Hendry Two Motorcycle Crash Kills One

Motorcycle Tour  Ends With One Dead, One Injury

LABELLE, FL. --  Two motorcycles were part of a group of eight motorcycles that were traveling west on State Road 80 in Hendry County, Florida Sunday afternoon about 2:50 p.m., when a crash between two cycles resulted in the death of one rider.

Approximately one and a half miles east of Everhigh Acres Road in Hendry County, a 2002 Yamaha and and 2005 Harley-Davison motorcycle collided. Both vehicles overturned and both drivers were ejected onto the pavement and shoulder of the roadway.

The Yamaha driven by 50-year old Anthony C. Wood of Bonita Springs came to final rest lying on its right side in the westbound travel lane of State Road 80 facing in a southerly direction. The Harley driven by 60-year old Michael D. Cochran of Bonita Springs came to final rest on its right side, well onto the north grass shoulder, also facing in a southerly direction.

Mr. Wood, came to final rest partially lying on the north grass shoulder near the roadway. Mr. Cochran, came to final rest lying on the north grass shoulder near a canal. Mr. Wood was transported with serious injuries to Lee Memorial Hospital by Aeromed Helicoptor. Mr. Cochran was transported to Hendry Regional Medical Center by Hendry County EMS.

Mr. Cochran was pronounced deceased by Dr. Bernardo Kruszel at 4:10 p.m. while at the Medical Center. Neither driver was wearing any type of helmet. The investigation continues for alcohol use according to the FHP report.

Caloosahatchee River Advisory Lifted

Algae Bloom Growth Still Possible Says Health Department
LABELLE, FL. -- The Hendry and Glades County Health Departments have lifted the advisory for the Caloosahatchee River waters, but they're still advising people to use caution.

The advisory was first issued in April for the river's freshwater segments from the Moore Haven Locks extending westward through LaBelle to the Lee County Line, and included the river's tributaries because of possible sporadic but potentially harmful algae blooms.

While the advisory is no longer in place, the conditions are still possible for algae growth. Those going in the water to swim or fish, or those letting their pets or livestock go into the water, should still use caution.

If the river waters look greenish, off-color, smells different or if you see dead or distressed animals or marine life, local health officials are recommending folks not to fish in the waters, not to participate in recreation in the waters and do not to drink the water.

To report dead or distressed marine and wildlife call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (863) 648-3200.

Clewiston Seeks Police Accreditation

City Seeks Accreditation For Police Department
CLEWISTON, FL. -- Clewiston City Manager Steve McKown said at a budget meeting he hopes for state accreditation of the Clewiston Police Department as "another tool to boost the morale of our police officers and lend us a lot more credibility throughout the state and locally, particularly in high liability areas."  T

McKown said the four areas needed for State accreditation are: Evidence; Policy & Procedure; Holding Cell/Security; and Communications. No part of the current building is physically secure enough to meet the standards for accreditation, he said. 

He said as the city prepares for a future new home for the Police Department, "we still feel compelled to work on the policies and procedures that will lead to accreditation. Therefore, this goal cannot be obtained in its entirety until we have a new building, but the work starts this year. We really need to become accredited."

Police Chief Don Gutshall reports this week:

Friday night, the 2012 Public Safety Class held an awards/graduation dinner at the First United Methodist Church. Th3 Criminal Justice group swept the State-wide awards this year. The new communications group is scheduled to begin this fall. Graduating seniors from these disciplines may graduate with either a Dispatcher or Security Officer’s certificate. School Districts from all over Florida come to Clewiston to get pointers on what is now the State model program.

Clewiston PD officers took part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Ridge Lawn Cemetery on Monday. A local Boy Scout Troop, our own Explorer Post, and the Criminal Justice Class also shared duties at the memorial.

The week’s activities:

1117 Commercial / Residential Security Checks
522 Complaints Investigated
44 Red Light Camera Violations
165 Traffic Citations Issued
143 Traffic Written Warnings
7 Criminal Arrests
83 Merchant Escorts
22 Alarms Responded To
3 Traffic Accidents Investigated

Obesity In America - A Problem Growing Larger

Create Environments For Healthy Food And Beverage, Exercise Say Experts

Two-thirds of adults and almost one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese, representing young and old, urban and rural, and majority and minority populations. 

According to a study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, this epidemic of excess weight is associated with major causes of chronic disease, disability, and death, and obesity-related illness is estimated to carry an annual cost of $190.2 billion each year. 

The Institute's policy brief presents the findings from the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention. The committee evaluated hundreds of prior strategies for their promise in accelerating obesity prevention over the next decade and mapped how the most promising interacted with, reinforced, or slowed each other’s progress. 

The committee identified the following recommendations to strengthen efforts to prevent obesity: make physical activity an integral and routine part of life; create food and beverage environments that ensure that healthy food and beverage options are the routine, easy choice; transform messages about physical activity and nutrition; expand the roles of health care providers, insurers, and employers and; make schools a national focal point.

Complete Report

Miami Truck Driver Critical In Glades Crash

Semi Overturns On US 27

MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- Oscar Miguel Lopez, 65 of Miami is in critical condition after a crash on US27 near Palmdale in Glades County, Florida at 3:29 p.m. Thursday, May 31.

A 1999 Kenworth semi truck driven by Lopez was traveling south on US 27 in the inside lane. For unknown reasons, Lopez lost control of the vehicle and trailer and entered the west shoulder and sideswiped a guardrail. After sideswiping the guardrail, it then traveled through the guardrail downhill and overturned striking thick brush and shrubbery.

The truck and trailer came to final rest in the woods facing in a northerly direction. Lopez was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. An investigation continues on if alcohol was a factor. He was not wearing a seat belt.