Costs Affecting Family Budgets
LABELLE, FL. -- The cost of food had gone up, yet again. Grocery costs have jumped 5.1% in 12 months, the latest in a string of increases. In fact, the nation is undergoing its worst grocery inflation since the early 1990s.
With a few exceptions, nearly every grocery category measured by the Labor Department, which compiles the official inflation numbers, has increased in the last year.
Milk is up 17%, as are dried beans, peas, and lentils. Cheese is up 15%, rice and pasta 13%, and bread 12%. No food product has gone up as much as eggs, jumping 25% since February 2007 and 62% in the last two years. If there is a silver lining in the food statistics it is that grocery prices did not increase as much in February (up 0.3% from the previous month) as they did in January (up 0.9%).
However, with farm prices remaining near record levels, food prices will likely not moderate in 2008. Instead, food inflation will likely be at least as high as in 2007, perhaps higher. Cereal and baking products will continue to increase because of steep prices for wheat; in fact, the price of cereal and bakery products increased 1.8% in February, the largest monthly gain since January 1975.
Economists say higher food costs are being caused by rising energy prices, a weak dollar that encourages exports of American crops and food products, and soaring prices for farm commodities like milk, corn, and wheat.
Friday, March 28, 2008
LaBelle Live Videocast Top Ranked
LABELLE, FL. -- Thanks to daily votes from Sunday Mornng News and Southwest Florida Online readers, the editor's live daily interactive videocast became the top ranked internet personal broadcast site in the world this week. Over 48,000 visits have been made to the live video broadcast feed since November 2006. LaBelle Live Videocast
Monday, March 24, 2008
Attempted Murder Arrest
Arrest After Bridge Street Stabbing
LABELLE, FL. -- On March 22, 2008 Hendry County Sheriff�s Deputies responded to 260 North Bridge Street in Labelle reference to a man sitting in a chair bleeding.
Upon arrival Deputies found a Hispanic male Jose Antonio Villareal bleeding from a laceration to the left side of his forehead. Paramedics transported Villarreal to Lee Memorial Hospital were he is in critical condition.
An investigation was initiated and the suspect Luis Orocko, age 23 was placed under arrest, charged with attempted felony murder. Orocko�s, bond was set at $200,000.
LABELLE, FL. -- On March 22, 2008 Hendry County Sheriff�s Deputies responded to 260 North Bridge Street in Labelle reference to a man sitting in a chair bleeding.
Upon arrival Deputies found a Hispanic male Jose Antonio Villareal bleeding from a laceration to the left side of his forehead. Paramedics transported Villarreal to Lee Memorial Hospital were he is in critical condition.
An investigation was initiated and the suspect Luis Orocko, age 23 was placed under arrest, charged with attempted felony murder. Orocko�s, bond was set at $200,000.
Sheriff Lee Meets With Crist
Hendry Sheriff Asks For Assistance
LABELLE, FL. -- On March 19, 2008 Hendry County Sheriff Ronnie Lee had the opportunity to meet with Florida Governor Charlie Crist at the Governors Office in Tallahassee.
During their meeting, Sheriff Lee discussed how law enforcement in Hendry County and other similar sized counties are being effected by budget constraints that county and city governments are presently facing. Sheriff Lee asked the Governor to looks for ways to help law enforcement deal with escalating fuel costs.
He also asked the Governor for possible assistance with state funds to help keep salaries of law enforcement in small counties at a level that will keep officers from leaving for larger counties or agencies with much higher salaries.
Another Hendry Drug House Busted
Flag Hole Home Raided
CLEWISTON, FL. -- Hendry County Sheriffs Deputies have destroyed another marijuana grow house.
According to Sheriff Ronnie Lee, Narcotics Investigators obtained a search warrant for a house located at 1313 Shanon Lane off Flag Hole road in mid-Hendry county. Investigators and Deputies executed the search warrant Thursday March 20 and located numerous marijuana plants inside the residence.
Like most of the other 35 marijuana grow houses located within Hendry County during the past three years, information obtained during the investigation indicates the owner lives on the east coast. Sheriff Lee said "they should be getting the message by now that Hendry County is not the place to set up a marijuana grow operation."
The owner has been identified, and an arrest is forthcoming says the Sheriff's office. Hendry county records reflect that the home is owned by Alejandro and Jennifer B. Lopez of 2900 SW 63 Avenue, Miami.
CLEWISTON, FL. -- Hendry County Sheriffs Deputies have destroyed another marijuana grow house.
According to Sheriff Ronnie Lee, Narcotics Investigators obtained a search warrant for a house located at 1313 Shanon Lane off Flag Hole road in mid-Hendry county. Investigators and Deputies executed the search warrant Thursday March 20 and located numerous marijuana plants inside the residence.
Like most of the other 35 marijuana grow houses located within Hendry County during the past three years, information obtained during the investigation indicates the owner lives on the east coast. Sheriff Lee said "they should be getting the message by now that Hendry County is not the place to set up a marijuana grow operation."
The owner has been identified, and an arrest is forthcoming says the Sheriff's office. Hendry county records reflect that the home is owned by Alejandro and Jennifer B. Lopez of 2900 SW 63 Avenue, Miami.
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