PUBLIC NOTICE OF AERIAL ADULT MOSQUITO TREATMENTS
Hendry County will be conducting aerial adult mosquito control operations over the Caloosa Estates, Caloosa Shores, Double J Acres, Felda, Ft. Denaud, Ft. Denaud Acres, LaBelle Acres (Case and Evans Roads), LaBelle Ranchettes (alphabet roads), Liberty Shores, North LaBelle, Northwest Hendry County, Phillips and Murray Roads, Rialto Pointe and Riverbend Estates, South LaBelle, and Port LaBelle community Thursday, September 30th, 2026, weather permitting, through Wednesday, October 7th, 2026.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
New Design For Florida Driver License And ID Card
Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will begin issuing a newly designed Florida driver license and identification card featuring elements of Florida’s history.
The new design showcases Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card. Located in St. Augustine, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States. Florida’s iconic orange is incorporated as the “O” in “Florida,” while the bottom left corner features the Florida manatee, one of the state’s most recognizable native species. The Florida alligator is also incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.
The back of the card pays tribute to Florida’s Space Coast with an image of Space Shuttle Discovery, which flew 39 missions and spent 365 days in space before making its final landing in Florida on March 9, 2011. The card also features the motto “Let Us Alone” from Florida’s first unofficial state flag, which was presented to Governor William D. Moseley upon his inauguration.
Florida residents are not required to replace their existing driver license or identification card. All currently valid credentials will remain valid until they expire and will be phased out over time.
Downloadable resources are available at flhsmv.gov/newDL.
The updated credential will be available at service centers statewide beginning September 30 and will be available for online orders through MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November.
The new credential will provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today. In addition to its updated design, the credential incorporates an image of the state seal as an enhanced security feature and includes the “Temporary Non-Domiciled” marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits.
The new credential will provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today. In addition to its updated design, the credential incorporates an image of the state seal as an enhanced security feature and includes the “Temporary Non-Domiciled” marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits.
The new design showcases Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card. Located in St. Augustine, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States. Florida’s iconic orange is incorporated as the “O” in “Florida,” while the bottom left corner features the Florida manatee, one of the state’s most recognizable native species. The Florida alligator is also incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.
The back of the card pays tribute to Florida’s Space Coast with an image of Space Shuttle Discovery, which flew 39 missions and spent 365 days in space before making its final landing in Florida on March 9, 2011. The card also features the motto “Let Us Alone” from Florida’s first unofficial state flag, which was presented to Governor William D. Moseley upon his inauguration.
Florida residents are not required to replace their existing driver license or identification card. All currently valid credentials will remain valid until they expire and will be phased out over time.
Downloadable resources are available at flhsmv.gov/newDL.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Hendry County Arrests - Probation Violations, Battery, Assaults
ARREST BLOTTER
09/21/2026 – 09/27/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Beatriz Perez, 58, Clewiston was arrested on September 21, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation
Terry Allen Collins, 60, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Laurence Sheldon Nelson, 57, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Rosas on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Emanuel Dewey Hendrix, 46, Belle Glade was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent Violation
Alyssa Marie Pasch, 31, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Denirick Pope, 21, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Felony Probation Violation
16-year-old Female, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Garza on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill
Anthony Lloyd George Powell, 71, LaBelle was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on Outstanding Warrants for charges of Perjury and Election Laws
Kenneth Lee Holland, 48, Clewiston was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Written Threats to Kill or Cause Bodily Harm and Obstruction without Violence
Robert Charles Johnson, 37, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Upeslacis on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Jose Perez, 63, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation
Anthony Gonzales Carter, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Det. Sgt. D. Calvo-Driggs on charges of Attempted Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Ammunition by Florida Convicted Felon and Obstruction During the Execution of a Search Warrant
Victor Jesus Menendez, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Felony Aggravated Battery on Person 65 year of Age or Older
Kierra Burham, 36, Hendry County Jail, was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on charges of Felony Criminal Mischief
09/21/2026 – 09/27/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Beatriz Perez, 58, Clewiston was arrested on September 21, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation
Terry Allen Collins, 60, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Laurence Sheldon Nelson, 57, LaBelle was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Rosas on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Emanuel Dewey Hendrix, 46, Belle Glade was arrested on September 22, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent Violation
Alyssa Marie Pasch, 31, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Denirick Pope, 21, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Felony Probation Violation
16-year-old Female, Clewiston was arrested on September 24, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Garza on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill
Anthony Lloyd George Powell, 71, LaBelle was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on Outstanding Warrants for charges of Perjury and Election Laws
Kenneth Lee Holland, 48, Clewiston was arrested on September 25, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Written Threats to Kill or Cause Bodily Harm and Obstruction without Violence
Robert Charles Johnson, 37, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Upeslacis on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Jose Perez, 63, Clewiston was arrested on September 26, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and 2 counts of Felony Probation Violation
Anthony Gonzales Carter, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Det. Sgt. D. Calvo-Driggs on charges of Attempted Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Ammunition by Florida Convicted Felon and Obstruction During the Execution of a Search Warrant
Victor Jesus Menendez, 45, Clewiston was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Felony Aggravated Battery on Person 65 year of Age or Older
Kierra Burham, 36, Hendry County Jail, was arrested on September 27, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on charges of Felony Criminal Mischief
Friday, September 25, 2026
Lower Than Normal Water On Caloosahatchee River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will begin to hold the pool lower than normal between the Julian Keen Jr. Lock & Dam (S-77) and the Ortona Lock & Dam (S-78) on the Caloosahatchee River/C-43 canal.
Normal ranges are between 10.6 and 11.5 feet NGVD 1929 and the pool will be held at 10.4 feet NGVD 1929 for approximately one-week effective September 26, 2026 through to October 3, 2026.
The pool between Ortona Lock & Dam (S-78) and W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) will not be affected and will be maintained at normal levels between 2.8 and 3.2 feet NGVD 1929.
All boaters are requested to exercise caution while navigating lower-than-normal channel depths, which are expected between lock sites.
Please contact the local lock operators for updates.
The pool between Ortona Lock & Dam (S-78) and W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) will not be affected and will be maintained at normal levels between 2.8 and 3.2 feet NGVD 1929.
All boaters are requested to exercise caution while navigating lower-than-normal channel depths, which are expected between lock sites.
Please contact the local lock operators for updates.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
AAASWFL Health Fair Community Resource Day Sept. 25
Community Resource Fair Returns Tomorrow, Friday, September 25
If you’ve attended in previous years, you already know how valuable this event is sponsored by Area Agency On Aging in Southwest Florida.
If you’ve attended in previous years, you already know how valuable this event is sponsored by Area Agency On Aging in Southwest Florida.
Join us on September 25, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., at our offices at 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916, to connect with local resources, health screenings, raffles, and community partners ready to help.
For details on what is planned for 2026 ➜ https://aaaswfl.org/discover-local-support-at-aaaswfls-fourth-annual-community-resource-fair/
For details on what is planned for 2026 ➜ https://aaaswfl.org/discover-local-support-at-aaaswfls-fourth-annual-community-resource-fair/
Obituary - Thelma Louise Deese
Thelma "GG" Louise Deese passed away at her home on September 19, 2026, after a lengthy illness. She was God a Fearing woman who always would tell everyone how great the Lord has been to her and her family.
GG was born on February 11, 1933, in De Soto City, Florida to the late Noah and the late Mary Williams Browning. GG married the love of her life Warren Deese on March 25, 1949, in Venus, Florida, they were married for 38 years before he preceded her in death.
GG was born on February 11, 1933, in De Soto City, Florida to the late Noah and the late Mary Williams Browning. GG married the love of her life Warren Deese on March 25, 1949, in Venus, Florida, they were married for 38 years before he preceded her in death.
GG worked for the Hendry County Sheriff's Office as a Correctional Officer for almost 15 years before she retired. GG was a member of First Baptist Church for 71 years.
GG was a tenacious woman who was always active in her church and being a full time mother and grandmother. She loved traveling, enjoyed crossword puzzles, and square dancing with Warren. Most of all GG enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When GG was raising her children, she would always have a red plastic belt in her purse, she just had to show it to Linda, Ed and Karen and they knew they better behave when they were in church. She never actually had to use the belt on anyone, they just knew if she showed them the belt, they knew they were warned about their behavior.
GG leaves fond memories with her children; Linda Ruble, Ed Deese and his wife Roxie, granddaughters; Jennifer Ruble, Bethany Ruble, grandson; RP Middleton, and his wife Liz, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, including niece Vi Wallace.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Warren Deese, daughter; Karen Middleton, grandson Rory Deese, sons-in-law; Bob Middleton, and Marvin Ruble, siblings; Eunice (Jimmie) Johnson, Albert (Bud) Browning, Mary Henderson and Miriam Partridge.
Thelma's life will be celebrated with a funeral service being held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of LaBelle, where Pastor Preston Long and Pastor Emeritus Frank Deerey, Jr presiding over the service.
When GG was raising her children, she would always have a red plastic belt in her purse, she just had to show it to Linda, Ed and Karen and they knew they better behave when they were in church. She never actually had to use the belt on anyone, they just knew if she showed them the belt, they knew they were warned about their behavior.
GG leaves fond memories with her children; Linda Ruble, Ed Deese and his wife Roxie, granddaughters; Jennifer Ruble, Bethany Ruble, grandson; RP Middleton, and his wife Liz, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, including niece Vi Wallace.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Warren Deese, daughter; Karen Middleton, grandson Rory Deese, sons-in-law; Bob Middleton, and Marvin Ruble, siblings; Eunice (Jimmie) Johnson, Albert (Bud) Browning, Mary Henderson and Miriam Partridge.
Thelma's life will be celebrated with a funeral service being held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of LaBelle, where Pastor Preston Long and Pastor Emeritus Frank Deerey, Jr presiding over the service.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Thelma will be laid to rest next to her husband Warren, in Fort Denaud Cemetery in LaBelle.
Non-Profit Credit Counseling Available Free Or Low-Cost
A nonprofit credit counselor is available through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at nfcc.org or call 833-746-7578
Their services are either completely free or very low cost, depending on your situation. They’ll work with you to build a budget from you income and expenses, and they can negotiate directly with your credit card companies. It's very common for them to be able to slash high interest rates which average around 25% down to a much lower rate.
If you set up a debt management plan through them, it will call for making one monthly payment to the credit counselor, and they’ll then distribute the money to all your credit cards. Best of all, these plans are specifically designed to get you completely debt-free in 36 to 60 months
If you set up a debt management plan through them, it will call for making one monthly payment to the credit counselor, and they’ll then distribute the money to all your credit cards. Best of all, these plans are specifically designed to get you completely debt-free in 36 to 60 months
Bill Credits For Eligible FPL Seniors
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), is providing bill credits to help eligible seniors in need of assistance.
Through FPL Saving Steps, eligible customers who received assistance from the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) within the past 24 months will receive a one-time $200 bill credit and practical energy-saving education designed to help lower future energy bills.
"We're focused on making it easier for customers to get the help they need," said Dawn Nichols, vice president of customer service at FPL. "This effort provides immediate bill relief and simple, practical steps that customers can take to lower energy use over time. We want to reduce barriers and do the right thing, especially for older adults."
The credits are part of FPL's broader effort to connect customers with support through the FPL Assistance Center, a one-stop resource that brings together bill assistance, energy-saving programs and local community resources in one place.
What is FPL Saving Steps?
FPL Saving Steps is available through the FPL Assistance Center and helps eligible customers learn practical ways to reduce everyday energy use and better manage monthly expenses. The program combines energy-saving education with a one-time $200 bill credit and is available to a broad range of households, including seniors, working families and others. Customers who may not qualify for government assistance are encouraged to explore FPL Saving Steps and see if they qualify for support.
What is the FPL Assistance Center?
The FPL Assistance Center is a one-stop place for customers to find ways to get help and save. It brings together bill support options, energy-saving programs and local community resources so customers can more easily find the help that fits their needs.
How does the FPL Assistance Center help customers find short-term support?
For customers facing temporary financial hardship or who need more time to pay, the FPL Assistance Center highlights options that provide support or payment flexibility, including:
Through FPL Saving Steps, eligible customers who received assistance from the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) within the past 24 months will receive a one-time $200 bill credit and practical energy-saving education designed to help lower future energy bills.
"We're focused on making it easier for customers to get the help they need," said Dawn Nichols, vice president of customer service at FPL. "This effort provides immediate bill relief and simple, practical steps that customers can take to lower energy use over time. We want to reduce barriers and do the right thing, especially for older adults."
The credits are part of FPL's broader effort to connect customers with support through the FPL Assistance Center, a one-stop resource that brings together bill assistance, energy-saving programs and local community resources in one place.
What is FPL Saving Steps?
FPL Saving Steps is available through the FPL Assistance Center and helps eligible customers learn practical ways to reduce everyday energy use and better manage monthly expenses. The program combines energy-saving education with a one-time $200 bill credit and is available to a broad range of households, including seniors, working families and others. Customers who may not qualify for government assistance are encouraged to explore FPL Saving Steps and see if they qualify for support.
What is the FPL Assistance Center?
The FPL Assistance Center is a one-stop place for customers to find ways to get help and save. It brings together bill support options, energy-saving programs and local community resources so customers can more easily find the help that fits their needs.
How does the FPL Assistance Center help customers find short-term support?
For customers facing temporary financial hardship or who need more time to pay, the FPL Assistance Center highlights options that provide support or payment flexibility, including:
Payment Extension provides eligible customers with extra time to pay their bill.
Federal assistance, such as Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), for income-qualified customers to pay their energy bill.
FPL Care To Share provides emergency bill-payment assistance or support for qualified electrical repairs for customers experiencing hardship.
Bill Extender offers an extended due date for eligible customers who would benefit from more time between when their bill is issued and when payment is due.
Budget Billing helps customers manage monthly expenses by smoothing seasonal bill fluctuations into a more predictable monthly amount.
What other FPL programs can help customers save and lower their bills?
FPL offers programs and tools that can help customers use energy more efficiently, understand their household energy use and manage monthly expenses over time.
Federal assistance, such as Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), for income-qualified customers to pay their energy bill.
FPL Care To Share provides emergency bill-payment assistance or support for qualified electrical repairs for customers experiencing hardship.
Bill Extender offers an extended due date for eligible customers who would benefit from more time between when their bill is issued and when payment is due.
Budget Billing helps customers manage monthly expenses by smoothing seasonal bill fluctuations into a more predictable monthly amount.
What other FPL programs can help customers save and lower their bills?
FPL offers programs and tools that can help customers use energy more efficiently, understand their household energy use and manage monthly expenses over time.
FPL On Call gives customers bill credits of over $90 a year to briefly pause certain appliances during periods of peak energy demand.
The free Energy Manager tool provides personalized insights and recommendations tailored to a customer's home to help them better understand and manage energy use.
Through the FPL Community Energy Saver program, qualifying households can access energy-efficient home upgrades that can help lower energy use.
How does the FPL Assistance Center help customers find additional support?
The FPL Assistance Center helps customers connect with resources that may support a variety of needs beyond the utility bill, including food, housing and other essential expenses featuring support dedicated to seniors. The goal is to make it easier to find the right help at the right time and connect customers with organizations that can help with these essential needs.
Customers can visit FPL.com/Assistance to explore available programs, community resources and support options in one place
How does the FPL Assistance Center help customers find additional support?
The FPL Assistance Center helps customers connect with resources that may support a variety of needs beyond the utility bill, including food, housing and other essential expenses featuring support dedicated to seniors. The goal is to make it easier to find the right help at the right time and connect customers with organizations that can help with these essential needs.
Customers can visit FPL.com/Assistance to explore available programs, community resources and support options in one place
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Fatal Clewiston Hit And Run Arrest - Christian Joel Miguel Leon
FHP TRAFFIC HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN HENDRY COUNTY FATAL HIT-AND-RUN
HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. – Following an exhaustive criminal investigation, the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit has arrested Christian Joel Miguel Leon, DOB 04/10/1995, of Winter Haven, Florida for the June 28, 2026, fatal hit-and-run crash on US 27 at Francisco Street in Hendry County.
On June 28, 2026, Miguel Leon was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck eastbound on US 27, approaching Francisco Street. At the same time, an adult male pedestrian was attempting to cross the eastbound travel lanes of US 27.
The front of the Ford Ranger collided with the pedestrian, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Following the crash, Miguel Leon fled the crash scene in the 1999 Ford Ranger.
The investigation determined that Miguel Leon traveled to Polk County, parked the 1999 Ford Ranger at an RV Park, and briefly posted it for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
On June 29, 2026, Florida Highway Patrol State Troopers located and impounded the 1999 Ford Ranger.
On September 8, 2026, Miguel Leon was located in Polk County, placed under arrest, and booked into the county jail for:Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death
Obstructing Justice – Tampering with Evidence
The crash remains under investigation.
HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. – Following an exhaustive criminal investigation, the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit has arrested Christian Joel Miguel Leon, DOB 04/10/1995, of Winter Haven, Florida for the June 28, 2026, fatal hit-and-run crash on US 27 at Francisco Street in Hendry County.
On June 28, 2026, Miguel Leon was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck eastbound on US 27, approaching Francisco Street. At the same time, an adult male pedestrian was attempting to cross the eastbound travel lanes of US 27.
The front of the Ford Ranger collided with the pedestrian, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Following the crash, Miguel Leon fled the crash scene in the 1999 Ford Ranger.
The investigation determined that Miguel Leon traveled to Polk County, parked the 1999 Ford Ranger at an RV Park, and briefly posted it for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
On June 29, 2026, Florida Highway Patrol State Troopers located and impounded the 1999 Ford Ranger.
On September 8, 2026, Miguel Leon was located in Polk County, placed under arrest, and booked into the county jail for:Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death
Obstructing Justice – Tampering with Evidence
The crash remains under investigation.
Hendry County Arrests - Drugs, DUI, Probation Violations
ARREST BLOTTER
09/14/2026 – 09/20/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Marcos Rene Argudin Cruz, 40, Cape Coral was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Guadalupe Pequeno, 53, LaBelle was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Out of State Fugitive
Clifton Shayne Holt, 35, Clewiston was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
17-year-old male, Gainesville, was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Busbin on charges of Felony Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Officer without Violence
Nicholas Ve’John Ball, 28, Miami was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Aguilar on charges of Felony Violation of Conditional Release and Misd. Probation Violation
Claudelle Philistin, 32, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Introduction of Weapon into a Detention Facility
Danny Robinson, 31, LaBelle was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Christian Joel Miguel Leon, 31, Winter Haven was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Outstanding Warrant – Tampering with Evidence in Criminal Procedure and Hit & Run
Alyssa Marie Pasch, 31, Clewiston was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony – Violation of Conditions of Release
Karvette Mamie Billie, 30, Okeechobee was arrested on September 16, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on charges of DUI
John Ford Gadson, Jr., 54, Clewiston was arrested on September 17, 2026, Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Felony – Violation of Conditions of Release
Carlos Liuber Rivero Cabrera, 38, Green Acres, Fl, on September 17, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI and DUI – Refusal to Submit
Jaheim De’Sean Brown, 24, Lehigh Acres, Fl on September 18, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givan on charges of Felony Violation of Probation
Juan Victor Ayala Lopez, 41, Orlando on September 18, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Driving While License/Revoked – 3rd Subsequent Violation and Driving While License Suspend/Revoked
Dylan Sean Vary, 25, Clewiston on September 19, 2026, Det G. Willis on charges of Possession of Firearm by Florida Convicted Felon
Dimity Lamont Pearson, 44, Clewiston was arrested on September 19, 2026, Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Introduction of Illegal Narcotics into Detention Facility and Withhold Support
Leonard Joel Rolle, 38, Pahokee was arrested on September 20, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance wit
09/14/2026 – 09/20/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Marcos Rene Argudin Cruz, 40, Cape Coral was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Guadalupe Pequeno, 53, LaBelle was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Out of State Fugitive
Clifton Shayne Holt, 35, Clewiston was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
17-year-old male, Gainesville, was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Busbin on charges of Felony Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Officer without Violence
Nicholas Ve’John Ball, 28, Miami was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Aguilar on charges of Felony Violation of Conditional Release and Misd. Probation Violation
Claudelle Philistin, 32, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 14, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Introduction of Weapon into a Detention Facility
Danny Robinson, 31, LaBelle was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Christian Joel Miguel Leon, 31, Winter Haven was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Camacho on charges of Outstanding Warrant – Tampering with Evidence in Criminal Procedure and Hit & Run
Alyssa Marie Pasch, 31, Clewiston was arrested on September 15, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony – Violation of Conditions of Release
Karvette Mamie Billie, 30, Okeechobee was arrested on September 16, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Dijon on charges of DUI
John Ford Gadson, Jr., 54, Clewiston was arrested on September 17, 2026, Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on charges of Felony – Violation of Conditions of Release
Carlos Liuber Rivero Cabrera, 38, Green Acres, Fl, on September 17, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI and DUI – Refusal to Submit
Jaheim De’Sean Brown, 24, Lehigh Acres, Fl on September 18, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givan on charges of Felony Violation of Probation
Juan Victor Ayala Lopez, 41, Orlando on September 18, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Driving While License/Revoked – 3rd Subsequent Violation and Driving While License Suspend/Revoked
Dylan Sean Vary, 25, Clewiston on September 19, 2026, Det G. Willis on charges of Possession of Firearm by Florida Convicted Felon
Dimity Lamont Pearson, 44, Clewiston was arrested on September 19, 2026, Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Introduction of Illegal Narcotics into Detention Facility and Withhold Support
Leonard Joel Rolle, 38, Pahokee was arrested on September 20, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Sosa on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance wit
Friday, September 18, 2026
Obituary - Dan Everett, 63
Dan Everett, 63, of Alva, Florida died on September 12, 2026. His loving wife, Ratchanu “Aoy” Everett, comforted him as he passed away peacefully in his home.
Born on July 5, 1963, Dan grew up in Oxford, Maine, with his siblings and their parental figures, grandparents Clarence “Pup” and Elizabeth “Harriet” Everett.
Dan found joy flying planes, sailing boats, and riding motorcycles. He loved tinkering with classic cars and inventing. More than anything, Dan loved nature, and spent as much time as possible outdoors. He especially loved to pick wildflowers with his youngest daughter.
He and his wife lived in the mountains for nearly a decade, on a plot that called out to his soul. They relocated to Alva, Florida so that he could spend the remainder of his days enjoying the sunshine and sitting by the water.
Dan was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Everett and Nancy Whitney; his stepfather “Big” Dan LeBlond; his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Elizabeth Everett; his maternal grandparents, Stanley and Clara Whitney; his uncle Rick LeBlond; his childhood best friend Craig Loman; and his soul dog, Gracie.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Ratchanu “Aoy” Everett; his daughters, Danielle Everett and Mary “Em” Everett with husband Trevor Morin; his brother Mike (Jodi) Everett; his sisters Kate (Anthony) Chavez, Karen Everett-Miller, and Kim Everett; his aunts and uncles, Janet Whitney, Sharon LeBlond, and David and Carol LeBlond; his many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Griffin.
For those who wish, contributions may be made in Dan’s honor to The ALS Association in lieu of flowers.
Born on July 5, 1963, Dan grew up in Oxford, Maine, with his siblings and their parental figures, grandparents Clarence “Pup” and Elizabeth “Harriet” Everett.
Dan found joy flying planes, sailing boats, and riding motorcycles. He loved tinkering with classic cars and inventing. More than anything, Dan loved nature, and spent as much time as possible outdoors. He especially loved to pick wildflowers with his youngest daughter.
He and his wife lived in the mountains for nearly a decade, on a plot that called out to his soul. They relocated to Alva, Florida so that he could spend the remainder of his days enjoying the sunshine and sitting by the water.
Dan was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Everett and Nancy Whitney; his stepfather “Big” Dan LeBlond; his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Elizabeth Everett; his maternal grandparents, Stanley and Clara Whitney; his uncle Rick LeBlond; his childhood best friend Craig Loman; and his soul dog, Gracie.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Ratchanu “Aoy” Everett; his daughters, Danielle Everett and Mary “Em” Everett with husband Trevor Morin; his brother Mike (Jodi) Everett; his sisters Kate (Anthony) Chavez, Karen Everett-Miller, and Kim Everett; his aunts and uncles, Janet Whitney, Sharon LeBlond, and David and Carol LeBlond; his many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Griffin.
For those who wish, contributions may be made in Dan’s honor to The ALS Association in lieu of flowers.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
LaBelle Park Closed For Pest Control September 18-22
Davis Pratt Park to Be Closed for Pest Control
(September 17, 2026) – Please be advised that Davis-Pratt Park will be closed beginning at 3pm on Friday, September 18 until 8am on Tuesday, September 22.
The closure is necessary while the park is treated for pest control.
Residents with questions or concerns are asked to call Hendry-LaBelle Recreation at 863-675-5347.
Vehicle Weight Restriction On LaBelle Bridge
FDOT Updates Weight Restriction on S.R. 29 LaBelle Drawbridge
LABELLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is providing an update to the vehicle weight restriction on the S.R. 29 (Bridge Street) LaBelle Drawbridge over the Caloosahatchee River in Hendry County.
Effective immediately, the LaBelle Drawbridge is subject to vehicle-specific weight restrictions of 26T, 32T, and 34T, depending on vehicle configuration. Commercial vehicle operators must follow posted weight-limit signage; any vehicle exceeding its applicable weight limit must use the designated regional detour via S.R. 78, U.S. 27, and S.R. 80.
Updated Weight Restriction26T, 32T, and 34T weight restrictions, depending on vehicle configuration.
Vehicles exceeding the applicable posted weight limit must use the designated regional detour via S.R. 78, U.S. 27, and S.R. 80.
Regional Detour of Commercial Vehicles
Northbound: S.R. 29 → S.R. 80 → U.S. 27 → S.R. 78 → S.R. 29
Southbound: S.R. 29 → S.R. 78 → U.S. 27 → S.R. 80 → S.R. 29
Traveler Advisory & Reminders
Motorists should plan ahead, allow additional travel time, follow posted weight-limit and detour signage, and use FL511.com, mobile mapping applications, or GPS devices to monitor real-time traffic conditions.
LABELLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is providing an update to the vehicle weight restriction on the S.R. 29 (Bridge Street) LaBelle Drawbridge over the Caloosahatchee River in Hendry County.
Effective immediately, the LaBelle Drawbridge is subject to vehicle-specific weight restrictions of 26T, 32T, and 34T, depending on vehicle configuration. Commercial vehicle operators must follow posted weight-limit signage; any vehicle exceeding its applicable weight limit must use the designated regional detour via S.R. 78, U.S. 27, and S.R. 80.
Updated Weight Restriction26T, 32T, and 34T weight restrictions, depending on vehicle configuration.
Vehicles exceeding the applicable posted weight limit must use the designated regional detour via S.R. 78, U.S. 27, and S.R. 80.
Regional Detour of Commercial Vehicles
Northbound: S.R. 29 → S.R. 80 → U.S. 27 → S.R. 78 → S.R. 29
Southbound: S.R. 29 → S.R. 78 → U.S. 27 → S.R. 80 → S.R. 29
Traveler Advisory & Reminders
Motorists should plan ahead, allow additional travel time, follow posted weight-limit and detour signage, and use FL511.com, mobile mapping applications, or GPS devices to monitor real-time traffic conditions.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Amazon's Secret Charges - Florida And Others Suing
The Federal Trade Commission, Florida and 21 other states are suing Amazon, alleging the company spent years secretly inflating the prices Florida businesses pay to advertise on its platform, costs that were passed on to Florida families.
Attorney General James Uthmeier; “Amazon hid a surcharge, padded its own profits, and those costs landed on Florida families buying groceries, medicine, and everyday essentials. Amazon should expect to be held accountable.”
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Amazon represented for years that it ran “second-price” auctions in which the winning advertiser would pay only one cent more than the next-highest bidder. In practice, Amazon added an undisclosed surcharge and used an “invented auction participant” to drive prices higher than genuine competition would have produced. By 2024, Amazon charged Sponsored Products advertisers their own winning bid approximately 80 percent of the time, converting a nominally second-price auction into a first-price auction without telling customers.
The complaint alleges Amazon began testing hidden surcharges in 2019 and 2020. After concluding advertisers could not detect the extra charges, Amazon rolled them out across the platform and ramped them higher on Prime Day and Black Friday. Internal documents quoted in the complaint describe “a surcharge hidden in it” and a “clever non-transparent way to charge first price.”
The complaint alleges that a significant portion of the advertising costs paid by Amazon sellers “are ultimately passed through to and paid by Amazon shoppers in the form of higher prices,” including on low-margin necessities families buy every day. Sellers and vendors based in Florida have been overcharged by hundreds of millions of dollars over more than four years, the complaint alleges.
Amazon understood that disclosing the change would cause advertisers to lower their bids. The complaint alleges the company concealed the surcharges, gave false and misleading answers when advertisers asked whether the auction format had changed, and continued the practice after the FTC notified Amazon of its investigation.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Attorney General Uthmeier seeks a permanent injunction, consumer restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and other relief authorized by Florida law.
Florida is joined by the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington.
Attorney General James Uthmeier; “Amazon hid a surcharge, padded its own profits, and those costs landed on Florida families buying groceries, medicine, and everyday essentials. Amazon should expect to be held accountable.”
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Amazon represented for years that it ran “second-price” auctions in which the winning advertiser would pay only one cent more than the next-highest bidder. In practice, Amazon added an undisclosed surcharge and used an “invented auction participant” to drive prices higher than genuine competition would have produced. By 2024, Amazon charged Sponsored Products advertisers their own winning bid approximately 80 percent of the time, converting a nominally second-price auction into a first-price auction without telling customers.
The complaint alleges Amazon began testing hidden surcharges in 2019 and 2020. After concluding advertisers could not detect the extra charges, Amazon rolled them out across the platform and ramped them higher on Prime Day and Black Friday. Internal documents quoted in the complaint describe “a surcharge hidden in it” and a “clever non-transparent way to charge first price.”
The complaint alleges that a significant portion of the advertising costs paid by Amazon sellers “are ultimately passed through to and paid by Amazon shoppers in the form of higher prices,” including on low-margin necessities families buy every day. Sellers and vendors based in Florida have been overcharged by hundreds of millions of dollars over more than four years, the complaint alleges.
Amazon understood that disclosing the change would cause advertisers to lower their bids. The complaint alleges the company concealed the surcharges, gave false and misleading answers when advertisers asked whether the auction format had changed, and continued the practice after the FTC notified Amazon of its investigation.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Attorney General Uthmeier seeks a permanent injunction, consumer restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and other relief authorized by Florida law.
Florida is joined by the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington.
Two Locks Closing For Maintenance In 2027
The W.P. Franklin Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from January 4, 2027 to March 1, 2027. No passage through W.P. Franklin Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The Ortona Lock will be open to local traffic only from January 4, 2027 to March 1 2027.
The Ortona Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027. No passage through the Ortona Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The W.P. Franklin Lock will be open to local traffic only from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
The Ortona Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027. No passage through the Ortona Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The W.P. Franklin Lock will be open to local traffic only from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
Georgia Lilly Veale Dies At 86
Georgia Lilly Veale
February 22, 1940 – September 10, 2026
Georgia Lilly Veale, 86, of Clewiston, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2026, while under the gentle care of Vitas Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vitas Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.
Her Life and Legacy
Georgia was born on February 22, 1940, in Panama City, Florida, to the late William Marcus Sutton and Lilly Bell Bryant. A dedicated and sharp businesswoman, Georgia worked for many years at S & M Drugs. Later, she and her sister, Ginny, co-founded the Quick Stop convenience store in Clewiston. When Ginny eventually relocated, Georgia successfully managed and operated the business independently alongside her employees until her well-earned retirement.
Beyond her professional success, Georgia was defined by her great love, boundless generosity, and strong spirit. She was an incredibly talkative and social person who truly never met a stranger. She took great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially traveling, fishing, and camping trips with her family. Summer trips taking her grandchildren to the beach held a very special place in her heart. At home, she could often be found working on puzzles or playing games.
Georgia’s heart was happiest when she was blessing others. She loved the holidays and any gathering that brought her family together, always cooking and baking enough to feed everyone. She was an avid shopper who took great delight in hunting down sales—not for herself, but so she could buy gifts to surprise and bless those around her. Whenever anyone was in need, Georgia was the very first to step forward and help.
Family
Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Veale, as well as her siblings, Bill Sutton, Paul Sutton, Jep Sutton, and Ginny Miller.
Her legacy of love will be carried on by her surviving family:
• Sons: Charles “Steve” Sauls (Anita) of Moore Haven, FL, and Randy Sauls of Pembroke, GA.
• Brothers: Norman Sutton (Lilly) of Lake Placid, FL, and Sam Sutton (Donna) of Mentone, AL.
• Sister: Becky Meeler of Clewiston, FL.
• Grandchildren: Courtney, Brittany, Cody, Logan, and Kirstan
• Great-Grandchildren: She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren who brought so much joy to her life.
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Georgia's life:
• Viewing: Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Funeral Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Graveside Service: To follow immediately after the funeral at Ridgelawn Cemetery, 520 Ridgelawn Rd, Clewiston, FL 33440.
February 22, 1940 – September 10, 2026
Georgia Lilly Veale, 86, of Clewiston, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2026, while under the gentle care of Vitas Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vitas Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.
Her Life and Legacy
Georgia was born on February 22, 1940, in Panama City, Florida, to the late William Marcus Sutton and Lilly Bell Bryant. A dedicated and sharp businesswoman, Georgia worked for many years at S & M Drugs. Later, she and her sister, Ginny, co-founded the Quick Stop convenience store in Clewiston. When Ginny eventually relocated, Georgia successfully managed and operated the business independently alongside her employees until her well-earned retirement.
Beyond her professional success, Georgia was defined by her great love, boundless generosity, and strong spirit. She was an incredibly talkative and social person who truly never met a stranger. She took great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially traveling, fishing, and camping trips with her family. Summer trips taking her grandchildren to the beach held a very special place in her heart. At home, she could often be found working on puzzles or playing games.
Georgia’s heart was happiest when she was blessing others. She loved the holidays and any gathering that brought her family together, always cooking and baking enough to feed everyone. She was an avid shopper who took great delight in hunting down sales—not for herself, but so she could buy gifts to surprise and bless those around her. Whenever anyone was in need, Georgia was the very first to step forward and help.
Family
Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Veale, as well as her siblings, Bill Sutton, Paul Sutton, Jep Sutton, and Ginny Miller.
Her legacy of love will be carried on by her surviving family:
• Sons: Charles “Steve” Sauls (Anita) of Moore Haven, FL, and Randy Sauls of Pembroke, GA.
• Brothers: Norman Sutton (Lilly) of Lake Placid, FL, and Sam Sutton (Donna) of Mentone, AL.
• Sister: Becky Meeler of Clewiston, FL.
• Grandchildren: Courtney, Brittany, Cody, Logan, and Kirstan
• Great-Grandchildren: She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren who brought so much joy to her life.
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Georgia's life:
• Viewing: Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Funeral Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Graveside Service: To follow immediately after the funeral at Ridgelawn Cemetery, 520 Ridgelawn Rd, Clewiston, FL 33440.
Mosquito Treatment Schedule For September
Hendry County will be conducting aerial adult mosquito control operations over the Caloosa Estates, Caloosa Shores, Double J Acres, Felda, Ft. Denaud, Ft. Denaud Acres, LaBelle Acres (Case and Evans Roads), LaBelle Ranchettes (alphabet roads), North LaBelle, Northwest Hendry County, South LaBelle, Phillips and Murray Roads, and Port LaBelle community Thursday, September 17th, 2026, weather permitting, through Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
Community Survey Online For Hendry/Glades Counties
Hendry and Glades Counties' community survey is now available. The survey results will help us make Hendry and Glades counties healthier places to live and work.
These surveys are part of the Community Health Needs Assessment we conduct in Hendry and Glades Counties in collaboration with the Healthier Hendry/Glades Taskforce
Here’s how you can help:
Take the survey links below!
Please complete the survey if you live and/or work in Hendry or Glades County.
The survey is available in multiple languages:
English Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26HendryGladesCommunitySurvey
Here’s how you can help:
Take the survey links below!
Please complete the survey if you live and/or work in Hendry or Glades County.
The survey is available in multiple languages:
English Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26HendryGladesCommunitySurvey
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Hendry County Sheriff Arrests
ARREST BLOTTER
09/07/2026 – 09/13/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
James Carlos Melton, 36, LaBelle was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Det. D. Reaves on charges of Attempted Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Hindering Communications with Emergency Service and Kidnapping
David Tarrouse Ross, 50, Clewiston was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Failure to Register Motor Vehicle and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent Offense
Erick Salinas, 35, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Brandford Ethan Bell, 34, Miami Gardens on September 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – Habitual Offender and Out of County Warrant
Adrian Roldan, 29, LaBelle was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Det/ G. Willis on charges of Vehicle Burglary
Travis Samuel Allen, 30, Okeechobee was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Det. A. Nelson on charges of Tampering with a Witness
Adam Fernandez, 30, Clewiston was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Ramos on two counts of Felony Probation Violation
Jarvaris Jennard Brice, 33, Clewiston was arrested on September 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardino on charges of Possession of controlled Substance without Prescription
Dwayne Eddie Church, 51, Wisconsin on September 11, 226, by Deputy Sheriff R. Gosa on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Leona Ann Youmans, 58, LaBelle was arrested on September 11, 2026, by Det. T. Lewis on charges of Threat Written/Electronic Threats to do Bodily Harm
Savannah Blue Studley, 31, LaBelle was arrested on September 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Use of Tracking Device without Consent
Patrick Ethan Johnson, 62, LaBelle was arrested on September 13, 2026, by Sgt. S. Kirkby on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd or Subsequent Violation and Fleeing and Eluding
09/07/2026 – 09/13/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
James Carlos Melton, 36, LaBelle was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Det. D. Reaves on charges of Attempted Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Hindering Communications with Emergency Service and Kidnapping
David Tarrouse Ross, 50, Clewiston was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Failure to Register Motor Vehicle and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent Offense
Erick Salinas, 35, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Brandford Ethan Bell, 34, Miami Gardens on September 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – Habitual Offender and Out of County Warrant
Adrian Roldan, 29, LaBelle was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Det/ G. Willis on charges of Vehicle Burglary
Travis Samuel Allen, 30, Okeechobee was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Det. A. Nelson on charges of Tampering with a Witness
Adam Fernandez, 30, Clewiston was arrested on September 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Ramos on two counts of Felony Probation Violation
Jarvaris Jennard Brice, 33, Clewiston was arrested on September 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardino on charges of Possession of controlled Substance without Prescription
Dwayne Eddie Church, 51, Wisconsin on September 11, 226, by Deputy Sheriff R. Gosa on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Leona Ann Youmans, 58, LaBelle was arrested on September 11, 2026, by Det. T. Lewis on charges of Threat Written/Electronic Threats to do Bodily Harm
Savannah Blue Studley, 31, LaBelle was arrested on September 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Use of Tracking Device without Consent
Patrick Ethan Johnson, 62, LaBelle was arrested on September 13, 2026, by Sgt. S. Kirkby on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd or Subsequent Violation and Fleeing and Eluding
LaBelle Dog Park Re-opened
Hendry LaBelle Dog Park Reopened
(September 15, 2026) – Please be advised that the Hendry LaBelle Dog Park on Pratt Blvd off off Cowboy way, has reopened to the public following necessary maintenance work.
Residents with questions regarding the park are asked to call Hendry-LaBelle Recreation at 863-675-5347.
Monday, September 14, 2026
Tax Holiday For Hunting, Fishing, Campers
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.
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.
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.
------
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.
LaBelle Dog Park Closed For Maintenance
Hendry LaBelle Dog Park Closed for Maintenance
(September 11, 2026) – Please be advised that the Hendry LaBelle Dog Park is currently closed while crews perform maintenance.
Additional notice will be provided when the park is reopened to the public.
Residents with questions regarding the park are asked to call Hendry-LaBelle Recreation at 863-675-5347.
(September 11, 2026) – Please be advised that the Hendry LaBelle Dog Park is currently closed while crews perform maintenance.
Additional notice will be provided when the park is reopened to the public.
Residents with questions regarding the park are asked to call Hendry-LaBelle Recreation at 863-675-5347.
FCC Threatens Kimmel - Talarico Hits Hard On Opponent
Jimmy Kimmel Forced to Move James Talarico Interview to YouTube Following FCC Threats
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing war between late-night television and federal regulators, Jimmy Kimmel bypassed traditional broadcast airwaves on Thursday night, moving his high-profile interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico exclusively to YouTube.
During the interview Talarico pointed out apparent corruption by his political opponent.
The unprecedented decision, announced during Wednesday's monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, comes amid what Kimmel described as direct regulatory pressure and censorship threats from President Donald Trump’s administration and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Kimmel pulled the interview from ABC's televised lineup to shield local broadcast affiliates, particularly those in the politically volatile state of Texas, from potential federal retaliation.
Kimmel pulled the interview from ABC's televised lineup to shield local broadcast affiliates, particularly those in the politically volatile state of Texas, from potential federal retaliation.
Kimmel highlighted a shift in policy, noting that while he has interviewed political figures from all parties for over two decades, the current administration's FCC has issued threats over traditional editorial decisions.
By moving the segment to the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube Channel, the show avoided FCC jurisdiction, which does not cover internet streaming.
This friction stems from FCC enforcement under Chairman Brendan Carr regarding strict "equal time" political regulations, creating a chilling effect that previously affected The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well. The conflict has led to local station boycotts and a lawsuit by Disney against the FCC. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected Kimmel's assertions as a false narrative.
During the digital broadcast, Talarico, running against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that the broadcast restriction attempts to suppress his campaign against a corrupt political system. Talarico criticized the blockade as dangerous political censorship and used the platform to focus on economic issues like the cost of living.
This friction stems from FCC enforcement under Chairman Brendan Carr regarding strict "equal time" political regulations, creating a chilling effect that previously affected The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well. The conflict has led to local station boycotts and a lawsuit by Disney against the FCC. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected Kimmel's assertions as a false narrative.
During the digital broadcast, Talarico, running against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that the broadcast restriction attempts to suppress his campaign against a corrupt political system. Talarico criticized the blockade as dangerous political censorship and used the platform to focus on economic issues like the cost of living.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Delia Herrera Martinez Dies At 68
Delia Herrera Martinez was a woman of singular purpose and profound heart. Born on February 28, 1958, she walked through this life leaving the imprint of her care upon everything she touched.
Her legacy is written in the meticulous details she poured into her home and her family. Delia was a woman of strength, holding a will as steady as her devotion. She loved deeply and without reservation, and she carried a steadfast belief in God that guided her path. For forty-nine years, she walked alongside her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., building a life in Clewiston that was centered entirely on the people she held most dear.
She leaves behind a family that carries the echoes of her love. She is survived by her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., and her sons, Greg Martinez and Gumaro Martinez Jr., along with her daughters-in-law, Melisa Martinez and Marisela Martinez. She found her greatest joy in her seven grandchildren, Greg, Izac, Third, Goel, Gelisa, Gisela, and Israel.
Her memory remains cherished by her brother, Domingo Herrera, and her sisters, Olga Garcia, Melida Lopez, Corina Rodriguez, and Angelita Gomez. She has now been reunited with her sister, Juana Hernandez, who preceded her in death.
May she rest in the peace of the Lord, knowing her life was a testament to love and faithful service.
Her legacy is written in the meticulous details she poured into her home and her family. Delia was a woman of strength, holding a will as steady as her devotion. She loved deeply and without reservation, and she carried a steadfast belief in God that guided her path. For forty-nine years, she walked alongside her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., building a life in Clewiston that was centered entirely on the people she held most dear.
She leaves behind a family that carries the echoes of her love. She is survived by her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., and her sons, Greg Martinez and Gumaro Martinez Jr., along with her daughters-in-law, Melisa Martinez and Marisela Martinez. She found her greatest joy in her seven grandchildren, Greg, Izac, Third, Goel, Gelisa, Gisela, and Israel.
Her memory remains cherished by her brother, Domingo Herrera, and her sisters, Olga Garcia, Melida Lopez, Corina Rodriguez, and Angelita Gomez. She has now been reunited with her sister, Juana Hernandez, who preceded her in death.
May she rest in the peace of the Lord, knowing her life was a testament to love and faithful service.
A Lodge Called Folkestone by Bob Kranich
The Dream, The Challenge, The People
by Bob Kranich
(Excerpt 27)
Now we’re off to England, Wales, and Scotland with my good army buddy, Ed Clement.
England, Wales, and Scotland
When June arrived, we drove across country from Rochester to Chicago. We left our vehicle at Ed’s dad’s car lot, and had his brother drop us four off at the Chicago O'Hara airport. It was a non-stop flight to Frankfort, Germany. We arrived at the airport and unloaded. We were sent to an elevator, and when the elevator door opened, they threw our luggage out. No fancy carousels like today. After going through customs, we went and exchanged American dollars for German money.
Regarding our luggage, we were traveling very light. We each had sleeping bags which had shoulder straps attached to the stuff sacks. These were wore on our shoulders like backpacks. There were four small pannier saddle bags, one for each of us which had handles. In addition, we also had brought two small backpack tents.
We found a bus, and got on it heading towards the main downtown of Frankfurt. Ed wanted to find a motorcycle shop so he could initiate his plan to buy some motorbikes. He wanted to travel on the Rhine River bike path. If we could find motorbikes with small enough engines, we would be allowed to ride both without required driver’s licenses, and on the bike path.
While we were driving on the bus, Ed said that we needed to get directions to a motorcycle shop. None of us could speak German, and Irene who was fluent in Spanish, found a man who could speak Spanish and German. This man found a German person who knew where we would find a motorcycle shop. The German man told Irene in Spanish who translated to us in English. What an international event!
The bike path along the Rhine River was great, and what beautiful scenery with castles along the sides, and even on islands in the center of the river. Those on the islands were castles built by river barons in ancient history. They charged a fee for boats going both ways on the river. If you didn’t pay, you didn’t pass.
We stayed at “pensions”, which is another name for bed and breakfasts, every evening. We had to be careful on the roads because of the slower speed of the motorbikes. In France, we came upon the remains of Second World War military bunkers along the side of the road. We finally made it to Calais. We bought our tickets, and loaded both us and our motorbikes on the ferry.
The Channel crossing was memorable. It was so impressive when we viewed looming up ahead, the white chalk Cliffs of Dover. Back on the road, we were in dangerous company. The road was a main artery, and next to the big trucks and the speeding cars, we were incremental nothings.
When we got to London, Irene and I decided that we wanted to tour the entire United Kingdom, and it would take a car. We found a car lot, and for $300 dollars American money, a Scottish salesman sold us a Morris Mini. We then left our motorbikes with Ed’s wife’s parents. That evening we took a bus to the car lot and picked up our vehicle.
We got the car in the evening because in England you drive on the left side of the road, and we wanted to practice without much traffic around. Talk about a shock. Every time you make a turn, you must end up on the left side. One side note is that when you are a pedestrian, you must be very careful to look both ways before crossing, or just stepping out. You might look the wrong way first. We got our practice in, and the next day headed out on our tour of England, Wales, and Scotland.
We had about 6 weeks, and we were to meet Ed and his wife at her brother’s house in Edinburgh, Scotland.
We started stopping at every castle. I found it so interesting. I am of the age of Prince Valiant in the newspaper comics. However, there are so many castles in England that we finally had to just pass them by, do other things, and get on with our travels and adventures. You might say, we were castled out!
In England, we stayed at bed and breakfast locations. Occasionally, we visited state or government parks, and put up the small backpack tent I had brought. Since we had thought Ed’s wife was going to be our tour guide, we had not done any prior research on places to visit. But now we were on our own, and had to rely on brochures and any map we might find as we traveled about. That is how we stumbled upon “Hadrian’s Wall.”
Just before we got into Wales, which is across the border from England, we came upon the Wall. It seems that the Romans could not subdue the wild Scottish clansmen, so they built a wall at a narrow place between the North Sea and the Irish Sea. Hadrian’s Wall was begun in 122 AD, built under the guidance of three Roman legions. It took about six years to complete the basic wall. The wall was composed of a stone base and wall filled with earth. The wall measured from eight to ten feet wide, and from eleven to twenty feet high. There were observation turrets and forts scattered along the wall. Many of the forts had cavalry that could move quickly to other locations as needed. Today, many places are reconstructed and preserved. There is a hiking path for tourists.
We then went into Wales. One day we were traveling on a road that had a great view down into some grazing fields. We stopped to look. Below us, we saw three horsemen. They were giving commands by whistling to black and white Welsh sheepdogs, who in turn were herding a large flock of sheep. It was fascinating to watch.
From the Author:
“The Lodge Called Folkestone”. You may wonder why the first half of the book is about my many adventures throughout the USA. Well, this first part explains just why my interests changed from hot rodding cars to backpacking. How the idea of a lodge came about, and just how the lodge came to be in North Carolina and next to the Smoky Mountain National Park, Deep Campground to be exact.
Aerial Mosquito Flights Start September 11 In Wheeler Estates
LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry County will be conducting aerial adult mosquito control operations over the Wheeler Estates community Friday, September 11th, 2026, weather permitting, through Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
Wednesday, September 09, 2026
How Social Contagion Affects Political Choices
In politics, social contagion shifts voting behavior, party loyalty, and policy support from a process of logical platform evaluation to an experience of collective emotional alignment. When political ideas and moods spread like a virus through social networks, voters heavily rely on immediate peer validation and shared outrage rather than independent fact-checking. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Social contagion fundamentally alters political choices through several key mechanisms:
Summary
Social contagion fundamentally alters political choices through several key mechanisms:
1. The Amplification of "Moral Outrage"
Politicians and media algorithms frequently use moral-emotional language because it triggers rapid "moral contagion". [4]
The Mechanism: When a political leader displays intense anger or disgust, that emotion quickly spreads to their followers through affect linkage—a form of emotional contagion where a group mirrors the leader's emotional state. [2]
The Impact: Highly emotional posts are shared at drastically higher rates online, meaning voters are exposed to a constant loop of collective anger. This outrage bypasses careful policy evaluation and encourages voters to make choices based on defeating an "enemy" rather than choosing a platform based on its long-term societal merit. [4, 5, 6]
2. Drive-by Social Voting (Turnout Contagion)
Voting itself is highly socially contagious. If a person's immediate social circle or high-frequency conversation partners are enthusiastic about a candidate or a cause, the individual is statistically much more likely to adopt the same views and show up at the polls. [1, 7, 8, 9]
Voting itself is highly socially contagious. If a person's immediate social circle or high-frequency conversation partners are enthusiastic about a candidate or a cause, the individual is statistically much more likely to adopt the same views and show up at the polls. [1, 7, 8, 9]
The Mechanism: This is driven by normative social influence,
the deep human desire to conform to the group to maintain approval and fit in. [3]
The Impact: Rather than spending hours researching a candidate’s economic or foreign policy, an individual frequently adopts the political identity of their "pack" to feel socially safe and connected. [3, 7]
3. Escalation of Affective Polarization
The Mechanism: In highly clustered online spaces or echo chambers, a single piece of partisan disinformation or an extreme opinion can rapidly cascade through a group. [5, 11]
The Impact: Because the idea is reinforced by hundreds of peers simultaneously, it hardens into an unquestioned group truth. Anyone within the group who attempts to introduce rational nuance or counter-evidence is viewed as a threat to the tribe, effectively shutting down moderate, logical political discourse. [11, 12]
4. Bottom-Up Policy Diffusion
Social contagion among the public can force the hands of political elites. [13]
The Mechanism: As detailed in The Social Contagion Model by political scientists, public opinion on specific issues (such as smoking bans or green energy adoption) can ripple outward from one state or community to another simply because residents copy the changing norms of neighboring regions. [13, 14]
The Impact: When a policy mood catches fire among the public via social contagion, politicians are forced to adapt and pass matching legislation to avoid being voted out of office—meaning laws are sometimes passed to appease a sudden wave of public sentiment rather than a calculated, objective need. [13, 14]
Summary
When political choices are governed by social contagion, ballots become an expression of social identity and emotional solidarity rather than an objective evaluation of governance. Rational policy debates are replaced by emotional cascades, making modern electorates highly reactive to the prevailing mood of their chosen political tribe. [2, 7, 10, 13]
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[2] https://journals.sagepub.com
[3] https://open.ncl.ac.uk
[4] https://osf.io
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[6] https://huber.research.yale.edu
[7] https://journals.sagepub.com
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[9] https://journals.sagepub.com
[10] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[11] https://www.tandfonline.com
[12] https://www.nature.com
[13] https://www.journals.uchicago.edu
[14] https://papers.ssrn.com
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[2] https://journals.sagepub.com
[3] https://open.ncl.ac.uk
[4] https://osf.io
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[6] https://huber.research.yale.edu
[7] https://journals.sagepub.com
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[9] https://journals.sagepub.com
[10] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[11] https://www.tandfonline.com
[12] https://www.nature.com
[13] https://www.journals.uchicago.edu
[14] https://papers.ssrn.com
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
FHP Hiring Law Enforcement Dispachers
FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY FLA. – WE'RE HIRING STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DISPATCHERS
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for dedicated individuals to join our regional communications center and become the critical link between the public and our Troopers.
STREAMLINE HIRING EVENT:
WHEN:
Friday, October 9, 2026 - 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 10, 2026 - 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE:
Fort Myers Regional Communication Center
10041 Daniels Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33913
Applicants must be 18 years old or older and bring:Resume
Government-issued Photo ID
Salary:
Base $37,936.80
+$5,000 Critical Market Pay for those who live in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties ($42,936.60)
Shift Hours:
Dayshift: 5:30AM - 1:30PM
Evening: 1:30PM - 9:30PM (15% Shift Differential)
Midnight: 9:30PM - 5:30AM (10% Shift Differential)
Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to complete the Critical Skills Assessment. Those who successfully pass will move forward to an interview, and background investigators are also available on-site to begin the background investigation process.
Don't miss this opportunity to start your career with the Florida Highway Patrol. Every call matters and every second counts.
Visit website to learn more: link
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for dedicated individuals to join our regional communications center and become the critical link between the public and our Troopers.
STREAMLINE HIRING EVENT:
WHEN:
Friday, October 9, 2026 - 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 10, 2026 - 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE:
Fort Myers Regional Communication Center
10041 Daniels Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33913
Applicants must be 18 years old or older and bring:Resume
Government-issued Photo ID
Salary:
Base $37,936.80
+$5,000 Critical Market Pay for those who live in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties ($42,936.60)
Shift Hours:
Dayshift: 5:30AM - 1:30PM
Evening: 1:30PM - 9:30PM (15% Shift Differential)
Midnight: 9:30PM - 5:30AM (10% Shift Differential)
Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to complete the Critical Skills Assessment. Those who successfully pass will move forward to an interview, and background investigators are also available on-site to begin the background investigation process.
Don't miss this opportunity to start your career with the Florida Highway Patrol. Every call matters and every second counts.
Visit website to learn more: link
Hendry Sheriff Arrests - Drugs, Probation Violations, Threat To Kill
ARREST BLOTTER
08/31/2026 – 09/06/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
15-year-old female, LaBelle was arrested on August 31, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff E. Vasquez on charges of Battery on Public Education Employee
Calvin Miller, 40, El Paso, Texas was arrested on September 2, 2026, by Captain M. Rowan and Det. Sgt. D. McNeil on charges of Use of 2-way Communications to Facilitate a Felony, Aggravated Stalking and False Report – Use of Firearm/Violence
Jayden Lund Swindle, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 1, 2026, by Felony Probation Violation
Miguel Angel Tarrero Vasquez, 52, Lehigh Acres on September 1, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Felony Outstanding Warrant
Manuel Gamez, 23, LaBelle was arrested on September 2, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Rosina on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Larry Jerome Davenport Idlette, 47, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Written Threat to Kill or Do Bodily Injury
Tyler Lee Butler, 30, Clewiston was arrested on September 3, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Felony Battery
Juan Miguel Ramos, 53, Clewiston was arrested on September 3, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff L. Rodriguez on charges of Battery and Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony
Jose Roberto Bonilla, 38, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges o Felony Probation Violation
Hannah Devoni Lee Vasquez, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Jayden Lund Swindle, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Frazier on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Darion Nesta Radcliffe, 28, Clewiston was arrested on September 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Gonzalez on charges of Fleeing & Eluding, Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Marijuana less than 20 grams and Trafficking in Methamphetamine
08/31/2026 – 09/06/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
15-year-old female, LaBelle was arrested on August 31, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff E. Vasquez on charges of Battery on Public Education Employee
Calvin Miller, 40, El Paso, Texas was arrested on September 2, 2026, by Captain M. Rowan and Det. Sgt. D. McNeil on charges of Use of 2-way Communications to Facilitate a Felony, Aggravated Stalking and False Report – Use of Firearm/Violence
Jayden Lund Swindle, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 1, 2026, by Felony Probation Violation
Miguel Angel Tarrero Vasquez, 52, Lehigh Acres on September 1, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Felony Outstanding Warrant
Manuel Gamez, 23, LaBelle was arrested on September 2, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Rosina on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Larry Jerome Davenport Idlette, 47, Ft. Myers was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Written Threat to Kill or Do Bodily Injury
Tyler Lee Butler, 30, Clewiston was arrested on September 3, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Felony Battery
Juan Miguel Ramos, 53, Clewiston was arrested on September 3, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff L. Rodriguez on charges of Battery and Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony
Jose Roberto Bonilla, 38, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges o Felony Probation Violation
Hannah Devoni Lee Vasquez, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Jayden Lund Swindle, 22, Clewiston was arrested on September 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff M. Frazier on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Darion Nesta Radcliffe, 28, Clewiston was arrested on September 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff G. Gonzalez on charges of Fleeing & Eluding, Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Marijuana less than 20 grams and Trafficking in Methamphetamine
Obituaries - Maria de Jesus Soto, Linda M. Johnson
Maria de Jesus Soto (neé Muniz) affectionately known as Susú, 98, of Clewiston passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 5th surrounded by her loving family.
Born on April 21, 1928 in Santiago de Cuba, Oriente province, Cuba, Susú was the beloved daughter of Juan Muñiz Perez and Caridad Calas de Muñiz she grew up in the town of Bayamo surrounded by a close knit family and her little sister Maria Esperanza “Chiqui”. Her childhood was filled with her father’s piano music, school , ballet lessons and adventures with her sister and many Calas cousins on the family farm San Ramon along the Bayamo River.
In December 1948 at Estrada Palma she married the love of her life Jorge Enrique Soto. They first lived in Bayamo where their children Jorge, Maria Eugenia, Esperanza and Juan were born. The family moved to Havana where Mali and Chuchi were born.
In 1961 the family made the difficult decision to send the five oldest children to Lake Harbor, Florida to live with Susú’s parents to protect them from the tyranny of Castro’s communist regime with the hope that the rest of the family would soon be able to leave Cuba. In 1962 the entire family was reunited and the quest of attaining the American Dream began in earnest always knowing that leaving Cuba behind to live in freedom, safety, and the pursuit of a better future for the family was worth every sacrifice that had to be made to build a new life in Clewiston.
Jorge and Susú were ever so proud of becoming US citizens in 1974. They never returned to their homeland nor gave up the hope that Cuba would one day be a free and democratic country and if that didn’t happen in their lifetime their hope was that their children would one day witness a Cuba Libre!
Susú retired from the Hendry County school system and over the years she fondly remembered her co-workers and many of the students she helped at different times through her tenure. Susú will be remembered for her amazing culinary skills, the crochet blankets that she spent many hours working on as gifts but most importantly all the beautiful baby clothes she lovingly stitched and embroidered by hand for her grandchildren, great grand children and for the many that she considered as family. One of her greatest pleasures was dancing with her husband whether at home, family gatherings, or weddings once the beautiful rhythms of Cuban music started playing they began the dance steps that reflected their heritage and the remembrance of bygone days.
Susú and Jorge’s home was filled with family gatherings, favorite foods, Cuban coffee, music, Christmas Eve/Noche Buena celebrations, baseball, football, dominoes, prayer and stories of Cuba. She passed down not only Cuban traditions, but also the values of faith, perseverance, gratitude, family, and the importance of honoring the USA by assimilating into the American way of life.
Susú was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jorge, her parents Juan y Cacha, her grandsons Carson and Johnathon and her nephew Pedro Juan Gonzalez. She is survived by her children Jorge (Adriana), Maria Eugenia Perez (Julio) Esperanza Kane, Juan Soto, Mali Gardner and Maria “Chuchi” Sweeney (Rich) along with 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, her dearest sister Chiqui and her children, Gerardo Gonzalez (Lisette) Maria Castillo (Rick) and Silvia Swaford (TJ), along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins that she adored and other loved ones that she included as family.
A mass celebrating her life with be held at St Margaret’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 9th at 1pm with burial at Ridgelawn cemetery immediately following the church service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St Margaret’s Catholic Church, 318 East Osceola Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440.
-------
Linda M. Johnson, age 72, of Moore Haven, Florida passed away on September 3, 2026.
Visitation will be September 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Moore Haven Church of God, located at 129 Palm Avenue Moore Haven, Florida where the funeral service will start at 11:00 a.m.
Born on April 21, 1928 in Santiago de Cuba, Oriente province, Cuba, Susú was the beloved daughter of Juan Muñiz Perez and Caridad Calas de Muñiz she grew up in the town of Bayamo surrounded by a close knit family and her little sister Maria Esperanza “Chiqui”. Her childhood was filled with her father’s piano music, school , ballet lessons and adventures with her sister and many Calas cousins on the family farm San Ramon along the Bayamo River.
In December 1948 at Estrada Palma she married the love of her life Jorge Enrique Soto. They first lived in Bayamo where their children Jorge, Maria Eugenia, Esperanza and Juan were born. The family moved to Havana where Mali and Chuchi were born.
In 1961 the family made the difficult decision to send the five oldest children to Lake Harbor, Florida to live with Susú’s parents to protect them from the tyranny of Castro’s communist regime with the hope that the rest of the family would soon be able to leave Cuba. In 1962 the entire family was reunited and the quest of attaining the American Dream began in earnest always knowing that leaving Cuba behind to live in freedom, safety, and the pursuit of a better future for the family was worth every sacrifice that had to be made to build a new life in Clewiston.
Jorge and Susú were ever so proud of becoming US citizens in 1974. They never returned to their homeland nor gave up the hope that Cuba would one day be a free and democratic country and if that didn’t happen in their lifetime their hope was that their children would one day witness a Cuba Libre!
Susú retired from the Hendry County school system and over the years she fondly remembered her co-workers and many of the students she helped at different times through her tenure. Susú will be remembered for her amazing culinary skills, the crochet blankets that she spent many hours working on as gifts but most importantly all the beautiful baby clothes she lovingly stitched and embroidered by hand for her grandchildren, great grand children and for the many that she considered as family. One of her greatest pleasures was dancing with her husband whether at home, family gatherings, or weddings once the beautiful rhythms of Cuban music started playing they began the dance steps that reflected their heritage and the remembrance of bygone days.
Susú and Jorge’s home was filled with family gatherings, favorite foods, Cuban coffee, music, Christmas Eve/Noche Buena celebrations, baseball, football, dominoes, prayer and stories of Cuba. She passed down not only Cuban traditions, but also the values of faith, perseverance, gratitude, family, and the importance of honoring the USA by assimilating into the American way of life.
Susú was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jorge, her parents Juan y Cacha, her grandsons Carson and Johnathon and her nephew Pedro Juan Gonzalez. She is survived by her children Jorge (Adriana), Maria Eugenia Perez (Julio) Esperanza Kane, Juan Soto, Mali Gardner and Maria “Chuchi” Sweeney (Rich) along with 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, her dearest sister Chiqui and her children, Gerardo Gonzalez (Lisette) Maria Castillo (Rick) and Silvia Swaford (TJ), along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins that she adored and other loved ones that she included as family.
A mass celebrating her life with be held at St Margaret’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 9th at 1pm with burial at Ridgelawn cemetery immediately following the church service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St Margaret’s Catholic Church, 318 East Osceola Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440.
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Linda M. Johnson, age 72, of Moore Haven, Florida passed away on September 3, 2026.
Visitation will be September 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Moore Haven Church of God, located at 129 Palm Avenue Moore Haven, Florida where the funeral service will start at 11:00 a.m.
Linda will be laid to rest in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clewiston, Florida.
How Social Contagion Spreads Emotional Thoughts And Ideas
Social contagion is the rapid spread of behaviors, feelings, and ideas through a group of people, driven by fast emotional reactions rather than slow, logical thinking. When people catch an emotion from others, they stop using careful reason. They act quickly based on what the crowd feels.
Copying others: Humans naturally mimic the facial expressions, body language, and moods of the people around them.
Fast spread: A single reaction can jump through a large group in seconds.
Group power: The larger the group, the stronger the pull to join in.
What Is Social Contagion?
Copying others: Humans naturally mimic the facial expressions, body language, and moods of the people around them.
Fast spread: A single reaction can jump through a large group in seconds.
Group power: The larger the group, the stronger the pull to join in.
Why It Is Emotional, Not Rational
Logical decisions take time. They require a person to stop, gather facts, and weigh the pros and cons. Social contagion bypasses this slow process.
The emotional brain: The brain's emotional center (the amygdala) reacts instantly to danger or excitement before the thinking part of the brain can catch up.
Fear and urgency: Emotions like panic, anger, or extreme excitement make people feel like they must act right now.
Safety in the pack: Deep in human history, copying the group meant survival. If everyone ran, you ran too. You did not stop to ask why.
The emotional brain: The brain's emotional center (the amygdala) reacts instantly to danger or excitement before the thinking part of the brain can catch up.
Fear and urgency: Emotions like panic, anger, or extreme excitement make people feel like they must act right now.
Safety in the pack: Deep in human history, copying the group meant survival. If everyone ran, you ran too. You did not stop to ask why.
Real-World Examples
Panic buying: When a few people rush to buy toilet paper or water, others see the fear and grab items too, even if shelves are not truly empty.
Stock market bubbles: Investors see others getting rich or panicking to sell, leading to wild market swings based on fear or hype instead of company value.
Viral trends: People share extreme or angry online posts because the strong feelings make them hit "share" before reading the facts.
Stock market bubbles: Investors see others getting rich or panicking to sell, leading to wild market swings based on fear or hype instead of company value.
Viral trends: People share extreme or angry online posts because the strong feelings make them hit "share" before reading the facts.
In politics, social contagion shifts voting behavior, party loyalty, and policy support from a process of logical platform evaluation to an experience of collective emotional alignment. When political ideas and moods spread like a virus through social networks, voters heavily rely on immediate peer validation and shared outrage rather than independent fact-checking.
How to Stay Rational
Pause: Take a deep breath when you feel a sudden surge of excitement or panic in a group.
Ask questions: Ask yourself if you are reacting to facts or just to the mood of the people around you.
Step back: Wait a few hours before making big choices or buying things during a trending event.
Ask questions: Ask yourself if you are reacting to facts or just to the mood of the people around you.
Step back: Wait a few hours before making big choices or buying things during a trending event.
Sunday, September 06, 2026
Linda M. Johnson Dies at 72
Linda M. Johnson, age 72, of Moore Haven, Florida passed away on September 3, 2026.
Visitation will be September 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Moore Haven Church of God, located at 129 Palm Avenue Moore Haven, Florida where the funeral service will start at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be September 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Moore Haven Church of God, located at 129 Palm Avenue Moore Haven, Florida where the funeral service will start at 11:00 a.m.
Linda will be laid to rest in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clewiston, Florida.
Saturday, September 05, 2026
LaBelle Man Critically Injured In SR80 Crash
HENDRY COUNTY – STATE ROAD 80 / TOWNSEND CANAL ROAD – CRITICAL INJURY
DATE: 09/05/26
TIME: 12:50 AM
LOCATION: State Road 80 / Townsend Canal Road – Hendry County
CASE #: FHP26ON0414929
INVESTIGATOR: Trooper B. Petty
Vehicle 1: 2016 Chevrolet Cruz
Driver 1: Male / Age 22 of Labelle – Critical Injury
Vehicle 1: 1995 Ford F250
Driver 1: Male / Age 25 of Fort Pierce– Not Injured
SYNOPSIS:
Vehicle 1 was traveling west on State Road 80.
Vehicle 2 was traveling west on State Road 80, ahead of Vehicle 1.
The front of Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of Vehicle 2.
Post collision Vehicle 1 traveled off the roadway and overturned.
Driver 1 sustained critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
DATE: 09/05/26
TIME: 12:50 AM
LOCATION: State Road 80 / Townsend Canal Road – Hendry County
CASE #: FHP26ON0414929
INVESTIGATOR: Trooper B. Petty
Vehicle 1: 2016 Chevrolet Cruz
Driver 1: Male / Age 22 of Labelle – Critical Injury
Vehicle 1: 1995 Ford F250
Driver 1: Male / Age 25 of Fort Pierce– Not Injured
SYNOPSIS:
Vehicle 1 was traveling west on State Road 80.
Vehicle 2 was traveling west on State Road 80, ahead of Vehicle 1.
The front of Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of Vehicle 2.
Post collision Vehicle 1 traveled off the roadway and overturned.
Driver 1 sustained critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
Friday, September 04, 2026
Florida Law Now Punishing Use Of False Income Documents
Providing false proof of income or employment to take possession of a rental house is becoming illegal in Florida and will now be classified as a severe criminal offense with imprisonment and fines possible.
Florida passed legislation targeting rental application fraud. The vote was unanimous. Senate 34-0. House 110-0. The Florida Apartment Association and National Apartment Association backed it.
What Actions Are Illegal
Providing fake pay stubs or altered bank statements.
Making false written statements about employment or income.
Using stolen or synthetic identities.
Impersonating another person on the application.
Criminal Charges: The offense is a third-degree felony. It carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Rent applications provided to property owners have become rife with fake employment pay stubs submissions, and false financial histories.
The popular rental property listing service Zillow, provides renters not only a place to find available home rentals but allow renters to provide details of their rental history and upload paystubs or documents allegedly showing income.
But dishonest renters can create and print professional income paystubs using dedicated mobile generator apps like 123PayStubs or Paystubs.App hoping to trick property owners into renting a home based on employer paystubs.
Zillow provides a second-step process to verify actual income through bank records of the renter, but dishonest applicants will refuse to use that service.
123PayStubs: Available on iOS and Android, this app provides instant PDF downloads ready for printing. “Get a professionally formatted, print-ready paystub PDF. Email it, print it, or save it for your records immediately,” says their website.
123PayStubs: Available on iOS and Android, this app provides instant PDF downloads ready for printing. “Get a professionally formatted, print-ready paystub PDF. Email it, print it, or save it for your records immediately,” says their website.
Paystubs.App: This mobile tool allows small businesses, contractors, and freelancers to create clean, calculation-tested pay stub PDFs directly from a phone. “Create professional US paystubs, paycheck stubs, and tax-form PDFs on your phone. Paystubs.App is a paystub generator and form maker for employees, freelancers, contractors, and small businesses.”
The New Florida Law
Florida passed legislation targeting rental application fraud. The vote was unanimous. Senate 34-0. House 110-0. The Florida Apartment Association and National Apartment Association backed it.
It takes effect October 1, 2026.
House Bill 1293 establishes a specific crime known as "fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit".
What Actions Are Illegal
Providing fake pay stubs or altered bank statements.
Making false written statements about employment or income.
Using stolen or synthetic identities.
Impersonating another person on the application.
Penalties and Consequences
Criminal Charges: The offense is a third-degree felony. It carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Eviction: Landlords can issue a 7-day non-curable notice to vacate. Tenants do not get an opportunity to fix or "cure" the violation.
Wednesday, September 02, 2026
Zachary Williams, Sr. Guilty Of Drug Charges
LaBelle (September 2, 2026) – Zachary Leekirk Williams Sr., of Clewiston, was found guilty as charged of Tampering With or Fabricating Physical Evidence, Resisting/Obstructing Officer W/Out Violence, Possession of Controlled, Substance w/Intent (1,000 ft. School), Possession of Controlled Substance w/Intent (1,000 ft. School), Possession of Cannabis - Over 20 Grams, Unlawful Use Of A Two-Way, Communication Device and Possession of a Place with Knowledge of Trafficking, Sale or Manufacture of a Controlled Substance.
Assistant State Attorney Haylie Gutierrez, of the Special Victims Unit, and Assistant State Attorney Trevor Selph prosecuted the case.
On June 27, 2025, the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the defendant’s duplex. After the SWAT team made entry, it was discovered the defendant had apparently flushed evidence. The tank lid was out of place and there were empty baggies, a spoon with cocaine residue,and a single Oxycodone pill.
During the search of the residence, a digital scale with a powdery substance was found in the kitchen, as well as a bottle of a substance used in the mixing of illegal narcotics such as cocaine, to make a larger amount of the substance, known as “cutting” the product.
A search warrant was done on the defendant’s phone and evidence in the phone, which the defendant admitted was his phone at trial, revealed numerous drug sales of various substances.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2026.
Assistant State Attorney Haylie Gutierrez, of the Special Victims Unit, and Assistant State Attorney Trevor Selph prosecuted the case.
On June 27, 2025, the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the defendant’s duplex. After the SWAT team made entry, it was discovered the defendant had apparently flushed evidence. The tank lid was out of place and there were empty baggies, a spoon with cocaine residue,and a single Oxycodone pill.
During the search of the residence, a digital scale with a powdery substance was found in the kitchen, as well as a bottle of a substance used in the mixing of illegal narcotics such as cocaine, to make a larger amount of the substance, known as “cutting” the product.
A search warrant was done on the defendant’s phone and evidence in the phone, which the defendant admitted was his phone at trial, revealed numerous drug sales of various substances.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2026.
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