Kathie M. Freud Dies At 65

Kathie M Freud, 65 of Alva, passed away March 1, 2018 in Lehigh Acres. She was born Nov. 7, 1952 in Manitowac, WI, to the late Edward and the late Lois J (Brewer) Wehousen.

Survivors include her husband: Peter Freud, one brother: Glen Wehousen, one sister: Bonnie Wehousen

Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Fort Myers.

Sheriff Steve Whidden Proposes Arming Teachers

LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry county Sheriff Steve Whidden has proposed a plan to arm county school teachers or staff with guns to protect students. He says after the recent Broward county school shooting, he realized "our school children were not safe."

All 11 county schools have deputy resource officers. But, Whidden explained in a video, each deputy's rifle is in a locker during their duty. 

Volunteer teachers will be given a psychological test, background check, and a drug test, and sent through tactical active shooter training. They will be sworn in as special deputies and be kept anonymous, Whidden said of the plan.

Video link

Obituaries - Nancy Long, Roy Navarro

Nancy Long, age 75, of LaBelle, passed away February 27, 2018 in LaBelle.

She was born June 23, 1942 in Tabor City, NC, to the late D.C. Spivey and the late Nellie C. (Thompson) Spivey.

She is survived by her son: Ronald Preston Long, Jr. (Dawn), daughter: Brandi Johnson, grandchildren: Brianna Armstrong, Ethan Armstrong, Billy Ray Johnson, Ronald Preston Long III, Tanner Hayden Long, Ellyse Kathleen Long, great grandchildren: Brannley Armstrong and Zoey Johnson, brother: Ben Spivey, sister: Nell Juarez and sister-in-law: Beverly Anne Long.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Don's Steak House, 93 Hall St., LaBelle, FL 33935. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Roy Allen Navarro, age 31, of Clewiston, passed away February 26, 2018 in Clewiston.

He was born Dec. 28, 1986 in Pahokee, FL Survivors include one son: Dustin Tate Navarro, two daughters: Roxanna D Navarro and Savanah Navarro, Mother Janie (Perez) Walker, Father Ramon Navarro, Brother: Richard Navarro

Memorial services will be held at Akin-Davis Funeral Home, Clewiston Time and Date are pending.

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Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

Lake Okeechobee Prescribed Burn March 2

Moore Haven, FL– The Florida Forest Service in collaboration with South Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting a prescribed burn on Friday, March 2, 2018, weather permitting. The prescribed burn will consist of approximately 7,000 acres of dried-out marsh on the rim of Lake Okeechobee between the Indian Prairie Canal north to the Pearce Canal. Access to the navigational trails through the marsh, may be limited temporarily during the burn for safety reasons.

“Prescribed burns play a critical role in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of wildfire response, reducing wildfire risk, and safeguarding people and property,” explained Forest Area Supervisor Joe deBree, Florida Forest Service. “In 2017, firefighters responded to seven wildfires on Lake Okeechobee that burned approximately 2,400 acres. Wildfires like these have the potential to threaten homes and lives, impede visibility on the highways and tie-up firefighting resources. However, under the right weather parameters with adequate equipment and resources, Friday’s organized prescribed burn can protect the public’s safety while improving ecosystem health.”

Prescribed burning around the shallow-water portions of Lake Okeechobee can improve the breeding and feeding grounds for fish, waterfowl, wading birds, the Everglades snail kite, and other wildlife populations. Fire removes the dead aquatic vegetation that would otherwise settle to the bottom of the lake and decompose, covering up the natural sandy bottom, making it difficult for new aquatic plants to grow. In addition, fire enables more sunlight to reach the lake bottom, allowing the spread of a more diverse mix of plants on the lake by thinning out fast-spreading cattails that block sunlight.

In order to minimize the smoke impact on nearby towns and roads, prescribed burns are conducted when weather conditions are suitable. The final decision to burn is made daily, after reviewing the Predicted Fire Weather Forecast.

Consumer Protection Week Webinar March 7

National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights, spot fraud and make better informed decisions. This year, NCPW is March 4 through 10.

In recognition of NCPW, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Consumer Services will host a free webinar on March 7, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST), titled Protect Yourself from Fraud, Deception and Unfair Business Practices. The webinar will highlight the division's role in registering businesses and ensuring that they comply with their statutorily mandated requirements. It will also clarify the consumer complaints mediation and enforcement process, the fair rides inspection process, the division's role in tackling the use of credit card skimmers at gas station pumps, and provide information on various other consumer protection topics. Consumers can register for the webinar by visiting FloridaConsumerHelp.com. For additional information on the webinar, please contact Alexander Warmka at Alexander.Warmka@FreshFromFlorida.com or 850-410-3665.

The Division of Consumer Services is the state's clearinghouse for consumer complaints, information and protection. The division regulates various businesses, such as: motor vehicle repair shops, charitable organizations, pawnbrokers, health studios, sellers of travel, intrastate movers, professional surveyors and mappers, sweepstakes/game promotions and telemarketers. In addition, the division protects consumers and businesses from unfair and unsafe business practices across a wide range of market sectors, including gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze, liquefied petroleum gas, amusement rides, and weighing and measuring devices.