Airport Recovery + Man Saves Dog From Lake + Rental Assistance

Good morning and TGIF! Welcome to our new Patch newsletter serving the Orlando area. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I'll be keeping you updated on the latest news on what is happening around town each morning. Let's get started.

In this edition, you'll find out about increasing airport traffic, eviction developments in Orlando, summer school plans, rental assistance, and more.

Today’s weather: The high today is 84 and the low is 67 with mostly sunny skies.

1. Orlando International Airport is seeing a comeback as traffic begins to rise, the airport is reporting traffic is now at 76% of 2019 traffic with mainly domestic travelers as international travel continues to struggle during the pandemic. (Fox 35 Orlando)

2. Millions of dollars in rent assistance are going unclaimed in Central Florida and counties in the Orlando area say they are shocked at how few applications they are receiving. They are asking those in need to reach out for help. (WESH)

3. Central Florida teachers are proposing an increase in summer school students to help make-up COVID “lost learning” using COVID-19 relief funds. Orange County hopes to increase to 37,000 students from the usual 10,000. (Orlando Sentinel)

4. An Orlando man saved a dog that was struggling to swim in Lake Highland, which is 18 feet deep, and is now the talk of the town. The dog is now safely at home. We love a good Samaritan. (Fox 35 Orlando)

5. A new report from the University of Florida found that Black residents have disproportionately faced evictions in Florida and the Orlando area both before and since the pandemic began. A number of reasons are cited including wages, job losses during the pandemic, and decades of discriminatory housing and lending laws. The CDC eviction moratorium also appears to be failing according to residents and advocates. (Orlando Sentinel)

Today in Orlando:

• Volunteer to feed Orlando veterans at Elks Lodge #1079 with Soldiers’ Angels Veteran Mobile Food Distribution. (11 a.m.)
• Old Town Muscle Car Show. Old Town in Kissimmee invites show-quality muscle and high-performance cars and trucks from 1964 and newer and classics from 1983 and older to join others in the ultimate display of engine power every Friday. (3 p.m.)
• Backyard BBQ at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando SeaWorld. Enjoy BBQ favorites, LIVE music, drinks, and more. Free admission. $12 a plate. (6 p.m.)
• Ben Brainard at Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant is sure to bring some laughs. (7:30 p.m.)
• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis. The evening will feature the premiere of The Democracy Suite, a new Marsalis composition written during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis as a response to the political, social, and economic struggles facing our nation. (8 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean event is running from May 28th to September 6th with fireworks, dance parties, the return of “Elmo Rocks” and more. (Click Orlando)
• More than 51% of Orange County residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine according to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
• Seminole County is offering $10 off groceries as well as other incentives at community vaccine events to help support vaccination efforts.
• Orange County residents can pick up free weather-safe radios at 5 vaccination sites through Sunday in anticipation of the 2021 hurricane season.
• Ohio-based pizza chain Donatos is planning dozens of locations in the Orlando area.
• Speaking of pizza, don’t miss this tasty review of Perla’s Pizza in Orlando Weekly.
• Frontier Airlines has added a nonstop route from Orlando International Airport to Rochester, New York that will run three times a week.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: orlando@patch.com.

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.