Punta Gorda News

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice on Friday granted AMIKids Crossroads, a residential program in rural Punta Gorda for troubled teens the state had planned to close July 1, a 60-day extension.

Tammy Shurter had put her father's medals and other Vietnam memorabilia in a shadowbox that was displayed during his memorial service 23 years ago after he died from a heart attack.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS Students at Florida Dance Workshop in Port Charlotte will be presenting their 2012 Showcase on Sunday at 7 p.m. on stage at the Center for Performing Arts & Education in Punta Gorda.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- The woman accused of playing a role in the disappearance of Punta Gorda toddler Pilar Rodriguez will be back in court Thursday afternoon.

HERALD PHOTO BY CHUCK BALLARO Brianna Gable of Arcadia, competing for Dale's Air Conditioning and Heating of Port Charlotte, takes aim at the target in archery at the YMCA Charlotte Challenge at Dotzler YMCA Outdoor Center in Port Charlotte on May 12.

HERALD PHOTO BY SARAH COWARD The Academy at Charlotte Tech Center graduate Vincente Carvajal celebrates his success May 18 at The Center for Performing Arts and Education.

PHOTO BY PATRICIA COOK At the annual Charlotte Bay Harbor DAR awards luncheon May 10 in Punta Gorda were Hank Dulkiewicz, museum docent Mary Guglielmino, genealogy chairwoman Betty Babitzke, prospective member Barbara Witte, regent Diana Dulkiewicz and vice regent Debbie Harrington.

The teens rehabilitating at AMI Kids Crossroads in Punta Gorda have been arrested an average of 10 times.

"Every year, we invite all the airports in our system to attend the airport conference in and we talk about performance," said Allegiant spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler.

Pictures of a young soldier, war medals and dog tags. Together they tell the story of someone who fought for this country - but these items were found in the trash on the side of the road.

One was found without a mother in February, and brought to CROW, The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel.

A man cited for failing to use his turn signal in Charlotte County called a police dog to court to testify in his defense, winknews.com is reporting.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES The Rotary Club of Punta Gorda held its 20th Annual Testimonial Dinner Thursday at the Isles Yacht Club, honoring Gussie Baker, a seventh-generation Floridian, for her more then 50 years of service to the community and education.

Every Wednesday during the school year, a group of dedicated volunteers gathers at a warehouse in Punta Gorda.

Police say a man was possibly shot in the head during a fight that occurred near First and Hendry Streets.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN Flags decorate the grave of Robert Marshall King, a Union veteran of the Civil War who walked to Punta Gorda from Tennessee after the war.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHARLES BROX On April 10, 14 supervisors from Punta Gorda city government completed an 18-hour Dynamics of Supervision II course at Florida Gulf Coast University's Renaissance Academy in Punta Gorda.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- Charlotte County Sheriff's detectives Thursday arrested a senior trustee of American Legion Post 103, located at 2101 Taylor Road, for Grand Theft and Scheme to Defraud.

Expanding the board of directors and electing a new president, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra board has voted in five new members, including a former president and board member whom they named as the organization's president again.

For Zachary Frohn, serving in the military is part of his family's legacy - a legacy he is proud to continue.