Obituary - Angel CuaCua Vasquez

Angel CuaCua Vazquez age 18, of LaBelle, Florida passed away on October 12, 2026 in LaBelle, Florida.

Visitation for Angel was from 6-8 pm on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Holy Martyrs Catholic Mission located at 1722 Crescent Avenue also in LaBelle. 

Angel was laid to rest at Fort Denaud Cemetery immediately after the Mass of Christian burial.

Health Alert - Lake Okeechobee

Moore Haven, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County (DOH-Hendry) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Okeechobee.

The alert is in response to a water sample taken on October 21, 2026. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Okeechobee.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.

• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.

• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.

• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.

• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.

• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

Okeechobee Courthouse American Indian Exhibit Opens

Smithsonian “Americans” Exhibit Opens at Okeechobee Historic Courthouse

OKEECHOBEE CITY, FL. -- The Smithsonian has arrived in Okeechobee! The Americans Smithsonian touring exhibition opened this past weekend at the Historic Okeechobee Courthouse with members of both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida in attendance.

Americans is based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. This exhibit explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States.

Florida Humanities awarded five cultural organizations $10,000 in grant funding to host Americans and exhibition programming. In addition to Okeechobee, the Florida tour of Americans will travel to Fort Myers, St. Petersburg and Panama City through June 2027.

Hendry Sheriff Arrests

 ARREST BLOTTER

10/12/2026 – 10/18/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Takenya Keaisha Felton, 36, Clewiston was arrested on October 12, 2026, by Sgt. J. Nunemaker on charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Petit Theft and Exploitation of the Elderly

David Luis Martnez Reyes, 18, LaBelle was arrested on October 13, 2026, by Det. T. Lewis on charges of Homicide and 3 counts of Attempted Homicide

Angel Enrique Santiago Lebron, 50, Moore Haven was arrested on October 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Domestic Battery – 2 nd Offense

Dorothy Williams, 47, LaBelle was arrested on October 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on 2 counts of Felony Failure to Appear and 2 counts of Misd Probation Violation

Erislandy Alvarez Perez, 42, Hialeah was arrested on October 14, 2026, by Det. C. Earl on charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle

Nasiar Joel Rivera, 24, Clewiston was arrested on October 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Ramirez-Reyna for 3 counts of Felony Probation Violation

James Allen Jamison, 46, Moore Haven, was arrested on October 14, 2026, by Det. G. Willis on charges of Grand Theft

Jesus Martin Martinez, Jr., 36, Moore Haven was arrested on October 17, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Estiverne on charges of Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams

Reporting Elder Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation

Fort Myers, Fla. — October 20, 2026 — The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, through its Secure Seniors Florida elder abuse prevention effort, is reminding residents how and when to report elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Elder abuse means hurting, neglecting or taking advantage of an older person. Chapter 825, Florida Statutes, makes it a crime to abuse, neglect or exploit an elderly person. The law defines an elderly person as someone age 60 or older whose ability to care for or protect themselves is impaired by the infirmities of aging.

Florida's Adult Protective Services Act, Chapter 415, Florida Statutes, requires any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited to report it immediately. A vulnerable adult is anyone 18 or older whose ability to care for or protect themselves is impaired, including by the infirmities of aging.

"If you see something or feel something is wrong, say something," Clorivel Longoria, Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator." Reporting helps keep older adults safe."

When to report

Residents should report right away if:

Something doesn't feel right.
They see someone being hurt or ignored.
Money or property is being taken unfairly.

You do not need proof to make a report.

How to report, 24 hours a day Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, run by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Callers can remain anonymous if they want.

Report online at reportabuse.myflfamilies.com/s/.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first, then report to Adult Protective Services (APS).

What happens next

Trained workers check the report, help is sent if needed, and the reporter's name is kept private.

The "How to Report Elder Abuse" flyer is available here and may be shared freely.