Local News

No Fireworks This July 4th: Here’s Why Charlotte County Says Skip the Sparklers

Thursday, July 2

One ember. That’s all it takes to turn a summer celebration into a disaster in Charlotte County this July.County commissioners made the call to keep the burn ban in place through the Fourth of July, which means fireworks are officially off the table. The... Read More.

Charlotte County Keeps Burn Ban for July 4th—And the Community Is Split

Thursday, July 2

Charlotte County commissioners decided to keep the burn ban in place through Independence Day, turning down a recommendation from Bryan Carr, deputy chief of public safety, to lift it. Despite forecasts predicting higher humidity and more rainfall in the coming days—the kind of conditions... Read More.

Mortgage-Free: How Tunnel to Towers Honored a Fallen Charlotte County Hero

Thursday, July 2

When Sgt. Elio Diaz was killed during a traffic stop in Charlotte Harbor on December 15, 2024, his family faced an uncertain future. But this Independence Day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation made sure his widow and four children would never worry about losing... Read More.

Charlotte County Keeps Burn Ban Locked In for Fourth of July

Thursday, July 2

The Fourth of July is coming, but Charlotte County isn’t celebrating the way most of America does. After a Thursday meeting, county commissioners extended the burn ban—which means no fireworks for the holiday. It’s a tough call in a year when the entire nation... Read More.

Barefoot Blues Fire: Selwyn Birchwood Brings Electric Swamp Funkin’ to Sarasota

Thursday, July 2

When a 6-foot-3 blues musician takes the stage barefoot, you know something’s about to get real. That’s Selwyn Birchwood—and he’s bringing his raw, unapologetic new sound to Fogartyville this weekend.Birchwood isn’t your grandpa’s blues guy. Sure, he respects the tradition (Rolling Stone calls him... Read More.

Fireworks or Fire Risk? Southwest Florida Faces the July 4th Burn Ban Showdown

Wednesday, July 1

It’s the age-old American summer standoff: freedom versus safety. This year, Southwest Florida is living it out in real time as dry conditions force local governments to make the kind of decisions that pit neighbors against neighbors.Here’s the tension: Collier County just lifted its... Read More.

Gators Gone Wild: Why Summer in Southwest Florida Demands Respect

Wednesday, July 1

If you’re planning to spend July cooling off in a Florida lake or canal, wildlife experts have a message: think twice, and definitely don’t hand-feed the resident alligators.Recent alligator attacks across the state—including a deadly incident—have put the spotlight back on an uncomfortable truth... Read More.

Summer Heat Brings Gators Out—Here’s Why Southwest Florida Experts Say Stay Sharp

Wednesday, July 1

If you’re planning to cool off in Southwest Florida’s lakes and rivers this summer, there’s something you need to know: you’re not alone in the water.A recent string of alligator attacks across Florida, including one fatality, has put wildlife safety back in the spotlight.... Read More.

Charlotte County Schools Break 15-Year A Rating Drought

Wednesday, July 1

Fifteen years is a long time to wait for vindication. But Charlotte County Public Schools just got theirs.For the first time since 2011, the district has earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education—a milestone that feels particularly significant in a region... Read More.

Cortez’s Wildest Fourth of July: Hot Dogs, Glory, and Questionable Life Choices

Wednesday, July 1

If you’re looking for something beyond the typical backyard grill-fest this Independence Day, Swordfish Grill & Tiki in Cortez has cooked up an event that promises equal parts spectacle and ridiculousness. On Saturday, July 4, the waterfront institution is hosting its 4th of July... Read More.

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No Fireworks This July 4th: Here’s Why Charlotte County Says Skip the Sparklers

Charlotte County Keeps Burn Ban for July 4th—And the Community Is Split

Mortgage-Free: How Tunnel to Towers Honored a Fallen Charlotte County Hero

Charlotte County Keeps Burn Ban Locked In for Fourth of July

Barefoot Blues Fire: Selwyn Birchwood Brings Electric Swamp Funkin’ to Sarasota

Fireworks or Fire Risk? Southwest Florida Faces the July 4th Burn Ban Showdown

Gators Gone Wild: Why Summer in Southwest Florida Demands Respect

Summer Heat Brings Gators Out—Here’s Why Southwest Florida Experts Say Stay Sharp

Charlotte County Schools Break 15-Year A Rating Drought

Cortez’s Wildest Fourth of July: Hot Dogs, Glory, and Questionable Life Choices

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