Alex Orenczuk

Punta Gorda

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

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Articles

'Literal steps to recovery:' 12-year-old hit by minivan battles severe injuries

20 hours ago | kesq.com | Alex Orenczuk

By Alex OrenczukClick here for updates on this story PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida ( WFTX) - One week after a devastating scooter accident in Port Charlotte, 12-year-old Eden Moody is still recovering in a St. Petersburg hospital. Eden is suffering from a brain injury, a broken vertebrae, cuts and scrapes after she was struck by a minivan on Easy Street last Thursday, just hours after getting out of school for summer break.
'Literal steps to recovery:' 12-year-old hit by minivan battles severe injuries

1 day ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — One week after a devastating scooter accident in Port Charlotte, 12-year-old Eden Moody is still recovering in a St. Petersburg hospital. Eden is suffering from a brain injury, a broken vertebrae, cuts and scrapes after she was struck by a minivan on Easy Street last Thursday, just hours after getting out of school for summer break.
"It was an awesome boat": couple reflects on boat destroyed by Hurricane Milton

3 days ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — An eight-month ordeal is ending for a retired couple whose boat, and home, was left stranded on the docks by Hurricane Milton’s storm surge. Ernest and Lydia Sidwell watched Tuesday as crews prepared to pull out their boat "Livin A Dream," which Hurricane Milton dropped onto the dock at Laishley Park Marina.
Boat removal at Laishley Park Marina paused due to lightning

4 days ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Work crews hoping to finally remove several sunken and washed-up boats from Laishley Park Marina had to hit pause Monday, due to stormy weather and the risk of lightning. A massive crane brought in on a barge was ready to lift the four boats scheduled for removal, but the weather didn’t cooperate.
Conservation effort adds 40 tons of oyster shells to Charlotte Harbor reef

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PLACIDA, Fla. — On Thursday, a crew of conservationists added 40 tons of reclaimed oyster shells to an existing reef in Charlotte Harbor, continuing efforts to improve water quality and create marine habitats in the area. The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and its partners deployed the shells at an oyster reef in Turtle Bay, marking the fifth replenishment effort in about five years.
Boat removal begins at Laishley Park Marina months after Hurricane Milton

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The removal process is starting for boats that washed up or sank at the Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda during Hurricane Milton. Part of the parking lot will be closed for the next several days as demolition begins June 2. The boats at Laishley Marina have stood as a reminder of Hurricane Milton's destruction since it made landfall in October. The hurricane's storm surge lifted the boats from the marina, dropping them onto the docks and pilings.
Cultural Center of Charlotte County to be operational again by 2030

1 week ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Charlotte County staff gave commissioners an update on the plan to to demolish and rebuild the Cultural Center that has been closed since 2021. The Cultural Center has been a community hub in Charlotte County community since the 1960s, but closed in 2021 after the non-profit that ran it ended its lease. The building was later heavily damaged during Hurricane Ian.
Charlotte Co. Sheriff shows new water rescue vehicles ahead of hurricane season

2 weeks ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has unveiled new rescue vehicles and equipment, saying they are more prepared than ever to respond to emergencies this hurricane season. Sheriff Bill Prummell says the unprecedented storm surge from hurricanes Helene and Milton last year revealed that his agency wasn't adequately prepared to handle certain water rescue missions.
Ribbon cut at Verandas III, the latest affordable housing complex in Punta Gorda

2 weeks ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Charlotte County has officially replaced all affordable housing units lost during Hurricane Charley 20 years ago with the opening of The Verandas III in Punta Gorda. The 72-unit affordable housing development, which cost $25.7 million, is already fully occupied with families who earn at or below 60% of the area's median income.
Punta Gorda invests in portable dams ahead of hurricane season

2 weeks ago | fox4now.com | Alex Orenczuk

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Punta Gorda city officials have approved more than $420,000 for portable dams to protect city buildings from flooding during the upcoming hurricane season. The investment comes after unprecedented storm surge flooded downtown areas during hurricanes Helene and Milton.