Punta Gorda | featured news

The DeSoto County Commission will hear a request from luxury motor coach-community developer Barry Poole today to rezone a parcel of land in the Sunnybreeze golf course from residential single-family to planned unit development.
If granted, the new zoning...

PUNTA GORDA — At Charlotte High School, husband-and-wife teachers Rob Hoff and Melanie Hoff get to choose to what extent electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, and e-readers are permitted in their classes.
Rob doesn’t even want to see a phone in...

PORT CHARLOTTE — A 54-year-old Hialeah man who called 911 Sunday afternoon because he wanted a ride got his wish, except the ride was to the Charlotte County Jail. Shortly after noon Sunday, a deputy, who was initially dispatched to the area of Cortland A...

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office showcased on Monday its new 2013 Police Ford Interceptor SUVs at the agency’s administration building in Punta Gorda. The rides are equipped with custom-designed command box/gun vaults and assist with on-scene tasks a...

Punta Gorda Police Department Lt. David Lipker has been with the agency for 16 years, and he is currently the Echo Squad supervisor.
Chief Albert “Butch” Arenal has proposed a Hall of Fame be created, and Lipker be the first inductee for all his hard work...

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office showcased on Monday its new 2013 Police Ford Interceptor SUVs at the agency’s administration building in Punta Gorda. The rides are equipped with custom-designed command box/gun vaults and assist with on-scene tasks a...

The Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda is getting a face-lift courtesy of the Punta Gorda Home Depot and Team Depot, an all-volunteer group of Home Depot associates who, along with some Visual Arts Center volunteers, came out to spend a recent morning tapi...

ST. PETERSBURG — A tight loss can sometimes be harder to take than a blowout.
The little things are magnified as the “What if?” questions can only form speculative answers that don’t really matter in the end.
But Tampa Bay was still left wondering after a...

ST. PETERSBURG – When Jamey Wright closes his eyes and allows his mind to wander, he sees himself on the mound.
That’s not unusual, considering the 38-year-old Tampa Bay reliever has played parts of 18 seasons in the major leagues and has appeared in more...

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Stone Crabs’ bats burst onto the scene Sunday at Charlotte Sports Park, but even 15 hits weren’t enough to avoid extra-inning drama before Charlotte downed Jupiter 7-6 in 11 innings.
The Stone Crabs are 8-3 in their last 11 games and ...