Merlin Berrios and Osmin Isidro were arrested by Charlotte County deputies near the Boca Grande Causeway after being caught allegedly siphoning and stealing used cooking oil from Englewood restaurants.

Used cooking oil is a valuable commodity. Restaurant staff say that they can make decent money by selling their recycled oil, so losing it to thieves hits hard. Many restaurants keep their grease traps indoors, waiting for their recycling company to pick them up. A third party for this service, which also prevents theft.

Many local business owners find the thefts unsettling. Deputies believe the suspects posed as recycling workers, reaching out to restaurants all across Central Florida and the East Coast. 

Because of the rising value of yellow grease, local and national law enforcement agencies have dealt with organized theft rings targeting restaurant collection vats across multiple states and regions.

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Travel + Leisure points out what locals already know: living near the water isn’t just a dream, it’s actually good for you. Studies link coastal living to better health and maybe even a longer life. With Florida’s long coastline, there are plenty of choices, but Englewood stands out. Even Investopedia put it on their list of best places to retire.

Just a half-hour drive south of Sarasota, Englewood gives you the full package: water sports, boating, fishing, a beach boardwalk, unforgettable sunsets, the sort of things people retire for. It turns out the retirees caught on early here. About 60 percent of the town’s 20,800 residents are over 65, so this isn’t just a place for a getaway: it’s a full-on retirement hub. There’s solid support too: in-home services, assessments, application help, a dedicated elder helpline for meals and specialized care, the works. Healthcare’s covered with Englewood Hospital and the Community Care Clinic close by.

Housing is also a major consideration. While many Florida beach towns price people out, Englewood offers more options, both along the coast and a little farther inland. The median home price sits at $324,178, down about 11 percent from last year, according to Zillow. Rentals average around $1,242. But here’s a not-so-surprising reality check: the overall cost of living runs five percent higher than the national average.

Culture isn’t lacking, either. Englewood and nearby towns have art galleries, theaters, museums, and the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, with trails winding through peaceful settings. Every year, Englewood hosts the Beach Waterfest, with boat races, marine life exhibits, and food vendors. The Englewood Seafood & Music Festival shines a spotlight on local, sustainable seafood. Manasota Key’s nearby beaches are famous for seashells and fossil shark teeth, plus wildlife, restaurants, and wide stretches of white sand. If you want to stay active, there’s no shortage of golf courses, parks, or walking trails.

Florida dominates lists of best retirement spots for good reason. Besides endless sunshine, the state helps your wallet. There’s no state income tax, which means retirees keep more of their Social Security, pensions, and investment income. People over 65 can get property tax breaks, depending on their circumstances.

Englewood isn’t the only pick, either. Investopedia’s rundown also features Bradenton, Sarasota, Hialeah, and Miami. Want to see the full list? Check it out on Investopedia.com.

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The controversial Buchan’s Bayside project returned to the Sarasota County Planning Commission on May 21, 2026, and received a 4-1 approval from the commission allowing them to move on to requesting approval from the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners. 

Libertore’s mission is to rezone to Commercial General/Mixed Use for the Main Street Overlay District, and allow freestanding single-family and also multi-family buildings in the district. The goal was to bring all parcels on Dearborn St. District (as well as their newly added 3 lots) under the same development standards as the recently approved Buchans Phase I. 

One key objection was that the proposed rezoning/amendment is not specific to only the Buchan’s Bayside project, it would apply to the entire Central District of Old Englewood, Dearborn St.

Last October, the Planning Commission unanimously told the County Commission to reject the proposed expansion. The primary complication was that commissioners worried bigger, taller buildings would erase the character of Old Englewood Village. The development management team came back removing only the height request, which satisfied the board enough for approval. 

At the May 21, 2026 hearing, the developer brought four petitions: a rezoning to bring the new parcels into the Commercial General/Main Street Overlay District; a special exception to allow single-family villas and platted lots in that zone; another special exception for structures and boat slips in Marine Park, a request to expand by eight additional Condos (two per building) and a lowered height cap back to 35ft. 

In short, the development management team, primarily Kimley-Horn’s Kelley Klepper on behalf of Buchan’s Bayside Inc. and Scott Libertore has been pursuing a comprehensive plan amendment to bring all parcels into a single, unified mixed-use designation. Phase I is approved, but Phase II has faced significant community and planning board resistance, particularly over adding docks, parking availability and neighborhood character. Their special exceptions and rezoning are not just for their property it is for the entire District. This will change the face of the Historic Old Englewood District forever.

Name withheld upon request

The Englewood REVIEW encourages our readers to share their thoughts. Our opinion section exists online as a space where the community can discuss and debate issues that matter to our community. We receive a high volume of letters, so we can’t publish every submission. To submit your letter, email michele@englewoodreview.com with “Letter to the Editor Submission” in the subject line.

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From sunny St. Thomas to your go-to coffee shop and now all the way to Italy, our newspaper really gets around. 

This is Kenneth Keating, one of Englewood’s own. On a recent trip to Rome, Kenneth made sure to pack his copy of the Englewood REVIEW. He couldn’t resist snapping a photo with it right in front of the Colosseum. Talk about a paper with wanderlust. 

Now it’s your move. Show us where you and the REVIEW go together. Take a photo with your copy; maybe you’re out on the beach, hiking up a mountain, or just relaxing at your favorite café. Wherever you are, we’d love to see it. Share your adventures with us!

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The Englewood Farmers Market is so special, set in the heart of historic downtown Englewood. Every Thursday from October through May, Pioneer Plaza bursts to life. You’ll find over 6,000 visitors roaming through rows of white tents, soaking up live music, chatting with local farmers, and grabbing something good to eat. The vibe is bustling, pet-friendly, and all about the community. The Rotary Club of Englewood Sunset keeps everything running smoothly as the official operator and organizer.

As we await the October reopening, check out this quickie video. For information, click on the Englewood Farmers Market website or their Facebook page for all the latest vendor news and seasonal updates. Can’t wait for October? Join the club.

The post Lettuce Reminisce: A 30-Second Flash of Englewood’s Best Thursdays (Video) appeared first on Englewood Review.

Earlier in the year, narcotics detectives arrested a suspect during a drug buy, catching someone selling cocaine directly to undercover officers. That trail led straight to Taylor, whom investigators identified as the main supplier. Detectives kept him under close watch and saw him selling drugs from his house and other spots around Charlotte County nearly every day. This pattern gave them enough evidence to get a warrant for his home.

Once inside, detectives arrested Taylor and found a stash of drugs and cash. They recovered: 1.57 pounds of cocaine, 8.22 pounds of marijuana, 50 Adderall pills, $21,840 in cash, a money counter, baggies, scales, and a .22 caliber rifle.

Following the search and based on evidence from both the bust and previous surveillance, deputies charged Taylor with two counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and two counts of violating probation. Officers also seized the cash for forfeiture.

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Flip through and you’ll spot an in-depth piece on Keith Rowley, a true Englewood business legend, plus a Memorial Day article, a spotlight on May’s Health and Wellness Month, The Smoked Mullet Society Awards, and plenty more. We’ve also rounded up all the local events you’ll want to mark on your calendar. Don’t miss it if you want to know what’s happening in Englewood. Grab your copy today.

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“We’re excited to show the public our new headquarters building,” says Fire Chief Kevin Easton. “The move to 579 S. Indiana Ave. makes us more accessible to the public and locates us in the center of town.”

The Englewood Fire Department is also collecting school supplies for the 21st Annual Englewood Back-to-School Bash. Even though school isn’t out yet, they’re already gearing up for the next school year. As an official collection site, they’re making sure local kids start the new school year with everything they need. Pencils, notebooks, folders, backpacks; every single donation matters.

Organized in partnership with the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Englewood Fire Department enjoyed offering tours of the new facility and celebrating with the community it serves. 

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In my town there is an attempted rezone of an area. The request would change the area for the worse forever. The area in question is residential, with our state park, Stump Pass State Park to the south. This park being. My happy place. A place where one could go and feel they could get away. Unencumbered by the world’s stress. This development directly negatively impacts it. Also the sea turtles and shorebirds that depend on it for reliable habitat and foraging grounds. 

My letter to zoning and commissioners. 

Members of the BOCC:

My name is Carol McCoy. I am a full-time resident and taxpayer in Charlotte County, and I have served as a volunteer sea turtle monitor with the Coastal Wildlife Club for more than ten years.

The application materials submitted for this rezoning appear to be incomplete, and I have specific questions that I want answered on the public record.

I am against the re-zone for the reasons listed below:

THE SCALE OF THIS PROJECT DEMANDS SCRUTINY

The Manasota Key Resort currently operates 85 units. This application seeks to expand to 246 units — nearly three times the current size. This is a barrier island served by one narrow two-lane road — Beach Road and Gulf Boulevard, County Road 776 — and one drawbridge over Lemon Bay. There is already limited parking. The infrastructure of this island was not designed for development of this scale.

I am not opposed to business. I am asking whether this board has fully examined what a project of this magnitude means for the infrastructure, the taxpayers, the wildlife, and the human safety of this specific location — before it votes.

THIS BEACH AND SHORELINE SUPPORT PROTECTED WILDLIFE

The beach behind this resort is not simply a nice beach. In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formally designated Manasota Key as critical habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle under the Endangered Species Act — an official federal determination that this beach contains the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of a threatened species. Manasota Key is also within the area proposed for critical habitat designation for the North Atlantic Distinct Population Segment of the green sea turtle, which would add a second layer of federal protection to this same beach.

The nesting area immediately surrounding this resort is a large, U-shaped stretch of beach — not a single linear strip, but an envelope of habitat that gives nesting sea turtles open, sandy access from multiple directions. CWC has documented nesting here by loggerhead, green, and in 2024, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world. A development expanding to 246 units, with its associated lighting, construction disturbance, increased foot traffic, and hard coastal structures, threatens that entire nesting envelope.

This beach and the adjacent Lemon Bay shoreline are also important habitats for migratory and resident shorebirds and seabirds. Florida’s Gulf Coast lies within the Atlantic Flyway — a major migratory corridor used by hundreds of bird species traveling between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.

Charlotte County’s own natural resources documentation confirms that county beaches, including this stretch, provide nesting and foraging habitat for state-threatened species including the least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, and snowy plover. These birds nest directly on the sand, making them especially vulnerable to development, lighting, construction activity, and increased human presence. All native bird species are additionally protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, regardless of whether they migrate. Beyond the birds, this beach and surrounding area also supports gopher tortoises, another state-listed species.

The wildlife value of this location does not belong only to conservation advocates. It belongs to every resident, every tourist, every birder, every angler, and every family that visits this island. It is part of what makes this place worth protecting — and worth visiting.

Given the documented presence of three sea turtle species and multiple state-threatened shorebirds, this application should have been referred to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before reaching this board. FDEP has jurisdiction over coastal construction and the adjacent Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. FWC has direct authority over sea turtle and shorebird protection in Florida. Neither agency appears to have been consulted, and that is a serious gap in this review process.

TWO PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS — ONE PROPERTY

Lemon Bay — the body of water the Tom Adams Bridge crosses, and the bay that borders this property on its eastern side — is a state-designated Aquatic Preserve and an Outstanding Florida Waterbody, managed by FDEP. This property sits between two formally protected resource designations: federally designated critical habitat on the Gulf side, and a state Aquatic Preserve on the bay side. That context is absent from this application and should not be.

QUESTION 1: THE SEA WALL

The sea wall of concern is located on the Gulf beach side of the property, behind the garage structure. There are additional, disconnected sea walls to the north and south. The U-shaped nesting beach wraps around this entire area.

This project involves construction on a federally designated critical habitat beach that receives federal funds for periodic renourishment. Rebuilding, expanding, or modifying a sea wall in this context may require authorization from the Army Corps of Engineers and a state permit from FDEP.

Has either permit been applied for? If so, those documents are public records and should be in this application. They are not.

QUESTION 2: THE ROAD AND THE BRIDGE

Tripling the resort’s capacity will generate a permanent and significant increase in traffic on a two-lane island road. Large construction trucks will cross the Tom Adams Bridge repeatedly over an extended construction period. The road and bridge may require reinforcement to handle both the construction phase and long-term increased use.

The Tom Adams Bridge is a drawbridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. As such, it is subject to U.S. Coast Guard regulatory oversight independent of county ownership.

Any structural modification involves federal jurisdiction. The bridge also sustained significant structural damage during Hurricane Milton in 2024 — undermining at all four quadrants — and has since been repaired by Charlotte County.

My question: are any public funds — county, state, or federal — anticipated for road or bridge upgrades as a result of this project? That disclosure is not in this application, and it should be.

QUESTION 3: PROCESS CONCERNS

A traffic study was conducted for this project — during the summer months. In Southwest Florida, summer is our lowest-traffic season. Peak season, when roads and the bridge carry their highest loads, runs fall through spring. A study conducted during the off-peak season does not reflect real-world conditions. I am asking this board whether it considers that study adequate, and if not, to require a peak-season study before any vote.

An environmental survey appears to have been waived for this project. On a federally designated critical habitat beach bordered by a state Aquatic Preserve, with documented nesting by three sea turtle species and state-threatened shorebirds, that decision demands a public explanation. I want to know, was a waiver authorized that waiver, who waived it, under what authority, and why. That answer belongs on the record.

QUESTION 4: EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND HUMAN SAFETY

Manasota Key is Evacuation Zone A — the highest-risk category in Charlotte County, ordered to evacuate first in every storm. Charlotte County issued Zone A evacuation orders for Manasota Key during Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton, three major events in three years. Charlotte County has no certified Red Cross shelters; evacuees may need to travel to another county.

This project would nearly triple the number of guests, employees, and visitors who would need to evacuate across one two-lane road and one drawbridge. Its long-term load capacity under storm conditions has not been publicly evaluated in connection with this application.

Emergency evacuation planning for a project of this scale on a Zone A barrier island is not optional. 

I am asking this board: have the following agencies been consulted, and where are the records of that consultation?

Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management — primary Zone A evacuation authority.

Florida Division of Emergency Management — state coordination required under Florida Statute Chapter 252.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office — evacuation traffic and public safety.

Charlotte County Fire and EMS — emergency response capacity on a barrier island.

Florida Department of Health, Charlotte County — medical evacuation and special needs planning.

U.S. Coast Guard — marine evacuation if road or bridge access is lost during a storm.

The Florida Legislature, in Chapter 252, specifically identified growth in coastal populations and seasonal visitors as factors complicating the state’s ability to coordinate emergency management. These are life-safety questions, not bureaucratic ones. They were not addressed in this application.

MY FORMAL REQUEST TO THIS BOARD

I am requesting that this board require the applicant to provide, prior to any approval vote:

1. Documentation of any Army Corps of Engineers or FDEP permit applications or determinations related to the Gulf-side sea wall.

2. Referral to FDEP for evaluation of coastal construction impacts and impacts to the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve.

3. Referral to FWC for evaluation of impacts to sea turtle nesting habitat, state-threatened shorebirds (least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, snowy plover), and other state-listed species including the gopher tortoise.

4. Documentation of any U.S. Coast Guard coordination related to the Tom Adams Bridge in connection with this project.

5. Documentation of any FDOT or U.S. DOT involvement related to County Road 776.

6. A complete disclosure of all public and private funding sources for every component of this project, including infrastructure.

7. A public explanation of who authorized the waiver of an environmental survey, under what authority, and why.

8. A peak-season traffic study that reflects real-world conditions, including bridge load capacity.

9. Written confirmation from the Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Charlotte County Sheriff, Fire and EMS, and Florida Department of Health that each has reviewed and accepted the evacuation implications of nearly tripling resort capacity on a Zone A barrier island.

This beach is sandwiched between two formally protected resource designations. It is served by one road and one storm-damaged bridge. It sits in Evacuation Zone A in a county with no certified Red Cross shelter. A project proposing to triple the density of this location required a thorough, transparent, multi-agency review — an off-season traffic study and a waived environmental survey are not that. The people of this county, the visitors who would stay in those 246 units, and the wildlife this shoreline supports all deserve better before this board acts.

Thank you.
Carol McCoy
Englewood, FL 

The Englewood REVIEW encourages our readers to share their thoughts. Our opinion section exists online as a space where the community can discuss and debate issues that matter to our community. We receive a high volume of letters, so we can’t publish every submission. To submit your letter, email michele@englewoodreview.com with “Letter to the Editor Submission” in the subject line.

The post Proposed Manasota Key Resort Threatens Critical Sea Turtle, Shorebird Habitat and Human Safety appeared first on Englewood Review.

This isn’t just another awards lunch; it’s an Englewood tradition that brings everyone together to celebrate the people and families who helped build this community. The Secret Society of Smoked Mullets announced this year’s Smoked Mullet Award winners, along with new recipients of the Englewood Legends’ Award. The winner for 2026 is Larry VanTilburg and the Dignam Family who received The Legends Award.

This year, Eric Fogo served as the Master of Ceremonies, and the speakers included Nancy Wille and Esther Horton. They provided an event filled with significant memories and a real sense of belonging.

A quick bit of history: Nita Cole founded the Secret Society of Smoked Mullets back in 1996. She wanted to honor the unsung heroes of Englewood; the people whose hard work shaped the town but rarely got recognition for it. In Nita’s words, “The intention is to honor people from the past who helped create the Englewood we have today—people who probably have never been recognized with an award for their hard work and dedication.”

A look at past Smoked Mullet Award recipients tells the story: Dr. John Flower, Mac Horton, Leah Lasbury, Pat Fitzgerald, Ferold Davis, Don Platt, Eunice Albritton, Tom Dignam, Billy Davis, David Dignam, Joe Czerwinski, Denny Girard, Bill Stiver, Sr., Larry Nicol, Charlie Hicks, Diana Harris, Esther Horton, Fred Beck, Rex Rowley, Gary Schroeder, Mel Kugler, Nancy Wille and Eric Fogo, Carolyn Pope, Leo Pfliger, and Mike Looney.

In 2017, organizers launched the Englewood Legends Award to recognize the historic families that shaped the region. Past winners include the Bass, Tate, Goff, Ainger, Pope, Scott, Wiley Hicks, and Lampp families.

Nita Cole, speaking with the Englewood REVIEW about the origins of this event, said, “This is our 29th year. When I started back then, there were already plenty of awards for business people. But Englewood’s deeper history kept coming up in conversations, with stories about folks who worked quietly behind the scenes but never got public thanks. I figured, let’s create an award for those people who went above and beyond; people who made Englewood what it is today and seldom got noticed.”

She smiled, adding, “They even call me the Mother Mullet. For the first few years, I’d show up in a fish costume. When we chose the first recipient, Dr. John Flower came to mind, as he provided his dental services to Englewood when the town really needed them.”

The big question is how they came up with the name for the award? Nita explained, “We kept asking ourselves, what do we call this award? I sat there, trading ideas with the old-timers, and someone pointed out that Englewood is known for smoked mullet. They had to eat it back when there was no refrigeration, so it’s been a part of the area’s story. That’s how the ‘Smoked Mullet Award’ got its name.”

How did the Secret Society aspect begin? Nita explains, “At first, each year’s winners were usually older folks, wonderful people, but it didn’t make sense to have them run the committee for the next year. We needed fresh energy, so I suggested winners could pick a younger person to be their ‘secret’ member and help carry the torch. We did that for four or five years, but haven’t kept up that part for about a decade now.”

Nita never imagined that the tradition would last this long. She reflected, “Englewood truly is a gem on the West Coast. We started as the lemon tree town, but after a hurricane wiped those out, the town depended on groceries brought by schooner from Tampa. People gathered down at the docks. There’s so much history, and at this luncheon, we get to share those stories. A lot of business people come now, and many have no idea how their community got started. That’s why this day matters.”

Attendees thoroughly enjoyed the event, the opportunity to support the legacy, meet the people who keep Englewood’s spirit alive, and a lunch full of stories and friendship. The tradition continues.

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