History center events explore Cypress Gardens, Colonial Plaza, more

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/1 4:39A Dewayne Bevil

Orange County Regional History Center will play host to multiple public events in December, including sessions that look back at Cypress Gardens and return to the early days of Orlando s Colonial...

Clean bills of health: Which Central Florida restaurants had perfect inspections in November?

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/1 3:11A Garfield Hylton

After 1,400 restaurant inspections across Central Florida in November, only 195 had no issues for the entire month, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Brevard had the highest percentage of...

Monday has early morning fog, slight showers and mostly sunny skies

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/1 12:59A Garfield Hylton

Monday has a slight chance of showers in the early afternoon. The day begins with fog in the early morning, according to NWS Melbourne. Skies are mostly sunny with winds blowing east to northeast at 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. There...

Lake County recovering, waiting for road work, month after major storm

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/30 11:00P James Wilkins

Nearly a month after a storm dropped almost 20 inches of rain on parts of Lake County, flooding and washing out roads, l ocal officials say repair work is underway and most residents have found ways...

‘All Is Calm’: Christmas docu-musical of hope and peace is back

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/30 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

Orlando loves the story of the famed World War I Christmas truce of 1914, a ceasefire that was spontaneous and sincere. After all, what s not to love about the real-life event in which German and...

In the woods of east Orange, a nonprofit offers hope to the hidden homeless

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/30 12:00A Ryan Gillespie

Deep in the forest behind a convenience store in eastern Orange County, Stacy, a former restaurant manager, has a roof over her head. It’s made of corrugated metal, sitting propped on some panels and...

After nearly 50 years on death row, Tommy Zeigler seeks final chance at freedom

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/30 12:00A Martin E. Comas

The Winter Garden Police chief was at a party on Christmas Eve 1975 when he received a phone call from his friend Tommy Zeigler, the owner of a furniture store on Dillard Street. “I’ve been shot,...

From the editor: Help us continue our important journalism

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 11/29 11:58P Roger Simmons

Dear readers, On behalf of our newsroom staff, I want to express my gratitude to you for being an Orlando Sentinel reader and someone who supports a free press, which is vital for our democracy. While...

Orlando Museum of Art to open largest U.S. David LaChapelle exhibit

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/29 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

A retrospective of the work of acclaimed photographer-director David LaChapelle is coming to Orlando Museum of Art in the new year. And it will include a world-premiere creation the museum describes...

Plant Doctor: With proper care anthuriums provide colorful, long-lasting blooms

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 11/28 11:00P Tom MacCubbin

Question : Anthuriums are my favorite flowering foliage plants, but I have a hard time growing them — in planters or vases. Do you have any recommendations? Answer : Gardeners wanting long-lasting...

Orlando small businesses can count on local shoppers’ loyalty this season

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/28 10:30P Silas Morgan

As Americans feel their wallets tighten this Black Friday, Orlando s small businesses are counting on the loyalty of customers in their community to ensure steady business. Sarah Johnson-Markve is the...

Orlando theaters collect food for hungry students during holidays

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/28 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

Three Central Florida theaters are uniting once again this holiday season to aid local children who go hungry when not in school. After a brief hiatus, Orlando Family Stage , Orlando Shakes and Winter Park Playhouse are reviving their...

December in the Garden for Central Florida

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 11/28 10:00P Tom MacCubbin

The Almanac Average temperature: High 73, Low 53 | Winter arrives Dec. 21 Rainfall: 2.31 inches 1. Moon phases Full moon: Dec. 4 Last quarter: Dec. 11 New moon: Dec. 19 First quarter: Dec. 27 2. Moon sign planting dates Above-ground crops:  2, 3,...

Spirit, Frontier offer steep air travel discounts in Black Friday dogfight

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 11/28 9:16A David Lyons

A Black Friday airfare dogfight appears to have broken out between rival discount carriers Spirit and Frontier airlines, as both announced Friday they are briefly selling one-way tickets for $30 or...

Snapchat is nearing 1 billion monthly users. Why can’t it turn a profit?

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 11/28 8:54A Tribune News Service

By Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times Snapchat, an app whose disappearing messages and silly face filters made chatting with loved ones more casual, is close to a milestone that few social media platforms achieve: reaching 1 billion monthly users....