John Goodman Arrested On Child Port Charge

HENDRY MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORN CHARGES

LABELLE, FL. -- On July 1, 2021, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit executed a search warrant on a home in Hendry County where 44 year old John Goodman resides.

It was discovered thru investigation that an inappropriate conversation was being had with an undercover agent, and Goodman sent pornographic images of what appeared to be a pre-teen female. This activity occurred using the KIK app

A conversation had between Goodman and the undercover agent was captured and reported to Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. After reviewing the conversation and images forward to the Major Crimes Unit, Detectives were able to positively identify the man as Goodman and were able to also identify the female minor thru previous law enforcement contact.

John Goodman is a former law enforcement officer who was employed with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. He began his employment on May 22, 2000 as a Correctional Officer and September 24, 2001 was reassigned to Road Patrol. Goodman was terminated on November 20, 2002 for Moral Character Standards. It is not believed that he worked in law enforcement after that.

Goodman was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hendry County Jail where he is being held on charges of Distribution of Child Pornography and Using a Minor in the Production of Pornography. He is currently being held on a $75,000.00.

Fort Denaud Road Closing July 8

LABELLE, FL. -- Beginning Thursday, July 8, 2021, Hendry County’s contractor, Community Asphalt Corp., will be conducting drainage pipe removal and installation services requiring full road closure on the west end of Fort Denaud Road from SR80 to Fort Denaud Bridge Way in LaBelle, FL.

Operations will require the road to be temporarily closed with local traffic permitted only. Visual message signs and traffic control signage will be in place to detour traffic to SR80 and Huggets Road.

The work is expected to have a completion time of approximately two (2) weeks and will occur during weekdays, 7am - 7pm.

The speed limit will be reduced through the project area.

Motorists and pedestrians should use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.

Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change. The Hendry County

Engineering Department will notify of any changes.

Residents or motorists with any questions or concerns can contact the Hendry County Engineering Department at 863-675-5222.

SUV Crashes Into Sheriff's Vehicle

LABELLE, FL. -- A crash in LaBelle Thursday at 10:15 p.m. as reported by the FHP:

Vehicle 1 (Chevrolet Trailblazer) stopped for a stop sign on Park Avenue, at the intersection of State Road 29. Vehicle 2 (marked Hendry County Sheriff's Office Vehicle) was traveling north on State Road 29, approaching Park Avenue. 

Vehicle 1 initiated a left turn onto southbound State Road 29. In doing so, Vehicle 1 traveled into the path
of Vehicle 2. The right front of Vehicle 2 collided with the front of Vehicle 1. 

Driver 1 was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Driver 2 was transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries.

Corps of Engineer Campground Closings And Re-openings

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces additional reopenings and the temporary closure of the Ortona South Campground for campers due to construction, at Corps-managed recreation areas along the Okeechobee Waterway that were closed in March 2020 to protect against the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Ortona South Campground will be temporarily closed to campers until further notice due to planned construction, and we are not taking reservations until construction is complete.

W.P. Franklin North

The campground gate is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Access to the boat launch and fishing pier will be available during these hours.

W.P. Franklin South

The group shelters may be reserved for groups of 25 or less at recreation.gov. The playground will be open. CDC guidelines are posted at all facilities that are open. The W.P. Franklin Visitor Center and lock viewing area is open.

Ortona North

The Fishing Pier on the north side of the spillway at the Ortona Lock and Dam is open for public use from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including access via both the North Side Access and the Ortona South Side. The large group shelter will be open to groups of 25 or less and may be reserved at recreation.gov. CDC guidelines are posted at all facilities that are open. The North Side Access to the Ortona Lock is now open.

Ortona South

The gate will be open to the public from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for day use. The wooden fishing pier will be open to the public during these hours. CDC guidelines will be posted at the currently open facilities. The metal Fishing Pier on the north side of the spillway at the Ortona Lock and Dam is open and accessible for public use from the Ortona South Recreation Area and the north access area.

Obituaries - Fecundo, Sellers, Rumbarger, Gonzalez

Jose Roberto Facundo, age 83, of LaBelle, passed away June 30, 2021 in Lehigh Acres.

He was born Sep. 8, 1937 in San Benito, TX, to the late Evaristo and the late Luisa (Gonzalez) Facundo.

He retired from A. Duda & Sons as a Driver.

He was a member of Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana.

Survivors include his wife: Aurora (Gallegos) Facundo
three sons: Robert Facundo, Noe Facundo and Michael Facundo
five daughters: Brenda Facundo, Luisa Facundo, Linda Facundo, Aurora Facundo and Candace Facundo,
three brothers: Jr, Juan and Daniel
five sisters: Maria, Dora, Amelia, Lupe and Sara
23 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandchild

Funeral services will be held Thursday July 8, 2021 at 10 AM at Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana, LaBelle with Pastor John Gallegos officiating. Interment to follow at Fort Denaud Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 7 PM at Akin-Davis Funeral Home, LaBelle, FL.

Retha June Sellers, age 70, of Palmdale, passed away June 27, 2021 in Sebring.

She was born Apr. 4, 1951 in Greenville, KY, to the late Jimmy Ray and Eula Mae (Mayes) Blake. Retha married Jimmy Lee Sellers.

 Retha was a school bus driver for Hendry County Schools for many years before she retired. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. She enjoyed spending time gardening, working outside, with her two 4 legged children; Peanut and Bubby Dee.

Retha leaves behind beautiful memories with her husband; Jimmy Lee Sellers of Palmdale, mother, Eula Mae Blake, daughter; Julie Brown and husband Bradley of Providence, Kentucky,step-daughter; Lanel Morris and husband Bill of Dawson Springs, Kentucky, step-son; John Sellers and wife Angie, of Newnan, Georgia, seven grandchildren, six brothers; Jackie Blake, Tommy Blake, James Blake, Ernie Blake, Jimmy Blake and Gary Blake, two sisters; Brenda Prow, and Sandy Blake.

Celebration of her life was conducted at Palmdale Baptist Church on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. where a visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Rev. Earl Cline was the officiating minster for the celebration of life service.

Cremation arrangements are by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Kenneth E. Rumbarger, 82, of Moore Haven, FL died peacefully on June 23, 2021, in Palms West Hospital, Loxahatchee, FL with his wife of 16 years, Nancy, by his side.

Ken was born on October 9, 1938, in Petrolia, PA to the late Kenneth W. Rumbarger and Dorothy (Relic) Rumbarger. He graduated from Karns City High School in 1956 and went on to study industrial engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Ken proudly cheered for the Nittany Lions from his season ticket seats for over 50 years.

Ken’s degree in industrial engineering eventually led him to an illustrious career working for Pennzoil, and living in Oil City, PA, Clendenin, W. VA, and Karns City, PA where he retired as the plant manager of Penreco in 1990. Ken enjoyed retirement and often said he found himself so busy he wondered how he ever found time to work.

Ken was active in civic and church communities everywhere he lived. He served as president of the Jaycees and was especially fond of the time he spent coaching baseball in Oil City. Ken was a frequent patron of community theatre, and an especially ardent supporter of productions in which his grandchildren had roles. Ken was very proficient with computers and enjoyed working on the newsletters for his community and producing Christmas cards featuring Nancy’s artwork every year.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Robb (Julie); his daughter, Lynn McFadden (Tim); his grandchildren, Trevor McFadden (Molly Smith) and Molly McFadden (James Carr); and his great granddaughters, Isla and Daphne. He is also survived by his sisters, Marilyn Rantilla, Carol Stiehler and Kay Stonebraker (Jerry); his brother, Richard Rumbarger; as well as former spouse and mother of his children, Linda Gannon; his three stepsons and a stepdaughter and numerous nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Beverly and a wife, Patricia.

The celebration of his life will take place in October.

Sira Gonzalez, age 90, of Clewiston, passed away June 21, 2021 in Clewiston.

She was born Oct. 28, 1930 in Cuba , to the late Arturo Camacho and the late Gloria Montaner.

Survivors include her husband: Basilio Gonzalez
a daughter: Mayra Gonzalez
a brother: Roberto Camacho
1 Grandchild & 1 Great Grandchild

Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.