Epps chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,111,700.00.
Epps purchased her winning ticket from Kwik Stop, located at 379 Bacom Point Road in Pahokee.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Pahokee, Fl Woman Wins $2 Million From Florida Lottery But Takes Home $1.1 Million
Today, the Florida Lottery announces that Lekisha Epps, 33, of Pahokee, claimed a $2 million top prize from the 100X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on January 20.
Spillway Gates Opening At Three Dams On River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will begin opening spillway gates at the Julian Keen Jr. Lock & Dam (S-77), the W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-78) and the Ortona Lock & Dam (S-79) along the Caloosahatchee River effective 13 May 2026. The Caloosahatchee River (C-43) is lower-than-normal channel depths between lock sites.
Please contact the local lock operators for updates. Note: There may be impacts to local docks and marinas.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
All boaters are requested to exercise caution while navigating lower-than-normal channel depths, which are expected between lock sites.
Please contact the local lock operators for updates. Note: There may be impacts to local docks and marinas.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424
Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 863-662-9908
Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Florida State Parks Free Admission Memorial Day Weekend
Florida State Parks will offer free admission Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, inviting visitors to enjoy the outdoors while honoring those who gave their lives in service to the United States as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
“As visitors enjoy the holiday weekend, Memorial Day is also a time to pause and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Florida State Parks offer meaningful places to connect with the history and natural beauty that define our state.”
Across Florida, state parks protect some of the nation’s most iconic natural and historic places, from crystal-clear springs and beaches to trails, rivers and historic landmarks that help tell Florida’s role in America’s story.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping and more in diverse natural settings statewide.
Florida State Parks also preserve a wide range of cultural and historical resources, including forts, battlefields, archaeological sites and historic landscapes that reflect chapters of Florida’s past.
Please note: Free admission applies to day-use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect.
Find your park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about Florida’s role in America’s 250th anniversary, visit America250FL.com.
“As visitors enjoy the holiday weekend, Memorial Day is also a time to pause and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Florida State Parks offer meaningful places to connect with the history and natural beauty that define our state.”
Across Florida, state parks protect some of the nation’s most iconic natural and historic places, from crystal-clear springs and beaches to trails, rivers and historic landmarks that help tell Florida’s role in America’s story.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping and more in diverse natural settings statewide.
Florida State Parks also preserve a wide range of cultural and historical resources, including forts, battlefields, archaeological sites and historic landscapes that reflect chapters of Florida’s past.
Please note: Free admission applies to day-use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect.
Find your park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about Florida’s role in America’s 250th anniversary, visit America250FL.com.
Traveling outside Florida? Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee are states having free entry to state parks every day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Hendry County Sheriff Arrests - Drugs, Probation Violations
ARREST BLOTTER
05/04/2026 – 05/10/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Alex James Pettway, 27, Greenacres was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Velasquez Olvera on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription
Ignacio Cordova Quesada, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Hindering Communication Information to Law Enforcement Officer, Battery and Resist Officer without Violence
Rudolph Atkins, 57, Belle Glade was arrested on May 5, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI, DUI – Refusal to Submit, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked and Failure to Register Vehicle
Shilo Ann Marie Dickerson, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Victor Manuel Bueno, 35, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Ramirez-Garcia on four counts of Felony Probation Violation
Walfredo Jesus Masses, 59, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Sexual Assault on victim under 12 years of age
Thomas Jacob Vantassel, 22, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Rollins on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Alfredo Perez-Lopez, 19, Immokalee was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony FTA
Chiniah Rose Martinez, 28, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Child Neglect
Nicole Joy Alcantara Martinez, 44, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by K9 Deputy M. Elsaid on charges of Felony Probation Violation, Misd. Probation Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription
Lena Dorine Lamb, 60, Moore Haven was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation and Misd. Defraud Urine Test
Lester Lian Estrada-Espin, 25, Tampa, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Jimmy Salgado, 42, Ft. Lauderdale, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Charles Russell Sikes, 55, Alva, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Sgt. J. Newbern on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent
Lewis McKenzie, 72, Clewiston was arrested on May 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Carranza on charges of Lewd & Lascivious Behavior on Victim under 12 years of age
05/04/2026 – 05/10/2026
Felony/DUI Arrest
Alex James Pettway, 27, Greenacres was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff N. Velasquez Olvera on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription
Ignacio Cordova Quesada, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 4, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Hindering Communication Information to Law Enforcement Officer, Battery and Resist Officer without Violence
Rudolph Atkins, 57, Belle Glade was arrested on May 5, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of DUI, DUI – Refusal to Submit, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked and Failure to Register Vehicle
Shilo Ann Marie Dickerson, 44, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Victor Manuel Bueno, 35, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Ramirez-Garcia on four counts of Felony Probation Violation
Walfredo Jesus Masses, 59, Clewiston was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Sexual Assault on victim under 12 years of age
Thomas Jacob Vantassel, 22, LaBelle was arrested on May 6, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff K. Rollins on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Alfredo Perez-Lopez, 19, Immokalee was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony FTA
Chiniah Rose Martinez, 28, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by Det. K. Rosado on charges of Child Neglect
Nicole Joy Alcantara Martinez, 44, Clewiston was arrested on May 7, 2026, by K9 Deputy M. Elsaid on charges of Felony Probation Violation, Misd. Probation Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription
Lena Dorine Lamb, 60, Moore Haven was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Probation Violation and Misd. Defraud Urine Test
Lester Lian Estrada-Espin, 25, Tampa, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Failure to Appear
Jimmy Salgado, 42, Ft. Lauderdale, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. Najjar on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Charles Russell Sikes, 55, Alva, was arrested on May 8, 2026, by Sgt. J. Newbern on charges of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – 3rd of Subsequent
Lewis McKenzie, 72, Clewiston was arrested on May 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Carranza on charges of Lewd & Lascivious Behavior on Victim under 12 years of age
Jimmy Roberts Sentenced To 5 Life Sentences In Double Fatality Crash
MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- On May 11, 2026, Jimmy Randall Roberts Jr. of Moore Haven, FL was sentenced to five life sentences following a jury trial for a double fatal traffic crash that occurred on State Road 82 and Sunshine Boulevard in Fort Myers, Lee County, FL on May 25, 2024, at 10:30 pm.
Roberts Jr. was sentenced to life in prison for each charge: two counts of Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury, and one count of Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Traffic Offender.
The crash occurred when Roberts drove his SUV erratically westbound on State Road 82 at 114 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. His SUV collided with an eastbound passenger car attempting to make a lawful left turn. The driver of the passenger car, an 18-year-old woman, lost her life in the crash. She had just graduated from high school a week prior.
Additionally, an adult female passenger in Roberts Jr.’s SUV, lost her life, and two male passengers in the SUV sustained serious bodily injuries.
F.S.S. 782.071 Vehicular Homicide: Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
Roberts Jr. was sentenced to life in prison for each charge: two counts of Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury, and one count of Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Traffic Offender.
The crash occurred when Roberts drove his SUV erratically westbound on State Road 82 at 114 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. His SUV collided with an eastbound passenger car attempting to make a lawful left turn. The driver of the passenger car, an 18-year-old woman, lost her life in the crash. She had just graduated from high school a week prior.
Additionally, an adult female passenger in Roberts Jr.’s SUV, lost her life, and two male passengers in the SUV sustained serious bodily injuries.
F.S.S. 782.071 Vehicular Homicide: Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
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