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Good morning, Charlotte County! In today’s edition: Shape local safety policy, a PPA Challenger Series showdown, a free market where everything’s free, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Shape local safety policy: Charlotte County’s Public Safety Coordinating Council will meet January 12 at the Justice Center in Punta Gorda, discussing jail statistics, justice administration, and drug policy. The public is invited — see how to get involved.
Addresses and project team details: Stevens Construction is building two Aroma Joe’s shops in Port Charlotte and North Fort Myers, with the first slated for completion in summer 2026, featuring indoor-outdoor seating and drive-thru — get all the project details.
Fresh luxury home choices: Toll Brothers announced the Sawgrass home design at Regency at Babcock Ranch, a 55-plus community in Punta Gorda, featuring a 2.5 car garage for golf carts and resort style living — see the collections and features.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Statewide buildout adds access: Comcast expanded its Florida network, making service available to about 120,000 more addresses. Charlotte County gained connectivity for 16,400 homes and businesses, and Lehigh Acres added over 15,500. New coverage reaches areas like Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, and Naples. Eligible households can access low-cost Internet Essentials. Get all the details.
Science, but outdoors: Swap screens for mangroves and let curiosity roam at Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. Guided hikes, Little Explorers, a butterfly garden, and miles of trails make for an easy midweek reset…fresh air, new facts, and plenty to explore.
Weeknight burrito upgrade: When dinner needs to be fast and satisfying, 3 Pepper Burrito presses tortillas to order, mixes bright house salsas, and stuffs generous, from-scratch burritos that taste genuinely fresh. The stove can rest; guac duty is covered.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🌵 Sip & Succulent Arrangement Class @ Steph’s Bakery and More | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – New year, new houseplants you might actually keep alive. Steph’s Bakery hosts a sip and succulent class, $65 gets you pots, live plants, pretty rocks, step-by-step help, and a $10 bakery credit. Cozy vibes, take-home arrangement, limited seats, prepay and treat yourself.
🥒 PPA Challenger Series @ PicklePlex® | Saturday (1/10) – Pickleball heavy hitters and ambitious locals are taking over Pickleplex as the PPA Challenger Series swings into Punta Gorda. Expect quick hands, louder paddles, and the kind of friendly trash talk that makes you adjust your visor, and pretend you stretched.
✂ Craft Afaires @ Salvation Army | Saturday (1/10) at 3:00 AM – Local makers are setting up shop for a craft affair with handmade goods, art, and one-of-a-kind finds. Bring a tote, browse like a pro, and if you’re a vendor, message the organizer to apply, not the random scammer in the comments.
🏃 New Year 5K, 10K & 13.1M @ South County Regional Park | Saturday (1/10) at 8:00 AM – Kick off the year with a 5K, 10K, or 13.1 around Punta Gorda, because nothing says fresh start like paying to run before coffee. Register on RunSignup, no on-site, then snag your packet pre-race and earn those brunch calories, smug grin included.
🥕 Sunday Farmers Market and Artisan Village @ History Park of Punta Gorda – Sunday Market | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re stocking the fridge or just strolling for the gossip, Sunday mornings at Punta Gorda History Park deliver fresh produce, local artisans, and small-town charm. Grab a coffee, browse the booths, and call it culture, cardio, and your grocery run all in one.
💃 Social Dance Party @ Women’s Club | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Holiday indulgence is over, which means it’s time to dust off the dancing shoes at the Women’s Club Punta Gorda. The first social dance party of 2026 lands January 11, with familiar faces, easy rhythms, and zero judgment about your spins, steps, or stamina.
🎹 Isaac James @ Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – Trade your errands for an afternoon of actual beauty as Isaac James, the guy who has run half of Punta Gorda, finally sits at the piano where he belongs. Expect Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and a roomful of goosebumps.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Charlotte County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 81°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 1%
Patchy fog before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
Built in 2023, this custom home pairs clean lines with an open plan anchored by a great room. The kitchen stays central with granite counters and stainless appliances. The primary suite brings dual sinks and a walk-in closet. Flexible secondary bedrooms.
Outdoor living shines on the screened lanai with a private heated gunite pool and a new outdoor kitchen. Updated landscaping and wooded views set a relaxed backdrop. Ceramic tile throughout keeps clean-up easy, and tray ceilings add a refined touch. A whole-home generator and a three-stall garage cover peace of mind, cars, and gear. South Gulf Cove and Port Charlotte offer quick access to beaches, boating, and golf.
Take a peek inside →
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