Charlotte County, Punta Gorda | featured news

PORT CHARLOTTE — Port Charlotte Middle School was evacuated Monday morning after a false alarm, according to Charlotte County Fire/EMS spokeswoman Dee Hawkins-Garland. Around 9:30 a.m., engines responded to the school at 23000 Midway Boulevard after an al...

SARASOTA COUNTY — Public schools in Sarasota County are back in session today. Sheriff Tom Knight urges drivers and children to follow these safety tips:
• Adults who drive children to school should leave early to avoid the rush.
• All motorists should wa...

NORTH PORT — If you’re a serious model train hobbyist, retired electrical engineer John Brophy has got a deal that will put you on the right track.
Brophy, 83, is looking for an agency, youth group, family, or individual to take over — free of charge — an...

MIAMI — It’s the worst-case scenario for Dustin Keller: the Dolphins tight end is lost for the season — and possibly longer — to a catastrophic knee injury.
And a veteran replacement anywhere near his caliber doesn’t appear on the horizon.
An MRI indicate...

PORT CHARLOTTE — Dylan Floro continued his dominance of Florida State League hitters, and Desmond Jennings was 1 for 3 on Sunday as the Charlotte Stone Crabs beat the Palm Beach Cardinals 2-0 in a game shortened to 61⁄2 by rain.
Tampa Bay’s Jennings, on ...

CEBU, Philippines (AP) — As the MV Thomas Aquinas cruised toward Cebu city in the central Philippines, navy marshal Richard Pestillos prepared for a brief stop while some passengers watched a band and others soaked in the night breeze on the deck.
Then th...

LOMBARD, Ill. (AP) — Authorities in suburban Chicago have canceled an anti-terrorism training after objections from an advocacy group claiming the trainer was anti-Muslim.
The North East Multi-Regional Training group planned the Monday training with Sam ...

OCALA (AP) — A central Florida home is unlivable after a lightning strike left a gaping hole in the living room ceiling.
Ocala Fire Rescue officials said lightning struck the home Saturday night and sparked a small fire in the attic. The homeowner was no...

KEY LARGO (AP) — Authorities are trying to identify a man whose body was found floating offshore in the Florida Keys.
A boater discovered the man’s body Saturday about a mile offshore near mile marker 98.
Monroe County Sheriff’s officials said the man w...

LAKE BUENA VISTA (AP) — Authorities have identified the woman who died in a bus crash near Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that a Disney’s Magical Express bus rear-ended a car Friday afternoon. Witnesses said the ...