My Single Mom Life

DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota County schools will be closed on Friday.

Sarasota County Public Schools is canceling all extra-curricular activities for Friday evening and Saturday (includes practices). Today's away games are also canceled. Other local school events will be held, including open houses and home athletic games (if the opposing county's team wishes to attend.)

The Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline remains active to serve victims of Hurricane Charley as well as those making preparations for the approach of Hurricane Frances. The Hotline will remain active for as long as the current statewide state of emergency is in effect. The Hotline number is 1-800-646-0444.

Charlotte County Sheriff's jail commander, Captain Tony Penland, advises that visitation to the county jail is suspended Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Cap't Penland said, "Due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Frances, all visitations are canceled and are tentatively set to resume again on Monday, Sep. 6." There are currently 427 inmates in the county jail. The top floor of the county jail is the backup area for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Communications/911, and Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), should both operations have to be evacuated from the already damaged sheriff's office building, 7474 Utilities Road, Punta Gorda. During Hurricane Charley, both operations evacuated to the county jail, which is the backup site.

In Charlotte County, emergency managers are issuing orders with outsiders on their minds. They're telling residents to find a stable place to weather out the storm. Planners aren't encouraging residents to leave, because major roads will be jammed will east coast residents headed this way for safety.