🌱 Altamonte Springs Detects Omicron Variant + Medal Of Honor For Former Seminole Sgt.

Good morning, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with your brand-new Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Some sun. High: 80 Low: 65.

Rent this space!

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Orlando? We'd love to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Altamonte Springs city manager Frank Martz announced on Saturday that the omicron variant was detected in the city’s wastewater after a sample was collected on Thursday. Altamonte Springs wastewater project also tests samples from some of Orange County. The Central Florida city has been testing for coronavirus since April 2020. (WFLA)

2. Buck O'Neil, the first Black Major League Baseball coach and a Sarasota native, was among six candidates elected to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Committees made their selections during meetings in Orlando on Sunday. O'Neil was the grandson of slaves and grew up working in Sarasota's celery fields as a child. (Patch Orlando)

3. Seminole County leaders handed out 50,000 rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits for free on Saturday at Winter Springs High School. The tests come with virtual proctor instructions that meet travel requirements. (Click Orlando)

4. President Joe Biden is set to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to a fallen Seminole County sergeant. U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Alwyn Cashe saved the lives of multiple soldiers after the vehicle he was in was hit by an explosive device on October 17th, 2005. (WESH)

5. A museum in Casselberry has an exhibit called ReVision that features an inclusive sculpture that will allow people with vision impairment to experience through touch. Those who can see are invited to put on a blindfold to experience it. The exhibit runs through December 30th at the Casselberry Sculpture House. (WMFE)

Today's Orlando Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Orlando:

• Orlando City Hall Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Site. (9:30 AM)
• CFCArts Legacy! Carolers (In Person) At Central Florida Community Arts. (11:30 AM)
• 2021 State of Downtown At Exploria Stadium. (3:30 PM)
• Lady Braves Basketball vs. Apopka At Boone High School.. (6:00 PM)
• Varsity Girls Soccer vs Winter Park At Colonial High School (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Valencia College: "Congratulations to all of our incredible graduates! We are so proud of your hard work and dedication, and you should be as well. Way to go! #ValenciaGrad #Classof2021" (Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department: "Congratulations to Police Chief Orlando Rolón on receiving the 2021 Don Quijote Excellence Award from Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando & Prospera USA." (Facebook)
• Orlando Science Center: "Did you know that if every household wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields? Check out a few ways you can go green AND save some green this holiday season without lookin..." (Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Whisper Lakes: "Come check out our lights between 6-11 pm daily. - On Friday and Saturday nights our daughter sells hot cocoa for $1 per cup. We are in The Pointe off of Whisper Lakes." (Nextdoor)

Loving the Orlando Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business featured in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.