Author Giving Free Lecture

"When Bad Things Happen to Good People" Author Returns to Fort
Myers. Hope Hospice again presents internationally acclaimed writer and
speaker Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of international best
sellers and award-winning inspirational and motivational books, is
returning to Fort Myers to make a free presentation to the public on
Monday, October 18. The event is presented by Hope Hospice.

"Rabbi Kushner's appearance here last year was a huge success, and
we are delighted to host his return at this time," said Hope Hospice
President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith. Kushner's presentation will
focus on two of his best-known books, When Bad Things Happen to Good
People, and The Lord is My Shepherd. "When tragedy comes into a life
or a community, people ask, 'Why me?' Rabbi Kushner brings positive
and reassuring answers drawn from his own experience," Beckwith said.

Harold S. Kushner is Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in the Boston
suburb of Natick, Massachusetts, after serving that congregation for
twenty-four years. He is best known as the author of When Bad Things
Happen to Good People, an international best seller. The book has been
translated into fourteen languages and was recently selected by members
of the Book of the Month Club as one of the ten most influential books
of recent years.

The late-October event is Hope Hospice's lead-in to National Hospice
Month in November. Books will be available for purchase and the Rabbi
will sign them after the presentation.

The presentation, free and open to the public, will take place on
Monday, October 18 at 7 PM at the Harborside Event Center.

Letter From Sheriff Worley

I would like to take this time to address the citizens of Hendry County
regarding the incident which occurred on Wednesday, September 22, 2004,
which unfortunately resulted in an officer involved shooting and comment on
the rumors that have become rampant throughout the county.

As several of our officers were involved in this incident I made the
immediate decision to contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
(FDLE). I felt that it was imperative to have this incident investigated
by an independent agency that remains independent from this department and
has the resources available to adequately investigate.

This incident is very complex and has been diligently pursued by FDLE.
Statements have been taken from all the officers involved as well as
witnesses on the scene and others who have been able to provide pertinent
information.

To reiterate, this pursuit became a very dangerous situation for not only
the officers but the public as well. I would like to take this opportunity
to address some of the rumors that have surfaced. There was no child in the
vehicle; the suspect driver was the only occupant. Remarks such as ramming
the car, - use of a vehicle in such a manner is considered a deadly
weapon; they already shot her tires out, etc. Some of these are rumors and
some are fact, however, many people whether in Hendry County or any other
county for that matter, have only been given the general facts of the case,
to reveal any more information would compromise the integrity of the
investigation and to remain fair, to not only to those involved, but the
suspect and the citizens of this county, we are restricted to the amount of
information that can be released, as much as I would like to share all of
the facts of the case, BY LAW I am prohibited from doing so at this time.

I have complete confidence in knowing that the FDLE will evaluate the facts
as they have found them and present any and all findings to this agency and
the State Attorneys Office. I will then look forward to answering all of
your questions regarding this matter.

As Sheriff, my concern is not only for deputies and administrative staff
but the citizens of whom I serve in this county. Based on the findings of
the investigation I will take any administrative actions that may be deemed
necessary.

I want to thank the citizens who have remained nonjudgmental during this
time and have continued to be supportive and shared that view with others.
I respectfully request that we all remain patient until the final outcome
of this investigation and remain unbiased pending the completion of the
investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

-Sheriff Steve Worley, Hendry County

7 Deputies On Leave After Incident

LABELLE, FL. -- After completion of interviews conducted by the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, Sheriff S. Worley has releasing the names of
the officers involved in the Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit that
resulted in an officer involved shooting. Those officers involved in the
confrontation, their age, and years of service to the Hendry County
Sheriffs Office are as follows:


Lt. Chad Schipansky, 38 -10 years service

Sgt. Jamie Thorpe, 26 - 5 years
service

Sgt. Andrew Drew, 36 - 6 years service

Sgt. Curtis Clay, 30 - 8 years service

Investigator Steven Maldonado, 40 - 4 years service

Deputy Martin Meyer, 30 - 7 years service

Deputy Perry Short, 35 - 7 years service

Deputy David Gallegos, 37 - 2 years service

All Deputies are currently on paid Administrative Leave and receiving
professionally conducted critical incident debriefings.

The names listed above are those who have been placed on paid
administrative leave pursuant to Department Policy and Procedure,
regardless of their involvement in the incident.

Hendry County Employee Arrested

LABELLE, FL. -- On September 30, 2004 Narcotic Investigators of the Hendry
County Sheriffs Office arrested 50 year old, Jose Serrano for Possession of
Zanex without a prescription (illegal purchase). Investigators were able
to obtain information that a Hendry County Social Services worker was
making illegal purchases of Zanex, a controlled substance obtained legally
only by prescription.

A confidential source made telephone contact with Serrano and offered to
make a sale of Zanex to him. Serrano agreed and requested that the
informant meet with him at his office located in the Hendry County
Courthouse. Upon the arrival of the informant he and Serrano left the
office and went into the hall where the transaction took place. In
exchange for the 20 Zanex pills, Serrano gave the informant $3.00 stating
that he would pay the informant the remaining balance the next day with WIC
vouchers.
After witnessing the sale, Narcotic Investigators placed Serrano under
arrest charging him with Possession of Zanex without a prescription,
(illegal purchase). At this time he is currently being held in the Hendry
County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Health Officials Visit Glades County

Just following Hurricane Jeanne, Florida Department of Health Secretary
John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., and Elder Affairs Secretary Terry
White had the opportunity to visit Okeechobee and Glades counties -- areas
that have been impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne within
six weeks.

"These beautiful rural counties have been ravaged by this year's storms.
Small, humble communities have exhibited great resilience in the face of
giant challenges," Agwunobi said. "The state and federal government will
do everything they can to help these friends, families and neighbors as
they rebuild in the heart of our state."

Terry White, Secretary of Elder Affairs, reassured storm victims: "Elders
living in communities impacted by this hurricane season have some of the
greatest challenges and will be rebuilding for some time. Elder Affairs is
working to address the needs of Florida's revered elder population so that
these communities can begin to heal."

Agwunobi and White first toured an Okeechobee special needs shelter at the
Okeechobee County Health Department building. Meeting with County Health
Department Administrator Mike Hill, Environmental Health Director Ed Trent,
Nursing Director Connie Thacker along with other health department staff
and shelter volunteers to reassure health workers and residents of
continuing support from the state and its partners during the hurricane
relief effort. They also visited with clients of the special needs shelter.

A young man named Tyler led Agwunobi's tour of the shelter. Tyler
volunteers at the shelter assisting the staff with delivering meals,
bringing in water to flush the toilets, cleaning and helping to tuck the
clients into bed each night.

Agwunobi and White then visited the Buckhead Ridge in Glades County, of
which 80 percent of homes sustained major damage. They met with Emergency
Management Director Ken Howard, Glades County Health Department Director
Dr. Martha Valiant and Nursing Director Patricia Dobbins, emergency medical
services personnel, Red Cross volunteers, and residents to assess the
impact of the storm and the community's anticipated needs during recovery.
While visiting residents of Buckhead Ridge, White was able to work with
AARP to secure four generators for homebound elders with health conditions
that depend on electricity.

Agwunobi, a pediatrician by training, met 1-month old Jacob William Dixon,
who was born just after Hurricane Frances. Jacob's grandmother, Carolyn
Conrad, who delivered him, was rocking Jacob as his mother caught some
much-needed sleep while her newborn napped.