The additional harbor access, aka Buckley’s Pass, in the Bird Section will be built by Kelly Brothers, Inc. of Fort Myers, FL for the project. Approval by City Council June 19th means construction can start in July and will take approx. 165 days to complete. The Pass will be a boon to boaters, but also to local marine-based businesses. The project has been 8+ years in the planning.

Punta Gorda metro area (Charlotte County) is ranked 14th nationally in construction employment growth recently. Along with the rise in residential permits issued, commercial and Sunseeker’s Resort strongly influences this growth.

Visit Gulf Theater in the new Military Heritage Museum near Fishermen’s Village. Watch movies on the 16-foot screen in the 247-seat Gulf Theater, as well as live performances on the stage. Be sure to take in the museum’s exhibits! www.freedomisntfree.com

Charlotte County Public Schools is happy to announce that the number of third graders reading proficiently for the 2018-19 school year rose from 63% to 69%.  We are 8th out of 67 school districts in the state.  Kudos to teachers, staff, students and volunteers! 3rd grade reading proficiency is an important indicator of student success through high school.

The new Discovery Channel TV show, Guardians of the Glades, features Dusty “Wildman” Crum, from Venice. The 6 episodes that started May 28th are on 10 pm Tuesdays. Python hunting to save The Glades.

Our community children have a beautiful and safe playground facility in which to play at Gilchrist Park. A donation to the City from area Moms added $100,000 to upgrade the original plans. Take a walk on the Harborwalk at Gilchrist to see it.

The PicklePlex is slated to open June 3rd with 3 courts ready. More will be coming online every day until all 32 are available for play. The final vision for the ‘Plex will include 8 indoor courts, a restaurant, a fitness center & a conference center. MUCH of the labor is volunteer!

In April 2019, 701 residences sold. Median days on market was 44 days, however 21% of these accepted a contract within their first 10 days on the market.

This year, two districts will be electing candidates, District 3 and District 5. Important dates: Qualifing Period (forms/petition due) June 17 Noon to June 21 Noon. Primary election: Aug 27. General election: Nov 5. MORE INFO HERE

Both Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Fawcett Memorial Hospital are now listed as “Comprehensive Stroke Centers” by the FL Agency for Health Care Administration. Both now have the equipment and doctors to handle advanced treatment here in Port Charlotte, instead of sending patients out of county.

The F-16 jet team will perform their aerobatic expertise at the Nov 1-3 Florida International Air Show at the Punta Gorda Airport. Tickets and sponsorships are available now.

About every 3 years, Chamber prints a new, local-use street map of Downtown Punta Gorda, complete with featured downtown businesses. It just went to print and is due out late June.

Starting salary for new teachers in Charlotte County was raised 17+% by the County Commissioners, bringing the them more in line with the state. Teachers in the system may also see a pay raise of about 6%. Says Superintendent Breiner, “[low salaries] has left our district in a less-than-competitive position in the recruitment, instructional and leadership staff.”