South Central Florida Life
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Corps stops releases from lake to St. Lucie River

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Current conditions
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Mostly Cloudy, 76 °F
A 20 percent chance of showers before 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the … Get the full forecast
Coronavirus Updates

Federally-supported sites to transition to one dose Johnson and Johnson Vaccine

The four federal vaccination sites in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami are using the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Rural areas still lag behind in covid vaccine availability

Approximately 30% of Florida’s total population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot

Should pregnant women be vaccinated for COVID-19?

Pregnant woman may be at higher risk of serious complications if they contract the virus.

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E-edition

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Community News

Port LaBelle Utility System lifts water notice for Port LaBelle

The boil water notice in effect for the Port LaBelle Utility System service area has been lifted.

Kitten season is anything but cute for animal shelters

What may sound cute to the general public causes a shudder every year among animal shelter staff across the country.

Hendry County Waste Management to hold Toxic Round Up

Hendry County Waste Management will hold a Toxic Round Up in Clewiston April 12-13 and LaBelle April 14-15.

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E-edition

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Police/Fire

Aftermath Services, a biohazard remediation service recently acquired Accident Scene Cleaners, a biohazard cleanup company.

HENDRY COUNTY - Sandy Lepley, of Ft. Myers Beach, recently sent a special thank you to HCSO Deputy Oscar Gonzalez.
GLADES COUNTY -- A 49-year-old Naples man was seriously injured in an accident in Glades County on April 1, at 7:31 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

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Agriculture

As April starts this week, we’re getting into another Florida blueberry season and the sweet taste that comes with the fruit.

A tastier strawberry may come from a computer.
WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared April 2021 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month (IPPDAM). The national outreach initiative enlists the …

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Business Corner

PSC grants CenturyLink ETC Status, helping bridge digital divide

This approval means CenturyLink—with its affiliate Embarq Florida, Inc.—is a step closer to obtaining federal funding to help bridge the digital divide in Florida.

Florida PSC approves change in FPL’s fuel charge

On April 1, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a fuel factor increase for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) customers...
Delicious vegan pies made from scratch by microbaker, Ashley Lauren Davis, of Sassy Pies, sell out quickly.

Business Corner: Sassy Pies offers delicious plant-based treats

This new vegan micro bakery sold 60 slices and 30 bags of their locally famous crusties less than an hour.

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Veterans
Pictured on the left holding the plaque is Charlie Davis and on the right holding the picture is Harlee Harn.

DAV members give West Glades students a photo and plaque

The students in Ms. Gonzalez and Guerry’s third grade classes at West Glades Elementary School made the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of LaBelle cards and wrote letters of gratitude for …
Manchu Warriors

Nick Cutinha honored

Manchu Warriors are at the Ft Denaud Cemetery, March 2, 2021 honoring Nick Cutinha

Missing In America Project – Florida coordinator Kathy Church issues statement

Today, February 25, 2021, at 11:00am, MIAP – Florida, in cooperation with Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapels in Miami-Dade County, and the...

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Weather
Eta was rare November surprise for South & SW Florida and the Keys

Now that the water has receded and the cleanup is underway, let’s take a closer look at Eta’s track as well as how rare of an event...

National Hurricane Center updates projections for Tropical Storm Eta

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Sports Around The Lake
LABELLE - LaBelle High Schools Boys Weightlifting program hosted the 2A District 16 Championship on March 31 ...
Try your hand at freshwater fishing this weekend on Saturday, April. 3 and Sunday, April 4, without needing a freshwater fishing license.
OKEECHOBEE – Local officials should be aware of bills currently under consideration in the Florida Legislature that could hurt home rule...

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Top Trending Stories
Whole gator cook-offs are certainly a fun and unique way to celebrate Florida’s rich history.
Government

Average’ Atlantic hurricane season to reflect more storms

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will use 1991-2020 as the new 30-year period of record.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation launches statewide art contest: What does home mean to you?

On April 1, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) announced the launch of a statewide art contest...

IRS YouTube channels have helpful videos on a variety of tax topics

Taxpayers can subscribe to three different IRS YouTube channels to get tax information ...

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Schools

Summer VPK registration information

The Summer VPK program is for students who are or will be 5 by September 1, 2021 and HAVE NOT already enrolled or participated in a School Year VPK program.

West Glades Students named to honor roll

MUSE -- Congratulations to West Glades students who made the honor roll!

Governor DeSantis announces proposal of $1,000 bonuses for Florida’s principals & teachers

On March 31, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a proposal to provide $1,000 bonuses to public school principals and full-time classroom teachers...

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Health

Upcoming Alzheimer’s Association program delves into potential of ocular biomarkers

On April 2, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue its virtual “Ask the Expert” series with “Seeing the Brain Through the Eyes,”...

Hendry and Glades Health Departments offers free HIV testing

This year March 20 falls on a Saturday, so the Hendry and Glades Health Departments will offer free HIV testing for anyone
LaBelle High School SWAT members participate in a “Skip The Dip” jump rope competition.

Clewiston and LaBelle students 'Skip The Dip' during Through With Chew week

Hendry County SWAT Club’s in Clewiston and LaBelle middle and high schools participated in a “Skip The Dip” jump rope competition.

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Entertainment
Butch Thompson, who purchased the Pearce Lockett estate in 2017, has done extensive renovation to restore and preserve the historic site.

Heritage Festival celebrates Highlands County History and the Lockett Estate

Edna Pearce Lockett Estate to host pioneer heritage festival.

Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center Events

Recreational riding nights are an opportunity for local residents to ride their horse in the covered arena. You must have a current Coggins certificate.
Sara Evans

Sara Evans to perform free concert at Black Gold Jubilee

Country music singer and songwriter Sara Evans will perform at the Black Gold Jubilee on April 17 at Torry Island. The concert is free.

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Opinion
National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, Russell Gloor, answers questions about Social Security benefits.
In the spring of 2002 while on the back-side of a very painful divorce, I began to question the existence of God ...
Your Social Security questions answered by National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, Russell Gloor.

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2020 Fall Football Preview
Traffic & Road Work
Hendry County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, April 11

Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week of Sunday, April 4. Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and...

Hendry County Road Watch report for the week beginning Monday, April 5

Highway closed due to danger from Phosphogypsum Stack waste

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State News

Woman fatally struck by bullet as neighbor's gun discharges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman was fatally shot in the head when her neighbor's gun discharged as he was cleaning it a short distance from her home, sheriff's officials said. The …

Teenager dies when electrocuted during Florida storm

SPRING HILL, Fla. (AP) — A 17-year-old girl died Sunday during a strong storm that swept through central Florida, damaging homes and businesses. The woman was driving in Spring Hill, north of …

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Nation & World

AP PHOTOS: From Moscow to Pacific, Russia glorifies Gagarin

MOSCOW (AP) — From a giant statue towering over Moscow to a more modest monument on the Sakhalin Island in the Pacific Ocean, dozens of memorials across Russia commemorate Yuri Gagarin, the …

Soviet cosmonaut made pioneering spaceflight 60 years ago

MOSCOW (AP) — Crushed into the pilot's seat by heavy G-forces, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin saw flames outside his spacecraft and prepared to die. His voice broke the tense silence at ground …

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