Charlotte County

Just weeks after hurricanes Helene and Milton sent massive amounts of storm surge inland throughout Southwest Florida, the organism that causes red tide is being found in medium and high concentrations in the coastal waters off Lee and Charlotte counties and in lower but significant numbers off Sarasota, Manatee, and Pinellas counties.

Environment

Environmental conditions ripe for red tides forming off Southwest Florida shores

Tom Bayles

Hurricanes Milton and Helene contributing to red tide formation like after Hurricane Ian in 2022

The Celtic Ray Public House in downtown Punta Gorda flooded with 4 feet of water from Peace River and Charlotte Harbor after following Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024. It's the second flooding of the pub and downtown Punta Gorda in the past two-and-a-half weeks.

Hurricane Recovery

Reporter shares firsthand accounts of Punta Gorda residents and devastation following Hurricane Milton

Tara Calligan

Punta Gorda is grappling with the aftermath of two major hurricanes in just two weeks—first Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton. As floodwaters receded into Charlotte Harbor, WGCU’s Mike Braun spoke with residents returning to assess their homes and businesses.

People who'd stayed at the safe haven at North Fort Myers Recreation Center stretched their legs outside on Thursday morning. Lee County has two safe havens. Collier has opened three of them. Charlotte County has opened two shelters to help people during the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane

People get shelter from Helene at safe havens

Mike Walcher

Some counties in Southwest Florida are opening safe havens for homeless people, and those who feel their homes may not be safe during Hurricane Helene. Sixty-three people stayed at two safe havens in Lee County from Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Hurricane

Stay or Go? Evacuation Poses Decisions in Charlotte County

Mike Walcher

Some Charlotte County residents are making different decisions on whether to leave their homes in advance of tropical system Helene.The county is ordering some mandatory evacuations.

Human Interest

Park in Charlotte County designed to celebrate and recognize veterans and first responders

Bryant Monteilh

A park in Charlotte County designed to recognize and celebrate our veterans and first responders is named after William R. Gaines Jr., a Charlotte High School graduate and a young Marine who died in the bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.

Weather

Charlotte County lifts nearly month-long outdoor burn ban

WGCU Staff

Charlotte County has rescinded a ban on all outdoor burning.On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners voted to lift the burn ban during their regular commission meeting.

Inmate, Travis Palmer of Bokeelia, harvests cherry tomatoes in one of the hydroponic greenhouses. Charlotte County jail rebuilt the destroyed hydroponics farm in the year after Hurricane Ian. Completing this rebuild has been a big sense of pride for the inmates since the farm has become more productive than ever. The hydroponic farm supplies food for the inmates as well as gives them skills for jobs on the outside.

Agriculture

Completing repairs on hydroponics program after Ian is a huge relief for Charlotte County Jail, inmates

Sandra Viktorova

Hydroponics program rebuilt after Ian is more fruitful for Charlotte County Jail and inmates who tend to the farm.

Students in the Aviation Maintenance School at Charlotte Technical College prepare for their final days of class before graduation. Charlotte County School District leaders say the launch of a new aerospace program next academic year will bring in more jobs and help diversify the economy. The district plans to build a hangar to house the program at Charlotte High School. It's an expansion of the district's already blossoming aviation program.

Education

Charlotte High will launch a new aerospace program to help develop a much-needed young and skilled labor force in SWFL

Sandra Viktorova

Charlotte County School District leaders plan to launch a new aerospace program will at Charlotte High School in hopes of developing a young and skilled labor force in Southwest Florida. It's an expansion of the district's growing aviation program having success at Charlotte Technical College

This home is being connected to city water and sewer. How much should taxpayers in Charlotte County have to pay to help clean up Southwest Florida waterways? That is the question before Charlotte County Commissioners as the cost to convert homeowners from their old septic tanks to the county’s sewer system continues to grow.

Government & Politics

Cost of septic system conversion for residents in Charlotte County rising, could be run over 30 years

Cost of septic system conversion for residents in Charlotte County could go up as county faces growing labor and supply costs on a project aimed at improving water quality to areas like Charlotte Harbor.

Government & Politics

Charlotte County sheriff's unit, parked as a speed inhibitor, secretly fitted with 'for sale' sign

WGCU Staff

You've probably seen them parked in various spots around your area ... unmanned police units meant to be a word to the wise against speeding or other traffic infractions.Usual reactions, unless they've been previously seen in the same spot, are to initially hit the brakes ... and then motor on by when it's clear it's a "decoy."In this case, someone made a "comment" — on the car.