North Port Sun

S t udents from across Charlotte County walked out of their classrooms Friday morning to deliver powerful and tearful speeches in front of Congressman Tom Rooney’s Punta Gorda office. The march had one goal: to demand better gun control laws. Friday was the 19th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, where … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Controlled burn causes wrecks on I-75
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:54PM

NORTH PORT — Multiple crashes piled up in Sarasota and North Port after heavy smoke caused visibility issues for drivers. Around 4:30 a.m. the Florida Highway Patrol closed down Interstate … Find out how to read more online.

Cops: North Port man threatened IslandWalk employees
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:54PM

NORTH PORT — An IslandWalk resident threatened to kill two employees of the management group of IslandWalk, according to North Port Police Department reports. Warren Wiegert, 72, 19600 block of … Find out how to read more online.

SCF hosts Sierra Club presentation
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:54PM

VENICE — Students and guests at State College of Florida Venice received a special treat thanks to Nicolette Mason. Mason is a professor at SCF and a part of the … Find out how to read more online.

‘Batman’ returns on the Green
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:54PM

NORTH PORT — The last Movie on the Green of the season will play Friday, April 27. “The LEGO Batman Movie” was intended to be played on Jan. 26 but … Find out how to read more online.

More Local News

Spinning again
Fri Apr 20 2018 08:30AM

“See this needle. see my hand, Drop, drop, dropping it down Oh, so gently … Spin, spin. Spin the black circle.” — Pearl Jam, 1994 The grunge group’s “Spin the Black Circle” song, while audibly aggressive, is a celebration of … Find out how to read more online.

Charlotte unemployment steady; lower in Sarasota, DeSoto
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

The unemployment rate in Charlotte County stayed steady in February and March — but dropped slightly in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, according to preliminary numbers released Friday from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Unemployment in Charlotte County was slightly … Find out how to read more online.

Lawsuit claims medical imaging company breached contract
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — A lawsuit filed last week by Medicus Healthcare Solutions against Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte claims breach of contract for unpaid services. According to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Charlotte County, Medicus … Find out how to read more online.

Construction will re-route July 4th Freedom Swim
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

Every year on the Fourth of July, swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders gather at the north side of the U.S. 41 bridge to make their way across the Peace River. But this year, it’s unclear exactly where they’ll start. The area at … Find out how to read more online.

Suspected drunk driver crashes into vehicles
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

A suspected drunk driver was arrested Thursday after crashing into multiple vehicles in Punta Gorda, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported. Eric John Denryter, 34, of Lapeer, Michigan, reportedly rear-ended a couple driving on the southbound Tamiami Trail bridge before … Find out how to read more online.

Disaster preparedness training offered
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

PUNTA GORDA — Emergency officials are offering a basic training course in disaster preparedness at the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center, starting on Thursday. “We suggest that all residents of Charlotte County take this course,” said Ellen Pinder, mitigation planner … Find out how to read more online.

School Board approves Babcock High School
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:48PM

CHARLOTTE COUNTY — Charlotte County school officials have given Babcock Ranch’s proposed charter high school the green light. Currently, the growing solar-powered neighborhood is home to Babcock Neighborhood School, which teaches kindergarten through eighth grade. This, however, leaves high school … Find out how to read more online.

Hilton-brand hotel in planning stage for North Port
Fri Apr 20 2018 07:54PM

NORTH PORT — As construction for the Atlanta Braves spring training home continues, the city is one step closer to having a place for fans to stay. A Hilton-brand hotel is in the planning stages in North Port, according to … Find out how to read more online.

School Board looks at legislative overview
Fri Apr 20 2018 08:30AM

SARASOTA — Following two weeks of turmoil, the Sarasota County School Board met Tuesday for its monthly workshop. During the morning’s workshop, the board did not mention recent issues between Board Member Eric Robinson and Superintendent Todd Bowden. Board Chair … Find out how to read more online.

District OKs new job description
Fri Apr 20 2018 08:30AM

SARASOTA — The Sarasota County School Board approved a new job description for a security systems specialist. The board met Tuesday night to also approve both an administrative salary adjustment schedule and approve Policy 3.90, which deals with charter schools. … Find out how to read more online.

Local Girl Scouts volunteers recognized for National Appreciation Month
Fri Apr 20 2018 08:30AM

NORTH PORT — Kelly Mcgraw, the director of Member Experience for the Girl Scouts for 10 counties, said it’s not that easy to manage everything like the cookie sale, money, trips and safety rules set by the national organization. “It’s … Find out how to read more online.

Region volunteers honored for efforts
Fri Apr 20 2018 08:30AM

Several North Port students and residents, along with Port Charlotte residents, were recently recognized for their efforts as community volunteers. Team Up for Sarasota County School District Volunteer & Partnership Council and the Sarasota County Schools Volunteer & Partnership Office … Find out how to read more online.

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State, National and World News

Driver in deadly immigrant smuggling case gets life sentence
Fri Apr 20 2018 11:10PM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The driver of a big rig involved in the deaths of 10 smuggled immigrants in Texas last year was sentenced Friday to life in prison. James Matthew Bradley Jr. pleaded guilty in October to a count … read more.

Romney faces tough GOP crowd in Utah bid for US Senate seat
Fri Apr 20 2018 11:10PM

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mitt Romney faces an intriguing hurdle in his bid to be the U.S. senator from Utah this weekend when he seeks the blessing of far-right leaning delegates at the state convention against a field of … read more.

Man who shot 2 deputies in Florida was mystery to neighbors
Fri Apr 20 2018 11:10PM

TRENTON, Fla. (AP) — A man who investigators say killed two sheriff’s deputies in rural north Florida was a mystery figure in the small agricultural community rocked by the shooting. John Hubert Highnote, 58, had bought a house on a … read more.

Wells Fargo fined $1 billion for mortgage, auto lending abuses
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:52PM

Wells Fargo will pay $1 billion to federal regulators to settle charges tied to misconduct at its mortgage and auto lending business, the latest punishment levied against the banking giant for widespread customer abuses. In a settlement announced Friday, Wells will … read more.

Officials say postal worker hoarded over 17K pieces of mail
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:52PM

NEW YORK (AP) — A postal worker who prosecutors say hoarded away more than 17,000 pieces of undelivered mail in New York City allegedly told investigators he was overwhelmed by the amount of mail he had to deliver. But officials … read more.

In court, Dems allege conspiracy between Trump camp, Russia
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:52PM

NEW YORK (AP) — The Democratic Party sued Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Russia, WikiLeaks and Trump’s son and son-in-law Friday, accusing them of an intricate conspiracy to undercut Democrats in the 2016 election by stealing tens of thousands of emails … read more.

Video: Officers searching for trapped teen stayed in cruiser
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:52PM

CINCINNATI (AP) — Newly released police body cam footage shows officers staying in their cruiser as they searched for an Ohio teenager who became trapped in the back of a minivan and called 911 for help but died. Cincinnati officials … read more.

Southwest sends apology, $5K, to passengers on damaged jet
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:52PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Southwest has sent a letter of apology, a $5,000 check and a $1,000 travel voucher to passengers who were on a flight that made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after an engine exploded. “Please accept our deepest … read more.

Transient charged with stabbing man to death at restaurant
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:50PM

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — A homeless man has been charged with murder in the death of a California father who was stabbed in the neck as his 5-year-old daughter sat in his lap in a crowded beachside steakhouse. The Ventura … read more.

Former Mexico governor extradited to US to face drug charges
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:50PM

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The former governor of the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas has been extradited from Italy to the United States to face charges of racketeering, drug smuggling, money laundering and bank fraud, federal officials announced Friday. Italy … read more.

Off-duty LAPD officer charged with murder in DUI crash
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:50PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An off-duty Los Angeles police officer has been charged with murder in a fiery freeway crash that killed three people. Prosecutors say Edgar Verduzco also was charged Friday with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence … read more.

Leak crackdown talk yields rare Comey, Trump agreement
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:51PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Comey and President Donald Trump seem to disagree on most everything, but the ex-FBI director’s memos show consensus on at least one thing: the need to hunt down leakers. The two men bonded over the idea … read more.

CDC expands warning in E. coli outbreak from Arizona romaine lettuce
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:51PM

PHOENIX — The U.S. Centers for Disease expanded its warning Friday surrounding a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to tainted romaine lettuce from Arizona, which has now sickened more than 50 people. The agency said information from new cases of … read more.

Woman suspected in Minnesota and Florida deaths caught in Texas
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:45PM

ISLAND, Texas (AP) — A tip-off in a Texas resort town led to the arrest of a woman who investigators believe killed her husband in Minnesota then fled to Florida, where she fatally shot her doppelganger with the intention of … read more.

Official: Shotgun in guitar case was used in Ft. Lauderdale school shooting
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:45PM

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A gunman carried a shotgun in a guitar case and opened fire Friday in a Florida high school, wounding one student before he was arrested on a day planned for a national classroom walkout to protest … read more.

DOJ looks into how AT&T, Verizon handle defecting customers
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:45PM

BC-US--AT&T-Verizon-Antitrust Investigation, 2nd Ld-Writethru,275 DOJ looks into how AT&T, Verizon handle defecting customers AP Photo NYSH104, NYSH103 Eds: Links photos. With AP Photos. The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into whether … read more.

North Korea says it has suspended nuclear, missile testing
Fri Apr 20 2018 10:51PM

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Saturday it has suspended nuclear and long-range missile tests and plans to close its nuclear test site. The announcement came ahead of a new round of nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington, … read more.

Prosecutor: Prince thought he was taking common painkiller
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

MINNEAPOLIS — Prince thought he was taking a common painkiller but instead ingested a counterfeit pill containing the dangerously powerful drug fentanyl, a Minnesota prosecutor said Thursday as he announced that no charges would be filed in the musician’s death. … read more.

US experts back marijuana-based drug for childhood seizures
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — A medicine made from the marijuana plant moved one step closer to U.S. approval Thursday after federal health advisers endorsed it for the treatment of severe seizures in children with epilepsy. If the Food and Drug Administration follows … read more.

Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

HAVANA — Raul Castro handed over Cuba’s presidency Thursday to a hand-picked 57-year-old successor he said would hold power until 2031, a plan that would place the state the Castro brothers founded and ruled for six decades in the hands … read more.

AP source: DOJ agrees to send Comey memos to Congress
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — After months of resisting, the Justice Department has agreed to provide three House committees with copies of several memos written by former FBI Director James Comey, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The move comes as … read more.

A willingness to fix the euro’s flaws is fading fast
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

FRANKFURT, Germany — When Angela Merkel was re-elected as Germany’s leader in March, the way looked open for European nations to finally patch the remaining cracks in the euro — the structural flaws that threatened to break apart the shared … read more.

Facebook moving most users from protection of EU privacy law
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

Facebook is set to comply with strict new privacy rules in Europe next month, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said publicly that those protections will be available around the world. That doesn’t appear to be the case. Facebook has changed … read more.

Southwest Airlines sought more time for engine inspections
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines sought more time last year to inspect fan blades like the one that snapped off during one of its flights Tuesday in an engine failure that left a passenger dead. The airline opposed a recommendation by … read more.

Minnesota prosecutor won’t file charges in Prince’s death www.twitter.com . More of her work at: https:
Thu Apr 19 2018 07:54PM

BC-US--Prince-Death Investigation, 6th Ld-Writethru,970 Minnesota prosecutor won’t file charges in Prince’s death AP Photo CER104, CER105, NYET405, NYET406, NYET407 Eds: Updates throughout with more detail, rewrites. With AP Photos. By AMY FORLITI Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prince thought he … read more.

Trump’s divisive pick to run NASA wins narrow confirmation
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — NASA’s latest nail-biting drama was far from orbit as the Senate narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump’s choice of a tea party congressman to run the space agency in an unprecedented party-line vote. In a 50-49 vote Thursday, Oklahoma … read more.

Pot holiday traces roots to 5 California high school stoners
Fri Apr 20 2018 01:19AM

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Today is April 20, or 4/20. That’s the numerical code for marijuana’s high holiday, a celebration and homage to pot’s enduring and universal slang for smoking. Festivities are planned worldwide, culminating with a synchronized smoke at … read more.

Regulators to require inspections after jet engine explosion
Wed Apr 18 2018 09:52PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. airline regulators said Wednesday that they will order inspections on engine fan blades like the one involved in fatal failure that killed a woman in a plane that made an emergency landing in Philadelphia. The Federal … read more.

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