Charlotte County

“It was one of those central moments,” Neil Durrant said. “There was before Charley and there’s after Charley. Charley wasn’t just an event, it is always going to be a big part of Punta Gorda’s history, Charlotte County’s history. It’s always going to be one of those standout moments."

John Joseph Richter, 39, of Port Charlotte, has been found guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses following a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss.

Many attending the school board aired complaints about book removal aimed at adhering to a new state law.

Charlotte County's superintendent and board lawyer told librarians at a meeting over the summer that a bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis requires the removal of any book that mentions LGBTQ+ issues, even those where a minor character is gay and is not explicit.

Florida residents own rights to decide if 5,000 acres of farmland in Charlotte, Hardee, and Highlands counties will ever be developed as part of the Rural and Family Lands program.

Business owners and tourism experts explain how red tide affects bottom lines. They want something done about issues that make the problem worse and agree that journalists could help by how they cover these blooms.

Redfish are big, brawny fighters and key contributors to Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing industry. But redfish have a weak spot: They faithfully return to the same waters each year to spawn. This past fall, Hurricane Ian and red tide hit West Central Florida at a critical spawning time, delivering a one-two punch to a fish that is back in the conservation spotlight.

Due to damage to their Port Charlotte complex after Hurricane Ian, the Rays will hold spring training at Tropicana Field and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

Charlotte County and the Tampa Bay Rays have determined there is not adequate time before spring training to get the stadium in suitable condition.

Florida Tax Watch has some tips on how to vote on tax referendums.

Sometimes a disaster brings out the best in people, and sometimes it brings out the worst. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s office is warning residents of the potential for scammers who might appear as federal officials knocking on your door.

The assistance is available in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties, those hardest hit by Hurricane Ian