Punta Gorda hit-and-run suspect found swimming in canal after crash
Police arrested a Cape Coral man accused of leaving the scene of a head-on crash with injuries on US-41.
Source: Gulf Coast News and 1 more
What's happening in Charlotte County
The Southwest Florida stories that are too local, too early or too ongoing for the evening news.
Police investigate deadly shooting near Showalter Avenue in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda police say one person died in a shooting Saturday night near Showalter Avenue and Milus Street. The department's criminal investigations section is handling the case and says there is no ongoing threat to the public. No names have been released.
Source: WINK News
Englewood drivers push back on SR 776 bike lane barriers as petition grows
Drivers on State Road 776 in Englewood say new concrete bike lane separators keep damaging tires, and some vehicles have needed tows after hitting them. An online petition asking for changes has thousands of signatures, its organizer says. FDOT has said the barriers meet its standards and that new medians and turn lanes are meant to cut crashes, but it had not answered follow-up questions.
Source: WINK News
Deputies say Palm Drive scene in Punta Gorda is safe after large response
Charlotte County deputies responded in force to the Palm Drive area of Punta Gorda late Friday morning, Oct. 30. By early afternoon the sheriff's office said the scene was safe and posed no threat to the public, though some deputies would stay for an ongoing investigation. The reason for the response has not been released.
Source: WWSB/MySuncoast and 1 more
Fawcett Hospital plans $16 million ER expansion in Port Charlotte
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital will spend $16 million to enlarge its emergency department, adding nine exam rooms for a total of 29 plus six fast-track spaces and a dedicated CT scanner. Work on the project, which also expands the waiting area and lobby, is expected to start early next year.
Source: Your Sun
Halloween Notte wraps its season at Charlotte County Fairgrounds
Saturday, October 31
Halloween Notte runs its final nights through Saturday at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Entry is $5 and includes vendors, food trucks, a petting zoo and a family show, while two haunted houses start at $25.
Source: @ComfortPort and 1 more
Punta Gorda man charged after road rage confrontation ends in gunfire
Charlotte County deputies arrested Stephan M. Clark, 65, on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge after a road rage confrontation near Tribune Boulevard and U.S. 41 on Monday afternoon, Oct. 26. Deputies say Clark drew a handgun on a pickup driver, who then fired at the SUV's front tire to disable it. No one was hurt; the other driver was not charged, and the case went to the State Attorney's Office for review.
Source: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and 2 more
Charlotte sheriff's Cops & Goblins returns to Port Charlotte Town Center Oct. 31
Saturday, October 31
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and partner groups host the free Cops & Goblins Halloween event at Port Charlotte Town Center on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. The mall bills it as the area's largest Halloween event, with trick-or-treating for families.
Source: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and 2 more
Sunseeker Resort's first Jazz Fest: Food & Wine weekend runs Nov. 5-7
Thursday, November 5
Sunseeker Resort in Punta Gorda holds its first Jazz Fest: Food & Wine weekend Nov. 5-7. Thursday and Friday evenings are free to attend, with food and wine sold around the resort and live jazz, and Saturday's ticketed four-course dinner features Danny Sinoff and the Stardust Memories Big Band, with tickets from $149.
Source: Sunseeker Resort and 1 more
Florida International Air Show returns to Punta Gorda Airport Nov. 7-8
Saturday, November 7
The Florida International Air Show takes over Punta Gorda Airport Nov. 7-8, with gates opening at 9 a.m. Aerobatic acts, a MiG-17 and a TA-4J Skyhawk, static aircraft and a STEM pavilion are planned, and parking is free with a ticket. The Air Force F-35A demo team has canceled.
Source: Florida International Air Show and 2 more
Port Charlotte man charged after deputies say he fired rifle at neighbors
Charlotte County deputies arrested Dwight Washington White, 44, after witnesses said he shouted from his Orange Street backyard Sunday evening, pointed an AR-style rifle at them and fired. No one was hurt, but investigators found bullet holes in a nearby home and a parked car. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon plus felon-in-possession and failure-to-register counts, and is held without bond.
Source: Gulf Coast News and 2 more
Punta Gorda police arrest 3 drivers under Super Speeder law, one at 102 mph
Punta Gorda police say three drivers were arrested in separate stops on the southbound U.S. 41 (Gilchrist) Bridge after radar clocked them at 96, 98 and 102 mph in a 45 mph zone. Topping the limit by more than 50 mph counts as dangerous excessive speeding under a Florida law in effect since July 1, 2025. It requires a court appearance and carries up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine on a first conviction.
Source: WINK News
Man, 68, charged with second-degree murder after Englewood garage shooting
Charlotte County deputies were called to a home on El Campo Avenue in Englewood around 9:28 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, where a 47-year-old man had been shot in the garage; he was pronounced dead at 10:03 p.m. Frank John Voight, 68, is charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond. He told deputies he fired once in self-defense after the other man, an acquaintance, became aggressive; investigators say his account did not match the evidence.
Source: WINK News and 2 more
Overnight lane closures on US 41 at Burnt Store Road for asphalt repair Sunday, Monday
FDOT crews are repairing asphalt at the S.R. 45 (U.S. 41, Tamiami Trail) intersection with Burnt Store Road and Jones Loop Road in Punta Gorda. Expect northbound and southbound lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday night, Oct. 25, and Monday night, Oct. 26. The work is warranty repair by the contractor.
Source: FDOT District One and 1 more
Multi-vehicle crash shut northbound I-75 at Duncan Road in Punta Gorda Saturday
A crash involving several vehicles closed all northbound lanes of I-75 near Exit 164 at Duncan Road, just south of the Peace River Bridge, on Saturday afternoon, WINK News reports. Northbound drivers were sent off the interstate at Duncan Road and told to expect delays. Injuries had not been reported in the coverage checked.
Source: WINK News and 1 more
Work begins on Turnleaf amenity campus off Burnt Store Road
Curran Young Construction has started building a 7,280-square-foot amenity campus at Turnleaf, the 426-acre community off Burnt Store Road south of Punta Gorda. Plans call for a 5,500-square-foot clubhouse, pool and pickleball pavilions and a mail room for a neighborhood planned for 1,735 homes.
Source: Gulfshore Business
Port Charlotte neighbors seek speed signs after truck hits mailboxes on Elmira Blvd.
Residents along Elmira Boulevard in Port Charlotte say speeding has become a safety threat after a neighbor's video showed a truck knocking down two mailboxes. They say children cross the street after school and people avoid walking or biking there, and they want speed limit signs posted. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says residents can report speeding concerns directly to the agency.
Source: WINK News and 1 more
Charlotte County house fire on Joseph Street put out with no injuries
Charlotte County Fire & EMS put out a fire at a home on Joseph Street shortly after noon on Sunday, Oct. 18. No injuries were reported. The State Fire Marshal's Office is looking into the cause, and the Red Cross was called to help those affected.
Source: WINK News and 1 more
Punta Gorda Herald Court Parking Garage Closes for Maintenance Starting Today
The City of Punta Gorda is closing the downtown Herald Court Parking Garage beginning at 4 a.m. today for maintenance with reopening anticipated October 26.
Source: City of Punta Gorda and 1 more
