North Port, FL

DeSoto County schools are closed Monday after high water swamped roads across the county and into North Port. Parts of DeSoto and Hardy counties have received up to a foot of rain in two days, and a flood warning remains in effect for Highlands, Hardy and DeSoto counties through Tuesday.The rain has paused for now,…

A Sarasota County jury has convicted Michael David Reinel of North Port of second-degree murder with a firearm, rejecting his claim that he acted in self-defense when he shot another man five times inside a home in February 2025. The verdict came after a three-day trial before Judge Frederick Mercurio at the Sarasota County Courthouse…

A Sarasota County jury has convicted Michael David Reinel of second-degree murder with a firearm in the death of a man at a North Port home in February 2025. The verdict came at the end of a three-day trial held Oct. 26-28 at the Sarasota County Courthouse, according to the State Attorney’s Office. A sentencing…

North Port Development Services Director Alaina Ray submitted her resignation on October 15, with her final day set for November 13. City Manager Jerome Fletcher says threats and harassment drove the decision, describing social media as a “nameless mob” that goes after people in ways they should never be threatened. Ray’s resignation letter, however, cites…

The city’s development services director has handed in her resignation. City Manager Jerome Fletcher says Alaina Ray no longer feels safe in her community.

Shiloh Turk-McGlade, a 16-year-old boy, was last seen around 5 a.m. Wednesday on Mesa Street off of Chancellor Boulevard in North Port.

FDLE has issued a Florida Missing Child Alert for a 16-year-old boy reported missing from North Port in Sarasota County. Originally published by Boca Post. Story by Boca Post Missing Persons Desk. Read the full article: FDLE Issues Missing Child Alert for 16-year-old Boy Last Seen in North Port

North Port’s development services director, Alaina Ray, has resigned after five years with the city, and City Manager Jerome Fletcher says threats, harassment and intimidation are the reason. The resignation follows online allegations that Ray used her prior connections in Loudoun County, Virginia to bring data center developers to North Port or personally benefit from…

Venice City Council voted unanimously this week to advance a 12-month moratorium on data center development, with a second reading and final vote scheduled for Oct. 27. If it passes, Venice joins Sarasota County, Manatee County, and North Port in pressing pause on the issue. The move puts the city in step with a regional…