Orlando removes artifacts from Pulse building, marking major step in new memorial

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 7:09A Martin E. Comas

One by one, crew members slowly hauled out large wooden boxes filled with chandeliers, posters, a cash register, the top of a bar, and other items frozen in time from June 12, 2016. It was nearly all...

Barry Manilow postpones Orlando, other Florida concerts to have surgery for early-stage lung cancer

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 5:50A Associated Press

Barry Manilow will be having surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung and will reschedule his January concerts, including one in Orlando, the singer announced Monday. Manilow, 82, said doctors found the cancer after he had an extended bout...

I-95 shut down after deadly crash in Brevard County

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 3:21A Richard Tribou

A deadly crash in Brevard County shut down Interstate 95 in both directions for part of Monday morning with northbound lanes remaining closed into the afternoon. Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at about 9:04 a.m. in the northbound...

Truck vs. semi leaves 1 dead in Lake County

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 12:47A Richard Tribou

One person is dead after a Monday morning crash between a truck and a semi in Lake County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at about 5:53 a.m. on County Road 473 and Lake Eustis Drive in Leesburg, according to an FHP...

Breezy day for Central Florida on Monday as front pushes through

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 12:03A Richard Tribou

An approaching cold front will bring breezy conditions to Central Florida on Monday with a small chance for showers, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The cold front will slide across the Florida peninsula and offshore into...

Orlando officials say tree count is good investment, despite DOGE criticisms

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 12:00A Ryan Gillespie

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia blasted several line items in Orlando s budget as wasteful spending, but by far the largest was $450,000 to count its trees. “Maybe they’re trying to...

Lawmakers seek to end approach DeSantis has used in delaying special elections

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/22 12:00A Anthony Man

Since taking office, Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken two different approaches when a member of Congress or the Florida Legislature resigns or dies. Sometimes he acts speedily to call a special election to...

How, where and when to see Disney Parks’ televised Christmas parade

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/21 11:06P Dewayne Bevil

The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade will be televised Dec. 25, and it will feature performances from all four Walt Disney World theme parks and other attractions. Viewers will see Lady A...

Mount Dora, Lake County leaders spar over Northeast redevelopment tax funds

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/21 11:00P James Wilkins

A major expansion of Mount Dora’s Northeast Community Redevelopment Area will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue, but city and county officials can’t agree on how to divvy it up. Mount...

New Apopka police chief showed her mettle during 25 years with OPD

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/21 11:00P Brian Bell

When Orlando Police Lt. Lovetta Quinn-Henry arrived at Pulse nightclub in the early hours of June 12, 2016, she saw the carnage unleashed by gunman Omar Mateen. Almost 10 years on, something else she...

Years after Ian, Seminole County buys out flood-prone homes with FEMA money

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 12/21 12:00A Martin E. Comas

More than three years after their homes were nearly destroyed by Hurricane Ian s floodwaters , residents along Lake Harney in east Seminole County are finally seeing relief. Seminole County, acting on...

Garbage collection, recycling days are changing in Orange County

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/20 12:00A Stephen Hudak

If Orange County picks up your garbage, your collection days are changing. The system-wide adjustment, which starts Monday, Dec. 29, affects all 235,000 residential households served by the county s contract waste-haulers — Waste Pro, Waste...

Plant Doctor: Grow tea in your garden that you can brew and drink, too

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 12/19 11:00P Tom MacCubbin

Question : We have seen ads for tea plants. Can tea be raised locally? Answer : Tiny little tea leaves with winter blooms can be cultivated in Central Florida and more-northern Florida landscapes. Tea...

Groveland wants $1.4 million from Kroger for facility closure

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 8:10A James Wilkins

Kroger Co. has defaulted on its agreement with the City of Groveland, and city officials are demanding the company pay back $1.4 million by the end of January. The city decided this week to seek the...

Five people sue Universal, claiming Stardust Racers caused severe injuries

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 7:20A Martin E. Comas

Five people have filed separate lawsuits against Universal Orlando Resort, claiming they suffered severe and permanent injuries — in some cases, bleeding of the brain, spinal cord damage and paralysis — after their heads slammed repeatedly...