Hendry/Glades Receives VPK Children books

LABELLE, FL. -- BelieveNBooks launched its My Very Own Book (MVOB) initiative in September 2026 and completed book distribution that month. More than 6,800 VPK children received books through over 150 participating early learning centers across eight Florida counties, including Hendry and Glades.

The initiative helps young children begin building home libraries with books they can keep.

BelieveNBooks was founded in 2021 by then middle school student Natasha Agarwal, who began by sharing books from her own shelves with children who lacked access to them. Today, BelieveNBooks is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided 250,000 books to 50,000 children, expanding young people’s access to stories, knowledge and opportunity.

The program will provide more than 6,800 young children across eight Florida counties with a book of their own to take home and access to a corresponding read aloud video.

Through partnerships with the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland and the Early Learning Coalition o Southwest Florida, more than 150 early learning centers will receive books through the initiative, reachinG Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) students across Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Each participating child will receive a copy of Pete the Cat Too Cool for School, to take homE and keep, along with access to a YouTube read-aloud video of the same book.

 The organization relies on donors, grants and more than 150 community partners to facilitate book distributions. For more information, please visit www.BelieveNBooks.org.  

Adam Sanchez, Jr. Dies At 70

Adam” Big A” Sanchez, Jr, age 70, of Immokalee, Florida went home to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Naples, Florida.

Adam was born on October 1, 1956, in Brownsville, Texas to the late Adan and the late Adela Alvarez Sanchez. Big A as he was known married April Bex on July 3, 1977, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Big A and April ran a food truck for over 20 years in the Immokalee area. If you ever need anything, Big A had you covered, he enjoyed collecting knives, cooking and grilling for family get togethers, watching sports, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Big A will be remembered by his family for his boisterous laughter and his determination. Once Big A put his mind to it, he saw it through. Big A’s favorite saying was “Its all good if God is in it”

Big A leaves fond memories with his loving wife of almost 50 years, April Sanchez of Immokalee, his children; Adam Sanchez, IV, Joshua Sanchez, Sr, Annie Jimmie, Justin Sanchez, Trent Sanchez, his loving grandchildren; Adam Sanchez, V, Tynan Sanchez, Isaiah Warden, Joshua Sanchez, Jr, Jillian Sanchez, his sisters will remember him with their own memories; Blanca Aguilar, Isabel Sanchez, Rosa Estrada, and Evangelina Thorpe, along with many extended family members and family friends.

Big A was preceded in death by his parents, Adan Sanchez and Adela Alvarez Sanchez, sister; Alicia Sanchez.

Celebration of Big A’s life will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at First Seminole Baptist Church in Immokalee. Viewing begins at 6:00 p.m. directly followed by Funeral service at 7:00 pm.

Funeral services provided by Akin-Davis Funeral Home – LaBelle.

David Luis Martinez Reyes Arrested In LaBelle Homicide

MAN ARRESTED IN SHOOTING DEATH OF LABELLE RESIDENT

LABELLE, FL. --- On Monday, October 12, 2026 at approximately by 7:40pm, Hendry County Deputies responded to the area of El Faro Assembly of God located on Bryan Ave. in LaBelle, Florida.

Photo: Suspect David Martinez Reyes, Age 18

When deputies arrived on scene they found a young man lying in the parking lot of the church with another young male performing CPR. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Angel CuaCua-Vasquez of LaBelle and was allegedly found with five gunshot wounds in his body.

Witnesses reported that Angel and three of his friends were walking in the neighborhood when they were approached by another juvenile male in a truck and unknown passenger; an argument ensued between both the victim and the driver of the truck. It was at this time witnesses heard several gunshot wounds and the victim fell to the ground. 

 It later appeared that the male that had fired the shots, attempted to also shoot at the witnesses who were running from the scene. 

 Upon the arrival of EMS, life-saving efforts were taken over by medical personnel, however, CuaCua-Vasquez was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Hendry County Detectives were able to speak with witnesses and were able to identify a juvenile male who was the driver of the vehicle and the passenger, later identified as 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes of 5018 Pike Lane, LaBelle in Port LaBelle. Detectives arrived at Pike Lane and located both the driver of the truck and Martinez Reyes.

It was at this time both subjects were transported to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

Hendry County Detectives were able to determine through the efforts of a search warrant, that 18 year old David Luis Martinez Reyes did in fact possess and did fire a weapon. Martinez Reyes was arrested and charged with one count of Homicide and three counts of Attempted Homicide. Martinez Reyes is currently being held without bond.

Two Lottery Winners Chose $3 Million Lump Sum Payment

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Lottery announces that Julie Phillips, 67, of Sebring, claimed a $5 million top prize from the $5,000,000 CROSSWORD CASH Scratch-Off game at the Lottery’s Fort Myers District Office on June 18. Phillips chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,262,138.00. Phillips purchased her winning ticket from Saunak’s Corner, located at 306 N. Ridgewood Drive in Sebring.

Georgia Smith, of Arcadia, claimed a $5 million top prize from the MEGA 7’s Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on June 30. Smith chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,089,000.00. Smith purchased her winning ticket from Murphy USA, located at 2769 S.E. Highway 70 in Arcadia.

Editors Note: We do not recommend playing the lottery as payoff odds are so much against profiting from chance betting schemes.

Lisa Curry Wilson Dies At 68

Lisa Curry Wilson went home to be with Jesus on October 3, 2026, at Hope Hospice in Lehigh Acres, Florida, with her lifelong friend Brenda Highfill by her side. She would have turned 69 years old on October 13th.

Lisa was a fifth-generation Floridian, having lived in LaBelle, Florida, since birth with her parents, Lena Williams Curry and Jackie Curry, both of whom are now deceased. The family later moved to Fort Myers, where Lisa graduated from high school. She married David Wilson, and they settled in Cape Coral. Later, they moved to North Carolina, where Lisa worked at the University of Western Carolina.

After David's passing, Lisa returned to Fort Myers to care for her mother during her final days. She lived at the Sandpiper Retirement Home with her cat, Star. Lisa enjoyed helping with activities, decorating common areas, and being a caring friend to many of the residents. She had a special gift for touching lives with thoughtful small gifts.

Her smile and gentle laugh will be missed by her half-brother, Justin Curry; her stepmother, Shelly Curry, of Alva; her aunt, Edna (Eddie) Reynolds, of Lake City; and several cousins. Donations may be made to the Fort Myers Humane Society.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Fort Denaud Cemetery in Fort Denaud.