Alex Orenczuk

Punta Gorda

Community Correspondent at WFTX-TV (Cape Coral, FL)

(OH-REN-CHUCK) 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇦

Articles

Task force formed to explore merging Punta Gorda, Charlotte County dispatches

1 day ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Charlotte County and the city of Punta Gorda are moving forward with exploring whether to consolidate their emergency dispatch centers. A task force was formed Tuesday to help make the decision on whether to merge the county and city dispatch centers that handle 911 calls.
Charlotte Zoning Board votes against zoning changes for rural development

2 days ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Charlotte County's zoning board voted 3-1 against an amendment that would have allowed a major housing development to build thousands of additional homes in a rural area of the east county. The amendment, proposed by national home builder Pulte Group, sought to increase the maximum number of homes from 6,000 to 8,000 units and expand commercial space from 1 million to 1.5 million square feet on a nearly 5,000-acre former farmland property along Highway 17.
Punta Gorda shifts focus to basic repairs for historic city hall building

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — During Wednesday's meeting, city council members directed staff to determine the cost of basic repairs needed to reopen the historic city hall building, rather than pursuing the comprehensive renovation previously approved by prior council members. The historic structure, built in 1926, had already fallen into disrepair before Hurricane Ian forced its closure. Since then, city leaders have debated how to address the building's issues.
Customers are now getting accurate water meter readings in Punta Gorda

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Punta Gorda residents are now receiving accurate water bills after more than 9,000 of the city's water meters stopped working properly. The city has successfully implemented manual readings for most of its water meters, ensuring customers receive bills based on actual usage rather than estimates from the previous year.
Four Charlotte County deputies fired following internal affairs investigation

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Four Charlotte County deputies have been fired after an internal affairs investigation found they failed to properly activate their body cameras, mislabeled footage, and collectively decided not to report use of force during an arrest at a homeless camp in February. Watch Fox 4's Alex Orenczuk report on four deputies being fired from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office: Four Charlotte County deputies were fired for their conduct during and after an arrest in February.
Captain in the viral Punta Gorda boat rage video arraigned in Charlotte County

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The charter captain at the center of a viral boat rage video in Punta Gorda has entered a written plea of not guilty to one count of burglary with assault or battery. Brock Horner did not appear in court for his arraignment on Monday, where Judge Lisa Porter presided over the brief proceedings.
Ryan Cole guilty of first degree murder for 2019 Charlotte County slaying

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A jury in Charlotte County has found Ryan Cole guilty of first degree murderfor the 2019 slaying of 15-year-old Khyler Edman. After a week long trial, on Friday, the jury deliberated for about 4.5 hours before delivering the verdict shortly before 2:30 p.m. He was found guilty of first degree murder, burglary with assault or battery, and burglary charges. He gave no reaction as the verdict was read to the court.
Is your charter captain legit? Here's how you can find out before your trip

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Records from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show the captain at the center of a viral boat rage video in Punta Gorda hasn't been licensed to run fishing charters since 2021. The captain, Brock Horner, is facing a burglary with assault or battery charge after his confrontation with another boater was captured on video and went viral. Watch Fox 4's Alex Orenczuk report on how to find a licensed charter captain: Is your charter captain legit?
Punta Gorda teacher, high school coach charged with sex assault of student

2 weeks ago | fox4now.com | Kaitlin Knapp |Alex Orenczuk

*WARNING: The details in this story may be disturbing for some viewers*Police have charged a Punta Gorda Middle School teacher for child sex crimes. A report says 36-year-old Dagoberto Miguel Pena had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a high school student. According to a police report, a Charlotte County deputy took a report over the phone with the victim's mother on April 26.
Southwest Florida teen skates his way to United States Hockey League in Ohio

2 weeks ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

ESTERO, Fla. — A 16-year-old hockey player from Estero is taking his talents to the next level as he prepares to join the United States Hockey League. Logan Anderson, a forward who has been developing his skills with the Florida Alliance Youth Hockey organization, will soon be lacing up his skates for the Youngstown Phantoms. "It's been a dream of mine to play juniors for a really long time, so I've been working my way up and I'm really happy about it," Anderson said.