Charlotte County News

Gulf Coast Community Foundation recognized more than 120 middle and high-school educators from Sarasota and Charlotte counties earlier this month at a celebration at the Venice Yacht Club for teachers in its STEMsmart initiative.

A sharp-eyed Charlotte County deputy noticed someone behind the wheel when he shouldn't have been and made a traffic stop resulting in a drug arrest Tuesday.

SUN PHOTO BY AL HEMINGWAY Police cadets stand at attention at the Fallen Officer's Memorial at FOP Lodge 66 in Charlotte Harbor Tuesday.

A Charlotte County school employee was arrested Tuesday morning for DUI in the parking lot of Baker Center Elementary in Punta Gorda.

Residents in Charlotte County can sleep a little more soundly after a recent survey found the overall local crime rate dropped more than 13.4 percent from 2011 to 2012.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RUTH UZONYI The Junior Leadership Charlotte Class of 2013 worked to develop leadership skills and to learn about career options and how to make a difference in the community by raising funds for its class project in support of the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies of Charlotte County.

Detectives are requesting assistance in identifying a man suspected in the fraudulent use of a credit card earlier this month at the Walmart Super Center on Kings Highway in Port Charlotte.

The foundation recognized more than 120 middle-and high-school educators from Sarasota and Charlotte counties earlier this month at a celebration at the Venice Yacht Club for teachers in its STEMsmart initiative , presenting special awards to 12 teachers for innovative work in science and math education, with the evening culminating in the ... (more)

Film crews from A&E Network's "Beyond Scared Straight" were in Charlotte County over this past weekend documenting Charlotte County's "Fresh Start" program.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN Camp Bow Wow held a free grand opening, "bark-b-que" and adoption festival Saturday in Port Charlotte.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is asking for information concerning two persons of interest concerning an overnight burglary at a Charlotte Harbor business last Wednesday.

Every time Mike Kozenieski works with any of the big, top 10 contractors, they always ask him the same question: How's the labor there? Kozenieski, president of Sea Breeze Electric of Port Charlotte, said there is an across-the-board shortage of skilled workers - carpenters, electricians, HVAC, masons, and plumbers - and it is going to take a long ... (more)

SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA, tgarcia@sun-herald.com Elizabeth Gruca and Letitia Guido move the tassels on their caps Friday afternoon at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda, after being recognized officially by Charlotte County Public Schools superintendent Doug Whittaker as graduates.

SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES A Culver's Restaurant is coming to town this fall. It will be the first in Florida for the Wisconsin-based chain.

Sheriff's Office Narcotics detectives served a search warrant Friday morning at Sunshine Villas in Port Charlotte and arrested a man on charges of sale and delivery of cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Christine R. Shannon, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday, May 4, 2013, in her home, surrounded by family.

Florida is unique with its Bankruptcy Exemptions. While homeowners can protect some or all of their equity in their home if they claim the 'homestead exemption,' their other exemptions are very limited when they do claim this exemption.

Employing "something old" in its recent fundraising campaign, the United Way of Charlotte County soared past its goal of $900,000, reaching $944,000. "I don't know what exactly to attribute it to," said executive director Carrie Blackwell Hussey.

The Civilian Gun Safety Class scheduled for Saturday has been canceled. Another class will be held in June, but the exact date has not yet been determined.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says they arrested Karl Recine, 26, and Matthew McNanna, 25 of Rotonda West during a traffic stop when they found items of clothing in the car that matched the description of the man who robbed Barracuda Bill's convenience store Tuesday.