PORT CHARLOTTE

A Central Florida man trying to purchase land to build a small home in Port Charlotte lost more than $15,000 in the latest reported business email compromise.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A repair technician working on a Florida woman’s phone found an “explicit video” among her files and made a copy for himself, authorities said. Terry then allegedly texted the file to his phone, the sheriff’s office said. The next day, the victim discovered the sent text message and noticed the video had been deleted from her device, the sheriff’s office said. She made a report to the sheriff’s office, and detectives traced the text to Terry’s phone, The Miami Herald reported. After speaking with a detective, Terry allegedly agreed to allow a search of his phone, the sheriff’s office said.

The victim found an outgoing text on her iPhone, with the video, officials said.

Due to Hurricane Ian's damage, the Tampa Bay Rays will be splitting their spring training time between Tropicana Field and Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Rays announced earlier this month that they would not be able to host spring training at their facility in Port Charlotte because repairs to their complex could not be made in time for spring training. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. “We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs,” Rays team president Matt Silverman said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley said in a news release. The next year, the Rays swept the Toronto Blue Jays, improving their record to 6-0 at the Walt Disney World Resort stadium.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Two drivers working for Waste Management in southwestern Florida are credited with saving an elderly man who had been trapped under a golf cart for hours. >> Read more trending newsWM said in a news release that its employees Alex Galarza and Paulino Ortega were driving on their regular route Monday when they noticed a man trapped under a golf cart at the end of a driveway. The two men immediately called 911 and began to offer first aid, WBBH reported. The drivers noticed the man, who was only identified as an 83-year-old, was showing signs of hypothermia, so the men wrapped him in clothes to keep him warm while they waited for first responders. Galarza and Ortega learned the man had been trapped under the golf cart for more than seven hours, according to WFLA.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are relocating their spring base for 2023 due to extensive damage to team training facilities caused by Hurricane Ian. The team and Charlotte County released a joint statement Thursday, saying damage to Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte can’t be repaired in time to host games this winter. “Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training,” the statement said. “We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. “The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

A century ago, the coast of southwest Florida was a maze of swamps and shoals, prone to frequent flooding and almost impossible to navigate by...

HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — A Port Charlotte, Florida, woman died Sunday night after exiting a moving pickup truck through a window while the vehicle was still moving. >> Read more trending newsAccording to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 43-year-old man was traveling south on Sparta Road outside of Sebring at around 8 p.m., when a 38-year-old woman exited the truck through the open rear left window, WINK-TV reported. The woman then hit the side of the truck, fell onto the travel lane and came to rest on Sparta Road, WBBH-TV reported. The woman, whose name has not been released publicly, was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead, WINK reported. The crash remains under investigation, WBBH reported.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Port Charlotte.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The state of Florida is doing its part to protect those devastated by Hurricane Ian by making more than 20,000 carbon monoxide detectors available to those impacted by the storm. “Having a carbon monoxide detector could mean the difference of life and death. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Florida handing out more than 20k carbon monoxide detectors to those impacted by Hurricane IanFire inspectors from the State Fire Marshal’s office and detectives from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS) are also working to hand out carbon monoxide detectors to impacted Floridians. “A carbon monoxide detector is your first line of defense against this colorless, odorless, toxic gas. Every home with at least one fuel-burning appliance, attached garage or fireplace should have a carbon monoxide alarm.

Insurance agents from State Farm to Citizens Insurance are operating makeshift tent offices in a mall parking lot in Port Charlotte, Florida to help people get funds, food and supplies.

Insurance agents from State Farm to Citizens Insurance are operating makeshift tent offices in a mall parking lot in Port Charlotte to help people get funds, food and supplies.

Though Hurricane Ian didn't directly hit Port Charlotte, Florida, residents are still reeling from the monster storm's wreckage.

The powerful storm terrorized millions for most of the week, hitting western Cuba before raking across Florida and then South Carolina.

Hundreds of hospital patients were being evacuated from facilities across the Fort Myers region Thursday after damage from Hurricane Ian cut off water supplies.

Streaming with multiple cameras, Severe Studios, a camera at Fort Myers Beach went viral amid flooding from Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian is currently hitting the Gulf Coast of Florida after strengthening to a Category 4 storm before making landfall, possibly near Port Charlotte.

Cities along the coast of southwest Florida are feeling the effects of Hurricane Ian.

A 13-year-old Florida boy battling a rare brain-eating amoeba after a trip to the beach will be moving to Chicago Wednesday to continue his treatment.

Sheriff's officials in Florida say a 31-year-old teacher has been arrested after investigators found a missing teenager in her home.

>> Read more trending newsThe Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that deputies found approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine, 58 grams of fentanyl, 53 grams of oxycodone, 27 pounds of synthetic cannabinoids and 447 suspected fentanyl pills during a drug bust in a Port Charlotte home. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)A photo from the sheriff’s office shows the evidence, as well as cash, packaged and laid out on a table. John Knight faces additional charges for possession of a firearm by a felon from a previous incident, WINK reported. Two arrested in drug bust John Knight Jr. and Rebecca Knight are facing charges in connection with the bust. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)©2022 Cox Media Group

(NCD)PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A teenager is fighting for his life in a Florida hospital, weeks after he was infected with a brain-eating amoeba while swimming. >> Read more trending news13-year-old Caleb Ziegelbauer was visiting Port Charlotte Beach on July 1 with his family and went swimming. Caleb’s parents rushed him to an emergency room, where doctors told them that Naegleria fowleri, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba” had infected their son’s brain, Today reported. “He’s just the kindest soul but he’s so strong,” Elizabeth Ziegelbauer, Caleb’s Aunt, told WBBH. “All we can do is hold onto hope because we know he’s going to fight through this,” Ziegelbauer told WBBH.

A 13-year-old Florida boy is fighting a rare brain-eating amoeba after a trip to Port Charlotte Beach.

He hit .279 with 34 doubles and 26 homers last season for the Houston Astros. Also in Grapefruit League action, Astros ace Justin Verlander was impressive with four scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals. Verlander missed all of last year, including the Astros’ run to the World Series. Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced that Burnes would start the Brewers’ April 7 opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Last season, Burnes went 11-5 with an MLB-leading 2.43 ERA and struck out 234 while issuing only 34 walks in 167 innings.

Carlos Correa hit his first spring homer with the Twins, providing a preview of what he could provide Minnesota’s lineup this season.

Álvarez, the Houston Astros designated hitter and outfielder voted a unanimous winner of the 2019 AL award, was given a $764,600 salary, up from $609,000 last year. Bichette was given a $723,550 salary, an increase from $587,800 last year, when he also earned a $10,000 bonus for making the All-Star team. Atlanta right-hander Ian Anderson was renewed at $710,000 after pitching five hitless, scoreless innings to win World Series Game 3 over Houston. Cleveland right-hander Shane Bieber reached a $6 million deal after he was renewed at $679,700 last year as the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. Álvarez was on last year’s all-MLB second team, which would earn a $500,000 bonus starting this year.

Rookie of the Year winners Randy Arozarena and Yordan Álvarez and All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette were among 16 players whose contracts were renewed by their teams rather than reach negotiated agreements.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A Florida woman is facing neglect charges after police said she left an infant alone in a house while she went to a bar on Thanksgiving, WWSB reported. >> Read more trending newsA woman told police that when she went to check on Victoria Hidalgo’s home, she noticed Hidalgo’s car wasn’t there and a bullet was lodged in the front door, WFLA reported. In a press release, deputies said that when they arrived, they found a child in a crib unsupervised. Police said that in the course of their investigation, they realized Hidalgo’s vehicle had been stopped in a different area of the county with both her and another person inside. It is clear that this woman’s priorities are way out of order, and I hope this experience serves as a wake-up call for her.”©2021 Cox Media Group

Skinny-dip arrest Heather A. Kennedy is accused of skinny-dipping in the pool of a stranger at the man's southwest Florida home. She did not identify herself to deputies, but authorities said the sheriff’s office identified her by using previous jail booking photos. “She was basically just lying down, head on the bricks on the side of the pool,” Clark told WINK. “She was walking out the door, and one of them was running after her,” Clark told WINK. “But luckily, I always lock my screen doors to the pool.”Clark’s pool screen doors were unlocked.

Pro tip: While most people in Florida love cooling off in a pool, it’s better to swim in a place where you have permission.

Franco hit .315 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 39 games this season at Triple-A Durham. He was 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. Tampa Bay has lost six straight, dropping a half-game back of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East. He was pulled from Game 6 of the World Series by Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash with the Rays leading the Dodgers 1-0 in the sixth inning last year. STICKY STUFF FOCUSYankees ace Gerrit Cole (8-3, 2.31 ERA) makes his first start since Major League Baseball started mandatory checks by umpires on all pitchers for banned grip-enhancing substances.

Wander Franco, a 20-year-old infielder considered the best prospect in the minor leagues, is set to make his major league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Franco hit .315 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 39 games this season at Triple-A Durham. He was 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. Tampa Bay has lost six straight, dropping behind a half-game back of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East. STICKY STUFF FOCUSYankees ace Gerrit Cole (8-3, 2.31 ERA) makes his first start since Major League Baseball started mandatory checks by umpires on all pitchers for banned grip-enhancing substances. Hendricks' is succeeding despite an average four-seam fastball velocity of 87.1 mph, 183rd among 184 qualified pitchers.

Wander Franco, a 20-year-old infielder considered the best prospect in the minor leagues, was set to make his major league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

The NHL has postponed three more Vancouver Canucks games due to COVID-19 issues.

PORT CHARTLOTTE, Fla. – Publix reopened its online vaccine appointment portal at 7 a.m. Monday, but nearly all the slots were booked less than 90 minutes later, the grocer said. The expansion came after Publix began receiving additional vaccine doses through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. In addition to Publix pharmacies, Winn-Dixie, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are also offering vaccine appointments in Central Florida. A portion of the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ website is now dedicated to assisting those veterans with access to the vaccine. The state estimates there are about 30,000 WWII veterans and 100,000 Korean War veterans living in Florida, DeSantis said.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Following a report that the White House is examining possible U.S. travel restrictions to curb the growing number of COVID-19 variant cases, Gov. The Miami Herald reported Wednesday the Biden administration is considering domestic travel restrictions as new variants, including the more contagious variant first identified in the United Kingdom, continue to surge. Florida has more than 340 reported cases of the U.K. variant known as B.1.1.7., more than any other state. Not mentioning that Florida has more U.K. variant cases than another state, the governor highlighted the state’s success reopening schools for in-person learning and its decreasing coronavirus hospitalizations. If Floridians are restricted from entering or leaving the state, DeSantis said he will challenge those.

The DEO told her a question regarding possible fraud triggered a rejection for her first application for benefits in March. She said she was told to file again and was approved for state reemployment benefits but denied Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Her DEO unemployment claims sheet confirms she started receiving state and federal jobless benefits on June 6. DEO press secretary Paige Landrum said because Black was eligible for state jobless benefits, the PUA benefits were no longer available to her. According to the DEO reemployment assistance claims dashboard, an estimated 651,000 claims are still listed as ineligible but 95%of Florida’s jobless claims have been paid.

Tim Boyle/Getty ImagesPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - A Florida woman faces multiple charges after authorities say she climbed into the ceiling of a Big Lots store to avoid a shoplifting arrest. A Charlotte County Sheriff's Office news release says 37-year-old Kristina Perkins went into the store's restroom on Friday and removed some tiles so she could climb into the ceiling. Deputies removed tiles from several spots in a five-hour effort to catch Perkins. The news release says she ignored commands to come down and instead moved to other sections of the ceiling. A deputy stayed behind when the search was called off and saw Perkins climbing down from the ceiling.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The family of a Florida teen who was killed while protecting his younger sister during a home invasion says he died a hero. Family spokeswoman Crystal Stone told reporters 15-year-old Khyler Edman was "his sister's keeper." Charlotte County sheriff's investigators say 27-year-old Ryan Cole broke into the home Thursday afternoon and got into a violent struggle with Edman, who was protecting his 5-year-old sister. Investigators haven't said how Edman died, but Cole was stabbed several times before running from the house. Neighbors called 911 after seeing an injured man walking along a street.

A Florida woman's toilet literally exploded after her septic tank was struck by lightning over the weekend. Ward told WINK the toilet shattered into hundreds of pieces and that the lightning strike was the loudest sound she's ever heard. It used to be our toilet, Ward said. We have nothing now.According to the Ward's plumber, the lightning struck the methane gases that had built up in the pipes from all the fecal matter. Im just glad none of us were on the toilet, Ward said.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - A Florida woman heard a splash coming from her backyard swimming pool in the middle of the night, and when she went outside to check on it, she found a 7-foot alligator. It took authorities in Port Charlotte, Florida four hours to remove the gator early Saturday. Kibbe says she thought she would just let the gator find its way out of the pool but then realized that was a bad idea considering she has three children and three dogs. She called Charlotte County deputies, and they contacted an alligator trapper. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

"It was just so unnatural," Kibbe told CNN. "He put a noose on it and it went into the death roll that I've seen on TV," Kibbe said. The trapper told Kibbe he was going to take it to a farm to be released for mating. While gators are common in Florida, Kibbe thinks this one crept into her yard from the empty wooded lot behind her house. She said even though gator sightings may occur more often in Florida, neither she or her neighbors have ever had one in their neighborhood.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – An unruly guest was arrested at Legoland after deputies shocked him with a stun gun when he refused to leave the park. Richard Campana, 36, of Port Charlotte, faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct after the incident earlier this week. Deputies said he appeared drunk and refused to leave the park when employees instructed him to, the Lakeland Ledger reports. When deputies arrived and asked the man his name, they say Campbell squawked "Pterodactyl." It took deputies 30 minutes to get Campbell into custody.