🌱 Apopka FD Worker Injured + Orlando's First Alcohol-Free Bar Opens

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this warm morning with the most important things happening in Orlando these days. Keep scrolling for the scoop...

First, today's weather:

Clouds and sun with a t-storm. High: 90 Low: 75.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Orlando's first alcohol-free bar, The Bandbox, has officially opened in Ivanhoe Village. The bar offers mocktails as well as drinks made with alternative non-alcoholic spirits. The minimum age to enter is 18 despite the lack of alcohol. July 7 is the official opening date. (Orlando Weekly)

2. A firefighter with the Apopka Fire Department suffered a "significant work-related injury" on Thursday morning and was transported to the hospital, the fire department said in a news release. The incident was referred to as an "accident" and said the cause is under investigation. (Fox 35)

3. The former location of Mediterranean Blue at 435 E. Michigan Street has been acquired by Mark and John Cavallini, co-owners of Thornton Park hot spot Cavo's Bar and Kitchen. The new owners plan to open a casual Northeastern-inspired pizza shop. (Bungalower)

4. A Lake County woman, 33-year-old Jessica Clark, was arrested Tuesday and accused of stealing nearly $15,000 worth of fireworks from her job. Volusia County deputies were called to the Four Seasons Fireworks store Monday to look into a theft report. (WESH)

5. A 37-year-man died Wednesday night after his vehicle was submerged in a retention pond in a south Orlando neighborhood, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man failed to stop at a stop sign for the T-intersection of Rio Grande Avenue, went through a fence, then into the pond. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel)

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See important Reg A Disclosures

Today in Orlando:

• Seaworld Orlando's 4th Of July Electric Ocean. (9 a.m.)
• A Celebration Of Iris Goodwin at Central Florida Community Arts. (7 p.m.)
• Winter Garden's Red, White, & Blues. (7 p.m.)
• Independence Weekend Celebration at SHOTS Downtown Orlando. (7 p.m.)
• Orlando Predators Vs. Jacksonville Sharks at Amway Center. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• In Orlando, the average interest rate for a mortgage loan increased from 2.97% to 5.28% between May 2021 and May 2022, according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. The increase in rates caused the affordability of homes to disappear in Central Florida. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal)
• Toronto punks Pup are coming to Orlando at the end of summer at the Plaza Live. Tickets are now available. The tour is supporting their new album, The Unraveling of PUPTheBand. (Orlando Weekly)
• Seminole State College in Sanford hopes to help fill teacher vacancies by training more teachers with new degree program tracks. (Fox 35)
• There is a Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday starting today, July 1 through Thursday, July 7, Florida consumers can make tax-free purchases on qualifying outdoor recreation items, as well as admissions to entertainment and cultural events. (Florida Department of Revenue)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com