PUNTA GORDA a ' A Port Charlotte man avoided a possible 30-year prison sentence Tuesday for performing sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl earlier this year.

For so many of us the oil spill has made us feel helpless -- so many folks want to help -- but don't know what to do -- or how to do it.

When Nicholas Prokos dreams of what his future will hold as an adult, he sees himself working in one of two vastly different positions: policeman or monster-truck driver.

Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, June 28, 2010 at 7:02 p.m. Peninsula Bank was in such sorry financial shape that bank analyst Ken Thomas likened it to the walking dead.

LITTLE GASPARILLA ISLAND: Even though there is no oil on Southwest Florida's beaches, the disaster in the Gulf has hurt the beach wedding industry in our part of Florida.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office will pay special attention to traffic enforcement at these locations through Sunday: Speed along Gulfstream Boulevard in Englewood East and Edgewater Drive from U.S.41 to Spring Lake Boulevard in Port Charlotte.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office may change its autopsy report fees because of a lawsuit filed by a Polk County man who claims they violate public records laws.

PORT CHARLOTTE a ' A teen was not injured Saturday when a man chased after him with a pickaxe, the Charlotte County Sheriffa TMs Office reported.

When Heron Creek Middle School tweens forwarded nude photos of a 13-year-old Port Charlotte girl to fellow students, North Port Police Officer Ty Newman intervened.

Venice City Council races are beginning to shape up now that five candidates have indicated on city paperwork which seat they intend to seek.