Old Fashioned Steam Locomotive Plows Through Clewiston, Florida

CLEWISTON, FL. -- Members of the Glades communities, local elected officials, pastors and the people of U.S. Sugar celebrated today the beginning of the company’s 90th harvest season at a dedication event for its historic steam locomotive Engine No. 148, which hauled the season’s first sugarcane train from field to mill.

Everyone safely gathered around the century old locomotive as it came to halt on the tracks before them and Mr. and Mrs. Buker smashed a champagne bottle of pure cane sugar over its coupler to christen the “Sugar Express” before sending the train on toward the mill. The Clewiston Tigers High School Marching Band was also on hand to play “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” as the steam locomotive was dedicated.

The City of Clewiston invited local residents and rail fans to view the train from a secure, pre-determined location as it chugged through town. The newly restored steam engine was also displayed for several hours at the U.S. Sugar Locomotive North Shop.

“While most steam locomotives originally ran on coal, U.S. Sugar’s fleet used cleaner burning diesel fuel. And because we’re always looking for innovation and sustainability, this steam engine has been designed to run on recycled vegetable oil,” said Buker.

U.S. Sugar plans to add passenger cars to Engine No. 148 in the future so visitors can see their farms and learn more about the company’s rich history and food production from a very unique perspective. The Sugar Express also is expected to help draw more visitors to America’s Sweetest Town as they come to experience a ride on a genuine steam locomotive.

Since 2016, U.S. Sugar has been working to restore Engine Number 148, a vintage 1920s-era steam locomotive the company employed decades ago to haul sugarcane from the fields to its mill. The steam locomotive, which the Florida East Coast Railway originally received delivery of in June 1920, ran throughout their system, including on the fabled Key West Extension. The Florida East Coast Railway, the only rail system along the east coast of Florida, maintained the locomotive until 1952, when it was acquired by U.S. Sugar. Engine No. 148 remained with the company until the 1970s, when it was sold to a tourist line in New Jersey and, over time, made its way to Colorado where it languished until being re-acquired by U.S. Sugar.

SNAP Households To Receive 5% Increase In Food Supplement Benefits

More Help For Access To Nutritious Food Starts Today

The previously announced 5.3% cost of living increase to the maximum benefit amounts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) takes effect today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminded. As a result, SNAP households will likely see an increase in their benefits starting this month.

Photo: Hendry County Deputies help direct traffic and Hendry jail inmates distribute free food boxes under the "Farmers To Families Food Boxes" program in North LaBelle today. Photo courtesy Barbara Whelan

Nearly all states have opted to automatically provide all SNAP households the maximum benefit for their household size under legislation passed in response to the pandemic. Therefore, with the increased maximum benefit amounts, a typical household of four will receive $680 a month, up from their previous amount of $646 per month, in addition to any benefits they receive from other nutrition assistance programs.

“The higher maximum monthly benefits will help ensure SNAP participants continue to have access to nutritious food during these unprecedented times,” said USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Pam Miller. “These individuals and families are also eligible for other FNS programs that are helping to meet an increased need.”

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 mandates that maximum SNAP benefit allotments for each fiscal year (October through September) be adjusted to reflect the average cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in the proceeding June. The June 2020 Cost of Food Report revealed a 5.3% increase in the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan from last year, which is more than double the 20-year annual average increase of 2%, accounting for the rise in food costs.

The FY 2021 maximum SNAP allotments for the District of Columbia and all states other than Alaska and Hawaii are as follows:
Household Size Maximum Monthly Allotment
1 $204
2 $374
3 $535
4 $680
5 $807
6 $969
7 $1,071
8 $1,224
Each additional person $153

Maximum SNAP allotments are different for Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; those amounts can be found here.

Currently, as authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, nearly all states are also providing SNAP households with emergency allotments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These supplements bring benefit amounts for all SNAP households up to the maximum allotment for their household size, which will be higher beginning today.

SNAP households are also eligible for other USDA programs to help fulfill their nutrition needs. For example, SNAP participants may be able to receive:

Free school meals – Thanks to flexibilities provided by USDA, schools and other sites are currently able to provide meals at no cost to all children through FNS’ summer meal programs. Families can find meals at more than 87,000 locations across the country using FNS’ “Meals 4 Kids” interactive site finder.
WIC benefits – The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food, health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.
Pandemic EBT – A new benefit, authorized in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, provides families of children who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school with food-buying benefits similar to SNAP. In an average month, it provides an additional $114 per month, per child.
CSFP food boxes – The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides boxes of nutritious, USDA-purchased foods to low-income seniors. ·
Support from food banks – Food banks often serve as the first line of defense against food insecurity for those in immediate need. USDA provides food and administrative funds to states, who in turn provide support to distributing agencies like food banks, through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). USDA has provided significant support to food banks throughout the pandemic.

The Farmers To Families Food Box Program has come under some criticism, the latest being a required letter from President Trump be included in each box. (See https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/01/trump-letter-food-aid-boxes-424230)

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy. Follow us on Twitter at @USDANutrition.

State Road 29 In LaBelle Closed After Muli-Vehicle Crash

LABELLE, FL. -- A multi-vehicle crash including a truck overturned with a load of sand sent traffic on detour routes Thursday morning as emergency crews and FHP investigators took over the scene on both lanes of State Road 29 in North LaBelle.

Photo: overturned sand truck and damaged cars at the scene Thursday morning.

Stephen Colbert And Late Show Tells How To Vote In Florida

 

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is airing a how to vote series for all 50 states. Here is the instructions for Florida voters: BetterKnowABallot.com/FL

Register To Vote by October 5

Request Ballot By Mail by October 24

Return Ballot In Person or Mail by October 27 to be received by November 3 at 7 p.m.

Early Voting October 19 to November 1

Courtesy YouTube - Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Kiwanis of LaBelle Kids' Day Postponed Until January 2021

LaBelle Kiwanis Kid's Day Postponed Until January 23rd.

The Kiwanis Club of LaBelle believes that the health and well being of our children is very important. Although the Governor has declared that Florida move into Phase-3 or our recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, the club members made a decision to postpone Kiwanis Kid's Day until January 23rd.

The Kiwanis Club of LaBelle will extend an invitation to the community at the end of December and will send out a flyer for the event prior to January 23rd.

The Kiwanis Club of LaBelle is looking forward to a fun-filled day for children and their families.

The Kiwanis Kid's Day event will be at the Barron Park in LaBelle on Saturday, January 23rd from 10am to 2pm. We hope to see you then!











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