South Central Florida Life
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Lake O rising as water drains south from Kissimmee

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Current conditions
Observed from: Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport
Thunderstorm in Vicinity Rain Fog/Mist and Windy, 77 °F
Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Get the full forecast
Election

GOP's hard-line tactics on migrants refocus midterm debate

MIAMI (AP) — They’ve delivered migrants on planes and buses to Washington, D.C., New York City — even Martha’s Vineyard. And the Republican governors of Florida and Texas may be just getting …

How Floridians can register to vote for Nov. 8 Election

Sept. 20 is National Voter Registration Day, a day designated to focus attention and efforts on registering new voters across...

2022 “Democracy Scorecard” shows support for democracy reform

As constituents evaluate the performance of their Members of Congress, Common Cause released its 2022 “Democracy Scorecard,” …

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Police/Fire

Hendry County Arrest Report for Sept. 19 to Sept. 25

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the ...

Robbery victim shot in Felda

On Sept. 19, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Hendry County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a robbery that occurred in Felda.

Hendry County Arrest Report for Sept. 12 to Sept. 18

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office...

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Community News
subscriber exclusive

Howl-O-Ween and Doxie Dash return Oct. 22

Mark your calendars for some howling good Halloween fun Saturday, Oct. 22, the date for the third annual Howl-O-Ween event and Lenny’s …

Hendry County to open shelters at 5 p.m.

Hendry County general population shelters for those who need it during the event of Hurricane Ian will be open Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, beginning at 5 p.m.

FDOH urges public to be mindful of sewage system

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is urging the public to be mindful of...

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Hurricane News
LABELLE  – Contactors will begin picking up debris on Monday, October 3.
This is a free service founded in part by the state agency that regulates...
EPA offers several resources and tips for managing debris during storm cleanup...

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Agriculture
A promising method to support the development of citrus varieties that are resistant to deadly diseases...
Finding natural, non-caloric sugar substitutes is desirable but challenging. However, researchers...
OKEECHOBEE -- A mural in Okeechobee tells the story of a 1937 cattle drive.

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Business Corner
On Nov. 16, the First Bank Centennial Celebration will be held at the Moore Haven Rodeo Grounds from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
If it is true that every cloud has a silver lining, LaBelle resident Jasey Ward has hit the jackpot.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL (CAC) announces the addition of three new members...

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Veterans
Hendry County School Board logo

HCSD to waive degree requirement for veteran teachers

United States military veterans will be given priority for teaching positions in Hendry County School District if school board officials …

Fallen Heroes Benefit planned for Oct. 8

The 14th Annual Fallen Heroes Benefit will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, in LaBelle.
LABELLE -- The First Baptist Church Trail of Life Group helped with the flag ceremony. [Photo courtesy American Legion Post 130]

Legion post holds Flag Retirement Ceremony

LABELLE -- On June 14 Dana-Howard-Weekley American Legion Post 130 held a Flag Retirement Ceremony at the post.

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Wildlife & Environment
Ninety volunteers along with the support of 17 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rangers and staff, reforested a large grass field with native plants …
From fecal bacteria to blue-green algae to red tides, Southwest Florida’s water quality has declined as its population has increased …

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Sports
LaBelle Middle School students Ryan Bowen (left) and Orlando Camacho (right) qualified for the state meet during their first Cross Country meet. [Photo courtesy LMS]
The LaBelle High School Cowboys football team kicked off their home opener with a dominating win on Sept. 5.
LEHIGH ACRES -- Wednesday, June 22 was an evening that LaBelle natives would not soon forget.

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Top Trending Stories

LABELLE -- Hendry County Officials have declared a local State of Emergency effective at 7p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the potential threat of Hurricane Ian.

To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected ahead of Hurricane Ian, Comcast’s network of more than 200,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and …
For the safety of residents and public safety personnel, Hendry County along with the Cities of LaBelle and Clewiston ask that residents do not leave their homes until notified it is safe …
Schools

Hendry County Schools will be closed tomorrow

Hendry County School District Superintendent Michael Swindle has made the decision to close schools Tuesday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 28...

Hendry County schools closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Hendry County School District Superintendent Michael Swindle has made the decision to close schools Sept. 27 and Sept. 28

#cowboycallout for LHS Matt Miller

LaBelle High School is excited to announce a #cowboycallout for Mr. Matt Miller. “What makes Mr. Miller special is his focus …

11 Hendry County students caught with THC vapes

Eleven Hendry County students have been caught with THC vapes since the start of the school year …

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Government

Hendry County declares State of Emergency

LABELLE -- Hendry County Officials have declared a local State of Emergency effective at 7p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the potential threat of Hurricane Ian.

Hendry County government offices closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Due to the possibility of impacts from Hurricane Ian, Hendry County Government Offices will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 28.
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Firehouse Community Theatre ready to go with new season

There have been improvements in the Firehouse Community Theatre’s buildings at 241. N. Bridge Street and 100 …

LaBelle passes new noise abatement ordinance

A new noise abatement ordinance was passed in a 5-0 vote by LaBelle Board of Commissioners Sept. 8, lowering the maximum …

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Health

Alzheimer’s Association offers webinars to the public

The Alzheimer’s Association will provide the following webinars to the public...

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning

As Floridians finalize preparation for Hurricane Ian and the potential for power outages, the Florida Department of Health is urging the public to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) exposure by taking …

DOH warns of the possible health risks of flood waters

Storms can cause flooding. Skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk.

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Entertainment
In the front row are Michael Stanforth and Rainia Ward. Back row from left to right are Deanne Sawyer, Barbara McDowell, Aida DeValle, Conner Harper and Ashley Corbitt.

Firehouse Theatre presents: 'A Murder Has Been Renounced'

The Firehouse Community Theatre presents the first show in their 30th season...

LHS presents its Haunted House

LaBelle High School Art Club proudly announces the highly popular annual Halloween Haunted House...

Food trucks coming to Barron Park

 The LaBelle Board of Commissioners agreed during its Sept. 8 meeting create a special exemption resolution to allow food and beverage trucks at Barron Park …

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Traffic & Road Work

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Opinion
A social media post recently shared: “Watching a hurricane approach is like being stalked by a giant turtle.”
Living in a lost and broken world isn’t easy for all of us, but it’s especially difficult for our young people.
On occasion, I deliver a “First Person” sermon during our Sunday morning service.

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State News

Early prescription refills permitted under State of Emergency

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-219, expanding the State of Emergency statewide....

Boy dies in hot car parked outside Miami area Jewish center

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — A 3-year-old boy died after being left in a car outside a South Florida preschool where both his parents are staff members, police said. The child was one of several …

Rural Florida county shocked by fentanyl deaths over holiday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A small, largely rural county west of Florida’s capital saw an unheard-of spike in deadly drug overdoses believed to be caused by fentanyl mixed with other illegal drugs, …

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Nation & World

Thousands gather to mark Srebrenica massacre, bury victims

SREBRENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Thousands of people converged on the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica Monday to mark the 27th anniversary of Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since the …

New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond

The quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super contagious omicron mutant that’s worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including …

Srebrenica women honored for highlighting 1995 massacre

SREBRENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — They were the ones who lived in a world in which their husbands, sons, brothers, uncles and nephews were massacred. They were the ones who fought to make sure …

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