ENGLEWOOD FL – A tragic collision Tuesday night claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman from Rotonda West after she was struck while crossing SR-776 (Indiana Avenue) in Englewood The crash occurred at approximately 10:31 PM near the intersection of SR-776 and Cowles Street a pickup truck driven by a 43-year-old Venice man was traveling northbound in the outside lane on SR-776 (Indiana Avenue) the pedestrian was attempting to cross the travel lanes from west to east when she entered the direct path of the vehicle The front left portion of the pickup truck struck the pedestrian She was pronounced deceased on the scene by first responders and the Florida Highway Patrol stated they are continuing to investigate the crash This tragic crash is a somber reminder of the dangers pedestrians face especially during nighttime hours when visibility is significantly reduced According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Even a moment of inattention can lead to irreversible tragedy Vigilance from both drivers and pedestrians is essential to keeping Florida’s roads safe Attorney David Goldman has a strong belief that everyone should be treated fairly and those with the means should do what they can to bring justice in all areas of our society That belief has led him to help Florida's injured from being taken advantage of by corporations and insurance companies Since 1989 David Goldman has been fighting for the rights of Floridians both as an attorney and by personally supporting our community The Lemon Bay High School Marching Manta Band performed in Rotonda West Association’s 2024 Christmas Parade The Royal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors from Punta Gorda was a hit at the Rotonda West Christmas Parade The crew from Paradise Athletics marched in the Rotonda West Association’s 2024 Christmas Parade Santa Claus was the star of the Rotonda West Association’s 2024 Christmas Parade “Christmas at the Movies” was the theme for the Rotonda West Association’s 2024 Christmas Parade ROTONDA WEST — The 2024 Rotonda West Christmas Parade took place Saturday around the Rotonda community Parade winners included the Rotonda Ukulele Band for the “Spirit of Christmas” award Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key in Florida at 20:30 EDT on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm You have reached the limit for gifting for this month Insurance Insider is the premier intelligence solution for the London and global (re)insurance markets Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy John House with the first Stan Plizga Environmental Advocacy Award ROTONDA WEST — The Rotonda West Homeowner’s Association held its annual University of Florid… RWA Director Sam Besase opens the association’s Lakewatch award program ROTONDA WEST — The Rotonda West Homeowner’s Association held its annual University of Florida Lakewatch gathering Florida Lakewatch is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that involves “hands-on” citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes rivers and springs through monthly monitoring activities A few hearty sightseers ventured out onto the pier at Bayshore Live Oak Park as waves spanked the sides of the pier and winds began to pick up Thursday in Charlotte Harbor during Hurricane Helene A child takes one last swing before water completely covers this waterfront playground in Bayshore Live Oak Park on Thursday during Hurricane Helene Streets and some homes were flooded in an El Jobean neighborhood between State Road 776 and Charlotte Harbor Lisa Hassler of Venice bundled her beehives to keep them safe from Helene’s winds Thursday Amy Gonzales and her family hunkered down in Rotonda West for Hurricane Helene While there were sightings of a massive snake slithering around the neighborhood and even an alligator in the Gonzales’ driveway Lorraine Stevens sits in front of her Rotonda West apartment with a mask She says she’s been sleeping in her car to avoid mold in her apartment The water heater pipe in Ann McKinney’s apartment burst before she moved in flooding Lorraine Stevens’ downstairs apartment Ann McKinney points out the busted pipe connected to her water heater and the mildew On Lorraine Stevens’ ceiling is a square water spot in the location of her upstairs neighbor’s Lorraine Stevens’ fuse box has water stains she says were caused by a water heater leak in the apartment upstairs from hers ROTONDA — Lorraine Stevens said she has been living in her car for most of March ever since the water heater pipe burst in the apartment above hers and flooded her residence near Rotonda Circle said there are now black mold spots on her lungs ENGLEWOOD — A Rotonda West woman died after she reportedly walked in front of a pickup truck being driven by a Venice man in Englewood late Tuesday According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol Tuesday on South Indiana Avenue at West Cowles Street in Englewood 2025 at 10:20 AM EDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSARASOTA COUNTY (WWSB) - A 38-year-old woman from Rotunda West was killed in a crash Monday around 10:30 p.m The crash occurred in Englewood at Indiana Avenue south of Cowles Street The driver of a pickup truck was in the northbound outside lane The woman was pronounced dead at the scene The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread Funeral services will be held at a later date A small Celebration of Life was held with immediate family and friends in Rotonda West Florida compassionate and inspirational woman to many Barb attended Ponca High School in Nebraska She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary But her favorite occupation was being a loving wife/mother and grandmother spending time with her family and she loved living in Florida son Gene (Jericha) Formanek of Punta Gorda Florida; siblings Claudette (Larry) Albenesius of Jackson sisters-in-law Veronica Houser of Cedar Rapids Iowa; multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved Rotonda Rotary Club president Charlie Smith introduces the members of the service club during its final banquet at The Hills Country Club in Rotonda West present the Top Banana Award to longtime member Mike Holland Rotonda Rotary President Charlie Smith jokes with Barbara Wastart and James Jerome representing Leadership Englewood’s Class of 2024 Wastart was also there to represent the Virginia B Jerome is also a member of the Rotonda Rotary Gator Wilderness Camp director Gregory Kanagy receives a check from Rotonda Rotary president Charlie Smith Representatives of nonprofits celebrate a windall of donations from the Rotonda Rotary on Thursday night ROTONDA — The Rotary Club of Rotonda went out with a bang this week ending its 26-year run on a nostalgic note — and boosting several worthy local nonprofit organizations by disbursing more than $100,000 in donations Originally founded in 1998 as the Placida Rotary the club held its meetings at old The Fishery Restaurant the club members took over the organization of the annual Placida Seafood Restaurant and Nautical Flea Market ROTONDA WEST — A man was taken into custody Sunday for allegedly crashing into his own garage while drunk Authorities allege he resisted arrest and kicked a Charlotte County deputy before being taken to jail Email: frank.difiore@yoursun.com Developers of three projects expected to bring a total of 73 affordable housing units to Charlotte County shared their plans with the county’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee on Wednesday Chris Martiner is the managing director of The Strategic Group an Atlanta-based nationwide investment and development group that has built 1,200 affordable housing units in seven states He said the company purchased four lots in Rotonda West where two 32-unit apartment buildings are planned Sovereign at Parkside East on Parade Circle in Rotonda West will be for seniors with incomes less than 60% of the Area Median Income Rents for the 32 units will range from $521 to $847 per month The Strategic Group chose this site for senior housing because it is across the street from a park with tennis courts and walking trails will be for families whose AMI also is less than 60% Monthly rents for the 32 units will also range from $521 to $847 “We’ve been working on these deals for one year,” Martiner said Construction is expected to begin in June 2024 with completion in July 2025 Martiner said his company will employ a third-party property management company Prospective tenants must be income qualified and then qualify to occupy the unit including county funds set aside for Hurricane Ian recovery was created by the State Legislature more than 40 years ago to assist in providing a range of affordable housing opportunities and banks and investors are also involved in projects like these The third project called Stillwater is on Stillwater Avenue in Port Charlotte and is under construction to create nine apartments for residents whose income is less than 60% of the AMI Rents for all units are proposed at $719 a month Stillwater is a former convent built in the 1970s chief operating officer of nonprofit Community Assisted and Supported Living The building recently received a new metal roof after damage from Hurricane Ian and the interior is being gutted to create larger units said Stillwater is primarily for those who have become homeless and unable to work find employment or have low income due to disabilities His nonprofit organization has provided 1,188 beds in nine counties and plans to add more than 400 in the next several years which worked with partners Carteret Management Corp developed and built the 88-unit Jacaranda Place on Loveland Boulevard in Port Charlotte for disabled persons and small families assistance and support systems for those who need it who’ve had similar difficulties as tenants Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. Final site plans for a recreational vehicle resort in Rotonda West and residential subdivisions in the Englewood area of West County and Port Charlotte were approved Tuesday by the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners Cabana Bay RV Resort by Boca Grande will consist of 170 RV units dog park and more than 2.9 acres of commercial space in Rotonda West The project site is situated on more than 38 acres at 311 Rotonda Blvd Island Lakes at Coco Bay will cover more than 120 acres south of San Casa Drive northeast of Placida Road and west of Winchester Boulevard in the Englewood area of West County The residential development where single-family homes and villas will be built by Lennar will consist of 222 lots and 17 tracts Lennar also is building homes in the other development approved and east of Aquarius Waterway in Port Charlotte The subdivision is planned for 82 single-family lots and six tracts on more than 31 acres Approval of the developments’ final plat plans angered Punta Gorda resident Tim Ritchie “It’s time we put a moratorium on issuing building permits,” Ritchie said adding residents’ quality of life is being eroded due to what he called excessive building throughout the county He asked the commissioners for a moratorium of a minimum of five years until infrastructure that can support more people is in place Commissioners don’t respond to the public comment portion of meetings Ainger Middle school Charlotte County Deputies (CCSO) said was beaten and flown to Tampa for medical treatment gave Fox 4 an update on his path to recovery but he's doing much better than when he got here," said Tondrea said he is talking and smiling after the medical staff at the hospital put him into a medically induced coma "The day of the accident that would have made him here in this country for exactly one month," said Guyrabenchiae Only one month in the United States and only two weeks at his new school and still picking up English—but on November 9th CCSO deputies said a much bigger 13-year-ol Jah'Yel Carter dropped Patley on his head causing him to shake and lose consciousness after Patley touched his dreads in a friendly way Now state prosecutors filed felony assault charges against Carter Patley's big sister Guyarbenchiae and sister in law Tondrea told Fox 4's Briana Brownleethey won't speak too much on the assault or the suspect as they watch Patley closely but just grateful that he's the type of kid he is," Tondrea said "He has such a big heart that we just know that this won't change his mind there are good people." Patley's family said he's a happy and outgoing kid who still wants to follow his big sister's footsteps of being part of the United States Army...and he loves soccer—especially the national teams for Brazil and Portugal they just want kids o get back to being kids "Awareness for bullying or any type of harassment," Tondrea said "For kids to feel like they are in a safe environment along side their peers and anyone else they interact with." Patley's birthday is Saturday and his family said they hope people take a moment and think about him as he turns 14 The friends of the family started a GoFundMe page where people can help but also wish Patley a very happy birthday About 50 Rotonda West and Port Charlotte residents attended a recent presentation on the Lakewatch program for monitoring the water quality in canals Florida canals are home to many species of fish including several that are exotic to the region the Regional Coordinator and Mark Hoyer Director the University of Florida water quality research program Volunteer water tester Bob Winter was recognized for his length of service with a special paddle with Lakewatch insignia ROTONDA WEST — Corralled by miles of freshwater canals the Rotonda West community has an intimate relationship to its waterways About 50 residents attended a recent presentation on its canal system presented by Florida Lakewatch and sponsored by the Rotonda West Homeowners Association’s Aquatics Subcommittee of the Building and Grounds Committee ROTONDA WEST — The Rotonda West Association will formally christen its new 8,000-square-foot community center building at 646 Rotonda Circle the homeowners association was established by residents in 1991 It represents 4,500 homeowners — a total population of about 15,000 — and is the largest mandated homeowners association in Florida the association operated out of a former two-lane bowling alley walking trails and other amenities on 160 acres members of the American Legion Post 113 Honor Guard will post the colors and lead the crowd in “The Pledge of Allegiance,” followed by a rendition of “God Bless America” by Johnnie Haas and an invocation by Pastor Carl Kaltreider — the founder and former pastor of Faith Lutheran Church Rotonda West Association Board President Russ Kulp will lead the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony then community relations committee chair Earl Haas will acknowledge special gifts from several organizations “The grand opening is an opportunity to showcase our new Community Center for residents on what promises to be a banner day for our community,” Kulp said in a prepared statement “We are confident that the new center will become a catalyst for our community by offering a meeting center for our committees and clubs and for residents to relax socialize and participate in a wide range of activities.” light refreshments and musical entertainment will be provided after the ceremonies the “Fred Warner Memorial Meeting Room” will be dedicated with his widow Fred Warner was a two-time president of the association and a 25-year volunteer before his death He was honored as the community’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2014 Attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and household goods from toothpaste to paper towels for Englewood Helping Hand that is experiencing a seasonal decline in donations Drop-off containers will be available and the winners will be needy families — Charlotte County Sheriff's deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission workers removed an 11-foot alligator from a driveway in a Rotonda West home this week The owner called the sheriff's office and said there was an alligator underneath their jeep There were able to remove the gator but it did take out the homeowner's light pole