Desoto County News

Meikah Heaton is about $3,000 closer to a liver transplant, thanks to some generous people and businesses in DeSoto County.

The state's unemployment rate is at its highest level in 30 years, and Southwest Florida is feeling the pain.

Fewer drivers are getting into vehicle accidents across Southwest Florida, numbers traffic officials believe correlate to more aggressive enforcement and, to some degree, the economic downturn.

School grades were released Thursday, with the Florida Department of Education reporting that Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties have maintained their district-wide grades from last year.

1 to Sept. 30, 2010.   Renewal notices for all businesses which paid a local business tax last year will be mailed out shortly.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Office arrested a 26-year-old Arcadia man for allegedly threatening three women at gunpoint.

Results of a study of Horse Creek show no negative impacts have been attributed to the phosphate company Mosaic.

At 5:53p.m. National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.

Charlotte and Sarasota county students are better than average, according to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores released Thursday.

At the moment, there are no plans for a major community in northeast Charlotte County.

Scores for third-grade math sections of the FCAT are up statewide, with students scoring slightly less in reading.

There's a three-day weekend coming up and if you don't get some stuff done today, don't count on getting them done on Monday.

The Port Charlotte Chapter of the Chrome Divas will hold a fundraiser for Nancy Rubin, a member of the organization whose husband, George, was killed in a motorcycle accident May 7 in North Port.

ARCADIA: Concerned neighbors say a group of horses, pigs and other livestock have gotten so thin you can see bones sticking out of their bodies.

The thermometer at Tampa International Airport sizzled today as the mercury rose to a record breaking 94 degrees.

Two Lehigh Acres men were killed Monday in a crash on State Road 31 five miles south of Arcadia in DeSoto County.

LEE COUNTY : Firefighters are calling for additional units to help battle a brush fire on the Babcock Ranch property.

Firefighters with the Florida Division of Forestry in Manatee County reported at 8:30 p.m. Friday there was one wildfire during the day in the Myakka River District of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

DESOTO COUNTY: Fire crews are working a 45 acre brush fire in Desoto County. It is 50-percent contained.

In Punta Gorda, a rally is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today in Gilchrist Park, 400 W. Retta Esplanade as part of the National Tax Day Tea Party.