Florida Sets Execution Date For William Silvia Amid Push For Commutation
William Frances Silvia, Jr. The State of Florida is scheduled to execute 61-year-old William Frances...
Affordable housing for teachers draws opposition near Orange County elementary school
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – As school districts across Central Florida face tightening budgets, a new change to Florida’s Live Local Act gives school districts authority to build affordable housing on district-owned land, even when local zoning wouldn’t normally allow it. In Orange County, a proposal for 100...
Driver arrested after falling asleep at Ocoee intersection, police say
OCOEE, Fla. – A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI after officers found her asleep behind the wheel early in the morning at an intersection, according to the Ocoee Police Department. In a release on Thursday, police said the call came in around 6:30 a.m. Officers made contact...
More than $500 fire assessment notice sparks concern among Ocoee homeowners
OCOEE, Fla – A proposed change to Florida’s property tax system could cost Ocoee millions of dollars in revenue, prompting city leaders to consider shifting more of the cost of fire protection onto homeowners. Ocoee projects it could lose about $4.15 million in property tax revenue in fiscal...
Orange County deputies investigate cemetery niche thefts in Gotha, Winter Park
GOTHA, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating three people who deputies say have been traveling the country, visiting cemeteries and stealing items left at niches, including at cemeteries in Gotha and Winter Park. The sheriff's office confirmed the investigation includes Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha a
Roughly 300 dead roaches found at Orlando pizzeria, records show
ORLANDO, Fla. – Last week, 10 more Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down (at least temporarily) after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records. These records show that the reported eateries experienced violations like rodent droppings, roaches, and storage issues, among others. One eatery
Trader Joe’s Opening First-Ever Osceola County Location
“Big win for Osceola County,” said a post published by OrlandowithMario on Instagram. “Trader Joe’s just confirmed its first-ever Osceola location is coming to The Loop West in Kissimmee: 12,500 sq ft, permits filed April 21, no opening date yet (shoutout to Riley Benson with Orlando Business Journal for the reporting)
Excessive heat could bring near-record temperatures to these major cities this weekend
Excessive heat will continue to impact North Florida, Central Florida, and the Big Bend as temperatures climb this weekend into next week. Near-record high temperatures are possible as early as Friday afternoon. Tampa's forecasted high for Friday could tie a record of 97 set back in 1961. Jacksonville may also...
Winter Park lawmakers target micromobility safety concerns
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Winter Park city commissioners and Police Chief Tim Volkerson are set to discuss possible updates to the city’s micromobility rules during a work session at City Hall, including changes related to e-bikes and e-scooters. Volkerson said in an email to Spectrum News that parents...
Sprout & Bean is coming to Winter Garden
A new indoor playground and café is coming to Winter Garden. Sprout & Bean is a play café designed for children 5 years old and younger. Former touring musicians Rachel and Billy Schmidt of The Whiskey Wasps are opening the café as a space for children to be immersed in a tiny town, complete with a grocery store, hospi
