her character. When Sandy set her heart on something, she simply found a way to make it happen, a trait that served her well throughout her life, including her ten years of dedicated service with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. She did not merely move through the world; she navigated it with purpose and a heart focused on the people she loved.
Above all else, Sandy was a mother in the truest sense of the word. She was the cornerstone of her family, a woman who cared for her relatives and friends with a consistency that anchored them all. Her greatest joy was not found in accolades or material things, but in the simple, sacred act of being present. She often shared that her most cherished memories were the moments she spent by her grandchildren’s side, welcoming them into this world. Being there for them meant everything to her, and that love remains a lasting gift to her children and grandchildren alike.
She shared over twenty years of life and marriage with her late husband, Pete McClenithan, building a foundation of partnership and shared history.
Sandy leaves behind a family who will miss her dearly and strive to honor the example she set. She is survived by her sister, Janice Bamburg; her brother-in-law, Calvin Billings; her daughters, Angela Otero and Tracy Billings; her son-in-law, Ricky Otero; and her precious grandchildren, Jamie Otero, Kayla Otero, Carol McClenithan, Justin McClenithan, and Cordell Billings. She is also remembered with great affection by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, alongside the memory of her beloved grandson, Ricardo James (R.J.) Otero, who has gone on before her.
While we feel the weight of her absence, we find peace and hope in the promise of faith. Sandy has finished her journey and now rests in the gentle, eternal care of her Savior, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue to guide her family for years to come.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Seen At Port LaBelle Inn - R44 Helicopter Lands
That was a Robinson R44 4-seater helicopter operated by Fred Kobie III. The 2018 model copter was flying low around the Port LaBelle area Saturday afternoon, and landed in a pasture that was being mowed by elder family member Fred Kobie.
The Kobies own Kobie Kooling, Inc, and Kobie is leasing the Port LaBelle pasture land for his cattle.
Fred III lives in Glades county off Kirby-Thompson Rd and hangers the helicopter at Southpoint Air Strip, next to his acreage and home.
The helicopter is presumably owned by Fred III but registered in Germany to Qualitair LLC, a German trust that protects assets of aircraft owners through FAA registrations.
Photo Credit: Mary Tyner
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Is Trump's $5000 Promise Illegal Or Just Unlikely?
President Donald Trump's promise of a US $5,000 payment to American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress has sparked a major legal debate over federal anti-bribery and vote-buying laws. [1]
The Federal Law on Paying for Votes
Federal law strictly prohibits offering money or valuables to influence voters. [2]
General Policy Pledges: Under 18 U.S.C. § 597, the prohibition usually targets payments to induce specific individuals to cast a vote for or against a candidate. Trump’s proposal was framed as a broad government dividend for all American adults, rather than payment for an individual's specific ballot. [3, 5]
The Federal Law on Paying for Votes
Federal law strictly prohibits offering money or valuables to influence voters. [2]
18 U.S.C. § 597: This statute makes it a crime to make or offer an expenditure to any person to induce them to vote, withhold a vote, or vote for or against any specific candidate. [3]
52 U.S.C. § 10307(c): This law forbids paying, offering to pay, or accepting payment for registering to vote or for voting in federal elections, carrying potential prison time. [4]
Application to Trump’s $5,000 Promise
Legal scholars and commentators are divided on whether Trump's proposal crosses the legal line into illegal bribery or remains protected political rhetoric. [1, 3]
Arguments That It May Violate the Law
Conditional Cash: Critics argue that promising $5,000 contingent on a Republican victory functions as an incentive tied directly to an electoral outcome. [1]
Voter Inducement: Watchdog groups like Public Citizen contend that dangling large sums of cash during an election cycle attempts to sway voters improperly. [1]
Voter Inducement: Watchdog groups like Public Citizen contend that dangling large sums of cash during an election cycle attempts to sway voters improperly. [1]
Arguments That It Is Legal / Protected Speech
General Policy Pledges: Under 18 U.S.C. § 597, the prohibition usually targets payments to induce specific individuals to cast a vote for or against a candidate. Trump’s proposal was framed as a broad government dividend for all American adults, rather than payment for an individual's specific ballot. [3, 5]
First Amendment Protection: Political candidates routinely promise broad economic benefits, tax cuts, or legislative dividends if their party wins power. Courts generally protect this type of broad political speech as standard campaigning rather than criminal bribery. [3]
Friday, September 11, 2026
Obituary - Samuel Willie Mitchell, Age 88
Samuel Willie Mitchell knew the value of a hard day's work and the simple joy of a life well-lived. Born in Cragford, Alabama, on June 8, 1938, Samuel carried the lessons of his upbringing throughout his life. He often spoke to his family about the old days, reflecting on the challenges of his youth with the perspective of a man who had truly seen it all.
He was a person who did not tolerate excuses. His philosophy was simple and uncompromising, a phrase he repeated often to encourage those around him: "I don't want to hear the word can't, because can't never could do nothing."
For twenty-six years, Samuel applied that grit to his work at Mitchell's Septic Service. He was a self-employed businessman, a provider who took pride in his trade until he retired in 2009. When he wasn't working, you could usually find him outdoors. He loved the quiet focus of fishing and hunting, or the communal joy of camping at River Ranch. Above all, he cherished time spent with his friends and family.
His greatest legacy is his seventy-year marriage to his wife, Johnnie Clarice Bell. They built a life together in Clewiston, Florida, rooted in generosity and deep faith. As a devoted Baptist, Samuel found strength in his belief in the resurrection, and he was known to everyone who knew him as a truly generous soul.
He leaves behind a family who will carry his stories forward: his children, Paul Mitchell of Clewiston, Ronnie Mitchell of Clewiston, and Tammie Mitchell Green of Clewiston; his sister, Diane Byars; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is gone, but the lessons he taught about hard work, faith, and the refusal to let "can't" stop progress will remain with those who loved him.
He was a person who did not tolerate excuses. His philosophy was simple and uncompromising, a phrase he repeated often to encourage those around him: "I don't want to hear the word can't, because can't never could do nothing."
For twenty-six years, Samuel applied that grit to his work at Mitchell's Septic Service. He was a self-employed businessman, a provider who took pride in his trade until he retired in 2009. When he wasn't working, you could usually find him outdoors. He loved the quiet focus of fishing and hunting, or the communal joy of camping at River Ranch. Above all, he cherished time spent with his friends and family.
His greatest legacy is his seventy-year marriage to his wife, Johnnie Clarice Bell. They built a life together in Clewiston, Florida, rooted in generosity and deep faith. As a devoted Baptist, Samuel found strength in his belief in the resurrection, and he was known to everyone who knew him as a truly generous soul.
He leaves behind a family who will carry his stories forward: his children, Paul Mitchell of Clewiston, Ronnie Mitchell of Clewiston, and Tammie Mitchell Green of Clewiston; his sister, Diane Byars; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is gone, but the lessons he taught about hard work, faith, and the refusal to let "can't" stop progress will remain with those who loved him.
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