Featured Story

Loud boom startles residents

One in three unvaccinated caregivers will continue to refuse the shot

Caring.com has published results from a survey of caregivers.

Free COVID testing in LaBelle

The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County has coordinated a mobile unit to offer free COVID-19 testing on...

Florida's COVID-19 death rate, up slightly to 1.5% of positive cases

Florida added 2,468 covid deaths to the state’s total last week.

More Coronavirus

Read Caloosa Belle

E-edition

Read the latest print edition here.

View this issue

Browse other issues

Read Obits Med Rec

Community News

Big Lake area churches plan services and events

The church column brings you services and events at churches of the Big Lake area.

Heartland Coalition offers assistance for the homeless

Heartland Coalition will hold a Community Outreach for the counties Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee at the John B Boy Auditorium, 1200 South WC Owens Avenue in Clewiston on Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4th annual Scarecrows on the Wharf registration opens

The fun competition consists of each entrant crafting custom-made scarecrows to be displayed on the wharf near the Barron Library on DeSoto Ave.

More Community News

Read Lake Okeechobee News

E-edition

Read the latest Lake Okeechobee print edition here.

View this issue

Browse other issues

Police/Fire

HCSO investigates threats made on social media

Should anyone have additional information regarding this threat or any others, please contact HCSO immediately.

More Police/Fire

Agriculture

Tomato trade with Mexico could cost U.S. growers $250M a year

As Mexico increases tomato exports across the world, including to the United States, prices plummet for American growers...

Citrus Nutrition Day seminar to be offered Oct. 26 in Lake Alfred

Proper nutrition for disease damaged citrus trees is critical to extending their productivity. Growers can learn more...

More Agriculture

Wildlife & Environment

Key land parcels added to Florida Wildlife Corridor

Totaling nearly 20,000 Acres, land parcels will preserve key links in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

FWC seeks landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation efforts...

More Wildlife & Environment

Business Corner

Hendry County School district to seek historical renovation grants

LABELLE -- Higher than expected renovation costs for a two-story building at the Clewiston Sub Office the Hendry County School District had hoped to renovate has pushed the school board to …

Florida PSC holds FPL rate case hearing on Sept. 20

The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a hearing at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, September 20, 2021, to consider Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) petition for a rate increase...

Scott Perry, long time resident of LaBelle and regular customer at the LaBelle Brewing Company, tries the new, giant, one pound meatloaf.

Business Corner: LaBelle Brewing Company a new and improved version

“The portions are giant, staff is attentive and wonderful, and the entire atmosphere is perfect,” said Wendy Hassenplug.

More Business Corner

Veterans

Rolling Thunder rode into LaBelle bright and early on Saturday, August 21.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Chapter 5 Florida POW*MIA offers Chair of Honor Program

Rolling Thunder® is a diverse group of like-minded individuals committed POW*MIA awareness and veterans rights

Jonica Hough, owner of Ultimateflags.com, was thrilled to get a package from the Marines who received her flags.

Flag company surprised with gift from Marines

Several months ago, UltimateFlags.com received a request from a Marine...

Sidney Walton tours the United States raising awareness of veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. His car was recently updates to reflect his new milestone. He is now 102 years old.

WWII Veteran on 50-State, 50-Governor No Regrets Tour Launches Campaign to Raise $ Millions for Frontline Nurses.

Sidney Walton, 102, Kicks Off Campaign in Downtown Miami...

More Veterans

Weather

HCSO offers flooded roadway driving safety tips

Over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.

National Weather Center update on Tropical Storm Elsa 2 p.m. UPDATE

The National Weather Center issued the following update on Tropical Storm Elsa at 11 a.m. on July 5:

More Weather

Sports Around The Lake

Deer hunters: Find answers to your FAQs

Part of many deer hunters’ preseason prep includes brushing up on hunting regulations. We’ve compiled a list of ...

Boating safety and water smart practices can save lives during the holiday

During the Labor Day holiday, the Drowning Prevention Coalition (DPC) of Palm Beach County encourages all recreational boaters to follow safe boating and water...

Apply now for FWC’s 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program curriculum and grant funding

The FWC 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs...

LaBelle High School Sports Schedule for August 23 - August 28

Get out and support the Cowboys and Cowgirls

14-year-old Immokalee boy killed in ATV accident

HENDRY COUNTY -- A 14-year-old Immokalee boy was killed and a 13-year-old Immokalee boy injured in an all terrain vehicle accident on Sept. 19, just after 10 a.m., according to the …

14-year-old Immokalee boy killed in ATV accident

HENDRY COUNTY -- A 14-year-old Immokalee boy was killed and a 13-year-old Immokalee boy injured in an all terrain vehicle accident on Sept. 19, just after 10 a.m., according to the …

LaBelle Brewing Co. plans changes in LaBelle

The rumors are true, though the details are scarce.

Schools

HCSD student COVID-19 cases decreasing

Superintendent Michael Swindle informed board members of the latest COVID-19 developments

HVAC training program opens in LaBelle

Previously, the program was available in Clewiston, and has now expanded to LaBelle.

Marching bands impress the crowd at Band Night

LABELLE- On Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 LaBelle High School (LHS) and Clewiston High School came together for Band Night ..

HCSD sets 2021-2022 budget

LABELLE -- Hendry County School District (HCSD) adopted a 2021-2022 fiscal year budget during its regular meeting Sept. 7.

More Community News

Government

HCBOCC regular meeting set for Sept. 28

The next regular meeting of the Hendry County BOCC is scheduled to be held at 5 p.m. on Sept. 28

Hendry County raises solid waste removal fees for fiscal year 2021-2022

Hendry County residents will pay more for trash removal for fiscal year 2021-2022, but not as much as they might have…

HCSD votes against temporary mask mandate 4-1

Like all school districts in Florida, the Hendry County School District struggles with concerns over student and staff safety …

More Government

Health

Hendry Regional Medical Center set to resume elective surgeries on Monday, Sept. 27, with safety guidelines in place. Surgeries and elective procedures have been on hold for the past month while staff battled the covid-19 pandemic.

Hendry Regional to resume elective surgeries

Hendry Regional Medical Center will resume elective surgeries Monday, Sept. 27, with safety guidelines in place.

Yoga for Life: Yoga props for stability

Yoga props can be used to reduce stress and calm the mind when learning new postures to create a wider range of motion. Props help to stabilize the body...

K&M drugs offers flu shots for the 2021-2022 season starting Tuesday, September 14.

Flu shots offered at K&M Drugs

LABELLE- K & M Drugs will be starting to give flu shots Tuesday, September 14, 2021. They will offer both regular and high dose, for 65 and older.

More Health

Entertainment

Silver Spurs celebrates Southern Showdown with over 77 years of rodeo action and tradition

The Silver Spurs Southern Showdown will bring together professional roughstock riders and the Silver Spurs’ biggest broncs and baddest bulls in the Silver Spurs Arena...

Online auction benefits Lighthouse of SWFL’s programs

Lighthouse of SWFL will hold an online auction in conjunction with the center’s 11th annual Dining in the Dark virtual fundraiser.

Firehouse Community Theatre, Inc. will present “Don’t Talk to the Actors”

Firehouse Community Theatre presents “Don’t Talk to the Actors” by Tom Dudzick.

More Entertainment

Traffic & Road Work

Hendry County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 19

The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, Sept. 19, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Road repairs coming to Phillips Road in LaBelle

CLEWISTON -- An old topic came up during the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners' regular meeting on Sept. 14

Phillips Road work planned

LABELLE – Please be advised that on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, Hendry County will be conducting emergency roadway repairs to Phillips Road in LaBelle.

Road work being conducted on Woodland Boulevard

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, OHL USA Inc., will be conducting roadway construction services on Woodland Boulevard.

More Traffic & Road Work

Opinion

Social Security Matters

National Social Security Advisor At the AMAC Foundation Russell Gloor answers questions about Social Security.

The Weekly Clothesline: Why do bad things happen?

Jesus is teaching his disciples about what they can expect when they go out into the world. And he doesn’t mince words! He says, “Don’t think I have come to bring peace to the …

Letter to the Editor:
Lake Okeechobee, from the heart as a concerned resident

Hello, my name is Lavonne Sherrell. I am a veteran and a lifelong resident of Clewiston for 71 years.

More Opinion

Find Us on Facebook

Facebook

State News

Florida day care worker accused of breaking baby's leg

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — A Florida day care worker is accused of slapping a 4-month-old several times before twisting the baby's leg until it broke, police said. A family member brought the child …

Feds: 3 charged in Mexican migrant worker conspiracy

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Three people have been indicted in a multi-state conspiracy involving the forced labor of Mexican agricultural immigrants, federal authorities announced Wednesday. A federal …

New Florida bill replicates Texas' sweeping abortion ban

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — An abortion bill similar to one signed into law in Texas was filed in Florida on Wednesday that would ban most abortions in the state and would allow lawsuits against …

More State News

Nation & World

Special Sections