Charlotte Harbor News

“We believe that the Peace River is an important natural system and recreational source deserving of the highest levels of protection”

Polk County Commission Chairman Bob English and Winter Haven environmentalist Marian Ryan are among those who will serve on a proposed 25-member Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee. via The Ledger

“I wish you would have asked for a different type of zoning”

More than 270 people turned out Wednesday to either support or oppose a controversial development that would surround a state preserve in northwest Cape Coral near Charlotte Harbor. via News Press

“We wanted to make sure we had genetic local stock, and we wanted to make sure we didn't introduce disease factors from other areas.”

What had been a rich green mangrove shoreline along the Cape Haze wall of Charlotte Harbor and along the shoreline between Pirate Harbor and Punta Gorda Isles is now a tangle of gray dead wood, a pale reminder ... via North Port Sun

The Charlotte Country Music Club would like to thank the following establishments for their support by donating gift certificates to help us raise money for our A Country Helping Hand charity: Applebee's, Mel's ... via HeraldTribune.com

“Charlotte Harbor is difficult to navigate anyway. When you pick a date, you have to look at the tidal charts a year in advance.”

Charlotte Harbor residents will be able to view a local Christmas tradition the same way as in past years -- without having to drive across the Peace River. via North Port Sun

High levels of fecal bacteria have been detected at Charlotte Harbor's East Beach, prompting health officials to warn against swimming there. via HeraldTribune.com

Last weekend when the breeze blew coolish and cloud cover kept things that way well into the morning, we finally had a good day for trout fishing. via News Press

Charlotte County sheriff's deputies shut down another "Open House Party" that involved serving beer to minors. via News Press

Some 60 years ago, my introduction to fishing was accompanying my father on the opening day of Pennsylvania trout season. via HeraldTribune.com

I strongly urge those favoring settlement with the Mosaic Co., and those who will vote on the phosphate-mining compact, to fly over the industry's handiwork. via HeraldTribune.com

“If one chooses not to participate, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

By KATE SPINNER kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com A proposed compact with a major phosphate mining company needs a lot of work, but is not doomed to fail, Sarasota County commissioners said Wednesday. via HeraldTribune.com

“It's not very often that you get a job you like and you get paid to do it, and this is one of them.”

On a sweaty September afternoon 30 yards from Gasparilla Sound, William Nichols is practicing a dying art form for a shriveling industry. via North Port Sun

“That's why we moved here, to get away from that type of development”

A developer seeking to build a marina in Charlotte Harbor off Bokeelia is appealing South Florida Water Management District's decision to deny the permit. via News Press

“Overall we haven't seen the water quality improvements that we hoped to see”

STAFF PHOTOS / JENNA ISAACSON / Jason Hale, with the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, checks his net as scientist Kris Kaufman admires samples of marine life collected from Charlotte Harbor on Wednesday. via HeraldTribune.com

“The funding never materialized in a very significant way”

A program meant to reduce pollution in the state's bays and rivers enters its 20th year with a mixed legacy in Southwest Florida, its moderate successes largely overshadowed by rampant growth and continued loss ... via HeraldTribune.com

'Pirate Treasure Old & New' is a way for children ages 8-12 to experience the Shipwreck Treasures exhibit now on display at the Charlotte County Historical Center. via News Press

“It's not in the cards to stop mining. It's too big of an economic engine in the state.”

I would like to express my concern and sadness over the positive consideration of the Phosphate Mining Compact. via HeraldTribune.com

Nearly 50 volunteers with the Mangrove Marauders worked for hours along the west wall of Charlotte Harbor this morning. via WINK-TV Fort Myers

Two DUI checkpoints in Charlotte County resulted in one cocaine arrest, three DUIs, a citiation for someone driving without a driver's license and one seat belt violation, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office ... via North Port Sun

A Charlotte Harbor man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after the Charlotte County Sheriff's Department said he sold drugs to deputies in a sting operation. via North Port Sun