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🌱 How a Punta Gorda reunion is keeping veterans’ memories flying high.
Punta Gorda, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min readGood morning to you Punta Gorda! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Punta Gorda reunion is keeping veterans’ memories flying high.
- What DeSantis’ camera ban really means for Punta Gorda police work.
- Veteran in Punta Gorda? See this week’s standout job lead.
Also on today's calendar: Key Lime & Tropical Fest.
Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 91 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, temps: high: 91, low: 75.
- Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. ‘It was a good day' (yoursun.com) — Punta Gorda recently hosted an Honor Flight reunion where about 180 veterans and families gathered at the Life Celebration Center to share stories from their trips to Washington, D.C. Local firefighter and Honor Flight leader Alex Davenport and several veterans described how the experience and ongoing events, including an October flight and November golf fundraiser, continue to honor their service. 
2. Local police unhappy with DeSantis' camera ban (yoursun.com) — Punta Gorda residents won’t see license plate reader cameras removed locally because the city’s police department doesn’t use them, but officers may soon lose access to data from neighboring agencies after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered cameras off state roads. Charlotte County and nearby departments say they’ll comply, even as some leaders argue the technology has been a valuable crime-fighting tool.
3. Hiring Veterans: Jobs of the week for Aug. 31, 2026 (va.gov) — Veterans in Punta Gorda may want to check out an Energy Solutions Specialist opening with NextEra Energy listed among this week’s nationwide job leads. The roundup also highlights virtual career fairs, resume webinars, and franchise-coaching opportunities tailored to veterans, offering multiple ways to explore new careers or entrepreneurship from right here in Southwest Florida.
4. Map shows where foreclosures are surging under Donald Trump (newsweek.com) — Punta Gorda’s metro area is currently recording the nation’s highest foreclosure rate among similarly sized regions, with one filing for every 899 housing units in July. Rising mortgage rates, home prices, taxes, and insurance are squeezing many Florida homeowners, even as state foreclosure starts remain among the highest in the country.
📸 Around Punta Gorda
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Punta Gorda
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Sunday Farmers Market at the Punta Gorda History Park ! →
History Park of Punta Gorda - Sunday Market, 501 Shreve St, Punta Gorda
9:00 am
Sunday September 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Key Lime & Tropical Fest →
Fishermen's Village, 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
12:00 pm
Saturday September 19
📣 Punta Gorda Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Practical AI for Small Business- Part 2 →
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. ZOOM https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GDRvZHahRJW77M5sEXIgfA
3:00 pm -
Computer & Cell Phone Classes Available NOW in Englewood, FL
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. IG Management Group, LLC 1460 South McCall Road, Unit 1E Englewood, FL 34223
4:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting - Rise Dispensary
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Rise Dispensary 1931 Tamiami Trial, Unit 8 Port Charlotte, FL
5:00 pm -
Hats off to Wine!
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. The Gilded Grape Winery & Wine Bar, 3796 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte
5:30 pm -
Trivia at Charlie Foxtrot Brewing
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Charlie Foxtrot Brewing: 1700 Tamiami Trail, A5 Port Charlotte, FL 33948
6:30 pm -
Funky Foam Food Truck Party Billy Mancini Live — Disco & Funk Dance Favorites!
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 4732 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte , 33980
4:30 pm -
CHEC CLOSED -Labor Day
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, 10941 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda -
IHeart Radio Show 1580AM
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 2702 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
9:00 am -
Networking at Noon 9/9/26 at Hampton Inn & Suites North Port
Hampton Inn & Suites North Port, 5664 Tuscola Blvd., North Port
11:45 am -
Leadership Charlotte Class of 2027 Reception
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda
5:30 pm
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Sunday September 6
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Punta Gorda PatchAM possible:
- Amy's lash and brows — (239) 300-1701
- Weichert Realtors AGENCY ONE | The Liss Lists Team — (516) 567-7616
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- To the older gentlemen picking up trash on Rio de Janeiro today at about 3 p.
m in 92 degree heat, you both are a wonderful example of caring neighbors doing your part to keep Deep Creek a beautiful neighborhood. Thank you for… (Nextdoor Deep Creek Sec 23) - I found some beautiful moments in my photo album.
I'm sharing this with you all in the hopes that it will cheer you up (Nextdoor Deep Creek Sec 23)
- Golden Corral posted a job opening for Dishwasher in Punta Gorda. Apply here.
- Sunshine Ace Hardware posted a job opening for Retail Associates - PT (Babcock Ranch) in Punta Gorda. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Punta Gorda here.
Ok Punta Gorda! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don’t you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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