New Funds For Citrus Canker Program

LABELLE, FL. -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner
Charles H. Bronson today commended President George W. Bush and United
States Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns for securing nearly
$54 million in emergency funding for the state's Citrus Canker Eradication
Program (CCEP). The funding will enable the Department and the USDA to
move forward with an expedited eradication program. Hendry County has the
greatest numbers of citrus trees in Florida.

"This additional funding is critical to moving forward with a more
aggressive tree removal program in commercial citrus groves," Bronson said.
"I am extremely appreciative of not only the financial resources but also
the fact that it sends a clear message that the federal government is 100
percent behind this eradication effort."

The devastating spread of citrus canker resulting from the unprecedented
2004 hurricane season as well as several storms during the 2005 season
prompted the Citrus Canker Eradication Program to launch a more aggressive,
expedited eradication plan. Prior to the 2004 storms, all known infected
and exposed commercial trees -- approximately 15,000 acres -- had been
removed. The hurricanes spread the disease to dozens of commercial groves,
impacting an additional 60,000 acres. The cooperative eradication effort
called for a massive "sentinel survey" of all commercial citrus, including
in areas not known to have canker to determine exactly where the disease is
located. While infected trees are removed within days of discovery, the
infusion of more funds enables the Department to step up removal of exposed
citrus trees in commercial growing areas.

"The good news is that the number of new infection in groves continues to
decline and I believe that indicates we are getting ahead of the disease,"
Bronson said. "The fact that we are involved in such an aggressive
eradication program has prevented the closing of shipments of Florida
citrus to other markets and helped to limit the exposure areas to less than
6 percent of the commercial citrus trees in Florida and I am very
appreciative of our federal partners for their help."

Citrus canker is a serious bacteria disease that causes premature fruit and
leaf drop, scars the fruit and makes the trees susceptible to other
diseases. There is no known cure and scientific research conducted in
Florida shows that removal of infected trees and those located within 1,900
feet, considered exposed, is the only successful method of eradication.

The emergency funds will enable the accelerated tree removal program to
continue and program officials anticipate that all known infected and
exposed commercial citrus trees will be out by the end of November, barring
any significant weather event.

Curtis Clark Convicted Of Double Murder

DNA Evidence Catches Murderer In Lie

CLEWISTON, FL. -- In September, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Matt Walsh received some good news from six members of a jury in Hendry County - "guilty."

(photo: Florida Dept. of Corrections)

The jury handed down the verdict against Curtis Leonard Clark, 24, convicting him on two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and one count use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The verdict comes almost two years and five months to the day that the bodies of Melvin Williams, 39, and Marvin Dixon, 38, were found shot outside a neighborhood market in area known as Harlem just on the westside of Clewiston, Fl.

According to reports and witness statements, Curtis Clark was trying to collect on a drug deal with Melvin Williams and Marvin Dixon on the evening of April 24, 2003 when Clark shot both men multiple times killing Williams and Dixon. The Hendry County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and collected evidence and took statements from witnesses in the investigation.

But a year passed and the investigation stalled. Hendry County detectives needed help.

In March 2004, Hendry County Sheriff Steve Worley contacted the FDLE Sebring Field Office and requested assistance in the investigation. Special Agent Matt Walsh was assigned as case agent. SA Walsh immediately began to gather information from Hendry County investigators and witnesses. Because of the amount of time that had passed since the crime he new it would be difficult finding reliable witnesses and evidence. But SA Walsh dove in and put his experience to work.

SA Walsh began to re-construct the crime and as a result was able to discover possible DNA evidence that had not been submitted to the crime lab. The DNA evidence, taken from beneath Marvin Dixon's fingernails, was tested at the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center. Crime Lab Analyst Amy Rockhold found the sample and ran it through the CODIS database. The database identified a subject and after a comparison it was confirmed to be Curtis Clark's DNA. 

A crucial piece of evidence since Clark had told SA Walsh he had never met Williams or Dixon. CLA Justin Greenwell, also of TBROC, performed test on the bullets found at the crime scene and determined that
they were all fired from the same gun, another key piece of evidence. Just a little more than two months after being contacted about the case, SA Walsh working with Hendry County detectives and the State Attorney's Office had enough evidence and witness statements to make the arrest. But his work wasn't over.

While preparing for trial, two important witnesses in the case recanted their statements they made identifying Clark as the gunman. SA Walsh felt the witnesses had been intimidated into changing their stories. He had to
work fast to find corroborating witnesses. SA Walsh using information he received and good old fashion police work was able to find two additional witnesses that had information that put Clark at the scene and committing the murders.

That information and evidence went before the Jury and it took them a little more than an hour to return their verdict. Clark faces an October 17 sentencing date and it is expected he will receive a life sentence.

Update: As of April 2013 Curtis Clark was serving a life sentence at the Okeechobee, Florida Correctional Institution were he arrived in November, 2005.

Glades Hospital CEO Quits

More Troubles For Financially Strapped Rural Hospital

BELLE GLADE, FL. -- Daniel Aranda, chief exective officer of the Glades
General Hospital has resigned his post just as he left for a planned
vacation. Reportedly not happy with his role at the 73-bed facility
originally built in 1940, he gave a 30-day notice to the board. The board
has left unclear whether it will authorize a new multi-million dollar
facility, which may have contributed to Aranda's decision nothwithstanding
his $180,000 salary. This is his sixth hospital job since 1997.
Like many rural hospitals in poorer regions, Glades is a money loser for
Palm Beach County mainly because of the large number of uninsured
povery-line patients it treats. Insured patients tend to travel to the
coast for treatment, perceiving better facilities outside of rural Belle
Glade.

Hendry Top Citrus Producer

LABELLE, FL.(Sept. 25, 2005) -- Hendry County has regained its position as
the top citrus producing county in Florida. Polk county, the top producer
in 2003-04 produced only 24.8 boxes this season down from 42.2 million,
while Highlands county came in as the third top county. The three
hurricanes of last year greatly reduced the crop in Highlands and Polk
county. In Polk county, housing development has also taken over much of the
citrus acreage. The state's citrus crop was the lowest since 1985 and the
orange crop was the lowest since 1992.

LaBelle Home Sales Pick Up

LABELLE, FL. -- During the week from September 6 to the 13th, there were 15
homes sold in the LaBelle area for an average price of $133,067. The
highest priced home sold for $259,000 on South Cypress St., while the least
expensive home went for $70,000 on South Obisbo Cir. in Port LaBelle.