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Tag: Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda walking bridge destroyed by suspected drunk driver

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – A mangled mess of metal is all that’s left of a walking bridge after a hit-and-run crash in Punta Gorda. Punta Gorda police report the walking bridge at the end of West Retta Esplanade was struck by a suspected drunk driver. The location is between Gilchrist Park and Fisherman’s Village. Barricades currently block pedestrians and cyclists from venturing on the path. The railings are knocked down from the damage.The bridge will stay closed until it can be repaired, officials said.  “Public Works has barricaded off the footbridge...

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Punta Gorda council secures funding for flood prevention plan

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.– Relief is coming for residents in Punta Gorda. The Boca Grande Boulevard neighborhood experiences severe flooding every rain season, but the city has a plan to put a stop to the problem. The City Council has been asking the state legislature for money for several years. Mayor Lynne Matthews said their requests started out small. However, this year they went big by asking for one million dollars. She said the council was happily surprised to see their money appropriated in Governor Ron DeSantis’s approved budget Wednesday. “Every...

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Punta Gorda City Council passes ordinance for sign standards

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.– Hanging controversial flags in Punta Gorda could now cost you. The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance for sign standards. This means flags and signs with curse words or discriminatory images or language will now be policed. “In America you can’t make that illegal,” first amendment advocate Michael Hirsh said. Hirsh is a longtime defender of the first amendment. He said a change to the sign ordinance in Punta Gorda is not constitutional. He feels the Council is prohibiting signs with disparaging messages directed to the president. “As...

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Firefighters respond to car fire in Punta Gorda

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County firefighters battled a car fire on Highway 31 five miles south of Bermont Road Thursday morning. Highway 31 was closed for over an hour while crews worked to put out the fire and clean up, according to Charlotte County Fire and EMS. The State Fire Marshal said car’s catch on fire every 56 minutes in Florida. The best way to prevent a car fire is to have your car serviced regularly by a trained mechanic and immediately repair any fluid leaks. If your car catches fire, fire officials said you should pull over as quickly as you can when it’s...

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14 large lizards worth $35K stolen from Punta Gorda reptile breeding facility

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Fourteen large lizards were stolen from a Punta Gorda reptile facility on Monday night, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The lizards, called tegus, were stolen between 11:15 p.m. – 11:35 p.m. and are worth around $35,000 combined, said Jesse Hardin, the owner of Jesse’s Jungle. Some of the reptiles measure up to 5-feet in length, like Hellboy, who is 56 inches long. Six of the tegus taken were females who are ready to lay eggs — one of them was stolen while she was in...

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At least one dead in Punta Gorda crash

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – At least one person died Tuesday in a crash at the intersection of US 41 and Tangelo Road in Punta Gorda. The crash happened around 2 p.m. between a Fedex truck and a motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Southbound lanes of US 41 are closed at the intersection while troopers investigate. Investigators confirmed someone died in the crash but have not yet said how many people were involved or released any identities. This is a developing story. Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest information as it becomes available. The post At least one dead in Punta...

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FDOT studies portion of US 41 in Punta Gorda for potential safety improvements

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – More than $5 million may help make downtown Punta Gorda safer, however, the related plan is still years away from becoming reality. The Florida Department of Transportation is using an already existing project to hopefully improve safety along US 41 from William Street to the base of the US 41 bridge, which is approximately a one-mile-long stretch. In the last 12 months, Punta Gorda police reported at least 67 accidents have happened on that stretch of road. Goals for the $5.23 million project include safer biking areas, enhanced crosswalks, improved sidewalks,...

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